Casanova Photography Blog

I am so happy that Cara & Colby asked me to photograph their wedding.  It was simply an amazing day.  The Southern California sunshine was a welcomed change from the cold and rain up here, not to mention it really must have made me a bit trigger happy….I ended up editing over 1,000 images for their wedding.  I usually average about 600-700, which I might add, is a wonderful amount of photos to have and really does offer a complete coverage of a wedding.  However, and the only way I can seem to wrap my brain around having shot and used so many images, is that there were such beautiful light and so many noteworthy moments to capture throughout the day.  And since I managed to almost double the amount of photos I deliver to a couple, well, I am basically doubling the amount of photos I include in this post.  I hope my images convey how wonderful/fun/hilarious/heartfelt/spectacular this day was.

At first I pointed my camera directly at Cara and her mom to photograph her getting in the dress, but then I noticed that Cara was using the bathroom mirror to see her reflection and I thought that this image did a good job of conveying how Cara and Sheila experienced this moment.

For the most part I pretty much know while I am setting up or attempting to take a photo how the image will be rendered through my camera.  But every so often I get a pleasant surprise.  While we waited for the limo to arrive I took some time to snap a few shots of Cara in front of the glass entryway to the Renaissance Hotel.  And I admit, I totally geeked out when I realized how cool the reflection looked behind her, plus she just seems to be glowing in this particular setting.  You can actually see me in this image (something I always try to avoid)  just above Cara’s left shoulder, but out of all the images this was my favorite because of the serious expression Cara is wearing.  Plus, she looks so metropolitan in this photo.

Colby always looked happy in every single one of the photos I took of him.  I mean, he was really having a good time.

Aren’t they just lovely?!

This image pretty much demonstrates why I photograph weddings.  It’s these moments that I get to capture.  Right before walking down the aisle, Cara and her father exchange a glance and a smile, and it makes me so happy knowing I’ve documented a piece of their family’s history.

I don’t normally get teary eyed at too many wedding ceremonies, but this man made me cry.  He spoke so beautifully about Cara’s character and the relationship she shared with her Grandfather, that I just couldn’t help myself.

Do you see what I mean?  Colby always looks so happy!

Totally candid moment.  No prompting of holding hands and walking.  I just love how engaged Colby and Cara are with each other.  There is real interaction going on here.

Oh, how I miss the sun!

Just lovely.

When I walked into the reception I heard myself gasp.  It was so beautiful and perfect for a January wedding.  I loved all of the details!

Starting the party off with some dancing.

Best Father of the Bride Speech EVER!  Seriously.  He came into the ballroom with a glassful of whiskey along with the bottle and played the part so well.  Only thing is he never drinks, and his daughter’s wedding was no exception.  What great theatrics!

How much do you love that the DJ is inspecting the bottle?!

He even threw in a few hiccups to go with the speech.

Best Maid of Honor Speech EVER!  Seriously. Jen custom wrote and sang her speech to the tune of Bye Bye, Miss American Pie.  Needless to say it had the guests laughing and wiping tears from their eyes (including myself).

Cheers!

In this image I turned off my flash and just used the ambient light around me to photograph the image.  It really helps capture the mood of the evening.

I love it when I photograph a truly candid moment.

Speeches are HUGE in any Drumm (Cara’s maiden name) celebration.  Having photographed Patrick’s wedding to Veronica, and Patrick would be Cara’s brother, I knew that there would be so many great opportunities to document laughter like this.

Cara’s father wrote and recorded the song used for their Father & Daughter dance.  And again, it goes without saying that there were many teary eyes around the room.

Let the party begin!!!

I love these next three images between Patrick, Veronica, and another wedding guest.

After the DJ packed up there was an acoustic after party.

I wish you two all of the best.

I am not a big New Year’s eve kind of gal; I usually spend the evening at home watching the pre-recorded footage of the Ball dropping in NYC.  However, this year found me celebrating with Heather and Rob who planned a New Year’s Eve wedding and fabulous party to ring in 2010. What a treat for me! There were so many beautiful elements to their celebration.  The wedding ceremony took place at St. Vincent church in Terra Linda, which is a phenomenally beautiful place to be married in.  When the guests lit candles during the exchanging of vows, the church simply glowed.  The bridesmaids all wore gorgeous shades of champagne colored dresses.  The reception was a classy affair with a “Great Gatsby” flair to all of the decor.  Being that it was the eve of the New Year, there was no shortage of Bubbly.  Oh, and the desserts were to die for.  Not only did Heather and Rob cut into a three tiered Red Velvet cake, but there was dessert bar (yippee!!!) with even more goodies.  Not sure if I can ever really stay home again for New Year’s seeing how much fun can be had!

This garter was worn by Rob’s sister and his mother at their own weddings.  Tradition is beautiful.

It’s the drama of the lighting and the hint of a smile on Heather’s lips that make this image stand out to me.

What a fun and different spot to photograph Heather with her Bridesmaids.

This is what St. Vincents looked like when I arrived for the wedding.  Simply amazing.

Rob’s sister is standing right behind me with her own camera and I love how the effect of her flash adds a Hollywood Red Carpet feel to this image.

It’s these types of moments that I always strive to capture during the ceremony.  Hand holding, smiling, stealing glances at each other….it is all so romantic.

Heather’s idea of having the guests light candles during their exchanging of vows was beautiful.  It was a special way for all of the guests to share in the ceremony and it made for such visually stunning images.

The lighting and hand holding in this photograph are gorgeous.

Paulina was able to get a bird’s eye view of the ceremony and this image of Rob and Heather’s kiss steals the show.

After the ceremony I took a few minutes to photograph Heather and Rob in and around the church.  It was VERY dark inside, so my lens did have some difficulty focusing, but even though in this image I didn’t intend for them to be out of focus, I do love the effect it gives the portrait.

This is one of my favorites between Heather and Rob.

These next few images are more examples of the types of moments I love to capture during the reception, in particular during the speeches.

What Romance!

Due to the weather and timing, we photographed many of the formal photographs using lights and a backdrop.  I LOVE how Heather and her bridesmaids played it up for the camera.

You can’t script laughter like this, you just have to hope your camera is ready to capture the moment!

3…2….1……Happy New Year!

May 2010 bring wonderful new beginnings to your lives.  Congratulations Heather and Rob!