A First Look

The first look is a wonderful opportunity to photograph a sweet and quiet moment between the bride and groom before the celebration with family and friends begins.  Occasionally, the bridal party sneaks a peek, and those moments are equally as fun to capture, although I tend to prefer a more secluded environment for my clients.  Always feel free to personalize the first look too, like these lovebirds below sharing a glass of wine.   Cheers!

Wedding Coordinator:  Andria Leigh Events

Flowers:  Milsom & Bloom

Pizza Love

Take the pizza parlor, Forge, in Oakland's Jack London Square. Sprinkle it with beaming family and friends formally dressed. Top it off with a beautiful couple to exchanging vows on the opposite coast from where they grew up, and you end up with a perfect ceremony of complimentary contrasts.This wasn't a wedding as much as it was journey to a place where the past and future came together for a celebration amid the comforting smells of baking pizza dough.  

Congratulations, Andy and Anna!!!  Smile on forever!!!!

Venue:  Forge Pizza, Oakland, CA

Floral Design:  Gorgeous and Green

Happy Home

Many clients frequently ask me where they should take their engagement photos.  The bay area is filled with so many beautiful locations that it can be an overwhelming decision.  To narrow down options, I tell my clients to choose a place where the two of them are relaxed, happy, and have fun.  If that place is home to them, then let's shoot there!  (I'm outdoorsy but I'm a homebody at heart, so I have a particular affinity for this engagement shoot.) 

Love At Falkirk Cultural Center

I love weddings that blend both traditional and contemporary style.   It was the subtle contrasts that made this wedding so stunning. Both bride and groom cleverly displayed a little reverence for then, and a little pageantry for now. Combined it was a beautiful homage to forever together. The storied ceremony was set against the historic backdrop of the Falkirk Cultural Center in San Rafael. An intimate venue with enough space to wander through the breathtaking gardens with friends and family.  Such a lovely day with beautiful people.  Enjoy the photos. 

Simple And Sweet At San Francisco City Hall

I love city hall weddings in San Francisco.  A small parade of beaming brides and grooms look at each other lovingly and say "I do," while the rest of the city buzzes about its day-to-day business.  It is a singular experience.

Kristina and Tyler exchanged their vows on a busier than average day.  After the ceremony, we sought some quiet areas to shoot portraits.  With my trusty Hasseblad and a couple rolls of black and white film, the couple and I produced a few of my favorites portraits this season.  Congratulations Kristina and Tyler! 

Beautiful Reminders

Sometimes you can just feel the love that two people share.  It shows in a snuggle, a forehead kiss, a good laugh, an embrace, holding hands, quiet moments, and of course, a big smooch on the lips.  Photographs can be beautiful reminders to take the time to express love for the ones we cherish the most in our lives.  Congratulations to this sweet couple for finding each other.  

True Love Tugs At My Heart

Each wedding that I get to photograph is beautiful. That said there are certain occasions that just tug at my heart. The tug occurs when I feel the radiant joy in a couple’s expression. The joy manifests throughout, from simplest of hugs to the care given to the details that are enjoyed by the family and friends that attend the ceremony.

Wayne and Anthony traveled from Atlanta, GA to get married at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco. The ceremony was held in the Spanish Suite which was appointed with an array of DIY details which included romantic candlelight and an angelic harpist. The exquisite architecture provided the perfect backdrop for the portraits and the elegant setting provided an intimate ceremony followed by a cozy reception.

Thank you, Anthony and Wayne for sharing your ceremony and love that will forever tug at my heart.

Beautiful floral arrangements created by Flower Divas.   For more love news about this wedding, please click here.

Tomales Bay Church Wedding

As promised from my previous post, I am sharing images from a few church weddings that I've photographed this season. Each church wedding has had it's unique charm this year.  

Celia and Janusz exchanges their vows at Tomales Presbyterian Church surrounded by close friends and family.  After a sweet ceremony, all the guests went to Toby's Feed Farm for the reception.  In addition to taking portraits at the church, we took advantage of the beautiful landscape that makes up Point Reyes and captured some photos before the party started.  What a fun and BEAUTIFUL day!  

The beautiful flowers and boutonnieres were created by the talented Marcia, from Main St. Floragardens.

Cityscape Love

I have to admit that I always get a little squeamish when I'm taking photos of a beautiful bride and groom, just before they say "I-DO" and the chosen destination for portraits is a busy street in San Francisco.  Call me "over protective" and "unadventurous" but I do pride myself on making sure that my clients are safe on their wedding day.  Once I get over the initial fear, I embrace the dual job of being a photographer and traffic controller.  

Love and San Francisco cityscapes are IRRESISTIBLE.  It's worth the risk for a beautiful photo.

Snippet And Ink Feature

I'm a sucker for a good wedding blog.  There are so many wedding blogs to choose from that it can be an overwhelming experience just to just find a few that really speak to your taste and lifestyle.  Every morning I wake up to a beautiful email from Snippet and Ink that showcases elegant weddings as well as bits of advice on where to go, what to eat, what to wear and everyday DIY recommendations to make life more fun and PRETTY.  This morning was extra wonderful because the daily email I received from Snippet and Ink featured a beautiful wedding that I photographed in San Francisco.  Thank you so much for the feature, Snippet and Ink.  It truly is an honor.  Click here to see Melissa and Jacob's beautiful wedding.