Jon Claxton | Photography

On August 29, 2009 San Luis Obispo was experiencing one of the gnarliest heat waves that I have seen in recent time – temperatures exceeding 100 degrees.  I have to admit, my excitement to shoot with Keith Dunlop at Santa Margarita Ranch that day was less than optimal.  So, before the wedding, I got a quick surf earlier in the morning to cool myself down before the big day.  Then around 1 pm I met up with the groom and the groomsman at the Johnson Ranch, where one of the groom’s good buddies happens to live with his wife.  The place was very cool and rustic as you can imagine.  As I walked up to the property to meet the guys, I saw surfboards and wetsuits all over the place.  Seems that they had the same idea for day, having surfed the same spot that morning as well.  Ironically enough after panning the room for the first time, I saw a few faces that looked familiar.  I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, this is San Luis Obispo and all.  Anyway, their humor and positive vibes for the day persevered any uncomfortable heat that we were all experiencing that day.  Nick was especially jubilant, not letting any detail distract him from the big day.  He took everything in great stride.  Besides the stifling heat, my most memorable experience from the day was the speeches during the evening hours.  Nick and Michele (and their friends and family) each had some really incredible stories about experiences that they’ve created together; and, some of the most sincere and honest compliments to share with one another.

Mellisa and Anthony come from two really close families.  And when I say, really close families….I’m not kidding.  Both of their grandparents ended up growing up together on the same block, in the same town.  On top of that, now both of their families live directly adjacent to each other on two really beautiful parcels in Nipomo, California.  To make things even closer, Anthony and Melissa now live on one of those parcels within a second residence.  Well, during their wedding ceremony, the deacon pointed out one fabulous advantage of this scenario:  on-site babysitting.  And let me tell you, both of these families are expecting some children from this couple!   Anyway, Katie DiSimone (www.katiedisimone.com) and I traveled the countryside with them, as they prepared for the wedding in Nipomo, got married in Arroyo Grande, and had a huge celebration at the Spanish Oak Ranch (www.spanishoaksranch.net)  in Santa Margarita.  The entire event was a really impressive display of family values and good old country love.  In retrospect (while I pour through some of the photos), I get a sense that there was probably an old classic movie or novel made about a love like this….

Last weekend, I shot another great wedding with Katie DiSimone.  We met up at Summerwood Winery, where the bride and groom had rented the entire bed and breakfast as well as the winery for the reception.  The setting couldn’t have been more spectacular, the lighting on the otherhand was starting drive my camera’s light meter crazy, as there was about a 3-4 stop difference betweent the sweeping setting of the surrounding vineyards, versus the cool dark shade beneath the gorgeous valley oaks located outside of the B&B.  Despite the photographic challenges with the natural light, Annie, Casey, and their friends couldn’t have been more impressive.  Honestly, I couldn’t believe how “well put together” everyone looked that day.  They made me feel like a cafeteria worker with my usual black ninja photography outfit.  I suppose that is was happens when everyone is from San Francisco, L.A., New York, or Chicago.  I suppose it’s just more proof that you can’t find any good shopping in San Luis Obispo County.  

Kathleen Bennett (now K. Bennett Mink) met me at my front door nearly eight or nine years ago (I’m losing count) while she was looking for a place to live.  Short in stature but full of energy, Kathleen surprisingly accepted to move into my dilapidated downtown San Luis Obispo house, with my two other housemates.  After a couple years of living with us, Kathleen  had enough of the dirty dishes and such, and moved just down the street to her own space (good move, Kathleen).  Shortly thereafter, she also grew to realize that little old San Luis Obispo couldn’t hypnotize her with its’ quaint setting and well known slow living lifestyle; so she packed up her things and moved to San Francisco.  And not long after living in S.F. Kathleen found Barna Mink, a tall handsome Hungarian; the type of fella that you would probably never find in San Luis Obispo.  Having met Barna a couple years back, I was pleased to see what a great pair that these two made.  To me, Barna was the ying to Kathleen’s yang.  Kathleen, often times full of bounce and polka dots; Barna seemed to be as steady as a ship with his warm personality and engaging demeanor.  It was clear that they worked great together.  With all that said, it was a real honor to see Kathleen come so far and to bear witness to her and Barna’s commitment to each other, along side their incredible group of friends and family.  Best wishes to the both of you.  – jon

Last Saturday marked my first wedding of the season shooting with Katie DiSimone (www.katiedisimone.com).  Shooting a wedding at the Mission in San Luis Obispo was a great way to start the year off.  Even better, Marisa and Philippe were two really incredibly cool people.  I can’t wait to run into these folks again on the streets of San Luis Obispo.