Tag Archive for: california

Yesica + Israel: East Beach + Golden Gate Bridge Couples Session

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Not every photo session has to be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion – for example, Yesica decided to get some fun photos taken with her beau on the beach to celebrate her birthday this year! Despite a chilly wind, we enjoyed the clear sunny day, strolling by the water and dancing on the sand. We started at East Beach for the sunny beachy vibes, and then moved to Golden Gate Beach so we could capture the bridge better through the haze. The result was this sweet, romantic photo collection of this stunning pair. It was such a pleasure to capture these memories for them!

Stephanie + Michael: Sutro Baths Engagement Session

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The Sutro Baths at Lands End is a gem of a spot, despite it being extremely windy almost every time I’ve been there. But the stars aligned for my session here with Stephanie and Michael – the weather was perfect for photos that day, and the sky was clear and blue! We walked along the concrete paths over the pools to catch some photos with the reflections on the water. Then we wandered down to the beach, and finally made the mini hike to the tree-lined trail just in time for it to be bathed in golden light. It was such a joy to see this couple’s personalities come out as we took photos against these stunning backdrops, and I can’t wait for their wedding next year!

Rosie + Matt: Lovers Lane + Baker Beach Engagement Session

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For Rosie and Matt’s engagement photo session, they wanted the best of two worlds: the moody, woody vibes of Lovers Lane, and the sunny coastal view of the Golden Gate bridge at Baker Beach. The sun coming through the trees at Lovers Lane gave us such beautiful lighting illuminating this glowing couple, and the sun at the beach gave us bright blue skies and water. Having a bright sunny day was such a treasure for a city that is nearly always a little gloomy and overcast, and it was a joy being able to spend this day capturing romantic memories for these two! They are getting married in New York next year, and I am so honored to be asked to be there to photograph them again!

Valerie + Kyle: Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden Engagement

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The quiet hidden gem that is Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden in Palo Alto is an idea photo location for couples who want greenery and delicate flowers adorning the backdrop of their engagement photos. Valerie and Kyle and I spent a peaceful morning at the garden, soaking up the sun and taking photos among the rose bushes, hedged walking path, and gazebo. For such a compact space, this garden gave us plenty of romantic photo spots, and best of all, we basically had it to ourselves as this area tends to not be overrun with guests in the mornings. It made for such a pleasant morning getting to know these two, and I’m delighted that I get to photograph their wedding this fall!

Tabitha + Sarn: Legion of Honor + Golden Gate Park Engagement

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When it comes to engagement photos, should you choose classy and sophisticated, or fun and casual? Tabitha and Sarn chose both! We started at the Legion of Honor, for their all-black dress-up outfits. We arrived just before closing for a few photos in the courtyard, and took the rest around the exterior. The wind made it a bit extra chilly on this moody, overcast day, but it also added some drama, tossing Tabitha’s hair and skirt!

Our second location was the Rose Garden at Golden Gate Park. I love using this garden because it’s free and easy to access, and there are a variety of colors in bloom all year round. T&S changed into more comfortable and casual outfits and we used the many rows of roses to create some colorful, dreamy portraits together. I can’t wait for their wedding this summer!

Zalai + Sandy: San Francisco City Hall Elopement

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Since Zalai and Sandy eloped during the pandemic, they didn’t get the full wedding photo experience they wanted – so they made up for it two years later with an anniversary shoot!

We started at the beautiful San Francisco City Hall, early in the day, so we had most of the building to ourselves. The scenery here was a perfect backdrop for this elegant and sophisticated couple. Then we walked through the Palace of Fine Arts, where they originally were married under the dome back in 2021. It was so special being able to capture all the love and romance of newlyweds, but in a relaxed setting without the stress and hustle of a wedding day. It was also special knowing they would have these images to look at whenever they have to be apart for Zalai’s military service. Thank you to these two for trusting me to immortalize your love story!

Krista + Jeff: Roaring Camp Railroad Wedding

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A vast gathering of family and friends showed up for Krista and Jeff’s happy union at Roaring Camp in Felton, CA and it was a joyful event from beginning to end. The couple shared a first look on the redwood trails, then after some romantic portraits and family photos, they were joined by the rest of their guests to board a steam train that took us deep into the woods for their ceremony in the middle of a tree grove. The setting was so peaceful and secluded, but full of so much life and warmth from the gathering of loved ones around them. The wedding party celebrated in the train’s caboose car all the way back to the reception hall, where Krista and Jeff had their first dance with the added whimsy of a bubble machine, and then proceeded to dance the night away with parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends for hours. I was honored to be let into this giant family for such a happy occasion and hope for so many more years of joy and laughter for this sweet couple!

Samantha + Cristina: Bodega Bay Elopement

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Sometimes, all you need is a handful of your closest friends and a stunning view to get married – and that’s exactly what Samantha and Cristina chose for their Bodega Bay micro wedding. After getting ready at the Airbnb they were staying at with many of their guests, these gorgeous brides tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at a lookout point on a coastal cliff side. With a close friend officiating, they exchanged poetic vows – Cristina’s including an actual poem that she wrote just for her sweetheart on their wedding day. The two celebrated with their friends and immediate family at a nearby restaurant that they rented out to finish the day, where several of their guests gave toasts expressing their love and support for these women and their marriage. It was an honor to witness, and a delight to capture this day – many thanks and best wishes to these brides!

Teresa + Johnny: Lake Arrowhead Elopement

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Teresa and Johnny’s elopement at Lake Arrowhead in Southern California was cozy, intimate, and relaxed – everything you could hope for in a small celebration at a lakeside cabin with only your closest friends. And don’t forget joyful!

The bride and groom were surrounded by friends as they got ready in the quaint cabin bedrooms, and then as they married in the little courtyard behind it. Their adorable Corgi accompanied Johnny down the aisle, and looked on as his human parents made each other laugh with heartfelt vows.

We retreated to a mountainside lookout for Teresa and Johnny’s romantic portraits, where a moody overcast sky and the San Bernardino mountains gave us the perfect epic backdrop. When we returned to the cabin, their friends had turned the courtyard into a wedding reception, and proceeded to serve each other the rest of the night, taking on every role from decorator, to bartender, to food server. This intimate wedding was the epitome of friends coming together to support a marriage and create a happy occasion, and it was so special to be a part of.

 

Claudia + Freddy: Legion of Honor + Palace of Fine Arts Engagement

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My first visit to the majestic Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco was for this elegant and sophisticated engagement shoot with Claudia and Freddy. Their choice of outfits, sleek and all-black, made them really pop against the off-white walls and pillars of the building.

We switched gears and went for a more playful and casual vibe for their second photo location: the Palace of Fine Arts. We wandered around the park after the sun had fallen behind the structure, which gave us some soft dreamy light, and included their puppy in a few shots for some extra fun! Photographing this beautiful, effortless couple was an honor and showcasing the city’s gorgeous architecture made it even better.