Jul
06
One summer a few years ago, fate took hold of Suzanne and Andy’s lives and brought them together in a way neither would have expected. As Suzanne said, "Who meets in a bar?" Well actually, she and Andy did. And it was perfect.
Suzanne had been visiting her family at the time, but was living in Southern California. A friend took her to this neighborhood bar for a drink. A friend of Andy’s happened to bring him to the same bar. It’s the kind of bar that really is meant for the locals and probably sees a lot of the same faces. Not the kind of place you would expect to meet your future spouse, or even someone new. Neither Suzanne nor Andy went to the bar to fall in love, but love is what they found.
Fast forward to this summer. Suzanne and Andy are busily preparing for their wedding at Stone Tree Golf Club. We took a few hours to enjoy the city they have spent so much time in and create engagement photos for them. San Francisco gave us all its blustering cold dripping wet fog (yes it was gruesome) and Suzanne and Andy gave us smiles and warmth. It was a perfect night.
We started off in North Beach (for those touristy types, that’s the Italian district in SF) and wandered along the streets. Both Suzanne and Andy had lived in the neighborhood at various points in their lives so had strong ties to the area.
Meandered over to Washington Square Park for a little greenery.
Loving this shot. So San Francisco- you’ve got the MUNI lines criss-crossing over the street and the TransAmerica building in the background.
Enjoying the architecture.
A little Monet-esque as they are walking. Take a moment and enjoy the yellow sweater Suzanne is wearing. Love bright colors on a gray day.
Of course, we had to head over to the scene of the crime. So we hopped in their car and drove to Russian Hill where that neighborhood bar, The Buccaneer, is located. Could this be how it all started?
They hadn’t been back since their first anniversary, which made it even more fun to relive their story. As it turns out, the same bartender was serving up drinks the night they met and the night of our shoot. I think all the memories brought out even a bit more romance.
We had so much fun and now we can’t wait for their wedding in just a few short weeks. This was just a smattering of all the amazing photos we were able to get of this awesome couple. I would definitely recommend checking out their slideshow for more from Suzanne and Andy’s SF e-session.
Jun
05
I am so excited to be sharing a sneak preview of images from Jackie and William’s amazing wedding at a private club in the Back Bay. I am limited by what I can show you at the request of the club management and their members, but I am able to share a few snippets from William’s getting ready, the portraits along Commonwealth Ave and a few details. So I hope you enjoy.
Dave started the day with William at the Boston Harbor Hotel, where he was getting ready. This view from William’s room would totally put anyone in the right frame of mind- peaceful, serene, stunning.
William was very excited about the tux he had custom-made by Brooks Brothers for the occasion. It seems only fitting that he receive artful photos of his attire.
A final check….
The effort and choices he made were impeccable. He looked so dashing.
William made his way to the club in a Rolls Royce, arriving in high style.
Meanwhile, Jackie was at the club getting ready. She chose a Vera Wang gown; the fabric flowed beautifully and totally showed off her figure. Plus the texture and shape was a perfect match for the cherry blossoms, which she used throughout to decorate.
After they saw each other for the first time (a truly emotional and beautiful experience), we popped outside for some photos around the Back Bay. Comm Ave is surrounded by gorgeous brownstones and a tree lined pedestrian way, so finding locations was no challenge. Plus we still had the Rolls Royce to play with.
Such a gentleman…
And a few little bits from the ceremony. The groom’s vows…
The embrace.
And a post ceremony portrait of their gorgeous puppy, who also played the roll of ring bearer. He was so cute walking down the aisle, and looked so handsome with his bowtie.
More to share soon, but if you want more now, and I wouldn’t blame you, definitely check out Jackie and William’s engagement session in Princeton and their love story by Generations Cinemastories.
May
09
She’s energetic, sassy and fashionable. He’s cool, calm and collected. His wild side gets its chance to shine when he rides his motorcycle (a beautiful Harley Davidson); her creative juices get flowing when she talks style. They are a perfect match. And they are so fun to be around.
We met up with Donna and Jimmy at a little park in quaint Ashland, Mass. We were amazed at the options in such a small space, but the lake, the budding flowers of early spring, the bridge and waterfall and of course, Donna and Jimmy gave us so much to work with. So here’s a taste of their engagement session.
Want a few more? Check out their slideshow. And check back later this summer for images from their wedding at the Exchange Conference Center in Boston.
Mar
17
We’ve been holding out on you. I apologize. It’s true. We have a few weddings, engagement sessions, and portrait sessions from 2009 that we haven’t shared yet, not to mention tons of inspiring details from our fabulous couples. It wasn’t from lack of desire, trust me, because what I have to show you is amazing. We just ran out of time this fall with so many great events going on. But don’t worry, we will hold out no longer.
I am going to start with one truly awesome engagement session to kick off the season of sharing. Judy and Burgess are a ton of fun. Dave met up with them just a bit before their wedding to make sure they had a chance to do their engagement session and get a little practice in front of the camera. As it turns out, they needed no practice whatsoever. These two were totally at ease and looked great from every possible angle.
San Francisco‘s Golden Gate Park offers a plethora of backdrops and opportunities. One of our faves is the tower in the de Young Museum- a super cool space with great views of the city and the bay.
Of course the landscape surrounding the museum isn’t bad either.
Playful rockstar look. They totally have this down.
And a few more romantic images.
I love how playful they are together.
If you want to see more of Judy and Burgess, check out their engagement PicFlick and stay tuned for photos from their wedding at Blackhawk Country Club.
Feb
01
We met so many great couples during the bridal shows. Your stories were romantic and inspiring. We hope to get to know many of you even better. If you would like to set up an appointment to visit with us at our studio, please email us and we will find a time that works for you.
And now, the winner of our free engagement session is…. Alex Wyrondek. Congrations, Alex. I will be sending you all the details in an email, but feel free to contact us if you have questions.
Happy wedding planning to you all!
Want to see more engagement sessions? Check them out on the blog here.
Sep
02
I am so excited to share the second installment of Erin and Vitali’s wedding. You may recall that they were married at the Lord Thompson Manor in Thompson, Conn. In the first post, I made it to the beginning of ceremony so there is lots more to share.
Allow me to set the scene. The day was gorgeous with blue skies above. Erin and Vitali were surrounded by their family and friends, and stood under trees and this beautiful gazebo with the gorgeous mansion behind them.
Some moments were tender…
And some amusing. The groom’s best man was his son; it took him a second to remember where he had placed the rings. But he held it together and provided them in due course.
Little tubes of bubbles were placed at each person’s seat. They were blown after Erin and Vitali’s kiss and as they exited, and then everyone continued to blow bubbles until they received another kind of bubbles in preparation for the toast. Blowing bubbles can be addictive that way. Everyone loves bubbles. Erin’s dad especially loved blowing the bubbles. Love it!
The Lord Thompson Manor has a great set up for the toasts.
Erin’s brother provided the stories and words of wisdom. He had Erin and her family in stitches.
We followed the toast with a few portraits. I especially wanted to capture something special of Erin and her grandmother. Erin’s mother had told me how close they are.
And of course, I had a little time with our bride and groom. This is one of my favorites. They seem so at ease and totally themselves in this moment.
Cocktail hour awaited! And what would a cocktail hour be without a signature cocktail? Apparently Vitali doesn’t drink, but because he is a white Russian he and Erin thought it only appropriate that they serve White Russian’s at their wedding. Too funny! Here we have a pair of white Russians.
The joy of the evening was definitely catchy and everyone was feeling a bit spunky. Erin’s parents Marion and Jack were hilarious as they danced their way in during their entrance.
After the rest of the bridal party and Erin and Vitali’s dog entered, they made their grand entrance. They immediately started their first dance.
One young lady was inspired to start dancing afterwards. Can’t blame her, it was a beautiful first dance.
Keirnan of KCK Photography, my partner for the day, captured this moment during the cake cutting. So much joy. Of course, who wouldn’t be joyous with two amazing cakes sitting right in front of them. The groom’s cake was brought in from their favorite bakery in New York as a special treat.
After Erin and Vitali each had a taste, Erin shared the red velvet cake with the kids. Yum.
Our evening was drawing to a close, but I wanted to make sure to get a few photos on the grounds before we left. The Manor looks absolutely stunning at night. I am so glad Erin and Vitali were up for a couple more portraits. My parting shot.
What an amazing day! There are so many people to thank for making it great.
First of all, Jackie and her team at the Lord Thompson Manor. Great work! Everything was perfect.
And the team of professionals that Erin, Marion and Jackie assembled.
Thanks to the following for completing Erin and Vitali’s looks:
Hair and make-up: The KISS Spa
Gown Designer: Pronovias of Spain from Mariella Creations
Groom and Groomsmen’s Attire: Formals by Antonio
And for creating the atmosphere and making the day even sweeter, thanks to:
Ceremony Musicians: Fensgate Chamber Players
Reception Band: Radiance
Floral Design: The Flowering Vine
Bride’s cake: Something Sweet by Michelle
Groom’s Cake: Two Little Red Hens Bakery
I also want to send out lots of kudos to Erin and Marion who teamed up to create the gorgeous invitations and other paper products. Your handy work absolutely paid off. Beautiful!
A very special thanks to Keirnan of KCK Photography for joining me this day. I so appreciate you and your talent. You are amazing. Thank you!
Finally, I want to thank Erin and Vitali and your wonderful family and friends for inviting us into this very special day.
For those of you who want to see a few more, definitely check out their Sneak Preview and their Slideshow.
Aug
22
Erin and Vitali are such a great match- they both value their families and each other completely. Vitali totally makes Erin laugh. And Erin watches out and protects Vitali. Perfect! Add to that a plethora of adoring friends and you have just the right mix for not only a fabulous wedding day, but also an amazing life together.
Erin and Vitali chose The Lord Thompson Manor as the backdrop for their special day. The Lord Thompson Manor brings back the joy of weekend getaways from times gone by. It’s perfect for a destination wedding, where friends and family can join you for an extended period of time.
After the rehearsal, Vitali spent the night at the Manor. On Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, Erin was treated to spa fun with the girls at the Cottage. I arrived to capture some special details and some of her getting ready.
Erin’s dress was beautiful. She had a complete look that totally fit with the style of her wedding at the Manor- elegant- and definitely influenced by the 1920′s.
The KISS spa is a serene place to spend a few hours. Everything is white on white. So of course, Erin’s bouquet of pinks, greens, and purples popped against the backdrop. That’s Erin getting her hair done with her mom and maid of honor watching in the background.
Checking out the make-up…
Even Erin’s dad had a little work done.
What an embrace! You can feel the love Erin has for her brother. He played an integral role in their day, as the brides’ best man. He stood on Erin’s side next to her Maid of Honor and gave the toast. She found a truly special way to honor him and their friendship.
Erin’s mom helped her with the finishing touches up in her bridal suite.
The antique lavalier is Erin’s something old. The necklace belonged to Erin’s Great-Grandmother who passed it on to Erin’s Grandmother who passed it on to Erin’s Mother who wore it on her wedding day.
When Erin was all ready, her friends joined her at the spa. I love the smiles on all of the ladies, each expression tells a different story.
For this very special occassion, I was joined by Keirnan of KCK Photography. Not only is she a hugely talented photographer, she is wonderful to work with. Thank you, Keirnan, for helping me out and a huge thanks to your family for giving you up for the day. I totally appreciate it.
Keirnan popped over the Manor to get a few of Vitali and his kids as they were getting ready.
Here’s Vitali helping his son and groomsman.
And some special portraits. All the kids….
One more of the pup- because I LOVE this photo. Keirnan prefectly captured this adorable moment.
I will leave you with a teaser, one image I captured as Erin walked down the aisle on her dad’s arm, a prelude of what’s to come. Though I placed it at the end of the post, it is definitely “the beginning.”
There’s lots more to come… the ceremony, the toasts, the dinner, the cake, the party, and some fabulous portraits. So check back soon!
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.
May
21
In honor of the beginning of wedding season and because we are just crazy like that, we decided to give our blog a brand spankin’ new look. Make sure to check out all the ins and outs of this beta version.
The goal was to make the photos front and center and give you lots of ways to find what you are looking for. The first section allows you to catch a glimpse of our most recent posts. You can slide from the first to the second and so on. It is sort of like the front page of a newspaper. And since you can only see one post’s photo, headline and excerpt at a time in that section, the “Recent Work” section shows you the eight most recent lead photos, along with the most recent story on the right, and headlines from 5 prior posts. If you continue down even further, you will see our categories section. This highlights recent articles in our most viewed categories. At the bottom of the page, you can find a tag cloud amongst other ways to search for what you are looking for.
We hope you enjoy all the new features. Let us know if you have suggestions and ideas that would make the blog even easier to access. We would love to hear how we can make it even better. And most importantly, enjoy!
May
14
Totally awesome engagement session last weekend. Shelley and Andreas were an absolute blast to work with. When we started brainstorming ideas of where to do the shoot, Shelley and Andreas came up with the idea of Sacco’s Bowl Haven in Somerville. Hooray!!! It was a fabulous idea. Thank you both for thinking outside the box. Dave added the idea of Rosebud Diner and it was an all retro-chic day. Here’s a little sneak peak of the fun we had.
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