Jenny and David Engagement Session - San Francisco Golden Gate Park & Berkeley
Posted March 26th, 2008 in Lifestyle / EngagementJenny and David are getting married next month and we shot their engagement session in several locations to symbolize the different sides of their relationship. To incorporate the Korean heritage, they wore traditional gowns set against the beautiful back drop of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. To capture the essence of San Francisco, what could be more appropriate than the Golden Gate Bridge? Lastly, since they met at Berkeley, we headed to Berkeley right at dusk for some beautiful shots by the HAAS school where they spend may days and nights.
Jenny and David were a blast to work with - right after the shoot at the Japanese Tea Garden, I suggested to them since they were wearing traditional gowns, wouldn’t it be cool to do something goofy and out of the ordinary in front of De Young Museum, a place of modern and contemporary art? Sure enough, they were happy to step up to the occasion - check out “Flying David and Kissing Jenny”!
Congrats and we can’t wait to capture your wedding!
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Angela and Michael Engagement Session - Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Posted March 23rd, 2008 in Lifestyle / EngagementI first met Angela and Michael back in October last year, and I remembered vividly Michael was an avid golfer with a 5 handicap! I was embarrassed to admit I was once addicted to the game of golf as well, but single digit handicap had always alluded me. Today’s engagement shoot was at the Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay, appropriately against a beautifully manicured golf course by the pacific!
Angela and Michael are getting married on July 5th, and that means they will always have fireworks around the time of their anniversary! They were such a great couple to photograph today, Angela was so energetic and playful she couldn’t stop smiling and laughing most of the time. Their energy was contagious and we had a blast roaming around the hotel and running up and down the beach. Thanks guys for being such great subjects in spite of the freezing cold water and bone-chilling sea breeze…!! We are so looking forward to your wedding in July!
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“How Should I Get Ready for an Engagement Session?”
Posted March 11th, 2008 in FAQ, Lifestyle / EngagementNow that we are starting to come into the wedding season, I am shooting more and more engagement / lifestyle sessions. Before each session, I often get asked, “what color clothes should I wear?” or, “How should we prepare??”
Relax… actually, quite literally, that should be the mantra! So, rule #1, make yourself as comfortable and confident as possible in front of the camera. Wear something that will make you feel good inside or go exercise before hand if that will get you pumped up for the session (guys, if you want those biceps to really show…)
Having said that, here are a few suggestions to think about, and don’t let any of these interfere with rule #1 above!
1. Dress warm and maybe bring a blanket. Normally, I like to shoot the engagement session around sunset for the optimal lighting, and you all know how quickly the temperature drops around then
2. Dress in layers - you could strip off / add layers as the temperature changes. It can also give you different looks. Guys, if you are wearing a blazer, consider bringing 2 different color blazers, both matching the underlying outfit. If we are shooting at several different locations, consider changing your outfits for each location.
3. With regard to color of your outfits, and again this must be within your own comfort zone, you will natually “pop” in the final images if what you wear is more vibrant and colorful.
4. Hair and make-up: Ladies, when you know you look good, you feel fantastic! For the brides, you may want to schedule the trial run of your wedding make-up / hair on the same day as your engagement shoot.
5. Alcohol, is it a good idea? Well, it’s your call. If it will help relax you, absolutely, go for it (provided the person is not driving!). Just don’t go overboard! If you have a tendency to turn red when you drink, then don’t do it (or make sure your make up will cover it up)
6. Wear comfortable shoes - we will walk around a lot, and you may be running or jumping, too!
Most importantly, bring yourselves! The shoot is about the two of you and how you are when you are around one another. As a photographer, I am here to document those fleeing moments. Let your true selves shine through!
Posted in FAQ, Lifestyle / Engagement
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Origami - A Little Mischievous Fun?
Posted March 9th, 2008 in Random ThoughtsFor those of you who saw the wedding slideshow from Margie and Jim’s wedding, you probably remember what happened to the center pieces by the end of the night. They went from this:
to this
Many people (okay, mainly there was one…) helped out in the creation of the origami tree, and we all learned from this said individual how to fold other little fun objects besides the ubiquitous crane. Well, a few months later, the perpetrator… I mean, this friend sent out this lovely holiday card. She later told us it was the fruit of hours and hours of sitting in a not-so-informative training class for 3 days. I have to say, though, it’s nice to receive a beautifully handcrafted card like this… Thanks Amy! Oh, if you are interested in learning how the card was made and how to fold the penguin, click here
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Kim and Dennis Lifestyle Session
Posted March 2nd, 2008 in Lifestyle / EngagementI’ve been terribly bad about blogging lately, last entry was almost 3 weeks ago! Granted I had just gotten back from international travel, but still, will try to post more regularly!
Kim first reached out to me about a month ago interested in a lifestyle session, but we were worried about whether the weather would cooperate in the month of Feb. Originally we had planned to have the shoot last weekend, but it was pouring rain for 4 days straight! Fortunately, we were blessed with beautiful sunshine all day! (which by the way didn’t translate into warmth… only 50’s and windy!)
I was really excited to have a chance to shoot at De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. I had used it as the backdrop last year for Jo and Bernie’s bridal portrait, but there were so many other interesting angles. Kim and Dennis were looking for images with simple, clean, modern backdrop, and I immediately suggested De Young Museum. The architecture and the garden made for some great backgrounds - sea of bamboo leaves, angular architecture, textured walls, slabs of stone, etc.
As you look at the pictures, remember Dennis and Kim are themselves parents to two little kids. Don’t they look absolutely fabulous?!
Posted in Lifestyle / Engagement