On April 19, 2025, I had the absolute joy and honor of photographing a wedding that means more to me than I can fully put into words—my cousin Olivia’s (or as we call her, Lulu!) wedding to her person, Yonathan. It all took place at the gorgeous Oak Hollow Farms in Orland, California, a venue filled with rustic charm and even deeper family roots.

David and I flew into Sacramento on Thursday evening and spent that first night in Winters with my dad. Friday became a whirlwind of family visits—we made sure to stop by and see both sets of grandparents before heading out to the Red Bluff Round-Up Rodeo that evening. Coming home to Northern California always fills my heart in a way that’s hard to describe. It’s a short window of time, so I pack in as much love and connection as I can—but as the years pass, the pull to see my grandparents always seems to come first. By Saturday morning, it was wedding day, and David and I kicked it off with breakfast at The Hive before making our way to the venue.

When we arrived at Oak Hollow Farms, just a bit early, I had a few precious moments to take it all in. The warm sun, the breeze in the trees, the familiar voices of family—it was like stepping into a memory that hadn’t quite happened yet.

I walked into the bridal suite and saw Lulu getting her makeup done, and we immediately screamed and hugged like no time had passed. This wasn’t just another wedding to photograph. This was family. This was my little cousin, the one I grew up alongside—birthday parties, Christmases, Easter at Grandma’s. We have the same laugh. The same stories. The same genes. The same roots. And in that moment, it all just hit me at once.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect: sunny, warm, with just the slightest breeze. I started the day photographing details—bright florals, sweet vintage shoes, and delicate jewelry, all styled against the charm of the venue. Oak Hollow Farms is a renovated dairy barn with deep roots in our family—my aunt Ginny, Olivia’s mom, used to milk cows there, and that history gave the day even more meaning.

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The time came for things to get real, and LuLu prepared to get into her dress with the help of her mom. Everything came together, and she was the most beautiful thing to be seen. She popped outside to get her girls’ reactions to her dress, and their reactions were 1000% valid – screams, tears, and smiles.

There was a brief scramble over some groomsmen pants and ties (as weddings tend to throw at you!), but we adjusted the timeline and moved into the next thing on the schedule. One of the first emotional moments came during Olivia’s first look with her dad—my Uncle Wojo. There’s something about a father seeing his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time that always gets me, but this one? This one had me tearing up behind the lens.

Then came bridesmaids’ photos, and Lulu was surrounded by her girls in the most stunning green dresses that perfectly complemented the spring setting. Her sister—my other cousin—wore a standout floral-patterned dress as maid of honor, and I adored the little detail. The whole time slot was filled with laughter, dancing, and the kind of sisterhood you can’t stage. When I took a few quiet portraits of Olivia on her own, I felt the weight of it all—the little girl I used to chase around at family gatherings was standing in front of me as a glowing, joy-filled bride – cue the tears.

Eventually, the missing groomsmen pieces arrived, and we shifted gears to Yonathan and his crew. Those guys had me cracking up—their energy was unmatched, and I swear I was sore the next day from laughing. We even did a first look with Yonathan and his parents, which was such a heartfelt touch.

As guests began to arrive, I floated between hugs and candids, filming bits of the day on my new Super 8 camera. It was only the second wedding I’ve ever filmed on it, and I can’t wait to surprise them with that nostalgic little highlight reel. It felt like I was time-traveling between roles—cousin, photographer, filmmaker—and I was completely in my element.

Around 4:50 pm, the guests were shuffled to the giant barn on the other side of the venue. Olivia walked down the aisle with Uncle Wojo (no first look with Yonathan, so his reaction was priceless), and I don’t think I was the only one with blurry vision as they arrived at the altar, my uncle handed his daughter over, and her and Yonathan joined hands for the first time. The ceremony was short, sweet, and so meaningful. Olivia’s brother Ryan officiated, and his words gave us all the giggles, tears, and a perfect glimpse into their love story. Guests sat wherever they liked—no “sides,” which I always love—and the couple was pronounced husband and wife in just under 15 minutes. They danced and laughed all the way back down the aisle and hit the most iconic dip at the end of the aisle – picture perfect if you ask me!

After family portraits, Olivia and Yonathan joined cocktail hour, soaking up hugs and love from all their people. As the sun began to dip behind the orchard trees, I pulled them away for golden hour portraits. Lulu kicked off her heels—classic Henderson move—and we captured the most dreamy, joy-filled shots. She even pulled one of the cocktail couches into the orchard for a few romantic portraits that instantly became some of my favorites.

Back at the reception, they were announced as husband and wife for the first time and went straight into their first dance—a song Yonathan had shared with Olivia just a few dates into their relationship. It was short, sweet, and completely romantic. Next came a dance with Yonathan’s mom, followed by a father-daughter dance that started slow and then turned into a full-on boogie that showed a side of Uncle Wojo I had never seen before!

The speeches were heartfelt, and Olivia even surprised everyone with a thank-you speech in Spanish—such a meaningful nod to Yonathan’s heritage. And then… the party.

If you know the Esquivel’s or the Henderson’s, you know they know how to throw down. Both families culture came alive during the reception with traditional dances like the some good old country swing dancing, line dancing, and the snake dance—where guests weave around the bride and groom while trying to knock them off their chairs (don’t worry, groomsmen were on protection duty!). The energy was electric, and I had to dodge a few close calls while still snapping every moment. They also did the bull dance with a bull piñata worn like a costume in the center of a cheering circle. It was so fun to witness the traditions and vibrancy of their culture woven into the celebration.

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Lulu, Yonathan—thank you for trusting me to be both your photographer and your cousin that day. I’ll treasure it forever. I loved every second.