1880 Union Hotel Los Alamos, CA

The 1880 Union Hotel is my kind of place and this amazing couple are my kind of people - authentic, kickback, and fun loving. These two chose wisely for their wedding destination.

Los Alamos, CA is a small Santa Ynez Valley town just 45 minutes north of Santa Barbara and 140 miles north of Los Angeles. I love small towns. I like the quiet streets, the simple landscape, and the slow pace.  Something in me feels at home...more myself. I can walk and think.

The 1880 Union Hotel is like taking a step back in time. The saloon, old wood floors, wall portraits, wallpaper, and decor are perfect. It's honest. Authentic simplicity is beautiful to me. It's real. It's like an old soul that doesn't hide anything and has stories to tell. I want to pull up a chair and listen. It is strange to think about a hotel this way. 

 On the streets near the 1880 Union Hotel you can find art galleries, a bakery, bed & breakfast, some eateries and tasting rooms.  If you are traveling on Highway 101 make a quick detour. It is only a minute or two off the highway. 

Here are some helpful links when you visit:

1880 Union Hotel 362 Bell Street Los Alamos, CA 93440

http://1880union.com/     

https://www.visitsyv.com/discover-syv/los-alamos/

Plenty on Bell: http://www.plentyonbell.com/  A farm to table restaurant.

Bob's Well Bread Bakery: https://www.bobswellbread.com/

Pico Restaurant and Lumen Wines:  http://www.losalamosgeneralstore.com/ . 

 

 

Paso Robles, CA Wedding

Marriage is a magical, musical, messy joyous reality. It is life traveled together bound in and by love. It is perfect.  

Outdoor Adventure and Family Photography

I am a family photographer; I also love being outside. When I have an opportunity to combine the two I am stoked. 

This amazing family knows how to get outside. We combined a family shoot with a little outdoor fun. Taken in Los Osos, CA


Spreafico Farms Barn - San Luis Obispo - Wedding

Weddings are always about epic love. Two people completely given to one another. These two laughed, smiles, and radiated joyful love. 

San Luis Obispo, CA - Just for Fun

I love giving and thoughtful people. Kindness makes me smile. These two amazing people allowed me to photograph them while hiking on a cold and windy spring day. We hiked, captured great light, talked, and made some pictures. 

I wasn't going to post this, but it was fun and I don't want the images hidden in a file somewhere. 

This was shot above Laguna Lake in San Luis Obispo, CA. It was just us and the sun. 

marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography
marc amesse san luis obispo photography

 

Family Love

Happy + Love = Blessed Family. This family is loving, funny, giving, gracious, and full of God's grace. I had a blast visiting and photographing their awesomeness. Spending time with families like this enriches my life. Thank you C&D. 


Big Sur,

I love Big Sur. I live so close, yet rarely get there enough. My trips to Big Sur are never a disappointment. Piedras Blancas Light Station, Ragged Point, Gorda, Bir Sur Cafe, and all the turnouts along the way. I made it a point to stop at as many turnouts as I could.

Almost all the photos in this post are a result of pulling over into a turnout, stopping the car, and taking in the views. The next time you drive through Big Sur to Carmel or from Monterey to San Luis Obispo, add more time your schedule and stop...a lot. It will be worth it. 

 

This guys VW Bus was interesting.

One of my favorite views. 

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

Big Sur Bakery and Restaurant. A must stop. On a pack backing trip to Big Sur two years ago, I  had a five hour hike out. It was five hours of a freezing down pour. I was 100% wet - clothes, socks, shoes, everything. I was hungry and wanted to get warm. This place was my first priority. I don't remember what I ate, but it was the best I ever had.