Lorelei Turns One - Sunnyvale, CA

July 20, 2015 in family, portrait

We’ve had the privilege of watching Marius’ and Rox’s family grow over the past year or so; we first had the chance to work with them just before and just after Lorelei’s birth, and she is now turning the big O-N-E. It’s hard to believe that the drowsy little gal that we posed on a blanket is now a vibrant, strawberry blonde lady bug who we now stand and pose in the backyard. Lorelei, who is nearing her first birthday, is full of personality, completely adorable, and so blessed to have this family around her.

The shoot itself was an intimate affair done at home, which afforded a great peak into how Lorelei and her familiy work day to day. What was most apparent to me was that Marius and Rox are great parents raising great kids. As is the case with shoots with children, there are ups and downs, and all manner of behavior to navigate, and I have to imagine that doing that with love, reason, and appeals to logic, as Rox and Marius do, is a great way to handle that. Rox and Marius were able to get big brother Ryan on bored despite some short opening tantrums so that we had a great shoot.

Kids are open books, and when they are genuinely happy and well loved, it really comes through the camera. The bond this family had with each other enabled the warmth in these photos, and we’re thrilled at the results. Congratulations to this beautiful family, and happy birthday, Lorelei!

-Joseph

M+R - Westin St. Francis Wedding, San Francisco, CA

July 14, 2015 in wedding, city

M+R are a great couple who share a ton of love between them and with their friends and family. Their day was one of palpable exuberance between the couple and throughout the crowd made up of their friends and family who celebrated with them at the Westin St. Francis.

Their day was an absolute joy from prep to reception, and everything was done with style and beauty that I learned to be endemic to everything that M+R touched. Watching this couple interact throughout the day, it only made sense that her perfect beaded dress and long veil was matched by his impeccably fit tuxedo, and that her Jimmy Choos were met step for step by his Louboutins. They complemented eachother as souls meant to be joined, with the added bonus of being a couple with style meant to be seen together.

M+R were everything that you could hope a couple to be, and they looked darn good doing it. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Thanks much as always to Duy Ho Photography for having me help out on this one.

M+C - The Spinakker Wedding, Sausalito, CA

June 08, 2015 in city, wedding

I had the opportunity to shoot with Gary Sexton of Gary Sexton Photography at M+C's The Spinakker wedding in Sausalito, CA. I learned about this groom's heart and abundant love for his family at Casa Madrona Hotel in Sausalito. While he and his groomsmen got ready for the day, a gift of personalized cuff links from his bride was delivered; it was a gift only someone close to him could give, and brought him to tears on the spot.

If I had to describe M+C and their bridal party in one word, I would say "stylish". The groomsmen were decked out in fine suits, and the bridesmaids in beautiful gowns. The bride was a vision walking down the aisle in a daring off-the-shoulder cut and ruffled train. Real thought in the wardrobe could be seen all the way through to the completely adorable flower girls and ring bearer, all of whom did their duties with aplomb and amazing cuteness.

After a beautiful wedding mass at St. Hilary Catholic Church in nearby Tiburon, the celebration picked up in earnest at The Spinakker. Guests were treated to great food and drink, topped off by a dessert bar replete with the newly married couple's favorite treats. This was served during a string of heartfelt toasts by family and friends that often brought M+C to tears. I actually found myself bit teary-eyed or breaking into a hearty laugh.

Many say that the capacity to love is the willingness to surprise and delight another; if that is so, then this groom has some serious love for his bride. During the last bride/groom toast of the evening, the groom surprised the bride and the entire wedding congregation with LED-lit foam, translucent "party sticks" customized with their clean and modern monogram. The last time I saw those things was during a Steve Aoki set in Vegas, so that little coup got the party going and the chic nightclub atmosphere was a fitting cap a day that was filled with lots of "cool", but even more love. Congratulations to the newlyweds!