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Toni and Bryan | 11.10.2011

11.10.2011

Toni and Bryan

11 Pictures / 14 Comments

Toni and Bryan | 11.10.2011

11 Pictures / 14 Comments

Four years ago today, Toni and Bryan were married at La Posada Resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We’ve stayed in touch over the years since they live in Northern California like we do. When Bryan wrote to tell us they were expecting their first child, you could tell he was exploding with happiness. So right before the due date, we took a hike on the trail near our house to do some maternity photos for them. Just like on their wedding day, Bryan was all over Toni, telling her how beautiful she was and how much he loved her.

One of my favorite photos from the last few years came from Toni and Bryan’s wedding – a portrait of Bryan smoking a cigar with Toni looking on in her wedding gown. We thought it would be fun to try to duplicate it (or update it, I should say) for their maternity session. Bryan brought out a few cigars and we posed them out on the street. You can see both versions here on the blog. And don’t worry, Toni stayed far away from the smoke.

One of the best parts of our jobs is getting to see our couples grow together, and Toni and Bryan are perfect examples of what we hope for. Hoppus John Flores was born a couple weeks ago, and right afterwards, I was receiving texts from Bryan with photos of his new son. I bet he’s counting the days before he can take Hoppus on his first surf lesson, and we’re counting the days until we get to meet him.

You can see their wedding slideshow from Nov. 10, 2007 here: Toni and Bryan’s wedding at La Posada

Comments

Daniel Stark

dude. seriously. they will cherish these forever just like their amazing wedding photos. absolutely beautiful.

(11.10.2011)

Bryan

Ben and Erin, Thank you so much for making our day very special, four years ago, in August and today. You guys are awesome, thank you for being part of our lives. Bryan and Toni

(11.10.2011)

Cathy and David

Holy crap man. You just made me want to start doing maternity sessions. I never in my wildest dreams imagined they could look anything like these. WOW. She looks so beautiful and happy. :)

(11.10.2011)

Johannes Hochzeitsfotograf

Ben, you are the man, who catch the light

(11.11.2011)

Emma Rose

Just when I thought you couldn't get any better... 'cause you're already off the charts... you do.

(11.12.2011)

Fotograf ślubny Lublin

Gorgeous photos. You are great photographer, Ben.

(11.12.2011)

Stella

These are spectacular!!!

(11.17.2011)

Ryan

That first shot stopped me in my tracks. Crazy. Great set guys!

(11.23.2011)

Steve

Stunning collection, so much more than typical maternity images. What a lucky child to see these someday and truly know from where they came from.

(11.23.2011)

Louis Blythe

Blown Away! Love all these shots!

(11.29.2011)

Fjona Wei-ling

I'm always looking at your work and loving it but just had to comment on these, breathtaking! They must mean so much to the couple. Wow. Can we borrow some of that light over here in England?!!

(11.30.2011)

Marcin

excellent photos

(12.15.2011)

Caroline Anne

Most amazing maternity couple session I've ever seen.

(12.19.2011)

Vivika

Love this shot.

(01.18.2012)

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Remembering Ronny | 03.24.2011

Jacksonville, Florida

03.24.2011

Remembering Ronny

11 Pictures / 35 Comments

Remembering Ronny | 03.24.2011

11 Pictures / 35 Comments

We are fortunate to be able to fill up this blog each week with posts about happiness and love.

But unfortunately life has other balancing factors, and today I’m faced with writing one of the hardest blog posts I’ve ever had to write.

Our good friend – and former bride – Ronny Jo Villarreal passed away Saturday. Ronny, only 34, had been battling cancer since December 2007. She was first diagnosed in 2004, and the breast cancer, to everyone’s relief, went into remission. But only one year after marrying Andy in Santa Fe – and just months after learning she was pregnant – the cancer returned. She was forced to stop radiation treatment to give birth to their daughter. Maddy was born perfectly healthy. Ronny knew what a hard fight she had in front of her, but because of Maddy she had even more of a reason to live.

Ronny not only fought back, she fought back loudly. She was in Newsweek. She was on CNN. She was everywhere that she felt her story could help make a difference to others by being a proponent of new, potentially life-saving drugs, not only for her but for all the others in her situation.

Ronny was always one of our most special brides. We would email back and forth all the time about photography (she was a great photographer), the rivalries between our two universities, and how her fat cat Diego was the perfect match for my fat cat Mary Jo.

And when it came time for Erin’s and my wedding, Ronny was the first to offer help with the planning. In the end, the rigorous treatment schedule prevented Ronny, Andy and Maddy from attending. But in their place, Ronny sent us her beloved rosary, which she took to every chemotherapy session and was one of her most important possessions, and a set of Mexican arras, which played a significant role in our ceremony.

Erin and I will be in Florida next week to photograph a wedding, and we had been planning for months to stay with Ronny and Andy at their house there. But when Andy called me last week, he had bad news. Ronny’s liver was failing and she was going to be leaving the hospital to go into Hospice care. We hoped Ronny would make it long enough so we could see her, but she passed away just a couple days later.

By coincidence, we were in Tampa yesterday, so we drove up to Jacksonville where they live. We missed the service by just a few hours, but were able to spend time at Ronny and Andy’s house with all their friends and family. We also finally got to meet their beautiful Maddy.

Ronny, wherever you are, know that we love you and we will take lots of photos of Maddy as she grows up. Andy is an incredible father, and Maddy is going to be so much like you. We will always remember you for what you are – an angel.

Ronny and Andy’s wedding and engagement session on my first blog

Ronny and Andy’s wedding slideshow

Comments

Sergio Schröder

God be with her!

(03.24.2011)

Olga

I am sorry... She is now looking after her loves from above... I will look forward to seeing Maddy grow up through your eyes... Thank you.

(03.24.2011)

Trish Finfer

Heartbreaking to lose such a young and beautiful woman to this disease. It's so special that you got to capture her beauty and happiness to serve as a memory to her family and especially her daughter - I'm sure these images will be cherished. Always. Deepest sympathies to her family & friends from Austin.

(03.24.2011)

Caroline Anne

So sorry to hear this Ben & Erin, a bride of mine passed away just a month ago, also from cancer, and it was absolutely heart breaking. My heart is with their family - her daughter is precious.

(03.24.2011)

Aimee

There are no words to express the heartfelt sorrow I have when reading of your loss, I too have lost dear people to cancer and my heart goes out to you, Ronny's family and everyone she touched.

(03.24.2011)

bethany

the images you took for them & the friendship you shared will probably care for & help andy more than words or other deeds ever could...

(03.24.2011)

Geneve

Beautiful post Ben thanks for sharing. I went to photography school with Ronny and she always talked about her amazing wedding photographer. She will be missed greatly. Thanks for the lovely photos of Maddy, she's beautiful. Best, Geneve

(03.24.2011)

Maria

Very touching...

(03.24.2011)

Morgan Lynn

What a beautiful woman and a beautiful tribute, Ben. Love your heart. Ronny is so alive in every photo you took of her and especially in sweet little Maddy's face.

(03.24.2011)

Rosaura

My heart is breaking for the family especially for little Maddy....

(03.24.2011)

Marius Barbulescu

Heartbreaking... such stories stay with you forever. God bless her familly and friends!

(03.24.2011)

Brandon

Heartbreaking story. Best wishes to the entire family and all of her friends. What a privilege it must be to have been a part of her life and share some of her most important moments with her and her family.

(03.25.2011)

toni Robertson

So sorry for your loss Ben and Erin. This is a beautiful tribute. It wasn't a coincidence that you happened to be in Florida at this time. You were meant to be there for Ronny, Andy and Maddy. Just as you were meant to be an important part of their lives.

(03.25.2011)

Natasha Hurley

I have tears in my eyes. How aweful to leave a husband and daughter, but also how amazing that in the face of something so scary to be so positive and determined. What a truly amazing person. I think this just reminds me of why celebrating a marriage is so important. Life is hard. So you have to grab at the good bits and really celebrate when you can. Thank you for sharing Ben. x

(03.25.2011)

kirsten

Tears. I am sending you both the biggest of hugs. What an incredible story of strength and love and fight. May we all be this courageous. Ronny with live on through her daughter and husband and through the beautiful photos and memories you all share. xoxo

(03.25.2011)

caroline

no words...so sorry for your loss. my heart goes out to Andy and beautiful Maddy.

(03.25.2011)

Dave

I'm sad for the loss of your friend. She sounds amazing and you guys are awesome for celebrating her life... she deserves it. My heart goes out to her family!

(03.25.2011)

Gurpreet

My prayers are with Andy, Maddy and their family.

(03.25.2011)

Julie

Thank you so much Ben for this beautiful tribute to Ronny and her family.

(03.25.2011)

becca spears

Ben and Erin, my heart goes out to you as you deal with losing this amazing friend. What a bright light it seems she was! Ronny's legacy and spirit have inspired me today, and blessed me by reminding me what is real and lasting. love to all of her loved ones. Crying along with you.

(03.25.2011)

Dawn

Ben, Thank you for posting these. It really warms my heart to, one more time, see her beautiful smiling face!

(03.25.2011)

Sherry

So sorry Ben and Erin for the loss of such a beautiful friend! Being lucky enough to know such an amazingly strong woman will live with you always and being able to be there for her sweet daughter and husband will be something that makes her look down from above and smile! You were obviously meant to be a part of their lives just as much as they were to be part of yours. Love to you all!

(03.25.2011)

Sol Tamargo

:( So sad, I feel it..

(03.25.2011)

Andy

Ben and Erin, thank you so much. What great pictures you caught of our angel Maddy. It is tough, but I know how much you cared about Ronny. Thank you for being part of our journey, the pictures you have taken in the past will surely carry me in the future. Cannot wait to see you next time!

(03.25.2011)

Andy

ben and erin, amazing pics as always. We are lucky to have you as friends, not just because of your talent but because of your amazing heart. Ronny would have loved these pics, absolutely loved them. thank you for sharing, love you guys.

(03.25.2011)

James Boddington

In your beautiful images I see someone who wants the world to know she is very ALIVE! You have given the people close to her a gift that will serve as testament to the spirit she was and be cherished for generations to come . As wedding photographers we get to share a very profound time in peoples lives that often leads to these deep connections, personally its one of the most satisfying aspects of this vocation Thanks for sharing.

(03.25.2011)

Anna Kuperberg

I am so sad to read this. What beautiful photos. I can tell what a warm and wonderful person she was. The family will treasure these photos forever.

(03.26.2011)

Matthias Richter

There is often such a small step between the luckiest and saddest moments in life. You obviously kept one of her luckiest. I think we all want to keep her in mind via your pictures.

(03.26.2011)

Sherry Carr-Smith

Ben & Erin, I had, of course, seen the engagement and wedding photos. Ronny sent me links as soon as they were taken. I love the photos you took with Maddy, Andy and family and friends. I will miss Ronny's photos. Thanks for sharing!

(03.26.2011)

Glenn Bacci

Heartbroken

(03.26.2011)

Lori Steigerwald

What a lovely tribute to Ronny. I feel so honored to have known her. Ronny was the first person I met at photography school and she told me she was inspired to go to photography school because of her wonderful wedding photographer. She said she used to call you with questions all the time. She was so creative and had such a fun loving spirit. One time during class she was overcome by a song and the instructor did a whole photo shoot of Ronny playing the air guitar. It was hysterical. Sorry I missed meeting you after Ronny's service. The pictures of Maddy are absolutely beautiful. Talk about the spitting image of Ronny--not to mention her personality.

(03.26.2011)

aga

Such sad news. Our hearts go out to Ronny's family and friends.

(03.26.2011)

jcogliandro

ahhhh.... my heart hurts with this story.

(03.31.2011)

Cheryl Colombo

Thanks for putting up this post. I worked at the photo school in Boston as Ronny's teaching assistant. I have no photos of her- so I'm happy to see these.

(04.07.2011)

Chanelle

so so sad... lovely photographs to remember her by though

(04.26.2011)

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Anne and Bill | 03.16.2011

Austin, Texas

03.16.2011

Anne and Bill

8 Pictures / 18 Comments

Anne and Bill | 03.16.2011

8 Pictures / 18 Comments

Anne and Bill are fellow wedding photographers whom we have known for several years through the Foundation Workshop, a photojournalism workshop we are involved in.

Even though Anne and Bill are already married, they still make a point to have friends photograph them from time to time. And what makes it so fun is how they still act like teenagers who just met. They play with food, laugh constantly and will do anything for a photo (which included getting kicked out of a hotel we weren’t supposed to be in).

We had a blast exploring the quirky areas of Austin, where you can buy vintage neon, snack on vegan cupcakes and sip on hard-to-find European beers, not to mention hear some of the best live music in the country. We only got to spend a few days in Austin, but we’re already trying to find a way to get back.

Comments

Neil Cowley

Fun look at a sweet moment - good to see you guys behind the lens!

(03.16.2011)

daniel stark

they seem like a super fun couple--you can just tell in these photos. great captures!

(03.16.2011)

nadine

The Austin image picture is sooo good, I've had a car park in front of it before during an e-session and it didn't even occur to me to use it, I was just complaining on why someone would park in front of the freaking mural? This teaches me to just use obstacles as a way to make an image unique. Thank you.

(03.16.2011)

Cathy and David

Awww these are so cute. :) Now I want some! :D

(03.16.2011)

Nick

These are great! Love the one with the orange flare!

(03.16.2011)

Sérgio Schröder

Great work as usual! Loved the layers, the negative space, the snapshot moment! Thanks for sharing! ;)

(03.17.2011)

Matt

Very cool pictures, love the Austin one.