Elizabeth & Nick ~ St. Bede's Episcopal Church & Quadrus

Elizabeth and Nick's offically kicked off the summer wedding season for me on May 5th, and what a great way to start the season! I've included some favorite images below, or feel free to view their wedding slideshow.

Elizabeth wore a beautiful, elegant sheath dress, that couldn't have been made for anyone but Elizabeth. It was just perfect & she looked radiant.



That day, I started with the girls at the hotel and got 2 of my all-time favorite "getting ready" pictures ever!

The ceremony was sweet and officiated by Elizabeth's godmother at St. Bede's Episcopal Church in Menlo Park. We shot from the balcony and got some great perspectives.

Nick & Elizabeth are incredibly easy to be around, so warm and welcoming to everyone, and they have such tenderness for one another.

The reception was at Quadrus, surrounded by an incredible modern art collection, which created a perfect backdrop to the elegance and all around good vibes of the celebration.

Setting the mood, was an amazing french gypsy swing band called Le Jazz Hot, and everyone had a great time on the dance floor.

Cara Gardner was my 2nd shooter for the day, and she helped get some great shots! Thanks Cara!

Thanks to Elizabeth & Nick, and their families for letting me be a part of such a wonderful day! I love my job!

Michelle & Greg ~ Calistoga Ranch

Michelle & Greg helped kick off my official wedding season this May, that started with two AMAZING weddings the very first weekend!

Michelle & Greg were married at the incredibly beautiful Calistoga Ranch, a serene and secluded resort overlooking the Napa Valley. The ceremony was held on the lawn with a breathtaking view of the valley, and the reception took place in the lovely wine cave. Michelle & Greg were surrounded by family and friends at an intimate ceremony & celebration, as they joined their two families together. They now have 4 amazing children in their family, and it was so moving and exciting to see them all come together. Congratulations to you all & thank you for allowing me to capture your beautiful day!!!

Here are some favorites of the day... or view their wedding slideshow.

Alisa & Jonathan ~ Tilden Park outside the Brazilian Room ~ Berkeley, CA

Alisa & Jonathan wanted to shoot their engagement session in Berkeley, and we decided to meet at the Brazilian Room at beautiful Tilden Park. The light was in that perfect dreamy state and everything was lush and warmed by soft sun rays. We couldn't have had a more beautiful spot to photograph.

Lush....



Dreamy...

Soft sun...




And the sweetest patch of baby daisy grass field (okay, I'm not sure if that's what those little white flowers are called, but they should be!)



I had just seen Alisa & Jonathan at Jonathan's sister's wedding that weekend (Elizabeth & Nick's wedding slideshow will be up soon too!), and it was like seeing old friends. I feel so lucky to have had a chance to work with both of these couples and their families. Isn't it true that quality people always spend time with other quality people?

Alisa & Jonathan are getting married at V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena on June 30th, 2007. I'm so looking forward to photographing their beautiful day!

Christina & Fred ~ Pacifica, CA

I was thrilled when Christina & Fred told me that they wanted to do their engagement session in Pacifica, CA. Jared & I moved to Pacifica right before Isabella was born, and I was often amazed by it's serene, almost secret beauty. I was thrilled to be able to photograph there, and they took me on the most beautiful walk, right next to their home, along the Sharp Park Golf Course . I've included some favorites here, and you can view more in their engagement session slideshow.

The lush hills on the hike to the water were an awesome backdrop.





And the ocean as the sun dropped wasn't a bad backdrop either.












We found the most amazing abandoned, rusting water pipe to frame a few fun shots...









And finally, the perfect analogy to marriage's balancing act.... we found a beachmade see-saw (or teetertotter if you grew up in the Midwest!).







So fun!

Christina and Fred are getting married in San Francisco, at the Presido Chapel in October, so we are in for some more beautiful landscapes for their wedding. These two are a blast to hang out with... I can't wait!

Danielle & Nick ~ Baker Beach, North Beach & San Francisco Cable Cars

Danielle & Nick met in San Francisco, so for their engagement session we took a tour of some of their favorite spots. It rained all the night before, and part of the morning too, but that afternoon for the shoot, the clouds parted and we had gorgeous weather. We started at Baker Beach for some fun shots at the old Barracks and on the sand with the Golden Gate Bridge.







Next we went to North Beach, to the corner of Mason & Filbert, close to Nick's old apartment and where it all began.









And of course we couldn't miss the opportunity to jump on a Cable Car for some fun shots. I love San Francisco!


I had such a good time getting to know these two better. And they have so much fun together!



It's a beautiful thing.

For more images, view their slideshow. I'm super excited to capture their wedding day on July 28th, 2007!

Andrea & Gabe ~ San Francisco Ferry Building & Farmer's Market

I've had such a great time these past few months getting to know all the couples I'll be photographing this season during their engagement sessions. In early January, I met Andrea & Gabe at the Ferry Building in San Francisco for their session. What a fun location to shoot!

Andrea & Gabe are so sweet together, and we had a blast finding fun places to shoot, and exploring all the culinary delights inside the building. I left that day with a tummy full of Taylor's and bags of incredibly expensive chocolates, cupcakes, organic lavender lotion and gourmet cooking items I couldn't pronounce. Isabella LOVED the cupcake, Noah loved the box it came in, and Jared just shook his head at my credit card receipts. So fun!