"it felt like they (Ava & Bella) were bridesmaids."
-The bride, Larissa Almanzar
Larissa and Issac were married on February 7th, 2026, and truthfully, I don’t think I’ll ever forget that day.
Not just because it was beautiful, though it absolutely was, but because it marked such a huge turning point for me personally and professionally. It was the first wedding I had ever photographed completely on my own alongside my sister, Ava. No lead photographer guiding us, no larger media team behind us. Just the two of us figuring it out together and a couple trusting us with one of the most important days of their lives. I remember feeling nervous in the days leading up to it. This would technically be the third wedding I had worked, but the first one that truly felt like ours. The first one where every moment, every timeline adjustment, every photo, and every decision rested fully on us.
The morning of the wedding started with a Starbucks run, which honestly felt fitting. A little calm before the excitement of the day officially began.
When we arrived at Bakers Ranch, we immediately started photographing details before everything got busy. Larissa had the sweetest pieces set aside for us, including her custom rosary, perfume, prayer card, and their invitation suite. There’s always something grounding about photographing details first. It slows everything down for a second and lets the story begin quietly before the emotions and movement of the day take over.
Soon after, we headed to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for the ceremony. It was such a beautiful and reverent ceremony, filled with so much intention and love. Catholic churches always challenge me a little as a photographer because of how warm the lighting can be, and I remember already knowing during the ceremony that the editing process would take extra care later on. But honestly, I didn’t even mind. Some weddings remind you that the work behind the scenes is worth it every single time.
After the ceremony, we spent time taking bridal party portraits before heading into the reception. By that point, a lot of the nerves had faded and the day started feeling exactly the way wedding photography should feel. Fast paced, emotional, meaningful, and honestly really fun. We captured the dances, the celebration, the in between moments, and eventually ended the night sending them off after a full 10 hour wedding day.
Ten hours exhausted us in the best way possible.
Looking back now, I think every photographer remembers the wedding where things started to feel real. The wedding where you realize this is no longer just something you want to do, it’s something you’re actually building.
For me, this was that wedding.
Larissa and Issac trusted us fully, even though we were stepping into something new ourselves, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop being grateful for that. They were kind, patient, joyful, and the kind of couple every photographer hopes for. Everyone starts somewhere, and I honestly feel so lucky that they were the beginning of this chapter for us.Larissa and Issac, thank you for trusting Ava and I with your wedding day. We already cannot wait to continue documenting all the chapters still ahead for you both.
