These two are the sweetest – tellin you, the best clients.  I got a chance to venture out to L.A. a little over a week ago and stomp in some new territory.  We had a a great time with Gerard and Vanessa and rocked some really fun stuff that fits my kinda vibe – a little bit of that city feel, all smiles, and a touch of elegance…  Thanks you two for trusting me with your special day…  Their smiles were crazy infectious and we definitely had our share of laughter I hope you enjoy the images!

This last little spot was a major gem in the busy-ness… I was glad to be able to get some pretty isolated images of them… and their kicks too… this of course before we got asked to stop taking pictures with my ‘professional camera’… well we got a ton of great stuff anyways

We moved on down to Melrose where Gerard and Vanessa had a lil somethin’ in mind… A lil Where the Wild Things are mural – Cool right??

Ending the day, we stopped off at a shoe shop and had a bit of fun with it gettin some air – like His Air-ness..

Before I took off for the drive home I passed by this signed that I missed the first time through from where we were first shooting – one of their favorite meeting spots – farmer’s market.  I thought it was very appropriate

Thanks so much Vanessa and Gerard for hangin out with me!  It was definitely good times…  Can’t wait for your wedding!

It makes my day… In this business I’ve gotten to work with the best people ever… Kevin and Jan – you two are an amazing couple.  Vaness and I were so glad to be there on your wedding day – we just want to thank you for trusting us through it all!  Capturing your special day was not only fun for me, but being fortunate enough to be present and learn about your stories makes me feel very blessed.  Awesome day – if there wasn’t better evidence that their day was completely special – San Diego took a reprieve from a summer that has been completely overcast for the months before and the weeks after their wedding and become absolutely gorgeous – warm and sunny… The setting was perfect and of course that makes for some awesome images  But, first – we’ll start with some details – Enjoy!

It’s always an adventure when all the groomsmen try and work out the handkerchief…

Jan gave Kevin some super sweet turtle cufflinks… Love these next two shots

Jan was looking absolutely stunning… and her red shoes were completely perfect… sweet right?

After getting ready – we headed off for their first look… some of the sweetest moments of the day

Afterwards – we hopped into the limo for a shoot at Paradise Point in Mission Bay… and of course had some fun moments along the way…

Once we got there – we got some pretty awesome shots of the entire bridal party… this next one turned out perfectly.

So many images – I couldn’t even pick just a few – and this next palette of pictures has a bunch of my favorites highlighted in one place

Our flower girl and ring bearers… sooooo cute!!!!

We were able to get a fun shot of everyone… Such a beautiful setting too

Vaness caught this next one – another one of my favorites…

Off to the reception!! Great times and fun moments…

And just one last picture for the day…

Thank you so much Kevin and Jan for having us there for your Wedding day – Vaness and I hope for nothing but the best for you two!!  We hope you love all of your images

So yes – I’ll fess up… I admit it – one month since my last post and it feels like it has been AGES… but in truth – I think I’ve been a bit toasty, burned out… just plain tired… and while I’ve taken a break from posting – photo actually has been going full steam ahead… So fortunately, just before this month, Vaness and I had a chance to go on a vacation with my family to Nuevo Vallarta, MX and stay at the most excellent Grand Luxxe Nothing was spared in everything that a luxurious vacation should be.  Amazing and gorgeous accommodations, great views, tasty food, warm weather, and a crystal clear-near private-endless-huge-mongous pool – and all this with my family that now includes my wife!  Taking a break like that is just what the doctor ordered.  And if we hadn’t, I think this past month and the many months ahead would have created pressures beyond my ability to handle.  Thanks mom and dad for a vacation to remember Here are a few snaps many have already seen, but I thought I’d highlight with some here on the blog Starting with my fave sunset shot of the trip – and on the right, relaxation at it’s finest   Wish you were there… Enjoy!

We really did have the pool to ourselves so many times, see in the next pic – and that’s just maybe one quarter of what we could have swam around to – it was AWESOME.  I actually learned how to do a lap too!  I know right?  The guy that sinks ‘naturally’ learned how to swim like a fish… okay for maybe 20 seconds, but heck if I needed to swim from one end of a pool to another I think I can do it.  Open water, ummm no.  We all had a good time there…

Aww.. beautiful wife and on the right you can see where we stayed – we had the middle third of that 2nd floor you see CRAZY…

Mexican Coffee, done Neuvo Vallarta style with a table-side show like I’ve never seen   On fire.  Pun fully intended.  Five points if you know what the pun’s two meanings are.   And we also all hammed it up for the camera for a quick minute…

During the nightime Vaness and I taught the now famous board game, Settlers of Catan, to the family!  And while at first it was received with the look of confusion that might remind you of 3rd graders in a nuclear physics class, they got it… and most importantly – THEY GOT HOOKED.  Like a drug man…or if you prefer… like Starbucks – the legal analog.  They now own the game and two of it’s top expansions.  Yah, WE don’t even own two expansions.  Twas fun… and oh yah – mom – I want a rematch.

We also got a chance to explore – if only for a small bit, and soaked in the sun, shopped, and enjoyed a spirit or two…

And finally – another one of my favorite shots of the week – just the pool and a view that will always take me back to peacefulness and rest, always a good reminder…

Thanks family for a vacation first – one where now 6 of us are all together for a trip!  Truly – here is to more and more great times and memorable travels

Simple and easy – sometimes, not too often, but sometimes – you get a chance to take a step back and relax…  I kinda stress about my shoots – and I admit, it’s not the best thing… But, I took it as a sign of a healthy drive – the kind that will get the creativity goin, you know?  Well, in my quest to get better – to improve my photography – I can walk down a path that gets me a bit lost… Lost in the technical things, the ‘correct poses, the best perspective, and the right ‘post-processing’ looks… Wasn’t I supposed to enjoy myself?  Have fun? Be a little bit adventurous and have a laugh in the middle of it all?  Shoot to share and give?

Joanel and John came to me with a pretty simple request – do what you do…  I think I do well listening to my couples – and along with that I gauge feelings, energy, and overall comfort level to deliver a vibe that gets mixed into the total vision.  Now that equation = a lot of energy and effort, thus the stress.  But, they wanted me to be sure – do your thing, we are easy and simple…  So, a bit of getting to know each other through laughter and an easy stroll down San Francisco’s Embarcadero results in a session with a couple that reminds me it’s okay to just relax – and have fun… Simple and easy – I like it  I hope you two had fun too!

Farmer’s Market in the Ferry building is a pretty sweet lil spot to visit in SF  I’ve actually never been there before, so we had a little fun there, and the space resulted in one of my favortite shots of the day ..

Native San Franciscan and the only time I’ve ever been to the Plaza was once in my childhood for ice skating – really??  Yes.. kinda sad – so many beautiful spots that I grew up in and I’ve barely been to any of them… So when we came across it – it was a done deal  Loved these next few

Joanel and John – Thank you both for being sooo easy and fun to shoot with – just reminded me to relax and have fun with it, and you have no idea how much I needed that with the craziness of my most recent days… and thanks for trusting me to capture your wedding day next year! Also, thanks to my wife Vaness for coming along as always and providing some other fun angles too…  We’ll be in touch

A lil while back – Vaness and I had a chance to spend some quality time with each other… The Carlsbad Flower Fields was next on our ‘date night’ list and we decided step it up and make it a ‘date-entire-day’!  Starting with a trip to the fields, then onto lunch, and then a movie that night   I just can’t describe it for you – it just feels so good to spend that time with each other – just us… The fields were pretty nice, but at the time we went it was on it’s way to being closed down for the rest of the season… so – maybe someday we can visit when the fields are in peak bloom… We got to see huge fields, and unique little planting areas, and finally got to do a little ‘treasure hunt’… Well, just wanted to share a few fun pics that we took there…

And here is our cast of characters for today’s adventure…

Awww.. my wife embedded in a field of sweet peas!  Okay, okay – pour on the extra cheese with cheese on the side   Beautiful right!?

Vaness and I had a little fun ‘mining’ for gems.. it was a pretty fun… we got a few cool little gems – and they make sure you come away with something nice .

Hun!  I love you – here’s to more date days and nights