Marlowe's Mission San Jose Baptism - Fremont, CA

May 26, 2015 in family, events, portrait

A staple of many wedding toasts is the wish for the new marriage to bring together families and for the union to bear much happiness, love, and most importantly children. In this way, baby Marlowe’s baptism is an expression of her parents and family making good on both requests.

Before I worked with these families, I knew over first few e-mails with Marlowe’s then-prospective godmother, Monica, that this was going to be a good one. My work would be one of the gifts to her new god daughter, something that I was honored to be a part of, and a gift that I thought to be incredibly thoughtful. This thoughtfulness proved to be a trait shared by both sides of Marlowe’s family, as I was quickly made to feel like part of them; it was hard to pass a family member without being offered food, a drink, or be chatted up as one of them.

The baptismal ceremony was held in the old Mission Church of San Jose, in Fremont, CA. Its weathered wood and stucco interior, punctuated by chandeliers and ornate alter made for a beautiful backdrop to Marlowe’s special day. After a few family photos on premises, the delegation who attended the church ceremony joined even more guests at the home of Marlowe’s grandparents. This was a beautiful home with a large, multi-tiered backyard complete with deck, patio, terrace steps, and half basketball court.

It was watching this reception that I realized how rich Marlowe was with family and friends who truly love her. There was a strong air of celebration through the afternoon, aided no doubt by the fresh catered tacos, homemade chicharonnes, and just-fried churros. Yes. Those. Churros. Honestly, the best churros that I have ever had, bar none. I discovered the source of the churros next to the basketball court on which I witnessed a few thunderous dunks [though, to be honest, the rim had to have been lowered to about 8 feet, unless half the guys at the reception had 42” verticals]. Despite the Sports Center worthy highlights being put up on the basketball court, Marlowe was still the star this day, bringing smiles to the faces of all who saw her. How could they not love that face and those piercing blue eyes?

I was lucky to be made part of this family, even if just for an afternoon. Congratulations Marlowe and family!

-Joseph

Liezel + Gary - Golden Gate Park Maternity Session

April 24, 2015 in family, portrait

Liezel and Gary are the kind of people you wish that you could work with every time. They are just a really great couple who you could not imagine apart because they are so natural together. As photographers, we loved them because they were great in front of the camera, but we were even more intrigued by them as friends with whom you have so much fun, time seems to speed by. This maternity session was just that; good times with some of our favorite people that ended far too soon.

On top of being great company, they were troopers; it wasn’t the warmest the afternoon of our shoot, but we got nothing but positivity and an infectious verve for life from them. It was inspiring to see two people love and support each other; that their first child is on its way made us hopeful for the future and gave us a hearty case of the warm fuzzies. We can’t see these two raise anything short of great people between them.

As for the shoot itself, the western edge of Golden Gate Park/Ocean Beach gave us great backgrounds a nooks of light that really allows us to frame and showcased this couple. Liezel especially seemed radiant and every bit of the happy, expectant mother for whom Gary loves and cares. There was a bit of a shuffle getting Liezel in and out of her coat between setups, but she was so easy going and a sheer joy for us to work with, it was never an issue. We really have to thank these two for making it difficult to take a bad shot, and for making whatever adversity we faced that day feel small and manageable when set next to the love they showed for each other.

Cheers to the expectant parents, and thanks for making it look easy!

Sage's Baptism - All Saints Church, Hayward, CA

January 20, 2015 in family

Justin and Sarai welcomed their son, Sage, to the world last month and April and I were invited to be part of his Baptism. This was an honor on its own, but it was extra special to April and I since Justin is one of April’s closest cousins, and I’ve known Justin for the better part of a decade at this point.

It has been an amazing transformation to see him transition from different phases of his life to being newly minted father. Just as apparent has been how Justin and Sarai’s [our?] families have been brought together as a singular family built on Sage’s wellbeing and security. Uniting Sage’s two families was especially poignant because he is the beautiful result of his father’s Filipino heritage and the wealth of Nicaraguan culture on Sarai’s side.

These feelings of togetherness pervaded the proceedings of the day; Sage was the glue that cemented the two families together while catalyzing interactions that strengthened them as a whole.

This sentiment made for a beautiful afternoon that started at Justin and Sarai’s home, dressing Sage in his tiny Barong (traditional formal Filipino Male’s shirt), onto the ceremony at All Saints Church in Hayward, closing out at an Italian restaurant reception. The feelings of celebration held throughout the day and was a just really nice to be around. It was a pleasure to cover this milestone for this special family!

There is a tradition in some Filipino families that dictates that newly baptised children will meet with the most fortune and spiritual wealth the more quickly they arrive in public after baptism. To facilitate this, a family member promptly whisked Sage too meet the outside world just after the ceremony, seen above.