So much beauty + talent packed in to one epic lady.
Nehalem New Years Eve Nirvana - North Fork 53
Ginger and Brigham are a force.
For those who don't know, these two have spent ALL of their time lately, creating a beautiful haven, North Fork 53 Farm, just a short drive from Manzanita into the Nehalem Valley. Their property includes an organic vegetable garden, a farm store, multiple beautiful Airbnb stay spots, including a beautiful renovated old farm house and now, the title of Wedding Venue ( come get married here, do it!!).
On my most recent visit out to North Fork 53, I had the pleasure of photographing one of their exquisite Food + Bud pairing events, which took place on New Years Eve, in the gorgeous farm house. The theme was Moroccan and along with multiple courses of different cannabis strains and a full on FEAST of delicious locally sourced food courses, there was also live moroccan music and BELLY DANCERS!! The place was alive with warm laughter, vivid colors and the sweet sweet smells of Chef Sara Kachaturian and Chef Shimron Tubman's incredible cuisine.
I feel so very lucky and excited to be working with these wonderful people, they are a powerhouse of creative energy and are turning North Fork 53 into not only a beautiful venue for wedding celebrations, cooking classes, cozy Airbnb getaways, but also a place to interact with the community and learn from one another.
To read + see more of what North Fork 53 is about, click HERE!
Rome
There are no words.
Tuscania/San Giusto
After leaving Meran, we headed south to San Giusto and warmer weather, a secret paradise just outside the small town of Tuscania. We stayed two nights in Ippolita and SImone's incredible rebuilt castle tower that they have available HERE on Airbnb. You should stay there too :) The place is a haven for horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, DJs and Mayas. With rolling hills surrounding it and a lazy creek running through open fields, it is the most serene I've ever felt. For breakfast, we were ushered into Ippolita's family home for a lavish freshly made meal, home cured meats, fresh lemon cake and so many other yums.
We walked into Tuscania our second day there and explored the small town, ancient churches and of course delicious foods and coffee. The town has a very relaxed feel, the locals were so friendly and we had the place to ourselves, since it's not exactly a tourist hotspot (not sure why!), but that was fine with us. It was so warm that day, I'll never forget that feeling.
It is impossible to pick a favorite place during our adventure, but this comes pretty close. While we were there, DJ cooked us delicious pasta and we drank champagne and watched the sun go down over a horizon of rocky hills dotted with donkeys. It is a truly unique and vibrant place. Ippolita, Simone and their employees work so hard to make San Giusto shine and it shows. The grounds also include an abbey, a couple homes and a few little cottages, all of which were rebuilt starting about 25 years ago by Ippolita's father and then late Ippolita and Simone as well. Many a couple have said "I Do" there as well, since they've recently turned San Giusto into a wedding venue (hire me now!?). We most definitely will be returning because it's a place you can't just visit once.
Sean + Maren
When Sean wrote me and asked if I'd be there for his surprise proposal to Maren, I said uh, YES. These two have always been a role model couple for me. Their passion for each other as well as their independence within their relationship is not only admirable, it's impressive. Their love for one another is contagious and I couldn't stop smiling the entire shoot.
A little backstory, Maren's family has been coming to the cannon beach area and staying just a stones throw from Ecola State Park, since she was a little girl. Her family would spend their days playing at "Secret Beach" aka Crescent Beach, so it's always been a special place for her. When Sean and her first started dating, she brought him there and he fell in love with the place too. Fast forward 4 + years, new states, new jobs and a new life together forming. Sean decides to bring Maren back to that same beach to propose right before New Years Eve. The day was unbelievably beautiful and we had the beach to ourselves and I couldn't stop smiling at the two of them. Bursting with love, all the happy. Congratulations again, you two! You're a lovely example of love.
