Misti Layne “working” her first wedding!

I remember this day so vividly it’s amazing.  It was not a good day!!!  For some odd reason I was not happy about this wedding and being in this wedding.  I remember my mom trying to get us both ready and I just wasn’t happy.  She called her DJ friend who was on duty and had him play my favorite song–Seasons in the Sun–which he did.  Yes, I know now it is quite a morbid tune BUT as a kid and you can sing “seasons in the sun” it is quite fun!  So anyway on to the story.  I don’t recall the ceremony but do remember the reception and just being a little pissy UNTIL I was given this camera.  I remember the moment vividly and fortunately someone was there to take a photograph of me.  Now of course there is the ahem, cute factor going on here.  The point however is I guess I was just meant to be a wedding photographer!  The road I took was quite winding and the road less traveled to be sure but I did find my destiny.  I love just waking up every day knowing I’m going to photograph something…anything!

So I guess it just goes to show that some things are innate to us but not always obvious.  Thankfully, I found the right road eventually.  No regrets at all!

My favorite wedding portraits are those that are just simple, timeless, natural and show the love and uniqueness of a couple.   They can be silly and romantic at the same time!  I think Rob and Britney are just that perfect example!

Wedding Photography San Francisco

Wedding Photography San Francisco

Wedding Photography San Francisco

Wedding Photography San Francisco

Wedding Photography San Francisco

Wedding Photography San Francisco

Wedding Photography San Francisco

Kim and David got married at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and held the reception at the beautiful Fairmont Hotel just a block away.  this was one fun and beautiful day!

Korean and Western Wedding, Fairmont Hotel

Korean and Western Wedding, Fairmont Hotel

Korean and Western Wedding, Fairmont Hotel

Korean and Western Wedding, Fairmont Hotel

Korean and Western Wedding, Fairmont Hotel

Korean and Western Wedding, Fairmont Hotel

Korean and Western Wedding, Fairmont Hotel

Korean and Western Wedding, Fairmont Hotel

Korean and Western Wedding, Fairmont Hotel

Korean and Western Wedding, Fairmont Hotel

Korean and Western Wedding, Fairmont Hotel

Korean and Western Wedding, Fairmont Hotel

What a gorgeous and fun day with Jenny and Chad at Julia Morgan Ballroom!

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding

A beautiful and intimate Jewish Wedding held at Gundlach Bundschu Winery.  This beautiful ceremony held at sunset and kosher from start to finish with kosher sushi!

Gundlach Bundschu Jewish Wedding

Gundlach Bundschu Jewish Wedding

Gundlach Bundschu Jewish Wedding

Gundlach Bundschu Jewish Wedding

Gundlach Bundschu Jewish Wedding

Gundlach Bundschu Jewish Wedding

Gundlach Bundschu Jewish Wedding

Gundlach Bundschu Jewish Wedding

San Francisco Engagement Session

The laughs and love Jamie and James have for each other is just obvious. We had a lot of fun doing this San Francisco engagement session and I think you can tell! It started at the bar for the nervous bride to be and ended jumping puddles in the street. It was a great day!

San Francisco Engagement Session

San Francisco Engagement Session

San Francsico Engagement Session

San Francisco Engagement Session

If there is a wedding that says San Francisco Wedding Photography this is it.  It was just an intimate wedding at City Hall with some portraits at iconic San Francisco landmarks.  This couple is truly beautiful inside and outside and it was an absolute honor to be part of the day.  Best to you both!

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

An Intimate San Francisco Wedding

Engagement Session photography is among my favorite.  It is during this time that the couple and I get to spend some time together with no stress in a variety of places and just have fun.  I learn about them and they get to see how I work.  I find this really important before a wedding to help build trust. If we do an engagement session then when I walk into the room the day of your wedding you are excited and assured that the day will go well when I arrive. The difference is “Misti is here!” and not “The photographer is here.”  I love that!

Night Portraits in San Francisco

Night Portraits in San Francisco

Night Portraits in San Francisco

Night Portraits in San Francisco

Night Portraits in San Francisco

Night Portraits in San Francisco

Night Portraits in San Francisco

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

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.

Sarah has been a friend for years and I am so happy she found Tres!  She’s an executive assistant at a winery and does a lot of planning for them so she planned the travel idea, the locations, the outfits and the accessories!  I love when clients have ideas!  It really brings their unique relationship to the table.  It was so fun and somehow in the process of rolling on the ground getting different angles I even ripped my jeans!  The engagement portraits to me are so important and I really do love doing them.  While I have known Sarah for years it is a great opportunity to work with couples on a fun day without stress and we learn about each other in the process.  Then too you have some great engagement portraits in the process!

Sarah has seen me work numerous times but now she was in front of the lens and for the first time ever Tres got an idea of the process too.   So because of this we have familiarity, ease and trust the moment I walk into the wedding to photograph the big day.  This is an important step in the process.  Yes you have to love your photographer’s style and images but you have to really like them too.  A florist drops off flowers and you may or may not see them.  The photographer?  Well, we are with you all day!  So it’s important to really like and trust them.

A special thank you too to the Robinson Family Vineyard!  The not only provided us with the location and the car but a great tasting too!  Yes, I do get to drink on the job!  Without them these engagement portraits Napa wouldn’t have been the same!

Ceremony Magazine recently published its first ever San Francisco edition.  It’s truly a beautiful magazine for wedding planning resources, professional wedding vendors and San Francisco wedding photography.  I’m truly honored to be a part of it and have my images and real weddings within it’s pages!  The magazine has sections for wedding ideas, real wedding’s photography with the couple’s stories, detailed information on venues, photographers, florists and everything weddings you could need.  It’s really a great wedding planning resource guide and beautiful too!

Recently my wedding images of Sara and Todd’s St. Francis Yacht Club  wedding was highlighted in Ceremony Magazine’s blog.  This was an amazing day with an amazing couple.

Ceremony Magazine is about professionals in the wedding industry and what they can do.  Speaking only for photography of course, there are a lot of people who pick up a camera and call themselves a wedding photographer.  Sadly, I’ve heard a lot of bad stories in regards to wedding photographers from brides who were crying because they hired someone who professed to know what they were doing only to be disappointed in the end with their wedding photographs IF they got their wedding photographs.  I recently heard a story of a photographer who wouldn’t go out into the rain to get a new flash card so was deleting images during the wedding to make room for new images.  I always laugh when people come in with their list of questions from a magazine that are recommended to ask a photographer but I’m happy to answer the questions.  It means you’re doing your research and taking this seriously!

When it comes to the relationship you have with your photographer it is important you love their work but also that you love them and trust them!   I hope that when I walk into that room to start photographing your day you know you can trust me, that I will deliver what I promise, that I’m coming with $25,000 worth of equipment and don’t mind getting wet if need be!

So be assured that the people you find in Ceremony Magazine are among the top of San Francisco and you can trust them!

Sara and Todd at St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco

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

Suen and Jerry are such a loving, adorable couple.  They kind of secretly married just the two of them and because her father wanted to see her in a white dress they did it again for friends and family.  It was an intimate affair at a private home in Healdsburg.  Who poured the wine and made sure guests were happy?  Jerry did!   Who made sure to keep people calm when the officiant was late?  Suen did!  They put the priorities on their guests with great food, great wine and making sure people felt at home in this home!  I love small intimate affairs like this and the images I can get are so endearing and so indicative of that.  The intimate moments are what make a wedding.  Yes, the flowers, the dress, the bride and groom to be sure!  But when it comes down to it…the love and feelings and emotions of all!  This gallery includes some details but I had to include the smiles, the laughs and happiness too.