Tomales Bay Church Wedding

As promised from my previous post, I am sharing images from a few church weddings that I've photographed this season. Each church wedding has had it's unique charm this year.  

Celia and Janusz exchanges their vows at Tomales Presbyterian Church surrounded by close friends and family.  After a sweet ceremony, all the guests went to Toby's Feed Farm for the reception.  In addition to taking portraits at the church, we took advantage of the beautiful landscape that makes up Point Reyes and captured some photos before the party started.  What a fun and BEAUTIFUL day!  

The beautiful flowers and boutonnieres were created by the talented Marcia, from Main St. Floragardens.

Charming Church Weddings

For the next couple of weeks I will be posting wedding photos of charming church weddings I've photographed this season.  Like most wedding photographers, I often compare wedding seasons to others and notice changes and similarities to previous years.  Quite often, my clients are getting married outside with beautiful scenic backdrops or having a fancy celebration at a hotel in San Francisco.  This season is turning out to be the year of the church wedding for me, which has been a nice change. 

Peggy and Jerome got married at The Chapel of our Lady in the Presidio.  The reception was held at the Presidio Cafe, conveniently located up the street from the chapel.  We took advantage of the Presidio's beautiful landscape just next to the reception for portraits.  The remainder of the evening was filled with lots of laughter, toasts, and dancing with their friends.  I love that they were able to blend tradition with their own sense of style.  Such a lovely and stunning couple!!

Btw...Peggy's amazing hair and make-up was done by the wonderful Shana from Fox and Doll and her fabulous headpiece is from Twigs and Honey.  Her close friend, Emily Tran created the spectacular bouquets and boutonnieres.  Superb!

I'm Getting Sentimental

A sentimental connection from the past to celebrate the future.  This is the cork from a bottle of wine that Wayne and Anthony purchased on one of their first dates, 15 years ago.  They celebrated their relationship by opening this bottle of wine on their wedding day.  As a wine enthusiast and a sensitive person, I have to admit that I got a little choked up during that moment.  After smelling the cork (I know that is super snobby and outdated but I couldn't taste the wine on the job), I figured it would make a great backdrop for a ring shot.  

Cityscape Love

I have to admit that I always get a little squeamish when I'm taking photos of a beautiful bride and groom, just before they say "I-DO" and the chosen destination for portraits is a busy street in San Francisco.  Call me "over protective" and "unadventurous" but I do pride myself on making sure that my clients are safe on their wedding day.  Once I get over the initial fear, I embrace the dual job of being a photographer and traffic controller.  

Love and San Francisco cityscapes are IRRESISTIBLE.  It's worth the risk for a beautiful photo.

Snippet And Ink Feature

I'm a sucker for a good wedding blog.  There are so many wedding blogs to choose from that it can be an overwhelming experience just to just find a few that really speak to your taste and lifestyle.  Every morning I wake up to a beautiful email from Snippet and Ink that showcases elegant weddings as well as bits of advice on where to go, what to eat, what to wear and everyday DIY recommendations to make life more fun and PRETTY.  This morning was extra wonderful because the daily email I received from Snippet and Ink featured a beautiful wedding that I photographed in San Francisco.  Thank you so much for the feature, Snippet and Ink.  It truly is an honor.  Click here to see Melissa and Jacob's beautiful wedding.

Sometimes It Has To Be Black And White

I once worked with a photographer who barely ever shot anything in color unless the job required it of him (lucky man.)  When I inquired about his black and white preference over color imagery, he passionately responded, "If the image you are shooting is about the color, then shoot it in color."  

I obviously can't apply that theory to the way I shoot weddings because I would really narrow my clientele and probably not eat for weeks. I also love color, whether it's muted or vibrant.  But, I will say that certain situations and lighting scenarios that occur while I'm chasing down,capturing moments and details at a wedding look far more striking in black and white than they would in color.  Here are some of my favorite images that just needed to be black and white.