Casanova Photography Blog

Kristen & Jeff Gittings: Sonoma County Wedding

July 8, 2010 – 2:17 am

It remains true. Sonoma County has the most amazing light. When Kristen emailed me about her wedding and said it would be in the Santa Rosa, one of the first things I told her was that her wedding would have gorgeous light…..and the Oakmont Golf Course did not disappoint. Kristen and Jeff’s wedding was perfect.

I love documenting weddings where I’ve already photographed a sibling’s wedding. In this case, I had photographed Jeff’s brother’s marriage to Kari. It’s wonderful to reconnect with the family and watch it continue to expand. Both Kristen and Jeff’s families know how to have a good time!

Kristen’s bouquet was fantastic. Peonies are the quintessential wedding flower.

Cutest Ring Bearer Ever.

So much of the time I focus on watching the bride, but I couldn’t resist catching this image of Kristen’s bridesmaid.

Kristen surprised everyone, especially Jeff, when she arrived in a horse and carriage.

After stepping out of the carriage, Kristen took one last look at her father and from then on her eyes were only on Jeff.

After they sealed the ceremony with a kiss, Kristen and Jeff did the cutest thing. They both leaned in and did the most adorable forehead touch. So sweet!

I love these next two shots with the horse and carriage.

Kristen with all her gals.

I love this next series of portraits. Kristen is simply gorgeous.

And here is why I LOVE Sonoma County light.

So happy I captured this sweet moment between Kristen and her Dad during their dance.

And of course I love capturing the laughter.

The cake cutting got kind of feisty. Do you see the size of the slice Jeff was trying to “feed” Kristen?!

The biggest surprise of all came when Kristen changed into her reception dress. Since Jeff is an avid hunter, it only seemed fitting that Kristen should have a formal dress made from camouflage fabric. Jeff was floored! The sash and lace flowers on the dress were actually from Kristen’s mother’s wedding dress. They both agreed that it was a special way to honor mom’s keepsake.

It was Shauna (Kristen’s sis) all the way when the bouquet got tossed. No one else stood a chance!

Cutest Ring Bearer Ever breaks it down on the dance floor. Even more cuteness.

Once the Camo dress was on, so was the party!

This little gal ROCKED it!

Kristen & Jeff – You two are going to have beautiful babies! Thanks for being such a fabulous couple.

By admin | Posted in Wedding | no comments No Comments | Add a Comment

Andrew & Marisol: My Family

June 17, 2010 – 3:00 pm

I’ve waited quite a while to write this post. I have to admit it was tough one to sit down and describe with words. Weddings are a big deal, no matter how you plan them. And I don’t just mean the actual party, I mean all of the changes that come with the wedding. A marriage expands a family and there are so many emotions that come with the changes. I think what was so overwhelming about Andrew and Marisol’s wedding is that basically a year’s worth of emotions were packed into a weekend. It was a whirlwind to say the least.

One Friday morning in April my brother Andrew called me up to ask me if I knew of any wedding photographers in Los Angeles. When I said maybe and further inquired as to why he was asking, he let me know that he and his girlfriend, Marisol, were getting married on Saturday…..as in the NEXT day. My first response was, “Is she pregnant?!”…..Nope……”Does she need a Visa?!” (Marisol is on a Student’s Visa)….Nope….”Well then, why the rush?!”……..”It’s the way we want to do it.” Alright then.

So later that day we jumped into our car en route to Culver City. We spent the night in San Luis Obispo, picked up a bouquet & boutonniere at my favorite florist in SLO, Open Air Flowers, and then headed down to meet up with Bride and Groom.

This wedding was purely about Family. I was constantly being surprised each time the doorbell rang….I just never knew who was going to come through the door. It was such an amazing, totally spontaneous, family reunion. Leave it to my brother to pull something like this off. He’s always had such tender spot in his heart for our family (the WHOLE crew) and I can only imagine how much pride he must have felt to introduce his family to Marisol’s. This was his shining moment.

So my family is crazy and constantly surprising (or shocking) me. But once all the dust settled from the excitement of the weekend, I was left with a happy, content feeling. My family has been through it all…really we have….and it’s comforting to realize that throughout the crushing breaks and moments of bliss there is always love. This family might be crazy, but at the core of the chaos is that love, which I couldn’t imagine living without.

My Grandpa Don was on Cloud Nine. He was beaming with pride for his grandson.

Marisol’s family was so appreciative for the effort my family made in coming to the wedding on such short notice.

It was sweet seeing my Grandpa, the head of our family, extend an open invitation to Marisol’s father to visit and stay with him.

Marisol handled the stress of planning a wedding overnight with so much grace. She was just glowing on her wedding day.

The night before the wedding, while I was in San Luis Obispo, I stopped at Open Air Flowers on the off chance that they might be able to put together a bouquet for Marisol. Literally, I showed up 15 minutes before they closed. What a wonderful help they were! They took down the colors I was looking for and told me it would be ready first thing in the morning. I just couldn’t let my future sis-in-law walk down the aisle without a beautiful bouquet. She deserved it.

Beautiful portraits can happen anywhere. This was taken along the side walk near an apartment complex. I positioned Marisol so that the waning sun could illuminate her face and shot at a very wide aperture. But really it’s Marisol’s smile that makes the image memorable.

This was a rent-by-the-hour Chapel, definitely similar to something you might see in Las Vegas. Well, my mom managed to lose her way over to the wedding, so my brother had to begrudgingly throw down more money. I love this image….it takes me right back to that evening and how crazy/funny/wonderful, everything was.

And this is Marisol with her father, hopefully laughing at all the festivities.

I caught this moment right before they both noticed me and my camera. Not sure what they are talking about, but I just love the way they are connecting.

Grayson loved being the Ring Bearer and I am sure Lanea enjoyed the title of Flower Girl. They won the cuteness award. On a side note, I have to give my sister some grief for wearing denim. Really Krissy?

Andrew did something during the ceremony that I have never seen done before. Plus it got a collective “ahhhhhh” from everyone. After he placed the ring on Marisol’s finger, he bent down and kissed her hand. Who knew my brother could be so chivalrous?

Andrew embracing his new family.

This is such a genuine smile for my brother.

A few dramatic portraits.

Finishing up the paperwork. I love how you can see how late it is….yes that is 10:04 PM!

Whew…..what a night.

You kids are crazy and I wish you all the best. Thanks for making it such a memorable day.

By admin | Posted in Personal, Wedding | no comments No Comments | Add a Comment

Jake & Tracy: Chino Newborn Portrait Session

June 11, 2010 – 1:57 am

Jr. High School was the pits. My most vivid memory would probably be the way the school’s locker corridor smelled during a rainy day, where my friends and I would have to eat lunch to shelter us from the rain. I know it’s an odd thing to remember, but it kind of encapsulates how I felt about that time…it stunk (pun intended).

One of my better memories from that era happened on my first day of Jr. High. I walked into Science class, not knowing a single person, and timidly asked if I could share a table with the girl who was already seated. To my utter relief she said yes and a friendship was born. That was the day I met Tracy. Between walking home from school via the back canyon trails, hanging out at each other’s homes, or catching a movie, two things were always constant: Tracy loved horses and I loved photography. Fast forward 17 years and the constants haven’t changed: I photograph and Tracy trains horses. Life’s plan is pretty sweet.

I’ve always appreciated how friends can weave in and out of my life, and I am always amazed at how seamlessly a good friendship can remain intact. Aside from a random encounter at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in 2003, Tracy and I hadn’t been in touch for several years. But through the magic of Facebook we became ‘friends’ again. I was so honored when Tracy contacted me to photograph her son Jake and I gladly made a trip down to her home in Chino to document these early days in little Jake’s life. It was so wonderful spending time with them both and getting to catch up on years of life.

Jake was born 7 weeks premature, and boy does this little guy seem so in tune to the world. I can only imagine how frightening it must feel to really worry about the survival of your newborn and listening to Tracy’s stories certainly gave me a new perspective. She is such a phenomenal mother and it shows in the happy baby Jake is. He was so expressive and really was quite opinionated on how he wanted to be photographed. I loved it though…when in doubt, let the child guide the photo shoot and everything turns out right. But one thing was apparent throughout the entire time I spent with them: this little boy LOVES his mommy. Jake really looks at Tracy and for a child his age, that is something special.

I love using a client’s home and some natural light to capture a candid moment.

Oooooooh

Aaaaaaah

Jake was getting fussy so we swaddled him up and I couldn’t resist this gorgeous window light streaming in through the nursery.

What a pensive gaze.

Such a loved baby boy.

Love the peaceful expression on Jake’s face.

There is something I find irresistible about little newborn baby fingers especially when they poke at their faces. Can’t tell you why, I just do.

I am so happy for Tracy’s new role in life.

Tracy, I wish you all the best and Jake, I can’t wait to tell you stories of when your mom and I were just kids ourselves. Love you both.

By admin | Posted in Family Portraits | no comments No Comments | Add a Comment

The Chaplan Family: Bay Area Portrait Session

June 4, 2010 – 1:00 am

The arrival of Elly brought many changes to the Chaplan household. Baby makes three is now a family of four. Probably the biggest change of all happened to 3 year-old Maddy, who is now a big sister. I wonder if she realizes that she now has a best friend for life and a confidante who will know all of her deepest darkest secrets? Pretty exciting times if you ask me.

It was a joy getting to photograph the Chaplan family. We had such a wonderful time corralling the toddler and making sure the newborn was adequately fed…..all joking aside, it really was a great day and I hope to watch both these girls grow into beautiful young ladies.

Maddy was a jumping bean all day long. It took some serious bribery to get her to look into the camera.

Aside from the occasional bottle, Elly was a breeze. Most newborns are…they can be so much fun to work with.

Here’s what I learned from Maddy: When I let her do her thing, I got awesome images. Go figure.

She is smiling right at her mama.

Simply Perfection.

Maddy was over the moon excited when I asked her to jump for me on the bed. Something tells me this isn’t a regular occurrence at the Chaplan home.

She really is such a beautiful little gal.

We must have tried for three hours to capture a shot of the whole family. First Maddy wouldn’t sit still….then Elly needed to eat….then the doorbell rang, I was pretty sure it wasn’t going to come out as perfect as they might have hoped for. But then I saw how the simple guest bed made for such a gorgeous backdrop. I quickly called up Dad and this was the only frame I shot. Even if I had shot more images, I guarantee I wouldn’t have had Maddy sitting still in any subsequent photographs. So happy I could capture this family photograph for them.

Can’t wait to watch your family grow!

By admin | Posted in Family Portraits | no comments No Comments | Add a Comment

Welcome

Kristen & Jeff Gittings: Sonoma County Wedding

Andrew & Marisol: My Family

Jake & Tracy: Chino Newborn Portrait Session

The Chaplan Family: Bay Area Portrait Session

Diana Casanova Photography

Search