The Blog

Collins | Hunt Wedding

V. Sattui Winery, Napa, California

This was a very different wedding that I've ever shot before due to the fact that I hadn't met , or laid eyes on the bride or groom.  The couple lived in Texas, so all my communication and meetings were with the Bride's mom.  A stylish classy woman, Shelly made all the arrangements, hired all the vendors, and did it all in 3 months.   Shelly was so incredible and so complimentary to me, I was excited to shoot for her daughter.  However, I was nervous not having met the couple.  I did my typical scout a week or two before the wedding day to make sure I knew what I was up against at the venue . . . light, angles, space, etc.  The wedding was to take place at V. Sattui in Napa, California , a gorgeous winery in the heart of St. Helena. 

On the day of the wedding, I showed up at the exquisite home of a friend of the bride where she was getting ready.  I breathed a sigh of relief when I met the bride.  Not only was she beautiful, and a smile that lit up the room, but relaxed and excited for her big day, and couldn't have been nicer.

From there, it only got more amazing as V. Sattui was spectacular.  From all the point lights hanging over the ceremony, to the spot-lit wine barrels lining the Barrel room, every little detail was thought of.  The bride even gave her bouquet to her grandmother in a very touching moment.

Here is a taste of the day. 

Thank you Allyn and Paul (and Shelly) for trusting me with your special day.


A "Darling" shoot!

What can I possibly say about the "Farmyard Darlings" that hasn't already been said.  Kim Berry and Carole Sinclair are two of most wonderful women I've had the pleasure of meeting.  Always a smile on their faces, loving what they do, and living their lives with the most positive loving attitude I've every seen!   Not only that, but they do so much for everyone else. . a true philosophy of " putting out to the world what you want to receive back".   They recently expanded to start selling their products online (which you should check out. .   www.farmyarddarlings.com) and they needed some more images to help show off just who they are.  

Ansel Adams said "The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it."  At the risk of sounding completely arrogant by disagreeing with Ansel Adams, I think the photographer is really only as good as his/her subjects. . . . and these are WONDERFUL subjects!

Here are some of my favorites from the day which include a few employees and even Carole's dad (deserving of an entire photoshoot himself) who tagged along :)


Josh is a (the) Man!

Bar (בַּר) is a Jewish Babylonian Aramaic word literally meaning 'son' (בֵּן), while bat (בַּת) means 'daughter' in Hebrew, and mitzvah (מִצְוָה) means 'commandment' or 'law'. Thus bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah literally translate to "son of commandment" and "daughter of commandment".  According to Jewish law, when Jewish boys become 13 years old, they become accountable for their actions and become a bar mitzvah.

Well, for Josh, he has not only been accountable for his actions since a young age, but  I got to see it first hand.  Josh's father told me the story that Josh had to deal with tremendous adversity when he was young suffering a horrific skiing accident that exploded his insides.  Shattered all kinds of bones and tore him up inside.  The doctor's said he may never walk again.  Well, not only did he walk, he became a star athlete in Lacrosse 

On the day of his Bar Mitzvah, Josh had to deal with some adversity during the service, and not only did he handle it, but he handled it like a "Man" .   If overcoming all these difficult obstacles doesn't say "Man", I don't know what does. 

The party that night was nothing short of fantastic. . . . from Slushee machines, to Lacrosse decorations, to a chocolate fountain and pinatas. . . .

Congratulations Josh on all your successes. . . you're "the" man!



Remembering Rodney

I certainly can't claim to have known Rodney Iwashina as well as other at our days at ImageMovers Digital, but I too heard of his recent passing.  The saddest thing to me was that I didn't even know he was sick.  When I heard about the loss, I remembered that I had decided to take photographs of each member of the Lighting/Compositing team at IMD just to remember those times.  People from other departments saw the photos and began coming to my desk to ask if I would take theirs as well.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the whole company, but I did manage to get one of Rodney.  I thought I'd share it for all those who knew him.  And, if anyone reading this knows Rodney's family, please forward this on to them and I'd be happy to send them the portrait to remember him by.  Photography is not only a love of mine, but a real way of documenting moments and people in our lives that we won't always be there.  I'm really glad that the  quiet and reserve Rodney stepped in front of my lens that day.

(and for everyone else that I also got to photograph, you can see all the images in the gallery below)

Decorations . . . Check

Never having decorated growing up, my wife drives the holiday spangle.

From the front tree adored with Christmas Balls, to the rotating tree in the living room with years of collected ornaments, we are properly festive.

"Buddy" Night 8

Well, a third of the way into "Buddy's" visit, and he didn't move last night!  The girls fought so much that he didn't make is nightly move to tell Santa what good kids they were.  It's sad when , so close to Christmas, and knowing Buddy's job is to watch to see if they are being good, they still couldn't put it together.  Oh well, I hope they can redeem themselves today!

"Buddy" Night 7

"Buddy" didn't move too far (a kind of visual warning the there fighting between the kids was a little excessive yesterday).  We'll see if the girls turn it around .  Although not far from his last position, this one provided "Buddy" with a little more sun (and a "moon" for those walking up to our house)


"Buddy" Night #4

Night 4, Buddy reached new heights landing on the "W" way up in the rafters.  Once again, my girls had no trouble finding him as the raced out of bed.  I tell you, I wish Buddy was around every day to get my girls out of bed like that!  Can't wait to see where Buddy shows up tomorrow!

Van Selow

Joy and Jonathan chose me to shoot their wedding.  It was a gorgeous event at the Jefferson Street Mansion in Benicia , California.  It has been given awards for the restoration to its pre-Civil War grandeur.  From the outdoor ceremony site, to the reception in the beautiful white tent adorned with chandeliers, this is one of the most unique venues I've had the privilege to photograph. 

Only a place this unique would be suitable for Joy and Jonathan.  They are talented people whose love for each other was undeniable.  I caught so many photographs of them just being in the moment with each other. 

I was so fortunate to not only shoot their wedding, but get to know them.  You will not find two nicer people.

Below are some of my favorites from the day. (including one of the funniest images I've ever captured in my career :) )

Congratulations Joy and Jonathan!

"Buddy" Night #3

I think "Buddy" was making a point last night when we found him this morning in our "Thankful Tree".  He didn't leave a heart of his own, but maybe he will before he leaves for good.

11 | 11

On this day, November 11, most people are (rightly) remembering veterans that served this country.  This day, however, to me, is about remembering my mom and dad's anniversary.  They were married for 11 years when my father died in 1979, and I constantly wonder if they would have had a long marriage.  As I've stated, my mother died 20 years ago, now, but I often fantasize what our family's life would have been like if they were still around.  Would they have still been married, would they have had a great marriage, how different would I have been ? 

Unfortunately, nobody can know. 

But the picture in my head is amazing.

 

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.

Mitchell | Munch Wedding

There are times in the life of a photographer that you are faced with challenges.  The Mitchell | Munch Wedding had it's share, but also lent itself to some spectacular imagery.  The beautiful bride and handsome groom were not the challenge. .  . the challenge was how to capture the ceremony.  The rules are VERY strict inside San Francisco's Grace Cathedral.  I was not allowed past the last piew , nor was I allowed to go down the outer sides of the church during the ceremony.  No flash, no noise, no chance. . right?  Well, knowing that 99% of the ceremony was going to look the same, I took a chance on the bride's walk down the aisle.  Sure, I could have gone for the "typical" or "traditional" shot of her and her dad coming towards me, but since the rest of the ceremony wouldn't lend itself to being creative photographically, I decided to take a chance now and get a shot that was different from the norm.  

This was an all day wedding with getting ready shots beginning at 2pm and the wedding didn't end until after midnight.  But what a wedding it was.  From the earlier mentioned Grace Cathedral to the gorgeous Fairmont blocks away, it was a true fairytale wedding.

There was even an old Rolls Royce to take the couple from the church to the hotel.

The bridesmaids were stunning, the groomsmen all good looking nice guys, this was a wedding to remember.

A phenomenal touching speech by the father of the bride, a crowd that danced all night, and a fantastic band.

My 2nd challenge , as gorgeous as it was, was the fairmont reception.  With styled lighting, comes a very dark place to take photographs.  Having done a scout and planning ahead, I used my first "assistant" to help me with some off camera lighting (thank you Megan!).  

Here are some of the results . . .



Ethan's "Epic" Sneak Peek

This weekend, another boy became a man!  And what a man he is.  Only knowing Ethan a little, I got to see how much his friends (and there were a lot of them) all loved him.  And, he's only been in California for 3 years. . so that's how much he attracts people.  He has a genuine kindness to him, but yet has a quiet confidence and knows who he is.  . . .way more that me when I was 13 (or even possibly now for that matter).  Congratulations, Ethan, on an incredible job.

Headshots

When a friend calls and wants you do headshots, it's even more stressful than normal.  I get nervous before EVERY shoot I do.  It's honestly because I want to make people that are paying me good money to capture moments, or family or weddings, or anything , so thrilled with what I give them.  When it's a friend, it's even more nerve-racking.  That was the case in this shoot.  The other issue is that this gentleman is WAY too critical of his appearance.  I understand it because I hate EVERY photo that I've ever been in.  He is similar in that way.  However, he's WAY better looking ! 

We wanted it to say business owner, powerful, fun and san francisco

Well, when it was all said and done, he was actually happy with what I produced for him. 

You be the judge. . . 

Alley and JB Wedding sneak peek

A true fairytale wedding.  High School sweethearts Alley and JB made if official.  From the spectacular Grace Cathedral in San Francisco adorned with Anne Patterson's "Graced with Light"  art installation, to the Venetian Room of the Fairmont Hotel, this was a magical day.  On top of that, you will not find two nicer more genuine people (or families for that matter).  

“a series of light pathways, connecting heaven and earth, carrying your prayers, dreams and wishes skyward, and, in turn, grace streams down the ribbons to you.”
— anne patterson

Congratulations Alley and JB and may your lives together resemble the ribbons that were overhead . . .