Rain rain go away, come again another day … when I don’t have engagement sessions to shoot…

A few of my 2010 clients are still waiting on their engagement sessions due to multiple reschedules, but Alison and Zack didn’t really have that option. They live a ways away and were only in town for a few days so we had to make it work. After many e-mails back and forth luckily, for us, the clouds parted and we were gifted enough clear skies to get some fun images of them frolicking around SF. We ended up using I think what was our 4th option for locations due to weather but honestly, it was a blessing in disguise because we found some pretty magical spots with some pretty magical light.

Can’t wait to shoot their wedding at the Holly Farm in September!

Onward!

Wait… is that…. Bella..?

I feel like I’ve known Fiona and Eric forever! Moving back to the bay area has been a journey for sure. New client base, new industry friends, new shooting locations, new light, new freeways, new traffic (no traffic!) … etc. etc. etc. The thing with Fiona and Eric is that even though they are in the bay area, they are not new to me. They booked me as their wedding photographer before I even knew I was going to be moving… I might have been dreaming about it but I had no idea it was actually going to be a reality by the time their wedding at Nestldown in the Santa Cruz Mountains came around in August. Seeing their faces as I pulled up the Mountain View Performing Arts Center warmed my heart. I’m home!

Eric and Fiona met when they were young teenagers in the theater so we wanted to bring aspects of this into their shoot with locations and props. I took a little inspiration from a shoot I have been loving lately in Vanity Fair and Fiona and Eric really, shall I say, “brought it.” Sharing these images feels like a long time coming- can’t wait to finally shoot their beautiful fairy-tale wedding day!

EXT. POOLSIDE AT VILLA IN TUSCANY - LATE AFTERNOON

ENT. ERIC, a budding screen writer working on his passion project- distracted by and then inspired by his leading lady, FIONA.

Thanks to Andrew at Studio MSV for that awesome camera! If you all are looking for a killer wedding day story teller- he is your MAN.

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Picture this… you’re driving on HWY 17, singing along to the soundtrack for Spring Awakening, clean air’s blowing in your window, through your hair, you’ve got your camera by your side and two amazing clients waiting for you to shoot their engagement images and then:

…ding ding ding, your gas tank suddenly drops to ZERO! You know that sound in movies when something stops the party and the DJs record scratches? Add that sound in here. Imagine an audible gasp, immediate sweaty palms, and disbelief. How could you let this happen? You are a professional! This is a JOB, these clients are counting on you… where the HECK are you going to pull over if you run out of gas???!?!? The liiiight, you’re going to lose the light!!! Panic.

Then acceptance. Okay, so you’re going to run out of gas. Not much you can do. I hope they understand that you are not a complete eff-up and that you would never ever let this happen on a wedding day.

Then relief.. you make it to the driveway of the location, call the clients, and all they say is, “Oh my gosh! We’ll just drive you down to the gas station when we’re done, DO NOT WORRY!” WHEW!

Megan and Kevin, you guys are seriously the best! I absolutely cannot wait to shoot your wedding this summer- thank you for bringing such smiles, love, and creativity to your shoot. Xoxoxoxo

Check out Burrell Winery if you are local- seriously such an adorable tasting room!

Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I knew it’d be cold, I anticipated wearing a hat, scarf, coat, gloves…. I had been checking the weather for the better part of two weeks hoping the bulk of the storms would be over by the time I arrived to shoot Jessica and Brett’s Manhattan engagement shoot. But nope, the snow was relentless and so were we. We embraced the weather like it was a blessing and enjoyed frolicking around in the, for me, never before experienced photographic atmosphere and as Tim Gunn would so eloquently say, we made it work!

With Jessica’s teeth chattering and Brett’s head freezing we kept moving to stay warm and I think the final product is better than I could have ever imagined. It was so refreshing to have the chance to shoot in a new environment as lately, I’ve been craving a change of pace. (I can hear all you east coasters groaning… what you wouldn’t do for a little California sun flare huh?) I have to thank Jessica and Brett for trusting me and embracing the weather so fully and to Heather for coming out with a 2nd set of professional eyes!

Can’t wait for Jessica and Brett’s October wedding in Southern California… something tells me the images will look very different …..

We started at this lovely little place called Cafe Gitane at The Jane Hotel in the west village…we asked permission to shoot a few shots … but I think when we started moving chairs they got nervous and we were kicked out into the streets. Renegades!

So I don’t necessarily think this next shot is a winner .. I just wanted to show you guys just how much snow was falling!

Brett brought along a camera that belonged to his grandpa- made for a fun little prop!

Thanks to Heather for this last one of me working ….whew! I’m cold just thinking about it

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Good things come to those who wait really rang true for this session!

Blessin is one of those brides who is super involved in all things photo and her and I, I feel, are meant to be. People often ask me how I get my clients to bring props and take more of a role in planning their engagement images and I have to say, I think I am just lucky! About a year ago I started getting frustrated with the lack of creativity I was putting into my work. Five years ago editorial/fashion photography was where I thought I would be and while I absolutely love love love shooting weddings I really wanted to start bringing more editorial aspects to my shoots. Insert Kaumyar and Ashley here. I produced the shoot and video I have on my main page, thanks to Jeff Conrad, and followed that with Chris and Carly’s vintage car engagement shoot… and voila! everyone wanted props and craved an editorial flair for their engagement images. Lead by example… “if you build it, they will come” … hee hee.

Back to Blessin….We exchanged countless emails regarding her and her love, Mins, engagement images… locations, props, clothes, everything was all set and then WHAM! Mother Nature appeared…. we held out to the very very last minute to reschedule but when Mayor Villaraigosa threatened downtown LA with flash floods we just couldn’t hold out any longer- we postponed their session for my next trip to Los Angeles and kept our fingers crossed for sunshine. As you’ll see from the images below we got plenty of it! Thanks to Blessins “photo club” friend, Brent, for helping us out that day!! Couldn’t have done it without you, Brent!

Blessin wore a dress that belonged to her mother- fit her perfect and had such a GREAT style to it!

Thanks guys, can’t wait for your wedding!!!

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