Jess & Kat's Wedding, The Log Cabin, San Francisco, CA

Over the past 7 years, I have photographed over 250 weddings and I have watched the expression of two peoples' love take all different shapes and forms. On Monday June 16th, 2008 I waited for the doors of San Francisco's City Hall to open so that I could have the honor of being one of the first wedding photographers in San Francisco to show my support of same sex marriage. But, shortly after, those doors we're closed; until June 26th, 2013 when the ban on same sex marriage in California was deemed unconstitutional. It's difficult to articulate the tremendous sense of joy I felt when I heard that same sex marriage was finally legalized in my home state. I am so proud to be a supporter of same sex equality and grateful that I can be part of a movement towards the historical evolution of acceptance and love that will make this world a better place. It is therefore with humbling excitement that I release these images of Jessica & Katrina's marriage as my very first post-DOMA same sex wedding blog. 

Jess & Kat truly made me feel like I was part of their family. After meeting them at their gorgeous condo, we decided to take our time and enjoy the day by photographing at some of their favorite places including Dolores Park, City Hall and The Cliff House. It was a splendid San Francisco day with unusually sunny skies city wide, including the Presidio where the ceremony was held at the Log Cabin. Chanda Monique Daniels, from  A Monique Affair, did a phenomenal job (as always) coming up with amazing details, including table cards with a tribute to Michael Schwab's state park designs. It was as an amazing and inspiring day as I could have imagined, but one of my greatest pleasures was listening to Judge Thelton E. Henderson as the wedding officiant. He is a pioneer of civil rights in our judicial system and a friend of Jessica's father the Honorable Joe Hilberman. I am honored to have met them both. This was a very special wedding for me, and again, my infinite thanks, gratitude and congratulations to Jess & Kat! 

 

Thelton E. Henderson

Thelton E. Henderson

Thelton E. Henderson

Thelton E. Henderson

Molly & Casey's Wedding, The Garden Pavilion, Sonoma CA

When Molly & Casey booked me a year ago, I knew this was going to be a gorgeous wedding. Molly is a graphic designer, a very talented one, and after following her boards on Pinterest for the past 10 months, I had no doubt that she had style. So, it was no surprise that she chose a Romona Keveza dress and Christian Boutin heals!!! I found a ball and chain on the Garden Pavilion's property (are you kidding me) so I just had to take this funny editorial shoe shot. That said, beyond the fab shoes, every detail at Molly & Casey's wedding was magnificently composed. Casey works at the Leland fly fishing ranch in Sonoma and so he and Molly developed their whole wedding with a fly fishing theme. I particularly loved the florals and table sets by Daisy Rose, featuring fishing lures in cool glass bobbles. Incidentally the Garden Pavillion, was just a couple of steps away from Leland, so we decided to trek on over to take advantage of the gorgeous property. Of course, while there, I just had to incorporate this radical 1930's truck and fly fishing rods into my shots. The bridal party was super fun to work with, and thankfully did not make fun of me while I acted like a kid in a candy store. Sonoma was a great playground that day and I'm so pleased with the variety of shots we captured, including my all time favorite night shot, with a crazy beautiful sky. Molly, Casey, your wedding was breathtaking, I tip my hat to the both of you. Thanks, also, to the pups. Y'all made great ring bearers!

Krista & Paul "Pasta," Tuning Fork Ranch, Hall, MT

When my darling friends Krista & Paul contacted me to tell me they were engaged, I was ecstatic, and when they asked me if I would photograph their wedding, I think I dropped the phone. For those who truly know me, it comes as no surprise that I am an incredibly cheesy and hopeless romantic, so, for me to share such an experience with a couple who I feel so close to, made my heart hurt with love. Yeah, yeah, I know, it's cliché , but in all sincerity I cried several times before, during, and after the wedding. This wedding was sheer joy for me from the start to finish, and I just couldn't be happier than to release these beautiful images to "Pasta" (Paul+Krista=Pasta) and those who've come to follow my work and support my "raison d'être."

In regards to the wedding itself, what an amazing opus of imagination, talent, detail and warmth. Krista & Paul spent a great deal of time devising and executing every touch to create a vision of color and light that teleported their guests into a world much like Alice walking through the Looking Glass. Yet no detail was more grand, in my opinion, than the arbor made from a tunnel of branches that Krista's brother Cooper (and friends) built and bent to will an altar for Pasta's wedding. But even with such wonderful craft, on it's own Hall, Montana, 30 minutes from Pillipsburg, was the ideal picturesque backdrop for my cinematic concepts which we played out through the course of the day. From a first encounter at the large barn on the Johnson's Tuning Fork Ranch, to a picnic by the free standing blue door, and Hogan's classic feed store, every little adventure was a treasure filled with fun. And the sky. The glorious BIG sky that Montana is so notoriously known for, became a great theme in the shots, as it turn from baby blue to violet, to bruised magenta, and finally burst out in a storm that won't be forgotten by the brave guests that managed to weather it. It was the perfect wedding; an epic scene speckled with beautiful detail, laughter, rain and good spirits. I love you guys and thank you!