wedded bliss images - artful, experiential wedding photography

Wedding Faire - Hannah Nicole Vineyards

2012-02-17T06:46:00.000-08:00

Come out and see us on Sunday, February 19, at the Hannah Nicole Vineyards Wedding Faire! The winery will be set up for weddings, and you can meet preferred vendors and, of course, taste some great wine!

When: Sunday, February 19, 2012 from 2pm to 6pm
Where: Hannah Nicole Vineyards, 6700 Balfour Road, Brentwood, CA 94513
RSVP: events@hnvwines.com

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T10:59:00.000-08:00

It's Valentine's Day, and though I used to think that it was one of those cheesy Hallmark holidays, I'm really excited today. Why? Well, first, I'm all for any excuse to celebrate love and life. Second, Trader Joe's made a Valentine's edition of their Gummy Tummies, and the cherry-flavored Lovey Gummy Tummies are possibly my favorite version yet. They've completely replaced candy hearts for me this year. Third, and most exciting, Josh decided to make a special Valentine's Day dinner tonight, and I simply can't wait. Chili verde, rice with fried plantains and homemade pomegranate ice cream.... He knows the way to my heart is through latin food and ice cream.

To add to all the excitement, I'm offering a Valentine's special-- book any wedding photography package with us by February 29, 2012, and receive a complimentary custom-designed guest sign-in album. Custom guest sign-in albums are a fun, memorable and unique way to show off your engagement photos and create a wonderful keepsake from your wedding day. Check out one of my favorite designs from last season below.

Happy Valentine's Day!

New Album Slideshows

2012-01-24T09:30:00.000-08:00

Since we're well into 2012 now, and I'm in album mode, I decided it was time for some fresh designs on the website.... So, I've posted five of my current favorite Wedding Day Art Book designs from 2011 in the Love Stories section. And just in case you're impatient like me, here's Rosa and Raudel's gorgeous design.... Enjoy!

Wedding Day Art Book - Libby and Rob - Round Hill Country Club Wedding

2012-01-13T10:24:00.000-08:00

Wintertime is album-design-time for me. From late fall through early spring, it's all about weaving the memories from last season's weddings in gorgeous, storytelling art book designs. One of my favorite moments as a wedding photographer is seeing all of the hard work throughout the engagement shoot, wedding day and beyond come together to tell the story of a couple in love.

Way back in September, Libby and Rob were married at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo in a truly heartfelt ceremony, and I've been excited about designing their wedding day art book ever since....

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

Happy new year! I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season with friends and family. 2011 flew by in a blur of beautiful weddings, heartfelt vows, fun engagement shoots, and, of course, fantastic couples. After an extremely busy fall, I'm back to blogging and have so much to share! Here's a sneak peek at Adrienne and DJ's beautiful December wedding....

Happy 2012!

Sneak Peek - San Francisco Engagement

2011-11-14T10:11:00.001-08:00

Last week's engagement shoot with Thea and Matt was amazing! We had wonderful light, great locations, and Thea and Matt were so fun to work with! I am positively in love with Thea and Matt's images, so here's a sneak peek from their shoot....

Happy Monday!

Adventure Camera - Biking Route 1

2011-11-07T09:15:00.000-08:00

With our metric century through Davis completed last month, we've been looking for nice, long, hilly rides in the Bay Area and beyond to train for our next great biking adventure-- the Hell's Gate Hundred. Whereas our ride from Davis to Winters was, well, pretty much flat, Hell's Gate will be anything but. With a 20-mile climb up and over the 4300-foot Daylight Pass in Death Valley, we'll need some serious hill training. So, with that in mind, we headed down to Big Sur to ride the 26-mile section of Route 1 between Big Sur and Lucia. Hills galore, great scenery, and courteous drivers made for a wonderful out-and-back ride, and by mid-morning we were joined by many other friendly road bikers.

Our turn-around point was Lime Kiln State Park. Situated in a canyon, the park's geography ranges from rocky beaches to brushy peaks high above the ocean's waves. There's a small campground reaching back from the beach, and the campground host is one of the nicest people we've met. Incidentally, he's just created a bike-and-hike campsite for those biking or backpacking along the coast. It's a nice little site with an ocean view and a bench. It's a great place to stay if you're in the area on foot or two wheels.

Happy Monday!

Sneak Peek - Ralston Hall Mansion Wedding

2011-11-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

It's been a very busy week, so I've taken a few days off blogging (sorry!)... However, I'm working on Wendy and Rob's wedding images, and I can't help but share one! They were married last month at the gorgeous Ralston Hall Mansion in a beautiful ceremony and reception. Here's a sneak peek from their first look.... Love!

Happy Thursday!

Sneak Peek - Sierra Nevada Mountain Wedding

2011-10-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

We woke up to some very chilly temperatures this morning, and the briskness in the air reminded me of Wanny and Mike's wedding in the forest of the Sierra Nevada a few weeks ago. A snowstorm three days before their Big Day unexpectedly rearranged a few things, but resulted in a truly unique day, full of family, friends and a whole lot of fun! Here's a sneak peek!

Happy Thursday!

Everything but the kitchen sink...

2011-10-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

With wedding season finally winding down a bit, Josh and I decided it was high time the house got a good cleaning. So, we headed over to the new Target in Dublin (crowded!), loaded up on cleaning supplies, and started scrubbing. After a while, the house was starting to look pretty darn good, so we called it a day and moved on to making dinner. As I was setting the table, I heard Josh say "Huh." This is rarely a good thing. I turned around to find him holding the handle of the kitchen sink faucet. Sadly, it was no longer attached to the kitchen. Turns out the little fork bracket (or whatever you want to call it) had simply sheared off, and there was no fixing it. It was time for a new kitchen faucet.

After an informative trip to Lowe's, we had a snazzy new faucet and a complete realization that this was well beyond our home-maintenance skills. So, we also ordered Lowe's installation services, and we should have a working kitchen sink sometime this afternoon. In the meantime, you would not believe how much a broken kitchen sink can affect your day when you work out of your house. We've taken to keeping a pitcher of water next to the sink as a replacement, but food prep and washing dishes is still a little sketchy without a steady flow of water to the dish disposal, and making tea or coffee requires a trip to the bathroom. Yeah. Needless to say, we took the Lowe's salesperson's advice and ate out last night.

Happy Tuesday!

Two Years!

2011-10-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

Today is Josh's and my two-year wedding anniversary. Like many people, these milestone days always getting me thinking about how far we've come sine the last milestone, and where we're headed in the future. It's been a very interesting year for us, and I can't wait to see what adventures are in store for us in the next year. And I couldn't imagine experiencing it all without my best friend by my side.... Happy Anniversary, Josh!

New! Automotive Art

2011-10-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

Last night, as we were watching I-don't-actually-remember-what on TV, one of my favorite commercials came on. It's a commercial for Bridgestone tires that features an older couple driving their 1950s Caddy like stunt drivers on a salt flat. After whipping around the flats, the car stops, and the couple gets out of the car to switch drivers. As they cross paths in front of the car, the women says "I got this one, Old Man," and slaps his butt. I love it! Makes me smile every time.

And that brings us to something new and exciting. Those of you who have seen my business cards know that they're two-sided. One side is Wedded Bliss Images, and the other side is it's sister company Twisted Rock Photography. When we first started, Twisted Rock was simply my outlet for my fine art photography projects, and we sold prints, cards, canvases and metal images at art festivals around the Bay Area. Now, Twisted Rock is getting a new direction that combines my infatuation with classic (and not-so-classic) cars and my absolute love of creating photographic art out of just about anything. For now, I'm going to call it "Automotive Art." So, if your car (or motorcycle, as the case may be) is your passion, give me a holler, and I'll create some chrome-inspired custom art just for you!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Susan + Watson - Wedding Day Art Book

2011-10-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights of this wedding season has been working with Susan and Watson. From our trip to the San Francisco Zoo for their engagement shoot, to their record-breaking ceremony and all of our meetings at the Marriott, they're always fun, easy-going and totally genuine. So, of course, when their Wedding Day Art Book arrived this week, I was positively stoked. So much so, I squealed with delight and went running to the kitchen to open the box. Inside, pure gorgeousness!

Art Book Stats: 12x16 with an Armour metal cover (love!) and Passion red leather spine and back

You can also see more of their album design from last month's blog post. Happy Thursday!

Foxy's Fall Century

2011-10-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

Earlier this summer, Josh and I traded in our old road bikes for some shiny new models that fit a lot better. Riding suddenly got a lot more fun (even though we really liked it before!), and we started challenging ourselves on longer and longer rides. Eventually,we started wondering whether we could ride a century (100 miles) in one shot. We haven't quite gotten there yet, but we did ride Foxy's Fall Metric Century (100 km or about 60 miles) last weekend. What a great ride! It was our first foray into organized rides, and having so many other bicyclists out there with us added a whole other dimension and a sense of community to the ride. We finished considerably faster than we thought we would, and had so much fun that we're planning to take on the Hell's Gate Hundred in Death Valley next spring. It's going to be a heck of a challenge (it's a true century at 100 miles and over 8500 feet of climbing), but it will be really neat to go out and see one of my most favorite places by bicycle. Let the training begin!

And to wrap up, here's an image from our very first trip to Death Valley years ago... We came across this long-abandoned car, and to me, it speaks volumes about the lives and challenges the miners of Death Valley faced.

Happy Monday!

A Year of Adventure

2011-10-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

We interrupt our regularly scheduled blogging with an important message... Today is Josh's birthday! It's been a year of full of adventure, both indoors and outdoors, and we've come a long way over the last 365 days. So, here's to another year of great adventures, fun, excitement, and love... Happy birthday to my bestest friend!

Sneak Peek - Hannah Nicole Vineyards Wedding

2011-10-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

It's been a very busy fall, filled with gorgeous weddings and happy couples. Angela and Paul tied the knot a little over a week ago, and I absolutely love the images from their reception at Hannah Nicole Vineyards in Brentwood. Here's a sneak peek!

Happy Wednesday!

Adventure Camera - Altamont Pass

2011-10-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

Years ago, when Josh and I moved from the east coast to California, we packed everything we owned into a bright yellow moving truck and drove across the country, towing my car (with our kayaks on top) behind the truck. Six days and several adventures later, we were driving over the Altamont Pass, ready to arrive at our new home. At the time, I'd never seen anything like the large wind farms that top many a mountain ridge in California, and I found the windmills to be fascinating. I still do. So, as Josh was battling traffic up the pass, I was holding my camera out the passenger window trying to take as many photos as possible.

Last weekend, we were up near Tahoe for Wanny and Mike's slightly snowy wedding, and on the way back home, driving over the Altamont Pass, I was reminded of our move to the west coast. So much so, I pointed the Adventure Camera out the window and happily fired away...

Happy Tuesday!

Random Photo Friday - Lava Beds National Monument

2011-10-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

As a photographer, I face the constant battle of organizing my images in ways that allow me to find a specific image easily at a later time. It's been a challenge, to say the least, especially given the fact that, while the images I've taken over the past couple years are well organized, the plethora I took back in, say, 2007, well, they aren't even close. So, each week, I try to spend a little time going back through those old images and sorting them into their rightful places. It's actually quite fun-- I look at images I haven't seen in years, and they bring back all the memories of our adventures.

This week, I found one from an unexpected trip to Lava Beds National Monument. I say unexpected because, well, we expected to be taking some rock climbing lessons around Mount Shasta that weekend, but a rain storm rerouted that adventure. With two days suddenly free, we decided to head father north to see what northern California had to offer. A few hours later, we arrived at Lava Beds National Monument, which sounded like a great place to be in inclement weather, since the main attraction, lava tubes, was underground, and thus out of the raindrops. We secured a campsite, stopped the visitors' center where we procured yellow souvenir hardhats and some large flashlights, and headed underground for two days of exploring some very cool tunnels and rock formations. Mind you, it's probably not the best activity for the claustrophobics in the crowd, but it's a ton of fun nonetheless.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Adventure Camera - Snow!

2011-10-06T09:19:00.000-07:00

Josh and I love snow sports. From downhill skiing to snowshoeing to moutaineering, if it involves snow, we're there. Since the rains came in on Monday, Josh has been checking the Sierra webcams hourly to see how much snow has dropped over our favorite ski resorts and working out plans to go skiing as soon as possible.

Growing up, "snowsports" was building snowmen, attempting to build igloos, skiing down hills on over-sized cross country skis, and ice soccer (yes, it's as painful as it sounds....). Then I met Josh, and he took me downhill skiing at the local landfill-turned-downhill-ski-resort. (Hey, we grew up southeastern Michigan, it's a little lacking in large hills and mountains.) We got fitted up in straighter-than-straight 1980s vintage rental skis and rear-entry boots, and headed out to the snow, where I immediately learned what a "yard sale" is. Every time I tried to turn those skis, I'd fall, lose at least one pole, and watch my skis go sliding away, usually in opposite directions. Josh followed me down the hill time and again, picking up the pieces and trying to teach me, well, anything. Then I had an epiphany: I always fell when I tried to turn-- if I didn't turn, maybe I wouldn't fall! So, I pointed the skis downhill and let loose. I sped all the way to the bottom of the run without falling, and used a very convenient fence to stop myself. Josh was mortified. I think his exact words were "If you crash and break a leg before track season, your dad is going to kill me." Back to the drawing board we went....

Skiing didn't really catch on with me that day, but a few years later, snowboarding did. Then a temporary job at a local ski shop gave me access to way too many skis, and I was soon racing down the Sierra on a shiny pair of red Atomic skis. From there, we discovered snowshoeing, backcountry skiing and mountaineering, and started camping out in the snow to get farther into the backcountry. To this day, my favorite overnight trip was a climb up Lassen Peak. We headed out one morning, climbing up past Lake Helen and to the shoulder of Lassen Peak, seeing only one ranger and a small day tour group in the distance. That night, we had the mountain to ourselves. We were up and climbing towards the peak at sunrise, and the view from the top was magnificent. You could see for miles and miles in every direction, and I felt very small in a very big world. Back down at camp, we ate breakfast and packed up for the trek back to the car with a definite bounce in our steps. I can't wait to see what snowy adventures this winter brings!

Happy Thursday!

Adventure Camera - Rainy Days

2011-10-05T07:56:00.000-07:00

Fall is finally arriving in the Bay Area, and with it, the rains. While I definitely am hoping for sunny skies for all of our upcoming weddings (fingers crossed!), on a personal note, I'm loving the cooler weather and rainy skies. I've been so over the summer heat since the beginning of September, and now that my tall boots, scarf and peacoat are out of the closet, I'm happy.

It's supposed to pour today, and so far, the weather is living up to the predictions. But, out here more than anywhere else I've lived, there's always a rainbow after the rain. Already, during a brief break, Josh spotted a rainbow, and it reminded me of another rainy (and snowy!) day from our honeymoon at the Grand Canyon, and the gorgeous rainbows that seemingly popped up everywhere....

Happy Wednesday!

Sneak Peek - Oakland Metropolitan Golf Links Wedding

2011-10-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

It's been one of those super busy mornings (hence the later-than-usual blog post).... I'm starting into Amy and Jerry's wedding images, and I can't tell you how excited I am! Here's a sneak peek....

Happy Tuesday!

Guest Sign-In Album - Jessica and Jay

2011-10-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

Jessica and Jay's custom guest sign-in album arrived last week, and I would have to say it's my favorite design to date. We had a good bit of fog on the day of their engagement shoot, and I love the intimate, romantic feel it gave to their images and album....

Happy Monday!

The Smurfs

2011-09-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

It's funny how things come back around. Way back when, I used to watched the Smurfs cartoons on TV, and followed their battles with the evil Gargamel and his cat Azreal every Saturday morning, along with He-Man and She-Ra. Then, they all went off the air, replaced by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (which just came back around itself!) and a variety of other shows I don't even remember at this point.

Now that the Smurfs have made a resurgence with feature-length 3D movie, McDonald's has, of course, added Smurf figurines to it's Happy Meals. Since Josh's dad has an in on the Happy Meal toy front, a box containing the entire set of Happy Meal Smurf figurines arrived on our doorstep last week. Which led to Josh comparing me to a Smurf each day. At some point during the day, he leaves one of the Smurfs on the table next to my reading chair. One day, I was apparently Panicky (it was one of those days...), and yesterday, after having gotten my hair cut (cue the Hallelujah chorus-- I was in dire need!), Vanity Smurf was sitting next to my Kindle. We'll see which Smurf today brings, but I will say, if Papa Smurf shows up on my reading table, well, I'm just not so sure about that....

Happy Friday, and have a wonderful weekend!

Adventure Camera - Sutter Creek

2011-09-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

A while back, Josh and I spent a few days in the Sierra foothills riding our bikes and touring around. After a particularly strenuous ride one morning (you wouldn't believe how steep some of those hills are!), we decided we needed ice cream and headed off to the Sutter Creek Ice Cream Emporium. That's right, an emporium of ice cream. Behind an old soda shop counter, the servers dished out cones filled with scoops of a large variety of flavors. Somehow, Josh and I both described their ice cream as "fluffy." I'm not totally sure how that works, but it was quite delicious in both strawberry and cherry-vanilla. We took a stroll around town, popping into the six-or-so antiques shops for fun. We're not really the antiquing type, but it was fun to see what's considered an antique. The luggage, in particular, amused us because we spotted two pieces, a hard-sided suitcase and hand-held beauty case, that have twins still in use today by our grandparents.

In addition to antiques and ice cream, Sutter Creek has a bunch of wineries, tasting rooms and restaurants, though we didn't try any of those on this trip. Being a town with a history, though, we did find a lot of neat architecture and, my personal favorite, an old Shell gas pump.

So, if you're in the area, Sutter Creek is definitely worth a stop, and the whole area around the town has a lot of attractions as well, from vineyards to natural caverns and old mines.

Happy Thursday!

Libby + Rob - Round Hill Country Club Wedding

2011-09-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

The halls of Round Hill Country Club were quiet in the early afternoon of Libby and Rob's Big Day. Libby smiled happily as she put her earrings in, and as she walked out of the women's lounge to meet Rob for their First Look, she was calm and content. Outside, Rob waited excitedly for his bride, his love and best friend. As Libby opened the door, they both broke into big smiles. The day that was over a decade in the making was here. Throughout the day and into the evening, the shared loving gazes, secret smiles and tons of fun moments, best friends ready to embark on a new adventure together.

Libby and Rob's day was all about spending time together, and they built in lots of time for photos together both before and after their ceremony, which I absolutely love!

Pre-ceremony, we toured around the clubhouse and found tons of great nooks to shoot in...

A happy moment from the ceremony...

After Libby and Rob's ceremony, we grabbed a few golf carts for a trip around the golf course...

One of the things I love about shooting in the Bay Area, and especially the East Bay, is all the oak trees. They make perfect natural backdrops, and every oak has its own personality...

Libby and Rob's wedding cake was simply elegant, with white scrollwork on chocolate frosting, and bride-and-groom-styled chocolate-dipped strawberries on top.

Most couples take some dance lessons before their wedding in order to look good for their first dance as a married couple. Libby and Rob took it to the next step with a full performance that ended with pizazz!

Now, if you've read my blog for very long, you know I'm a huge fan of classic cars, and that I love love love when classic cars and weddings come together. Rob's neighbor lent them his Mustang for their Big Day, and, well, I'm totally jealous!

Libby and Rob, I have had the best time working with you, and I'm so glad to have been a part of your wedding celebration! It's such a wonderful thing to be married to your best friend, and I wish you the best in what's to come. Love and happiness... Erin.

New Galleries!

2011-09-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Over the past couple months, I've been working on a number of website upgrades, and I'm pleased to announce that I have new public galleries posted to the main Wedded Bliss Images website! There are now nine galleries to browse through, detailing each part of the wedding day, from The Preparations to The Happily Ever After. I'd love to know what you think, so please feel free to leave a comment below!

The Wonders of Craig's List

2011-09-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

Most people, come the warming temperatures of spring, feel the need to do a solid spring cleaning and purge their house of excess things. Us? Well, somehow that urge hits us in the fall. Or mid-winter. Or anytime but spring. So, tired of climbing through "Bicycle Alley" in our garage and armed with a trusty point-and-shoot camera, we pulled out all the sporting goods we don't use anymore and posted them to Craig's List. Ten minutes later, the we had people interested in bicycles, golf clubs, an old roof rack system and more. That's the great thing about Craig's List-- it allows items that still have use in them, but aren't used by their current owner, to find a new home and new life with someone who can use them. It keeps perfectly good items from going to a landfill, and makes the environmentalist in me happy, as well as fostering a sense of community. So, hooray for Craig's List, and happy Monday!

Sneak Peek - Crown Beach

2011-09-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

I had a truly wonderful time with Nicole and Ben at their engagement shoot yesterday. They're a fabulous couple, full of love and life, and I'm so happy for them! Here's a sneak peek...

Happy Thursday!

Wedding Day Art Book - Susan + Watson

2011-09-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Susan and Watson were such a joy to work with, and last week we finalized and put in the order for their wedding day art book! It'll be a little while before it arrives, but in the meantime, check out their design... It fits them to a tee, and I simply can't wait to see their Armour metal cover. It's going to be positively amazing, just like Susan and Watson.

Happy Tuesday!

Adventure Camera - Sunset in the Sierra Foothills

2011-09-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about the Sierra foothills is the massive oak woodlands. I love the way single oaks stand out from each other, dancing in the sunlight, and I especially love how their gnarled silhouettes stand atop rolling ridgelines in front of the setting sun. It's one of those images that simply puts me at peace. So, here's a little peace to start off your week....

Happy Monday!

Diamonds + Coals - Biking and Fall

2011-09-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

Somewhere along the way this week, we decided to finally sign up for an organized bicycle ride. I'd call it a race, but, well, I have no intention of racing-- I just want to finish in one piece. So, with a date now looming, we've finally got the appropriate motivation to start seriously biking during the week. (We've been a little lazy lately with the heat and all...) We headed off on one of our favorite local rides, Del Valle Road. The road climbs roughly 600 feet in a little over a mile and a half, and makes for a great workout. You sweat on the way up, and cruise on the way down. This time, we had a bit of an unofficial race on the way down, and I managed to clock my fastest speed on bicycles ever: 37.75 mph. Scary fast, but totally exhilarating, and I can't wait to get back out there!

So, without further ado, this week's coals go to...
- Junk mail. Holy cow. I opened my mailbox yesterday only to find that our mail carrier had stuffed it full of more junk mail than I've ever seen. It literally exploded out of the box. Now I"m on a mission to take our address off every catalog and coupon subscription known to man.
- Satellite radio. It seems to have an on-again-off-again type of relationship with my Jeep. Monday was on. Yesterday was off. Let's just make up our mind on this, shall we?

This week's diamonds go to...
- Biking. You may not feel like going for a ride, but once you get out there, it feels great.
- Fall-like weather. The break in the heat has been fantastic, and I already feel like pulling out my sweaters and tall boots. Sadly, it looks like net week's going to heat up again.
- Finao. For being awesome to work with. Their albums are top-notch, as are the people who work there.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sneak Peek - Lake Tahoe Beach Wedding

2011-09-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I've been looking forward to Shea and Gus's wedding all summer. About halfway through their wedding planning process, they decided that things just weren't quite right, and started over. When Shea told me that their new venue would be right on the beach of Lake Tahoe, I was thrilled! A totally fun couple, a gorgeous beach, and a beautiful wedding... Heaven! Shea and Gus tied the knot last weekend in a beautiful sunset ceremony, and I'm so excited about the images I can hardly contain myself. So, here's a sneak peek!

Happy Thursday!

Rosa + Raudel - Livermore Wedding

2011-09-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

It was a toasty August morning in Livermore as Rosa and her bridesmaids dressed and put the final touches on their hair and makeup. The hotel suite was abustle with a dozen girls, and suddenly, they were running late. As the driver hurried the limousine to the church, Rosa called Raudel to say she was on her way. When they reached Saint Michael's, Rosa and the girls jumped out of the car and right into line for the processional. Raudel's parents walked him down the aisle to start the ceremony, and a smile of joyous anticipation curled on his lips. His love was here, and he was about to be reunited with her after a very busy morning apart. A few minutes later, as Rosa walked down the aisle, she saw only Raudel, waiting at the altar for her. Throughout their ceremony and the rest of the day, they sneaked little glances at each other and smiled, happy to be by each other's side and celebrating the start of their new life together.

From her shimmering champagne-pink heels to her rhinestone-trimmed garter, Rosa sparkled on her Big Day.

A special thanks to Jaymee Govia of JTGlamour for Rosa's beautifully romantic hair and makeup.

I love Raudel's reaction to seeing Rosa for the first time walking down the aisle!

Saint Michael's Church was the perfect setting for Rosa and Raudel's Spanish Catholic ceremony.

I don't usually post formal portraits, but with lighting like this, I simply couldn't resist...

After their ceremony, Rosa and Raudel allowed three hours for a photo shoot with their bridal party around Livermore before heading to the reception. Love it! We started the shoot at one of my favorite Livermore landmarks, the Duarte Highway Garage museum.

Josh captured this happy little moment between the newlyweds.

When I posted Rosa and Raudel's sneak peek a while back, I had trouble deciding between two of my favorite images... Here's the second one-- I just looooove how the wind caught Rosa's veil at just the right moment!

Next, we headed to downtown for a walking tour down First Street. Our first stop was the regal Independent building.

Then onto Valley Furniture... Rosa and Raudel's bridal party was a ton of fun and I loved their style!

I loved that Rosa and Raudel held hands throughout most of the shoot... Adorable!

A favorite ring shot...

Rosa and Raudel's reception was a HUGE celebration, full of love, laughter, and lots of dancing. Before the dance floor got busy, however, they shared their first dance.

And an image of pure happiness to finish...

Rosa and Raudel, you're an amazing couple, and are surrounded by so much love! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your celebration, and I wish you nothing but the best! Love and happiness... Erin

Guest Sign-In Album - Angela and Paul

2011-09-13T09:23:00.000-07:00

Angela and Paul's gorgeous custom guest sign-in album arrived last week, and I was thrilled to deliver it to them yesterday! I designed images from their Lake Tahoe engagement shoot into a fun and playful album that fits them to a tee. Here are a few favorites....

I love their scenic photo-wrap cover...

Happy Tuesday!

Sneak Peek - Round Hill Country Club Wedding

2011-09-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

It's a bright, sunny Monday morning, and we're getting settled back in after Shea and Gus's amazing Lake Tahoe wedding last weekend... In the meantime, here's a sneak peek from Libby and Rob's gorgeous wedding at the Round Hill Country Club!

Happy Monday!

Random Photo Friday - Fall Leaves

2011-09-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

Since the "unofficial end of summer" was earlier this week, and I'm well over this summer heat we've been having, I figured I'd post a nice fall-ish photo today. Fall is my favorite season, and every year around this time, when the temperatures start to dip a little lower at night, and the morning air begins to border on crisp, I get a little excited about the change in seasons. Growing up in Michigan, the leaves would change color, ushering in the snow (or rather, sleet). Out here in California, the oaks turn shades of brown, and it's the perfect time to head up to the mountains for fall hiking and winter snow play. This fall, I'm thrilled to be heading up to the Tahoe area for two beautiful weddings with two absolutely wonderful couples. Amazing couples, gorgeous scenery, and heartfelt weddings? Yes, please!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Adventure Camera - Mountain Biking at Point Reyes

2011-09-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, I got the bug to go mountain biking. On a real dirt trail, that is. Preferably on a mountain. So, Josh, being a good sport, planned a couple trips up to Marin to ride the trails. Our most recent adventure started from the Five Brooks Trailhead in Point Reyes. We planned out a nice, long tour and pedaled on up the Olema Valley Trail before quickly coming to the conclusion that it was quite a bit steeper than expected. So, after one very fast, very scary descent back down to the trail junction, we were trucking our way up the Stewart Trail, which is a wide fire road with the perfect mountain bike climbing grade. The trail winds up the ridge, topping out at a small clearing, which, incidentally, was the perfect place for a snack. The way back down was fast and smooth, and, unlike some rides, our teeth weren't rattled out. Altogether, a very nice ride. Back at the truck, we lunched on the tailgate and enjoyed some very interesting people watching in the rather busy parking lot, and came to the revelation that "mountain bike touring" may be an oxymoron.

Happy trails!

Sneak Peek - San Francisco Engagement

2011-09-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

I can tell that today's going to be an interesting day. Yesterday while I was out on Renee and Joe's engagement shoot, the construction crew tore up the sidewalk leading to our front door, and then cordoned the area off with road barriers. Combine this with the fact that our garage door is still out of commission, and we may be climbing in through the windows soon! So, while I figure out how to get out of the house to meet with Susan and Watson to finalize their Wedding Day Art Book, here's a sneak peek from Leticia and Steve's San Francisco engagement shoot!

Did I mention that I'm absolutely in with love Leticia's peacock-inspired dress? It was the perfect outfit for their shoot!

Happy Wednesday!

Random Photo Friday

2011-09-02T10:59:00.000-07:00

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

The Unofficial End of Summer

2011-09-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

While eating breakfast this morning, Josh turned on the news, and the newscaster said something that also amuses me. This weekend marks the "Unofficial End of Summer," when everyone will have their last hurrah with barbecues, boating and general outdoor fun before packing it all up for the winter. Here in Livermore, however, we're expecting temperatures in the 90s, which definitely still sounds like summer to me, and, in my opinion, the best outdoor weather of the year in the Bay Area is still ahead of us. But, whether your summer ends this weekend or not, enjoy the holiday weekend!

Happy Thursday!

Clouds

2011-08-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, I used to love to lie in the grass and look up at the sky. My friends and I would look up at the clouds in the sky, and guess what each person thought they saw. The clouds would become a menagerie of animals, pirate ships, faces and everyday objects. Childhood imagination at its best. So, here's to remembering those wondrous moments from days gone by, and reliving them when you can...

Happy Wednesday!

Shoe Shopping

2011-08-30T07:13:00.000-07:00

Even though, like most girls, I absolutely, positively love shoes, one of the things I don't always like is shoe shopping. Why? Well, it's sometimes tough finding shoes that look cute in a size 10, but at the same time are comfortable. Usually this results in a multi-hour trip to the mall after which I come home empty-handed. However, when my favorite shopping buddy, Josh, is along, I almost always find something, mostly because he simply suggests styles that I wouldn't necessarily have tried on by myself. It works out great for me, though I secretly think his objective, like most guys, is simply to get out of there as quickly as possible. Regardless, thanks to Josh, I finally have a cute, sparkly, comfy pair of wedges to wear with skirts, dresses, and just about anything else. Thanks, honey!

Happy Tuesday!

Sneak Peek - Castlewood Country Club Wedding

2011-08-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

Rachel and Wayne had such a gorgeous wedding last weekend at the always beautiful Castlewood Country Club! I'm head-over-heels in love with the images, so here's a sneak peek to start your week!

Happy Monday!

Diamonds + Coals - The Village Barbershop and Garage Doors

2011-08-26T09:20:00.000-07:00

After a string of disappointing movie selections on Netflix over the last month, we finally found another winner. The Village Barbershop was a great, heartwarming and funny movie about a longtime barbershop owner whose partner passes away, leaving him a bit lonely, short a hand, and without an accountant. Enter Gloria, a young woman recovering from a bad breakup and in need of a job. Through trials and tribulations, their lives come together. I'm being deliberately vague here-- I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot, and don't want to give it all away. In any event, a really great movie, and I highly recommend it. And guys, it's not a chick flick, so feel free to enjoy it, too!

This week's coals go to...
- Our garage door. For finally biting the bullet and snapping in half. Who knew garage doors did that? We're told is was a super duper cheap door, and that's why. So, invest a little in your garage door. You never know when it may decide to stop working and hold your car hostage inside.

Diamonds to...
- The Village Barbershop. It's one of those movie that makes you feel good about everything. Even doing the dishes.
- Futurama. I found the first seven seasons of my favorite cartoon of all time on Netflix. Yup, I'm a little nerdy sometimes... Don't judge! :)
- My desk. Somehow, over the last week, the cleaning fairies came by and cleared all the miscellaneous junk away. I can see the surface again!

Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll be back next week with a gorgeous wedding and one of my favorite engagement shoots of all time!

The Craziness You Can Buy on Amazon

2011-08-25T08:34:00.000-07:00

I can't remember the first item we ever bought on Amazon (though I can probably look it up), but since that first purchase, well, we've been hooked. A lot of my camera gear has come from Amazon, as well as numerous DVDs, books and miscellaneous electronics. Over the years, however, we've discovered that you can get some pretty crazy things on Amazon as well, and last week, Josh made our second-craziest purchase.... A piano. And for only $4, it was delivered overnight. Yes, an overnighted upright piano is our second-craziest purchase from Amazon. Our craziest purchase, you ask? Well, that would be a trailer for our kayaks, which arrived in seven boxes, took five hours to assemble, and had to be registered with the DMV. Truly proving that you can get just about anything from Amazon.

So, what's your craziest online purchase?

Jessica + Nick - Brentwood Golf Course Wedding

2011-08-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

The day was sunny and bright as Nick arrived the Brentwood Golf Course. He pinned his boutonniere to his lapel, checked his cufflinks, and sank into a comfy chair in the lounge to wait for Jessica.

Jessica swept into the bride's room on a wave of excited laughter of her closest friends and mother. There were tears of joy as she slipped into her dress and put the final touches on her ensemble, an heirloom ring with a heart design, enameled rose earrings, and shimmery champagne shoes. After a festive toast of sparkling wine and strawberries, she was on her way to see Nick.

Nick smiled as he heard Jessica walking up behind him for their First Look, and when Jessica tapped him on the shoulder, he turned around to see the love of his life looking so radiant and both were overcome with joy. It was a truly magical moment that lived on through the rest of the day and evening, through their heartfelt vows, loving toasts, first dance as husband and wife, and uncountable tender moments in between. Surrounded by family and friends, they celebrated love.

Jessica looked incredibly stunning, of course.

And here's what happens when you combine handsome and excited groomsmen with smartphones... Love it!

Jessica and Nick opted to have a First Look, which I absolutely, positively love!

Intimate moments together before the ceremony...

...And a little tour of the grounds to spend some time enjoying each other's company.

A heartfelt ceremony held under an elegant gazebo...

Jessica and Nick's bridal party was one of the best groups of people you could ever hope to gather up, and working with them was a total blast!

One of my favorite ring shots...

I love the feel of this one from their first dance...

Jessica and Nick, it was such a pleasure and honor working with your two throughout your engagement and on your Big Day, and I wish you nothing but the best in love and life! Stay fun, caring and genuine! Love and happiness... Erin

Adventure Camera - Mountain Biking the Bolinas Ridge Trail

2011-08-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

Back in the day, when I was a kid, there wasn't much that would get me off my bike. Well, maybe a good book, but I quickly figured out how to combine my two favorite activities by riding my bike to the library. I was such a smart cookie. In any event, one of my favorite places to ride, besides the library, was across the road from our neighborhood-- there was a creek with a big levy on one side that my friends and I used to dare each other to ride down. We called it Suicide Hill, and it was all of maybe a five-foot descent, and probably not all that steep, but as a ten-year-old, it was terrifying.

These days, the levy is gone, long ago plowed down to make room for a new neighborhood, and I've traded in my pink Huffy with a banana seat and handlebar basket for a mountain bike with shocks and clip pedals, but I still love a good ride out in the woods. I've had a hankering to get the mountain bikes out on a real ride for a while, so Josh and I headed on over to the Bolinas Ridge trailhead in Marin. What a fantastic ride! The out-and-back trail is mostly fire road, and climbs up and up and up on the way out, and then you get a major descent on the way back. Suicide Hill, look out! There were definitely a few "oh crap" moments. The first portion of the trail was along the ridgeline, over exposed grassy hills, but after a while, it enters into redwood forest for a peaceful uphill meander through the trees. The forest was my favorite part, and the fog lent a mysterious, other-worldly feel to our ride, while the rainforest effect lent a very muddy veneer to our bike (and us!). Overall, though, a great place to ride, if you're in the mood for a good climb and some great views.

Now on to the reward for reading this far... the photos!

Happy Tuesday!

Love Stories

2011-08-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

Lately, life has been a whirlwind of gorgeous weddings, fun engagement shoots, beautiful album design, lots and lots of processing, and now website updates. For a while now, I've been working on incorporating designs from some of my favorite storytelling Art Books into the main Wedded Bliss website, and I'm thrilled to let the world wide web know that they're officially up! Slideshow videos of some of my favorite Art Books can be found under the "Love Stories" tab on the website, and I'll be adding more all week! So, stop on by and enjoy a peek into a few love-filled and heartfelt wedding days on this foggy Monday morning!

New Wedding Day Art Book Slideshows

2011-08-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

Usually, Friday is an easy blog day for me. I blog about the week's successes, trials, tribulations, and whatever else comes to mind. This week, however, was one of those rarely, uneventful ones. I had my head down, focused on my to-do list, and accomplished a lot of album design, photo processing, and website updates. So, being me, I started to write a blog post about having not much to blog about, but then reread it and totally bored myself, so I'm sparing you that version. Instead, I'll give you a sneak peek of what's to come on the website next week.... Video slideshows of my Wedding Day Art Books! Several are already live on The Knot, and we're in the process of adding them to the main Wedded Bliss Images website as well, so stay tuned for that early next week! In the meantime, enjoy the gorgeousness that is Kim and Kyle's Art Book slideshow....

Have a wonderful weekend!

Adventure Camera - Morgan Territory

2011-08-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

One of the things I love most about living in California, and specifically Livermore, is the amount of open space that's right in my backyard. Out in the East Bay, we have a fantastic regional park system, as well as a bunch of local parks in each town. The Morgan Territory is a lesser-known park north of Livermore in the Diablo foothills. In fact, you can actually hike through the Morgan Territory and all the way to Mount Diablo, if you so desired. It's a great place to hike and mountain bike, and just plain get away from it all. The park is perched above the Tri-Valley area upon ridges and hilltops, and surrounded mostly by ranchland. It makes for a great escape-- once you meander over the first hill out of the parking lot, you're surrounded by oak woodlands and grassy meadows full of grasshoppers, birds and squirrels. If you're there on a breezy day (which is just about every day around here!), the grasses ripples in the wind, and the soft sounds of oak leaves rustling permeate the air. Utter peacefulness just a short drive (or bike ride, if you're up for a big climb) away from home.

Happy Thursday!

Stephanie + Rick - Ross Wedding

2011-08-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

The day dawned bright and sunny, with bluebird skies and a few wispy clouds overhead. As Stephanie styled her hair, and put the finishing touches on her makeup, she thought about her groom, Rick, preparing in a separate room, and teared up a little. It felt so strange to be without him on such an important morning, since he was always by her side, and sat down to write him a letter about all the emotions and happiness and overwhelming love she was feeling. A short time later, the letter was delivered, and Stephanie was ready to walk down the aisle to join Rick, her groom, her love, her best friend. As the first chords of the processional rang through the church, she saw Rick waiting at the alter, smiling at her, instantly, everything was perfect. Friends, family and loved ones surrounded them as they said their vows, and celebrated with the newlyweds in a beautiful and heartfelt reception. Throughout the festivities, Stephanie and Rick would look at each other, and tears of pure happiness would well up in their eyes. They were together on this magical day, as they were always meant to be.

Every detail at Stephanie and Rick's wedding had a story behind it, from her grandfather's handkerchief to the heirloom watch she wore. I especially loved her watch-- it had been given to her grandmother Florence when she was a child, and Stephanie wore it in honor of her on this momentous occasion.

I'm sure this goes without saying, but Stephanie, you look positively radiant!

Of course, Rick looked pretty good himself!

Their wedding was held at the magnificent Saint John's Church in Ross, and the warm colors, stained glass, and buttressed ceiling felt like taking a step back to the Renaissance. Adorably, the flower girl couldn't resist a peek around the pews to see what was going on at the altar!

I loved the earthy, romantic details of Stephanie and Rick's reception decor.

Stephanie and Rick are amazing cooks (more on that in a moment) and made homemade apple butter for their guests. The cute jars made for the perfect ring shot, too!

Their cake was the perfect complement to the rest of the decor, and did I mention that they made the cake themselves? Love!

A tender moment between the new wife and husband....

And another moment in a beautiful blue Corvette to finish things off...

Stephanie and Rick, you are two of the most caring and loving people I've ever met, and I'm truly honored have been a part of your day! I can't wait to see what the future holds for you, but I'm sure it will include so many loving, caring moments. Love and happiness... Erin

Long Distance Hiking in the Desert

2011-08-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

Lately, Josh and I have been devouring travelogues about long distance hiking on the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails (someday we plan to hike both.). So far, I've gotten through one book about a novice hiker tackling the Appalachian Trail with pretty much no prior experience (believe me, his "adventures" were, well, entertaining to say the least!) and one book by the same hiker about his now-less-novice-but-still-a-bit-out-there hike of the entire Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Now I'm getting toward the end of a second book about the PCT, written by a couple, who also headed out for a six-month hike with close to no backpacking experience, but definitely seemed to have a bit more common sense than the first guy.

In any event, the thing that has amazed me about the PCT books is just how much people dislike hiking in the desert. Granted, they were hiking through the southern California deserts in April and May, when temperatures regularly head toward triple digits, and that sort of heat does tend to have a grumpifying (yes, grumpifying, as in "to make instantly grumpy.") effect on people. Anyone who has talked to me for any amount of time about outdoor adventures knows that I love the desert-- hiking and camping out there is a lot different than backpacking in the greener mountains. Less water, less shade, and lots and lots of rocky terrain. But, despite the heat and dryness, the desert is a truly beautiful and unique place, and hiking through it is most certainly a treat. So, to anyone looking to hike the PCT, please give the desert a chance-- stop for a moment, and really take a look around and see the beauty of life on the edge.

Happy Tuesday!

Sneak Peek - Livermore Wedding

2011-08-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

With Josh visiting family last weekend, I spent the time catching up on photo processing, album design and website updates (more to come on that later this week!). I'm working my way through Rosa and Raudel's gorgeous wedding photos, and came across one (well, actually two, but I've conquered my indecision and chosen one!) that I just had to share!

Happy Monday!

Diamonds + Coals - Sharing

2011-08-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Back in the day, when we were kids, we were always taught to share with others. This was especially important in a family of seven. We shared toys, TV time, and bedrooms, and were best friends because of it. Well, at least we all were when my brother wasn't eating our Barbie dolls' shoes or using our pink Barbie Jeep as a chair. We got over it eventually.

These days, sharing means something more than just belongings. When you're out in the big, bad business world, it's all about sharing knowledge and learning from others. This week, I had a great opportunity to do just that. I attended the WPPI Road Trip event this week, and had a chance to learn from some of the best photographers in the world. They shared their ideas, how they go about getting things done, and what they find rewarding, and not-so-rewarding, in their work. I attended with another photographer and friend, Jaime Fenwick (of Jaime Lauren Photography), and we met up with a number of other local photographers along the way to discuss everything we'd learned. Everyone came away feeling inspired (and a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information exchanged), and new friendships were forged.

Sharing with others is a great experience, and benefits everyone involved, so, get out there and talk with your neighbors, friends and coworkers-- they may have something to say that changes your life, or at least your day!

This week's diamonds go to...
- WPPI. For bringing photographers together in a friendly community to share.
- Fundy. For being totally awesome and revolutionizing my album design.
- BayPhoto. I've been with them for years, they've never let me down and are alway listening to their clients. And, they're super-nice people.

And, since WPPI just plain made my week, well, I have no coals to award!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Adventure Camera - Kayaking Lake Tahoe - Day 4

2011-08-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

The final day of our Lake Tahoe circumnavigation was probably my favorite. Since our base camp was Zephyr Cove, we paddled the last section between Sand Harbor and Zephyr Cove in reverse, and once again hired Joe at Shuttle Around Tahoe to drive us and our gear back up to Sand Harbor early in the morning. As was the norm for the week, the water was serene as we launched, and we took a little more time to play in the rock gardens along the shore than we had on previous days. Most of the shoreline along this section isn't developed, and that made for some wonderful wilderness-like paddling and great scenery.

The locals also enjoy the rock gardens...

Josh usually leads when we paddle, at least when I'm in photo-mode. This allows me to take photos of him without his knowledge....

Because the water in the lake is so clear, you can see every detail of the bottom of the lake (at least when the water is calm). A lot of what would normally be beach was underwater due to the high lake level, and we were fascinated by the ripples left in the sand. Luckily, I carry a waterproof camera, so I spent at least some portion of each day floating along with my hand and camera stuck in the water beside my boat to capture the bottom of the lake.

While we were planning out this trip, we kept talking about the prospect of pulling up on a beach and going for a swim whenever we got too warm. With all the development along the north shore, and the relatively chilly water temperature, it just hadn't happened, and I pretty much gave up on that. Then, we pulled up to a completely deserted, gorgeously sandy cove for lunch, and Josh suddenly said that we needed to swim out to the rock garden 100 or so yards off shore. And off we went! The water was chilly, as expected, though the neoprene helped quite a bit, and we luxuriously sunned ourselves out on the rocks for 15 minutes before heading back to the boats.

As we paddled closer and closer to Zephyr Cove and the conclusion of our trip, buildings popped up on the shore, including the Thunderbird Lodge, and the community of Glenbrook. Glenbrook used to be a large lumber settlement, and piles from the old docks still poke up through the water in strange, jagged lines all over the bay.

A short time later, after hitting some of the largest (and very fun!) chop we had seen on the lake, we were back at Zephyr Cove, and celebrated our 72-mile accomplishment with prime rib (yum!) and banana splits.

Overall, a great trip, and I'd love to paddle in Lake Tahoe again! We'll be back to our regularly scheduled, wedding-related programming next week with more gorgeous shoots and beautiful brides, so stay tuned!

Happy Thursday!

Adventure Camera - Kayaking Lake Tahoe - Day 3

2011-08-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Our third day on the lake brought many of my favorite parts of the trip. We awoke to a gorgeous sunrise over Emerald Bay, and were, of course, the first ones up. I headed out of our tent with my camera to capture the light just before it peaked over the eastern mountains, and the sight was just amazing. It's one of those places that makes you feel alive in a way that only nature can.

We packed up quickly, and headed out to finish paddling along the edge of the bay, seeing only one other boat in the bay all morning, a sailboat heading out of the bay.

After a quick trip around Fannette Island (the only island in Lake Tahoe), we were headed out of the bay and toward South Lake Tahoe and it's sandy beaches.

Of the four or so major public beaches along the way into South Lake, Pope Beach was the favorite, with soft, gravelly sand and many trees for shade. The Tahoe Keys marked the return of private land along the shore, and the number of "Keep Out" signs posted on very empty beaches was more than a little depressing. However, just after passing the Keys, we decided to take a little side trip up the Upper Truckee River, which was flooded and flowing like gangbusters from all the snowmelt. The water was seemingly only a few degrees above freezing, and as we paddled upstream, we saw some very cold-looking geese hopping from one foot to the other, possibly to warm up their toes. Off to the west Mount Tallac rose up above the marshland for an impressive sight, and you can see the extremely quick current in the river below.

Since the river's banks had been long overrun, much of the surrounding delta marshland was under a few feet of water and made for a fun labyrinth of water trails to explore.

After exhausting all the possible trails through the marsh, we headed on by South Lake Tahoe. It was a little strange to see the resort hotels and casinos from the water, especially after the quiet wilderness of the river, but we soon reached the far side of town and Nevada's less-populated shore. We stopped for a break at Nevada Beach, another public beach gem, with a campground and picnic areas, and decided to come back later that evening to watch the sunset. A little while later, we were back at Zephyr Cove and basecamp, showered up, and ready for dinner at our most favorite restaurant around Lake Tahoe-- Latin Soul at the Lakeside Inn and Casino.

Stay tuned for the final day of our trip tomorrow!

Adventure Camera - Kayaking Lake Tahoe - Day 2

2011-08-09T09:32:00.000-07:00

After a good night's sleep, we were woken early by the McDonald's delivery truck (as I said yesterday, there's a strip mall right next to the Tahoe SRA campground!). We packed up our slightly soggy tent and carried the boats back down to the water. The sun was just peeking over the mountains across the lake, and the water was once again peaceful and glasslike. We launched our boats from the campground beach, right next to the park pier.

As we hit the open water, the sun shone on one of the larger lake cruise boats, the Tahoe Gal, and it seemed like we were taken back to another age as the boat twinkled in the warm morning light.

We paddled along past the rest of Tahoe City, Homewood, Tahoma, and various other smaller settlements over the course of the morning. The houses were of a less extravagant size along this part of the shoreline, and the lake was extremely quiet all morning. It made for truly peaceful and very enjoyable paddling. We stopped at the gorgeous beach at Sugar Pine Point for lunch, and once again, it was deserted. It was like having a little slice of paradise all to ourselves. (You may recognize the beach from Angela and Paul's engagement shoot back in May-- the water level has risen considerably since then, and many of the rocks and logs we used as props were under 4-5 feet of water!)

We sat and enjoyed the gorgeous weather for a while, then headed on out towards Meeks Bay. Meeks Bay has a nice public beach (and clean bathrooms!), and everyone from sunbathers to paddleboarders was out enjoying the warmer water. After Rubicon Bay, the shoreline is part of DL Bliss State park, and the wild coast returns in a series of stunning, boulder-strewn cliffs, tall trees, and giant rock gardens. It's an amazing sight, and one best seen from the water. The cliffs rise nearly vertical from the water in some places, and extend down 50-100 feet underwater as well. It's definitely a place that makes you feel wonderfully small in a very big, wild world.

A few hours later, we rounded the bend into Emerald Bay, and wow, what a place! I'll go into more detail for tomorrow's post, complete with photos, but we stayed at the boat-in campground on the north shore of the bay, and had one of my favorite established campsites to date. We were at the very edge of the campground, with a huge site, and a "private" set of steps down the rocky cliff and right to a little pocket beach (well, there would have been beach if the water level was lower!). It was perfect for a chilly after-dinner swim, and, after two great days of paddling, we slept very well.

Day 3 to come tomorrow!

Adventure Camera - Kayaking Lake Tahoe - Day 1

2011-08-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! For those of you into the kayaking and outdoors scene, you're in luck this week! Josh, who has yet to see most of the photos from last month's trip to paddle the 72-mile circumference of Lake Tahoe, asked for a full blog exposé of our trip. So all this week, I'll be featuring the gorgeousness that is Lake Tahoe.

Because kayak-friendly lodging is a little scarce on the northeast lakeshore, we use the Zephyr Cove campground as a base camp, and hired Joe from Shuttle Around Tahoe to drive us and our boats and gear up to the Sand Harbor put-in site on the first and last day of our trip (we paddled the last segment of the lakeshore in reverse). On a quick aside here, I can't say enough good things about Joe and his shuttle service. He's professional, friendly, punctual and an all around great guy. He took great care in loading and unloading our gear, and if you're looking for any sort of outdoor adventure shuttle in the Tahoe area, I highly recommend his service. Getting back to the paddling, we headed out from Sand Harbor on a chilly morning on glasslike water. It's absolutely amazing how crystal clear the water is, and boulders and tree snags that were under more than 50 feet of water seemed like you could just reach out and touch them. It's a little unnerving at first, but very, very neat altogether.

From Sand Harbor we headed north along the shoreline along Crystal Bay and past Incline Village. Between Sand Harbor and Incline Village is one of the most beautiful sections of shoreline you'll ever see. Boulder fields spill into the crystal waters of the lake, and the bottom is fairly sandy. It feels like a tropical paradise, but with pine trees instead of palm trees. Pure gorgeousness.

Once you reach Incline Village, the shoreline changes. We've spent a good bit of time up in the Tahoe area over the past seven years, but we were still surprised by how much of the lakefront property is built out with some very large private houses. This would be a recurring theme throughout the first day, and for large portions of the next several days as well. We ran into relatively little boat traffic as we paddled along, stopping at the few public beaches along the way for lunch and breaks. My favorite stop was in Carnelian Bay, where there are aspen-shaded picnic tables at the top of the beach. It was the perfect place for lunch.

By noon, the clouds were building in big time, and we picked up the pace a bit to try to beat the thundershower to our planned campsite at the Tahoe State Recreation Area. As we paddled, we occasionally glanced over our shoulders to watch the brewing storm following us, and of course, it made for some great, moody photos!

Another thing we hadn't totally expected was the sheer number of off-shore moorings. At the north shore of the lake, the majority of the moorings were occupied by some very fast boats, closer to Tahoe City, we came upon a few smaller fields that were relatively empty.

We reached the Tahoe SRA just as the rain did, but fortunately, when everything's packed up in a boat, things stay dry (well, at least until you unpack them!). We took advantage of the hot showers at the campground, and the strip mall (complete with McDonald's) and restaurants within walking distance, and by the time we were headed back to our tent, the rain had stopped for a lovely night under the stars.

More to come tomorrow!

Diamonds + Coals - Terrestrial Radio and BayPhoto

2011-08-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

A few years back, I traded in my old Ford Escape for a shiny new Jeep Wrangler. As with most new cars these days, it came with a satellite radio and a trial subscription to the satellite service. Usually, these trial subscriptions last about six months, just enough to get you hooked before sending you a bill to continue service. Somehow, though, the trial subscription on my Jeep lasted for over two years. I kept waiting for the bill, and it just never came. So, a few weeks ago, it finally ran out. It was bad. Because I don't drive very often, I keep forgetting to look at resubscribing, and have been listening to terrestrial radio for the last little while. Holy cow. I forgot how many commercials and obnoxious morning talk shows there are! After all those hours of commercial-free music, the first couple days were simply painful. I'm slowly getting used to it, but still miss that commercial-free, static-free music...

So, this week's coals go to...
- Terrestrial radio. Less annoying banter, more music, please!
- Myself. For breaking my bike's taillight. Don't ask, it's a long story.

Of course, this week's diamonds go to...
- Bay Photo. For sending me to the WPPI Road Show next week. I'm super stoked to see Jim Garner speak-- he's been a huge inspiration to me, and there is a great lineup of speakers for the San Jose event.
- Josh. Yes, I know he gets a lot of diamonds, but he deserves every one of them. This week he took care of the grocery shopping, and bought me honey yogurt and fresh blueberries for breakfast. Yum!

I know I promised photos from our Lake Tahoe trip, so next week will be kayak week on the blog! Stay tuned!

Have a great weekend!

Wendy + Rob - Point Lobos and Carmel Engagement

2011-08-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

They met by chance. While waiting with friends for a table at a local restaurant, Rob spotted Wendy in another group waiting nearby. He introduced himself, and they quickly struck up a conversation, which led to a phone number, and then a first date. On that first date, they got to know each other better, and, though Wendy took objection to Rob's white tennis shoes and closed the night with a handshake instead of a kiss, more dates (with goodnight kisses!) followed. At the same time, Rob's shoe collection garnered more dark colors, and the white shoes were phased out. It soon became clear that they were meant to be together, and when Rob proposed, Wendy, of course, said yes!

Wendy and Rob searched high and low for the perfect place for their engagement shoot, and after a weekend in Carmel, they found it. Since I'm madly in love with the Monterey and Carmel area, I was thrilled! We started their shoot at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, which holds a special place in my heart, as Josh proposed to me while hiking along the cliffs there. The fog rolled in, the ocean breeze picked up, and the temperatures were a little chilly, but Wendy and Rob were total troopers and acted as if were nothing at all. And just look at that gorgeously soft light!

Wendy, you're just gorgeous! We can all see why Rob spotted you in the crowd!

A short drive and a quick wardrobe change later, we were strolling down the streets of downtown Carmel in style...

A favorite from the day....

You simply can't go all the way to Carmel without making a stop by the ocean, so we finished up the shoot at the Carmel River State Beach.

And to wrap up, here's another favorite image of full of love!

Wendy and Rob, I had a terrific time touring the coast with you, and I can't wait for your Big Day!

Sneak Peek - UC Faculty Club Wedding

2011-08-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

It's true, I've been posting teasers all over the place, and owe a lot of full blog posts... They're on their way, I promise! However, in the meantime, I'm so excited about the images from Moira and Rob's totally gorgeous and heartfelt wedding at the UC Berkeley Faculty Club that I'm going to go ahead and post another teaser... Moira and Rob are just so in love that I can't help myself!

Happy Wednesday!

Riding in the Summer Fog

2011-08-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

Out in the Tri-Valley, fog is a fact of life in the summer. It rolls in each evening, pouring over the Pleasanton Ridge and sinking into the valleys, and then usually burns off in the late morning the next day. It gives the landscapes a mysterious, undiscovered feeling, and biking or hiking out into the misty solitude is a great, adventuresome feeling. Other days, however, the fog inspires me to sleep in, go to IHOP, and curl up my comfy chair with a big down blanket and a book, no matter what the temperature may be. Thankfully, I have Josh to help me combat that little issue (I'm not always a morning person...), and we're finally starting to get into a routine where we go for a bike ride early each morning. This morning, the fog was in, and on the way back, I decided to stop and take a photo of a barn I've been meaning to shoot for ages. I didn't have my Adventure Camera with me, so I used my Blackberry's camera-- the best camera for the job is the one you have with you, right?

Happy Tuesday!

Sneak Peek - Kayaking Lake Tahoe

2011-08-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! I had every intent of blogging all about last month's trip to kayak around Lake Tahoe today. I even hauled myself out of bed at 5:30am with Josh this morning to make sure I had that little extra bit of time to go through a week's worth of vacation photos. Somehow, though, cleaning the kitchen got in the way. Turns out trying to making fruit smoothies is messy. In any event, I sat down to look at all those photos and ended up lamenting over which of my 30 favorites to blog. Yup, 30. Turns out Lake Tahoe is still just as gorgeous as I remember it, and photographs really well, which means I have a tough job in front of me. So, since it's Monday, and the kitchen is clean, I'm going to take the a pass and post a sneak peek instead. I'll get the rest narrowed down and posted this week, promise!

Diamonds + Coals - Mount Everest

2011-07-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

Somewhere along the way, I became utterly fascinated with Mount Everest. I think it was after reading Jon Krakauer's book Into Thin Air, about the ill-fated 1996 expeditions to the top of the world. At the time, Josh and I were hiking a lot, and he loved to climb to the top of every peak along the way. While I was reading the book, he mentioned that he wanted to climb Everest, and that might have been the scariest thing he's ever said. Climbing Everest isn't like hiking in the Appalachian Mountains (we were living on the east coast at the time.). It's got glaciers and crevices and hurricane-force winds and sub-zero temperatures and no hospitals nearby.

It's dangerous, for sure, and I started to wonder what it was that drove all of these people to climb the mountain, particularly in the early days. I read about George Mallory and Sandy Irvine, who attempted to reach the top in the 1920s with some fairly pitiful gear, by today's standards, and was amazed at how far they made it (it's still unclear whether they reached the summit-- they died on the mountain during their final attempt.). Then there were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, who were the first people to officially set foot on the summit in 1953, and their climb. What fascinates me is the determination and calling to the mountain that these early climbers felt. George Mallory participated in three expeditions in the 1920s, trying to make it to the top, despite his wife begging him not to go on the last one. It was as if he was enchanted by the mountain and simply had to go back into the unknown, and others certainly felt this way as well. Fascinating.

So, after all that, this week's diamonds go to...
- Netflix. They have a plethora of documentaries about Mount Everest for me to listen to while processing photos and to get my Everest and exploration fix.
- Lewis and Clark. Another amazing expedition that has, in a roundabout way, inspired us to bicycle across the country someday.

And, of course, coals to...
- Our internet connection. It's really hard to watch the above documentaries when the connection is constantly buffering. What's up with that?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Adventure Camera - Kayaking Mono Lake

2011-07-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

Back at the beginning of the month, Josh and I took a little vacation to go paddle in some lakes we've been talking about for quite some time. We first visited Mono Lake a few years back, and when we found out that it's open for paddling, we were determined to go. It's one of the most unique experiences-- the water has an incredibly high salt and mineral content, making it even more buoyant than the ocean, and leaving a crusty, oily residue all over everything. It's also crystal clear, and teeming with teensy tiny brine shrimp, one of only two organisms that can live in Mono Lake. To add to the moon-like feel of the place, there are the tufa (that's "too-fah."). The tufa are large mineral formations that form on the bottom of the lake, and grow upwards. Some are huge, breaking the surface of the water and rising up like a jagged lunar mountain range. Others can only be seen through the water. All this, right in the middle of a rather stark desert basin.

On the morning we paddled in Mono Lake, the winds were calm, and the water was placid, creating a stunningly reflective surface. We paddled in and out of the tufa fields, and were the only boats on the water until early afternoon, when we saw a small kayak tour near the South Tufa. It was pure solitude in an otherworldly atmosphere, and I definitely recommend it, even if your boats, all your gear, and yourself need to go through a carwash afterwards!

Now, the moment I know you've been waiting for.... the photos!

Occasionally, Josh paddles into my photos. In some cases, I like the effect-- the shape of a kayak is really elegant, and lends a sense of scale and solitude to the image.

Other times, I wait for him to paddle through the frame... On really calm water, you can see that kayaks actually leave a wake.

Happy Thursday!

Sneak Peek - Stinson Beach Engagement

2011-07-27T08:10:00.001-07:00

I'm starting into the processing for Jessica and Jay's engagement shoot, and I'm positively in love with the images! They are such a fun couple, and so in love! So, because I'm really bad at keeping surprises (just ask Josh-- as soon as I buy him a birthday or Christmas gift, I have to give it to him, I'm just too darn excited about it to wait!), here's a sneak peek!

Happy Wednesday!

Sunny Mornings

2011-07-26T08:01:00.000-07:00

I love sunny summer mornings, especially after a long stretch of fog, like we've had lately. There's something almost magical about waking up with the sun shining in and a cool breeze gently blowing the curtains. It energizes me, and makes me feel as if I can do anything. It also makes me feel like going on an adventure, but that's for another day... So, here's to sunny mornings and all the good feelings they bring!

Happy Tuesday!

Adventure Camera - Old Sacramento

2011-07-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

Recently, we took a little time to go visit a place we've never really been, even after having lived in California for nearly seven years.... Sacramento. Sure, we've driven by on I-80 countless times, and looking over at the city, said to ourselves, "Hey, we should go there sometime..." Somehow, though, we just never got around to it. That is, till now.

To start off our exploration of the area, we biked from Sacramento to Davis, and then on to Winters. One of the things that I absolutely loved about all three towns is how bike-friendly they are. Bike lanes are on almost every street, and paved biking and walking paths criss-cross parks, neighborhoods and open spaces. In Davis, there's a place to park and lock your bike every five feet, it seems, and the sheer number of riders is just astounding. Truly a great place to be a bicyclist.

Then we headed into Sacramento proper and wandered through Old Sacramento and the state capitol. What a neat place! Old Sacramento features period architecture that's been preserved through the years, and though a lot of the storefronts are now occupied by the usual touristy kitsch shops, there are a good number of other professional offices and services as well. The architecture is gorgeous-- they just don't design all the ornate details into today's buildings. Columns, scrolls, arches and organic carvings abound, surrounded by cobbled streets and boardwalks. The waterfront houses a few river cruise boats and path running along both banks. In the middle of it all is Tower Bridge, which spans the river and glitters in the sunlight. The bridge is painted a bright metallic gold that really stands out against the deep blue of the California skies. Below, boats cruise up and down the river.

Overall, it's a really neat place with a ton of great backdrops for an engagement shoot, wedding day photos, or even some family portraits! So, if you're interested in taking a tour of the town and capturing some great moments, let me know!

Happy Monday!

Diamonds + Coals - Dreams and Nightmares

2011-07-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, I have the nightmare. The one that I'm convinced just about everyone has at some point in their life, in some variation or another. In mine, I'm wandering around a college campus, perhaps I met a friend for lunch or had to stop by to pick something up. In my pajamas, of course. Because that's totally what I wear in public. Right. In any event, it suddenly occurs to me that I signed up for a few classes at the college, and I'm excited for them to start. Then I realize that it's July, and that the semester's over, and that I didn't go to the classes, and panic. Is it too late to drop the classes? Did they fail me? Is this going on my permanent record?! And then I wake up with a start, which wakes Josh up. And I ask him, in all seriousness, if I signed up for any classes. Nope, just a nightmare.

So, let's start with the coals this week, shall we?

- Nightmares. In particular, the nightmare. Whether it's showing up at work in the buff, forgetting to study for a high school test (even though you're 28 and your 10-year reunion is upon you...), or not going to that phantom class your signed up for, it's craptastic.

- The Postal Service. I use their automatic postage machines to send packages out. This week, one of them came back with a little note that I didn't put enough postage on it. Hello, it's your machine that weighed it and told me how much postage it needed!

And now, this week's diamonds...

- Dreams. As in the ones you follow. Like leaving behind the corporate world to be a wedding photographer and live life on your own terms. No matter how tough it may be at times, there's nothing in the world like living out a dream, and the fullness it brings in your heart.

- Josh. For always being supportive, and for keeping me sane when a silly nightmare ratchets my stress level up.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Bagdad Cafe

2011-07-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

Since signing up with Netflix's streaming service a little over a month ago, Josh and I have watched a lot of movies. And, because we'll give just about anything 15 minutes to prove itself, we've seen quite a few really bad movies, a large number of mediocre and pretty good movies, and a few truly great movies. Last night, we found Bagdad Cafe, and it's one of the best movies we've watched on Netflix to date.

The story takes place at a truck-stop/cafe/motel in the Mojave Desert, and follows Jasmin, a German tourist, and Brenda, owner of the Bagdad Cafe, both who have recently separated from their husbands. After a rough start, they begin to form a bond and a friendship blossoms. It's a German film, and is billed as a comedy, though there are more serious undertones. The theme song, "Calling You," is played throughout the movie, and is hauntingly beautiful and simple.

I really liked Bagdad Cafe for a lot of reasons. The storyline was simple, heartwarming, funny and interwoven with colorful characters. (Jack Palance was a favorite.) The cinematography was excellent, and brings out the beauty of the desert. There are no big special effects to detract from the story, outside of a few filters and over-saturated colors in some scenes. In telling the story, enough is revealed to understand the relationships and bonds that form between the characters, but not so much that you're hit over the head with every detail. You get to use your imagination to fill in the gaps, which I love. Overall, I really enjoyed Bagdad Cafe, and highly recommend it.

Happy Thursday!

Amy + Jerry - San Francisco Engagement

2011-07-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

It started with the internet. Amy and Jerry happened to sign up with the same online dating service and, as fate would have it, were matched with each other. After a few conversations, they went on their first date together-- "lupper" (that would be a cross between lunch and supper) at a local cafe. Over their meal, they talked, and at the end of the date, they both knew they wanted to get to know the other better. By the end of their second date, Jerry was beginning to suspect that Amy might be The One. She was smart, funny, cute, everything you could ask for all wrapped up in an adorable, energetic package.

As time went by, Amy and Jerry spent more and more time together, and their feelings for each other grew stronger, until one day they started to talk about marriage. They were so excited about it, they started planning their wedding right away. Before they knew it, they had a date, a venue, and a photographer, and suddenly realized that they had forgotten to officially get engaged! Over email, Amy told me she knew Jerry was going to propose soon, but she didn't know exactly when or how. Then, a few weeks later, Jerry picked Amy up from work, and as they were walking to his car, he knelt down and surprised her with a gorgeous sapphire and diamond ring at the exact same place they had met for their very first date. The rest, as they say, is history!

Amy and Jerry chose the San Francisco Botanical Gardens and the UCSF campus (where Amy works and Jerry proposed) for their engagement shoot, and both locations fit them to a tee. We started the afternoon at the gardens, touring through New Zealand, the succulent garden and the conifer lawn.

A while later, we were headed off to UCSF for a more urban background. The UCSF Mission Bay campus is only a few square blocks in area, but offered a TON of shooting opportunities.

I don't often take jumping photos, but when you have a couple with this much energy, a jumping photo is perfect!

I first met Amy and Jerry at UCSF last winter, and we walked up these very steps after a fire drill relocated our consultation. I remember thinking to myself, "What a great place to shoot!" And it is...

Amy and Jerry, you brought so much energy to your shoot, and I had a fabulous time! Your Big Day is going to be amazing, and I'm honored to be a part of it!

Sneak Peak - Mount Diablo Engagement

2011-07-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

It's a bright, busy Tuesday morning, and with blue skies instead of last week's fog, I'm feeling particularly productive. So, while I'm chipping away steadily at my four-mile-long to-do list (everyone's list numbers in the hundreds, right?), here's a quick sneak peek from last week's engagement shoot up on Mount Diablo.

Happy Tuesday!

Good Reads - Fatal Cut

2011-07-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

Over the last week, I finally got around to finishing one of the books I've been reading for quite a while. I love to read, and always have, but lately my dilemma has simply been finding the time to sit down with a good book and relax for a while. I tend to be a marathon reader, and have been known to read an entire book, or two, in one sitting, which definitely doesn't work with a busy schedule. So, I tried something new, and started reading one chapter before bed each evening. Suddenly, I'm working my way through books again, and it's been a great way to relax and wind down at the end of a busy day.

Fatal Cut is the first in a series of novellas by Cathryn Grant, a friend and former coworker of mine. It's is a murder mystery with a romantic twist, which I particularly liked, and the plot moves along quickly, keeping the momentum going throughout the story. The story is narrated by the main character, Madison Keith, and follows her experiences in leaving the tech industry to start a new job at a community church, only to be pulled into the political and emotional hurricane there, and ultimately discovering a murder. Madison is one of those characters that you can easily relate to through her thoughts and feelings, and you instantly like her "take-it-or-leave-it" attitude. Overall, a fun, quick read that leaves you wanting more, and a definite recommend. It's only available as an eBook, and you can find it on Amazon here.

Happy Monday, and happy reading!

Diamonds + Coals - Vacation and Sunburns

2011-07-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

Fifteen minutes. That's all it took. Josh and I were up at Lake Tahoe for vacation, on our rest day, relaxing and packing for our four-day kayak adventure around the lake. We finished our errands much faster than we thought we would, and suddenly had a whole afternoon in front of us. So, we decided to go to the beach. We walked the quarter-mile from our campsite to the Zephyr Cove beach, found ourselves a nice patch of sand, and then realized we had left the sunscreen back at camp. Back to camp we went, returning with our SPF 50 to watch the waves and people. In total, we were out without sunscreen for 15 minutes, but that was enough to give me the worst sunburn I have ever gotten, and my poor feet were a color of red only lobsters can achieve. It's taken a week and a half, but my feet are finally getting back to normal, and closed-top shoes are gradually making their way back into my wardrobe.

So, this week's diamonds go to...
- Vacations! We may not take "normal" vacations, but I am a firm believer that everyone should take as many vacations as possible. It's a time to relax and get back to the real you, and I love it!
- Sunscreen. For keeping the extra-strong mountain sun from frying me to a crisp, feet excepted.
- WhirleyPop. Yes, this is totally random. I love popcorn, and Josh just ordered me 30 pounds of gourmet kernels for my kettle popper. I can't wait till it arrives!

Of course, coals to...
- Sunburns. I supposed encasing my feet in wet neoprene and sitting in a boat for five days after getting burned may not have helped, but sunburns still don't rank on my Top Ten Fun Activities in the Summer list.

Have a wonderful, sunny weekend, and don't forget the sunscreen!

Vacation Resolutions

2011-07-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

Last week, Josh and I took a much-deserved vacation to paddle around some really gorgeous lakes in the Sierra. It was fantastically relaxing with tons of sunshine, crystal-clear water, and adventure. We also talked a ton. I'm not sure if other people do this, but Josh and I always talk over everything imaginable on vacation, and end up re-prioritizing life and making resolutions. It's sort of like New Year's Day, but without the date restrictions. Plus, we usually come back with five-year plans in addition to the resolutions. In any event, we're finally getting everything unpacked and working through that post-vacation recovery period, though a few of the resolutions are still lacking. So, while I'm digging out, here's a quick image from Tioga Lake.

Yes, those are sheets of ice and snow out there! More to come soon!

Rosa + Raudel - San Jose Engagement

2011-07-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

When I met Rosa and Raudel last fall, I just knew they were going to be a great couple to work with. And, of course, they didn't disappoint! They are two of the most fun, easy-going, roll-with-it people I know, and we had a total blast on their engagement shoot, even with a minor shoe malfunction.

We started Rosa and Raudel's shoot at the last orange orchard in San Jose. Raudel grew up nearby, and knew the owners, and when he touted it's many features, including haystacks and heavy machinery, I was completely and utterly sold! My favorite was the International front-loader back-hoe combo, and I positively love the fact that Rosa and Raudel hopped right in the drivers' seats when we saw this beauty!

Rosa worked the camera like a pro-- I don't think it's possible to take a "bad" photo of her!

A quick wardrobe change later, we were on our way to downtown San Jose for some evening shots. We stopped through a neat alley, complete with oversized lantern, then headed over to the San Jose City Hall for some of my favorite shots of all time.

San Jose City Hall has some truly unique architecture, and with all the lights, it made for the perfect place to finish up our evening shoot.

Rosa and Raudel, I had a fantastic time touring farm equipment, haystacks and downtown with you, and I can't wait for your Big Day!

Inspirations

2011-07-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

When you're in the business of wedding photography, you're constantly looking for inspirations for your shoots. Often, these inspirations are taken from the surroundings of the shoot and, of course, the couple's personalities and love for each other. Every once in a while, though, a couple comes to me with an inspiration of their own for a styled shoot. Whether it's a retro 50s style with classic cars, a country orchard picnic, or recreating scenes from their favorite romantic movies, a themed shoot is always fun. I have one such shoot today, where we'll be using the movies Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, and The Princess Bride for inspiration, and I am so excited! And because every post is better with a photo, here's one from Rosa and Raudel's engagement shoot at the last orange orchard in San Jose....

Happy Tuesday!

Guest Sign-In Album - Moira and Rob

2011-07-11T07:04:00.000-07:00

Moira and Rob's stunning guest sign-in album arrived last week, and it's one of my favorites to date!

Happy Monday!

Diamonds + Coals - New Windows and Moving Furniture

2011-07-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

The good news at our house is that we're getting new windows soon. The bad news, well, we have to move all the furniture away from said windows. I've never realized this till now, but we seem to have a habit of putting a piece of furniture under just about every window in our house, which means we've had a lot of furniture to move. One item, of course, was my desk. Another realization: a whole desktop workstation takes a lot of wiring and plugs, especially when you've been customizing it to have every little thing at your fingertips for a long time! So, while we're sitting really close to the television now (Remember when your parents used to tell you not to sit so close when you were growing up? Yeah, we're that close!), we're looking forward to those shiny new windows.

So, this week's diamonds go to...
- New windows. When they get here, it's going to be great. I can feel it.
- The Voice. I could never stay up late enough to watch it live, but I've been catching up during the day while processing photos.

And coals to...
- Moving furniture. Where do you put it all if not under the windows???
- The Voice. Yes, I know it was a diamond too, and Javier has an amazing voice, but I really wanted Beverly to win.

Have a great weekend!

Sneak Peek - Monterey/Carmel Engagement

2011-07-07T07:03:00.000-07:00

Monterey is one of my most favorite places in California, so when Wendy told me that she'd like to have her engagement there, I was totally stoked! We were in and out of the fog all day, but the lighting was gorgeous, and I'm loving the photos. I'll post more soon, but here's a sneak peek to tide you over in the meantime.

Happy Thursday!

Sneak Peek - Marin Wedding

2011-07-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

I'm just getting started on Stephanie and Rick's wedding photos, and I'm so in love with their wedding! Here's a sneak peek of one of my favorites from the day... More to come soon!

Happy Thursday!

Adventure Camera - Crissy Field and the Golden Gate Bridge

2011-07-05T07:06:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick photo from last week's trip to San Francisco with my folks to get you going after the holiday weekend!

Happy Tuesday!

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-04T07:02:00.000-07:00

The Fourth of July always brings up images of barbecues, fireworks, boating on the lake and time spent with loved ones for me. Growing up, all of our extended family would head up to our family lake house and celebrate with hamburgers, hot dogs, "Flag Cake" (yes, it's a cake that's decorated like the US flag...), and my grandma's potato salad (the BEST in the world!). We'd go swimming in the lake, decorate the boat for the annual boat parade, set off firecrackers and roast marshmallows over a bonfire in the evening. It was always a grand celebration of family, friends, life and freedom, and this year will be no different. So, have a wonderful, safe holiday, and celebrate away!

Diamonds + Coals - Swimsuit Shopping and YouTube

2011-07-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

Let's talk about shopping for swimsuits, shall we? If there's one thing universally dreaded by women worldwide, it's swimsuit shopping. For some, it's finding a swimsuit that covers the right areas, emphasizes other areas, and makes them look hot. For others, it's finding one in just the right size. For me, it's finding one that works for sports like kayaking. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I've been hunting for months for a good athletic bikini. For some reason, none of the sports stores seem to carry two-piece Speedos anymore, and I've had a heck of a time finding a suit that isn't just tied on with a few thin strings. Do women these days play sports in tiny halter tops? I feel like I must be missing something. So, after months of hunting through all the local shops, I'm resorting to the Nike Outlet at the Great Mall.... Wish me luck!

This week's diamonds go to...
- Christina at Platinum Wedding Events. She's a totally awesome wedding planner and coordinator, she shares my views on vendor meals at weddings, and I'm really looking forward to working with her!
- YouTube. I grew up watching MTV when they actually played these things called music videos. YouTube now lets me relive those days, and I love discovering new music while processing photos.

Coals to...
- Swimsuit designers. Come on, folks. How about a nice functional bikini? Please?

Have a fantastic weekend!

Adventure Camera - San Francisco Botanical Garden

2011-06-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

My folks love flowers and landscaping, so one of the places we visited while they were in California last week was the San Francisco Botanical Garden. We had a gorgeous day for a walk around the grounds, and both my dad and I took tons of photos. (It's sort of what we do together.) One of the things I love about shooting flowers and plants is the patterns and shapes that occur naturally-- it always intrigues me how nature produces such perfection. Here are a few favorites from the day....

Happy Thursday!

Rachel + Wayne - Livermore Winery Engagement

2011-06-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

It all started a long time ago in middle school. Rachel and Wayne met, "went out" for a month, and then broke it off to go their separate ways, never thinking that destiny would intervene to bring them back together.

Years later, they found each other again on an online personals site, and both wondered if it was the same person they dated so long ago. A few cautious emails later, they were back together, regaling the past and catching up on the time in between. Over the next couple years, their love blossomed, and Wayne decided that it was time to pop the question in one of the most elaborately planned proposals I've ever heard! Rachel loves movies, so Wayne spent several days and sleepless nights recreating posters of scenes from Rachel's favorite movies... from construction paper. He rigged lighting to highlight the posters, and when Rachel walked into the kitchen, there were four photos on the table-- Will Smith, Rachel, Mary Tyler Moore, and Wayne. Wayne told Rachel, "I invited two friends to dinner-- Will and Mary." A moment later, Rachel realized that the photos spelled out "Will you marry me?" and the rest was history!

Rachel and Wayne love wine and are working to build a collection, so they naturally chose the Livermore Wine Country for their engagement shoot. We had a gorgeously toasty day, and headed over to the beautiful grounds at Concannon and Wente Vineyards for a very memorable shoot, full of laughter, fun and, of course, love!

We started the evening at Concannon's estate house and wine bar with some nice soft light and good wine.

A quick wardrobe change later, we were headed over to Wente for a slightly different feel...

If I were to choose a theme for Rachel and Wayne's shoot, I'd go with laughter. They love to laugh, and I found myself laughing along with them for most of the shoot! This moment was no different...

I just love the feeling of this last one...

Rachel and Wayne, I had so much fun touring wineries and laughing with you, and I can't wait for your Big Day!

Wedding Trend - Best Women and Flower Men

2011-06-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

Previously unheard of especially in more traditional in wedding ceremonies, it's becoming more and more common to see a blurring of gender roles. For example, the bride's attendant of honor might be her best guy friend, or the groom may have a "best woman." One of the more rare attendants to see, however, is the "flower man." Yes, you read that right-- flower man.

A flower man might carry the traditional basket of flower petals, or in some cases, fling petals from the pockets of his suit, or simply wear a special boutonniere. In any case, the role usually played by a young girl is played by, well, a man. It's an interesting phenomenon, and one that I'm personally not so sure about. I'm all for personalizing your wedding (of course!!!), and having those closest to you play significant parts in your Big Day (as it should be!), but this just seems a little out there to me. I would think that having a flower man might add a certain comedic element to a ceremony, and for me, a ceremony should be heartfelt and loving, not funny. But that's just me-- I'd love to hear what you think, so please weigh in!

Happy Tuesday!

Sneak Peek - UCSF Engagement

2011-06-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

It's another busy Monday morning, so here's a sneak peek from Amy and Jerry's UCSF engagement shoot!

Diamonds + Coals - Visitors and Construction

2011-06-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

Back in the day, growing up in Michigan, we had a saying that goes "There are two seasons in Michigan: winter and construction." Out here in sunny California, construction continues on through the winter usually, but this spring, once the rains finally stopped, there has seemingly been an explosion of construction in the area, from the highways and roads right to our neighborhood. It makes for an interesting symphony of hammers, saws, and heavy machinery, and reminds me of Michigan.

This week's diamonds go to....
- My parents! They're out visiting this week, and we have a boat-load of adventure planned.
- Ladda Thai Cuisine. We had planned to eat at the Chicken Coop until we realized that it's counter service and we had an hour and a half to kill before my folks' flight arrived. So we went exploring and found this little gem. Lots of good food for not too much cash. Yum!

Coals to...
- Limited parking. The construction crew seems to be taking up half the parking spots around here... Not fun.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Shoot First, Focus Later

2011-06-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

Every morning, Josh reads the New York Times online, and sends me links to interesting articles. It's a pretty sweet deal in that he basically creates a customized newspaper just for me, and I love it. Yesterday's find was an article about a new camera from a start-up company called Lytro. Now, I know that there are bunches of companies out there making point-and-shoot cameras, but Lytro's camera is unique in that it allows you to decide which part of the image you want to focus on after you've taken the photo. The camera has an array of sensors that capture light from a variety of angles, and integrated software then recreates the image with the chosen focal point. Just think-- no more of those images that you love the feeling and composition of, but just missed the focus on your subject. Pretty cool, huh?

The camera is scheduled to hit the consumer market later this year in a point-and-shoot format, and could be the next big thing in camera technology. So, Lytro, if you need more testing done, I'm just on the other edge of Silicon Valley, and would love to try one out!

Happy Thursday!

Summer

2011-06-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

Summer arrived yesterday with a bang, or rather, a heat wave. Temperatures soared to triple digits in parts of the Bay Area, and the smells of charcoal grills and hum of air conditioning units filled the air. I always love this time of year, when you walk out of the house in the morning, and the sun instantly warms your skin. It makes me think of outdoor adventures, lounging in a lawn chair with a book, grilled foods and mojitos. So, here's to firing up the grill, minty drinks and heading outdoors.... Happy summer!

Sneak Peek - Ainsley House Wedding

2011-06-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday! Here's a sneak peek from Katie and Rob's gorgeous Ainsley House wedding!

Jessica + Bryan - Hacienda de las Flores Wedding

2011-06-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

All week the forecast called for rain on their wedding day. That morning, still expecting rain, the dinner tables at the Hacienda de las Flores were moved inside, and plans were made to have the ceremony outside, but without chairs, in case they needed to move indoors in a hurry. The clouds rolled in and out, and patches of sunshine danced around, teasing. As Jessica got dressed with her bridesmaids, she started to relax. Rain or shine, everything was going to be perfect because she was marrying Bryan.

During the ceremony, while her maid of honor sang Rascal Flatt's "Bless the Broken Road", the sun broke out, and Jessica teared up. By the time their rings were exchanged, the clouds had parted, and the sun was there to stay for the rest of the afternoon. The perfect icing on a perfect day.

Jessica and Bryan's wedding was as unique and heartfelt as they are, and every moment was tugged at your heart. It was the type of wedding that makes you fall in love all over, and I'm so honored to have been there to capture it.

We all know that girls love shoes, and Jessica's pink sequined sandals gave me total shoe envy.

Her dress was gorgeously unique as well, and I loved the beadwork and t-back.

One of the things I love most about Jessica and Bryan is how tender and loving they are with each other. After their ceremony, they took a few minutes by themselves, and Josh captured this moment. Love!

During Jessica and Bryan's engagement shoot, I discovered that her smile is positively contagious. Her wedding day was no different, and there was so much joy, I don't think anyone could keep from smiling.

Their first dance was especially romantic.

To head off to their honeymoon, Jessica and Bryan hired a Bentley, which pretty much made my day.

Ring shots with the Bentley emblem? But of course!

Jessica and Bryan, you two are so in love that it inspires everyone around you, and I'm so honored to have been the one to capture it! Love and happiness... Erin

Diamonds + Coals - Ball Caps and Coolers

2011-06-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

Since wedding season started, our house has taken on a certain aspect of chaos, and several things have mysteriously disappeared. A battery charger I use for my mouse. Several water bottles. My favorite ball cap. It's been a good several months for chaos, but that changed this week-- I found my ball cap in our cooler, along with some very stale pretzels, tupperware, and Kool-Aid. Since then, I've been wearing my hat around the house like there's no tomorrow. Because I can, and because it's a hat with a story. And because my hair, well, it has a tendency to go AWOL. But, back to the story... Way back when we were in high school, Josh went to Chicago with his family for a weekend and brought me back a Niketown Chicago ball cap because he missed me (and possibly because he wanted one of his ball caps back... What can I say, I'm a ball cap kind of girl!). For the past 13 years, every time I've worn that hat, I think of Josh, who we were way back then, and how much we've grown together since. It's one of those things that just makes me feel like, well, me. And that's always a good thing.

So, this week's diamonds go to...
- My ball cap. For reminding me of high school, my best friend, and making me feel like my sporty self.
- The weather. I know the weather shows up in my posts pretty frequently, but I am so thrilled that it's finally sunny and warm (or hot, if you're in Livermore)-- my folks are visiting next week, and up until this week, the weather in Michigan was looking better than the weather out here!
- The family that owns the last orange orchard in San Jose. For allowing me to incorporate heavy machinery into an engagement shoot. Thank you!!!
- Rosa and Raudel. For looking fabulous with the above-mentioned machinery. Love!

And coals to...
- Our cooler. For hiding my hat for a few months, among other things...
- Our house. Didn't it say something about a self-cleaning feature when we bought it? No? Bummer.

Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Overwhelmed

2011-06-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

Every so often, I wake up in the morning, full of ideas to blog about, and just can't find the words to do so. Today is one of those mornings. I have shoots to post, excitement, experiences and memories to share, events to talk about, and the words simply aren't there. Seems I may be a bit overwhelmed this morning. So, I'm just going to say this:

1. Tuesday's shoot with Rosa and Raudel was awesomely fun, and incorporates a farm tractor-- images to come soon!
2. I am totally excited for Stephanie and Rick's wedding this weekend-- they're an amazing couple, and I'm thrilled to be working with them on their Big Day!
3. I'm also excited to be heading to the Livermore Farmers' Market with my honey this evening... It's a little thing, I know, but it makes me happy. :)

And, because every post is better with a photo, here's one that always makes me smile....

Shea + Gus - San Jose Rose Garden Engagement

2011-06-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

Shea and Gus are all about love, laughter, and being yourself. Gus is always making Shea laugh, and you can see the love between them when they look at each other. One of the things I absolutely love about Shea and Gus is that they just let go and be themselves, no matter what. They're real. Real people, real fun, and really in love!

Since they both work at Mineta San Jose International Airport, Shea wanted to incorporate airplanes into their shoot. So, we headed to the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden for their engagement shoot for an afternoon of bright flowers and sleek planes.

I just love the laughter and happiness in this one... Looking at it makes me smile!

The rose gardens are right under the take-off flight path from the airport, so we watched the skies and set up shots as the planes were flying over. Gus works for Southwest, and Shea for Alaska Airlines, so there was a little friendly competition throughout the shoot.... I'm not throwing my vote either way, but I sure do like how Southwest's orange-and-purple planes pop for photos! (Sorry, Shea!)

Shea and Gus, I had a wonderful time wandering through the roses and chasing airplanes with you! I can't wait for your wedding, and have so many fun ideas for shooting around Tahoe, I can hardly contain myself!

Adventure Camera - Summer at Lake Natoma

2011-06-14T09:55:00.000-07:00

I know summer doesn't officially start for another week, but the warm summer weather has arrived in the Bay Area.... Finally! After weeks of cool, cloudy and rainy weather, Josh and I celebrated by doing what we always do when the sun comes out and the temperatures heat up. We went kayaking.

Lake Natoma is another one of those places that's been on our kayaking to-do list for a while now, and we headed out of the valley fog towards Folsom for a day of fun in the sun. The lake was peaceful-- with a 5mph speed limit, there were only a few motorized boats on the lake, and more kayaks, paddleboards, paddleboats, canoes and human-powered craft than I've ever seen in one place. It was great to see so many people enjoying paddle sports! We slathered on the sunscreen and managed to get two laps around the lake before the day was over. Along the way, we explored a maze of marsh canals, crossed under several bridges, fought (and won!) against several battalions of Canadian geese, and played in some fast-flowing rapids where the American River pours into the northern end of the lake.

All in all, a great day, a great lake, and a definite thumbs-up, though I do recommend bringing a bilge pump for lunchtime goose control.... ;) Now, for a few photos!

Before the afternoon winds picked up, the lake was glass-like and peaceful, and the water was so clear that it appeared as a crystalline blue color.

One of the things I love about paddling near civilization is the bridges. Paddling under a bridge gives you a totally new perspective on the engineering that goes into bridges, and you get to see the beauty in the lines and supports that you don't see when driving over it.

Happy Tuesday and enjoy the warm weather and sun!

Sneak Peek - Livermore Winery Engagement

2011-06-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

It's Monday. Josh and I slept in just a little, only to wake up in a panic when we heard the garbage truck driving down the street-- we forgot to put out the cans. Again. After rushing out of the garage in pajamas and socks to catch the truck, we've declared it to be one of those Mondays. Yup. It's time for some coffee.

So, here's a little love and happiness from Rachel and Wayne's Livermore engagement shoot to help you start your week off right!

Happy Monday!

Diamonds + Coals - Netflix and Whale Wars

2011-06-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

In the wide world of television programming, we're a "Limited Basic Cable" household. Since we only get thirteen channels, and only four of them are worth watching, we end up watching most current shows online, or simply order the season on DVD and have a marathon TV night when it's released... a couple months later.

Enter Netflix. Josh somehow stumbled upon their site to find that they were now offering online content streaming, and discovered that we finally had a TV modern enough to be able to connect to the internet. So, the free trial month was started. Josh browsed through the online menus to find all matter of shows and movies that I never even knew existed (including some I'm sure the world would be better off without...), and settled in to watch three season's worth of the Discovery Channel's Whale Wars. He was hooked (pun intended). For days, any free time, and some not-so-free time was spent following the plight of the southern ocean's whales and their defenders aboard the Steve Irwin and Bob Barker. I have to hand it to Paul Watson and the Discovery Channel-- the show draws you in, and it's been identified as "Television with a Conscience" for a reason-- I have never been so stressed about the fate of whales in my life.

So, this week's diamonds go to...
- Netflix. Thousands of TV shows and movies at our fingertips. This could be our new solution to our Limited-Basic-Cable problem.
- Summer! Grab the sunscreen and flipflops-- summer has finally arrived in the Bay Area!

Coals to....
- Netflix. In addition to Whale Wars, we watched Hot Tub Time Machine. And yes, it was just as bad as the name would suggest.

Have a great weekend!

Wanny + Mike - Yosemite Engagement

2011-06-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

Let me start off by saying that Wanny and Mike are a truly awesome couple. They totally fun, up for anything, and absolutely in love! Like Josh and me, Wanny and Mike love the great outdoors, and spend a lot of time hiking and backpacking together. So, when Wanny suggested Yosemite as the location for their engagement shoot, I was thrilled! A gorgeous couple in an amazing, iconic place? But, of course! We planned the shoot to take advantage of the huge snowpack this year, and Yosemite's waterfalls were tumbling down the granite walls in full force and the Merced was roaring down the valley.

I loved that Wanny brought her wedding dress along for some bridal shots in Yosemite. When we happened upon a motorcycle rally, it was the perfect opportunity to go wild! Many, many thanks to Kevin May of Vintage Restorations and the rest of the Indian Motorcycle folks! Kevin's beautiful 1947 Indian motorcycle was the perfect prop for some of my all-time favorite shots.

A little while and a wardrobe change later, we were headed towards the far end of the valley for photos near the Royal Arches and Yosemite Village.

I love these next two. You can just see the love and happiness!

Of course, what would a trip to Yosemite be without a shot in front of Half Dome?

And a little more love and Yosemite Falls to wrap things up...

Wanny and Mike, I had an absolutely wonderful time touring the valley with you, and I can't wait for your wedding in October!