Z + K Engagement - Santa Rosa Engagement Photographer

Love.  Young love.  I have high expectations for it when it is in front of my camera.  And this adorable couple didn't disappoint me at all :)  

Despite the questionable weather at the beginning of our session, we were able to wait the clouds out for the 'magical evening light' to appear.  At one point Z said to me...oh, now I see what the story is with the 'magical evening light.'  :) It is really spectacular and I get sad when I don't get to utilize it during a session due to too many clouds.  

Seriously, how cute are these two?

There is nothing like part of your engagement photo session taking place outside the bathrooms at the regional park...ahhh, I bet you didn't realize they were standing in front of the bathroom :)  Truly, any background can be used for a photo backdrop, I promise!

When talking about their images, Z + K said that they wanted an enchanted feel with warm overtones.  I think that we succeed...their session feels very magical to me.

Such cuteness between the two of them, they definitely fit one another perfectly.

After our fun evening together I am even more excited for their wedding next July - it'll be here before we know it!  

M + A Engagement - Oakland Engagement Photographer

After a missed flight leading to a one way ticket from New York to Oakland, M + A were determined to make it to their engagement session no matter what the (high) cost might be.  And, I was oh so glad that they were determined.  Because my camera was in love with their beauty, and love for one another.

We met at their old home located in the Lake Merrit area of Oakland, an area that I am extremely unfamiliar with but quickly loved for the eclectic architecture, bright colors, building murals and overall culture.  It was very sentimental for the two of them to have images captured in their old stomping grounds, which makes their pictures even more meaningful.  

We met at 2:00 which is no where near the 'ideal' time for photography, but we worked it out by finding nice pockets of shade.  I enjoy challenges during sessions and am so happy with the end results.

M + A currently live on the east coast and rent out their old home, thankfully the current tenants were more than willing to let us take photos on their porch and in their backyard.  A home filled with so many memories of the beginning of their relationship, and now they are en route to be married next month.

After walking around the neighborhood we drove to the shopping and eating area a quick 5 minute drive away from their house to visit a few more favorite spots.

Love love love her beautiful engagement ring...it fits A's personality perfectly.

This series of images were taken out the back door of Peet's, it is the door that they would frequent when getting their coffee before the Saturday morning farmers market or after their run around Lake Merritt.

I don't think that A could be any prettier even if she tried.  During the session passerbyers would comment on her beauty...I am sure that that wasn't the first time :)

The man made three mile lake was full of people on a Monday afternoon, I was very impressed with how clean the grounds were and how the public embraced the area.  

It is clear that M + A are deeply in love with one another, so much that my direction for them in front of the camera was minimized, so I could just focus on capturing their natural organic interaction with one another.  It made my heart (and camera) happy.

M + A - Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to spend the afternoon with me and my camera.  Clearly, I had a lot of fun exploring your Oakland roots with you and it made me even more excited for your upcoming wedding.  I am so honored that we will have the opportunity to work together and that I will be able to document all the beauty on your wedding day.  You make being in love look good.  xoxo

E + P Engagement - Petaluma Engagement Photographer

I had stated it before and I will state it again...I love it when my clients select a meaningful photography location.  It simply makes the photos better in so many ways.  And who doesn't enjoy spending an afternoon at the ever fabulous AT&T Park home of the San Francisco Giants?

When we met for their wedding consultation and as we discussed how they met, it was very clear to me what a role the Giants baseball team has had in their lives.  Both separately and together.  So on a lovely Sunday afternoon we headed down to capture a variety of pictures celebrating E + P's October wedding. 

I love when couples are not afraid to let their silly and quirky side show, in my opinion, not all photos should be perfectly composed 'looking at the camera smiling' images.

I was pleased that we were able to create many different 'looks' from the session with just a simple walk around the stadium.

Beautiful beautiful.

As we were about to walk along the cove, we noticed that the back gates to the park were open and asked the attendant if she wouldn't mind us taking a few pictures on the steps.  She happily agreed and told us that if we signed in we could go into the park.  But we only had about 15 minutes until it closed.  Say what?!?

Apparantely the park is open on non-game day weekends for kids to play in the park area.  Holy moly - we didn't know that!  What a pleasant surprise for all three of us.  

So, we ran around as fast as we could capturing as many images as possible in 15 minutes.  Since it was mid afternoon the sun was super bright, but I thought that we did pretty good finding pockets of good light to shoot in, and even those without my preferred lighting still tell the story of our right place at the right time moment.  

Note to self: next time always check the venue websites for cool entrance opportunities so that you are prepared with your clients, never assume that everything is closed during 'off days.'  Rooky mistake on my part  ;)

 

Once we got kicked out of the stadium we needed to commenorate the gates that they use when attending games with their season tickets.

Over at China Basin Park we finished up the session with a completely different view of the stadium.

They have an uncanny way to make one another laugh on a moment's notice.  Love it!

Erik and Paula - Thank you for spending a windy and sunny day in San Francisco with me and my camera.  I had a wonderful chatting with the two of you, exploring the ballpark, and, of course, taking some pictures too.  I cannot believe that your wedding is only 50 days away...if your engagement session was any indication of your wedding day we are going to have a great time celebrating with your family and friends!

The {J} Engagement - Sonoma Engagement Photographer

  It was the place of a group date three years ago and now it is the place of their engagement.  It was their two year dating anniversary and now it is also their anniversary of their engagement.

 The 'special event' was planned with careful details from the groom to be.  From the limo, to the private wine and appetizer tasting, to the private engagement looking over the property to the candlelight dinner in the Benziger caves. And the best part, in my opinion, was the hiring of a photographer (me!) to help capture the legendary details of the entire night.

 It was a perfectly planned evening to start their engagement in the right direction. 

  To state that I was nervous would be an understatement.  I arrived almost an hour early to scope the scene and get my game plan ready.  The couple was arriving via limo and then having a private tour and tasting, meanwhile I was hiding on the hillside waiting for them to arrive to the overlook point via their chauffeured golf cart. 

Once their golf cart arrived I jumped from my hiding space and waited for the right moment...and then I jumped into action to capture the special moment.  

  

After toasting to their engagement the three of us along with our seasoned Benziger guide, drove around the property taking in the views and, of course, the taking plenty of photos.  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

The evening ended with another surprise of a candlelight catered dinner in the wine caves as our tour of wine and photography continued.  

  

  

 I was so honored to be selected as the photographer for this important event, it was truly a special evening that I will never forget.