Well, I know some of you have been waiting for this...it's been quite a trying few weeks with our new puppy Kayden, who had a pretty serious accident at 9 weeks and sustained what looked to be brain damage. For a while there we weren't sure if he was going to make it, or if he was going to be permanently disabled...but now 3 weeks later he is doing exceedingly well, recovered about 95%, and looking handsome as ever. The only remaining issues seem to be a little bit of coordination and strength in certain limbs, but they are getting better every day--he is basically fine from a pet/quality of life point of view, now it just remains to be seen if he can recover well enough to show. The healing potential of babies is really incredible. He is a sweet, loveable, and sassy little man and I'm really grateful for the second chance to have him in my life:
12 week puppy pics
Jefferson Street Mansion Wedding, Benicia CA, 5/26/07
Liz and Joe
The Jefferson Street Mansion is an incredible turn of the century venue that has more personality than anywhere else I've shot, hands down. Perfect for Liz and Joe, who had a kind of retro look to their wedding, complete with Liz's 1920's looking flapper dress, fishnet veil, and fascinator (that little feathery thing in her hair).
I've been to so many weddings and I think I've seen it all, so it really impresses me when a couple does something new to me--and these guys did that with their vows. Instead of saying them out loud, they whispered them to each other! It was such a cool moment to photograph since it looked like each of them said something really funny to each other, and Liz told me for the rest of the night guests were coming up to her asking her what they had said. So, a little frustrating for the guests maybe, but SO romantic and sweet to watch...To me, it was also symbolic of something that Liz and Joe really seemed to get about their wedding, something that a lot of other couples miss: which is that, in the end, your wedding is YOURS.
As much as you might have family and friends to appease and entertain, what you do for them should not overshadow what you need to do for yourselves to ensure that your wedding has meaning, that you have a good time, and that you leave it feeling like you did something special for yourselves and for each other. I find that couples who get this, who don't let the needs (or demands!) of others overshadow their own, are much more relaxed both before and at the wedding, more fun to work with, and overall seem happier with the whole process, than those who don't. These two definitely did.
Big shout out to Gina from Design Florals for the gorgeous flowers everywhere, and to Reed and the friendly staff at the Mansion for making me feel so at home. 
Slideshow
Proofs
Dublin Ranch Golf Course Wedding, 5/19/07
Makyla and Mark got married on May 19, 2007 at the Dublin Ranch--a venue I've shot at many times before...but not like this. This was one of those wedding where everything just came together perfectly: the gorgeous bride, the incredible chemistry between the couple, the beautiful decor (thanks in part to Anne Mendenhall Flowers), even the mayor of San Mateo as their officiant...this event just seemed to bring out the best in everyone, including me. I'm so happy with these pictures!
Slideshow
Proofs
Professional Prints vs. DIY
For those of you who are planning on buying the digital negatives from your wedding in order to save money and make your own prints, here is a New York Times article that may make you change your mind:
Article
Regardless of whether they own the negs or not, I always encourage my clients to buy all their prints through me (via my pro lab, Pictage). I just see no reason to go cheap on something as important as your wedding. Rather than the ink-on-paper-surface printing that your home printer uses, most professional digital prints are exposed on light sensitive photo paper and developed in chemistry (just like in the film days), and can therefore last 100 years or more.
