Trace-Dogg. Trace Dizzle. Trace Face. Tracy Davies… These are the endearing nicknames I have for my dear friend Tracy…
I still remember the first day we met as we were moving into our dorm rooms nine years ago. I had moved in the day before so I was pretty settled in when Tracy and her roommate Ashlee (Ash- I know you’re reading this… Hi!) came by my door to introduce themselves and invite me to a frat party with them. They were sophomores and they seemed like fun girls, but I was scared so I politely declined their invitation. In the following weeks, we became friends… Tracy even gave me the nickname H-Dogg, which stuck so well that almost everyone I met that first year of college still exclusively calls me that. By the end of the first month or two, those girls were part of my family at school.
As best as I can remember, Tracy and I were meant to be friends from the get-go, but our lives were forever bonded together when we decided to study abroad in London together in the Fall of 2004. Not only did we experience an amazing four months together in an amazing city with fantastic people, but we also were forced to share the smallest room in the history of rooms… it was an adventure and some of the best times of my life. Here are some photos from our semester abroad- notice the tiny bedroom with the bunk beds…
A couple of weeks after we got back from London, Tracy met Erik through a friend. I remember hearing about him for the first time and remember how happy Tracy was as she told me about this new guy in her life. Fast forward 6 1/2 years and I found myself giddy as I was driving to San Diego to photograph their wedding. Though I haven’t been able to spend a whole lot of time with Erik, I know from my conversations with Tracy that he continues to make her happy- and nobody deserves that happiness more than her.
Here are my favorite photos from their wedding day in San Diego!
I thought it was so amazing that Tracy wore ballet slippers the entire day…. she’s a ballet dancer so it was perfect. 🙂
The backpack, hat and flip flops are quintessentially Tracy…
She got ready at the beautiful Catamaran Resort Hotel in Mission Bay.
Erik looked so dapper…
I loved the vibrant tulip and succulent bouquets!
And the gardenia in the hair was my fav…
They wanted photos on this amazing cliff in Bird Rock… loved!!
My awesome second shooter Ally got this photo of me shooting Tracy… I often say I’ll do anything for a good shot, but I think I pushed it a bit getting that close to the edge…
A favorite.
A bride doing ballet on a cliff… no big deal.
Tracy, you’re stunning.
The ceremony… Erik cried. 🙂
The wedding party.
So many cute handcrafted details! Tracy and her mom planted these succulents months ago and bought the numbers at Home Depot and had them welded onto metal rods. They served frozen margaritas at the cocktail hour… so good.
Congratulations, Trace Dizzle and Erik! I love you both and am so happy for you. xoxo
And a special thanks to Ally for covering the reception for me so I could party with my friends. 🙂
so so so so so good Heather!! I am in love with those portraits on the cliff!
AHHHH!! Amazing! I’ve been trying to wait so patiently to see these haha! LOVE LOVE LOVE this post, H-dogg! Tracy was was the most beautiful bride so I know that was really difficult to work with 😉 P.S. Long live the L the girls! xxx
Absolutely gorgeous!!! Heather, you’re amazing. These pictures capture just how beautiful Tracy’s wedding was!
Love the L Girls!
Heather, Thank you so much for these amazing, beautiful photographs of the wedding and particularly my precious daughter Tracy. How can I ever thank you enough. You have an amazing talent and creativity that cannot be matched. It will help me remember this day forever.
Mimi
So good. The one where she leaps… I die.
Heather, these photos are so amazing. Thank you so much for capturing such wonderful pics of someone so special to many of us 🙂 ::tear::
Heather, these are absolutely fabulous! Tracy looks gorgeous (as always), Erik looks dapper and they both look just so happy and stunning. You captured the day beautifully. I also love the introduction with accompanying pictures in the beginning; it’s so personal. You truly gave Tracy the best gift imaginable. She’s lucky to have you in her life!
Ok. So the one where she’s doing that amazing leap is the best thing ever. LOVE IT! You are seriously getting better every day! I didn’t even know it was possible.
I’m sobbing
That’s all I can say
These are fabulous
In every way
Just saw these unbelievable photos. The history, the caring, the talent, the beauty, the grace…all come together to touch the heart strings.