There are some people who come into your life and after awhile, you are scantly able to remember a time without them. They become so deeply ingrained in your life for some combination of innate compatibility, personality, and unerring warmth. Margarita & Brandan are some of those people in my and April's life, and they are beautiful people for it.

The dichotomy of the personalities in this couple is always front and center; you could never mistake the actions or speech of one for the other. Margarita will catch you off guard with often absurd proclamations that are said with a whole lot of heart and even more truth. Brandan is likely to break down his position for you logically with a high degree of precision, always expressing his architect brain. They pull in two very different directions most of the time, but within this push and pull are ultimately people who value and respect what is distinct from themselves in the other. This is a couple who celebrates their differences and allows that to be what holds them together.

This constant exchange between the two bears out in their photos, which were always dynamic and alive as they instinctively moved to find a common ground together. For April and me, it was really kind of the best thing ever. It felt like all we had to do was find some nice light, pull the string, watch it go, then BOOM, amazing. These are just some of our favorite people with an inspiring connection between them.

It was an honor for April and me to be commissioned to freeze a few moments for Margarita & Brandan in celebration of their second wedding anniversary just a few weeks away. The Cazadero ranch where we were able to shoot also held considerable meaning, being in Brandan's family for generations. We were in a beautiful and meaningful setting, with people who express a powerful love for one another; we couldn't lose!

In sum, the only regret is that we didn't have a bit more relaxed time table, allowing a little more opportunity to explore the property. Admittedly, all the wonderful textures of the various ranch houses and barns in the area had to take a back seat to just some incredible light filtering into the valley where we spent most of our [short] time.

Congratulations Margarita & Brandan on another year of marriage!

-Joseph