Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church - Castroville, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Patty + Maurilio

As Patty and Maurilio’s wedding approached, I couldn't help but count down the days until the big event. The couple chose Quail Lodge as the location for their wedding preparations, Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Castroville, CA for their ceremony.

On the day of the wedding, everything ran smoothly and according to schedule. The couple was punctual and easy to work with, which made my job as their wedding photographer that much more enjoyable. They trusted me and my team completely, which allowed us to capture every stunning moment of the day.

As the bridal party got ready, I made sure to take photos of all of their details. From the rings and shoes to the outside of the church, these small details tell the story of the day. I always make sure to include them in my galleries so that the couple can remember the little things, too.

When it was time for the ceremony, my team and I prepared to capture the big moment. Patty and Maurilio were so romantic, and it was a pleasure to photograph their ceremony. You could practically feel the excitement of the guests as they watched the couple say their vows.

These photos look so effortless, however looks can be deceiving. Church lighting can often be a challenge to work with, and that was definitely the case today.

Due to the church's rules, we were not allowed to use flash, which made things a bit tricky. To ensure that the exposure settings were just right and the skin tones came out consistent, we had to work with the limited natural light that was available. By bumping up our ISO, we were able to capture beautiful photographs. Then after the ceremony, we headed outside for some group photos.

Group photos can be a challenge too, but I have a pro tip to share. I always ask everyone to close their eyes and open them on the count of three. This usually gives me around a 98% success rate and ensures that everyone is looking in the same direction and has their eyes open.

After that, we headed to the reception to party our hearts out! The couple chose an elegant white and lavender theme for all of the decorations, flower arrangements, and the cake.

Everyone had a blast while dancing, eating, and celebrating the couple. From the youngest to the oldest, there was not a frown in the entire building!

Overall, it was an amazing experience to photograph Patty and Maurilio's wedding. They were such a wonderful couple to work with and I wish them all the best as they start their married life together. I am confident that the photographs we captured will serve as a beautiful reminder of their special day for years to come. Congratulations!

Garland Ranch + Colton Hall Museum - Carmel Valley, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Monica + Daniel

Monica + Daniel just got married on January 7th in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I wish I could’ve been a part of it, but I was a wee bit outside of their budget. However, they still wanted to work with me, so they hired me for their engagement photos.

I photographed Monica’s cousin, Maria, for her wedding a couple months ago. Tap here to see my blog post all about Maria + Noe’s big day!

Monica and I actually had multiple instances of mutual connection, and it was so cool to discover that during our session. She’s a Dental Hygienist, and it turns out that she actually worked with my sister at a dental office a couple years ago. Small world!

We scheduled the shoot for Mid-December, and at the time, the couple were knee-deep in wedding preparations. Monica + Daniel were both eagerly anticipating their big day.

Their smiles were so wide and genuine that I couldn’t help but grin along with them! Right from the start, I knew that we were going to capture some prize-worthy shots.

This engagement session included two gorgeous locations: Garland Ranch and the Colton Hall Museum. I’ve shot at both of these places a million times, so I know all of the tips, tricks, and special alcoves that will give the illusion of privacy even if the place is busy.

At the Garland Ranch, Monica + Daniel combined their wardrobe colors expertly, Monica with her bold purple dress, and Daniel with dark, neutral tones. Having that fantastic pop of color in Monica’s dress made the couple stand out in front of the greens and browns of their surroundings. Great job, you two!

When we arrived at the Colton Hall Museum, the couple changed into clean, bright white. Planning different outfits for each location really made this session special, and I’m thrilled that they chose the pieces they did.

Even though I couldn’t make it to your wedding, it was a pleasure meeting you both for your engagement session at Garland Ranch and the Colton Hall Museum. Congratulations on your marriage! I know you’re both excited to step into this new stage in life.

Asilomar State Beach - Pacific Grove, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Jay + Akshata

In early December, Jay planned meticulously for his marriage proposal to Akshata, and he contacted me to see if I was available to capture the moment for them. I was all for it!

The proposal was going to happen at sunrise on Asilomar Beach. I was looking forward to dreamy sunrise shots, but as the day came closer, a huge storm rolled in. I advised Jay of the rain, and that if his heart was set on those romantic sunrise shots, we might want to reschedule. But he just said, “Let’s do it anyways!”

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting there to be much to work with during the rain, but Jay must have had a gut feeling because man, these photos turned out to be some of the most striking engagement photos of my career! His flexibility on the matter was very admirable. Sure enough, the day came, and there was enough rain that I actually had to cover my camera with a grocery bag to keep it dry.

Jay told Akshata that his boss wanted to see him out there before their day began to show him something. Jay is in tech, so I’m surprised Akshata didn’t suspect anything, but she went along for the ride.

Then Jay popped the question, and Akshata was shocked! With the rain falling around them, it was hard to tell if she was crying or not, but she was so touched and accepted immediately. Congratulations!

The wind was so fierce that I had to be careful which direction I pointed my lens. If it got wet, the images would turn out blurry, and I definitely couldn’t risk that. By positioning the couple strategically, we overcame this obstacle.

When I got home, I was still completely drenched. I’ve never experienced that on a shoot before, and it was definitely a wild ride. Even so, I would 10/10 do it again!

When Jay + Akshata saw their final gallery, they were in love with the photos. I can definitely see why! These two were so passionate and loving.

Thank you so much for choosing me to document this special moment, Jay! It was so much fun planning with you, and I’m so happy that we went through with the session despite the foreseeable challenges. Congratulations, you two!