Some wedding days stick with you for reasons that go way beyond how they looked. Alyssa and Daniel’s wedding is one of those days for me, hands down.

This wedding was selected as a cover finalist for the 2026 Rocky Mountain Bride Nevada issue and will be published in their Spring 2026 print edition. Seeing this day recognized and included in their very first Nevada issue feels incredibly full circle for me. Rocky Mountain Bride is a national print wedding magazine, not just an online blog, and having a wedding that took place right here in the Reno-Tahoe area where I grew up featured in their inaugural Nevada issue means more than I can explain.

But before any recognition or titles, this day mattered because of who Alyssa and Daniel are and the way their wedding day felt.

A Wedding Day That Felt Easy and Real

From the start of the day, everything felt so incredibly easygoing. Alyssa was fully present, and there was no rushing or performing.

Daniel matched her energy, and was clearly in awe of the person he was about to marry, I was too! When they were together, it felt natural to step back and let them just exist in the moment instead of forcing anything. Their connection didn’t need much direction, which is always my favorite kind of wedding to photograph. It’s a little ironic, considering they told me they felt they might be awkward in front of the camera… and now I get to tell them they are basically published models!

This is exactly the kind of day that fits into the way I approach documentary wedding photography in Nevada, and it is precisely what I love photographing most. Nothing was forced. The timeline had room to breathe. No one stressed the small stuff. We let the day be what it was. That is always the goal for me, photos that feel like the real day.

Western Details, Thoughtful Choices, and Meaningful Moments

Every part of this wedding felt intentional without ever feeling overdone. Western-inspired details blended seamlessly with a clean, modern aesthetic. Everything felt chosen, which I expected nothing less from Alyssa, a designer herself. Check out her design work!

So many small moments stood out. The simplicity of her dress details, those beautiful sleeves, jewelry being clasped, private vows, constant laughter from their family, and the mountain views that framed the entire day. These are the moments that matter more with time, and they are exactly why I photograph weddings the way I do.

Portrait time made me feel completely in my element. The colors, the light, the setting, and the trust Alyssa and Daniel gave me made it such a creative, exciting part of the day. There is nothing better as a photographer than being trusted to fully do what you do best.

The People Who Made the Day What It Was

One of the things I loved most about this wedding was the people. Their families and wedding party brought so much warmth, support, and kindness into the day, and that deserves to be said.

There was laughter, emotion, and a genuine sense of togetherness that you cannot manufacture, and everyone really made me feel more than just their photographer. It felt like one of those weddings where everyone truly knew and loved the couple, and that energy carried through the entire day, especially during the speeches, which had even me laughing with their family inside jokes!

What This Rocky Mountain Bride Feature Represents

Having this wedding selected as a Rocky Mountain Bride cover finalist and included in their Spring 2026 Nevada issue means more to me than I can easily put into words, and not because of a title alone. It feels like confirmation that staying true to who I am, how I shoot, and the kind of work I believe in actually does matter.

There were plenty of moments in my career where it would have been easier to be someone or something different. To chase trends. To mold my work into what I thought a “successful wedding photographer” was supposed to look like. Instead, I showed up to this day fully myself and focused on getting it right for the couple. I photographed this wedding with complete intention and authenticity, honoring their story exactly as it unfolded. Seeing that approach recognized by Rocky Mountain Bride feels incredibly validating.

Staying True to My Approach as a Reno Tahoe Wedding Photographer

This wedding represents everything I care about most. Thoughtful, emotional storytelling through images that feel timeless and magazine-worthy while still being deeply real. A balance of documentary moments and intentional portraits. A gallery that feels personal instead of performative. One that highlights the natural beauty of the couple, the landscape, their connection, and the people who showed up for them in the biggest way.

More than anything, this day is a reminder of why I do this work and why I love serving couples in the Reno–Tahoe area and throughout Nevada. These landscapes, these communities, and these stories are trulu home to me, and getting to preserve them is something I never take for granted.

I am endlessly grateful to Alyssa and Daniel for trusting me with their story, and to their families for welcoming me in so fully. This recognition belongs to them just as much as it does to me.

The full feature will appear in Rocky Mountain Bride’s Spring 2026 Nevada issue, available in print at major retailers and online. Make sure you pick up or order a copy for wedding advice and inspiration.

I am deeply honored that this wedding will be part of this publication. This wedding will always be one I am proud of and a day I will carry with me throughout my career.

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This couples vendor list:

Venue – @park_home_ranch_venue

Photo – @jacqueophoto

Hair – @atelierbeautybar

Make up – @beauty_by_emilee

Video – @firestepweddings

Dj – @laketahoedj

Bakery – @flourgirlweddingcakes

Catering/Coordinating – @tallaccateringco

Florals – @thransflowers

Suit – @suitsupply

Dress – @thedresstheory

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Thinking about your own wedding day?

If you’re planning a modern western wedding in the Reno-Tahoe area or anywhere in Nevada and you’re drawn to honest, documentary style photography that still feels elevated and intentional, I’d love to connect. I love serving couples as a Reno Tahoe wedding photographer, and I value honesty over performance. You can reach out through my contact page to start the conversation!