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Auburn + Ryan: Save the Date

March 15, 2011 – 1:53 am

I was convinced that Auburn hated me back when we first met.  See, she was my freshman year roommate and I doubted I was going be counted among the lucky few who find themselves friends with their roomie.  That first semester I quickly learned that Auburn was NOT a morning person.  During those first few weeks together I would eagerly greet Auburn each morning with a chipper “Hello!”, while her reply resembled a grunt.  She refused to utter an unnecessary word throughout her morning ritual and would often avoid eye contact until she’d  toss a goodbye over her shoulder on her way out the door.

Fortunately for me I was wrong.  Over the course of three years I learned to simply avoid any interaction with Auburn until 11 a.m.  She was the sweetest roommate I’ve ever had and one of my greatest friends.

Auburn has a new roommate now.  His name is Ryan and he adores everything about her.  This past summer they both decided to be roommates for life and I can’t wait to celebrate the wedding.

On New Year’s Eve I met up with Auburn + Ryan to snap some photographs for their Save the Dates.  We started out in front of their Wedding Venue – Foreign Cinema, and then made our way in and around the Mission District.  The evening found us sipping amazing cocktails (Ryan’s superpower) and dining at their home (these two can cook!).  Here’s what we came up with:

Though not a fan of having portraits taken, Ryan was amazingly comfortable in front of the camera.

Not sure what Ryan just said, but this is a classic image of Auburn laughing.  I know it well.

No portrait session in the Mission would be complete without some Murals.

When I asked Auburn and Ryan to take a seat on the curb and simply interact with each other, I could sense a shift in the portraits.  They both stopped looking to me for direction and started focusing on each other.  They have such an intense chemistry and these were the portraits I was striving to create.

What a penetrating gaze.

Can you see what I mean about their intense chemistry?

Auburn, you are such the romantic.

I’m still amazed by this image.  I’ve recently picked up a piece of equipment that allows me to trigger my flash off camera, which has opened up a whole new skill for me to learn. I knew that I wanted to try out this type of portrait with Auburn and Ryan, so as we were getting ready to leave, I made sure to suggest we set it up.  But here is the thing:  Seeing that it was New  Year’s Eve, I had already indulged in several cocktails and glasses of wine.  Apparently I didn’t seem to have any trouble setting up my tripod, manually metering my camera and flash, and creating this image.  Of course while I was shooting I didn’t even think twice that I would come across any trouble. However, the morning after I was quite surprised and a bit giddy that I was able to pull it all off.  I am so excited about implementing this new technique into my Wedding Coverage!

You two are a beautiful couple and I am so honored to be a part of  your Wedding day.

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Shirene & Robby: Marin Art & Garden Center

January 12, 2011 – 3:42 am

I have experienced many weddings.   I am constantly excited to see how each couple designs and makes their own celebration unique, but there is very little that takes me by surprise anymore.  That was until I photographed Shirene & Robby’s wedding.  Nothing was predictable and I was constantly finding myself being taken off-guard.  It was an amazing wedding with many beautiful moments.

I loved how the lighting was streaming through the trees, so I asked Shirene to stop for a portrait.  My first reaction was to ask her mother to step out of the photograph, but then I realized that her presence was what I really enjoyed most about the image.

I don’t think I will ever tire of an all white bouquet.

I love everything about this image…the dress, the florals, the hair…Shirene you are stunning.

Robby awaiting “Show Time”.

I almost missed the Flower Girl coming down the aisle because of this hug.  I was so touched by the Ring Bearer and his father embracing when the little guy managed to walk down that aisle all by himself.

Which brings me to my first surprise of the day.  As my camera was pointed toward the Ring Bearer, I hear one of the guests say, “Quick!  Turn around!  Your missing it!”  I was horrified to say the least when I realized her instructions were directed at me and she was referring to the passing Flower Girl.  At that point, the Flower Girl stopped, stuck a pose and smiled for the camera.  I am not exaggerating when I say that the entire church erupted in laughter.  I can’t even imagine the shade of red my face had turned.  I’ve NEVER been in any way associated with the laughing that can take place during a couple’s ceremony.  It was a first for me.

Shirene & Robby signed their marriage license during the ceremony… another surprise.

How good it is to be in love.

Robby was so jazzed about the reception that I could barely get him to sit still long enough to capture his portrait.  Lucky for me he knows how to take a good photo.

The Bridesmaids dresses were fantastic!  Shirene found them at Anthropologie and they couldn’t have fit her celebration any better.

This dress has some serious character.

Cosmo Bar!  What a perfect idea.

There was no shortage of dancing or singing at this wedding.  At several points during dinner spontaneous dance parties seemed to crop up.  Now this is memorable – During dinner the DJ played Travis Tritt’s “A Great Day to be Alive”, at which point Robby began to belt out the lyrics, which then prompted about half the guests (and there were upwards of 200)to  sing along.  When the DJ follwed up with Garth Brook’s “Friends in Low Places”, well, that got Robby and Shirene out to the dance floor to warm up for their first dance.

Then there was Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried”.  Right smack in the middle of dinner, the dance floor was instantly packed.  Phenomenal!  Never seen a group of guests so compelled to spontaneously break out into song and dance.

And then there was the Official First Dance.  I love capturing such pure happiness.

A traditional Father & Daughter Dance….

….was followed up by some fabulous Persian music & dancing.

And yes, that did lead to some hoisting of bodies onto shoulders.

Robby’s dad even got into the spirit!  What a party!

Could not have scripted a more awesome bouquet tossing photo.

Shirene & Robby – You two have created such a beautiful life together.  I am honored and humbled that you chose me to document such an important day of this life.  Thank you.

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Baby Emma: 3 Months

November 16, 2010 – 8:10 pm

When I met up with Kari in July ’09 to discuss her wedding album I had a hunch that this little baby was right around the corner.  While discussing her photographs the conversation kept drifting over to babies.  I could definitely sense the Baby Bug in the air.  Coincidentally, Emma made her debut on July 7, 2010 and she is such a doll.  It was wonderful spending a few hours with the whole family.  Newborns require amazing amounts of patience and photographing newborns isn’t any different.  But I do have to admit that enough time has passed since Grayson’s infancy that I don’t break into a sweat when I hear a newborn’s cry.  I am well versed in the art of soothing a fussing baby (I had a screamer) and can definitely be a comforting pair of arms .  In fact, sometimes I miss it….until I come home and Grayson has a tantrum (still break a sweat with those).  Mostly these sessions are a mixture of soothing, feeding, changing dirty diapers and clothes, and of course photographing.  It’s hard work for everyone involved, but the end result is priceless.

Itty Bitty Baby Feet

I love this next series of photos.  It’s so classically newborn.

I found this cap at Pike’s Place Market in Seattle.  When I saw it I knew it would be perfect for baby photographs.

Emma’s Grandpa carved the pumpkin for her.  Sweet.

Dad plays the Ukulele to help calm Emma down.  How cute is that?!

Fully awake and rested from her nap.

I love the interaction in this shot.

Proud Papa.

Sweet Dreams Baby Emma.

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Grayson’s New Smile

September 6, 2010 – 4:31 pm

***This post pales in comparison to the stories of adversity that so many families face with regards to their children.  I completely understand that.  In a way, I feel superficial for making this a big deal.  But though my head can think rationally, my heart is feeling otherwise.  I wanted to write this down and post some photographs to help in my own healing process***

Grayson has a new smile and I would be lying if I didn’t admit that it makes me feel sad.

On Sunday we spent the afternoon at the park.  I spread a blanket over some grass under the shade of a tree to sit and read.  I put out snacks and Grayson happily grabbed another graham cracker from its package.  JP leaned back onto the blanket and took a moment to rest before he got up to push Grayson on the swing.  It seemed idyllic.

As soon as I saw him jumping, I knew that the sharp rocks were bad news.  I glanced up from my book to tell Grayson to be careful, though not too worried because for the most part he’s unbreakable.  Then I heard the crying and watched JP scoop Grayson up into his arms, while his little hands were clutching his busted lip.  I reached for my baby and curled him up in my arms, rubbing his back to reassure him that he was ok.  That’s when he told me he was afraid that he was going to lose his tooth.  As I carefully parted his lips, I saw that his left front tooth was bent back, and when I tried to push it forward, it wouldn’t budge.

We immediately left the park and went straight to an emergency dentist.  Thank goodness for my iphone and Google.  The dentist advised that the best thing would be for us to leave the tooth alone.  Nothing was broken and there would be no sense in traumatizing the tooth again if it wasn’t necessary.  He told us that there’s a good chance that Grayson’s tooth will turn dark….that it will be dead.

When I got home I placed Grayson in front of the TV and then I called my mom.  I didn’t call her looking to be comforted but called because I knew I had to.  I sobbed into the phone as I explained what happened and she cried with me.  After listening to my panic and grief, she sent me on my way with words of encouragement.  Afterward, I held Grayson in my arms and we watched more shows.  As I held him tight, I let my tears slide quietly down my face.

This morning my baby was perfect.  Every bump, bruise, scratch, or scrape he ever received has healed.  I realize that it’s only a baby tooth and it will eventually fall out, but for the next few years this tooth will be a constant reminder of how I failed him.

Loving my child is an all-encompassing, powerful, yet impossibly painful kind of love.  Grayson is my whole world. It hurts to think about other children asking him what’s wrong with his tooth, or God forbid they tease him about it.  It makes me feel physically ill when I let my mind wander in that direction.  I want Grayson to have the best childhood, to never face hardship, and to always feel secure.  I want to protect him from everything. I know this is unrealistic, but how could I want anything less for my baby?

This evening Grayson remains perfect.  He is still the smartest, most handsome Bitty Man in the whole wide world and I am going to do my best to fall in love with his brand new smile.

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