Author Archives: Todd

Josephine + Jason – Crystal Springs & San Francisco Conference Center

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Every wedding has something unique about it.  There’s an identity, a fingerprint if you will, and that’s how people will remember your big day.  As a photographer who specializes in weddings, I’ve seen my fair share.  But there are always specific moments I remember that define the day.  Smiles, laughter, and love emanate from these two, along with their friends and family, but that description is more of a general feeling.  Divulging a more thorough list of emotional content, I remember the tenderness in which Josephine’s dad gave her away.  I remember Jason’s brother’s speech.  I remember tears, laughter, and happiness.  I remember the rib-eye.  And for that last one, you’ll have to go a little deeper.  Enjoy!

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Angela + Rodel – Engagement Session

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I looked at my calendar and thought, “Man, we need to get this thing rolling.  She’s only got a few months until her wedding.”  I called Angela up and the first words out of her mouth were, “I was just going to call you and schedule something.”  I was glad we were on the same page,  A few weeks later we met in Pinole for a laid back Sunday session.  I think Rodel tried to re-schedule because the Niners were playing, but there was no turning back on this one, and besides, he could easily catch the second half, which is the better part of most games anyhow.  We had a gorgeous day in the east bay, and you could feel the change in the air.  Autumn had arrived.  Definitely my favorite season.

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Rachel + Paul – El Dorado Hotel and Restaurant – Sonoma

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The minute I met Paul, I liked him.  Maybe because he dropped an F-Bomb after 5 minutes of talking.  I have been known to have a salty mouth myself, and after   living on a sailboat for a few years, you just sort of become a pirate.  But I digress…  Rachel.  What’s not to like about Rachel?  She’s sweet and kind, beautiful, and she drinks beer, nay, enjoys it, which is always a plus in a good woman.  To think that Paul almost missed out on all this goodness because he waited like a month just to call her up gives me shivers.  Thankfully, by the time he got the nerve up to call her, she was still available.  In the end, these two (who I can assure you are made for each other) came together and got married on a damn fine day in September in Sonoma.

Rachel + Paul

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Melissa + Michael – Portola Valley

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I’ve been looking forward to this wedding for a long time.  Mainly because it’s in my neighborhood, seeing as I live in Redwood City.  I ride my bike on these backroads, and I love looking at all the Coastal Live Oak, hoping to stumble upon some chanterelle mushrooms in a leaf pile.  I love the light that filters through the trees, the autumnal grass blanched a golden honey, and the way the wind whispers through the canopy when you sit somewhere in stillness.  How could the day get any better?  Well, both Melissa and Michael are uber chill people, along with both sides of the family.  Heck, I even keep bees at their house.  After our first meeting it came up (well, I always seem to be able to mention my bees in any conversation) and Melissa’s mom was interested in having a few hives on their property.  So not only am I their photographer, I am also the family beekeeper!  Does it get any better than that?  I think not!

But enough foreplay.  Let’s get to the wedding day, because it was amazing; filled with love and emotion like a good wedding should be.  Enjoy!

Melissa + Michael

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Katie + Kevin – Berkeley Faculty Club

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Two of the nicest people I ever met.  Seriously.  And they live in LA.  How can this be?  I don’t have an answer for you, because it still boggles my mind.  Just kidding LA! (?).  Katie and Kevin were consistently making sure my assistant and I were taken care of.  Did we have water?  Were we feeling OK?  Did we get enough to eat? It’s easy to get swept up in the big day, but I have somehow have a knack for working with couples that don’t really sweat the small stuff.  They are all about the love.  Family and friends.  Good times.  Now I am not saying a wedding shouldn’t be planned well and full of lots of fun details, but it’s a fine line.  Perfection can have it’s consequences.  Luckily this day everything went so smoothly, all I had to do was concentrate on finding great moments and great light.  I think we got a few.  Enjoy!

Katie + Kevin

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Melissa + Jason – Hillsborough Racquet Club

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I met Melissa at a Bridal Fair at the Ritz-Carlton over a year ago.  It’s amazing how time flies.  Before you know it, you’re driving around in a Rolls Royce after a gorgeous ceremony and off to the Hillsborough Racquet Club.  The day was entirely perfect.  Friends and family witnessed and enjoyed a wonderful bond of two people in love, and a damn fine party.  Come take a look!

Melissa and Jason, seeing eye to eye.

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Mary + Hai

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June in the city can be fickle.  Maybe the weather is good – sunshine and a bit of warmth – but most times there’s a nice coating of fog.  We had both for Mary and Hai’s wedding, which was great, because the look and feel of the photos were so contrasting.  The great thing about Mary and Hai is that they are very photo-centric.  They budgeted time to cruise around the city and capture some places they thought were cool.  I had a blast wrangling this crew around, spit-balling ideas to shoot, and talking smack with the boys here and there.  What follows is a pretty killer day.

Mary + Hai, atop the steps of the Sutro Baths with an audience of one.

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Kristina + Manny

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A fine summer’s day blessed Manny and Kristina’s wedding.  The light was gorgeous and everyone was all smiles.  It doesn’t get better than that!  I’m light on the words today because I have to get out the door, but I wanted to post the images before the weekend is here.  Enjoy!

Manny + Kristina

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JD

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JD.

Becoming a man is easy.  Nothing stops time, and we all grow old and grey at some point.  But, becoming a real man – well adjusted, humble, kind, personable, passionate, and resolute – well, those are qualities we learn as we grow.  Parents teach and guide, and can only hope to instill these qualities in their children.  The real leg work is left to each individual.  From my first meeting with JD, I recognized a solid human being, eagerly anticipating his Bar Mitzvah with equal parts excitement and apprehension.  In like turn, I was feeling somewhat the same from a photographic standpoint.  This was my first Bar Mitzvah, and with total artistic free reign, I wanted to capture the intimate moments, the sacredness of the ritual, and the fun that is being an adolescent.  The last part wasn’t so hard, as I still think I’m a kid myself!  But I loved how everything turned out, and if you’re interested in looking some more, I think you will too.

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Kyra + Matt

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A gorgeous drive up the coast.  Fire spinning.  Camping out.  A multi-day affair.  How and why do I get myself into these positions?  I get lucky and I love them!  Yes, it’s a lot of work, but when you’ve got clients committed to creating a magical day where the main goal is happiness, community, and an unreal party, going the extra mile is completely worth it.  Kyra and Matt married near Ukiah in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains, water, friends, and love.

Kyra + Matt

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