Quinceanera in Tiburon

 Here are some fun photos from Simonne's Quinceanera a few weeks ago in Tiburon. I have photographed one if these events before, but this one was definitely unique with Simonne making her entrance on a horse!  I hope to photograph more Quinceaneras in the future. Here are some photos from the entrance that I loved and a few others. Enjoy!

Baptism Photography in Oakland

 Last weekend I photographed my first Baptism!  Baptism photography is similar to wedding photography in that you still you a photo-journalistic approach, but obviously it is some what less stressful.  This Baptism took place in Oakland and I really enjoy it...here are some of my favorites. 

Don't go budget on your Wedding Photography

I hear it time and time again how people decide to have a friend shoot their wedding...or get someone really cheap off of craigslist for wedding photography. By the way I used to advertise myself really cheap there when I started out and yes I wasn't worth more than $500 either. I didn't have the equipment nor the experience I have now. I frequently hear how disappointed people are with their wedding photos and how it is all they have left from the event.

Here's the deal...it is a mistake to have a friend who does photography to shoot your wedding and it is a mistake to not pay a decent amount for it as well. You pay for what you get. Wedding photography is extremely challenging...you can be a great photographer, but it doesn't mean you can handle a wedding. Wedding photography has multiple lighting situations that you need to adapt too quickly. There is no time to be setting up the perfect lighting situation. People don't want to spend their day posing under fancy lights. So you better know your camera and how to shoot in all sorts of situations.

There are people you need to direct and many times large groups of people. If you are a shy, quiet person this is not the type of photography you should be doing. When you are hiring someone look for an outgoing personality, someone who can get the attention of several people, who at the moment are acting like they have ADD.

A 6-8 hr wedding is physically and mentally exhausting and these days clients expect a lot of photos so there is little downtime. This photography needs to have stamina! What people forget is that you are also paying for editing. Gone are the days when we would shoot and drop it off at the lab. Now I spend at least 20-30 hours editing post wedding. This is how I get those creative, artistic photos most are looking for now. So be selective, someone who is doing this for a hobby just won't be able to compete and you will be disappointed. I would say if you go below $1500 for a day of photography you are asking for trouble. Cut back somewhere else...the cake doesn't need to be $1000, your invites don't need to be $2000, or have a buffet instead. You are only left with your photos, so choose wisely and spend the money to find someone right.

The Reveal for Wedding Photos

If you're straight down the aisle traditionalist, this concept may not be for you. If you're the couple seeking more than the average set of photographs from your perfect day while still being able to attend your cocktail hour...read on.

By revealing yourselves to each other privately, several hours prior to the ceremony, couples have seen how they can experience much more photographically. With a talented photographer in tow, extraordinary images can be made in the precious hours preceding the afternoon or evening ceremony.

Imagine being in your perfectly prepped bridal beauty with flawless hair and makeup, without stress about who's arriving late, or whether you will cry and ruin your make-up for the ceremony. The "reveal" offers a personal and intimate revealing of yourself to your spouse to be. These beautiful moments are shared privately, giving you both the luxury to cry, laugh, chat and smooch, long before your ceremonial moments.

After the intimate moments, move on to some fun. Have a pre-wedding cocktail in a bar, trek ou into a beautiful remote field, take an urban stroll on the city streets; better yet, be spontaneous. Talk with your photographer and decide what works best given your time and tastes. Go modern, reveal yourself! Experience your wedding photography, rather than just being placed in it.

What is Boudoir Photography?

Everyone always ask me what is Boudoir Photography? I offer these sessions in one of my Wedding packages as an option. Boudoir photography has become recently popular among brides who want to do something extra special for their hubby-to-be. They are sexy, classy, and edgy portrait sessions. We create an image that can look like something out of the pages of a men's magazine or Victoria's Secret catalogue! Some tips to prepare yourself for your session:

1)Book your shoot far enough in advance in order to receive your produce in time for the wedding date.
2)Bring something fun that you're planning on wearing on your wedding day...maybe veil, bridal lingerie, your garter, or wedding shoes.
3)Have your make-up done professionally if you can, or schedule a session at the Mac counter...this can make the biggest difference.

Have fun...I have lots of experience creating beautiful images of women so you can be assured we will produce something amazing!

Payne Mansion Wedding

Here is a beautiful wedding we photographed last weekend at the Payne Mansion in San Francisco. The flowers were done by Kate's Blossoms in San Francisco and the wedding coordinator was Dawn Silva. Here is a slide show of the highlights from the wedding.

payne mansion - free slideshow

Santa Cruz Wedding - Jenny & Chris

We go everywhere for weddings...the last one was in Santa Cruz at the Boardwalk. It ended up being on the day when one of the American Idols had their home tour...but it all worked out. We all got parking and everyone made it to the wedding on time. Jenny and Chris had a beautiful wedding at the Coconut Grove. I really liked the ceiling...it had rows of lights in it and it really brought out the evening photos...check them out!

City Hall Weddings

I have been doing a lot of San Francisco City Hall weddings lately and it is really fun. Obviously they are a little easier in terms of time commitment and the amount of people one needs to coordinate. I love getting the chance to take my clients in some spots in the city to shot after too! Currently we are doing a City Hall Photography Special...$890!!