Chelsea + Levi | Rustic California Barn Wedding | Ponderosa Ridge Ranch : Anderson, CA

Michigan Wedding Photographer | Kellie Robinson Photography

A barn wedding in Redding, California? Heck yes! I got to shoot Chelsea and Levi’s engagement photos while I was living in Redding and I was so pumped that they flew me out to photograph their wedding.

Chelsea and Levi’s wedding was on October 7, 2016. More than two years ago! But I’m commemorating it because it holds a special place in my heart.
This day held some important firsts for me.

1. My first destination wedding
I was pretty new to the professional photography world and I was blown away that these amazing angels wanted to fly me to their wedding. Having people believe in you is a crazy powerful thing.

2. My first time learning to trust my abilities
I left this wedding feeling like I did the worst job ever. I remember being on the plane back to Michigan the next day, wracking my brain to make sure I got all the shots. When I got home and actually looked at the photos, I was amazed at what I’d captured. I think I cried. Good tears. Which leads me to:

3. The first time I actually loved my work
I thoroughly prepared for this wedding with shot list after shot list and lots of self-education and it turns out I was… can you believe it? Prepared!
This, paired with how welcoming and comfortable these two were with their love created something magical.

4. The first time I believed that I could be a great wedding photographer
I knew that I still had a lot to learn, but it felt amazing to be proud of something I’d created. It made me believe that I could do it.
So thank you, Chelsea and Levi, for seeing something in me that I couldn’t.

Okay, back to the wedding!
Chelsea is the quintessential DIY bride. ALL of the details, she created. On the morning of her wedding, she was still tweaking the place! When I arrived, I found her tinkering with the wooden altar… with pink hair! The last time I saw her, she was bright blonde. What an amazing surprise! Pink hair never looked so good.

She got ready in the cutest house on the Ponderosa Ridge Ranch. The house was full of beautiful light which is what created these dreamy getting ready shots.