Another great session – here’s a tiny sneak peek.
Monthly Archives: March 2009
Click on the title of the blog post to view the entire entry.
Lisa + Chris {san francisco engagement session}
March 25, 2009 – 9:57 pm
Lisa and Chris braved the 40 mph winds on Sunday and met me at Sutro Heights Park. They brought along their dog, Little Ricky, and we managed to find a few spots that were relatively sheltered from the wind.
Next we headed over to Sutro Baths – lovely location but the wind was brutal. Lisa and Chris remained upbeat despite the fact that it was freezing and they made looking good in the cold and wind look easy. I mean, look at them – wow. We finished off the day at the Cliff House – we had lost most of the sun but we managed to get in a few quick shots.
Thanks for being such troopers, you two! I can’t wait for your wedding!
Iris + Masa {bay area wedding}
March 23, 2009 – 7:56 pm
Iris and Masa were married at Postino in Layfayette. I had never been there before but it is a gorgeous venue with a lot of light, a vine covered exterior and a lot of great nooks and crannies on the inside. My only regret was not having more time to photograph them in some of those nooks and crannies. They were married outside and then moved inside for dinner and the reception. Their colors were yellow and grey – a really beautiful combination. And the cake topper was amazing – Iris made it herself! The other little touch that I loved? Their first dance was to Adam Sandler’s “Grow Old With You.” Awesome.
Also, Iris and Masa had the BEST DJ so if you looking for one be sure to check out DJ Sugar Ray.
To flash or not to flash
March 22, 2009 – 10:50 pm
Is that really the question? Well, the answer is both – it just depends on the situation. Last week I participated in a workshop given by Neil van Niekerk, flash guru. The morning was spent going over some flash principles and the afternoon was spent photographing 2 models in a few different locations around San Francisco. Our assignment was to mix flash with ambient light to keep the subject from looking like flash had been used. Natural, available light is wonderful but it isn’t always enough. And if you don’t know how to use flash properly then you get hard shadows and a very flashy, not very pretty look. Neil has mastered the art of the flash and his techniques are actually pretty simple. I have read everything on his blog about flash and it helped a lot but this workshop made a world of difference. I also met some great people and got a few shots that I think turned out pretty well.
The first shots were indoors and lit by bouncing the flash.
The next shots were taken outside in Maiden Lane using a flash in a softbox triggered by Pocket Wizards.
Of course having lovely models doesn’t hurt 
Dusti + Tony {lake tahoe engagement session}
March 17, 2009 – 12:02 am
I spent the weekend in Tahoe with friends. Friends who just got betrothed. (Yes, I just used a silly, old-fashioned word. In fact, the dictionary tells me it dates to 1588.) So I insisted that they let me take some engagement photos. We started the day on the slopes and, though I was initially a little nervous about snowboarding with my camera, no lenses or bodies (camera or human) were harmed in the making of these photos. We re-enacted the proposal (Tony proposed on the lift) and tried to make snow angels (snow was too hard) and then rewarded ourselves with a Bloody Mary (very tasty). We headed home for a quick clothing change and then into South Lake Tahoe where we found some big rocks, a dock, a very cool wooden building and a big green door. We had big plans to head to the casinos but the lure of food and a cold beer won out in the end.
Dusti and Tony are getting married in Breckenridge, Colorado in December and I’ll be there as a guest, not a photographer but I might still snap a photo or two. Maybe.
Iris + Masa {san francisco engagement session}
March 10, 2009 – 9:05 pm
Iris and Masa are getting married in a couple of weeks so time was really of the essence for their engagement session. They are, in Iris’ own words, “forest people” so Muir Woods was the perfect place to start. We met late in day so it was already pretty dark in the woods but it was lovely and earthy and green. What a great job I have – I get to walk around one of my favorite places with fun people and take photos! After Muir Woods we took a short walk on the Golden Gate Bridge – it was refreshing to take photos on the bridge instead of OF the bridge – good idea, Iris!
