Springtime engagement sessions make me happy. Especially after all the rain we had in Northern California this year. Pauline and Ryan chose to shoot their engagement session at Sunol Regional Wilderness and it couldn't have been more perfect. Rolling green hills, oak trees just beginning to bud and lots of space for their sweet pup, Lucy to join in on the portrait session.
Alanna and Vihang's wedding can be summed up into three words: purple, dragons and redwoods. After a sweet family focused Friday ceremony at San Francisco City Hall, Alanna and Vihang celebrated with their friends with a party in Oakland's Redwood Regional Park. For both days, everyone was encouraged to wear purple as it's Alanna's favorite color. On Saturday, Alanna's sister led a simple ceremony inviting friends to share a few words about the couple. The guests blew bubbles to kick off the reception and everyone was invited to a potluck picnic including Indian curries, rice, samosas and lots of delicious homemade sweets. And of course, drinks from Alanna and Vihang's purple dragon goblets!
Ceremony Venue: San Francisco City Hall // Portrait Location: Baker Beach // Reception Location: Redwood Regional Park // Hair: Amy Walkup of Manifesta Salon // Wedding Bands: Brilliant Earth // Goblets: Fellowship Foundry
April and Jed were married in the backyard of their friend's gorgeous Woodside home. They hosted 80 of their closest friends and family for a combined Laotian/Jewish ceremony that honored traditions from both families. The day was filled with all the things they love - from the sailing themed invitations, pork bun passed apps, and sticky rice and BBQ'd chicken family style dinner. Even April's dog, Peter Pan got dressed in a tuxedo for the occasion! The evening rains didn't stop the celebration as everyone danced the night away under the tent by the pool.
One of my favorite weddings from last year is featured on A Practical Wedding today! Redwoods, cocktails and lots of laughs, what's not to love? Check it out!
In keeping with the rainy day theme, Nicole and Santiago's USS Potomac wedding is featured on Offbeat Bride today! Check it out!
It's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I love a good rainstorm. As I mention in my bio, nothing makes me happier than exploring the redwoods on a wet day. And this love for rainy days has translated into some of my favorite weddings I've shot in the past couple of years. Rainy day weddings aren't traditionally the most ideal but I've learned to embrace the adventure and hope that other couples will can learn to do the same. To learn more, I've shared some tips and insights on Catalyst Wed Co today! Check it out!
Portrait Location: Mount Tamalpais State Park
Portrait Location: Lake Merritt & Redwood Regional Park
As a professional photographer, I'm always challenging myself and growing creatively. Who I am today feels light years away from who I was when I was starting out. After a decade (?!) of shooting, I've learned to focus on my strengths and am inspired by the natural world and the genuine connections I make with my couples. At the start of this year, I knew that I wanted a website that authentically represents who I am, not just as a wedding photographer but an outdoor lifestyle photographer. With the help of Flight Design Co. I'm so happy to finally have a place where my work can live honestly, simply and elegantly.
Meena and Nik's Mount Tamalpais engagement session is the perfect representation of the melding of my two photography loves and truly captures what I love most about photographing couples in the great outdoors. Mount Tamalpais is one of my favorite places to explore and photograph as it offers beautiful forests, rolling green hills and gorgeous ocean all within a short drive from the city.
Floral Design: Gorgeous and Green // Hair & Make-Up: Julie Dy // Dress: Ulla Johnson
Here's to International Women's Day and recognizing all the phenomenal women who work tirelessly everyday like San Francisco County Board Supervisor, London Breed. And your support doesn't have to end after today! On March 18-19, I'm cohosting our first Bay Area Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign photo pop. To participate, go to our event page for more information and to get your own Maya Angelou-inspired t-shirt while supporting seven fearless organizations fighting for women’s rights. Once you purchase a shirt, you can sign up to get your photo taken at two bad ass women owned businesses: Seldom Seen in San Francisco or The Compact Clubhouse in Oakland. We hope to see you there!
San Francisco County Board of Supervisor, London Breed
Ceremony Location: San Francisco City Hall
Reception Location: Regalito Rosticeria
Florals: Farmgirl Flowers
Severin and Robert are an adventurous couple who absolutely love traveling the world from India to Bali, Australia and beyond. When it was time to plan their wedding, they knew they wanted to keep it small and do something out of the ordinary. With family living all over the country, they chose give their families a once in a lifetime vacation by having their wedding in Kauai. The plan was for a small Catholic ceremony and a simple dinner at a nice restaurant but had big plans for the rest of the day: portraits on the Na Pali Coast!
When Severin and Robert asked if I'd be up for hiking the Kalalau Trail along Kauai's Na Pali Coast as part of their wedding day, I immediately replied with an emphatic "YES!" Sure, it was a little wild and logistically ambitious but I was up for the challenge. For the past couple of years, I've wanted to combine my two photography loves: shooting weddings and gorgeous, epic landscapes and here was a chance to do both.
The magic of Kauai's lush landscape pushed us along even as flash rainstorms showered down on us and slick muddy trails slowed our progress. Five hours of hiking later, we were sore and soggy but so happy. I couldn't have picked a more epic way to wrap up my wedding season. Thank you Severin and Robert for having me along and I am forever grateful.
Ceremony Venue: Saint Sylvester's // Portrait Location: Kalalau Trail // Reception Location: Westin Princeville // Floral Design: Mr. Flowers // Hair & Make-Up: Mia Moriguchi // Severin's Gown: Love Couture Bridal // Robert's Suit: Saks Fifth Avenue // Rings: Anna Sheffield
