Maypole Wedding at Stemple Creek Ranch

A&A wanted a May Pole at their wedding (in May) because it had been a beloved ritual in their lives growing up. I loved the way it allowed the guests to play a role in the ceremony, and from a photographic point of view it got everyone moving and laughing, which made for great pictures. A&A’s theme for the day was COLOR. which the flowers, outfits, ribbons and art (created by the groom) brought in abundance. Stemple Creek Ranch in Tomales, CA (Marin County) is a wonderful venue with a beautiful old dinner barn and a eucalyptus grove up on a hill. Happy happy life together, A&A!

Collaboration with Miss Maya

Belatedly sharing a fashion project I got to do with two wonderful ladies, Miss Maya and her muse, Amee. It was wonderful to create this character & her journey. Our theme was Recovery -- in particular, the struggle (balance?) between the different kinds of creativity we wish to cultivate in our different pursuits and how one can reclaim it: our artistic and intellectual life, our professional endeavors, and the decision of whether to become a parent as well. These different/related paths we explored using 2 contrasting color palates: bold colors and lighting as opposed to the pastel pieces in much softer settings. As usual, we contemplated our themes while chasing the most beautiful light we could find or create. Look and see......

Just got my contributor copies of Shutterbug Magazine, in which I was interviewed on the business of portrait photography. Thanks Maria Piscopo! I'm not sure if the interview is available online or not, but the printed version of this photo looks pretty nice! Happy 2017, everyone.

Camping Portraits. Serious Ones.

I recently had the honor of photographing a family while they were camping. Their girls are delightful and happy much of the time, and we did get some very joyful pictures, but at other times they are wonderfully serious, intense creatures. I loved the chance to capture this side of them as well.  A couple more below.

M+J's Straus Ranch Wedding near Point Reyes

M+J were married at Straus Ranch, a beautiful farmhouse near the ocean in Marshall, CA. They prioritized getting great photos, which was thrilling for me in 2 ways: they vetted lots of photographers before choosing me (excellent taste!) and they scouted several fantastic locations where they wanted to do pictures. So many wonderful spots to choose from! Here are a few of my favorite images from the day. Thanks to M+J for allowing me to share.

Destination... Phoenix!

Having been to Phoenix only once before had no idea that it could be so green and lovely -- but at the Farm at South Mountain, it was simply gorgeous.  I've had the pleasure of working with Amy and her SoCal based company, Moon Canyon Design, on other weddings where she and her partner have manifested flowers and decor with a uniquely artistic approach.  It was such an honor to be a part of her and Christopher's down-to-earth, gorgeous celebration.  Here are some of my favorite shots:  

8 Months glorious

I fell immediately in love with JC's grey and yellow living room when I showed up for her maternity session, and the "sun-tunnel" skylight provided amazing lighting. The dark tones felt so unique for pregnancy portraits, and the Rembrandt-esque, shadowy lighting worked so well with her decision to pose nude, providing its own sort of drapery.  We took other beautiful shots too: outdoor ones, couples shots with her partner, and high-key ones near a window as well, but these were so lovely and unusual I just had to share.  Thanks to JC for her grace, gameness, and her willingness to let me post some of my favorites.

The Happy Accident

The Happy Accident 

Visit me today at the Lab Event, SF

The Lab Event promises to be a really cool wedding expo.  I'll have a portfolio in the library, and will be wandering around eating cake pops and connecting with clients and other vendors.  It's today, 2/23/14, at the Ferry Building in San Francisco... hope to see you there!   

Got some new cards to put around at the event, what do you think?

Mass Appeal editorial throwback

Silq just posted one of these on Facebook, and it got so much love that I wanted to share the whole series in case anyone missed it in print in Mass Appeal back in the day.

Love to all.  It's been great to reconnect with so many of the people involved in the shoot, now at such distances, all in one day today. -Sara

Erte as bridal couture

Erte's tucked-in veil; Queen of the Night theme (don't forget to dress your bridesmaids as stars); and M from his alphabet.  M for Matrimony? Monarch? A couple could claw their way out of chrysali before being given away.

Documenting the fleeting

C. was about to cut all her hair off, which was a surprisingly emotional thing for everyone involved.  Immortalizing her four years of hair growth in these photos -- and then by sending it to Locks of Love for a second life -- made it much easier to say goodbye.

Wedding Style Inspiration

Louise Brooks has a thing or two to teach us about getting decked out for a momentous occasion.  

OK, so maybe she wasn't wearing the black veil for a wedding.  But, wouldn't it be kind of amazing, though?

Children's Books of Yore, wedding edition

In my travels through the world of book arts, I come across a lot of mind-blowingly gorgeous illustrations.  I can't help but fantasize about being able to style a wedding after one of these, or better yet, to photograph a wedding that had been.  Weddings are pageantry and even, in a way, performance art.  That's why it's so fun to think about how to style them, even when it's just choosing colors or a theme to subtly incorporate.