Zen-style wedding

I sometimes wish I would have been as zen on my wedding day as some of my clients are on theirs. I've worked with some pretty chill brides who seem to have it under control on their big day. I've shared some pretty out-there stories about wedding day craziness, simply due to all the forces coming together on a single day. Nevermind what happens when there are family members with varying, and strong, opinions. Some brides take it in stride, which I admire. I am flexible in my approach to photographing weddings, and I always try to bring my own sense of calm, which helps when the bride, or groom, is having a moment of unease, or even panic about the schedule, the day, etc. It is a good reminder, to take a breath, watch the clouds, smell the air, enjoy the sun, the light, and know it is a day you won't ever forget.

Foodie!

I am a sucker for creative food at weddings. Anyone who has gotten married can tell you how challenging it can be to plan the wedding itself. But it takes the planning to a whole other level to take a creative approach to the food one serves their guests at the reception dinner. Many prefer to play it safe, which, when you are feeding that many friends and family members, who can blame you for wanting to try to make everyone happy. But for those who serve brussel sprouts, I salute you! The way I see it, if these guests at your wedding have been by your side throughout life, they know what they are getting into when you invite them over for dinner! But whether the menu is surf and turf, or barbecue, make sure you pick a chef who knows how to put it all together to make it taste good.

A Fly on the Wall

Sometimes I feel like such a spy, inconspicuously tracking for the perfect shot without drawing attention to myself and the camera equipment hanging off of me. I took this photograph at a wedding at Mission Santa Clara de Asis. The adobe wall and wrought iron gate made the light glow and dance on the bride and groom. A stunning day, with stunning Northern California light, and a very affectionate couple.

Love on a Golf Course

I've lost track of the number of weddings I've photographed at golf courses. Someone English once said that golf courses are the parks of America. Well, you'd be surprised how much fun you can have getting married on the green. The toughest thing is finding shade, as trees don't make for very good driving ranges. The bride and groom at this wedding brought lovely paper parasols for their guests, a luck thing since it was a 90 degree day!

Second line

This was an especially fun wedding. The couple was from New Orleans and they did not need any other excuse to make their wedding into a big parade, "Second line" style. I spent the entire evening chasing after the bride and groom for shots like these as they tirelessly danced and twirled around the room all night long, with the entire crowd following them.

The one that got away

Those who know my photography style may be familiar with how I have been known to get the occasional bride a little mud-spattered, the groom a little hay-dusted. It can be a lot of fun to take some photographs at an unusual spot that is meaningful to your relationship, or play in the field while you have on a stunning outfit that you will wear only once in your life. Just remind me to save those shots for after the ceremony because we don't want everyone to see mud on the dress at the church!

With Sauce

Sometimes it takes a little time to coax some 'tude from the bride, to bring out the real person who wants to strut her stuff. Remember that your wedding day is a great opportunity to live the fairytale. You've planned for months, now it's time to breathe, enjoy the party! It's your day. Bring the sauce!

Take it Outside

This is a Public Service Announcment to take it outside on your wedding day. It's a big world out there. And a little weather might do you some good!

Rain on your wedding day is said to be good luck. But, then, so is sun...so it pays to be a little flexible, and enjoy which ever you get.

Good light

As a photographer, I'm always on the hunt for the glorious, perfect natural light. It doesn't always come when you want it. Sometimes you have to create it yourself, in the form of heavy equipment and props. Other times, it just shows up at the right moment. One thing is for certain, it does not last long and you have to move fast before the moment is gone.

Adrift

One thing you'll rarely hear about before your wedding day is how quickly it goes by. It is like a lifetime of memories, faces, family, history, past, present and future...all a massive blur. Because there are so many important people, opinions and emotions involved, it just naturally happens... I envy the couple that can stop the world, if only for a moment, to reflect on the craziness of it all.

Children

There are some who prefer their wedding to be an elegant, adult-only occasion. Others enjoy having the presence of all generations to join in the familial celebration. Sometimes kids will melt down and let you it's time to go, maybe before the parents are ready. But children often make some of the greatest photographic moments. Exuberant, shy, coy or playful, they have a way with the camera.

Traditions

Something truly great about weddings is the amazing diversity of traditions that couples can choose to celebrate their day. In traditional Jewish weddings, the bride circles the groom three or seven times before she enters the huppah. At this wedding, both bride and groom circled each other. There are many translations for this tradition, which speaks to the bond being created.

Keeping them waiting...

One thing I've learned over time is that an exotic location does not necessarily make the photograph successful. Rather, it is a combined effort: the photog has to be both technically and intuitively skilled and the couple must be willing to expose who they are to the camera. This couple nearly forgot that they had a crowd of out-of-towners waiting for them back at the reception.

The dress

It always strikes a funny chord to see the dress on the morning of the wedding. Just thinking about the day ahead, it reminds me to pause and look at all the details that might be missed in the rush of the momentous day.

On the Mississippi

My dear friend, Melanie, and I both went to Principia College on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi in Elsah, Illinois. It is also where she was married this summer. At the rehearsal dinner, burgers and milkshakes were served. Cause that's the kind of girl Melanie is.

Wedding on the Coast

One of the things I really enjoy about weddings are all of the interesting places I get to travel. This event was located 4 hours north of San Francisco out on coastal Route 1. This barn overlooks the Pacific Ocean and at night you feel like you are on the edge of the universe. I can see why the couple chose this place to be married.

Tahoe wedding

One of the most memorable weddings I have shot was for this adorable couple who married on the north shore of Tahoe. They were absolute champs because they were willing to let me drag them through fields of tall, wild grasses! But they quickly forgot I was there, so lost were they in each other.

Bakersfield Wedding

This shot was taken on a dusty road about an hour outside of Bakersfield, California. I photographed a wedding at an historic and very rural ranch that had been in the family for generations.

My brother's wedding

I began photographing weddings in San Francisco, California in 2001. This year, I had the opportunity to photograph my brother's wedding in Seattle. The rain stopped right before the ceremony began, and it started again once they walked back down the aisle together. It was a beautiful day.