Jan
13
Marla and Shawn had a stunning destination wedding at Hans Fahden Winery in Napa Valley, California. They had many of the traditional elements and celebrated in good style, but the day after their wedding, they wanted to spice things up a bit. So we did a very special newlywed session in the Marin Headlands and along the California Coast.
First stop, Point Bonita Lighthouse- so fun- everyone was cheering and so gracious, allowing the newlyweds to cross the bridge at the head of the line.
When walking back up the hill from the lighthouse, we noticed this little path in the grasses and a fabulous view of the Golden Gate Bridge. We had to stop and enjoy the scenery.
We had parked by this old bunker. It was a great place to play around for a bit. All of the old, rusty metal provided great texture and contrast to Marla’s softness.
We concluded our tour at Rodeo Beach for a little wave action and an opportunity to Trash the Dress.
Yes, they got wet and yes, it was very, very cold. These two were such troopers though. I was amazed!
We really got so lucky with the weather and the day turned out to be perfect. If you want to see more from their TTD session and their wedding, definitely take a look at their slideshow, their sneak preview, and their scoop.
Dec
31
As a tribute to all of the fabulous couples and the amazing weddings we have been a part of this year, we thought it only fitting to celebrate love in the form of the wedding ring. So here’s a few of our more creative and fun ring shots from 2009.
Our bride Shelley wanted to honor the city where she and her husband were getting married, so they incorporated historical Boston images and special locations into their seating arrangements and used this book as their guest sign-in book. Photo taken at the Wang Theatre at the CitiCenter Performing Arts Center in Boston, MA.
This photo seems like it is the beginning of a cinematic short. I have a whole story in my mind about how the rings meet and talk and fall in love. Okay perhaps I am getting carried away. Photo taken at Wine and Roses in Lodi, California.
This image combines the rings with a family heirloom. Love the sentimental connection. Photo taken at destination wedding at Hans Fahden Vineyards in Calistoga, California.
The Russian dolls were the favors at Yelena and Rob’s wedding. They made a great prop for the rings. Photo taken at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts.
More than meets the eye. You know the rest. Photo taken at the Fort Mason Officer’s Club in San Francisco, California.
Many, many thanks to our fabulous couples, our supportive family, and our warm and loving friends. We wish you all a healthy and happy 2010!
Dec
18
Stylish. Fun. So sweet on each other. Leah and Dave are a joy to be around and were so much fun to photograph on their wedding day.
A few of my favorite bits from the day:
Dave purchased his tux. He knew it would be tailored perfectly if he owned it and he wanted to look his absolute best for Leah. He even spent some time ironing earlier in the day.
Leah gave Dave a special cologne and Dave gave Leah a special perfume as a wedding gift. They had learned that emotion tied to scents are uniquely suited to bring back memories; they selected new scents for their special day so they had another way to recall their joy. I love this.
They wanted the first time they saw each other to be private and intimate. It was so beautiful.
Leah didn’t even blink at the cold, and it was cold. She looked totally relaxed for all of their portraits, and there were lots. She’s one tough lady.
Dave and his twin brother Mark took a moment before the ceremony. I don’t know what they said to each other, but I loved watching their closeness.
The look on Leah’s dad’s face when he was giving her away.
When Emily (wife of Dave’s brother Mark) and Steve (husband of Dave’s sister Lauren) had a special welcome for Leah as the newest in-law.
Oh boy, I have a lot of favorites. I could go on all night. But perhaps I should get to some photos….
So here’s the rest of their story. Starting with the ceremony.
I love this photo of Dave waiting for Leah to walk down the aisle, with Mark watching him. Dave has already seen Leah on their wedding day, in her wedding dress. And there is definitely something different and equally special about this moment. You can see it in his eyes.
Their ceremony was held under the stars in the pavilion on the grounds of Wine and Roses in Lodi, California. The candles, lanterns and flowers added so much romance to the space.
Leah’s parents enjoyed the ceremony…
As did Leah.
It was also filled with emotion.
Dave’s dad found the newlyweds after the ceremony for a congratulatory hug.
Leah and Dave’s reception was in the ballroom, a beautiful warm lodge-like space. They sat a sweetheart table in front the fireplace and enjoyed a toast to their new status.
First dance.
I mentioned this toast by Emily and Steve. Emily not only welcomed Leah to the family, but also shared advice on living with one half of a pair of twins. Emily is married to Dave’s twin and so she knows all about it.
Then the party got underway.
Some guests were caught up in the romance of the day.
Others got into the dancing frenzy with Dave.
The dance floor was never empty, to be sure.
What a great night, all around! And for those who can’t get enough, a little PicFlick….
If you want to see more from Leah and Dave’s stunning wedding at Wine and Roses, definitely check out their slideshow.
And a big thank you to all of the professionals who helped make their day so special.
Event planners: Emily Mattos and Kristen Jensen from Sugar Rush Events
Ceremony and Reception Venue and Catering: Wine and Roses
Gown Designer: Reem Acra
Make-up artist: Mina Drake
Cake: River City Cake Company
Floral Designer, lighting and room decor: The Big Bang
Rentals: Stuart Rental Company
Ceremony musician: guitarist Davis Ramsey
DJ: Music By Brian
But the greatest thanks go out to Leah and Dave. We have so loved getting to know you both and are thrilled that we could be a part of your celebration. And so much gratitude to your wonderful families. We love you all!
Dec
04
And laughter and tears, pretty much all at the same time, and it certainly made for a great day. Joy and beauty enveloped Sarah and Bryan for their wedding at Stern Grove in San Francisco, California. Jo and I are captivated by Stern Grove on it’s own- it is a place of nature (the redwoods are stunning) and music (each year hosting the Stern Grove Festival). Now I add "love" to the list, as Stern Grove was the back drop to this amazing wedding.
I started the day with Sarah and her girls at the Clubhouse.
Sarah walked down the aisle with her mom and dad on each arm, and tears of joy in her eyes.
This image says it all. Sarah’s dad gave Bryan a warm welcome into the family, before the ceremony even got underway.
Check out their ceremony site. So beautiful among the trees.
Watching.
Under the chuppah, sealed with a kiss.
Then they took a few moments for their portraits and to enjoy their newlywed status.
Let the party begin. Friends and family got things started with some music.
Sarah and Bryan kicked off the dancing with their first dance.
Did I mentioned laughter? Because there was tons of it. I am still laughing over the toast by Sarah’s cousin in which she explained the origins of the Jewish tradition of breaking the glass. Her explanation was one I had not heard before, and it had everyone reeling from laughter.
More dancing followed dinner.
Shosh and Jon, who introduced us to Sarah and Bryan, took a spin on the dancefloor.
The guests definitely enjoyed themselves.
And for that matter so did Sarah.
Thank you so much, Sarah and Bryan, for inviting me to be a part of your wedding day. I had such a great time working with you and am thrilled to share the rest of your photos with you. But first, a little PicFlick….
For more of Sarah and Bryan, check out their slideshow.
Nov
30
Twelve years ago, Tyler met Amber. He knew she was the one. And last month they were married.
For their the quintessential San Francisco wedding, Amber and Tyler chose the venerable Westin St. Francis Hotel which was built before the 1906 Earthquake. This historic Union Square hotel has hosted presidents and movie stars alike. It was the perfect backdrop for Amber and Tyler’s elegant city wedding.
For this wedding, I teamed up with our associate, Christine, and we started the day with Amber as she was completing the final touches to her look.
I set up a few photos of the shoes and the dress.
Love the light.
Making sure everything is just right.
We had a little time before the ceremony so we took the opportunity to take some portraits of Amber. She was simply striking.
She looked so glamorous; we had to capture her amazing fashion and style.
Then off to the ceremony, where Amber and Tyler said their "I do’s." and then this image which comes from the end of the ceremony would be the “We did’s”.
The portraits are often the first alone time our couples have on their wedding day. We were happy to step back and let them enjoy the moment.
Tyler with the bouquet in one hand and the new ring on the other. Definitely a married man. Welcome to the club, Tyler!
Such a touching and romantic first dance…
The night just got better and better as Tyler surprised Amber by serenading her with a red rose in hand.
Amber’s reaction.
Then a passionate embrace.
I have many favorite images from the day, but this is Jo’s favorite. It pretty much sums up their passion, their tenderness, their class, their glamorous hollywood style, and the feel of the whole wedding.
Thank you, Amber and Tyler, for inviting Christine and I into your most amazing day. We are so glad we could be a part of it.
Also many thanks to the pros who helped Amber and Tyler make their wedding a beautiful reality!
The team at the Westin was fabulous! It was wonderful to work with you.
Ceremony Venue: Borgia Room at The Westin St. Francis
Reception Venue: Alexandra’s at The Westin St. Francis
Hair: Antonio Cabral
Make-up: Aida Morano from Aida’s Custom Cosmetics
Gown Designer: Romona Keveza
Bridesmaid dresses: Siri
Groom’s tux: Canali
Groomsmen’s tuxes: Selix Rentals
Cake: Shinmin from I Dream of Cake
Floral Design: Jeffrey from J Floral Art
Band: Keith Johnson and AM Radio
Ceremony Musician: Amber’s stepfather, Carl Weimer
Invitations: William Arthur
If you would like to see more from Amber and Tyler’s city soiree, definitely check out their slideshow.
Nov
19
It’s time. That’s right, Angie and Mike are back. That means transformers and dancing, but first a bit more from the earlier part of the day.
These two have a million ways to smile.
Angie taking a moment with her dad.
I love this photo for lots of reasons. Partially because the couple on the right, Hilary and Scott, are a past bride and groom of ours; it was really fun to see them at Angie and Mike’s wedding. Also all of these guests are so engaged in what they are doing. And what they are doing is looking at photos. Angie spent hours and hours and hours putting together boxes of family photos. She printed them all in black and white, set each box (all were different) on a table for guests to enjoy. It was so much fun!
One such photo of Mike and his sister made the rounds because it was hilarious. A moment in history that I had never expected. Of course, that meant we had to re-enact the photo. Kind of reminds me of a recent Modern Family episode.
Mike’s transformative nature…??? According to his best man, it appears that Mike can go to dichotomous extremes. For one, he is not fond of hippies, but he himself is a vegan. In a similar vein, he was a self-confirmed bachelor, but found the love of his life and went in the other direction with full force, completely committing to Angie.
And then of course, there are the actual transformers. Every single speech alluded to his special collection of Transformers, a full wall in his man cave devoted to them. Dave, of course, took this as a sign that we needed to purchase a Transformer as a prop for their ring shot. (Dave was absolutely giddy as we were shopping in the toy aisle.)
Mike wasn’t the only kid who enjoyed himself at his wedding. The chocolate cupcakes were a huge hit with the youngin’s.
We took a break from the laughter to smile at the sweetness of Angie and Mike’s first dance.
And then more laughter and cheers ensued. Angie had a special surprise in store for Mike. At this point, he had no idea what was ahead for him. So he apparently needed to steel his nerves.
And what was in store for him? A fabulous dance number choreographed by Angie and her friends. A little background… Several months before their wedding, Angie and Mike had arranged a little dance-off competition for their wedding- Angie & her friends vs. Mike & his friends. It seems that Mike allowed things to fall by the way side, but in secret Angie was masterminding her routine. And not only was it a complete surprise to Mike, Angie put in a special tribute to her mom, selecting a song that Angie had won a talent competition with when she was in elementary school, a song her mom would know and appreciate.
Mike’s dance number? Maybe it wasn’t choreographed but it sure was cute.
And a little movie in celebration of Angie and Mike…
Special thanks go out to the professionals who made Angie and Mike’s day so amazing:
Venue: Fort Mason Officers Club at 1 Fort Mason
Catering: Eden B. at Organic Chef Catering
Floral Design: Lidia Sadoun at la fleuriste
Ceremony Musician: Guitarist Kenneth Schwartzman
Lighting: Hayley Bramble at Got Light
Dance Floor: Jeff Bickner- Bickner Dance Floor Rental
And of course, many many thanks to Angie and Mike for including us in your most wonderful day. We had such a great time with you guys- and kept laughing and smiling while working on the images. Thank you!
If you would like to see more from Angie and Mike, check out their engagement session, sneak preview, rehearsal dinner, and slideshow.
Nov
16
Angie and Mike are such a completely fun couple; their wedding day was all about enthusiasm, joy, wit and playfulness. We had a great time getting to know them during their engagement session and couldn’t wait to meet their family and friends. We were so lucky to be able to join them for their Bonfire and Burritos Fiesta/Rehearsal Dinner on Ocean Beach. What a great way to set the tone for the next day’s celebration!
When I arrived at Angie’s hotel room to photograph her getting ready, I felt right at home with her crew. They were so warm and welcoming the day before; and the wedding day was no different. Not to mention that they were great about taking care of Angie- getting her whatever she needed (aka champagne) as well as helping her finish up and getting Angie and her dress to the ceremony site.
While Angie’s stylist worked on her hair, Angie put on her own make-up. Multi-tasking at its best.
Did I mention champagne?
While the girls were hard at work (and play) over at the hotel, Mike and the boys arrived at the Fort Mason Officer’s Club with some necessities- a few decor items to complete the look for the welcome tables and beer.
The florist had already done her part for the ceremony. I absolutely love these bright orange ribbons with citrus orange and yellow orchids lining the aisle. So fresh and cheerful.
Mike still had lots to do to get things ready. He must have needed a quiet place to organize things- what better spot than the closet?!!
Angie’s flower girl was adorable- she looks like a purple fairy princess. She took to the part with ease and got some practice walking (okay so maybe she was running) on the lawn before the ceremony started.
This was such a funny moment. When our purple princess made it down the aisle, she wanted to stay with Mike as Angie entered. I don’t blame her, that’s the best view in the house.
Smiles all around as Angie walked down the aisle with her mom and dad.
Some smiles were accompanied by tears.
Angie and Mike chose to personalize their ceremony by having their dear friends as the officiants- one officiant for each of them.
I have to close with this wide view of their ceremony because it was simply gorgeous. Autumn in San Francisco is definitely the nicest time of year, and it absolutely does not get better than this. They had perfect weather- warm and sunny- and this stunning view of the San Francisco Bay.
Stay tuned for more- because I haven’t even touched on Mike’s transformative personality or Angie’s surprise dance number. These two will keep you smiling all day long!
Nov
11
We have had the great pleasure of watching Duke’s family grow- I say it that way because first Duke had Maya, then he added Drew and, most recently, Mason to his family. And we knew Duke first, as he is our boy Max’s brother. We have enjoyed getting to know the whole family and have had the opportunity to photograph them from Maya and Drew’s engagement session to their wedding to their first family portrait to this most recent session with Mason. In preparation for the holidays, we captured these portraits of Maya, Drew, Mason and Duke at Piedmont Park.
From Duke’s perspective.
A better look at the humans in the family.
Mason just happens to be absolutely adorable, no suprise given his genes, and a lovely little guy to boot. He offers huge smiles for his mom. Maya’s entertaining Mason and Drew behind our cameras.
Kisses.
The pensive boys.
Maya taught me a few of her tricks to get Mason to smile for me. He did so a couple of times, but it is clear he loves his mom’s version of the ABC’s best.
The weather had been a little iffy so we wanted to keep Mason warm. We decided to head back home for a few with Mason having the spotlight all to himself.
Duke is such a good protector and big brother. He is so calm and is happy to allow Mason to sit cradled in his lap. So precious.
Then one final image with Maya and her first boy.
It is always a pleasure getting together with Maya, Drew, Mason and Duke. Thank you so much for inviting us into your lives.
If you would like to see more, check out their slideshow.
Aug
03
And now it is time for the second engagement session from our awesome Sunday of SF shooting.
Jilanne and Doug came up from San Jose and met us at the Crissy Field Center Cafe for a quintessentially San Francisco shoot. We immediately headed into the Presidio to start around the historic buildings. The Presidio is one of our favorite places in the Bay Area. The building structures are varied and have great character, plus there are many green spaces.
Taking a walk in the woods by the Golden Gate Club.…
Then over to Fort Point, another of our favorite places to shoot in San Francisco. Not only is it historical, it also has kick-ass views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The brick always provides an excellent background, and although it is typically chilly out there, it never fails to provide beautiful light.
Oh, and Fort Point was the site where Kim Novak jumped into the San Francisco Bay in the movie Vertigo. I note this only because while Jilanne and Doug aren’t particular Hitchcock fans, they are getting married at the Mission San Juan Bautista, where James Stewart watched Kim Novak jump from a tower (there isn’t really one there) to her supposed death in the same film. I just think the tie-in is kind of fun.
But I digress… Fort Point is really great photographically. Add to that backdrop our gorgeous couple and you get ….
Did I mention they tango? So talented. Look at their form.
Jilanne and Doug, thank you for this truly amazing shoot. Dave and I had tons of fun with you guys. You are so totally perfect together. We love your sense of style and your playfulness. Not to mention your willingness to weather the chills of Fort Point. We can’t wait for your fall wedding at the Mission San Juan Bautista and Leal Vineyard. It is going to be gorgeous.
Want to see more? Check out their slideshow.
Jul
29
I know it has been a great day when I have finished shooting two amazing engagement sessions with two absolutely fabulous couples and each one is completely different. First up is our wonderful duo Angie and Mike. Angie and Mike found us through their colleagues and friends, Hilary and Scott (who happen to be celebrating their anniversary today- Happy Anniversary!). But this was our first chance to meet Angie and Mike in person, having communicated via phone and email prior, and we were so excited.
Both Angie and Mike came to San Francisco from other parts of the country and now they can’t imagine living anywhere else. San Francisco can do that to you. They live between Dolores Park and the Castro and absolutely love the Mission, so of course, we stayed close to home during this truly San Francisco shoot. They brought us to some of their favorite haunts. We even took a few in and around their house, their first home together.
Our first stop, the top of the hill at Dolores Park. It never ceases to amaze me the varied views one can get of this city with so many hills.
As we wandered through the park, we came across a grove of palm trees. The light was soft and inviting so we stayed for a bit.
You can start to get a sense of how absolutely sweet Angie and Mike are together. I love their smiles in the next two.
Mike found Java Supreme first, but introduced Angie to the cafe soon after. It had been a while since they had been back. They know the owner by name and were excited to share the news of their engagement with him. We sat down and chatted for a few minutes while they each had a drink. I popped outside to capture this image.
What would a shoot in the mission be without the murals? Angie and Mike brought us to the Mission Pool for this bright and colorful one.
A little street life …
on the way to this mural of San Francisco through time…
Special note, the shoes=very, very cool!
We went back to their place to try to capture a few with their kittens, one of whom cooperated for a couple of seconds, and then saw these great books. Insta-photo props!
What a great morning we had! Huge thank you’s to Angie and Mike for taking us on a great tour of your ‘hood and for showing Dave the Man Cave of his dreams. I am still hearing about how awesome the Transformer Collection is- who knew?! Can’t wait to see you guys again in a couple of months. Your bonfire & burritos on Ocean Beach "rehearsal dinner" and your wedding at the Fort Mason Officer’s Club are going to be amazingly fun.
Want to see more? Check out their slideshow.
