Elizabeth & Nick ~ Rodin Sculpture Garden & Stanford Memorial Church

Elizabeth & Nick are getting married in May, and for their engagement session we headed to Stanford for pictures. We started in the Rodin garden, and Elizabeth cracked me up when she suggested a picture of her guiding Nick into the "Gates of Hell." Which is even funnier, because you can sense how centered and at peace these two are together. I loved catching their laughter and tenderness with the camera.

We'll be back in Palo Alto for their wedding in May, then I'll be photographing Elizabeth's brother's wedding in June! SO fun!

The first month of a new year ends with a beautiful album design by Rachel Peek!

As the wedding & holiday card season were at their peaks, the carrot that dangled in front of me was JANUARY... Ahhhh... A slower month when I could invest some time refining my business. A new plan, new website, new logo, new business cards, new collateral, new sample albums... the list goes on. And on and on. Not to mention the other typical January resolutions that need not be mentioned.

So it's the 31st of January, and what has been accomplished? Well, I'm happy to report that I've actually been super busy with client shoots. A rather unexpected (given the time of year) but always welcome circumstance. But even with the additional work, I have actually started working on every single goal. BUT... until today, not a one had reached conclusion.

Today, Rachel Peek of Custom Album Designs sent me the final revisions for an album she designed from one of last summer's super fun weddings (Hollie & Gavin). The order is in process and one item has officially been crossed off my list! YAY!

I am so excited about the design and so impressed with Rachel's vision and command of story. As a photographer, I think it's natural to want to visually tell the story yourself, after spending such an incredible amount of time getting to know a couple, witnessing and documenting their wedding day, then painstakingly editing the images so that they look their best. But I also feel strongly that I can't reasonably be an expert at everything. I would so much rather hire someone to design an album who does it every day, who is trained and experienced in graphic design, and who is committed to graphic design as their artistic medium. I think the couples that hire me deserve that. So, the trick is finding someone whose work you love, who you feel is a good match for your own visual style and who is great to work with. And Rachel surpassed any hopes I could have had. Her design work is all about story, and she has great eye for art and balance. Her album design truly captured what it felt like to be a part of Hollie & Gavin's day. Beyond that, she was a pleasure to work with: responsive, insightful and very patient! I can't wait to have the opportunity to work with Rachel again!

More info on Rachel's services can be found here. Thanks Rachel!

Kris & Marc

Kris told me when we first met, that I would have some tough work in front of me, getting Marc to smile for a picture. I hate getting my picture taken too. That's why I'm always behind the camera. So, I was sympathetic. But Marc shocked us all when about halfway through the engagement session, he even looked like he was having FUN!

Truthfully, I never get anyone to smile. I just capture what I see. And these two have fun together, they enjoy life and they laugh a lot. So sweet. I love my job.

Greg & Mark

On Saturday, September 30th, 2006, surrounded by family and friends, and full of love for one another, Greg & Mark joined their lives together at the Rose Garden in San Jose. Under a canopy of redwoods, friends and family infused symbolism, beauty and humor too, into a inspiring ceremony created by Greg & Mark. I am so grateful to Greg & Mark for entrusting me to photograph their commitment ceremony.

After many hugs, and many pictures, everyone headed off to Teske's Germania Restaurant & Beer Garden to celebrate. Great food, an incredibly sweet video and a rockin' dance party followed! View a slideshow of the day here. To see all the images from the event and engagement session, start here.

Greg & Mark, thank you for letting me be a part of your incredible day!

Joanna & Eric

What a fun wedding! Joanna and Eric are so affectionate and loving, and tons of fun to be around. Back during the neverending 2006 Bay Area rainy season, we had the best time shooting their engagement session... and luckily brought along an umbrella as we hung out at the Legion of Honor and Baker Beach.

On September 17th, 2006, Joanna and Eric had a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception at Marine's Memorial. We were even able to fit in a fun photo session with the wedding party at Golden Gate Park and the Japanese Tea Garden. Unlike their engagement session, it was a unbelievable September day with gorgeous weather. Check out their images and slideshows here.

Adrienn Balough was my second shooter for the day, and she did an incredible job capturing the details and intimate portraits of the day. I'm so excited to work with Adrienn on two more weddings this next month!

Thanks so much Joanna & Eric for allowing us to capture your day! SUCH a good time!!!

Lisa & Steve

What a great day! Perfect weather, and a gorgeous setting at The Santa Rosa Golf & Country Club.

Lisa & Steve are the kind of couple that reminds all of us married folks just why love is so sweet. What a gift it was to document their day. From an inspiring and moving ceremony to heartfelt celebrations, Lisa & Steve created a wonderful memory for everyone. And they are so loved. It was such a pleasure to capture the joy felt by family and friends. They have so much to look forward to....

Thank you both for letting me be a part of your day!
Lori

And a HUGE thank you to Rose Hyc who shot with me throughout the day. Rose has an incredible eye and impeccable timing. We were so lucky she was available to lend her talents for the day!

To view more of Lisa & Steve's wedding images, start here.

Hollie & Gavin's Wedding!

I have had so much fun getting to know Hollie & Gavin! Their engagement session in San Francisco was epic, and included the Marin Headlands, Baker Beach, The GGBridge, Coit Tower, North Beach, and my favorite... SF Fire Station #1! I felt like a 5 year old when the station got a call and firefighters started dropping down the pole. I couldn't wait to tell Isabella (my 1st grade daughter) all about it! We finished off the session with a super fun dinner, and I really felt I had a chance to get to know both Hollie & Gavin. They are such quality people, and it was such an honor to photograph their wedding.

Hollie & Gavin got married at Nicholson Ranch Winery in Napa, CA on a gorgeous day! They had such a sweet and personal ceremony, that was officiated by Hollie's father. These two are so in love, and it was so moving to witness. There were definitely a few times I was happy to have autofocus. As you will see from some of the pictures below, Hollie was a stunning bride, the wedding party was a super fun group of friends and family and everyone had a blast. To see more, you can view their slideshow here.

Congratulations Hollie & Gavin!!!

Lisa Fitts was my 2nd photographer that day and also caught some great images! Thanks Lisa!

Congratulations Caitlin & John!

Caitlin & John are such a great couple to photograph. Incredibly in love and they have so much fun together. We met in Petaluma and had a great time taking advantage of the beautiful pastoral setting and semi-abandoned vintage trucks, then headed down to Bodega Bay for an amazing sunset beach session.

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect setting. I've included some images below and you can view their slideshow here. Caitlin & John are getting married next May in Occidental/Bodega Bay and I am so excited to photograph their wedding!!!

First Post... Ancora Imparo

A few months back, I wandered into a jewelry store in Berkeley (wandering in Berkeley always lead to good things!) and got to chatting with the designer/store owner. She noticed I was gazing longly at some simple but lovely silver rings. She handed me one and encouraged me to wear it around the store as I looked around. The ring felt right and after wearing it for about 5 minutes, I thought "What a clever salesperson!" Of course I was going to buy it. But I'd like to think of it a bit more generously than just a sale. The ring bore the inscription "Ancora Imparo" which she told me that Da Vinci wrote in his diaries. The phrase translates to "still I am learning," which seemed a perfect anthem for this evolving year. I love wearing this ring.

This evolving year has had me in a learning curve backbend as of late, but yoga style, so it both hurts and feels startlingly uplifting and exciting and more than a little comical all at the same time. And on that note, I've decided to start blogging. It just seems like the appropriate next step that I'm much too busy for, but want to figure out how to play with too! Time to deepen the bend. Breathe in. Breathe out.

This blog will mostly be a place to share favorite images and any new goings on... but we'll see how it evolves too.

It's been an incredibly busy summer, and I have lots and lots of images I want to share. Feel free to check back often.

All the best,
LP