point reyes national seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore Elopement » Marin, California by Vivian Chen

Rebecca and Mike love the outdoors so choosing Point Reyes National Seashore for their intimate wedding made perfect sense. The day began with a heartwarming first look under the enchanting Cypress Tree Tunnel, setting the tone for the day's festivities. As the couple shared this intimate moment, their anticipation and excitement were palpable, a testament to the love they share.

We headed over towards Chimney Rock where the rest of their family was already setting up for their ceremony. Despite the sunny April weather, strong coastal winds added an element of unpredictability to the setup. Rebecca and Mike honored tradition by signing their ketubah and partaking in the time-honored Jewish custom of breaking a plate. It was a poignant moment, and it beautifully represented the merging of two families. With the Pacific Ocean behind them, the couple stood before their closest family members and exchanged heartfelt vows. The pristine surroundings and the sound of crashing waves provided a naturally romantic backdrop as they made their promises to one another. The love and devotion shared between Rebecca and Mike were evident in every word spoken and every glance exchanged. Following the ceremony, Rebecca and Mike shared tender goodbyes with their families, knowing they would reunite later for a celebratory dinner. Their decision to keep the wedding small allowed for a truly intimate experience, where their love was at the forefront, unobstructed by the fuss and frills of a larger celebration.

Rebecca and Mike ventured over to Chimney Rock for post-ceremony portraits. The rugged cliffs, the salty sea breeze, and the endless ocean views provided an ideal backdrop for capturing the raw beauty of their love and the enchantment of their special day. Before the afternoon wrapped up, Rebecca and Mike headed over to the Lighthouse where they did a quick outfit change, opting for bicycling attire. With a nod to their shared passion for cycling, the couple embarked on a unique adventure, symbolizing their journey as a newlywed couple. They celebrated their nuptials with an exhilarating ride, bringing an extra dose of joy and excitement to their special day. Rebecca and Mike's wedding day was a testament to love, tradition, and the beauty of simplicity. With the ocean as their witness, they embarked on their journey as a married couple, ready to embrace the adventures of life together.

Point Reyes National Seashore Engagement Session » West Marin by Vivian Chen

Anela and David are National Park Service rangers who met while working at Point Reyes National Seashore at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. They struck up a friendship that started as being running buddies before it quickly became something more. This adventurous couple love camping, fishing and enjoying the great outdoors. (Anela's love of exploring and sharing on Instagram is how we got to know each other!) Recently, the couple relocated to Alaska where they both work as rangers at Katmai National Park. It was in Alaska on a blueberry picking excursion where David popped the question, surrounded by their friends in blueberry patch. Their wedding plans will bring them back to Northern California so during a recent visit back, we headed back up to Point Reyes for their engagement session. They chose the Kule Loklo Trail for photos as it was the trail they used to run when they were just getting to know each other. For their second location, we caught the sunset at Limantour Beach where David and Anela had their first date. I can't wait to be a part of their wedding day!

Lighthouse Overlook Point Reyes National Seashore Engagement Session by Vivian Chen

Jessica and Brandon had just recently moved from Hawaii to the San Francisco Bay Area when they reached out to me for an engagement session. Not being super familiar with their new home, they weren't sure of a location. Jessica and Brandon knew they wanted to be in nature, somewhere near the ocean to remind them of Hawaii, where their relationship began. When she suggested Point Reyes National Seashore, I jumped at the chance to share with them one of my favorite parks in Northern California. We started at the Lighthouse Overlook for the epic views of Ten Mile Beach before heading over to Drakes Beach for some sunset surf shots. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we wrapped up our session with the iconic cypress tree tunnel

SUNRISE INSTAMEET! » Point Reyes National Seashore by Vivian Chen

Calling all early birds! I’m co-hosting an Instameet at the Point Reyes Lighthouse this Sunday, March 20! Join me and Ranger Anela at the lighthouse parking lot at 6:30am to explore at sunrise. The Point Reyes National Seashore Association will be providing coffee and cocoa. We'll also be raffling a voucher for a field seminar class (photography workshops, bioluminescent paddling, star parties and more) for two! Hope to see you there!

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#meetmeinpointreyes » Point Reyes Photo Walk by Vivian Chen

Today I visited my happy place. And I brought along an inspiring group of 20 kick-ass female photographers. Can every Monday be this amazing? Thank you all so much for exploring with me. My first ever organized photo walk was so much fun and I can't wait to start planning the next one. You can follow our Monday adventures with the Instagram hashtag: #meetmeinpointreyes

Sherese and the sea.

Sherese and the sea.