Mary Jo and George, Ahhhh, where to begin?!?  Let me start from the beginning.  It was March, 2013 when I opened up my first email from Mary Jo inquiring about our services for her upcoming wedding in Chicago.  Mary Jo lives in Chicago so we scheduled a time to talk on the phone and after talking extensively about her plans and details for her perfect day, I asked how she heard about us.  Here is the great part :-).  Turns out Mary Jo had a friend who was a bridesmaid in a wedding we photographed in California ... in 2009!!  Wait, what, huh?!  I couldn't believe it!  She had held on to our information for 4 years and has been following us throughout that time!  Needless to say, I was speechless.  That someone would like our images so much that they would keep track of us for that length of time was a true compliment and it meant a lot.  I knew from the first phone call that this couple and their wedding was going to be a special one for us!!  Indeed it was!!Fast forward 14 months to Memorial Day weekend 2014 and Mary Jo's dream wedding had arrived!  As soon as we met Mary Jo and George in person, we felt as though we were among old friends.  They are so sweet and easy to get along with!  We started the wedding day with Mary Jo at her parent's beautiful home.  Mary Jo's mom decorated the arbor in ...

Mary Jo and George, Ahhhh, where to begin?!?  Let me start from the beginning.  It was March, 2013 when I opened up my first email from Mary Jo inquiring about our services for her upcoming wedding in Chicago.  Mary Jo lives in Chicago so we scheduled a time to talk on the phone and after talking extensively about her plans and details for her perfect day, I asked how she heard about us.  Here is the great part :-).  Turns out Mary Jo had a friend who was a bridesmaid in a wedding we photographed in California ... in 2009!!  Wait, what, huh?!  I couldn't believe it!  She had held on to our information for 4 years and has been following us throughout that time!  Needless to say, I was speechless.  That someone would like our images so much that they would keep track of us for that length of time was a true compliment and it meant a lot.  I knew from the first phone call that this couple and their wedding was going to be a special one for us!!  Indeed it was!!Fast forward 14 months to Memorial Day weekend 2014 and Mary Jo's dream wedding had arrived!  As soon as we met Mary Jo and George in person, we felt as though we were among old friends.  They are so sweet and easy to get along with!  We started the wedding day with Mary Jo at her parent's beautiful home.  Mary Jo's mom decorated the arbor in ...

 WOW!!  We were so EXCITED to wake up and see this!!  Weddzilla put out their pick for the "50 Top Wedding Photographers in the USA" and guess what ... WE ARE ON IT!!!!  The amount of raw talent on this list is stunning and we are beyond humbled to be a part of it!!  Take a look at the list here WEDDZILLA'S "50 TOP WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE USA" to see all the wonderful photographers chosen!  We are just so EXCITED!!!

Kavita and Sudeep decided to have a coast-to-coast event to celebrate their marriage.  It started at the beginning of April in posh South Beach, Miami.  The couple wanted a location with a tropical feel that would provide their guests with a weekend full of fun and relaxation that wasn't too far off the beaten path.  South Beach was the perfect solution!The three-day event in Miami began at a private estate nestled deep in the heart of South Beach's main strip, called the Orchid House.  Though it is in the thick of the action, you would never know it once inside the property grounds.  It was surprising how quite and tranquil the setting was ... and beautiful.  Friday evening was reserved for the Mehndi Party which featured henna artists, dinner, and several wonderful dance programs.  Kavita is a very accomplished dancer and gave an outstanding performance to wrap up the night's festivities.  The following Saturday morning, the couple took part in a festive Haldi Ceremony where a mixture containing turmeric is playfully applied to the skin by various family members for beautification purposes.  Gifts are also exchanged between family members.  The wedding ceremony and brunch the following Sunday is covered in our next posting.

Kavita and Sudeep celebrated the first part of their two-part coast-to-coast Indian wedding in South Beach, Miami, Florida.  This was a destination wedding for everyone involved and the weekend was designed for for fun-in-the-sun!Friday evening they held a Mehndi Party and Saturday morning the held a Haldi Ceremony, all at a beautiful South Beach estate called the Orchid House.  The ceremony and reception were held Saturday afternoon and evening.  We started with a few photos at the Orchid House and then moved over to the ceremony venue at a high-rise on the beach known as the Shore Club.  Everything took place at the Penthouse of the Shore Club and it was almost overwhelming to take in.  The evening's events took place out on the patios of the penthouse and the views were out of this world spectacular.  In every direction was either beach and ocean views or stunning city views of Miami's incredible skyline.  To top it off the entire penthouse balcony was lit up in vivid shades of every color of the rainbow!  Oh, and did we mention the cake ... WOW, what an awesome cake!!Kavita and Sudeep decided against a traditional Indian ceremony, opting instead to make it their own and incorporate many customs from various cultures throughout the world, including those of Indian culture.  It was truly a stunning event and one I'm sure their ...

We were beyond excited to grab First Place in the current ISPWP competition under the category, Emotional Impact!!  Better still, we LOVE the couple in this image!  Thank you Allyson and Eric for giving us one of our most memorable "first look" shots EVER!!!  

Part two of Kavita and Sudeep's coast-to-coast Indian wedding was held in California and it was spectacular!!  The first part, the wedding, was held in South Beach, Miami.  The second half included a two-night celebration.  On the first night they held a welcome dinner and mehndi party at Kavita's parent's home.  The second night was the reception and it took place at the gorgeous Hyatt Huntington Beach.  Kavita and Sudeep looked amazing, the ballroom decor was stunning, the weather was perfect and the entertainment for the evening was second-to-none!  Kavita loves to dance and is extremely accomplished, so it would stand to reason the theme for the evening was dance.  There were tango and salsa performances and the highlight of the evening were the electric performances by world-renowned dance group, Karmagraphy.  Kavita was invited to be a guest dancer with the group and she was simply flawless!!  Smita Mohindra of Ethnic Essence did a stellar job coordinating the reception!Kavita and Sudeep, thank you for taking us along on your coast-to-coast wedding journey.  You both made us feel so welcomed as did your families and friends!  We had such a great time getting to know you all and wish you all the happiness in your future together!! Reception Venue: HYATT HUNTINGTON BEACH RESORTEvent Planner: Smita Mohindra, ETHNIC ...

What a fantastic time we had spending a day on Saguaro Lake with Christina, Kyle and their adorable dog, Littles!  Saguaro Lake hold a lot of meaning to Christina and Kyle and is also the location for their wedding!

Sometimes we get far behind on blogging, due mostly in part to photographing other weddings and portrait sessions, editing, traveling for work and doing day-to-day task of running our business.  This sometimes leads to some of our favorite weddings hitting the blog late and sometimes not at all.  We couldn't let Christina and Kyle's wedding slip through the cracks.These two were married last November at Saguaro Lake, a location that is very special to them!  In attendance was their dog, Littles.  We love Littles.  We also love this couple and couldn't be more happy for them!

We just love this couple!  Mona and Allen held their Indian Fusion Wedding on March 29th, 2014 and the day couldn't have been more beautiful.  They started the day with the first of two ceremonies with a lovely Catholic ceremony at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church.  After a lunch held for their guests, the couple headed over to the Doubletree Resort Paradise Valley for their second ceremony, a colorful Hindu ceremony.  After the cocktail hour the final phase of the day concluded with a fun-filled reception.  A long day for sure, but one full of joy, fun, love and most important, the blending of two families and cultures.  We just love wedding like this!We have to thank Jo Ann Grant of Apropos Creations for doing such an amazing job planning all the details and pulling them together to provide Mona and Allen with a day they will never forget!!Mona and Allen, thank you both so much for having us as your wedding photographers!  We loved every minute of it and hope you enjoy the sneak peak :-)!VENDORS:Wedding Venue Hindu Ceremony / Reception - DOUBLETREE RESORT PARADISE VALLEYWedding Venue Catholic Ceremony - ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCHWedding Photographer - SIERRA BLANCO PHOTOGRAPHYWedding Coordinator - JO ANN GRANT, APROPOS CREATIONSDJ / Dhol / Lighting - DJ ADHI, IN THE MIX ENTERTAINMENTFloral / Mandap - ELEGANT EVENTWedding Cake - ...

We LOVE this boudoir session we photographed at the ultra-unique, retro, Valley Ho Hotel in Scottsdale! The bride-to-be did this shoot as a gift for her groom ... what a GREAT gift idea :-)!

We are so pleased to have placed in each of the three most recent wedding photography contests we entered! It is always an honor to win awards in these prestigious competitions!FEARLESS AWARD - Fearless Photographers February 2014 Contest 13th PLACE - WEDDING DETAILS CATEGORY - ISPWP Winter 2013 Competition16th PLACE - HUMOR CATEGORY - WPJA 2013 Quarter 4 Contest 

The day after Cassondra and Matthew's amazing wedding at Cap Juluca Resort on the Caribbean Island of Anguilla, we headed out to explore the Island further during their Trash the Dress Session.  We wanted to incorporate some of the history of Anguilla in the shoot in addition to it's natural beauty.  This led us to a quite beach with two incredible shipwrecks!  We were told by locals that the two enormous ships were casualties of a fierce hurricane that hit the Island during the 1980's.  They certainly made for great backdrops!  What a fantastic weekend we had with a wonderful couple on a picturesque Island in the Caribbean!  Thank you both for this experience!  Enjoy!!See Cassondra and Matthew's wedding images HERE!

When we told people we were going to Anguilla to photograph a destination wedding, for most the reaction was, huh???  It's true, many aren't familiar with the tiny Island located a mere ten miles off St. Maarten's coast in the Caribbean ... and that is precisely the point!  This charming, off-the-beaten path, spit of land is surrounded by crystal blue waters, powdery, white sand beaches and friendly locals happy to show others why they love their Island.  Lacking the tourist-trap feel, Anguilla was the perfect Caribbean Island for Cassondra and Matthew to get married and Cap Juluca Resort was the perfect venue!We first encountered these two at a bridal show in Phoenix.  Kevin noticed Matthew looking at one of our large photos from a beach wedding and said, "I'm going to bet you are having a beach wedding?"  The answer was obviously yes, and the rest is history.  Just over a year later we were on a plane to paradise!We love destination weddings like this - small, intimate, laid back and lots of fun!  This was what the couple wanted from their wedding and by the big smiles on their faces all day long it was obvious they were more than satisfied with their decision.  There were many personal touches, including a paisley garter in memory of Cassondra's brother, jumping the broom and having Matthew's father preside over the ceremony.  ...

We can't say enough wonderful things about this couple!  We just love Allyson and Eric and to think, we almost didn't get this booking.  Allyson found us on the WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) under Florida listings.  We are obviously listed under Arizona, but also list ourselves under Florida because we work there frequently.  When Allyson contacted us and found out we were based in Arizona, she almost didn't email back.  Ultimately we continued talking and in the end it was meant to be and we are so glad for that!Allyson and Eric were married January 18, 2014 at the Ancient Spanish Monastery in Miami, Florida.  This was a destination wedding for the couple and it couldn't have been a more beautiful setting.  So many things about this wedding were noteworthy, but the two things that really stood out to us were their obvious love for one another and their love for Eric's son, E.J.  During the ceremony E.J. was invited up and they all joined hands to symbolize becoming a family.  One other moment worthy of mention was the couple's "first look" ... epic!  The week of the wedding they were still wavering on their decision to see one another before the ceremony.  After some back and forth, and some coaxing from us, they finally decided to do it.  We always strive to make these meetings special, but we felt even ...

What a beautiful way to begin 2014!  Julie and Bob celebrated their New Year's Day wedding at their Arabian horse estate is Scottsdale, Arizona with their closest family and friends in attendance.  The day couldn't have been more pleasant.  Julie looked amazing in her custom designed gown and Bob was equally handsome in his black tuxedo.  Cocktails were served before and after the ceremony which was held at the main house.  Guests were then invited over to the gorgeous horse stables to enjoy dinner and an evening filled with dancing and great fun.  Thank you both so much for having us as your wedding photographers.  It was such a pleasure!  We also want to thank Julie's good friend, Dana, for all her help in pulling the wedding plans together and for being a delight every step of the way!

Another year has come and gone ... it goes by so quickly!  Year eight of our business brought with it more travel and some wonderful advances and changes!  We started out the year with a destination wedding in San Francisco, California and ended it with a destination wedding in Cancun, Mexico.  We also enjoyed photographing a traditional Navajo wedding on the Navajo Nation, which is always a deep privilege!  We scaled back a little this year and photographed 32 weddings.  The extra time was spent working on a new business called Nature's Album by Sierra Blanco.  This business is dedicated to the nature end of our work, offering fine art landscape and wildlife prints and nature photography workshops.  It is an exciting new venture for Kevin and I that we are thrilled to finally launch!  You can view our nature photography on our new website.The biggest change of all though centers around our wedding photography business.  Kevin and I (Tina) have always been the primary photographers.  Angie joined us four years ago and starting taking her own weddings through us a couple of years ago, but only sporadically.  This year Meg joined us and she has been working very hard to learn the ropes and our unique style of journalistic wedding photography.  With the launch of 2014, Sierra Blanco Photography is now officially a ...

Another year has come and gone ... it goes by so quickly!  Year eight of our business brought with it more travel and some wonderful advances and changes!  We started out the year with a destination wedding in San Francisco, California and ended it with a destination wedding in Cancun, Mexico.  We also enjoyed photographing a traditional Navajo wedding on the Navajo Nation, which is always a deep privilege!  We scaled back a little this year and photographed 32 weddings.  The extra time was spent working on a new business called Nature's Album by Sierra Blanco.  This business is dedicated to the nature end of our work, offering fine art landscape and wildlife prints and nature photography workshops.  It is an exciting new venture for Kevin and I that we are thrilled to finally launch!  You can view our nature photography on our new website.The biggest change of all though centers around our wedding photography business.  Kevin and I (Tina) have always been the primary photographers.  Angie joined us four years ago and starting taking her own weddings through us a couple of years ago, but only sporadically.  This year Meg joined us and she has been working very hard to learn the ropes and our unique style of journalistic wedding photography.  With the launch of 2014, Sierra Blanco Photography is now officially a ...

Kendra and Kyle were married back in 2011 and we absolutely love them!  They not only had an amazing wedding but they were also up for anything at their trash the dress session.  Needless to say, they are a fun couple to work with.  We were thrilled when they contacted us over the summer to let us know they were expecting their first baby!  We scheduled Kendra's maternity session for late September as little baby Jack was expected to arrive by mid-November.  The maternity session was held in the Superstition Mountains just east of Mesa and we had such a great time!  See their wedding photos here and see their trash the dress session here and more of our baby and maternity work here.

Welcome to the world baby Jack!  Kendra and Kyle welcomed their first baby in November, just in time for the holidays.  We scheduled his newborn session when he was three weeks old and he was absolutely precious!  Congratulations Kendra and Kyle ... we couldn't be more happy for you!  See Kendra's maternity session here.