this thing called Love.

Kate + Patxi | The Historic Mission San Jose and Castlewood Country Club

I was thrilled when my long time friend from high school called to ask that she wanted me to photograph her wedding. Here's just a short storyboard teaser for now. The wedding ceremony took place at the historic Mission San Jose in Fremont, and the reception at Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton. The day was filled with many sweet moments and lots of laughter. I've known Kate's family for over 15 years so for me it was a very joyous moment, and I was so honored to be a part of her day as friend and photographer. Many people ask if it's still work when I photograph weddings of my family or friends, and I have to say that I actually feel like I gain a more intimate connection to the event because I'm there at nearly every moment photographing. And this happens with most of my clients.  

Coburn + Brad | Wisconsin

Gorgeous wedding in the little village of Ephraim, Wisconsin, outside of Green Bay, over Labor Day Weekend. I love shooting with my hasselblad, and knew this wedding would be perfect for it!

reception details

Earlier this year, I was commissioned by one of my most favorite photographers, Meg Smith, to second shoot a gorgeous San Francisco wedding with her. She suggested that I bring my hasselblad to photograph the event, so I just wanted to share some details from their surprise wedding reception. yes. the couple married at home, and then surprised their guests with an announcement during a dinner party they had arranged at the very lovely Boulets Larder (what a fantastic place for an intimiate dinner party btw) at the Ferry Building, in San Francisco. Enjoy!

Katy + Mark - Meadowood, St. Helena

A dear friend and exceptionally talented wedding & lifestyle photographer, Meg Smith, recently hired me to photograph a very adorable & intimate wedding at the exclusive Meadowood, in St. Helena, California. And being a photojournalist, it was not unusual (for me) to meet the family for the first time on the day of the wedding. Like an assignment I would receive from the New York Times, whom I often shoot for, I recieve a little packet that contains all the detailed information I need to know to antipate the day. And I arrive a little early to scout the location for portraits. In this case, being that it is Meadowood, they have a wonderful event planner who takes care of not just the wedding, guests, and bride, but also the photographer. love!

Trish + Lyle - The Clift, San Francisco

  As I'm working out the aesthetics of this blog, I'll share a quick storyboard teaser (old newspaper slang) for Trish and Lyle from earlier this year that i shared with them soon after their wedding day. They married at The Clift, a swanky hotel in downtown San Francisco. The wedding was intimate yet super fun. And I experienced one of the most memorable ceremonies ever which had us -- the entire room -- crying from laughter. Those two bring a lot of light into the lives of their families and friends. We did family portraits before the ceremony which helped give us more time for bride and groom pictures after the ceremony. Sometimes there isn't enough time for all the ideas we have for these pictures if that time is shared with family portraits. This allowed us to do some "street" photography, which I absolutely love capturing, especially in the City.