When Zach contacted me about shooting his and Kiele’s wedding in Hopland in Northern California a couple of days before new years eve, there was never any doubt I would shoot it. Zach wrote me an amazing letter, telling me his and Kiele’s story, how they met, what they’ve been through and the personal loss they’ve suffered. It’s was a story of love and sorrow, of friends and family coming together, of joy, laughter and tears. But more than anything it was a story of love. I asked my good friend Nirav to come along and capture it with me.
This, your work, it actually breaks my brain. Genuinely, I have no better way to express just how strong a love I have for each of these delicately captured pieces of timeless brilliance. I mean, the humanity, the love, the feeling, the light, it’s so unbearably, wonderfully, perfect that my brain has broken. I love you for for making that happen. Thank you so freaking much for making them happen.
Beautiful images, I love the editing on the photographs as it really fits in with the style of the wedding and the tones complement the location perfectly.
[…] My good friend Jonas Peterson asked if I would help him document Zach & Kiele’s story. Thank you for having me Jonas and thank you to Zach and Kiele for welcoming us like we were family, being so incredibly kind hearted, and letting us into their lives. Be sure to check out the full story here. […]
The pictures are beautiful–that is beyond dispute. But does anyone else feel like jonas’s pictures are so somber and serious looking? Even the pictures of the bride smiling are really “heavy” looking to me. Just wondering if anyone else sees what I see. Still love the pics though.
Found this blog a few days ago. Been open in my browser ever since! What an outstanding set of images. You have a great way of seeing things. Got me thinking more about how I shoot and will now be looking even harder for images that are not the status quo.
I’ve been casually browsing for wedding dresses and I can’t get Kiele Sanchez’s dress out of my mind. Every dress I see I compare to hers! Jonas, do you by chance know the designer of her dress? Beautiful photos of a stunning wedding!
This whole things makes me long for cool winter nights and cozy bundled up romance. Just stunning and so heart felt. Him in tears as she came down the aisle got me, as well as her wiping his tear during vows. Beautiful.
shots are amazing. You can feel the love, though I never witnessed their love story. It’s nice that they chose a location this intimate & close to nature.
I just wanted to drop you a note and say that I have been a fan for some time and that your work has moved me time and time again. I began my career with a pretty dreadful view of “wedding photography.” A not so uncommon stance.
But today I have begun to offer this service entirely because you showed me that there was both art and something deeper – an honoring of two people – held within this practice.
My work is a long way off from yours, but I wanted to drop you a note and say thank you for your work.
I hope to see you running a seminar in my part of the world, as well! :)
He was a smart man to chose you to photograph his gorgeous wedding. You did a splendid job. You don’t normally see weddings at that time of year and it makes me wonder why; you captured the quiet stillness of this pre-winter perfectly!
The light in your pictures is so soft and subtle. The bride and groom also look great together. A fab set of pictures and well done too no going through till so late in the evening.
jonas – these are absolutely stunning. zach and kiele were beautifully captured in these moments – what a story you have told through your visual talents. it was a pleasure to meet you, even though briefly. we hope you will visit hopland/campovida again soon (not to be confused with napa btw.)
love the black and white images. have you tried the black and white Agfa Scalia filters on the new VSCO Film 4 pack? I think that’s my new favorite black and white set.
So I saw a local photographer comment on Jonas Peterson’s photography work and I did what any curious person does-GOOGLED YOUR NAME! I’m so glad I did. Just went thru these wedding photos. Obviously, I have never met this couple, but their story told by you brought laughter and tears to my morning in viewing the anticipation, love, solemnity, joy and festivity everyone experienced! Thanks for this…
This wedding brought tears to my eyes. You have such a gift for photography and using it as a link to bridge the people who were there with the people viewing these images from afar. I wasn’t at this wedding, but I feel like I was. Every amazing emotion was captured. The groom tearing up as his bride walked down the aisle; the bride trying to hold back her own tears at the same moment; and the joy and relaxation written all over their faces a few images later when they are standing up there, together. This is beauty, perfectly captured. Thank you for sharing this day with the world.
WOW guys that was AMAZING! I don’t know Zach & Kiele or their story but through your images I felt the emotions as if I did. I follow both you and Nirav and I just wanted to say what an incredible team you make….thank you.
Your photos were wonderful, lovely, evocative, and made wish I could’ve crashed the party. Lovely shots of the groom (like when Zach saw Kiele in the gown), who sometimes gets shortshrift.
Ahh! I’m obsessed. Probably one of the most stunning weddings ever! And it doesn’t hurt that the bride and groom are both on my two favorite shows! Geez. So pretty.
Incredible and beautiful. The emotion was tangible. l welled up when l saw that image of Zach with a tear in his eye when he saw his beautiful bride. Powerful images that will be passed on down generations of this family.
I agree completely with what Elena Hernandez said. Such a feeling of inclusion in these photos, like I was actually there! The emotions captured from the happy, obviously deeply in love couple made me cry! Everything about these photos is sheer perfection. This is what all photography should be. You should be so proud!
Gorgeous imagery of a couple clearly in love…I feel i attended this wedding by the emotions that were captured on this very important day in their life…Lots of mood & atmosphere in the photos…The bride was stunning and the apparent joy she and the groom were experiencing was evident in in every frame…Jonas your vision is photographing the feeling and not many can capture feelings as well as you have….I love it! Blessings, Elena
Wow – these are the most stunning wedding pictures I have seen. Felt everything all the way here to Moscow. Thank you and to the lovely couple for sharing this with us.
Gosh, these are BEAUTIFUL! You are an amazing photographer. You captured the best moments, smiles, tears, colors. This is the most beautiful wedding I think I’ve ever seen. They genuinly look happy and so in love. Those tears in Zac’s eyes… Sweet man. Just such beautiful pictures. Congrats to the happy couple. I hope one day I have what you guys have. You are so cute! And to you, you have such an incredible gift. Great job!
Beautiful as always Jonas, gorgeous couple, gorgeous setting and lots of emotion, as you said, clear eyes – full heart – can’t lose :) Fantastic work xxx
Beautiful pictures! You are officially my inspiration for wedding photography. I don’t take the conventional/perfect pictures but convey a better feeling to me, than crisp, sharp photos, although there’s nothing wrong with those. I have a similar eye as you and your assistant and thank you for the motovation to continue to hone my skills (especially in editing). I don’t know who these newlyweds are, but your photography makes one feel like they were there, dancing, celebrating and sending best wishes for long, happy life to the beautiful bride and groom. Thank you.
The best photos I’ve ever seen of an event. Pure love, pure glory, pure… I admire your work their work, a match made in paradise. Incredible. Thank you
Jonas, I have to compliment you on that one. You did an amazing job at capturing all thos precious moments and the story of their day. It’s so nice to see some not overly-styled detail shots, too. This wedding has a very natural feel. LOVE IT!
The groom is a friend of my niece. Please do not let my 17 year old see this! Otherwise, her “wedding plans” will then include flying a photog in from Australia and substitute Napa for her current Martha’s Vineyard “plans.”
Lovely photos, I wish I had hired you to do our wedding photos!! You captured fantastic moments that this gorgeous couple will have for many years to come.
I love your vision of Napa, and how the simple elegance of the wedding and reception unfolded through the images. This is probably my new favorite of yours.
wow. i’m such a big fan of your work. i didn’t actually know these actors but i think it helped in seeing the beauty of their day beyond the recognition of their work.
you, my friend, are an inspiration. love following your blog and witnessing your art. it is stunning.
Oh my gosh, I just went through this whole post swearing and kicking myself thinking that I knew the groom from somewhere but didn’t know where. Friend from college? No? Dated someone else I know? No. Then I saw the other comments, agh, Friday night lights, of course!!!!! Amazing stuff Jonas!
Looking at your gorgeous, deep and meaningful imagery keeps reminding me of something Sting once said about photography: “It takes a rare photographer to get behind that mask to reveal the vulnerable soul behind. I do not wish to give myself easy to the eye of a camera unless the person holding it is at risk, too. (Sting). Mr. Peterson, you inspire me. Thank you.
Jag har följt dig några år nu och jag längtar till varje inlägg du gör. Även den här gången blir jag tagen och rörd så att det känns i hjärtat, du är en sådan talangfull person som kan förmedla känslor i dina foton och det är en stor gåva! <3 Tack! May the sun Always shine on you! <3 Susan
Amazing storytelling!