Author Archives: Todd

Robert + Niki

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Wait for it.  Wait for it. Wait… for… it…  Done.  Robert and Niki complete the craziness that was 15 engagement sessions discounted at a crazy good price on The Wedding Channel’s website, in a Groupon style deal.  It was a lot of work, but I got to meet so many amazing people, share a few hours with them, and stoke them out with some great pictures and my sometimes wild antics.  I often did most of the talking, and our subjects often included my current hobbies, such as backyard chickens, beekeeping, surfing, yoga, sailing, cycling, foraging for wild mushrooms (not the loopy type), hunting, and my new pup.  Within all this blabbering, I was seeking one thing, an in with my clients.  A door to something they enjoy, thus a mutual relationship, and the doors of safeguarding being broken down.  I always say, “The best photos on our session will come towards the end.”  Once again, it was so true.

Take a look for yourself.

Nicely backlit, Niki and Robert have plenty of reasons to smile.

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Shannon + Joe

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Met Shannon and Joe downtown.  Joe was having a beer to ‘calm the nerves’ as it were.  Once again, I heard the old,
“Oh, we don’t photograph well,” line.  Yeah yeah.  That’s like telling me I can’t do it, and you know, that’s only going to make me try harder 🙂   So with a beer in the belly and our light fading fast, we got to it.  So should you.  Get to looking at these photos!

Starting out with a great view of the city.

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Yuri + Jenny

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Indian Summers suck when you’re getting married.  Guys are in suits, brides are in big ol’ dresses, and the wedding party will get noticeably more inebriated as they try to stay hydrated with gin and tonics.  Let me tell you, Santa Rosa can get hot too, even on a normal day in the summer.  But guess what, that wasn’t the case for Yuri and Jenny’s wedding.  The crazy cool summer weather continued on, and the stars aligned for these two lovebirds.  The wedding and reception were held on the lovely grounds at the Vitner’s Inn.  The setting was gorgeous, the food was great, and the day went smooth as butter.  And the last tidbit was thanks to a lovely lady named Lindsey who just started her new wedding coordination biz, called Ooh La La Weddings.  If you’re up in Santa Rosa and want a smooth wedding day, contact this gal!

Back to Yuri and Jenny… actually, I have nothing more to say.  I’m not a talker… not a talker…  (Love Vince Vaughn!)

In the vinyard with sunflares, love, and great light.

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Heather + Chip

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This one has been a long time coming.  Well, the blog yes, but also this marriage.  Heather and I met way back a few years ago at a bridal show…somewhere… I can’t even remember now.  Then we touched base, the three of us, at the studio in SF.  It was a go from there, as Chip and I got on like long lost brothers.  We were talking about surfing, camping, his two boys, and everything else that was streaming out as we finished each others sentences.  I think Heather was a go from the start, but gotta get the hubby’s approval for some stuff, right?  JK!

As the three of us raced around with our lives, Firefighter, Project Manager, and lowly photographer, we somehow managed to meet up one fine day in Livermore at Murietta’s Well.  The weather was perfect – not too hot – and we had nice light into the evening.  The grounds were gorgeous, and the barrel room had just the right amount of grit, edgy and soft light, and ambiance to round it out.  Not much more you could ask for.  I’ll let you visit the inside to see for yourself.

Enjoy!

Heather and Chip, lookin on together.

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Ali + Peter

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Lots of new things happening.  I got a new car.  Well, it’s more a van than a car, but it has style.  Can you say VW Vanagon?  This also means that I got a new mechanic (who I will, unfortunately, get to know all too well.)  Jen got assigned to a new school.  She’s got some great little students to work with.  And Ali and Peter got a new marriage.  Bam!  Out of all of them, I would say the latter is the best of the three (except I do sort of feel married to my van for some reason – call me old fashion).  So it was off to the Golden Gate Club for a wonderful and heartfelt Buddhist inspired wedding. The colors were popping and the views were amazing.

Take a look and see for yourself.

Yep, they're pretty happy.

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Betsy + Michael

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My mother-in-law was a teacher, and she’s got some theories.  One theory in particular that resonates with me is the one about people named Michael.  “The worst trouble makers I ever had in class were named Michael,” she always says.  Now this rings a chord with me, as my middle name is Michael.  Does that mean I am only half trouble?  Ask my mom and you’ll probably get a “humph” and a “…no, he was full trouble.”  So I guess my mother-in-law is right?  Dammit again!  Back to the point – Michael, Betsy’s Michael, gave me trouble.  Whenever I would press the shutter down he would scowl.  I mean like grumpy old man,  I have a hernia, don’t bother me face.  Immediately after I would finish a series of shots, he would laugh and look natural.  So I had to adjust my style, make more off color jokes, and hope for the best.

 

Well, I like to think that I cracked the ice and mellowed him out.  But take a look for yourself and see…

Michael and Betsy warming up at Land's End. The flowers were beautiful.

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Jenny + Yuri

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Chez Papa.  Chez Maman.  Oooh Lala.  Lots of French goodness around these parts, and when I say goodness, I mean food.  Jenny and Yuri met me at their favorite snack spot.  It reminded me of the little hole in the wall bars that litter the backstreets of Tokyo.  Just enough room for 10 people, and always jamming.  Although it wasn’t nomi-hodai (all you can drink), these two lovebirds grabbed a meal and a glass of wine to calm themselves down.  For some reason they were feeling all nervous and scared that the photos weren’t going to come out good, because like so many before them, they said, “I don’t photograph well.”  I say ballyhoo to that!  These photos rock!

Yuri and Jenny. I am sure Yuri said something totally appropriate to make Jenny laugh.

Enjoy.

 

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Megan + Casey

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I felt really bad for suggesting that we meet in the evening at Land’s End and China Beach for our engagement session, because the fog was thick and the wind was pretty steady.  But, since we were both there, and Megan and Casey were looking pretty snazzy, we decided to go for it.  And when you go for it, sometimes Mother Nature gives you a reward for having some nuts guts.  In fact, I have to say that every client that has “gone for it” has been rewarded with nothing but stellar images – whether it’s been in the rain or pea soup fog – we’ve come away with great stuff.

Moving on with today’s blog, I have to disclose to everyone that Megan and Casey are two goofballs.  They really love life to the fullest, and are always laughing and goofing around.  If I could interview my clients, this would be the criteria I would deem necessary for us to work together!  So everyone, look through the pics and follow a pair of people who have it down.  Enjoy!… Megan and Casey wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sometimes the light just gives you a good photo.

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Rosa + Shenay

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Another deal, another day.  The Groupon deal is still kicking, although it’s in its last stages of life.  I met Rosa and Shenay at the Japanese Tea Garden in SF.  We got there early to avoid the crowds, and got away with it too, as the tourist were light in the morning.  Thus, we had our choice of some nice angles with the bridge, trees, and all the other good things that come with a Japanese garden.

Shenay, whose name is Turkish, spent 2 years in Japan as a child, thus the fascination with all things Japanese.  As I spent 2 years of my life (although I was an adult) I am still fascinated with all things Japanese.  Whether it’s a bar that serves mayonnaise milk shakes (for real), real karaoke, or the indefinite response you’ll get to important life decisions, I will always heart Japan.
Here are a few from the day…

Through the maple, Shenay and Rosa.

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