Axel and Yvonne Engagement Session

I probably said this in a previous post but I get to photograph the COOLEST couples around.

I knew I wanted to be a part of Axel and Yvonne's special day when I spoke to her and she shared the details of their intimate Half Moon Bay Wedding.

Even though we were really close to the wedding date, I wanted to have an engagement session

anyway.

We shot at a few of my favorite spots here in the city. Check out the engagement gallery in the "Featured Galleries" area of my web site for more fun,romantic,sexy and offbeat images.

Sean and Liz

Sean and Liz chose Oakland's beautiful Preservation Park for their wedding and reception. Lately the weather has been unpredictable. We were concerned with the weather because the forecast was for rain, and

the Bride chose this venue becuase it is the perfect place for an outdoor ceremony and photos.

We were blessed with a clear sky all day long. Sean and Liz's slide show can be found here -

Click here: Sean and Liz

Catching Up...

The blog is back !

I have really missed sharing the latest stuff with you .

The great thing is that I have had the thrill of photographing the coolest couples around.

Seriously.

All of them had exciting elements that were "out of the box" on their wedding day and the energy between my couples has been electric.Juan and Celia make me smile everytime I think of them. Celia was breathtaking in her sophisticated lace gown with her pulled back with a necklace to accent the open back of her gown.

The DJ http://www.chocolatesound.com/ was on fire and really kept the party going.

The food was really fantastic, as was the service. I was really impressed with the caterer that they chose. I will be adding their name to my vendor page soon.

Just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, Juan surprised the guest by having a

taco truck arrive to provide the guests with hot mexican food.

The creativity didn't end there. Celia had the great idea of purchasing comfortable Mesh Chinese Slippers for all of the women who were wearing heels to change into. They were a big hit !

She had them in a large basket and the ladies were able to select a size a color to suit them

She even had a white pair of her own. Enjoy a slide show from their big day here - Click here: Juan and Celia

James and Allison

Today I some spent time with James and Allison for their engagement photos.

We really had a great time. The great thing about these two is that the energy between them

is great and they are obviously meant for each other.

When couples are this comfortable with each other it makes for fabulous photos on the wedding day. "Relax and be yourselves" is my mantra. But I didn't have to say it once to these two.Their smiles are so genuine. I can't wait until the wedding ! 8 weeks to go !
James and Allison will be getting married on a Yacht !
I really am looking forward to getting some great images that day.

GO TED GO !

A few days ago I was thrilled to open my mail and find this book written by a Groom (Ted) I photographed last year,complete with a personal note on the first page.
On the day of our engagement session, Ted shared with me that he ran a 153 mile marathon through the Sahara called the Marathon Des Sables and that he had written a book about his experience and more.
Temperatures top 120 degrees and participants are carrying their
survival supplies in a backpack and using a map to navigate.

I was excited,intrigued and inspired all at once. I love a challenge. I love to challenge myself.
But there are MANY times I don't have the "inspiration " to stay on the treadmill at the gym.
I had to know how this man managed to complete a weeklong run through the Sahara.

I realize that we often give up in our heads way before our bodies do. This applies to so much more that athletic ability. Ted's story really lit a fire that was already burning within me as a youth. He promised me a copy of the book and true to his word, Amy his Bride mailed me a copy.
(Thanks Amy!)

I started reading the book right away and am using every free moment to continue.
This is book is not some boring journal of how many miles he ran each day.
Ted shares stories about personal challenges with his well known sense of humor.

I laughed,cried and got angry while reading the first few chapters.
Very well written and entertaining.
I was sitting on the edge of my seat not wanting to put the book down, but at some point I had to get back to work. Can't wait to finish it soon.

I may sound like a cliche'. But this book is really a story of the triumph of the human spirit, and what is the thought process going on in our head that makes some of us continue when others choose to quit.

Title of the book - Carved by God, Cursed by the Devil by Ted Archer
You can purchase a copy here - http://www.tedarcher.com/ or to just read more about it.

Better than any motivation seminar you could attend. This book will really inspire you.
Perfect for the times we are living in right now.

Ted is in Morocco right now running the marathon for the second time.
http://www.darbaroud.com/

Braganza Wedding 2X Part #2

I have to share the short slide show of images from Paolo and Melody's wedding last month.
Paolo and Melody

Tom and Janice's SF Engagement Session

Tom and Janice were referred to me by Wilma, a Bride I photographed last November.
They are the 2nd couple I have booked because of her fabulous referrals and I
greatly appreciate Wilma's enthusiasm for what I do.

This kinda goes back to my previous "six degrees" posting on my blog, about how a lot of my clients are referrals.

We spent the day enjoying the beautiful San Francisco weather at Golden Gate Park and Crissy Field. Tom and Janice are so easy to photograph and their great sense of humor really makes them a lot of fun to be around.

These are just a few of the great images we created that day.

We really had a great time. I have the greatest clients in the world.

Braganza Wedding 2X

I was greeted by the family dog when I arrived to take the prep shots... look at those eyes...
You know I am a big animal lover, I couldn't resist taking this photo.

The Groom was so excited he sent a text message to the Bride - several times ...

This wedding was particularly special for me

because the Groom is the brother of Pierre, the Groom I photographed in Hawaii last year.

Our Bride Melody was a Bridesmaid in Ati and Pierre's Hawaii wedding also.

Ati looked beautiful as she helped Melody get ready for her big day.

I have been a big fan of her style since I saw the fabulous job she did planning her destination wedding in Hawaii.

Rumor has it that these two will be offering their services to Brides on a professional

basis pretty soon. I have been encouraging them to do so an I cannot wait until

they get started.

I was really looking forward to spending some time with these two families.

There is so much love and genuine affection between them all it is really wonderful to be a part of it all.
I had the great honor of having Clifford Bluitt of Signature Weddings photograph with me that day. Cliff and I have known each other for a very long time and he is the consumate professional and an extrodinary photographer. He has a pretty tight schedule so I am always thrilled when he is available. He is the only photographer I know who could possibly love photographing weddings as much as I do. And that's saying a lot...
The toast given by the couples brothers and sisters were beautiful and extremely touching.

But Mel still looks incredible. Her make up was flawlessly done as was her hair.

The kissing contest winners were Melody's parents.

The glass on my lens was scorched !
The reception was one moment of excitement after another.

Paolo and Melody's performance was HOT !!



The original ticket from the Sade concert where they met.
I love details like this.
A slide show from this fabulous day will be coming soon...

Undine's Russian Orthodox Wedding

I was introduced to Undine by a previous Bride I photographed last year named Charlene.

When Undine tolde me that she and Terrell were going to be married in her small Russian Orthodox Church I was so excited.

I have had the honor of photographing Jewish,Hindu,Catholic,

Non Denominational,Civil,Tea Ceremonies

and more in my career as a wedding photographer.

But I had only seen a few images from what appeared to be such a beautiful ceremony.

St. Nicholas Church has such a wonderful sense of family and their wonderful choir
that sang during various parts of the ceremony.

The Priest shared the several stages of the marriage rites, which was a little different from what some of the guests may have been used to.

The rite of Marriage contains two parts:
the Betrothal, and the Crowning. At one
time, it was common practice to perform
these two rites separately, the betrothal being
the "engagement" service, and the
Crowning being the actual wedding.
Today,these two rites are celebrated together as
one whole rite of matrimony.

Look for more images from this wedding on my web site soon.