An Intimate City Hall + Greens Restaurant Wedding » San Francisco, California

Anne and Michael chose to have a small and intimate family only wedding at San Francisco City Hall. We started the day getting ready at Hotel Drisco before heading over to the historic building where we spent some time shooting portraits before their ceremony. Afterwards, we headed over to Crissy Beach for some iconic Golden Gate Bridge portraits. A light drizzle and cold high winds prevented us from spending too much time outside so we headed over to Fort Mason where Anne and Michael met back up with their families at Interval Coffee Bar for some pre-dinner cocktails. Their dinner reception at Greens was held in the private room with views of the Golden Gate Bridge framed by gorgeous sunset. Everyone was treated to a delicious vegetarian meal and Green's famous chocolate flourless chocolate cake. It was exactly the simple and low key wedding Anne and Michael were hoping for.

Lands End + Sutro Baths Winter Sunset Engagement Session

Kathleen and Ben met in college and have been inseparable for the past 10 years. Ben proposed to Kathleen on the winter solstice in Japantown which was the site of one of their first dates. It was a cute proposal that was captured all on camera by a group of teenage girls who offered to take their photos. Ben told me he always dreamed about what type of woman he would marry and when he met Kathleen, he just knew. They love the look of the California coast so we headed over to San Francisco's Lands End and Sutro Baths for a beautiful sunset engagement session. I can't wait for their wedding in a few weeks!

MOTHERHOOD: Three Months with August

Dear Gus Gus, Gusters, My Sweet Boy,
We made it to three months together. You giggled for the first time this week and my heart melted all over the place. You finally see me and that eye contact, that acknowledgment is the world. I am grateful everyday to be your mom. Thank you for challenging me in ways I never thought possible and showing me that I am strong and kind and loving.

Reflections on Motherhood

Motherhood is a contradictory existence. My day to day can feel so isolating and yet I know I am not alone. I am forever a member of the fiercest tribe. There is comfort in knowing that moms everywhere have walked this same path. Felt the same sleep deprived sense of hopelessness that creeps in during those bad days. The same tugs on the heart when I have to leave the you for extended periods of time. The same frantic mental decision making and on the fly prioritizing when faced with an unknown quantity of nap time. (To spend it cleaning, prepping, working to whittle away at that never ending to do list? Always. To nap? Rare. To take care of myself? Also rare. To waste time? A frivolous risk, a luxury from another life.) The same jolt that springs my eyes wide open at the tiniest sound of you stirring at 4am. The same resignation when yet another shirt is soiled with spit up or wet with leaky milk. The same exhaustion at the end of a long day when it’s not quite bedtime and I know I have to keep it together just a little longer. The same self criticism and eventual acceptance of our mom bodies, those new aches and pains, the weakened pelvic floor (when I sneeze and don’t pee I consider it a win), our soft jelly bellies that even the strongest athletes struggle to change because breastfeeding is magic and its hormones are powerful. The same worries and doubt, wondering if I am doing enough, doing it right, doing it well. And the same thrilling joys when you learn a new skill, smile at me, talk to me, letting me know that everything is okay.

To all the mamas I know, thank you for being just a text message away. Knowing I’m not doing this alone and that these fears aren’t just my own helps me keep going. I'm proud to be a member of this messy, imperfect, wonderful and loving tribe.

St. Columba Church + Lake Merritt Terrace Room Wedding » Oakland, California

Jessica and Adrian were married with a small family only church wedding at St. Columba Church in Oakland. After the traditional Catholic ceremony, the couple headed out to the Oakland Hills where we took some portraits in the redwoods. It was a nice little peaceful getaway before we all heading to the Terrace Room at Lake Merritt the main celebration. The large reception included a pianist that entertained the party the whole evening. As a twist on the classic clinking of glasses to get the couple to kiss, the pianist picked a couples name out of a fish bowl and that couple had to kiss first and Jessica and Adrian were to imitate their kisses. After dinner, Jessica and her friends lead a fun singalong before everyone enjoyed dancing and special Indonesian desserts as nod to Adrian's heritage.

Joaquin Miller Park Redwood Grove Engagement Session

For Anne and Michael's engagement session they brought along their cute pup, Mabel to be a part of the portraits. We explored my favorite little redwood grove in the Oakland Hills as the morning sunlight filtered through the trees. 

SEAN + CAMERON'S Northern California Garden Party Wedding » A Practical Wedding

Sean and Cameron, one of my sweetest couples from last year's wedding is up on A Practical Wedding today! Read more about how they pulled off their festive and meaningful garden party at the Falkirk Cultural Center in San Rafael here.

An Autumn Elliston Vineyard Wedding » Sunol, California

Pauline and Ryan were married on a lovely autumn afternoon at Elliston Vineyards in Sunol. Personal touches were seen throughout the day, from their good friend officiating the ceremony to the dinosaurs and succulents decorating the reception tables. After dinner and wedding bundt cakes, DJ Rufio kept the music going through out the night for an epic dance party.

Presidio Wood Line + Baker Beach Engagement Session

Sarah and Mike's relationship blossomed in San Francisco with a first date that had a rocky start due to a rude waiter but quickly and naturally unfolded to a five hour long evening full of laughter and beer at a local dive bar. When Mike decided to propose to Sarah, he surprised her during a trip home to Georgia. Enlisting the help of Sarah's nephew who brought in the ring, he popped the question in front of her family on the same weekend as her her parent's 45th wedding anniversary. Since she lives so far away from her family, it was extra special to have everyone be a part of that moment. For their engagement session, we chose start at the Wood Line in the Presidio as Sarah loves eucalyptus trees. Afterwards, we wrapped up the shoot at Baker Beach for some iconic Golden Gate Bridge photos.

MOTHERHOOD: Two Months with August

Dear Gus Gus,
They were right. Just like that, our second month together has come and gone. In a blink of an eye, our tiny squishy newborn is now a sweet chunky monkey of a baby.

You’re becoming more aware of the world everyday. I watch in amazement as you drink in your surroundings, curious to each new sight and sound. Knowing that it’s just a matter of time before your eyes can truly see me makes my heart flutter.

But until then, I love talking with you, imitating your cute little squeaks, grunts and snorts. I love the way your tiny hands grip on to my clothes and chest. I love giving you baths and singing you silly made up songs. And of course, reading you books. You might not understand the words but I’d like to think you remember. That these little routines mean something. That you feel safe and cozy and at home.

Nothing else in the world can replicate the feeling of making you happy. Chasing your smiles is all I ever want to do and all that always I will do. ♥️

Westlake Village Inn Wedding » Southern California

Renee and Matt got married at the Westlake Village Inn in Southern California. Renee grew up across the street from this beautiful resort hotel and so it was a natural choice to pick it as a venue for their wedding. Tabitha of Winston and Main provided bright colored florals that popped against the Tuscan inspired decor. After a hilarious ceremony under the gazebo, Renee and Matt headed over to the main hall for dinner and a lot of dancing as a live band kept the energy going through the evening.

Mather Redwood Grove + UC Botanical Garden Wedding » Berkeley, California

Tammy and David got married at one of my favorite locations, UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley. The day started at a nearby Airbnb where everyone helped David try to figure out how to tie a bowtie. Afterwards, we headed over to the Mather Redwood Grove at the Botanical Garden where we snapped some group portraits before their sweet ceremony. Tears were shed as Tammy and David exchanged vows in front of their friends and family. They took a moment alone in the grove after the ceremony before heading over to Julia Morgan Hall for cocktail hour and dinner reception where the festivities continued on into the night. 

Sunny Afternoon Lands End & Sutro Baths Engagement Session

Stacy and Emanuel love going to the beach and being near the water so choosing to do their engagement session at Lands End in San Francisco seemed like the perfect location. We spent a rare warm and sunny San Francisco afternoon wandering between the cypress trees and rocky cliffs before wrapping up the shoot on the iconic ruins.