Andrea and Grant are seriously an incredible pair of humans. I hadn’t met them in person before this session – just our consultation via the interwebs last year. It’s always a little nerve wracking to photograph people you have never met in person before and I was feeling a bit nervous. Add to that, the fact that we decided on a sunrise session in San Francisco which meant when we would finally lay eyes on each other I’d have been awake since 3am. (Blessedly, I had the Hamilton cast recording and a large 911 from Dutch Brothers to keep my eyes open.) But all those frazzled nerves and concerns were for not. We met atop Hawk Hill across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco just as the sky was changing from night to day. Grant jumped out of their car and gave me the biggest and bestest hug like we were old friends seeing each other after years apart. It was quickly followed by an equally enthusiastic hug from Andrea. It was exactly what I needed on that breezy morning. We’d had to reschedule this session a couple times – there was a soccer injury (obviously, not mine) and then my sweet mama had open heart surgery and I needed to be with her. Andrea and Grant were so gracious and understanding. It is hard to care for your parent – and the days leading up to this session had seen my mom come back home and need help and lots of love. It can be exhausting at moments – but being met by such warmth and love (even so damn early in the morning!) was the perfect balm to my soul. San Francisco was showing off that morning, with perfect light and an incredible view of the bridge. I felt so much happiness creating these images and getting to know Andrea and Grant better. They are good ones, you guys. Their wedding is next weekend and I am getting SO excited to spend a weekend in the woods with these beautiful couple. I have a feeling I will fall even more in love with them. I’m sure you will fall pretty hard for them yourselves, dear reader. I mean – just take a look at how lovely they make 5am look! That takes a REALLY special brand of human. 🙂
