iann ivy photography

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Learn the hearts and journeys of the love stories captured, traveling tales and candid advice in each blog entry. We welcome you to get inspired.

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I'm Iann and I'm so happy you're here. This journal is about love stories, travels, advice, and style. Stay a while and say hello!

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10 Of The Best San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Venues You May Not Have Heard Of

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Advice

2. Montalvo Arts Center – Based in Saratoga, Montalvo Arts Center is a non-profit center for the arts. The landscape and architecture is what sets this venue apart. The Spanish Mediterranean Revival mansion is set facing a great lawn. From there you have your pick of a Spanish courtyard, oval garden, or a love temple […]

Documenting Your Love Story: The Value of a Professional Wedding Photographer

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Advice

Wedding planning can be a roller coaster ride, from choosing the perfect venue and meal selection to creating the guest list and ensuring everything is picture-perfect. Wedding photography is one of the essential elements of making your big day memorable. As tempting as it may be to have a friend or loved one capture those […]

A South of France Guide To Getting Married At A Chateau

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Travel

One of the top destinations for a romantic wedding abroad has to be the South of France. Gorgeous countryside, amazing culinary delights, and an unforgettable weekend at a château. It was our pleasure to photograph this stunning couple in a dreamed up celebration of fairytale nuptials. From Paris Gare De Lyon station you can take […]

Basic Invite Wedding Invitations – For The Couple That Wants it All

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Advice

I’ve been a fan of Basic Invite since 2018 and they’ve been my go-to for years – let me tell you why.

A Luxury Intimate Wedding at Carneros Resort in Napa, California

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Love Stories

Lush grapevines, dreamy sunsets, and gorgeous grounds – all hallmarks of a stunning venue in Napa. Carneros Resort and Spa is in a picturesque countryside this is relaxed and luxurious for a top choice intimate wedding venue in California. The day started in the cozy private cottages with tons of natural light and a private […]

San Francisco City Hall 10 Year Anniversary Photo Session

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Love Stories

One of the most beautiful locations in San Francisco to get married at is in City Hall. An architectural marvel, its beauty is known worldwide and even Marilyn Monroe was married here to Joe Dimaggio. I have the honor of photographing not just local couples, but those traveling to bay area as well. I was […]

An Industry Secret To Building Relationships

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Advice

When working in the wedding industry, you meet a lot of people. From clients to vendors and media, the relationships formed are crucial to building a strong foundation for your business. How do you stand out against the rest? The Secret When it comes to building relationships, nothing stands out more in the digital age […]

3 High Quality Resources For 2023 Wedding Inspiration

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Advice

So you are starting your wedding planning journey and need inspiration? Look no further. As a professional wedding photographer with 10+ years of experience, we’ve done our fair share of digging to see what is on the horizon year after year. Here is a roundup of some go-to resources we love that can help you […]

Just Engaged? Start Here For Advice From A Professional Destination Photographer.

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Advice

Congratulations! Engagement season is here and we are so excited for you to start dreaming and planning your special day filled with joy, laughter, and love. This is your guide to set you up for success while you plan your 2023 wedding of your dreams. BUDGET This might be a bit of a mood killer […]

A French Inspired Intimate Wedding at Villa Montalvo

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Love Stories

Villa Montalvo is a Bay Area favorite when it comes to elegant outdoor venues. This intimate wedding story was inspired by delicate French inspired details. From powder blues to soft pinks, the colors remind me of Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette movie aesthetic. The bride’s first look is a flowy Monique Lhuillier  gown with pink florals […]

Sunset Wedding at Sea Ranch Lodge

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Love Stories

Sea Ranch Lodge is one of the most unique venues I’ve been to in California. Sea Ranch is a developed community started in the 1960s by architect and developer, Al Boeke. The structures are modern style that work in harmony with the natural surroundings. In 2018 the Lodge was purchased by new owners to restore […]

A Desert Oasis Elopement At The Bonneville Salt Flats

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Love Stories

This editorial was recently featured on the front page of Utah Valley Bride. On one of our recent travels to Utah, we knew we wanted to put together something special to highlight the beauty and talent of this region. The Bonneville Salt Flats are known for its sparkling powder white salt against the blue hues […]

What To Bring For Your Wedding Detail Shots

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Advice

When it comes to capturing weddings, the details come together to set the stage for your special day. Below are my recommendations on what to bring to create the best shots : ACCESSORIES: For the Bride – There are so many little details to consider so having all of these items in a designated corner […]

A Chic Intimate Wedding Reception At MacArthur Place in Sonoma

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Love Stories

Step into an idyllic oasis of peaceful grounds and modern art. MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa is an award winning luxury destination in Sonoma, California. This wine country retreat was founded over a century ago as a vineyard and working ranch. The 5 acre property has lush surroundings and elevated dining experiences. The handsome couple […]

Playa Del Carmen and Tulum Travel Tips From A Destination Photographer’s First Trip to Mexico

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Travel

This summer I had the opportunity to travel to a new destination – MEXICO! For some reason my whole family has managed to travel here except me so I was thrilled when my couple told me they were having their intimate wedding in Mexico. Since this was my first time, I thought I’d share my […]

A Chic Pre-Wedding Shoot at Montalvo Arts Center

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Love Stories

Pre-Wedding Shoots are hot, hot, hot. This session was no different in over 90 degree weather. My lovely couple will be celebrating their wedding later this year so we decided to come to another beautiful location in the bay area to capture some romantic portraits for their love story. Pre-Wedding shoots are an upscale version […]

A Dreamy Amalfi Coast Wedding | Part Two

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Travel

This is Part Two of this dreamy Amalfi Coast wedding where we explore different cities and staples! The week was filled with incredible landscapes, good food, loving company, and of course the best fashion looks. We journeyed from Ravello to Positano to Capri for a truly epic wedding week of fun! The Palazzo Avino is […]

A Dreamy Amalfi Coast Wedding | Part One

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Travel

The Amalfi Coast in Italy is one of the most magical places on Earth to have a destination wedding. I had the honor of capturing Jenny and G’s love story surrounded by their loved ones from around the world. There was so much love, joy and beauty experienced during their week that this journal entry […]

A Spring Maternity Session in Palo Alto’s Gamble Gardens

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Love Stories

On a sunny morning amidst the dew coated flora, I met up with sweet Charissa and Joshua at Gamble Gardens. This historic property includes rose and herb gardens, a beautiful white gazebo and fountain that is perfect for special occasions such as maternity shoots. Spring Maternity Sessions in Palo Alto are some of my favorite […]

A Classically Elegant Elopement at Legion of Honor

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Love Stories

Although captured in July 2021, we still can’t get over how beautiful this day was despite the overcast weather. Unlike most people, I love a foggy day because it lends a serene and even light over the day. Romina and Daniel celebrated the day with a classic tux and vintage ballgown with a romantic cascading […]

Tropical Inspired Portraits At The San Francisco Botanical Gardens

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Portraits

Photography and Styling by: Iann Ivy Model: Taylor S. @tay.scar Gown: Untamed Petals Ring: Model’s Own Earrings & Shoes: Amazon Fashion

A Romantic Denver Engagement Session

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Love Stories

One of the best parts of being a destination photographer is scouting incredible locations and working with the loveliest of couples. Upon meeting Jasmine and Scott, I knew they had fun, vibrant personalities. We had so many laughs and it was so fun seeing them interact – naturally and with love. We met up in […]

A Bright & Bountiful Intimate Wedding in Zion, Utah

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Love Stories

Although the day was overcast from a morning of snow flurries, the warm hues of this bountiful intimate wedding brightened every moment with each detail. Pro Tip: Fruit is a great decoration addition to your tablescape that is cost conscious and perfect for incorporating a seasonal or regional element to your celebration. This unique venue […]

Wedding Photography Schedule Tips

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Advice

When it comes to planning your wedding, the schedule logistics is usually what stresses out most spouses. This is why many people opt for a wedding planner to take care of your special day without the stress so you can enjoy every element. I highly recommend the following planners who are all unique and have […]

Stunning Pre-Wedding Session at Montalvo Arts Center

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Love Stories

Living in the bay area comes with a lot of perks, one of them being the stunning locations we have access to. The Montalvo Arts Center is no exception. Built in 1912, this historic building is based in Saratoga, CA and about an hour south of San Francisco on the peninsula. I met up with […]

A Tuscan Inspired Elopement at Villa Loriana

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Love Stories

Nestled on the central coast of California in San Luis Obispo is Villa Loriana, an Italian-inspired venue that is perfect for transforming your special occasion into a dreamy destination getaway. The venue inspired us to imagine a colorful and romantic elopement with bountiful blooms and luxurious fabrics for the ultimate I Dos. The details of […]

Inside Iann Ivy Photography’s Natural Light Filled Photo Studio

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Personal

When destination photographer Iann Ivy isn’t traveling to a sapphire kissed coastline or a pine covered mountain for a photography session, here is where she creates and gets inspired for her next artistic endeavor. Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, this home studio replaced a well-loved sewing room loft with a longarm quilting machine. […]

A Luxurious Santa Barbara Home Wedding

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Love Stories

Even though it’s technically winter in California, I’m dreaming of gorgeous blooms and intimate weddings. Last year I had the pleasure of shooting at one of my mentor’s workshops at her dreamy Santa Barbara House. Every detail was in a word – poetic, with high attention to detail and an effortless curation of each moment. […]

Flowy Dresses for Destination Elopement Photos

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Advice

When it comes to destination elopements, finding the ‘wow factor’ dress is essential. Without many of the traditional wedding decorations and venue features, all eyes are on the bride (or fabulous partner) in elopement photos. From my experience, having a dress with gorgeous movement will enhance your photos in your destination of choice. Below are […]

Five California Black-Owned Wedding Industry Professionals To Hire in 2022 & Beyond

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Advice

Being a diverse woman in the wedding industry, it’s been my joy to work with people that come from a variety of backgrounds. This month it’s an honor to highlight black-owned businesses and women that create stunning works of art and share immense talent in the wedding space. From planning out dreamy events to artistry […]

How To Choose An Elopement Photographer

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Advice

Weddings are intimate, elopements are even more intimate where the focus is just on the two of you. Your photographer is by your side the entire time, capturing the subtle details to remember your day by while sharing with loved ones. Use my checklist below to help you decide on the perfect pairing: –Find a […]

Top 10 Destination Elopement Locations for 2022

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Travel

Elopements are more popular than ever (thanks pandemic!) but I truly love them. There is something so special about photographing an elopement and you know I am definitely down to travel! Here is a list of my top 10 elopement locations for 2022. 1) Washington State. The mountains, the water, the greenery, if you are […]

2022 Wedding Trends That Stand Out

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Advice

A new year means new wedding trends. After the last two years, the wedding industry deserves the trendiest 2022 weddings ever and I think it is going to deliver. While 2021 saw the trend of neon signs with lots of greenery, I predict that 2022 is going to be bolder and full of color. From […]

5 Things To Clear Out Before 2022

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Advice

The New Year is like a door to a fresh start. There’s the element of hope, discovery, and desire to build upon what you have been doing. Here are five ideas on what to clear out before heading into 2022 with your best foot forward. Any Limiting Beliefs or Negative Thoughts. Shake it off, set […]

12 Holiday Cards You Can’t Go Wrong With…

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Advice

Every year I always book out my winter mini photography sessions because there’s always families, new and expanding that take their annual photos in the San Francisco Bay Area. For a few years now I’ve partnered with Basic Invite to give my clients the best deal to use their photos to create beautiful holiday cards […]

A Destination Photographer’s Holiday Gift Guide 2021

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Advice

Finding a unique gift for loved ones can be a challenge with so many options out there. If you’re looking for something special for a local (in the SF Bay Area), a nature lover, a photography enthusiast or someone with an adventurous spirit, check out our curated list of thoughtful presents for someone special in […]

A Destination Photographer’s Guide to the Amalfi Coast

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Travel

The Amalfi Coast in Italy is one of the most beautiful places on Earth I’ve travelled to and truly a bucket list destination. I had the privilege of capturing a client’s wedding here this summer and everyday was an adventure. Traveling during Covid times makes international travel to Europe a bit more stressful, so I […]

LAVENDER FIELD ENGAGEMENT INSPO -ARACELI FARMS

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Love Stories

About an hour North-East of the San Francisco Bay is the incredibly scented lavender fields of Araceli Farms. This seasonal botanical oasis is perfect for not only some family fun but also some Provence inspired engagement photos. When it comes to shooting in hot weather, I’m turning into an expert because this session was around […]

FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE INSPIRED WEDDING – SUNSTONE VILLA

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Love Stories

Tucked between Santa Barbara and the little Danish-style town of Solvang is the beautiful Santa Ynez wine region on the central coast of California. Sunstone Winery was founded in 1990 as one of the first organic vineyard estates in Santa Barbara county. This inspired shoot was orchestrated by Lorie of H + L Lovely Creations, […]

Elopements Are Here To Stay in 2021 & Beyond

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Advice

Gone are the days when elopements were something NOT talked about with enthusiasm or in a positive light. Years ago, elopements were thought to be a rushed affair with little time to put something together and a courthouse time slot to seal the deal. You still might need a marriage civic ceremony appointment ( I […]

Zoom Style Tips

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Advice

Since the pandemic many of us have made the switch over to video meetings and interviews. While there are certain comforts to working from home, ie: cute fuzzy slippers, there’s still that put-together look on the top half that we have to show while we are live streaming. Below are some tips and outfit suggestions […]

Body Flattering Maternity Dresses

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Portraits

One of the questions I get asked most often is what to wear at a photoshoot. Especially when it comes to maternity photos, many women are wanting to celebrate their bodies and motherhood in a soft, ethereal way.

Happy Holidays!

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Personal

My first blog post and very special holiday greeting to you all! This has been a long time coming and believe me when I tell you I’ve put in the elbow grease to get this blog perfect for your reading enjoyment. I’ve always wanted to have a space where I could tell my community about […]

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photos by iann ivy

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