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After hiking the Ho Chi Min Trail in Torrey Pines last month with Clayton and Abril, I was counting down the days until their San Diego Natural History Museum rooftop wedding. Not only do I love shooting on the West Coast but I knew this fun and adventurous couple had something very special in the works.
Clayton and Abril are one of those couples who remind you what love is supposed to look like. The couple that has their differences and unique personalities yet geek out together as they marathon through Star Wars, Marvel MCU, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or even GOT any chance they get. They also share a love for architecture, both having earned their Master’s in Architecture at the Newschool of Architecture & Design in San Diego where they met for the first time. Most importantly, Clayton loves Mexican food and Abril not only loves to cook it but was actually born and raised in Mexico.
On the day of the wedding, the weather was absolutely perfect. There wasn’t a single cloud in the sky as the sun made its way from one side to the other. Just the way we like it! Abril started her day getting her hair and makeup done in downtown San Diego, Clayton was over on Coronado Island. Their first look was in Balboa Park just before heading over to the rooftop of The Nat to tie the knot and celebrate with family and friends.
Thankfully, Clayton and Abril flew me out last month for their engagement shoot which gave us the chance to hang out and get to know each other a little bit before their wedding day. This allowed us to capture their day in a very photojournalistic style which you’ll be able to see in the photos below. I was able to build that trust with them ahead of time so that they were able to truly be themselves in front of our cameras. Lastly, we knew that they would want us to push things creatively and not shy away from taking risks, and we didn’t 🙂
Congrats again to our new friends, Clayton and Abril, we’re looking forward to seeing you again and hopefully enjoying some home-cooked tacos! Thank you for treating us like family and making this trip go as smoothly as it did, enjoy!
As wedding photographers, we often find ourselves under the intense gaze of our clients, but when those clients are talented photographers themselves, the pressure reaches a new level. Erica and Matt, both exceptional bird and nature photographers, tied the knot at Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm, one of the most beautiful farm wedding venues in NJ, and we had the honor of capturing their special day.
From the moment we arrived at Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm, the weather set the perfect stage for a rustic farm wedding. The sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow over the 300 acres of picturesque countryside. While many photographers prefer overcast skies, we embrace the challenge of direct sunlight, and it truly brought out the best in our artistic style of photography, as you can see from the images below.
Erica and Matt’s Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm Wedding was a small, intimate affair with an outdoor ceremony under the clear, cool skies of an unseasonably beautiful day. The historic 17th-century barns, the lush orchards, and the charming animals provided a stunning backdrop for their rustic farm wedding. Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm gave us full access to the property, allowing us to capture a wide array of breathtaking shots that reflected the couple’s deep appreciation for nature and artistry.
Meeting Erica and Matt for the first time on their wedding day could have been daunting, especially since we typically get to know our clients during engagement shoots. However, within minutes of our initial conversation, it felt as though we were old friends. This immediate rapport set the tone for the day, making it one of the most enjoyable weddings we’ve ever photographed. Their comfort with us allowed them to be themselves, and their trust in our vision enabled us to document their day in a truly artistic and unobtrusive manner.
One of the standout moments was the extended time they requested after the reception. This undistracted, twilight period allowed us to capture some incredible night shots, showcasing not just the beauty of the Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm venue, but the genuine connection and love between Erica and Matt. Their decision to prioritize photography and their trust in our ability to deliver made this rustic farm wedding a reminder of why we love our job so much. We couldn’t be more thankful to them both for trusting us on their big day and making us feel like family, it’s what keeps our passion for this job going as strong as it does.
Erica and Matt’s heartfelt review perfectly encapsulates their experience with us:
I reached out to Twisted Oaks Studio because their online portfolio really stood out to me – the photography was artistic and atmospheric, with interesting compositions and beautiful work with light and shadow. Their work is so different from the majority of wedding photography I came across in my research. I was thrilled to find that Sandi and Jay were available to shoot our wedding. What I didn’t know was how kind and funny and personable they would be!
My husband and I are pretty camera-shy and don’t like to be the center of attention. He, in particular, was dreading having his photo taken. We’re wildlife photographers, and much more comfortable on the other side of the lens! Within minutes of meeting Jay and Sandi, my husband was talking and joking with them like old friends, and the tension was gone from his face. We couldn’t have asked for a better connection with these two.
Sandi and Jay not only made the photography experience easy, but they made it fun! Rather than directing specific poses, they gave us some pointers and had us “do our thing” – and move in ways that were natural to us, which was also a relief. Our comfort level and rapport with them is surely reflected in our photos.
Now, the photos… they are simply breathtaking. Jay and Sandi use light and shadow to create dreamy, evocative images, and the variety of interesting and artistic compositions really make their work stand out. A wide variety of photos ranging from close-up detail images to spectacular wide-angle shots provide a sense of the scope of the event. My friends and family members have been stunned by the photos, and have remarked on their “quiet beauty,” some have described them as “dreamy” and “magical.” My immediate family members are all trained in art, and my brother stated that “your photographer is a serious artist, those photos are insane!” And my father wrote, “They are an incredible group of photos… Jay is a master photographer!”
I can’t stop looking at our photos and reliving all the emotions of the day, and I feel so grateful to Sandi and Jay for capturing the magic and beauty of our wedding. Having seen their work, I knew they would do a good job, but I had no idea how far they would exceed my expectations, and how much our fun experience with them would add to an already joy-filled day. I have nothing but gratitude for – and awe of – their work.
(Jay and Sandi, we can’t thank you guys enough.)
