Auberge Du Soleil Wedding - Eileen and Jerome

November 30, 2012

This classic and understated wedding at Auberge Du Soleil in Napa Valley was so wonderful to photograph. Jerome is French, and I thought the simplicity of the French style (which also harkens back to the simple weddings of years ago, even in the states) was refreshing. A morning wedding and lunch reception with classical music throughout is such a nice tradition. Choosing Auberge Du Soleil for their wedding luncheon was perfect to reflect Jerome's French heritage, as the food and wine there are the shining stars! The views aren't so bad either! Loved shooting at the charming wine country Holy Family Mission Church just south of St. Helena. We were able to incorporate a few shots of Eileen and Jerome in the vineyard right next door! Eileen and Jerome couldn't have been more laid-back and happy and their families were a joy! Loved listening to the lovely french speaking relatives! Congratulations to Eileen and Jerome!

Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Ceremony Venue: Holy Family Mission Church

Reception Venue: Auberge Du Soleil

Floral Designer: A. Hana Design

Bakery: Patisserie Angelica

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Chrissy Field Family Portrait

November 30, 2012

My studio-mate and I did a trade of photography! She photographed my most recent head shots and I photographed her lovely family in exchange. Here are a few of my favorites from their family portrait session. I've also included some lovely shots she took of me!

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I call this one Vavoom! I recently lost weight am was pleased to see that I looked pretty darned good in a 3/4 length shot!

San Francisco City Hall Wedding - Hannah and William

November 30, 2012

I photographed this wedding a couple of years ago, but love the idea of shooting more San Francisco City Hall weddings so thought I would re-post! San Francisco City Hall was the perfect location for Hannah and William to tie the knot. The couple chose San Francisco City Hall for their wedding nuptials, and afterward combined urban grit and the Golden Gate Bridge for their wedding portraits. The plaza across from San Francisco City Hall is also a great spot for portraits, as well as the surrounding areas. And there are so many shooting locations within a 10-minute drive from San Francisco City Hall, such as Crissy Field, which offers gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. I just loved the way Hannah's dress danced in the wind! For more information about tying the knot at San Francisco City Hall, please go to this link: San Francisco City Civil Ceremony Instructions.

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Oakland Raiders Game Photos!

November 18, 2012

My hubby and I attended our first Oakland Raider's game today thanks to a very generous client who works for the Raiders! We had such a blast. We went early to experience the infamous tailgating scene and even more infamous Raider's fans. Neither disappointed us. If you haven't ever been to a Raiders game, win or lose or whether you live in Oakland or not, everyone is a Raiders fan and has a blast. What an experience that shouldn't be missed. You kind of have to put on your "when in Rome..." hat and run with it. We were lucky enough to have incredible seats and access to the "clubs" so we may have been a little insulated from the really crazy fans once we got in the stadium, but I think we still would have had a great experience even if we were amongst the "darkside" or the "black hole" crowds. What fun! Here are some crazy fans - including my hubby (in front of the monster truck and holding our fabby tix)!

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Calistoga Ranch Wedding - Kristen and Ladd

November 16, 2012

Was happy to photograph at Calistoga Ranch recently! Dee Merz and her team did a lovely job of setting up an intimate poolside ceremony, cocktail hour and drop-dead gorgeous dinner in the wine cave. The vibrant orange flower arrangements by Grant & Company were perfect for fall. Kristen looks so incredibly glamorous in her Amsale gown and Ladd in his hand-tied bow tie! So classic and gorgeous was this wedding centered on family, food and wine.

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Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Venue: Calistoga Ranch

Planning: Dee Merz

Floral Design: Grant & Company

Gown: Amsale

Newborn Photos - Welcome Abdu!

November 14, 2012

When my dear neighbors told me they had just become grandparents for the first time, I jumped at the chance to photograph their newborn grandson. I just LOVE taking photos of newborns. Within the first two weeks is ideal while they are still so very tiny. Enjoy these sweet photos of Abdu and his proud parents!

De Young Museum Wedding - Khanh and Greg

November 9, 2012

I always love incorporating architecture in my wedding photography and San Francisco's de Young museum did not disappoint! I've only had the chance to photograph engagement sessions here in the past, but de Young is a wonderful place to have your wedding if you enjoy art and architecture. Certainly the case for Khan and Greg! We had fun wandering around the grounds before and after the ceremony, shooting their portraits as well as family and bridal party, and they and their guests were treated to phenomenal views during cocktail hour up in the observatory tower. The cafe transformed beautifully for dinner and dancing, and Svenja and her team at Chestnut & Vine Floral Design did an extraordinary job of creating artfully architectural floral designs for the room. I almost felt like I was being treated to a special viewing of Flowers to Art, which is an amazing spring show at the de Young that incorporates local florist's visions of flowers interpreted from the art in the museum. Oh, and the food was gorgeous and yummy, too! Grace Street catering always does an artful presentation and uses fresh organic ingredients that come together in wonderfully flavorful dishes! All-in-all a perfect wedding. Add in an intimate gathering (only 60 guests) and an obviously adoring couple and you have the perfect San Francisco wedding!

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Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Venue: de Young museum

Floral Design: Chestnut & Vine Floral Design

Catering: Grace Street

Featured: S'mores shots on Style Unveiled

November 8, 2012

If you're looking for some s'more inspiration, you should definitely check out this post on Style Unveiled! They've rounded up the most adorable s'mores shots -- including a couple of my own -- and given brides-to-be great ways to incorporate the yummy treat into their big days!

Featured: Kristy and Charles' wedding on Elizabeth Anne Designs

November 7, 2012

Kristy and Charles had the sweetest, softest wedding in Sonoma County! And I am thrilled that there wedding was featured today on Elizabeth Anne Designs! You can see more of their wedding photos here, but be sure to check out the post on Elizabeth Anne Designs!

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The Log Cabin, San Francisco Wedding - Anthea and Patrick

October 25, 2012

This wedding is so sweet! I loved the intimacy of shooting a wedding at the Log Cabin in Presidio of San Francisco. It was very funny when the mother of my bride, Anthea, walked into the hotel room where Anthea was getting ready and exclaimed, "It's 50 degrees and windy in the Presidio!" Without missing a beat, Anthea retorted "Mom, it's always 50 degrees and windy in the Presidio!" Oh, everyone was in such good spirits even as the wind and fog whipped around us. The ceremony was short and sweet, as were our photo sessions so that everyone could move inside to grab a Manhattan and sip by the roaring fire. How cozy! Anthea is the cheese monger at BiRite Market, so the market did the catering and with Anthea's direction literally created a "cheese" cake. Layers of real cheese wheels made to look like a wedding cake! The cheese plates that were served as the last plate were truly out of this world. Anthea knows cheese! Congratulations to Anthea and Patrick!

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San Francisco Wedding - Patty and Gerardo

October 22, 2012

Patty and Gerardo are going on celebrating their 10th anniversary, but never had a "wedding day." So to celebrate they threw themselves a lovely wedding! I thought that was super-sweet and loved the vintage '40s look Patty achieved, as well as the drop-dead gorgeous vintage cars they used, both owned by Gerardo. Patty arrived in the black car and they traveled to the reception in the cream colored car with red seats. The seats matched Patty's lipstick! Seriously gorgeous! Congratulations Patty and Gerardo!

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Featured: Margot's newborn shoot on Spearmint Baby!

October 19, 2012

I had so much fun capturing Margot's newborn shoot and all of the precious, handmade details inside her nursery! That shoot was featured today on the blog Spearmint Baby, and I hope you can check out the post while taking in some other baby-related inspiration!

Thunderbird Lodge, Lake Tahoe Wedding - Aaron and Mary Ellen

October 17, 2012

My dear cousin married a wonderful woman a few weeks ago at the Thunderbird Lodge in Lake Tahoe, and I had the pleasure of being both guest and photographer! Aaron and Mary Ellen have a great love for Lake Tahoe and have lived here most of their adult lives, striving to make work pleasure in boating and skiing. Aaron is fortunate enough (and talented enough) to be a captain on the Thunderbird Lodge's historic boat, and Mary Ellen has worked as a docent and event planner on the property. Therefore, it was only fitting for the two of them to say their vows next to their beloved and incredibly blue Lake Tahoe on the property of the Thunderbird Lodge. Their guests were treated to a private tour of the property after the ceremony while Mary Ellen, Aaron and I walked around the gorgeous grounds taking photos. Then we were off to The Big Water Grille for a lovely dinner with view of the surrounding mountains. It couldn't have been a more lovely day!

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San Francisco Classic Engagement Session - Christine and Scott

October 15, 2012

I just love it when clients bring props for their e-sessions! Christine brought two gigantic balloons and after they successfully got them out of the car (and Scott got over feeling a little sheepish), we had fun running around and showing them off! It was the warmest night of the year in San Francisco. We hopped from Nob Hill to the Palace of Fine Arts, then moved to Chrissy Field and the beach where it was as PACKED as I've never seen it before (much to Scott's horror as he held the balloons for Christine)! I told Christine she had a keeper because she has a guy who carries around huge pink balloons on a crowded beach in San Francisco for her! This marriage is blessed! Looking forward to shooting their wedding!

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Portrait Shoot with Makeup Artist Nikol Elaine!

October 12, 2012

I met Nikol while she was doing her magic on one of my brides. We hit it off immediately and then discovered we both live in Oakland! Instant bond. Phew that she's also INCREDIBLE at what she does and extremely passionate about her work. Because of that, I asked Nikol if she would do a makeup trial on me so that I could learn (late in life) how to apply makeup for everyday occasions. It was a huge success and we decided to do a trade. So I was lucky enough to recently photograph Nikol. Nikol is at that point in her life where her business and confidence are both building quickly. I remember those days so long ago and had such a good time capturing that spirit in someone who is at such a full time of her life. Nikol was a DREAM to shoot. Of course she did her own makeup and hair and brought a few fave outfits, and we had a blast! Enjoy and seriously consider having this spirited, talented and lovely woman to do your makeup on your wedding day! She's wonderful!

In Memory of Damian Horstman

October 11, 2012

In Memory of Damian Horstman - He had such love for his bride.

Have you checked out WedSpring?

October 10, 2012

I've been working on putting together images for a new venture in San Francisco called WedSpring, a concierge-style service that connects engaged couples with some of the area's best wedding vendors! They have a multimedia wedding resource library and design studio in the city -- so if you're in the neighborhood, you should definitely check it out! It's been a lot of fun looking back at some of my favorite images, which you will be able to view at WedSpring when it opens later this month! In the meantime, you can check out some of the upcoming wedding events in our area on their blog!

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Carmel Mission and the Memory Garden, Monterey - Katey and David

October 3, 2012

When Katey first contacted me to shoot her wedding, she was in Afghanistan! Katey and David are both in the military and I was happy to be available to shoot their wedding for them and that Katey is back safe and sound. I was also happy to be back at the Carmel Mission church. It's such a gorgeous location for wedding photographs and their wedding was one of the last before the church starts their big renovation. I also loved Katey and David's vintage forties theme and all the personal details. Katey wore her grandmother's wedding gown, adding her own personal flair of blue lace at the bottom! And guests were treated to bottles of Limoncello, made by the bride's aunt with her great-grandmother's homemade recipe. The lemon's came from David's grandmother's tree! I thought the invitation RSVP was especially clever and I loved those fun robes Katey gave her bridesmaids. They all looked so vintage and colorful for the getting ready photos! Congrats to Katey and David!

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Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Venue: Carmel Mission church

Coordination and Catering: Grapes of Wrath

Florist: Big Sur Flowers

B.R. Cohn Sonoma Wedding - Kristy and Charles

September 25, 2012

So excited to share Kristy and Charles picture perfect Sonoma Valley wedding at B.R. Cohn Winery. Leslie Struble of Dandelion Events planned a lovely wedding with mini olive trees, old shutters to hold place cards and a color scheme that was bright and cheerful. I loved the fruit that PoppyStone Floral Culture sprinkled throughout the floral arrangements too. The hill of oak tress surrounded by vineyards was a spectacular place for the ceremony and I'm sure every guest was amazed at the light and beauty. Then the wonderful surprise of Kristy arriving in an antique to-die-for convertible! GORGEOUS! We had such fun during our photo session too, taking advantage of the beautiful late summer light, the vineyards and the car! Congratulations, Kristy and Charles!

Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Venue: B.R. Cohn Winery

Event Planning: Dandelion Events

Florist: PoppyStone Floral Culture

Catering: Sonoma Meritage

Hair and Makeup: JS Makeup Artistry

Ferry Building Wedding, San Francisco - Emilie and Andrew!

September 6, 2012

I'm always thrilled and flattered when an industry expert chooses me to photograph their wedding! Emilie is the sales and catering director at The Fairmont San Francisco Hotel and she approached me last spring to photograph her own San Francisco Ferry Building wedding. I was beyond thrilled to do so! We had fun at their e-session and then their day couldn't have been more perfect. Perfect weather, perfect timing, perfect venue. Gorgeous! Chelsea Bowman of Chelsea Events and Floral Designs did a fantastic job of working with Emilie to create the perfect event. She also worked with Nelya of San Francisco's Amazing Flowers & Events on the floral arrangements and as usual, Paula LeDuc Fine Catering team catered a flawless event. I loved the fresh green and white colors Emilie chose for the linen and flowerss. So simple and pretty. I also loved the way Andrew sneaked peeks at Emilie throughout the day. SO in love!