Do everything in love.
1 CORINTHIANS 16:14
HELLO THERE. WE ARE SAMMY & NATALIA.
Our very own love story began in the Summer of 2007. Sammy was madly in love the moment he met Natalia and Natalia's love for Sammy grew steadily over time. Two years later they tied the knot on October 3, 2009 in front of family and friends in Newport Beach, CA. They had their first kiss as husband and wife with Mat Kearney's "Closer to Love" playing in the background. The personal meaning and significance behind the song would later inspire what is known today as Closer to Love Photography.
In 2009 Sammy was in the medical field and Natalia was a new stay-at-home-wife doing contracted work on the side... but she knew there was an element of their new marriage missing. You see, she always knew Sammy to be a photographer and was so inspired by his work. So after just a few months of watching her new husband clock-in and clock-out, no longer pursuing his gift and passion, she welcomed him home with a candle-lit dinner and expressed her heart to see her husband pursue his God-given talent. After hours of discussion and encouragement, it worked. On Valentine's Day 2010, Closer to Love Photography was born.
Ever since that one life decision as husband and wife to build something together, Sammy and Natalia have seen God surpass every expectation and dream. In 2010 a wedding that Sammy and Natalia photographed went viral on Style Me Pretty which put their photography on the map, booking events years in advance. Soon after, photography gave Sammy and Natalia the freedom to step away from their careers and focus solely on traveling the world capturing timeless love, together. Their work has since been featured in hundreds of reputable magazines and blogs. They've hosted workshops, photographed celebrity weddings, and sold-out of their own book "Storytelling." The experience they learned through the years also paved the way for additional entrepreneurial endeavors, with their hearts fixated on being an inspiration. The past 13 years have been a journey they are extremely grateful for!
Sammy and Natalia now reside in Eagle, Idaho with their 4 children, and travel frequently to Southern California doing what they love to do. They have learned to expect the unexpected because through it all, they have known and have always seen that the best... is still yet to come.
ABOUT SAMMY
I have an endless love for Jesus, my family, simplicity, music, the outdoors, art & healthy living. On any given day you’ll find our family dancing, laughing, learning & growing together with sand (and snow) in our toes. We devote our time & energy to our four amazing children and living a life we are truly passionate about. I photographed my first Wedding at 15 years of age and now over 20 years later, I am more passionate about capturing timeless, inspiring love.
ABOUT NATALIA
I love my family, the ocean, fall, music, the wind, and capturing moments that will live on forever. I enjoy the adventure of homeschooling and nature journaling. I married my best friend when I was 19 and I’m thankful beyond words to be alongside my husband living out all of our God-given dreams and doing life with others on our beautiful journey.