Emily and Chris are just the sweetest people and I was so honored to be their photographer, guest and witness all in one.  These weddings in the beautiful San Francisco City Hall are just always fun.  The intimacy of them just teaches me something every time I do them.  Emily is so sweet and her gorgeous red hair with the gold inlay of the front doors I just love!  We got a very fun officiant and had just a wonderful time.  They then were going to surprise family on Christmas Eve with “guess what!”.  It did go well because I got a lovely email from mom thanking me.  All the best Emily and Chris!

I love photographing kids and pets.  It is a dirty job as I don’t do this in studio.  I actually get on the ground and crawl on my knees to get to their level and make them feel comfortable and me less large.  Photographing children has to go kind of quickly too.  You never know when sleepiness or hunger may set in!  I photographed Amanda’s wedding a few years ago and this year had the pleasure of meeting and photographing her son!  What a charmer he was!  So easy going even considering what mom’s last costume change was! But he was a New Year’s Baby!  Oh my will that be embarrassing when he’s 13!   The card I got this year was one that I surely will be holding on to!  But it was so much fun and I love to share in the lives of my clients and see them happy.  All the best to them!

I’ve always dreamed of seeing the Pyramids of Egypt and Petra and Wadi Rum in Jordan and finally made that dream happen this month.  It is an amazing place full of amazing people and just the best experience!  We had a very full 10 days but our tour director did a great job getting us around and seeing the most important things and learning a thing or two as well.  It’s a different world to be sure but we also share so many things and I walked away with great memories and many new friends.  A few marriage proposals too but alas I had to turn those down.   The Pyramids of Egypt were incredible and possibly the most amazing place I’ve ever been is Wadi Rum.  Truly breathtaking.

The people were so kind and fun.  At a mosque I was inundated by about 20 kids on a school outing who were asking me a bunch of questions and just as intrigued by me as I was of them.   I rode a camel that decided it didn’t want to go up the mountain but back home to dinner at a gallop but fortunately I was saved by my Bedouin who ran down to get him back.  That was fun!  But here are just  slight few of my favorites from an amazing holiday abroad to the Middle East.

Michelle and Dan had their wedding during my most favorite time of the year–Fall!  The wedding was at Arista Winery in Healdsburg, one of my favorite spots.  The cake was from Patisserie Angelica and the flowers by Dragonfly.  It was such a beautiful day.  The weather rained the day before and the day after but not that day!  The vines were a deep gold, the sky a beautiful blue and clouds made for perfect texture and depth.  It was my first time to meet them as they planned the day from New Jersey.  Their friends and family brought the East Coast to the West and made for a lot of laughs and memories.  All the best to you guys.  Come back and visit!

Heather and Jeff are getting married next year on the East Coast but live locally and wanted photos that screamed San Francisco.  So we went to Chrissy Field for the Golden Gate Bridge of course!  Timing is really important when being outside for portraits.  The sun can create harsh and unattractive shadows not to mention major squinting.  When the sun is going down it is typically easier to deal with these issues.  Living in San Francisco you almost never know if you are going to get sun, fog or rain this time of year.  We got really lucky!  Heather and Jeff were fun to work with and we got some lovely and fun shots.  All the best on the big day….I do travel guys!

Here are a few more shots that I think are worth seeing.  Again the details just say so much about you and your day and set a vibe that guests remember.  So have fun and be creative!  A big budget is not necessary for this.  The card holders made of the tree slices were cut by the groom himself.  The brides bouquet had rosemary, heather and other various “weed” type plants to fit the surroundings of Big Sur.  Plants and vegetables make great additions to bouquets.  The cakes with the fine detailing are by Patisserie Angelica.  Something so simple in an outdoor, wine country wedding are perfect.  Let nature speak for itself!  Splashes of color can have huge impact in a natural setting.

If your wedding is in a hotel or more urban setting usually lines are better when clean and work with the architecture.   A large room needs large centerpieces but be sure your guests can see and speak to each other!  Nothing worse then leaning into your neighbor to converse with the person across from you.

But most importantly just have fun with your plans and be creative.  Let your professionals help you to create something that is unique to you.

The details of a wedding really set the day.   The littlest of elements are indicative of you as a couple and set a tone of the day.  This wedding was in Big Sur and the elements blended like nature themselves!  It was elegant but casual and comfortable.  Enjoy and think of what “says” you!  The place card holders were cut by the groom himself.  The bouquet consisted of many natural plants like heather and rosemary and blended perfectly into the Big Sur settings.  The cowboy boots worn by the bride were THE perfect choice!!!

Rebecca and Greg are so cute together.  We had a lot of laughs and a margarita on this shoot!  Rebecca was such a natural and really brought out the best from Greg too who was just a bit on the shy side!  But it was fun and some lovely images were made.  We made use of a local bakery, coffee shop, floral shop and Mexican restaurant.  Try it!  Be polite and ask if you can use their store and most will say yes.  If you have a favorite place and think it is something worth photographing it will only just add to the fun and memories.

Annie and Joel are the cutest couple.  Their wedding at Russian River Vineyards was just beautiful.   There was a long walk to the ceremony site under a beautiful tree, dining under the redwoods and dancing like crazy!  There was so much love and joy and tears at this wedding!  But good happy tears and a great time was had by all.    All the best to you guys!

I just adore Dawn and Brent.  They are so remarkable together and just caring, loving, fun and well loved too!  Their wedding at Arista Winery was just beautiful.  This time of year the light is just beautiful and some of my favorite images of the year!  I especially love the series of Brent when he waits then sees Dawn coming.  The groom at this moment is one of my favorite things to shoot at a wedding.  I always have  my lens pointed at him at this moment.  Those few seconds just say so much.  I wish you both the best in your future together!