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Humpback Whales ~ Avila Beach 2015

June 16, 2015

Humpbacks back again…whether they like Avila Beach for the weather, the scenery 0r the krill…(maybe all of them), I’m not sure. It’s kind of a moot point to debate what brings the whales to avila, it’s beautiful there and these humpbacks are starting to make a habit of visiting. Back in 2012, they came thru and dazzled crowds, and yesterday at the beach was no different!

If you want my advice, go to Avila…get a Kravabowl ~ walk down the pier…cross your fingers…and see something sweet; even a Pelican-shitting is pretty cool, if you’re in Avila.
Kayaking with Whales
Viewing the Whales in Avila Two Whales Surface in Avila The Crowd Gathers to Whale Watch on Avila Pier Mother and Calf Humpback Avila

The Humpback Whales of Avila Beach, Ca ~ 2015.

Tags: Avila Beach, Avila Pier, California Coast, Humpback Whales

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Meet the crew

Blake Andrews founded SLOtography in 2008 and now works alongside photographer James Lester and videographer Robin Ayers. Together, they bring more than 30 years of experience (and serious good vibes) to weddings and events throughout San Luis Obispo and the Central Coast.

More About Us

Elena came into our lives the way a lot of new people do these days…she responded to our request for childcare for our two-year-old ;). When we discussed the possibility of nanny-ing, we had inquired about Memorial Day weekend and whether she’d be available…to which she responded, “Unfortunately, no. I’m going to a music festival!” Turns out, we would all be in attendance ;). And from that point on, we not only found a nanny…but a friend…ahhh <3

Fast forward to last month, our daughter is now 5, and we had enough time to attend the beautiful wedding/festival celebration for Elena & Nick. The kids stayed at home, with the exception of their pup ;). ’Twas a beautiful night in the vineyard in the Edna Valley. The long table, filled with good people, full glasses of delicious wine & food, and surrounded by the vineyard and good vibes.

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Elena came into our lives the way a lot of new people do these days…she responded to our request for childcare for our two-year-old ;). When we discussed the possibility of nanny-ing, we had inquired about Memorial Day weekend and whether she’d be available…to which she responded, “Unfortunately, no. I’m going to a music festival!” Turns out, we would all be in attendance ;). And from that point on, we not only found a nanny…but a friend…ahhh <3

Fast forward to last month, our daughter is now 5, and we had enough time to attend the beautiful wedding/festival celebration for Elena & Nick. The kids stayed at home, with the exception of their pup ;). ’Twas a beautiful night in the vineyard in the Edna Valley. The long table, filled with good people, full glasses of delicious wine & food, and surrounded by the vineyard and good vibes.

Jackie + Ryan are married!
Mariachi Music : Mariachi Autlence | @mariachi_autlence
Venue: Swallow Creek Ranch | @swallowcreekranch
Wedding Coordinator: Wild Coast Rituals @wildcoastrituals
Catering: Old SLO BBQ|@oldslobbq
Bar: Classic Cocktails |@classic_cocktails_bartending
Florals: Farmermaid Flowers| @farmermaidflowers
Makeup: Anna Grimes| @makeup_by_anna_grimes
Hair: Nichole Potter |@nichole.hair
Entertainment: DJ Sol| @officialdjsol | @yeswedoweddings
Photo & Video: SLOtography| @slotography
Photobooth: Moxnco | @moxnco
Transportation: Elegant Image | @elegantimagelimousine
Dessert: Sunset Churros| @sunsetchurros805
Officiant: Pastor Jono Schaffer
Rentals: SLO Party Rentals| @slopartyrentals
Dress: A Heart`s Desire Bridal| @aheartsdesirebridal
Rings: Bridal Rings Company |@bridalringscompany

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Jackie + Ryan are married!
Mariachi Music : Mariachi Autlence | @mariachi_autlence
Venue: Swallow Creek Ranch | @swallowcreekranch
Wedding Coordinator: Wild Coast Rituals @wildcoastrituals
Catering: Old SLO BBQ|@oldslobbq
Bar: Classic Cocktails |@classic_cocktails_bartending
Florals: Farmermaid Flowers| @farmermaidflowers
Makeup: Anna Grimes| @makeup_by_anna_grimes
Hair: Nichole Potter |@nichole.hair
Entertainment: DJ Sol| @officialdjsol | @yeswedoweddings
Photo & Video: SLOtography| @slotography
Photobooth: Moxnco | @moxnco
Transportation: Elegant Image | @elegantimagelimousine
Dessert: Sunset Churros| @sunsetchurros805
Officiant: Pastor Jono Schaffer
Rentals: SLO Party Rentals| @slopartyrentals
Dress: A Heart's Desire Bridal| @aheartsdesirebridal
Rings: Bridal Rings Company |@bridalringscompany

Nothing but pictures of newlyweds and a soundtrack.

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Nothing but pictures of newlyweds and a soundtrack.

If it’s been a while since you’ve attended a wedding, here’s a reminder: they are pure amazing.

The remarkable thing about this profession (wedding photography) is that I am privy to a synthesis of two lives as we witness them collide in spectacular fashion. Everyone in attendance has brought their support, love, gifts, amazing outfits, and cheer from hundreds/thousands of miles away to celebrate and witness this once-in-a-lifetime union. And in the blink of an eye, it’s gone. It’s so concentrated.

There are a chosen few who are honored & brave enough to speak and summarize the two lives of the newlyweds; each has 3 minutes to do so. And when you subtract the pauses (to hold back the tears), we find there’s only a couple of hundred words uttered. Potent. Emotional. Heavy.

And…I never know truly what I’m about to experience, as I lace up my boots and head out the door, to any given wedding. But it’s always remarkable.

And taking all of that, and turning it into a photo gallery…well, it’s a tall order. I love it. I’ve done it for a while now, and I can say with some confidence, I’m good at it, too.

But, at the end of the weekend… you’ll find me (as I am now), soaking in a bath. Recovering. Restoring. And preparing for next week, when it’s time to lace up again and see what the day brings. *spoiler: it’s gonna be awesome. (i.e.: Olivia+Jonah ❤️ )

Venue: @1800elpomar
Officiant: Russ Gordon
Cake: @madonnainn1958
Dj: KSSSD MOBILE DJ
Bartender: @centralcoastpartyhelpers
Day of Coordinator: @coordinatingwithk
Photographer: @SLOtography
Super 8 film video: @thelittlealli
Catering: @oldslobbq
Rentals

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If it’s been a while since you’ve attended a wedding, here’s a reminder: they are pure amazing.

The remarkable thing about this profession (wedding photography) is that I am privy to a synthesis of two lives as we witness them collide in spectacular fashion. Everyone in attendance has brought their support, love, gifts, amazing outfits, and cheer from hundreds/thousands of miles away to celebrate and witness this once-in-a-lifetime union. And in the blink of an eye, it’s gone. It’s so concentrated.

There are a chosen few who are honored & brave enough to speak and summarize the two lives of the newlyweds; each has 3 minutes to do so. And when you subtract the pauses (to hold back the tears), we find there’s only a couple of hundred words uttered. Potent. Emotional. Heavy.

And…I never know truly what I’m about to experience, as I lace up my boots and head out the door, to any given wedding. But it’s always remarkable.

And taking all of that, and turning it into a photo gallery…well, it’s a tall order. I love it. I’ve done it for a while now, and I can say with some confidence, I’m good at it, too.

But, at the end of the weekend… you’ll find me (as I am now), soaking in a bath. Recovering. Restoring. And preparing for next week, when it’s time to lace up again and see what the day brings. *spoiler: it’s gonna be awesome. (i.e.: Olivia+Jonah ❤️ )

Venue: @1800elpomar
Officiant: Russ Gordon
Cake: @madonnainn1958
Dj: KSSSD MOBILE DJ
Bartender: @centralcoastpartyhelpers
Day of Coordinator: @coordinatingwithk
Photographer: @SLOtography
Super 8 film video: @thelittlealli
Catering: @oldslobbq
Rentals

Anna + Conner 🤍

What an incredible weekend celebrating these two at Riata Ranch.

Anna was actually a bridesmaid in a wedding I photographed years ago, so getting the chance to document her own wedding alongside Conner felt especially meaningful. These two are brilliant humans — mathematicians, doctors, self-proclaimed nerds — but more than anything, they are deeply intentional about building a beautiful life together.

Their wedding weekend was centered on everything that matters most: connection, community, amazing food, dancing, laughter, and genuine time spent with the people they love.

From the relaxed backyard BBQ welcome party to the emotional ceremony beneath the oaks and the starry-night portraits under the new-moon sky, every part of this celebration felt authentic to who they are.

So grateful to have documented this beautiful weekend in Santa Margarita. Congratulations again, Anna + Conner ✨

#RiataRanchWedding #SantaMargaritaWedding #CentralCoastWeddingPhotographer #SLOWeddingPhotographer #CaliforniaWeddingPhotographer WeddingWeekend DocumentaryWeddingPhotography RiataRanch Slotography

Vendor Details

Venue: @riataranch: Riata Ranch
Friday Dinner: @mosbbq: Cafe Runner (Mo’s BBQ)
Photography: @slotography: SLOtography
Hair & Makeup: @beauty_from_within63
Saturday Dinner / Catering: @pasocatering: Paso Catering
Officiant: @everybodyclazyourhands: Everybody Claz Your Hands

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Anna + Conner 🤍

What an incredible weekend celebrating these two at Riata Ranch.

Anna was actually a bridesmaid in a wedding I photographed years ago, so getting the chance to document her own wedding alongside Conner felt especially meaningful. These two are brilliant humans — mathematicians, doctors, self-proclaimed nerds — but more than anything, they are deeply intentional about building a beautiful life together.

Their wedding weekend was centered on everything that matters most: connection, community, amazing food, dancing, laughter, and genuine time spent with the people they love.

From the relaxed backyard BBQ welcome party to the emotional ceremony beneath the oaks and the starry-night portraits under the new-moon sky, every part of this celebration felt authentic to who they are.

So grateful to have documented this beautiful weekend in Santa Margarita. Congratulations again, Anna + Conner ✨

#RiataRanchWedding #SantaMargaritaWedding #CentralCoastWeddingPhotographer #SLOWeddingPhotographer #CaliforniaWeddingPhotographer WeddingWeekend DocumentaryWeddingPhotography RiataRanch Slotography

Vendor Details

Venue: @riataranch: Riata Ranch
Friday Dinner: @mosbbq: Cafe Runner (Mo’s BBQ)
Photography: @slotography: SLOtography
Hair & Makeup: @beauty_from_within63
Saturday Dinner / Catering: @pasocatering: Paso Catering
Officiant: @everybodyclazyourhands: Everybody Claz Your Hands

515 Broad Street, Suite B

San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

blake@slotography.com

San Luis Obispo, CA

Wedding & Event Photographer

Good people. Good places. Good things.

@slotography

San Luis Obispo Wedding photographer & videographer

515 Broad Street, Suite B

San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

blake@slotography.com