katee grace | photographer + writer | santa barbara coast

santa barbara beach wedding | gavin + mollie

kateegrace — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:29:08 +0000

Santa Barbara Beach Wedding | Santa Barbara Photographer

Just around the corner from Padero Lane, this Santa Barbara beach wedding was beautiful and natural in design and feel. This sweet Santa Barbara couple shared their love of Ojai with me and so we packed the car and headed over the mountain from Santa Barbara to the natural beauty of Ojai for their engagement photographs, exploring the sites, barns, fruit groves and quiet streets that would so compliment the photographs from their Santa Barbara beach wedding. Planning a Santa Barbara beach wedding has the setting already taken care of, especially here at Loon Point, with the commanding cliffs, quiet and off the beaten path.

Santa Barbara Beach Wedding | Santa Barbara Photographer

Santa Barbara Beach Wedding | Santa Barbara Photographer

Santa Barbara Beach Wedding | Santa Barbara Photographer

Whether it’s a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding, Santa Barbara beach wedding or a Santa Barbara winery wedding, the sky is the limit with locations and photography in Santa Barbara and so are the whimsical and romantic feels associated with each unique Katee Grace Wedding Collection. Contact Katee Grace at katee@kateegrace.com for detailed collection information and securing your wedding date for 2012. Katee Grace, Santa Barbara Photographer, 805-637-7412 or katee@kateegrace.com

your moments + my camera + your unforgettable memories | xoxo | katee grace | http://kateegrace.com

God | Romance | Trying Too Hard

kateegrace — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:26:14 +0000

I’m so thankful for the friends and family that God has surrounded me with. I cannot imagine this journey without their support, friendship and love. Whether this is the way God works in everyone’s life I don’t know but I know for me I’m learning that He leads me in a very natural, organic way.

“My failure to ‘pay attention to God’ and what was going on inside me caused me to miss many gifts.” -Peter Scazzero

As I’m realizing, when He gave me a new heart it was for real and He is truly leading me. I’ve had a tendency in the past to try too hard. It largely came from my desire for the “right” thing and to not miss God’s good will and plans. Sometimes we try too hard in social settings, in relationships, in hearing God, the list goes on. I don’t mean that I think we sit back and just “que sera sera” but learning to truly be still, be still inside and know that He is God, and to trust that those nudgings, those coincidences, those inclinations just might be the movings of God in our lives. When someone tries to hard in a relationship it feels forced and no real connection happens between both parties, maybe it’s because all the focus is on the efforts and actions and not actually on the other person. I think it’s the same with God. He is not just a power or a force or an idea, but He is real and He created the natural world, why would we think He would work any less beautifully and organically in our lives? Sometimes things seem to come out of the blue, but really God was working, weaving this pattern behind the scenes all along, and if we look closely, we begin to see a glimpse into His mysterious ways.

God works so beautifully and organically. His beautiful displays are apparent when you look at a baby and even moreso when you really look into their eyes, the power and beauty of the ocean, the majestic and quiet of the mountains, the sunsets, these are just off the cuff examples of how beautifully God does things. He pays very great attention to detail and isn’t confined to our finite understandings, but if we get too caught up with “the way things ought to be,” then we can really miss out on the journey and romance that life was intended to have.

I once heard the parallel that God is like a husband, who wants to take his wife way on an surprise week long adventure, we are all the bride in this example. The husband has made all these plans and been dreaming up how to surprise his wife in ways that he knows she will love. He has the simple and large events accounted for, he wants to take her on a romantic journey together. So the morning they are to leave, he says, “Babe, I packed your bags with everything you will need, your calender is cleared, I am taking you away for a week.” But say the wife incessantly inquires “where are we going?” as he is pulling her out of the house, and as they are pulling out of the neighborhood, “Where are we going? I really need to know where we’re going? Honey, where are we going? What if I don’t have everything I need. I really need to just know where’s the first stop…” What kind of romance is that? Where is the trust and the adventure? Of course the husband wants to romance her with these surprises and of course he’s painstakingly gone over everything she could possibly need and packed it, watched her daily routine meticulously so as not to miss anything. But what if she instead of questioning everything just went with him, got in the car, did what married people do and just embraced each moment, trusting him and his love for her? It’s the same way with God, he wants to take us on this journey and this adventure but sometimes we don’t just jump on board with Him and trust His leadings and stillness and goodness and our control and questions and speculations can really keep us from the beauty that is God’s creation in our lives.

Of course things take work and effort and energy, I’m in no way discounting that. I’m simply suggesting that maybe sometimes we try to hard and missed the simplicity and the beauty of living in God and His dreams for our lives (Acts 17:26-28).

be free | trust + enjoy God

hoping we enjoy the journey that we are each on and rest on His love and guiding | xoxo | katee grace

Santa Barbara Photographer | La Cumbre Country Club Wedding

kateegrace — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:19:38 +0000

Being a Santa Barbara photographer has given me the unique opportunity to not only watch the love and relationships of my brides and grooms blossom even after their engagement, but also capture that beauty and love as a Santa Barbara photographer with irreplaceable photographs.

Santa Barbara Photographer | La Cumbre Country Club Wedding

Having met Kasey a few years ago when as a Santa Barbara photographer I was shooting a wedding with a fellow photographer in Ventura but a few months before her and John were engaged to be married we met again at their cousin’s wedding which I was photographing. As we were also neighbors at the time, we hadn’t gotten to know each other well but the Santa Barbara wedding of Suzanne and Keefe, of which I was the Santa Barbara photographer opened the door for communication. John is a pro-golfer and the La Cumbre Country Club was the ideal wedding location for Kasey and John, and for this Santa Barbara photographer, a location whose open spaces of the greens coupled with the warmth of the bougianvilleas, which doubled over from their engagement session at my favorite Montecito beach, Hammonds Beach. Side note: Hammonds Beach in Montecito is one of my favorite places to be as well as photograph. The neighborhood streets surrounding Hammonds Beach are quiet, romantic and the pathway to the beach with the blooming bougianvilleas is nothing short of magical, even for this Santa Barbara photographer with many beautiful options in Santa Barbara County for photography.

Santa Barbara Photographer | La Cumbre Country Club Wedding

Congratulations Kasey & John… what a privilege and joy to know you both.

Santa Barbara Photographer, Katee Grace, is currently booking for 2012 and 2013 Santa Barbara weddings. Call or email Katee Grace at 805-637-7412 or katee@kateegrace.com to discuss your photography collection and capturing this irreplaceable and special part of your journey together.

about photography | four season’s biltmore and coral casino

kateegrace — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:00:37 +0000

about photography | light and spontaneity

When thinking about photography, my heart is enlivened by the light, the beautiful light that happens so naturally in the shade of a tree towards the end of the day, backlighting the laughter of children, wrapping around my clients, families, friends, in a romantic beauty that could only come from nature. Capturing the moments that are spontaneous from the laugh from the stylish woman to the mischievous laughter of little boys are just two of the examples from this shoot that remind me what I so adore about photography. The posed portraits were delivered to the clients of course, and so were these, so full of emotion and memories. What’s important about photography for your memories isn’t just the light, but it’s the experiences, the relationships, the emotions, and these are a few of my favorites from Bonjour Maddie’s celebration of life. The natural light and God-given beauty of each person are two of the most influential things that I adore about photography.

about photography | light and spontaneity

One of the things about photography that can cause an image to be powerful and moving, may not be held in it’s candidness yet the timing of the photograph. Catching that soft and real smiling that followed the free flowing laughter, or maybe it’s capturing the full laughter of a child, the smile following a comment which incited genuine joy in the subject, these are some of the aspects about photography that often move our emotions more than simply the posing or lighting or raw candid shot.

Cheers to the appropriately timed shot!

Thank you to the Rand family for welcoming me into capturing this celebration of life, this family reunion, these photographs distinctly tinted to suite your event at the Four Season’s Biltmore and Coral Casino. Photography anything from family photographs to wedding photographs at the Four Season’s Biltmore and Coral Casino never fail to show the relaxation and sweet relationships shared and enjoyed. Whether it’s a cocktail, a tea or a photoshoot, being at the Santa Barbara Four Season’s Biltmore is energizing to my creative eye and relational energies.

about photography | light and spontaneity

Katee Grace is currently booking photography sessions that capture your moments and memories with your family, high school senior or wedding. Kicking off 2012 with special for Senior pics booked by May 1st. Katee Grace offers coloring come in neutral, birds & butterflies, black & white, etc.. You select your choice of tones. Email katee@kateegrace.com for more information about photography sessions with Katee Grace and to book your custom Katee Grace portrait session.

http://kateegrace.com | your moments + my camera= your unforgettable memories

xoxo, katee grace, your Santa Barbara Photographer

Santa Barbara Family Portraits | Santa Barbara Photographer

kateegrace — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:12:33 +0000

As a photographer who not only loves people, but cherishes the opportunity to capture the various season of life throughout childhood with Santa Barbara Family Portraits. Engaging with my clients and their personal tastes in the planning of their Santa Barbara family portraits is something that I at Katee Grace Photography value in the consulting of each Santa Barbara photography session. Since relationships and personal style vary as each family varies, these consultations, whether in person, on the telephone or through email, are absolutely critical for each of my wonderful families that choose Katee Grace Photography to capture their Santa Barbara family portraits.

Santa Barbara Family Portraits | Katee Grace Photography

Whether it’s in your home, warm with the daily life and memories that you share, or in a special place that your family feels especially comfortable, a particular Santa Barbara beach or park, the personalization for each of the Santa Barbara family portraits that I am privileged to capture encapsulate not only the relationships but also the location that you to specifically capture this special and irreplaceable time in your life.

Please contact Katee Grace at katee@kateegrace.com or by telephone at 805-637-7412 to discuss your photography collection and seasonal options available for the month of love… Katee Grace’s Santa Barbara family portraits celebrate Valentine’s Day too!

Your Santa Barbara Photographer,

katee grace | capturing + loving life | your moments + my camera = your unforgettable memories | http://kateegrace.com

Now booking for Winter and Spring Santa Barbara Family Portraits + Santa Barbara Senior Portraits

Santa Barbara Family Portraits | Katee Grace Photography

Santa Barbara Senior Portraits: Option to merge Senior portrait sessions with family session available, contact katee@kateegrace.com or katee grace at 805-637-7412 for more details.

Santa Barbara Photographer | Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding + El Paseo Reception

kateegrace — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:55:49 +0000

santa barbara photographer | santa barbara wedding

While being a Santa Barbara photographer in love with capturing each moment in it’s beauty and uniqueness I had the wonderful pleasure to photograph the wedding of Kim and Travis at the Santa Barbara courthouse through being a Santa Barbara photographer under the photography umbrella of Halberg Photographers.

When I first met Kim and Travis we met at the Santa Barbara Courthouse back lawn where they planned to tie-the-knot. It was a lovely evening of hearing their story, their journey together, and their hopes for their wedding day, and as a Santa Barbara photographer, getting to know them and their story is so essential in having that comfort and friendship established before the wedding day.

Here’s a sneak peak into their wedding day with the ceremony at the absolutely beautiful Santa Barbara Courthouse and their reception at El Paseo.

santa barbara photographer | santa barbara wedding

congratulations + much love, your Santa Barbara photographer, katee grace

santa barbara photographer | santa barbara wedding

Santa Barbara Photographer | Fashion + Santa Barbara Photography

kateegrace — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:59:45 +0000

As a Santa Barbara photographer working in Southern California, I get the wonderful opportunity to photograph many environmental portraits and photography sessions due to our mild weather.

Being in love with fashion and being a Santa Barbara photographer who loves working with local families and businesses gives me the unique opportunity to work with High School seniors as well as local businesses and designers.

Keeping up with trends in the fashion world, creating my own trends, living my own unique fashion forward style, photographing people who have hott style and are fashion forward is one of my most favorite things.

I have not really gotten on the Pinterest bandwagon but I wanted to post a little fashion and fun inspirational post from your Santa Barbara photographer who not only loves to capture your style but loves to create her own style.

Some of my favorite links right now:

Planet Blue

Priscilla and Aquilla (available at Wendy Foster and Tropical Affair)

beeeeeee inspired. be hott. be you.

love, your santa barbara photographer, katee grace of katee grace photography

santa barbara photographer | fashion and being you

santa barbara photographer | fashion and being you | indi garcia

santa barbara photographer | fashion and being you | danica yamamura

love, your santa barbara photographer, katee grace of katee grace photography

Santa Barbara Writer Reads | Come Away My Beloved

kateegrace — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:05:34 +0000

Behold, as the lilies of the field, and as the grass, so thy life is but for a season.
Yea, though thou flourish in health, yet is thy time short. Thou hast no sure promise of tomorrow.

Therefore live each day as though it were thy last. Seize each opportunity knowing that it may be the last.
For it is verily true that no situation presents itself twice the same. The opportunities of today are not those of tomorrow.

Live not as though they might be repeated.

Fail not to enter every open door. Be not held back by a feeling of unreadiness. I Myself am thy preparation.

For I will give to thee the needed grace and wisdom for each moment as it cometh, and thou shalt rejoice in the victory.

For I will overcome timidity, and I Myself will displace inadequacy.

This is My work. I will do it Myself through thee if thou but allow thyself to be a channel for the flow of My Spirit.
For I Myself am the life. I Myself am thy wisdom and thy strength, even as I am thy joy and thy peace.
I am thy victory. My word is power because My word is spirit and truth.

Do not bear needless burdens. They will but press upon thy spirit and interfere with My movings.
Much remains to be accomplished.

Linger not over what appears to be an unfinished case. Pass on.

My Spirit will continue to strive though thou give no further thought. This way thy mind shall be kept free and thy path open, and it shall be ever a new way.

Keep ever moving, and from life to life I will accomplish My purpose. And know that as I work, all things work together, so that there is gathering strength and there shall be a glorious consummation.

Praise God!

-Seize Each Opportunity | Come Away My Beloved by Francine Roberts-

santa barbara photographer | loves happy music

kateegrace — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:19:32 +0000

I HAD TO SHARE THIS HAPPY HAPPY SONG with a super fun music video with you!

carp diem | xoxo | katee grace

short story | argelia found hope

kateegrace — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:20:41 +0000

short story | argelia found hope

Argelia never knew her father as he was killed in an accident when she was just a baby. She grew up with her mother’s determination to work hard enough to provide a home and food and clothes for her family. Argelia has a deep sense of admiration for her mom, even though her work kept her away so much that Argelia learned to cook for herself and her baby sister at the age of seven. She now often stands on the street corners of East LA helping her mom sell flowers.

At sixteen she faced tremendous pressure from her mother, a young man called himself “her boyfriend” and a doctor whom she never met. Each had a strong opinion as to what she should do with her unplanned pregnancy – a pregnancy that was the result of date rape. She never imagined being in this situation. A young man at church, who had previously told her of his love and affection, adamantly pursued a relationship as friend then as a boyfriend. He suddenly shifted to rejecting not only her as a person but the baby that was growing inside of her.

Through a Priest and social worker at her local parish, Argelia was directed to WPC. She repeatedly says that she was shocked by the cleanliness of WPC’s South LA clinic in comparison with the multiple other clinics she had been dragged to during this process. She also couldn’t help but notice that the counselor saw a purity and tenderness in her, removing the blame and the guilt and restoring hope. As she sat with her counselor, it was different than before, the pressures were removed, and all the resources about her options were clearly laid before her. She even got a chance to see the life that was growing inside her. As she saw the ultrasound, she commented that this moving baby was her son and he deserved life. Life was the choice that she wanted to make. Regardless of the pressures and rejection that were already taking place, she would not reject this baby. She knew that it wouldn’t be easy, but she chose the hard thing, believing that by choosing life, she would experience life.

As a 17 year-old girl, Argelia travels on multiple buses from the other side of LA with her younger sister, brother and infant son just to come to her monthly Parenting Program classes and counseling sessions. WPC‘s staff is enamored with the incredible smiles that continually burst forth from her nine month old son’s face. They are a sweet reminder of the love and care that he clearly receives on a daily basis. During their visits, Argelia often expresses her thankfulness to her counselors at WPC, who she calls her friends, and believes they saved her son Ruffino’s life.

In the short time I met with Argelia and worked on writing her short story, my heart was stirred with a love for her heart, compassion for the hardness of her life, and an inspiration as I listened to her sacrificial love she had for her son. Writing this short story, her willingness to sleep on hard floors if need be just to be near her son, to protect him and be there for him, her strength to travel the chaos and exhausting experience of multiple bus lines to connect with the women of WPC to receive as much as she can to love and raise her son as he deserves, are just glimpses into the wonderful and beautiful girl Argelia and the hope she found through WPC. And her baby boy, man can he smile and laugh!

short story | santa barbara photographer

short story | Argelia found hope

Thank you for reading Argelia’s short story, a peak into the beautiful story God is telling through her life. As you remember her, I hope you will be compelled to pray for her, pray as God stirs you to pray. A short story is just that, short, often too short.

much love + peace to your hearts,

katee grace