I got to hear Jason Brock sing really for the first time at Martuni’s Bar in San Francisco the other night and he blew me away!  I did see him sing at the Nitey Awards but he was with Honey Mahogany doing a song and just not the same.  Yes, now you know that I don’t watch those types of TV shows but he was funny, entertaining and as I know him, just a really sweet guy.

Jason Brock entertains at Martuni’s

Jason Brock entertains at Martuni’s

Jason Brock entertains at Martuni’s

Jason Brock entertains at Martuni’s

The Nitey Awards had laughs, entertainment and fun by all!

The Nitey Awards at Castro Theater, San Francisco

The Nitey Awards at Castro Theater, San Francisco

The Nitey Awards at Castro Theater, San Francisco

The Nitey Awards at Castro Theater, San Francisco

The Nitey Awards at Castro Theater, San Francisco

The Nitey Awards at Castro Theater, San Francisco

Ms. Marian Brown, one of the Vivian and Marian Brown twins who is a true icon to San Francisco, celebrated her birthday at the Sir Francis Drake hotel and her fans came to celebrate this day with her.  Sadly, her sister Vivian had died just two weeks before and her departure was truly felt by Marian who’s birthday wish was for Vivian to share the day with her.  I’m honored to have been a part and been blessed to know her.

Marian Brown Celebrates her 86th Birthday

Marian Brown Celebrates her 86th Birthday

Marian Brown Celebrates her 86th Birthday

Marian Brown Celebrates her 86th Birthday

Marian Brown Celebrates her 86th Birthday

Marian Brown Celebrates her 86th Birthday

Marian Brown Celebrates her 86th Birthday

Marian Brown Celebrates her 86th Birthday

Don Reed is an amazing talent.  He brought his show East 14th Street to Yoshi’s in San Francisco in support of 51Oakland.org a charity started by Yoshi herself and Jason Hofmann.  The show was truly brilliant.  Don Reed was funny, entertaining, poignant and reverent all in one.  You really must see his show at some point.

The Brown Twins, Miriam and Vivian,  of San Francisco are living icons of this City.   We have something in common too in that we are all from Michigan!  These lovely ladies have been gracing this City for decades and an event put on at the Red Devil Lounge by Jenn Bergeron brought out supporters from everywhere.  It was fun, joyful and a great time was had by all.  The talent included Kim Nalley, legend Frank Jackson, lots of amazing burlesque dancers and was hosted by Suzanne Ramsey.  The lovely and talented Jane Weidlin of the Go Go’s even dressed up as one of the Twins!  It was a fantastic turnout and made me proud to be there and a part of it.

Garbage is one of my favorite bands.  If you haven’t seen Shirley Manson live you need to right away!  I had the pleasure of photographing them at the Warfield and the band did not disappoint!

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Things sure have changed since my first wedding about 14 years ago.  I’ve seen trends come and go and the biggest one in photography is the digital age.  My first weddings were shot with film and yes, I do still shoot film.  I’ve even seen this “trend” come back.  I laugh now at the times people used to ask me why don’t you go digital?  How do you know you got the shot?  Well, I’m a professional I know I got it!!

So as the times have changed in photography I’ve seen more people with professional digital cameras and point and shoots at weddings and now even with their phones and iPads.  I admit my first wedding was just a fluke and I never really thought I’d be a wedding photographer.  But it was like fate found me.  I’ve worked hard to build my portfolio, reputation and skills over all these years and can finally say “Yes, I”m a professional photographer” and know that I’m worthy of that title.

Sadly the trend I see now is no longer the images of loved ones laughing, crying or emotional during a ceremony.  The trend is me taking photos of these people taking photos of the couple who are laughing, crying and emotional.  They are no longer present during this intimate moment that is so special for this couple.  So when they look at the their photos what do they see?  Their loved ones holding cameras!  Let’s be honest as this really does not make for beautiful albums.

When I first heard “unplugged weddings” I was ecstatic.  Yes I thought!  Let’s get back to what professional photographers are there to do which is capture the wedding and  let people share in the joy of a couple during this most important and intimate time.   Your friends wedding is not the time to practice your skills as a photographer.  That is why I am there.  This is my job.  As a guest, your job is to laugh, cry and smile.  This idea isn’t for everyone and that is OK!  But is sure is a trend I hope comes back BIG!

I’m quite fond of the words on this site at Bayside Bride.  Now I hope these images can show you just what I mean!

Unplugged and Plugged

Unplugged and Plugged

Unplugged and Plugged

Unplugged and Plugged

Unplugged and Plugged

Unplugged and Plugged

Unplugged and Plugged

Unplugged and Plugged

Unplugged and Plugged

 All images copyright Misti Layne

An amazing corporate event photography for the Napa Wine Country Auction with Pat Friday’s beautiful floral arrangements,  Billy Valentine serenading the crowd and A-Max Entertainment wowing the guests!

I Do Events is a great blog and posts often Bay Area, San Francisco Wedding Photography and Photographers.  Here are some images from some of my favorite weddings.

Every year I photograph the Napa Wine Auction dinner at Colgin Cellars in St. Helena.  It’s truly an incredibly beautiful place.  Thomas Keller of French Laundry personally caters the event for guests from all over the world who have come for the Napa Auction.  It’s fun to watch Thomas in the kitchen and just how smooth the process is especially when compared to me in the kitchen.

Colgin Cellars is high above Lake Hennessy in St. Helena and provides the most gorgeous of sunsets.  The wine is to die for and the furry residents are most adorable!  Ann and Joe always provide a great time.  Dancing, music, amazing food and a setting not open to the public provide an amazing time.   It’s truly a privilege to photograph this wine country corporate event and all its glory.

I had the pleasure of photographing the Equality California Charity Event last week and it was a great time for all.  Held in the ballroom of The Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, the charity event raised over $45,000 to support the LGBT community.

Senator Dianne Feinstein received an award from the group honoring her support of the LGBT community.    The adorable Wilson Cruz of film and TV fame did a great job hosting and the crowd just loved Thelma Houston.  Ms. Houston sang all her old signature songs and just had people dancing in the aisles.  It was a fantastically fun charity event to photograph and I hope the photos show that!  Who says a corporate event photographer can’t have fun.

MODERN MODE

Pat Gibbons Florals

BEHIND THE BLOOMS Serving San Francisco Bay area weddings and special events, veteran floral designer Patricia Gibbons of Pat Gibbons Floral, El Cerrito, Calif., turns out picture-perfect traditional and vintage tabletop arrangements, but her signature style is contemporary.

SQUARE DEAL “I’m known for modern designs that have an Asian influence, and I like to bring that aesthetic fusion to my work,” Gibbons explains. To decorate the long, rectangular banquet tables that have replaced standard rounds as a wedding staple, Gibbons likes to “echo the line by using rectangular containers going down the tables. Zinc containers with black river rocks create a bold statement.”

STYLE ON A DIME “Hydrangea is one of the best flowers to use to create a full, budget-friendly display,” Gibbons notes, “while curly willow branches or loops of bear grass can be brought in to add to add height and movement to the design.”

Read more: http://specialevents.com/decor/divine-decor-for-centerpieces-today-all-trends-are-in/#ixzz1t5SAAug1

I had a day off last week and decided that FINALLY after living in San Francisco this long that I was going to Safari West in Santa Rosa.  It wasn’t nearly the same as my adventure in August to South Africa  where I got very up close and personal with some amazing Cheetahs at the Le Sueur Cheetah Project.  But this place was lovely and had me back for a moment to almost the same place.  I’m a total animal lover and this was meant to take me out of my element and push me just a bit photographically.  This is a private reserve and the owners live on the property.  All of the people who work there seem to really love animals and their jobs.  They have giraffe, cheetah, numerous types of monkeys and birds and kudu, zebra, buffalo and wildebeest and very shy rhino’s.  I really wanted to play with the cheetah again but alas, it was not possible.  But it was an amazing day with the most beautiful sunset to close it out.

I had a wedding I photographed recently featured on IDoVenues.com.  It was a great day with Jessica and Brett at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in  San Francisco’s Union Square.  It was a beautiful sunny day and this was one fun crowd.  You can see in the post just how fun and beautiful this event was to photograph.

My good friend Laurel Winzler of Laurel Designs did an amazing job with the flowers and it’s really important to work with great people to help you in your own job.  It can be really daunting to plan a wedding and book vendors.  I always recommend a professional wedding planner or professional event planner but sometimes it’s just not in the budget or people really want to do it themselves.   Be prepared to spend a lot of time planning your wedding!  When you hire a professional they can recommend people they know well and trust.  This is the most important step. A lot of times I walk into a wedding event and know the DJ, florist, venue coordinator or caterer and it’s great because we make sure we are all on the same page and make sure it goes off without a hitch.  Other times it’s important to introduce myself and make sure we keep communication open during the event to keep things running smoothly.

However way you decide to go with either a wedding planner or no planner make sure you are in communication with your vendors and you know they are dependable and reputable and experienced.  I know budget is a concern sometimes.  But just be sure you hire the best you can afford. One example of a vendor I worked with that was not good is a videographer I had never met before.   I’m not sure what their experience was but some things that I noted and actually had to point out or fix myself was:

1. An electrical cord lying completely across the dance floor
2. Electrical cords untaped in the middle of walkways
3. The light from the camera always in my shots
4. No communication on planning and staying out of the way of each other

These are all very serious issues.  Can you imagine if your grandmother were to trip over a cord?  That is really inexcusable.  So hire the best you can!

I hope you enjoy the images on IDoVenues but here are a few too from the hilarious engagment session we had at the Embarcadero waterfront and Flora Grubb in Hunter’s Point, San Francisco.

Cheers,

Misti

Kissing at Flora Grubb