The Lyford House

I'm always amazed how utterly breathtaking everything is in the Bay area.  I'm even more grateful for the lovely and talented individuals I've met in the wedding industry who's support and vision keeps me inspired.  A big thank you to those wonderful souls whose collaboration and creativity on this styled shoot made it all possible.  

Teasers from our styled shoot are below and please take a look at the full gallery featured on Intimate Weddings.  It's just LOVELY.

The following women made this shoot possible...

Photography:  Emily Merrill Wedding Photography

Planner:  Parties Parties Parties

Floral Design: Green Bouquet Floral Design

Vintage Rentals:  Katy Birds

Chef: Chef Stephanie

Hair and Make-up:  Tess Felix

Invitations:  Sheryl Denker

Cake:  A Spoonful of Sugar Cakes

Cocktails:  Laughing Glass

Styling:  Annie Felix Green

Venue:  The Lyford House

Bring The Dog

Lovable dogs with just a splash of Diva attitude are always welcome at my engagement shoots. Miss Emma brought her fabulous humans, and we all spent a beautiful afternoon in San Francisco taking pictures.  Should Emma make an appearance at the wedding, I'll make sure to have a film canister full of treats for her. 

Here are a few of my favorite images, captured on 35mm film.  I adore these guys!

The Sutro Baths

You can usually find me at the Sutro Baths carrying multiple blankets and juggling camera equipment while politely asking tourists to move along.  This location favorite of mine, is typically quite cold, windy, and full of wanderers taking in the view (and getting in my shot.)  On this surprisingly warm day in San Francisco, I made sure to take complete advantage of the Sutro Baths and luckily didn't run into many people competing for the same space.  YAY!

I'm slightly obsessed with the black and white images from this engagement shoot.  They just make me smile every time I take a glance.  Counting down the days for this sweet couple's beautiful wedding in Napa!

Beautiful Reminders

Sometimes you can just feel the love that two people share.  It shows in a snuggle, a forehead kiss, a good laugh, an embrace, holding hands, quiet moments, and of course, a big smooch on the lips.  Photographs can be beautiful reminders to take the time to express love for the ones we cherish the most in our lives.  Congratulations to this sweet couple for finding each other.  

#Unplug

My sensitivity goes into overdrive and my awareness gets heightened when I shoot a wedding because it’s my job to depict the day in the most honest and beautiful way possible. I love this image. I love the flower girl’s curious expression, the warmth of the church environment and I love the composition of the shot. Most of all I appreciate that everyone in this photo appears to be fully aware that they have been invited to witness a marriage. We all were collectively adoring a moment and waiting patiently for the next. There's no sharing of selfies to the world to let it know where we are and what we're doing. No "this just happened" captions nor "that time that" a cute flower girl walked down the aisle hashtags. Visually this photo would have been less impactful had anyone pointed their camera phone in my direction to seize the moment for themselves. Ceremonies deserve reverence not self-centeredness. It's rare to find and harder to visually depict when everyone around us is trying to stay connected and relevant. I’m not suggesting that wedding guests never take a photo with their cameras. I understand the appeal and the importance of capturing moments and life as it happens. What I am recommending is a kind reminder to all guests to unplug, especially during the ceremony. There are many ways to effectively communicate this request to your guests. I find the best way is through some kind of sign (make it pretty but bold) and another reminder in the wedding program that is handed out prior to the ceremony. Trust that your ceremony will be beautifully documented by the photographer you have hired for the day. Most likely, your guests will feel the same way and respect the request to unplug for the short duration of a once in a lifetime moment.

True Love Tugs At My Heart

Each wedding that I get to photograph is beautiful. That said there are certain occasions that just tug at my heart. The tug occurs when I feel the radiant joy in a couple’s expression. The joy manifests throughout, from simplest of hugs to the care given to the details that are enjoyed by the family and friends that attend the ceremony.

Wayne and Anthony traveled from Atlanta, GA to get married at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco. The ceremony was held in the Spanish Suite which was appointed with an array of DIY details which included romantic candlelight and an angelic harpist. The exquisite architecture provided the perfect backdrop for the portraits and the elegant setting provided an intimate ceremony followed by a cozy reception.

Thank you, Anthony and Wayne for sharing your ceremony and love that will forever tug at my heart.

Beautiful floral arrangements created by Flower Divas.   For more love news about this wedding, please click here.

Mill Valley Love

Sharon and Jonathan said, "I-Do" on a gorgeous day in Mill Valley surrounded by their closest friends and family at one of my favorite Marin venues, The Outdoor Art Club.  I love that they blended traditions and shared their passion for California , especially with those that traveled abroad to celebrate with them.  Their smiles are infectious and they really know how to throw a good dance party.  What a fun day!!!  

The pretty flowers were created by the fabulous, Green Bouquet Floral Design. Event planning by the wonderful Moira Grubbins from Parties, Parties, Parties.  The yummy cake was designed by A Spoonful of Sugar.

North Beach Fabulousness

Lindsay and Gareth said "I do" at Saints Peter and Paul Church, in North Beach for their charming ceremony.  San Francisco was looking pretty that day (as always) so their portraits included the beautiful city as a backdrop. The reception was held at The Firehouse where guests were treated to a variety of delicious small plates for an informal dinner.  I think I heard some of the most thoughtful and funny speeches at their wedding.  And I can't take my eyes off of Lindsay's dress and beautiful smile.

Event Coordination by Honey and Twine Weddings and Events.

APW Feature

It's always a blast when a beautiful wedding with equally awesome people is featured on one of my favorite wedding blogs.  Check out Peggy and Jerome's wedding, featured on A Practical Wedding.  I love revisiting such a fun and gorgeous day!  YAY!

Tomales Bay Church Wedding

As promised from my previous post, I am sharing images from a few church weddings that I've photographed this season. Each church wedding has had it's unique charm this year.  

Celia and Janusz exchanges their vows at Tomales Presbyterian Church surrounded by close friends and family.  After a sweet ceremony, all the guests went to Toby's Feed Farm for the reception.  In addition to taking portraits at the church, we took advantage of the beautiful landscape that makes up Point Reyes and captured some photos before the party started.  What a fun and BEAUTIFUL day!  

The beautiful flowers and boutonnieres were created by the talented Marcia, from Main St. Floragardens.

Charming Church Weddings

For the next couple of weeks I will be posting wedding photos of charming church weddings I've photographed this season.  Like most wedding photographers, I often compare wedding seasons to others and notice changes and similarities to previous years.  Quite often, my clients are getting married outside with beautiful scenic backdrops or having a fancy celebration at a hotel in San Francisco.  This season is turning out to be the year of the church wedding for me, which has been a nice change. 

Peggy and Jerome got married at The Chapel of our Lady in the Presidio.  The reception was held at the Presidio Cafe, conveniently located up the street from the chapel.  We took advantage of the Presidio's beautiful landscape just next to the reception for portraits.  The remainder of the evening was filled with lots of laughter, toasts, and dancing with their friends.  I love that they were able to blend tradition with their own sense of style.  Such a lovely and stunning couple!!

Btw...Peggy's amazing hair and make-up was done by the wonderful Shana from Fox and Doll and her fabulous headpiece is from Twigs and Honey.  Her close friend, Emily Tran created the spectacular bouquets and boutonnieres.  Superb!

I'm Getting Sentimental

A sentimental connection from the past to celebrate the future.  This is the cork from a bottle of wine that Wayne and Anthony purchased on one of their first dates, 15 years ago.  They celebrated their relationship by opening this bottle of wine on their wedding day.  As a wine enthusiast and a sensitive person, I have to admit that I got a little choked up during that moment.  After smelling the cork (I know that is super snobby and outdated but I couldn't taste the wine on the job), I figured it would make a great backdrop for a ring shot.  

Cityscape Love

I have to admit that I always get a little squeamish when I'm taking photos of a beautiful bride and groom, just before they say "I-DO" and the chosen destination for portraits is a busy street in San Francisco.  Call me "over protective" and "unadventurous" but I do pride myself on making sure that my clients are safe on their wedding day.  Once I get over the initial fear, I embrace the dual job of being a photographer and traffic controller.  

Love and San Francisco cityscapes are IRRESISTIBLE.  It's worth the risk for a beautiful photo.

Snippet And Ink Feature

I'm a sucker for a good wedding blog.  There are so many wedding blogs to choose from that it can be an overwhelming experience just to just find a few that really speak to your taste and lifestyle.  Every morning I wake up to a beautiful email from Snippet and Ink that showcases elegant weddings as well as bits of advice on where to go, what to eat, what to wear and everyday DIY recommendations to make life more fun and PRETTY.  This morning was extra wonderful because the daily email I received from Snippet and Ink featured a beautiful wedding that I photographed in San Francisco.  Thank you so much for the feature, Snippet and Ink.  It truly is an honor.  Click here to see Melissa and Jacob's beautiful wedding.

Sometimes It Has To Be Black And White

I once worked with a photographer who barely ever shot anything in color unless the job required it of him (lucky man.)  When I inquired about his black and white preference over color imagery, he passionately responded, "If the image you are shooting is about the color, then shoot it in color."  

I obviously can't apply that theory to the way I shoot weddings because I would really narrow my clientele and probably not eat for weeks. I also love color, whether it's muted or vibrant.  But, I will say that certain situations and lighting scenarios that occur while I'm chasing down,capturing moments and details at a wedding look far more striking in black and white than they would in color.  Here are some of my favorite images that just needed to be black and white.