My oldest nephew, Isaiah visited from Arizona earlier this week and I wanted to take him to do something really fun. So I booked a session for him and some friends at iFly (an indoor skydiving place) in Union City. I went a few months ago and it is such a blast!
I didn't fly this time but I video taped while some friends took to flying (or as I like to call it levitating).
Its funny though Bryon and Isaiah built a fire in our fire pit the next night and just hung out; I swear they had just as much fun playing with fire as they did at iFly. In this day of high tech its still the simple things that make us smile the longest.
Checkout the video of Isaiah at iFly.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Bridal Tips - Picture Scheduling
Pictures before or after the ceremony? I get couples asking this every week.
Every wedding is different (that's what I love about my job). However, I have seen some trends over the past 5 plus years. When the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony there are way more images of them together than when they don't. Also because they are not rushed these couples tend to be more relaxed and enjoy the day more.
Brides often say, "I don't want him to see me before the ceremony; I want him to be surprised". So some couples go to elaborate lengths for the first time the groom sees the bride on their wedding day.
Last year a groom was blindfolded for a 10 minute limo ride with the bride to the picture destination. He could hear her voice but not see her. There the bridal party led him to an unveiling spot where the bride took off his blindfold so he could see her for the first time that day. After they had a moment together we proceeded to take all the bride/groom and wedding party pictures. It gave us plenty of time for lots of variations and fun shots and the groom still had his moment of anticipation and surprise.
The advantage is that there are fewer images to take after the ceremony and the bride and groom often have the chance to join their guest for a drink before dinner.
If you are saying this is not for me then keep these tips in mind when creating your schedule. If you take most the family, bridal party and bride/groom images after the ceremony you have a lot of images to fit into a short amount of time (typically one hour). Have your bridal party, immediate family and yourself ready early so you can take as many of family and friend pictures as possible before the ceremony.
Also, ceremonies almost always start 10-15 minutes late. Put this in your schedule. If your invitation says 3pm put on your schedule that the ceremony actually starts at 3:15pm. If you are not taking the bride/groom images before the ceremony this 15 minutes could be crucial!
Look at your scheduling closely before the wedding so you can enjoy your day and not be rushed.
Every wedding is different (that's what I love about my job). However, I have seen some trends over the past 5 plus years. When the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony there are way more images of them together than when they don't. Also because they are not rushed these couples tend to be more relaxed and enjoy the day more.
Brides often say, "I don't want him to see me before the ceremony; I want him to be surprised". So some couples go to elaborate lengths for the first time the groom sees the bride on their wedding day.
Last year a groom was blindfolded for a 10 minute limo ride with the bride to the picture destination. He could hear her voice but not see her. There the bridal party led him to an unveiling spot where the bride took off his blindfold so he could see her for the first time that day. After they had a moment together we proceeded to take all the bride/groom and wedding party pictures. It gave us plenty of time for lots of variations and fun shots and the groom still had his moment of anticipation and surprise.
The advantage is that there are fewer images to take after the ceremony and the bride and groom often have the chance to join their guest for a drink before dinner.
If you are saying this is not for me then keep these tips in mind when creating your schedule. If you take most the family, bridal party and bride/groom images after the ceremony you have a lot of images to fit into a short amount of time (typically one hour). Have your bridal party, immediate family and yourself ready early so you can take as many of family and friend pictures as possible before the ceremony.
Also, ceremonies almost always start 10-15 minutes late. Put this in your schedule. If your invitation says 3pm put on your schedule that the ceremony actually starts at 3:15pm. If you are not taking the bride/groom images before the ceremony this 15 minutes could be crucial!
Look at your scheduling closely before the wedding so you can enjoy your day and not be rushed.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Saratoga Club Wedding - Greg and Val
Greg and Val were married in November at The Saratoga Club. It was a beautiful fall day with perfect weather!
They decided to see each other prior to the ceremony to take the majority of their pictures. This allowed them more time with their guests at the cocktail hour.
After shooting a few getting ready images at the Saratoga Hotel we went to a nearby park that I had scouted out earlier that week.
Their officiant was funny, really funny! He was an older gentleman who had lots of great experiences and advice. After the ceremony and a handful of family pictures they joined their friends for some cocktails before dinner was served.
Once the dancing got started I was super impressed with the fancy foot work they had been practicing. Shortly after the first dances the DJ played a swing song and Val and her swing dancing buddies really showed their stuff off! This wasn't a two lesson crowd of dancers, these guys have been dancing for sometime. So cool!!
Their dancing was so impressive that the next week I looked up info on were I could take some lessons. Now if someone can tell me how to convince my husband to take lessons I'll be set! Lol!
Thanks to Syliva for second shooting/assisting.
They decided to see each other prior to the ceremony to take the majority of their pictures. This allowed them more time with their guests at the cocktail hour.
After shooting a few getting ready images at the Saratoga Hotel we went to a nearby park that I had scouted out earlier that week.
Their officiant was funny, really funny! He was an older gentleman who had lots of great experiences and advice. After the ceremony and a handful of family pictures they joined their friends for some cocktails before dinner was served.
Once the dancing got started I was super impressed with the fancy foot work they had been practicing. Shortly after the first dances the DJ played a swing song and Val and her swing dancing buddies really showed their stuff off! This wasn't a two lesson crowd of dancers, these guys have been dancing for sometime. So cool!!
Their dancing was so impressive that the next week I looked up info on were I could take some lessons. Now if someone can tell me how to convince my husband to take lessons I'll be set! Lol!
Thanks to Syliva for second shooting/assisting.
Bridal Tips - Scheduling Hair and Makeup
I am asked many of the same questions by brides while they are planning their wedding. So I've decided to start a weekly bridal tip. Check back every week for a new tip or sign up for a subscription to be automatically emailed when the blog is updated.
Brides often ask me about pre-ceremony schedules. So this weeks tip has to do with scheduling your makeup and hair.
I've seen late hair and makeup postpone a wedding by 1.5 hours. Okay that is the extreme, but I believe you cant schedule your makeup and hair early enough. It always seems to take longer than you might think.
If you run late with hair and makeup not only can it delay your ceremony schedule, but it can cut into your pre-ceremony picture time. If this is the case you might end up with twice as many images to be taken after the ceremony. This can make for a rushed and stressful situation for you and me alike.
It is better to be ready early and have the time to take lots of pictures and just relax. Maybe even enjoy a glass of champagne with your girl friends.
Do yourself a favor! Add at least a half hour to your hair and makeup schedule so you can keep it low stress!
Brides often ask me about pre-ceremony schedules. So this weeks tip has to do with scheduling your makeup and hair.
I've seen late hair and makeup postpone a wedding by 1.5 hours. Okay that is the extreme, but I believe you cant schedule your makeup and hair early enough. It always seems to take longer than you might think.
If you run late with hair and makeup not only can it delay your ceremony schedule, but it can cut into your pre-ceremony picture time. If this is the case you might end up with twice as many images to be taken after the ceremony. This can make for a rushed and stressful situation for you and me alike.
It is better to be ready early and have the time to take lots of pictures and just relax. Maybe even enjoy a glass of champagne with your girl friends.
Do yourself a favor! Add at least a half hour to your hair and makeup schedule so you can keep it low stress!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Family and Maternity Portraits at Cuesta Park
When Richard and Grace, former wedding client's, found out they were to have another addition to their family they called me for a maternity session. After taking some studio style images of Grace to show off her growing belly, we moved to Cuesta Park and took some images of the entire family. I got a good workout chasing Madeline (their little one) around the park, but it was fun!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Lake Merritt Hotel Wedding - Oakland, CA
Michael and Tiffany were married in November at Lake Merritt Band Stand with their reception [party!] at Lake Merritt Hotel.
Yes it rained, but it was still a beautiful day and all their guests enjoyed the dry cover of the band stand while they watched Michael and Tiffany's wedding ceremony.
The flower arrangements, table center pieces, bouquets, and boutonnières were all gorgeous. Adam from Ira Andrew Designs did such an amazing job putting together a fall theme.
I met Michael and Tiffany at a wedding I photographed last year where they showed off their cool dance moves. Not only can they dance, but so can all their friends! Which was super fun to photograph! DJ Matteo kept the party hopping well into the evening.
Thanks to Jenn for assisting/2nd shooting!
Yes it rained, but it was still a beautiful day and all their guests enjoyed the dry cover of the band stand while they watched Michael and Tiffany's wedding ceremony.
The flower arrangements, table center pieces, bouquets, and boutonnières were all gorgeous. Adam from Ira Andrew Designs did such an amazing job putting together a fall theme.
I met Michael and Tiffany at a wedding I photographed last year where they showed off their cool dance moves. Not only can they dance, but so can all their friends! Which was super fun to photograph! DJ Matteo kept the party hopping well into the evening.
Thanks to Jenn for assisting/2nd shooting!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Felton Engagement Session - Jason and Liz
Jason and Liz are getting married in Felton next April. We shot their engagement session on a rainy day last month. With a few different locations and one hair drying session we accomplished what we set out to do; get good pictures and stay somewhat dry!
Friday, December 07, 2007
Shakespeare Gardens Wedding - San Francisco, CA
Mel and Alisa were married in October at the Shakespeare Gardens in San Francisco. I didn’t even know this little gem of a place existed until I met them for their consultation. It’s a poetic location and perfect for an outdoor wedding.
We did most of their fun couple and bridal party pictures prior to the ceremony; leaving plenty of time for some large group and family photographs afterward. This is the way to do it! I had more favorite images than I had room to post!
They hired a cable car on wheels instead of a limo. It was perfect for the occasion! After the ceremony many of the guests where able to ride in the cable car to the reception. There they had an authentic Chinese reception dinner.
Thanks to Jen for 2nd shooting/assisting.
Day of Event Coordinator: AKDesigns
We did most of their fun couple and bridal party pictures prior to the ceremony; leaving plenty of time for some large group and family photographs afterward. This is the way to do it! I had more favorite images than I had room to post!
They hired a cable car on wheels instead of a limo. It was perfect for the occasion! After the ceremony many of the guests where able to ride in the cable car to the reception. There they had an authentic Chinese reception dinner.
Thanks to Jen for 2nd shooting/assisting.
Day of Event Coordinator: AKDesigns
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