The Blog

"Blind" (Wedding) Date

When someone contacts me about potentially photographing their wedding, I encourage them to meet me for coffee.  I think it's a good opportunity for me to show more samples, talk about my process on a wedding day, and gives them a chance to get to know me a little to make sure the like and trust me to be the one responsible for preserving the memories of their day.   Well, in this case, a potential bride contacted me from the East Coast.  She's getting married in Orinda, but lives in Michigan.  So , meeting for coffee was going to be difficult.  Despite that, Shelly booked me for her wedding.  This was one of the first time a bride (couple) booked me without meeting me first.  Well, Shelly made a trip out to go over some wedding day details at the beautiful home that will be hosting the wedding, so I got to meet her there a week or so ago.  She was not only a fantastic girl, but so photogenic as well. .she is going to make my job easy!

Grabbed a quick portrait while I was there  (the "before" if you will) :)

Looking forward to shooting the real thing in a few week.

Bob and Brad Sneak Peek

It would be nearly impossible for me to convey in this blog post just how much love Bob and Brad have.  Not just for each other, but their friends, families, acquaintances (and photographer).

Their stories are both unique and incredible, and finding each other was perfection.  

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
— Maya Angelou

Congratulations Bob and Brad.  I'm so glad love won!

Gillian and Kevin "Sneak Peek"

Wow!  That's all I can say about Gillian and Kevin's wedding at Wildwood Acres.  Simply magical.  A fun, smart, loving couple, a gorgeous venue, nearly EVERY guest on the dance floor, made for one of the most special weddings I've had the pleasure of photographing.  Thank you Gillian and Kevin for making me a small part of your big day.  Congratulations!  

Van Selow Sneak Peek

Saturday I got to shoot the wedding of Joy and Johnathan.  This new couple got married at the Historic Jefferson Street Mansion in Benicia, CA.  This is such a unique venue that lent itself to gorgeous outdoor ceremony to an elegant reception in a permanent large white tent on the side of the Mansion.  Joy and Johnathan met at another wedding I was attending.  I had brought my camera to that wedding (because I can't help myself).  They happened to see those photos and found me that way.  I'm so glad they did.  A really wonderful couple who, as you can see in this one (of many) images, was so in love.

Congratulations Joy and Johnathan!  I'm honored to have captured your very special day.

Shooting as a guest . . .

My family and I were invited to a wedding as guests of the bride.  She has been a family friend for years now who we think the world of.  Naturally, I thought , I'll bring my camera, and I'll get some shots for the couple .  Now, I knew they had hired a photographer, and believe me, I would NEVER get in his/her way because I know what that is like.  If I had a dollar for every time some Aunt or Uncle stood up right in front of me  while I'm trying to get the pivotal shot , I'd be a rich man.  So I vowed, I will not leave my seat during the ceremony, I will not pull the bride and groom aside later for ME to take their photo, and I will not "compete" with the hired photographer.  As much as it pained me, I followed my own rules and got what I could while shooting from the hip. Congratulations Katie and Albert!