Welcome to the blog of Acres of Hope Photography and thanks for visiting! I'm Erica and I'm a photographer based out of San Diego, but my hubby and I love to travel and are available for weddings and lifestyle sessions all over the country! The purpose of this blog is to feature our most recent lifestyle sessions, engagement sessions and weddings and to share our life's adventures. To view more of my online portfolio, please visit the website at www.acresofhopephotography.com. Enjoy perusing the blog and feel free to leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. :)

Meet Laurelle & Willie and their little baby boy on the way! Willie has been a good friend of Deven’s since they were in high school- it was Willie and his dad who sparked Deven’s love for backpacking and the great outdoors! From the stories I’ve heard, they did quite a few trips together and made some pretty funny memories. :) Willie married his beautiful bride Laurelle a year after we were married and are now expecting their first kiddo in just a few short weeks! We did their maternity session out at Willie’s grandma’s property in Lawson Valley (Jamul)- a place they hope to bring all their kids out to for a long time. So cool! Congratulations again, Laurelle and Willie- we can’t wait wait to meet him! :)

Friends and Family: To be notified when the rest of the images are online, please sign the guestbook here.

 

• lifestyle sessions

I had the privilege of photographing our dear friends Keary & Justin of Keary Dee Photography last week. We did a little photo swap this year- she did our Christmas pictures in December, and now we’re doing their pictures in the beautiful green springtime! Our session included the newest addition to their family, Milo! I’ll have to get Keary to post a comment with the breed of the dog, because I’ve probably asked her a million times and still can’t remember. I can’t spill the beans yet but… Keary and Justin have some exciting things happening in the next few months (no, she’s not pregnant). ;) We always have a great time hanging out with these two… it’s fun to have photographer friends that are also married, Christians, San Diegans, dog-lovers and vegans too! K & J- we can’t wait to watch your business change and grow and see what you two accomplish together! We love you guys! :)

• lifestyle sessions

Meet Joanna and Andres! We drove out to East San Diego County- the Buckman Springs area- for their engagement session last week. Joanna told me she wanted some tall grassy fields to run through for her pictures and well, we found one! :) Joanna and Andres’ are a really sweet couple and I’d like to think we really hit it off the day I met them! It’s so fun getting to know my couples a little  better on their engagement shoot. Joanna and Andres’ are both lawyers and live in Del Mar, but little did I know that Andres loves dirt-bikes, Joanna and I are the exact same age and they both love country music (us too)! I had no trouble getting some great shots of these two… they are in love and it shows! :) Congrats, Joanna and Andres- I’m so looking forward to photographing your wedding in September!

Friends and Family: To be notified when the rest of the images are online, please sign the guestbook here.

 A unique shot by Deven on the left (above). I love seeing his different perspective!

 

• engagement sessions

Sarah & Bryan’s wedding was a fairytale backyard dream! And what a fun day! It was a gorgeous, very warm, sunny day in East County San Diego. Sarah and Bryan were married at Bryan’s mom’s house, where Bryan grew up. I just love when couples are able to get married at a location that means something to them. Sarah was one of the most gorgeous brides I’ve ever seen- and I know her hubby agrees! :) Bryan is head-over-heels for his gorgeous wife- and the two are just so adorable together. They were a picture-perfect princess and prince charming on their wedding day for sure! :) I loved all of the antique decor Sarah collected to make the backyard feel whimsical and pretty- the chandeliers, books, old-fashioned suitcases, burlap and linens, candles, lanterns, parasols all in pastels and whites. Sarah & Bryan said their vows just as the sun was setting and then danced the night away under the stars with the best of their family and friends. Such a great day. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of the best day of your life, S & B! :)

Friends and Family: To be notified when the rest of the images are online, please sign the guestbook here.

First look… Bryan is astonished!

My favorite bridesmaid dresses of all time by Bari Jay- Kayla had her ladies in these dresses last year too!

A head table to die for! Nestled perfectly under the willow tree… so beautiful.

Married!

Paella!

 Congratulations again, Sarah & Bryan! I wish you all the best in your marriage! :)

Vendors:

Wedding planner: Anne Strobel

Catering: San Diego Paella

Cake: Cheesecake Factory 

DJ: Bob Brichmann, Artistic Productions

Makeup: Kiara Kremensky

Hair: Christine Abell, Hot Seat Salon

Transportation: Haynes Antique Car Chauffeuring

• weddings

Meet Erica and Ian! It’s not often I meet girls with my same name… but I am honored to share it with this lady! She is so gorgeous and sweet! She and Ian were a joy to photograph. It took a few minutes for them to warm up to the camera- like it does everyone- and then they totally rocked their engagement session… calm, relaxed, loving and just enjoying each other’s company. These two are country folk at heart, and I loved all of their outfit choices- including Ian’s three pairs of cowboy boots (Deven is still a little jeal0us). :) We took them up to the Cuyamaca area on a warm spring day a few weeks ago- and to a new favorite location! Green Valley Falls is finally open for the first time in what feels like forever! I’m so glad these two were adventurous enough to hike, rock-climb and scale waterfalls and streams with us. It was awesome! :) We are so looking forward to photographing their wedding in September! Congrats, Erica and Ian. :)

Friends and Family: To be notified when the rest of the images are online, please sign the guestbook here.

[This close-up photo credit goes to Deven!]

Top of the falls!

• engagement sessions