Emily Takes Photos

{musings} practical ryan gosling

2012-01-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a blogging break this week, so instead I thought I'd share some good wedding-planning advice with an overdose of hotness.

via Practical Ryan Gosling

{day after} sam & eric

2012-01-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

I met up with Sam and Eric at some of my favourite spots in San Francisco to take some fun portraits in their wedding attire; Sam will jump at any chance to wear that cute dress again, and I'll jump at any chance to hang out these two! It was a wintery grey day which gave a romantic feel to the shoot, and I ended up doing a lot more black-and-white photos than I normally do (I'm a sucker for bright colours), which was a nice step out of my norm.

Check out their wedding photos here.

Check out their engagement photos here.

{weddings} ruchi & dave

2012-01-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

*Fair warning: I wrote a lot in this post!*

After the amazing day before, I figured I'd need an extra dose of caffeine to keep up with all the excitement at the wedding (turns out I didn't really; I was just so happy to be there that I had an adrenaline rush that lasted almost the whole day)! For as beautiful and colourful and elaborate as the wedding was, the moment that really stuck out to me was during the ceremony, when Ruchi and Dave read their vows to each other, all the stresses of the day seemed to just melt away, leaving them to just be two grinning, giddy kids madly in love with each other!

There were so many amazing elements of the day (coordinated amazingly by my lovely fried, Elizabeth, of Lowe House Creative!), but the three I want to point out are the Baraat/Welcome Ceremony, the wedding ceremony itself, and the Hora to end all Horas!

Baraat/Welcome Ceremony:
The Baraat is the procession of the groom and his family and friends to the wedding. Traditionally, the groom rides a decorated horse (or elephant! or bicycle! or helicopter!) while his friends and family dance around him. Since it would have been a bit difficult to ride and dance through the streets of San Francisco, instead they did a big loop in front of the Galleria. Some of the men from Ruchi's side taught the men from Dave's family some dance moves, and the whole thing was amazing and so much fun to watch!

Once the procession "arrived" at the Galleria, Dave and his family entered to be welcomed by Ruchi's family. Her mother fed each of them and showered them with rice and flower petals and officially welcomed each of them to her family while her other family members exchanged floral garlands with Dave's family members. The ceremony itself was fairly simple, but so powerful! A lot of us cried while watching, and I still tear up thinking about it.

The Wedding Ceremony:
During their engagement, they worked thoroughly with their rabbi (who had already performed Dave's siblings' weddings as well as all of their B'nai Mitzvah) to create a ceremony (which they lovingly dubbed their "HinJew" wedding) that combined and honoured their cultures' traditions (Hindu and Jewish) and reflected them as a modern couple. And they pulled it off beautifully (or reals, Kristen has shot a ton of weddings with me, and this was the first one she cried at)!

I was amazed at how similar some of the traditions seemed to be and how much overlap their was. Both traditions had the couple marry under a canopy (Hindu: Mandap; Jewish: Chuppah), and the number 7 was significant in both (Hindu: Saptapadi- seven steps around the holy fire; Jewish: Sheva B'rachot- seven blessings). Everyone else got into the spirit of the combining cultures, too, which I thought was most evident in their attire, with Ruchi's uncles wearing yarmulkes and Dave's family wearing saris and kurtas.

The Hora:
Ok, anyone who's been reading my blog for a while probably knows I love me a good Hora! What made this one especially amazing was that
A) there were probably around 200 people in this one (at least!),
B) this time the parents of the couple were also hoisted up on chairs, and
C) Ruchi's mum was hilarious when she was hoisted up, and her smile conveyed pure joy (and maybe a little terror)!

Ok, I could go on and on about this wedding, but I'm going to let my photos do the rest of the talking!

To Ruchi and Dave: Just, wow. What an incredible story, and I'm so honoured to have been a part of it. Wishing you two a life this amazing (ok, punctuated with a few quiet moments here and there)!

Check out their engagement photos here.

Check out their Mehndi photos here.

Check out their Sangeet photos here.

{events} ruchi & dave, sangeet

2012-01-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

Friday night after the Mehndi party, we headed over to Ruchi's uncle's house for the Sangeet, a celebratory event prior to the wedding where friends and family sing and dance in honor of the couple. Their home was beautifully decorated and many of their friends and relatives wore traditional Indian attire, which made for quite the colourful evening!

After dinner, Ruchi and Dave's loved ones put on an amazing show, with everything from singing and dancing, poems, speeches, and skits depicting moments in their life together (some to the music of Les Miserables!). Ruchi serenaded Dave with a song (and dang, she can sing!), and the show closed with the "Aunties & Uncles Dance," in which they danced to a medley of popular Indian songs.

It was an incredible evening filled with lots of laughs, a few tears, a couple broken wine glasses (the mark of a good party, right?), and so much joy that I couldn't believe that wasn't the actual wedding!

Stay tuned tomorrow for wedding photos!

Check out their engagement photos here.

Check out their Mehndi photos here.

{events} ruchi & dave, mehndi

2012-01-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

Friday morning before the wedding, we drove to Ruchi's mum's house for the Mehndi party. When we entered, we saw Ruchi sitting by the window as the Mehndi artist applied intricate designs in henna paste to her feet. There was a quiet calm in the room for a few minutes, until her friends and family burst in filling the house with love and excitement. They all took their turns having designs applied to their hands, even the little ones, who sat so impossibly still while the paste dried!

Tune in later for for Sangeet photos!

Check out their engagement photos here.

{weddings} nicole & chudi

2012-01-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

Nicole and Chudi stayed close to home when they married at the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House followed by a reception at Axis Cafe. They got ready separately, she giddy, he calm, and when they first saw each other during the ceremony, you could feel their excitement fill the room. And on a personal note, my friend, Amber, played music during the ceremony; it was so fun to work with her! The reception was chic and modern, with florals done by a friend and decorations that payed homage to their cultural and national backgrounds. During the reception, they surprised their guests by changing into traditional Nigerian attire, making for an exciting and colourful celebration!

To Nicole & Chudi: It was so wonderful to meet you both! I hope the joy and excitement of your wedding carries over into the rest of your lives together!

Check out their engagement photos here.

{weddings} emilia & byran

2012-01-03T04:00:00.001-08:00

Emilia and Bryan held their wedding at the UC Davis Arboretum, with their intimate ceremony held at a nearby park. We started the morning by taking a few pictures at the Davis Farmers Market, including a little dancing to the band who was playing there! We explored the beautiful landscape near the arboretum for a few more woodsy photos and then headed to the ceremony. They walked in together, arm in arm, got married, Emilia changed into walking shoes, and then they walked hand-in-hand back to the reception site. A double-decker bus was on hand to transport other guests to the site, and the kids really got a kick out of it! Lunch was followed by sweet toasts, followed by cupcake cutting, and then lawn games (you may already know I'm a big fan of lawn games)! It was a sweet, simple day, filled with lots of love.

To Emilia and Bryan: I'm so glad to have met you both! Wishing you happy adventures in your new life together!

Check out their engagement photos here.

{engagements} emilia & bryan

2012-01-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Hope you all had a fantastic holiday and are ready to grab 2012 by the horns!

I'm going to ease us into the new year with a rad, laid-back couple who were a blast to hang out with: Emilia and Bryan. For their engagement shoot, we met at the Japanese Gardens in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, and then explored the surrounding areas of the park. It was a sweet, low-key day (thank goodness, as I had just returned from our trip to Europe and was still a little jet-lagged!), at it was fun to watch them relax into each other to get comfortable in front of the camera. Here are a few of my faves from the day, and tomorrow I'll share their wedding!

{photos} recap of 2011

2011-12-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

2011 has proven to be quite an amazing year for me! To name a few of the highlights (and the corresponding blog posts):

All that, and I got to spend another year doing what I love: meeting awesome people and taking photos of them. I am so grateful to every one of you who helps make this possible by taking a chance on me; I wouldn't be here without all of you! Here are a few (ok, a bunch) of my favourite photos from the year.

Part of me feels like it'll be hard to top this year, but I already have a lot to look forward to in 2012 inlcuding:

launching a brand new website!
my first trip to Vegas to meet other APW photographers at the WPPI conference!
hosting my own photography workshop!
weddings all over California, including one at a dude ranch, complete with bullfrog racing!

Plus, I have a bunch of photos to share with you next year! This is my last post for the year, but here's a little sneak peek of what's to come:

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season, and I'll see you back here in January!

{photos} holiday party & crafts

2011-12-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

I'm not generally one to decorate for the holidays, but my craft bone was starting to itch, so I made a few things to put up around the house. I'm not a big fan of red and green decorations, so instead I used pinks, blues, greens and golds as my theme, which worked perfectly with the wreaths I made last year. I had a bunch of supplies leftover from other projects, so I put those to use and made a new wreath for the front door and some trees to decorate the table for our holiday party. Throw in some flowers, some of my milk glass collection and my new Catherine Holm bowls that I picked up at the Alameda Antique Fair, and you've got yourself a party!

{musings} being nice makes all the difference

2011-12-09T15:02:00.001-08:00

Totally random story, but I thought it worth sharing...

Back in August, I caught wind of a story about a bridal store refusing to sell a gown to a bride because she was a lesbian. The internet was (rightfully) up in arms about it, sharing the story via Twitter and Facebook. People took to leaving messages on the shop's Yelp page; many of them had messages of shame while other wrote in support of that kind of behaviour. While I of course agreed with the former, I don't believe the way to truly change someone's opinion or behaviour is to publicly admonish them, but rather to help educate them. Many of you many know I've been a gay rights activist since I knew it was even an issue, so to me, this was another opportunity to reach out to someone and try to change things for the better. I wrote the owner, Donna, the following email, taking into consideration that her side of the story could have been different from what I'd read:

Hi Donna~

I recently read about your store in an article on Philly.com. While I'm disappointed by what I read, I really believe that it's better to reach out and help someone than it is to admonish them and not offer any support (I read the Yelp reviews). While this incident it pretty bad, it looked like in the article that you were trying to make amends with Alix and her family, so I wanted to offer some help to also gain back the trust of the LGBT and LGBT-allied community.

I've attached a really great PDF that the lovely ladies at So You're EnGAYged blog have written; it covers everything from gender-neutral language on client facing materials to how to treat LGBT couples with the same respect given to heterosexual couples. I really hope you'll read through it and hopefully apply it to your business practices.

I know this is a pretty big mess, but with the right steps I'm sure you and the store will come out of it gracefully. If you have any questions or would like to talk, I would be more than happy to chat with you.

Take care,
~Emily

I'd guessed she'd received a number of emails, and I'm sure many of them had the same tone of the reviews I'd seen on Yelp, but I wanted to stand out from the crowd and try to offer help. I doubted I would ever hear from her, and I wasn't sure if my email would have been read, but this morning, out of the blue, I got a call from Donna.

She was a wonderful woman who has been taking the time to respond to those who contacted her. She told me how much she appreciated my email and the PDF that I sent with it. She told me her side of the story, which I'll boil down to a miscommunication between her and the bride in question. She said she had made a comment (not meaning to be offensive) about how the bride crossed out "groom" and wrote in "partner" on the form at the store, and the bride took offense. She said things had been worked out between the two of them, and that the PDF I sent her had been helpful to her for how she now conducts herself with other gay clients and community members.

I know I wasn't actually there for any of what went down, nor will I ever have a clear understanding of what happened, but I believe this woman when she tells me she's working to make a change for the better, and I'm so glad I sent her a helpful, friendly email rather than one that shamed her. I just wanted to encourage you all to do the same when faced with a similar situation. Come from an angle of wanting to help, and your message will be much better received.

Also, for those of you who are interested, check out So You're EnGAYged's guide to working with LGBT couples; it's fantastic and super helpful, even to non-wedding vendors!

{musings} the great apw book buy

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

**UPDATE** As of 2pm, the book is at #29 on Amazon's best seller list, #77 on Amazon Canada, #1 for Mover & Shakers and for Weddings, and #9 on Hot New Releases!! Go Meg!! Go TEAM PRACTICAL!!!!

I know many of you have heard me talk about this already, but today is a great day! My friend, Meg, author of A Practical Wedding, is launching her book today, A Practical Wedding: Creative Solutions for a Beautiful, Affordable, and Meaningful Celebration. The APW community is banding together to make this book a bestseller for the day! My friend Maddie, who is now the Submissions Editor for APW, wrote her review of the book, and this little bit really stuck out to me:

"Between the reality TV shows, the magazines, and the blogs, the wedding industry makes us out to be both the victims and the villains of our own wedding stories. We're either doing Too Much or Not Enough and we can never win. And the industry is making boatloads of money off our insecurity. But this book, this monumental labor of love, it doesn't want that for you. It gives you the power to own your wedding, to make it something that is meaningful, joyful, respectful—and that's powerful."

I haven't read the book myself yet, but my copy is ordered, and I'm anxiously waiting for it to arrive! I'm extra excited to see the final product, since I've been quoted in the book myself (as a bride, not as a vendor) and my photo of Meg is on the back cover! And yes, I will totally autograph it for you. ;)

So if you or anyone you know is planning a wedding and in need of a good dose of reality and sanity, go get a copy (or two) today, and help us make it a bestseller!

{photos} europe on film

2011-12-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

When we went to Europe, I decided it would be fun to bring along my film camera, which I haven't touched in ages. There was already film in the camera, and I had no clue what kind of film was in there or what was already on the roll, or whether or not the film was even any good anymore, since I had no idea how old it was. But it was kind of a fun gamble.

Turns out it was black and white film, and made for a few cool shots around Zurich and on our drive to Italy, when the battery promptly died. I didn't end up getting another battery until the end of the trip, but oh well, it was a fun experiment, and I got plenty of other photos with my digital camera. Here are a few of my faves from the film batch:

Oh, and the photos that were on the beginning of the roll? From Ashley and Clayton's engagement shoot in Santa Cruz last summer!

{photos} our trip to europe

2011-12-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

Remember that time when I went to Europe for a friend's wedding? Well I'm finally posting the pictures! I was actually waiting for my film to come back from the lab (I'll share those photos tomorrow), and then once it came back, I had zero free time to blog them! So here goes, with the story to go along. I was kind of inconsistent when it came to shooting on the trip (I was on vacation after all), so I'll try to fill in the blanks as much as I can.

We arrived in Zurich, Switzerland late Sunday morning and took the train into the city to find our hosts' house. Ed found a nice young couple through AirBnB whose apartment was only a few tram stops away from the main part of downtown Zurich and very close to the waterfront. After settling in and napping for a bit, we took a walk down to the waterfront and got some crappy pizza on our way back. Fortunately, our hosts were cooking a much better meal for dinner when we arrived and invited us to join. We had a quiet evening in, eating and drinking wine with our hosts and trying to adjust to the time change.

Monday morning we got up bright and early, so early in fact, it wasn't bright out yet! We decided not to fight it and just headed out hoping to find breakfast. Most of the shops hadn't opened yet, but after about 40 minutes of walking around and taking in the scenery, we found a small cafe nestled in a courtyard off the main street and got some chocolate-hazelnut croissants and coffee. We continued to walk around smaller back-alley-type streets, but since we were still a couple hours too early for the shops, we ended up near a boating dock where a lady had just put out seeds for the birds, so we sat and watched them for a bit as the city started to wake up.

We took a train to Üetliberg, a mountain that overlooks Zurich. We started with a small hike to what I call the Tower of Terror. It's just a tower with stairs up to a lookout point, but I'm afraid of heights, hence the terror. I managed to climb it, almost turning around a couple times, and spent about 10 minutes clinging to the middle beam before venturing out near the edge to take a photo. After some tears on the way down, Ed treated me to a lovely lunch at the restaurant below, which included hot-pink (beet) risotto! When we returned to the city, we took the trains around to three museums, all of which were closed. After finding the 3rd museum closed, we read the guidebook our hosts provided and realized that all the museums were closed on Mondays. Oops!

On Tuesday we picked up our rental car and began our drive into Italy. The Swiss countryside is absolutely lovely, but nothing could have prepared me for how awesome the drive through the Alps was! My pictures don't even begin to do them justice; those mountains were just so massive! Once we arrived in Italy, we detoured on our way to Florence and drove into Venice at my request. Ed had been before and didn't care for it, but I figured I wouldn't be back in Italy anytime soon, so we might as well. He obliged, we went, it was ok. Venice in and of itself is pretty interesting, but the experience was kind of meh. Very touristy, very commercialized. We walked into Piazza San Marco, and as I turned around to get a 360 view, I was greeted by an ad featuring a larger-than-life Scarlett Johansson covering the entire side of the building. So authentic! :P I'm glad I went and saw Venice, but once was enough. Especially when you consider the lasagna that looked like and had the consistency of vomit (no pictures of that, you're welcome)! After dinner, I got to try my hand at the Italian Freeway and drove us to the villa everyone was staying at for the wedding in Gambassi Terme (about 45 minutes southwest of Florence), arriving right after midnight.

On Wednesday, a tour bus came to the villa to pick everyone up for a trip to Sienna followed by wine tasting. I had been particularly interested in visiting Sienna since my art history professor in college had lived there and talked about it more than any other city, but Ed and I were tired from travelling the day before, so we opted out. Francesca and Craig, our friends who were getting married that week, we tired and getting over nasty colds, so the four of us played hooky and instead took the car into San Gimignano for lunch and gelato. This was probably my favourite part of the entire trip; just the four of us, no agenda, crazy-good food, and not super busy tourist-wise. When we headed back to the villa we took a walk around the property and were greeted by some deer from the other side of the fence. A few more of our friends arrived that day, so that evening I cooked us a big pasta dinner so we didn't have to worry about going out. It was really nice to catch up with everyone and have a quiet evening in. Unfortunately, the kitchen at the villa wasn't exactly stocked, so we had to improvise a lot (including using a kitchen towel as a table runner/communal napkin)!

On Thursday, we drove into Florence with a few of our friends for lunch and a bit of sight-seeing. As I had previously mentioned, the class I took in college was Renaissance Art History, and a lot of it focused on Italian art and architecture, specifically in Florence and Sienna. I was excited to see some of the works I had studied, though it turned out it was more interesting learning about them and hearing the stories than it was actually looking at them in person. I'm going to chalk that up to having an amazing teacher and having seen photos of all the works from just about every angle possible. Still, it was kind of cool seeing the statues in the Loggia (Perseus with the head of Medusa is my favourite in there). We then had a 2-hour lunch in front of the Duomo and spent about 5 minutes in the Duomo, as we got their right before it closed. It was a BIG beautiful space; the scale of it was something I couldn't quite grasp from textbooks and slides.

Side story: I've talked to people about always having a camera in hand, which I don't recommend. I feel like if I'm busy taking photos, then I'm not participating in what I'm taking a photo of. This serves me just fine when I'm working, and shooting is an experience in and of itself, but there are times I'd rather just experience something than try to capture it, possibly unsuccessfully. When we left Florence and headed back to the villa, we took a scenic route that overlooked the city. We started the drive right before sunset, and there was a beautiful glow over the city, one of the most breathtaking scenes I've even seen. Rather than fiddle with my camera hoping to get a picture that would even begin to convey the beauty of the city right then, I decided to be present and just enjoy it. I will never forget how the green dome of the cathedral looked in that light, nor how I felt overwhelmed by such beauty as we pulled out of the city.

Speaking of being present, when Friday rolled around and it was wedding time, I left my camera in my room. I knew Jillian would be taking amazing photos, and if she needed me to take any photos (since she was the only photographer) I could always run in and grab my camera. Instead, Ed and I partied hard with our friends and danced our heinies off! It really was a gorgeous wedding, which you can view on Jillian's blog here and here.

On Saturday morning I finally took a look around the main building of the villa and at the beautiful pieces in there. After taking a few photos, we joined the rest of the group for a post-wedding breakfast out on the lawn before we packed up the car to head back to Switzerland.

Since we were flying out of Zurich the next morning we decided to spend the night before in Switzerland, just in case we had any border issues to deal with (we didn't). We stayed at another apartment Ed found on AirBnb that overlooked the lake in Lugano. The city we were in, Campione d'Italia, is technically part of Italy, but surrounded by Switzerland and abides by Swiss law. During our stay in Swistaly (my name for it, not the actual name), we walked down to a bar on the waterfront right as happy hour started (happy hour comes with a lot of free food at that particular bar) and then headed to a really lovely restaurant afterward for dinner. The next day we hopped in the car and drove the rest of the way to Zurich airport (where we ran into Jillian again before departing!).

It really was an amazing trip! I got to see lots of things but still have time to rest, eat amazing food and spend quality time with Ed and our friends! I'll post a few more pictures from the film lot tomorrow.

{portraits} the leonard family

2011-11-29T04:00:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite things about my job is meeting the children of the couples whose weddings I have shot! When I shot Megan and Aaron's wedding last year, they were expecting their first child! They had a beautiful baby boy, Ebb, and I finally got to meet him this Halloween! Aaron's mother called me wanting to surprise them with a family shoot, and I couldn't wait for the reunion! We met the day before Halloween at Fairyland, a storybook theme park on Lake Merritt in Oakland, which was made only more adorable with all the children running around in their costumes! Ebb brought his dragon costume, and we even got to meet a big dragon (Ebb wasn't so sure about him)! It was so nice to see Megan and Aaron again and to meet their little one!

{musings} dad & marianne featured on a practical wedding

2011-11-23T08:46:00.000-08:00

Remember my dad and Marianne's wedding? Well now their wedding grad post (as written by Dad) is featured on A Practical Wedding! I'm slowly but surely getting everyone in my family to submit their weddings to APW (Mum, you're next!)...what kind of staffer would I be if I didn't?!

Click here to read the whole post.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy your day(s) off, and don't forget to check back here Friday more for my Black Friday deals!

{engagements} sarah & greg

2011-11-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

I met Sarah and Greg when Sarah was a bridesmaid in Siobhan and Erik's wedding last year, and I was thrilled to bits when she contacted me for an engagement session of their own! They're getting married next year in Nantucket but wanted to take photos at their favourite beach in Half Moon Bay. We had a great time together; these two are just full-on in love and super fun to hang out with, and their dog, Wyatt, provided some hilarious moments (and looked rather handsome in his new red collar)!

{weddings} vicky & david

2011-11-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

Vicky and David got married on an absolutely gorgeous day at the Vine Hill House in Sebastopol. They had a mix of whimsical, geeky and nostalgic details (and oh my god the FLOWERS!); which created a beautiful backdrop for their relaxed and elegant wedding. Their friends and family felt like an extension of them; they were so warm and inviting and an absolute joy to be around! As the night went on, everyone ripped up the dance floor (I may have gotten into a bit of a Beyonce-dance-off with a couple bridesmaids!) and had a marvelous time!

To Vicky & David: It was such a pleasure getting to know the two of you and working with you! Wishing you many happy adventures in your life together!

Check out their engagement photos here.

{musings} just a bunch of random things

2011-11-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

I realize it's been a while since I've had a personal post on here (sheesh, I haven't even blogged about my trip to Italy and Switzerland yet, though I'm waiting for my film to come back before I post). Here are just a few things going on in my life, both business and personal:

Today it started raining right as I stepped out to take Oppie for a walk. As soon as we came back it stopped raining. Of course. No matter though, I actually enjoyed it. Oppie was less than thrilled; he's a bit fussy. We walked up to our local Starbucks (I love their chai lattes); the day after Halloween they busted out their holiday cups. Normally I don't like the commercial aspect of the holiday season (Christmas music drives me up the wall), but I do like these cups. They're so cheery, which I especially love on a grey day like this!

Normally, Oppie likes to sunbathe on our balcony, but with the weather being cold, he's preferred to dig himself a hole the couch cushions (he usually builds forts with the other smaller pillows, but those are in the wash).

Last month, my cousin, Caroline, came for a quick visit on her way to New York City, then Milan. We had a couple full days together that we spent in San Francisco and Oakland, showing her around and doing a bit of shopping. I even got to take her to see my friend's band and my favourite bar in the Mission! Oppie loved having another person around to dote on him, too!

I spent last week at a beach house in Stinson Beach with Elizabeth, Meg and Kate (and Oppie, too!) for a work-cation. It was a great relaxing break from the daily grind, but we still managed to get a fair amount of work done, including a top-secret project for APW (which will be announced later).

I've been reading Caitlin Moran's How To Be a Woman for APW's book club, which meets on Saturday. It's been nice curling up on these cold days and getting my daily dose of humour from this funny lady.

Speaking of APW, a couple weeks ago Meg announced to the world that I'm on the APW staff (with a bio and everything!). I've actually been working as the Advertising Manager for a while, and we just launched our Vendor Directory 5 weeks ago, and it's been really well received!

I'm also planning a trip with a few other APW photographers to WPPI in Las Vegas in February! I've never been to Vegas, but I'm excited to meet up with these ladies who I've become friends with through APW (some of whom I still haven't met in real life)!

{photo from here}

Ed and I started making life lists together, (or as he refers to it, "Not-a-Bucket List") and it's been really fun dreaming and scheming together. My list includes things like donate blood (I'm terrified of needles), run a 5K (I hate running, and only do it if I'm in danger (and even then I really evaluate the situation before I hit the pavement)), sew a quilt, and learn to change a tire. We've also got other big things on the lists, like traveling to different countries, building a house with fruit trees, and some professional goals. After living together for 6 years and falling into a routine, which sometimes feels like a rut, it's nice to make plans, however small or big, and discuss how to make these plans happen. I like to think of it as an exercise in falling in love all over again and creating/continuing an exciting life together.

Speaking of falling in love all over again, today I received mail from Ed (yes the return address is the same as the mail-to address) with a sweet card in it! Bonus points for the awesome typography heart!

I don't do a lot of holiday decorating (though I did these wreaths last year), but I saw this tutorial on Heart of Light last week for a gradated leaf garland and just loved it. Then yesterday, as Oppie and I were coming back from the dog park, we walked under a tree right outside our place that was shedding beautiful leaves left and right, so I decided to make one for myself! Super easy and fun to do; too bad it won't last until next year.

Lastly, I want to share a conversation that made me step back and realize (again) how lucky I am to be doing something I love. The past few months have been really busy for me, and I've been succumbing to the pressures of being a small business owner, and well, I've been in a bit of a funk lately. Then today, I had this conversation with Ruchi regarding her wedding (next week!):

me: (body of email) Now off to practice my dance moves! I wish. Just going to answer some emails. Besides, I'm totally* a pro at Indian dancing. *Not really.

Ruchi: You should be practicing! We fully expect you to perform this at the wedding:

me: So then I guess my only question is, will you be providing backup dancers or should I?

Ruchi: The wedding is officially BYOBUD.

I love that I have such a fun job and clients who *get* me!

{specials} holiday portrait sessions

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

With the holidays peeking around the corner, I am offering a few mini portrait sessions in some of my favourite places to shoot in the Bay Area! If you would like to reserve a session for you and your loved ones (pets included!), please contact me at hello@emilytakesphotos.com. Hurry, with only a few spots, they're sure to sell out quickly!

{weddings} sue wen & chris

2011-10-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

Sue Wen and Chris eloped at the beautiful San Francisco City Hall last month with their parents in attendance. We started the morning at their hotel room and then walked to the Presidio with their dogs, Lulu and Chewbacca, who were also dressed up for the occasion! After a few photos there, we met up back at the hotel with their parents and headed over to City Hall for a few more portraits, and finally, their wedding ceremony. It was short, sweet, and to the point, but just as emotional and important as any other ceremony. I love elopements for this reason; while I enjoy all the aspects of the various weddings I'm lucky to attend, it's nice to boil it down to the basics once in a while and be reminded of why we have weddings in the first place!

Oh, and I just have to say Sue Wen's dress was TO DIE FOR! I also have to point out that she knit the red shawl she wore with it. So talented!

To SueWen & Chris: Thank you for having me with you at your wedding! I wish you a life that mirrors your ceremony: no muss, no fuss, and lots of love!

Check out their engagement shoot here.

{weddings} sam & eric

2011-10-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

This wedding has been featured on A Practical Wedding.

Of all the weddings I've been to, this was by far the sassiest! Seriously, I've never been to a wedding where the guests woo-hooed a bride as she walked down the aisle!

The day started off with a lot of laughs (and a couple pranks from the guys) at the hotel. At the beginning of the ceremony, the band played Isn't She Lovely, and then Eric made his way down the aisle to start the procession. Hilarious! After wrangling an unhappy ring bearer and handing him off to his parents, he watched his bride walk down the aisle and then danced with her at the altar while the band finished the song. We took a few portraits in the vineyard around the Palm Event Center; Eric was the epitome of cool and Sam look absolutely beautiful with her beaming smile. They used their love of music as part of their theme for the wedding: the guestbook was a concert poster they had everyone sign, the table numbers were some of their favourite albums, and (my favourite part) their escort cards were concert tickets. A few toasts and some cake later, everyone was up on the dance floor, partying like rockstars!

To Sam & Eric: You had me at the YouTube video. ;) I'm so glad we ended up working together; you two are just awesome!

Check out their engagement photos here.

{portraits} caldwell law firm

2011-10-17T04:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I drove out to Roseville to take some headshots of the staff of Caldwell Law Firm for their new website. For those of you who've never been to Roseville (near Sacramento), well, it's hot. Really, really hot. And the staff were wearing suits. Some of them wool. Poor things. We dashed across the parking lot really quickly, found some partial shade under a tree, and had the fastest photoshoot in the history of the world. Then we dashed back inside for the air conditioning! As quick and as hot as it was, it was a lot of fun working with the staff (and it made me appreciate the weather at home)!

{portraits} the bensen family

2011-10-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

After having so much fun last year shooting Fiona & Tod and their two dogs, Spunky and Ike, I was thrilled when they called me up to take photos for their holiday card this year! We met up at their house for the first set of photos (no swimming shots of the dogs this time though) and then headed over the the Woodside Horse Park for some beautiful scenery and a lovely sunset!

{weddings} lauren & chris

2011-10-03T04:00:00.000-07:00

This wedding has been featured on The Loveliest Day.

A while back, I was looking through old family photos, and I found a newspaper wedding announcement from my great-grandparents' 1924 wedding, which started off with "simplicity wil characterize the wedding..." The same could be said for Lauren and Chris's wedding. Sure, there were lots of gorgeous details and thought put into them, but at the end of the day, it was simple: Lauren loves Chris. Chris loves Lauren. Together they love their family and friends and are loved back by them. Love love love. So simple. So obvious.

They day started off with their arrival with their bridal party. People filed into the beautiful chapel at Mills College. The service was sweet and inclusive. We headed over to the Reinhardt House on campus for the reception, taking pictures a long the way. Chris was handsome as ever, and Lauren was stunning (I can't emphasize that enough)! The reception was relaxed, a mix of good food and funny toasts. The dancing was off the hook. Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows I have a soft spot for killer dance parties. The DJ used actual honest-to-God records, and all the kids took their turns breakdancing on the patio. How could it get any better? Oh, but then it did get better. They served Its-Its at the end of the night!

To Lauren & Chris: Thank you for being so wonderful and for loving each other the way you do. Here's to a bright and happy future together!

Check out their engagement photos here.

{musings} a practical wedding vendor + venue directory

2011-09-27T04:00:00.000-07:00

Ok ok. I know I said I wasn't going to post much this week, but I just had to share some awesome news. I have been working with Meg and the team at A Practical Wedding on a big project for a while now, and yesterday it went public! APW has introduced a new vendor directory, where you can search for sane and practical (and awesome) vendors who have taken our sanity pledge. I have a page in there, and so does my mum!

The vendor directory has been paired with a venue directory, where APW readers have submitted venues that they have booked and loved, since we all know the best venues are the well-kept-secret venues!

So if you're planning a wedding or know someone who is, please head over to the directory and check it out! If you're a vendor who is interested in applying for a listing, we are still taking applications, and yearly membership is very reasonably priced!

{musings} hello from switzerland!

2011-09-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hello from Switzerland! Ed and I flew out here on Saturday and are exploring Zurich today. Tomorrow we'll make the drive into Italy, where we'll be exploring Florence and its surrounding areas and then celebrating at our friends' wedding on Friday! We fly back on Sunday, and I'll be back to (very slow, jet-lagged) work on Monday. No big post this week, but here's a peek at what's coming up:

{musings} the united states postal service

2011-09-23T09:50:00.001-07:00

Bear with me. I just came from the post office, and I need to vent. Not about the post office, but the people I meet at the post office. And not the ones who work there. I love those guys.

No, I'm talking about the people I meet in line at the post office.

USPS is notorious for having long lines and slow service as the result of being understaffed. Yet people still act surprised and then annoyed when they have to wait in line at the post office. I'm always up for making chit-chat with the people in line with me, but the conversation almost always turns into the following:

"They need to open up more windows."

"This is ridiculous. Why is this so slow?"

"UPS/FedEx is way better and faster than this."

And every time someone says something like this to me, I always defend the post office with something like this:

"Sure you have to wait a few minutes, but there's probably only one person at the counter, because you're paying 44 cents for them to hand-deliver a letter to your friend across the country. And seriously, why didn't you go to UPS/FedEx if the post office is so terrible?"

So, this morning. There was an older man at the window with his wife, and he asked for 20 80-cent stamps (note: there wasn't even a hint of "please"). The woman behind the counter told him they were out of those stamps, but asked if he would be interested in buying a combo of other stamps (because, you know, it will still work). Instead of buying a combo of stamps that were in stock, he raised his eyebrows, turned towards us in line and sighed "they're out of 80-cent stamps? That's ridiculous!"

To which I responded, "yes it is ridiculous that something you can buy would be out of stock. How dare they. Don't they know how important you are?"

I have no patience for people like this.

Seriously though. I go to the post all the time, and every time I'm there, I greet the people behind the counter with a smile and a friendly "hello." I like them all, and they like me back. Probably because I don't hold them personally responsible for everything that goes wrong in my life. And that mild inconvenience of waiting in line for a few minutes to use an incredibly cheap service than I am in no way obligated to use? Well to be honest, some days that's the only moment in my day when I don't have to do anything, and I cherish those moments.

So next time you go to the post office, smile, say "please" and "thank you," and if you're stuck in line, take a moment to relax and enjoy the time-out. And if someone ruins your quiet time in line by complaining, just give them a swift kick in the shins. Tell them it's from me.

{portraits} diana & alan, one year

2011-09-19T04:00:00.000-07:00

You may remember Diana and Alan, whose wedding I shot last year (which has been all over the internets). They just celebrated their first anniversary, and Diana decided to surprise Alan with a photo shoot! We met up at their (adorable) place in Berkeley for a few shots, then took their dog, Empress Sadie Brown Stockings, for a walk around their neighbourhood and to their local park. It was great catching up with them (I can't believe it had already been a YEAR!) and recreating some of the photos we took during their engagement session!

{portraits} penny

2011-09-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

For her first wedding anniversary, my friend, Penny, asked me to do a little boudoir session with her as a surprise for her husband. As their anniversary was fast approaching, we didn't have a lot of time to plan for it, but we sure had a ton of fun! She emailed me some examples of what she did want (and some hilarious examples of what she didn't want). In one of her emails to me, she said "no feather boas, rhinestones, smoldering glares, or posing with my mouth hanging open (or licking anything, because ew)." I love this girl so much!

{engagements} sue wen & chris

2011-09-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

Sue Wen and Chris are eloping this week at San Francisco City Hall, but we still set aside some time to hang out and take some engagement photos first! I met up with them over at Stanford for some photos on campus, and then we headed over to Sharon Park near where they used to live. They, along with their awesome dogs, Lulu and Chewbacca, make up the most adorable and fun family, and I'm so excited for their wedding this week!

{weddings} michelle & brad

2011-09-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

From the first email conversation with Michelle, I knew I was just going to love her and Brad. And I was so right! When I flew into Bozeman, she and her mum picked me up from the airport and took me back to dinner at the house with both families, which felt to me like home away from home. Good food, great conversation, lots of laughs (plus a few groans at her uncle's bad jokes). I felt like I had been accepted as one of their own, and it set me up for an amazing week with them and their families!

The wedding itself blew my mind. First of all, it was held at the Rockin' TJ Ranch, a beautiful property with a gorgeous view of the mountains that made a perfect backdrop for the ceremony. Michelle and Brad are both chemists, so they had a chemistry theme running throughout the wedding: glass slides as place cards, test-tubes and beakers as vases, a lab notebook as their guestbook, a unity water-pouring ceremony (but it wasn't water; the combining liquids turned blue, much to everyone's delight), and their signature cocktail during the reception was actually test-tube shots in four flavours.

During the reception, the kids played down by the creek that ran through the property, and Michelle also took a minute to cool off her feet and take a break from all the dancing. Oh, did I mention their families and friends are dancing MANIACS? Cuz they totally are! Towards the end of the night I got a chance to put down my gear and get on the dance floor with everyone. I got into a little bit of a dance-off with one of Michelle's cousins (I lost) and attempted to moonwalk in my cowboy boots (I failed).

To Michelle & Brad: I think I'm still recovering from how much fun I had with you in Montana! Thank you so much for bring me into your lives and your home, and I can't wait to see you again before too long!!

{photos} yellowstone

2011-09-05T04:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Labour Day! I hope everyone is enjoying this long weekend and doing things they love. I'm just getting back from two weddings this weekend, so today I'm going to take an actual day off!

In keeping with the theme of long-weekend fun, today I'm sharing a few photos I took from my trip to Montana for Michelle and Brad's wedding (which I'll share tomorrow). The day before their wedding, they played tour guide and took me to Yellowstone for my very first time. We started out at Old Faithful (no pics from that, since I actually wanted to watch it). We drove throughout the park, stopping at a few of their favourite spots, ending at Artist Point (which was soooooo gorgeous, it's not hard to understand why it's called that). Most of these photos are taken from the car ride, but we kept having to stop because of bison walking in the road (or, ahem, tourists stopping in the middle of the road to look at the bison).

One more thing I'm going to say about this experience: I always thought it was weird that Montana (though technically these pics were taken in Wyoming) was called the Big Sky state, since the sky is the same everywhere in the world. But somehow, when I was there, the sky really did seem bigger, and it was awesome. If you ever have a chance to make towards that part of the country, take it! It's so amazing!

...and just a little teaser from their wedding to hold you over until tomorrow...

{events} yay new york!

2011-09-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

I have been having a hell of a time coming up with the words to describe the awesomeness that was Yay New York, so I'm going to let the pictures do (most of) the talking. It was exciting, exhausting, and a lot more emotional than I was prepared for. I've been known to tear up at weddings, but I just about lost it at this one; I was overjoyed and heartbroken at the same time, and I don't think I've ever felt quite that way before.

This all started for me in early July. New York State had just passed their Marriage Equality Act, and an overjoyed Meg and Elizabeth had cooked up a plan to celebrate and raise awareness (and funds for LAMBDA Legal). I was brought on to help manage our awesome team of APW sponsors who volunteered for the event, as well as to take photos throughout the event so Meg could live-blog them as the events of the day unfolded. To me, it was just another event, another job, and I kept myself busy enough that I almost missed the enormity of what was happening.

Meg said it perfectly in her recap of the event: "And suddenly I realized that we, as a country, were denying them a basic civil right... for no reason other than our own bigotry...watching the way they tightly held on to the paperwork, I realized how these legal marriages were about dignity. About respect. About civil rights. I realized what we were doing there. It was big."

Wednesday was our scramble-everything-together day. Maddie of Hart & Sol Photo, who couldn't be with us at the actual event, made gorgeous (and delicious!) cakes for each of the couples. Elizabeth, Ang, Meg and I hustled to put together the final details and setup the space. Mark and Raven setup the photobooth and were just generally awesome. I made a bouquet and some boutonnieres (except I put the boutonnieres in a cup of water in the fridge, and they froze overnight, so Elizabeth whipped up some new ones on Thursday morning). It was crazy, a little stressful, but it all came together.

Aaron and Cory were the first to be married. As their guests filtered in, I waited downstairs to direct guests to the correct building (another building across the street had the same address), and to also keep an eye out for the string trio who had offered to play at the ceremonies. Unfortunately, traffic was insane in midtown Manhattan, so only the cellist had made it in time for the first ceremony. As I ushered him upstairs, I thought to myself "Oh well, he can play that really pretty cello song" (I had no clue what it was called). Well, apparently Meg had the same idea and had talked to him about it (I didn't know about this until later), so when Cory and Aaron walked into their ceremony to Bach Suite No. 1, I just felt like the last piece had fallen into place, and I started to cry. Their ceremony was short, sweet, and amazingly powerful. One of their dads was unable to make it to New York, so he watched via someone's camera phone. Shortly after their ceremony, they updated their Facebook statuses to "married," toasts were made, and then they cut Maddie's awesome cake #1. The best part was they fed each other, and then fed each other again. I think they would have finished the whole slice that way had the rest of us not been giggling with delight at that.

Half an hour after the boys left, it was Leanne and Anne's turn to get married (they just happened to be planning their big wedding for exactly a month after their legal marriage). I figured I cried so much during the boys' wedding that I'd be able to hold it together for the girls' ceremony. Nope. I was able to stay dry a little longer this time around, but when their mums came up to sign the legal! marriage certificate, combined with Anne lovingly wiping a smudge of Leanne's cheek, tears started to roll again. After Genevieve pronounced them married, Anne's mum rang bells and the string trio played Somewhere Over the Rainbow. As Meg said, "somewhere, Judy Garland was looking down smiling."

After the girls left with their families, the staff headed out to the terrace for a champagne toast and to revel in what had just taken place. Then it was time to flip the space for the evening party!

What can I even say about this party? Other than that it was EPIC. We had wine, popsicles, piñatas filled with confetti, crazy-awesome music and even crazier dancing (with tinsel!). There was a photobooth, limbo and an ice sculpture donated by one of the groom's brothers (who just happens to be a totally rad ice sculptor)! It was amazing to watch Team Practical come together in real life (as opposed to on the internets) and support each other and support love. It was amazing to see this group of vendors from all over the country come together and work as a team. When Meg and I got back to the hotel, we were so exhausted and overwhelmed by what had just happened (we called it our Confetti Hangover). Tomorrow we meet up with Elizabeth for a follow-up meeting; I think we're all still trying to process what happened.

And just for fun: a few of my photobooth faves, courtesy of Leah & Mark!

And a quick thank you to all the vendors who made this event happen (list stolen from APW)!

APW Founder (for making it up and convincing other people to believe it: Meg
Planning, Queen of All: Lowe House Events (SF)
Venue: 320 Studios
Graphic Design: AndKathleen
Photography: Leah And Mark +Raven (Atlanta and everywhere else), Calin Peters Photography (Boston), Fedorov Foto (NYC), BeImaged Photography (NYC)
Planning & Logistics: Lowbrow Events (New England), The Handmade Event (NYC), Crafty Broads (Chicago)
General Helpers: Amber, Lauren
Printing: Yes Press (SF)
Officiant: Cheerleader for Love
Piñata: Confetti System
Cake: Hart & Sol Photography
Popsicles: LaNewYorkina
Wine: Monogamy & PromisQous
DJ: Whitney Day
Ceremony Music: String Theory Trio

{events} ellen & shelley's gayla

2011-08-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

Ellen & Shelley's gayla felt to me like every wedding reception I've been to (minus the marriage ceremony); everyone there was so full of love and support for them and their relationship. The evening started off with cocktails and awesome hors d'oeuvres, followed by toasts and a cake cutting, and ending with a packed dance floor and photobooth shenanigans. Shelley gave a wonderful toast to Ellen and Ellen poured her creativity into the beautiful art piece she gave to Shelley (as well as the cute invitations and decor). And just in case things weren't already awesome enough, they fed their guests a mid-dancing snack of grilled cheese sandwiches. Pure. Genius.

To Ellen & Shelley: I'm so honoured to have been a part of your (what shall now be referred to as the) big day! Wishing you two the very best on your next adventures together!

Check out their portraits here.

{musings} off to new york

2011-08-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm off to New York City for Yay New York!! I can't believe it's finally here! In addition to getting two couples legally hitched and having a kick-ass party celebrate, APW is hosting a fundraising drive for LAMBDA Legal! If you would like to help us reach our goal of $5000, you can do so here.

Can't wait to share photos when I return!

Poster design by Kathleen.

{weddings} marianne & chris (aka dad)

2011-08-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

This wedding was featured on A Practical Wedding.

On the 11th anniversary of their first date, Dad and Marianne wed in her backyard, days before she moved out into his place. This was a no-fuss all-fun wedding/family get together/bbq/house "cooling" party. Dad and Marianne were barefoot. Our family friend, Bruce, officiated and called it a weddin.' Then he stepped in a dog turd. Amytha, Marianne's daughter (and Jackson's mother) baked cupcakes and chocolate cake truffles (OMG YUM!) and Jessica, Marianne's niece, made pineapple-upside-down cupcakes (OMG GENIUS!). Amytha put me in charge of fancy collars for the bridal party (the 3 pugs) and designing a logo for the buttons and cake toppers she made. Our family friend, Alan, gave a toast in Chinese and then didn't translate it (hilarious!). We sat around the fire pit as the night got colder and were treated to an impromptu fire-spinning show by my sister's boyfriend, Abe.

Marianne and her family have been a big part of my life since they came into it, and I already considered them as my own family, but it's nice that it's all official-like now. Marianne's mum, Nancy, came up to me at one point in the evening, gave me a big hug, and this conversation followed:

Nancy: Yay, we're officially family now!
Me: Yay! Does this mean I have to start buying you Christmas presents?
Nancy: Well, let's not rush into anything just yet.

What an amazing day. Congratulations Dad and Marianne! Love you both!

{musings} 60 years

2011-08-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

Today my grandparents celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary! Having only been married for a little over a year, I can't even fathom the strength and patience it takes to make it together for that long, but they've set a great example, and I think they might be the most awesome couple ever.

Happy anniversary Grandma and Grandpa! I hope Ed and I come out the other end of 60 years as well as you two did!

I recently submitted them for A Practical Wedding's Vintage Wedding feature; you can see theirs here.

Here's a more recent photo of them, taken last week at my dad's wedding*.

*What? Oh yeah. My dad got married. But you'll have to wait until Monday for those photos!

{weddings} lauren & jd

2011-08-17T04:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting and working with the lovely Atlanta photographers (and members of Team Practical) Leah and Mark! I had an awesome time shooting with them, and of course the wedding was just wonderful! Lauren and JD are a calm, sweet, no-fuss couple. They started off the day getting ready together in their home and then took a quick walk to their neighbourhood florist to pick up the bouquet and boutonniere. They then wed at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley, surrounded by family and friends, and dinosaurs! Yes, you read that right. ;)

For more photos from Lauren and JD's wedding, check out Leah and Mark's website!

And here is a photo of the three of us (four if you count baby Rox) that I stole from their website. Clearly we are an awesome bunch.

{engagements} vicky & david

2011-08-15T04:00:00.000-07:00

The theme of Vicky and David's engagement shoot was "Let's Talk About Awesome Food and Make Emily Hungry." Ok, maybe that wasn't the official theme, but these two recently moved from the East Bay to the Peninsula, so we gave each other tips about our favourite restaurants in each others' new hometowns. Considering these two know and love good food, it goes without saying that I just fell in love with them! Also, they're an awesome couple who just adore each other, and who doesn't want to be around that?! We started the afternoon off at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Daly City, where they first met, and then traveled over to Berkeley to hit up a few spots including Ceasar Chavez Park and the Berkeley Marina, where they learned to sail. We ended the night at Gregoire* in Oakland, where we met up with Ed and Oppenheimer for dinner. I had a great time with these two, and I can't wait for their wedding!

*I highly recommend the potato puffs. I never knew I could put that much awesome in my mouth at once.

{weddings} christina & adam

2011-08-08T04:00:00.000-07:00

Christina and Adam held their totally kick-ass wedding at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. For those of you who have never visited, YOU NEED TO GO TO THERE! I loved it as a kid, and I still love it as an adult. It's located next to the Palace of Fine Arts, which made for a beautiful backdrop as they married under the rotunda. My favourite part of the ceremony was when their friend who officiated asked Christina if she would "love, honour and obey Adam," to which she responded she would "love, honour, and definitely not obey him!" They braved the cold wind while we took some quick portraits outside, followed by some more funky ones inside. Guests were treated to cocktails and yummy food, dancing, crazy lights, and of course, all the fun activities the Exploratorium has to offer.

Oh, and things may have gotten a little ~~crazy~~ awesome in the photobooth!

To Christina and Adam: Keep on keepin' on, you guys are awesome!

Check out their engagement photos here.

{photos} lovely things

2011-08-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

Today kicks off an insanely busy month for me: tomorrow I fly to Montana for a few days for a wedding, the next week we head to SLO for two weddings and a visit with my family; I'm going to second-shoot at a couple more weddings with the lovely Cherry and fabulous Leah &; Mark; I'm heading to New York at the end of the month with Meg and Elizabeth for Yay New York; plus, I'll have a handful of shoots scattered throughout the month. Oh and did I mention I'm working on launching a new feature with A Practical Wedding (details coming soon)? Yeah. It's going to be a busy month!

This week, I wanted to give myself a bit of a break blogging-wise, so I'm just going to share a few shots I took around that house this week.

I went out to the balcony to water my plants the other day and found this guy crawling around my basil plant (which is finally getting big!). Let me just say, it's kind of tough to chase a ladybug running around a plant with a telephoto lens at an open aperture, but I'm sure I looked really cool doing it!

I took the dog for a walk up the street while I ran some errands. As we passed the flower shop, the owner stopped me and handed me this rose as he said "a pretty girl needs a pretty flower." Needless to say that made my day! It's sitting on my desk next to the lovely art piece Jillian gave me earlier this year.

Speaking of Jillian, I gift to give her and wanted to do something pretty for the wrapping. I decided to stick with a plain brown box tied with twine, and made the gift tag using the same tutorial I used to make these holiday wreaths last year and some pretty paper I had leftover from a book I made in school.

Oppenheimer continues to be adorable, and we're loving getting to know him and learning all his quirks. I love that he keeps me company during the day and distracts me just enough so that I don't spend hours at a time staring at the computer. Having him also forces me to go outside and enjoy this beautiful weather we've been having lately. One fo the newest perks I've discovered since having him is happy hour on Fridays at out local dog park!

Last Sunday I took the afternoon for myself and did a little shopping in the Lakeshore area in Oakland. I ended up down there at the same time as the farmers' market was happening, and I picked up this lovely bunch of dahlias for $10! They were really trying to get rid of them, and I was more than happy to help them out!

{weddings} erica & daniel

2011-07-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, I have the most amazing second-shooter in the history of the world, Kristen Guldner. I cannot begin to explain to you how awesome this lady is. Not only is she a fab photographer, she's an amazing friend, and the inventor of awesome words such as "confuzzled." Talk about winning at life.

I knew the time would come when she'd realize just how awesome she is and start her own photography business (and leave me *sob*). I'm so proud to say she has done just that, though she's not leaving me for good just yet! I had the privilege of second-shooting for her at her Erica and Daniel's wedding. It was a sweet, intimate day in a friend's backyard, full of colourful details overlooking the hills of Saratoga. I had a great time taking a backseat photo-wise; I was able to take my time and get a little more creative without feeling the constraints of being the primary photographer. Here are a few of my favourite photos from the day, and please go check out more on Kristen's blog!

While Kristen and I were scouting places to shoot portraits, I took this photo of her to test the light. Isn't she gorgeous?!

{musings} yay new york!

2011-07-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

After New York State passed the Marriage Equality Act, an overjoyed Meg of A Practical Wedding and Elizabeth of Lowe House Events started cooking up Yay New York, which might be the most awesome party ever! I'm so excited to be a part of this event, in which on August 25, 2011, two couples get legally married in a beautiful event space complete with free cake, flowers, booze and a photographer, followed later that evening by a mass reception to celebrate marriage equality and honour the couples who wed earlier that day, and raise money for LAMBDA Legal. All the vendors working on this event are donating their time and services, and it still blows me away what an amazing community we have at A Practical Wedding.

I'll post more about this later, complete with pictures from the event. For now, I'd love to invite anyone who'd like to join us and be merry (or married!) to check out the information on A Practical Wedding, and if you'd like to apply to get hitched, you can do so here!

Poster designed and donated by Kathleen of Jeremy and Kathleen

{portraits} ellen & shelley

2011-07-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

Ellen and Shelley have been together for over 10 years already, but they are throwing a big party (affectionately dubbed the "gayla") to celebrate their time together and have a big blowout before they start expanding their family! We met up for an afternoon of not-engagement photos and a little tour of their neighbourhood. We started off in their home, complete with an adorable sign over the bed, plus a couple cats, one of whom does NOT like having his picture taken (the other one couldn't get enough of the camera!). We then headed over to the Women's Building, where they gayla will be held, and then finished off the day at the lovely Dolores Park. Ellen is a photographer, too, and found herself a little uncomfortable on the other side of the camera, but Shelley did a great job of being silly and making her laugh! I had a lot of fun with these two lovely ladies, and I can't wait for the gayla!!

{weddings} lisa & jason

2011-07-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

This wedding has been featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs.

I've been sitting here for 10 minutes trying to find the words to describe Lisa & Jason's wedding. And I came up with: the epic end of the awesome spectrum. That's how good it was!

Lisa was stunning, Jason looked handsome, the venue, Sova Gardens in Sebastopol, was the perfect backdrop for the colourful details that Lisa designed (graphic designer FTW!) and put together so beautifully! Lisa's friend, Billy, not only arranged all the flowers but was also the sweetest and most-helpful event coordinator. Lisa kept the dance floor packed while Jason showed off his bartending skills on the deck. The light was beautiful the whole time, and the party ended with a ridiculous sunset; I couldn't have asked for anything better!

To Lisa & Jason: Thank you so much for including me in your FABULOUS wedding! Looking forward to some puppy play dates!

Check out their engagement photos here.

{sneak peak} lisa & jason

2011-07-08T04:00:00.000-07:00

{engagements} sam & eric

2011-07-05T04:00:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to share these photos with you today! Ever since Sam's first email to me I had been so excited to meet them! They live out of state so we didn't get to meet until the engagement shoot. But when we did meet, I felt like I had known them forever! They're both really fun and funny, Eric has a really cool and calm presence, and Sam just has the most killer smile and laugh ever!

They took me around their old stomping grounds in downtown Oakland, only a few blocks from my place but I still hadn't really checked it out before. The area has a lot of old-school charm to it; add some beautiful evening light, a gorgeous couple and the most sequin-tastic dress you've ever seen and you've got yourself the perfect recipe for a rockin' engagement shoot!

{photos} happy 4th!

2011-07-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th everyone! In honour of the holiday, my regular post is scheduled for tomorrow while I relax with my family today. I'm leaving you with this photo that I took across the street from our place. It has absolutely nothing to do with the holiday, but it's red, white and blue, so I figured today was as good as any day to share it.

{photos} one year

2011-06-27T04:00:00.000-07:00

One year ago today, I married by best friend. It was an fantastic day, and it has been an amazing journey since. We've had our fair share of ups and downs, and even at our lowest points, it's been nice to know that we're on the same team, that we have each other's backs no matter what.

A few weeks ago, we played dress up while Kristen shot us in a couple of my favourite spots in San Francisco. Our first stop was San Francisco City Hall; I've always loved how beautiful it is, and if we had gone with the smaller wedding/elopement route, we absolutely would have done it there. We finished in the Presidio, had a quick change, and took a few more casual photos.

Thank you thank you thank you to Kristen for the awesome photos and for being patient with us me when my face was weird (you should see the outtakes, really!). Also, thank you to Natalie at Oh My Clementine for making my beautiful bouquet!

And mostly, thank you to my wonderful husband, Ed, for loving me and sticking by me. I love you!

{photos} introducing oppenheimer

2011-06-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

As you may have figured out from my previous post, Ed and I adopted a dog last week! I'm so happy to introduce the newest member of our family, Oppenheimer (yes, he was named after the father of the atomic bomb). We brought him home Thursday and since then it's been so fun and entertaining to watch him discover his new home and to learn some of his quirky behaviours. He's quiet, gentle, smart, a little clumsy, rarely barks, and is just so full of love! He's a mutt, we're thinking chihuahua/terrier mix, and we're guessing he's 1-2 years old, and he's house-trained. He's been enjoying a sunny patch of carpet in the office, alternating between stretching out and sleeping to watching the birds feed and the neighbours walk by.

{photos} our weekend

2011-06-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

I'm usually not one to take my camera with me wherever I go, for two reasons:

1) my camera is heavy, and
2) I feel like if I'm busy taking photos I'm missing out the on the experience that I'm photographing.

But mostly it's first reason. ;) However, this weekend was jam-packed with so many fun activities, and I want to remember weekends like this when I'm older.

It started off with these amazing peonies I bought earlier in the week at Trader Joe's. When I brought them home, they were closed bulbs that wasn't sure would open. All of a sudden BOOM! There they were! So beautiful and fragrant; I arranged them in a collection of milk-glass bud vases along with some mums and billy-balls I had leftover from another project.

We continued our Saturday at Carly and Zack's BBQ to celebrate their first anniversary (which is technically today; happy anniversary you two!) and to celebrate Carly's new career. We gathered at their home, in the same spot they got married, but instead of an aisle and champagne, we had tacos and fried bananas (made by Carly, so yummy!), bean bag tosses, nerf guns, dancing toddlers, and the longest straws you could ever possibly want. I didn't have to lift my drink once! There was also a beautiful array of desserts brought by guests, which I didn't get pictures of (I was too busy taking care of my pie that melted. Melted!).

On Sunday morning, I headed to the Alameda Antiques Faire with some good friends, ate the biggest samosa I've ever seen, and scored these lovelies: two more milk-glass vases to add to my collection, plus a funky set of glass plates that feature a blue hummingbird (seeing as that's my logo, I just had to have them).

Ed and I ended the evening at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland to see Super 8. I highly recommend the movie, very well done but also so sweet. The theatre itself was magnificent! I really love going to old movie theaters; they just have so much more character and beauty than the newer ones. They also have a lot fewer ads before the previews; this one just had classical music playing. Lovely!

All these things would be enough to make it a weekend worth remembering, but I have yet to share the most important part. I don't really have any photos of that to properly share yet, but hopefully I will have them next Monday. For now, we'll just be preparing our home for his arrival.

{musings} emily answers questions

2011-06-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

Back in April, I hosted a survey asking for feedback about my blog. Turns out one of the biggest requests was to have a question & answer feature on here, so here it goes! Ask me anything, photography questions, wedding questions, personal questions, whatever. As soon as a get a few submissions, I'll answer them here on the blog. If I get a lot of people asking similar questions, that might turn into a more detailed post of its own. Please send your questions to:

questions {at} emilytakesphotos {dot} com

Speaking of answering questions, today I am featured on the lovely 100 Layer Cake wedding blog with a few of my tips for choosing a wedding photographer, including what to ask and what not to ask in your interviews.

{portraits} meg, a practical author

2011-06-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

My amazing friend, Meg, founder and author of A Practical Wedding, just announced that she finished writing her book, which is due in January! She asked me to take some head shots for her book jacket, so we heading to the Presidio for a morning of hilarity and sass. And I'm so thrilled with the final product:

Isn't she so lovely?! She shared a few outtakes from the shoot, along with hilarious commentary, but I wanted to share a few of my favourites, both pretty and funny!

Congratulations Meg! We're all so proud of you and what you've done for (or perhaps, to!) the wedding industry!

*Meg's book, A Practical Wedding: Creative Solutions for a Beautiful, Affordable, and Meaningful Celebration, is available for pre-order on Amazon.

**Exciting news! The book was #1 in weddings on Amazon the day she announced it was available. Go Meg!

{musings} a horror story and a love letter

2011-06-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

This story is for the photogs. Yesterday, Ed and I played dress-up (more on that later) and went shooting around San Francisco with my friend, Kristen, when every photographer's nightmare came true. The camera fell from the strap and landed lens first on the concrete. THE HORROR!! The camera was fine, and we had a ton of other backup lenses, so we were able to continue the shoot without a hitch.

But the lens, oh the poor sweet lens... The filter had cracked in a million places, so we couldn't see if the actual lens was broken or not. We couldn't take off the filter because the metal ring around it had been dented from the impact of the fall. So we crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. I wasn't too worried about it; it's not a lens I use as often as the others, and it's something that can be easily replaced. Sure it would suck to have to buy another lens, but it's not the end of the world (of course, if it had been my 50mm lens, I might have lost my sh*t a little bit).

Today I took the lens in to Looking Glass Photo in Berkeley. They took it into the back room, and 10 minutes later brought it back out, good as new. The girl explained to me that the filter I had bought (by B+W) was so good and strong that it protected the metal of the lens from warping, and the glass didn't shatter so my actual lens glass wasn't scratched. That $100 piece of glass and metal saved my $1500 lens.

The point of all this is to say, if you have a nice lens and want to protect it, GET A GOOD FILTER! I always thought of the filter as just protecting the surface of the lens from dust and scratches, but apparently it's much more than that! Sure you can buy cheaper plastic filters for about half the price of the really good ones, but a good lens deserves a really good filter. Think of it as a good insurance policy.

Thank you, B+W for making such an excellent product! And thank you to the folks at Looking Glass Photo; you made my day!

Yes, that is a band-aid on the lens. And yes, that is a mustache on the band-aid. That's just how I roll.

{weddings} katie & yuval

2011-05-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

Ok guys, bear with me, this is going to be a loooong post. I loved every minute of Katie and Yuval's wedding, and so I have a bazillion pictures to share with you! It was an absolutely perfect day in Napa; clear skies, warm weather, lush greens and pretty blooms everywhere. The ceremony was short, sweet and to the point; the reception and toasts were full of so much love, and the dance party after was INSANE! I've seriously never seen a dance floor like that; their guests really knew how to bust a move! Their families surprised them with a sweet slideshow during the reception, with pictures of them as children up to their engagement. Everything about the day was beautiful and moving, and it was a great way to kick off the wedding season!

To Katie and Yuval: It was a whirlwind 3 weeks, but I'm so glad it happened! Thank you for including me in your incredible wedding, and I wish you two the most joy and happiness together!

Check out their engagement photos here.

Awesome vendors:
Venue: Meadowood
Beauty: Betten
Floral: Friday Flowers
Quartet: Garden Strings
Band: Fil Lorenz Orchestra
Officiant: A Beautiful Ceremony
Coffee bar: Calistoga Roastery

{musings} happy birthday ed

2011-05-27T04:00:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to my husband; I love you so so much!

{photos} vases

2011-05-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

My grandma gets balsamic vinegar from Trader Joe's and then saves the bottles, some of which turn blue in the sunlight after a while. I used these four as bud vases at our wedding, and I just got a case of 12 more blue bottles from her. I posted on Facebook yesterday that I was giving these four away to anyone who wanted them (they've already been snatched up), but I really liked this picture I took and wanted to share it before I deleted it from my computer. Aren't they sweet? They look especially cute with a couple billy balls popping out of them.

{portraits} miles

2011-05-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

I met Leah and Omid, and their dog, Red, when I shot their wedding in 2009. Last month, I got to meet the newest addition to their family, 3-week-old Miles! He is just the sweetest little boy, very alert and attentive, never wanting to sleep and miss out on all the fun (though we got him to nap for a little bit). It was so great to catch up with his parents (who he is very lucky to have!) and shoot some photos in their home. They're a really beautiful and fun family, and I'm excited to watch Miles grow up and to watch Leah and Omid grow into their role as parents!

{engagements} ruchi & dave

2011-05-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

When I first talked to Ruchi and David over the phone about their wedding, I was just over-the-moon excited to meet them. They described their colourful "HinJew" (combination of Hindu and Jewish) wedding as everything from a horse for the Baraat to a Hora at the reception, all while keeping the mentality of a low-key and awesome party. I was already looking forward to meeting them for their engagement shoot when they upped the awesome factor by inviting me to meet them early to go to Bring Your Own Big Wheel, which might just be the most ridiculously awesome event I've ever attended! We relaxed with some coffees after all that excitement, and then they gave me a tour of their neighbourhood, with a couple stops in the Presidio and Crissy Field. They're a super fun couple, and I just can't wait for their wedding!

{photos} birthday parties

2011-05-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend Jillian and I both celebrated our birthdays (my birthday was Sunday, and her birthday is today!). Jillian kicked off the weekend with her Capes and Crowns-themed birthday party with BBQ and a fire pit under a fort she made with her friends out of old bedsheets and Christmas lights. I know, it sounds like a fire hazard, and it kinda was, but nothing caught fire. :)

On Sunday, Ed helped me decorate our apartment with a cupcake-liner garland (tutorial here) and dozens of ranunculus in the milk-glass vases I've been collecting like crazy. We had a few friends and family over (and 3 pugs!) and had a great time hanging out with all of them, eating mini cupcakes and drinking home-brewed beer (thanks Brett!).

I had an amazing birthday, and I'm so grateful for all the wonderful people in my life who made my birthday (and my life) special!

{engagements} christina & adam

2011-05-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

Christina and Adam are adorable, fun, goofy, and super duper in love with each other. We spent a great afternoon at some of their favourite spots in Half Moon Bay (including the beach where Adam proposed!) ate some delicious seafood, trespassed only a little bit, and took some sweet photos. They're just an awesome couple, and I'm so excited for their wedding, not to mention that it's going to be at one of the raddest venues ever!

{sneak peak} katie & yuval

2011-05-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

{photos} local social sunday brunch

2011-05-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

This shoot has been featured on 100 Layer Cake and Local Social.

Last Sunday, I was invited by Catherine from Local Social to a Sunday brunch at her home, complete with bloody Marys, eggs Benedict (OMG so yummy; how have I not had these before?!), and an egg hunt for the kids (and kids-at-heart). The awesome antique props were courtesy of Mignonne Decor in Berkeley, and the absolutely gorgeous flowers were from Oh My Clementine in Oakland. It was so great working with these lovely and talented (and local!) ladies!

The neighbour dog really wanted to join the party!

{engagements} katie & yuval

2011-04-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago, while I was visiting San Luis Obispo for the Ultramageddon workshop, I got an email from Katie, saying she was getting married in three weeks and just found out that her photographer had been double-booked! While a situation like this would have been an absolute nightmare for most people, Katie and Yuval totally kept their cool and took it all in stride, which just made me that much more eager to work with them!

We were able to fit in a quickie engagement shoot last week, and since we didn't really have time to plan, I just took them to a few of my favourite spots in San Francisco. We had an incredible time together, finishing off with tea, cookies and great conversation at their home. Katie and Yuval are just so adorable together and so welcoming to others; I can't wait for their wedding next week!

{photos} lovely things

2011-04-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

Just some flowers I bought last week in my new milk-glass vase.

This next photo was taken with nude pantyhose stretched over the lens. A trick I picked up a while back; this is the first time I've liked the result, though I feel like I could stretch the hose out even more for a more sheer (less yellow) effect.

{engagements} lisa & jason

2011-04-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

Lisa and Jason are fun, down-to-earth, have gorgeous blue eyes and amazing, contagious laughs. They're the kind of couple that turns awkward into awesome. We spent an afternoon checking out the sights in Oakland, climbing trees by Lake Merritt and taking cheesy-Titanic-esque shots in Jack London Square, where they requested we take some photos in front of the "AT-ATs." What's not to love?

Small-world moment: Turns out I know Lisa's brother through swing dancing. And I'm totally expecting to get some rad shots of him tearing up the dance floor at their wedding. David, you've been warned.

{photos} cameron

2011-04-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

A little over a year ago, I took some photos of my good friend, Lauren, and her family. Now I've got some new photos of the newest addition to that family: Cameron!! It always amazes me how a baby can look so much like both parents while still having their own unique look, too. Cameron is just adorable, with such a wide array of facial expressions; he was a dream to photograph! Of course Pixie, the family dog, had to jump in for a few photographs, too. It's going to be fun watching those two grow up to be best friends!

{photos} reggie

2011-04-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, my mum and her fiance got Reggie, an English Retriever. Hey may be the most adorable pup I've ever met! This little guy has so much energy, but I had fun playing with him and wearing him out. The cutest thing was watching him navigate the wooden-slat steps around the hot tub in the back yard; he's still working on his footing. ADORABLE!!

{photos} ultramageddon!!

2011-04-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

I had a great time at Ultramageddon, which we all agreed is the best-named tax write-off ever! I have so many notes, and my brain feels overwhelmed by all that I learned, but I feel so inspired and energized, and most importantly, ready to take on the 2011 wedding season! I think we did more eating than shooting (so not complaining!), but here are a few photos I took that day. I'll share more photos from my trip to SLO over the next two days. Get ready for an overload of CUTE!

{musings} ultramageddon!!!

2011-04-07T04:00:00.000-07:00

I'm in San Luis Obispo today to attend Jeff Newsom's photography workshop, ULTRAMAGEDDON!!! I've been following Jeff's work for a few years now; I am always amazed at how he uses colour and paints with light, and I love love love his night shots! I'm so excited to meet him and be inspired by him! I promise to share pics and details when I get back. For now I'd love to leave you with some of my favourite photos of his:

And one last thing. This is a video of Jeff leading the Mammoth Men in karaoke to Bohemian Rhapsoday, taken by Cameron Ingalls. I have a feeling this workshop is going to be epic.

{photos} mexico

2011-04-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

Our honeymoon was amazing and beautiful. We swam in the Caribbean Sea. We lounged by the pool. We ate, we drank, we ate some more. We got sunburns and bug bites. We danced. We rested. We watched some great shows. We made fun of the obnoxious Spring Breakers. We escaped from the real world. We were in our own little bubble.

{musings} off to mexico

2011-03-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

Well it's finally happening. 9 months after our wedding, we're taking our honeymoon! Ed and I are off to Mexico; I'm not doing an ounce of work while we're down there, but I'll be sure to take a few photos to share when we return. I'll be back in the office on April 4, very relaxed and hopefully a little bit tan. I'm not asking for a lot; I'd just like to stop glowing in the dark.

{photo source}

{musings} carly hall-scott

2011-03-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

Carly (whose wedding you may remember from last year) is a super-talented and lovely lady who has just launched her career as a freelance creative! She has an amazing eye for design, from stationary and packaging to event styling (I just LOVED the details at her wedding) and is a lot of fun to work with. If you're looking for someone to help with any design aspects of your wedding (or anything else for that matter), Carly is your girl!

Here are a few images I swiped from her website:

{engagements} lauren & chris

2011-03-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

There are certain qualities I look for in couples I work with: interesting, kind, easy-going, goofy, crazy-in-love with each other (to name a few). I feel like I hit the jackpot with Lauren and Chris. From the moment I stepped into their home to the moment I dropped them back off again, it felt like I was catching up with old friends, sharing stories and good laughs. We spent a lovely afternoon at Cesar Chavez Park and the Berkeley Marina; I just loved watching them be in love together and make each other laugh. I'm so so excited for their wedding, and I don't think it can get here fast enough!

{photos} jillian

2011-03-15T04:00:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned yesterday, Jillian is one of my favourite people; she's a great friend, and I love talking with her about everything from business and photography to major life issues to just gossip. She is the talent behind Little Bat Photography and Pretty Fun Things. She has a great energy (as you'll see in the photos), a good sense of fashion, and a gorgeous smile, which makes her a dream to shoot. We spent an afternoon at the Legion of Honour and Golden Gate Park, shooting and being goofy, just the way we like it.

{photos} pretty fun things

2011-03-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

Jillian is one of my new favourite people. She works with my husband at Twitter by day, but the rest of the time she is an amazing, creative lady and a wonderful friend. I met up with her for lunch and shooting (I'll share pics of her tomorrow), but I wanted to share these pics I took in her apartment. She has a great eye for design and colour and arranging; she'll be the one I call when I need to decorate my dream house.

Pictures of Jillian (and all her adorableness) to come tomorrow!

{portraits} jackson

2011-03-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

Last week I visited my pseudo-step-sister (our folks have been together forever but aren't married) and her family and finally got to meet her baby boy! Jackson is a little over 3 months old and just so adorable and lovable (and quite the squeaker, too). I'm looking forward to watching this little man grow and getting to know him. He's the first of his generation in our families so you know he's going to have lots of us fawning over him!

{photos} sushi cupcakes recipe

2011-03-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

I've had a few requests for the recipe for the sushi cupcakes I posted last week, so here you go (with a few photos as well). I got this idea from YummyFun. They're incredibly easy to make (although very sticky!) and the recipe can be varied to suit your tastes. For this variation, all you'll need are:

cake mix (or ingredients to make from scratch)
white frosting
shredded coconut
gummy candies (I used Swedish Fish and gum drops)
fruit roll-ups (the darker, the better)

Use any cake recipe you like. For this batch, I used German Chocolate.

If making sushi rolls and sashimi, pour batter into cupcake tins (I use mini-cupcake tins) and use the rest to make a sheet cake.

For the sushi rolls, I like to trim the cupcakes so they take on a more cylindrical shape with less tapering, though this is unnecessary. For the sashimi, cut rectangles out of the sheet cake. I use two of the sushi rolls to measure the size of the sashimi. Trim so that all sides are flat. If sheet cake is too low, double up rectangular pieces with a thin coat of frosting in between, then cut to size.

Mix enough coconut into the frosting so that it resembles sticky rice. Frost the tops of the sushi rolls and the tops and sides of the sashimi pieces. This part can get really messy and sticky, so I suggest having a wet rag or towel to wipe your hands on. If the cake is too soft to apply the frosting, let it dry out overnight before frosting again.

Prep the candy and fruit roll-ups. For the sushi rolls, I cut the heads and tails off the Swedish Fish to put on the cupcakes and cut the gum drops into small pieces. For the sashimi, I just use two whole Swedish Fish. Cut the fruit roll-ups into strips the height of the sushi rolls (about ¾"). I find it easiest to cut the fruit roll-ups while they're still rolled up.

Now it's time to assemble all the pieces! For the sashimi, lay the Swedish Fish across the tops of the cakes, and wrap width-wise with one piece of fruit roll-up. For the sushi rolls, wrap the fruit roll-ups around the sides of the cakes, and assemble the candy pieces on top. For a finishing touch, use a black tray or plate to mimic a bento box. I found this tray, which is actually a block-candle holder, at IKEA.

So go make these for your next party and wow your friends, and let me know how it turns out!

{photos} albums

2011-03-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

I just ordered some new sample albums from my printers, and oh, they're so pretty. I had to share a few pictures with you.

{photos} sushi cupcakes

2011-02-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

I made these yesterday for a friend's Oscar party and had to share a few photos before we ate them all. Just so you're not totally grossed out, I can assure you that they're just cupcakes made to look like sushi; no actual fish, rice or seaweed was involved.

Of course, now it looks like there was a Swedish Fish massacre in my kitchen.

{photos} freelensing

2011-02-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I read an article on a photography technique called "freelensing," in which you shoot through a lens that is separated from your camera body, resulting in an image with a tilted plane of focus. I wanted to try it immediately, so I took a few photos of things in our home, and these are my three favourite. Definitely something I plan to incorporate into my photography more, so I'll have more of these types of images to share as time goes on.

{featured} new jersey bride guide

2011-02-18T13:00:00.000-08:00

A friend of a friend works at New Jersey Bride Guide and asked me to write an article about engagement shoots. Those of you who know me know I love to write, so I jumped at the chance to contribute. In this article, I cover everything from what to wear to arm shelves; here's a snippet:

When people hear the term “engagement photos” two images come to mind. One is of a couple dressed in matching white shirts and blue jeans, lying on their stomachs in the grass, complete with arm-shelves and forced smiles. The other is of a styled shoot, usually a vintage picnic bedecked with props that suggest their hobbies, with the couple dressed as though they just stepped out of an Anthropologie catalogue. Both of these are totally acceptable engagement shoot themes, but they aren’t the only options. Most couples want something a little more original than arm-shelves in the grass but don’t have the time or energy to put in the effort for a styled shoot. Most couples aim for a happy medium.

Click here to read the rest!

{photos} cake cathedral

2011-02-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a new website for my mum's business and I'm so excited to announce that it went live today! For those of you who don't know, she is an amazing cake designer and baker and the owner of Cake Cathedral on the Central Coast. Over Thanksgiving, she and I headed over to the adorable Baileyana Winery Tasting Room and did a photo shoot of some of her cakes for the new website. I've been sitting on these photos for a while now, and I'm glad I can finally share them with you!

Mum also caters Victorian high teas for showers and other events. Even if tea isn't your thing, the curry chicken sandwiches are reason enough to have a tea party!

Head on over and check out her new website!

{musings} amber gougis music

2011-02-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

You may remember some photos I posted a while back of my friend and talented musician, Amber. Well she just launched her website! Go check it out, listen to her music, and if you're looking for a performer for your next event, Amber is your girl!

{engagements} nicole & chudi

2011-02-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day everyone! I'm celebrating today with a sweet couple and the story of their engagement shoot:

I kicked off my 2011 season with Nicole and Chudi's engagement session in San Francisco. We encountered a few hurdles during the afternoon, but we had a great time and managed to get some awesome photos (just not the ones we had planned). We started out at the Legion of Honour and the surrounding golf course, and then headed over to take photos on the Golden Gate Bridge. It was sunny and beautiful and clear, with great views of the SF skyline in the background. Only problem was, we couldn't find parking. At either end. We decided to move on to Baker Beach, where we figured we'd get some fun beach shots as well as the GG Bridge in the background. Nope. Complete white-out thanks to the fog. We could barely see the people next to us, let alone the bridge. So we took some photos on the beach and then found a really vibrant green spot in the adjoining park, thanks to all the rain earlier that week. We ended our day at my good ol' standby, the Sutro Baths. We were hoping for a gorgeous sunset, but it was still too foggy to see, so we made the best of it. Just as we were finishing up and heading back towards the cars, the clouds broke and the light poured in. We ran back down to the pool area for a couple quick shots, and I am in love with how those turned out!

{weddings} cara & dan

2011-01-31T04:00:00.000-08:00

Cara and Dan's wedding was my last wedding of 2010, and boy, what a way to go out with a bang! It was a gorgeous, albeit, windy day in Carmel at the Point Lobos Ridge Home. Surrounded by family and close friends, there was an overwhelming sense of community in the air. When it got too cold to sit outside, guests came together to move tables inside the house and under the tent, and then helped move them again to clear a dance floor (which was packed). There were lots of beautiful and sentimental details, from the DIY flowers to the cake made by Dan's sister, and the necklace Cara's mother wore at her wedding, accompanied by a note from her mother. And I just have to mention the food provided by Classic Catering, specifically the butternut squash ravioli. OH MY GOD it was the most amazing food I've ever put in my belly! If you're in the SF Bay Area and need a caterer, go check them out!

To Cara & Dan: People like you are the reason I love what I do. Thank you for the perfect end to an awesome year!

Check out their engagement photos here.

{weddings} siobhan & erik

2011-01-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

This wedding has been featured on Every Last Detail.

It was a crazy rainy day during Siobhan and Erik's wedding, but that didn't stop everyone from having an amazing time (in fact, it just made it that much cozier)! We met up with them as they got ready at the Omni Hotel in San Francisco and rode a cable car up to the Headlands Center for the Arts in Marin (yes I was hanging on for dear life and shooting at the same time, because I'm a champion like that). The ceremony was dreamy and romantic, and it ended with a quick getaway in Erik's red truck while guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. The reception was lively and filled with Danish wedding traditions*, including kisses for the groom and snipping the groom's socks during the first dance (usually a waltz). The night ended with a fantastic dance party and a lot of goofing off in the photo booth!

*At some point during the marriage celebration the groom will disappear and the male guests all kiss the new bride. After the groom returns his bride eventually leaves the room and all of the female guests kiss him. At a traditional Danish reception the guests will all gather around the groom, during the dancing and festivities, to cut his tie and socks with scissors. {source}

To Siobhan & Erik: Your enthusiasm for life and for each other is inspiring; thank you for sharing it with me!

Check out their engagement photos here.

{day after} grace & jason

2011-01-19T04:00:00.000-08:00

This shoot has been featured on Love & Lavender and Delightfully Engaged.

And we're back with more fun with Grace and Jason! We spent an afternoon in San Francisco hitting up a few of their favourite spots; the Embarcadero, Bernal Heights, and Mission Pie*, to name a few. This was my first day-after shoot, and I just loved everything about it. It combined the relaxing pace of an engagement shoot with the fanciness of a wedding, and there really isn't a better place to do this than San Francisco, which offers a wide variety of surroundings and lots of colour. I so want to do more of these!

*I've noticed that every time I meet up with Grace and Jason, really yummy food is involved. No wonder I like them so much! ;)

{weddings} grace & jason

2011-01-18T04:00:00.001-08:00

This wedding has been featured on Love & Lavender and Delightfully Engaged.

When I first met Grace and Jason, it was more than a year before their wedding date. They were both living in China teaching English, so they were planning their wedding long distance and in spurts as they visited their families in California. Grace and I had fun chatting with each other throughout the year as we planned both our weddings (you might notice an aesthetic overlap; we have a lot of the same tastes), which made hanging out with them and shooting extra fun! Seriously, Grace and Jason are two of my favourite people, and if you ever meet them, you'll understand why. The wedding itself was as fun and sweet as ever, an accurate reflection of their relationship. It was a gorgeous Fall day at the Radonich Ranch in Los Gatos, filled with colourful handmade touches. Grace, her sister and their mum arranged all the flowers, and Jason's mum made the (omg delicious!) bundt cakes. They also made paper bunting, folded oragami cranes, made a bazillion napkins in different colours, and one of the bridesmaids designed their adorable invites. Marky from Vignette Events took care of everything else (and everyone else) and made the whole day run super smoothly. The ceremony was sweet and romantic, the food was amazing, and the party was off the hook, complete with a dance contest and a piñata!

To Grace & Jason: I am so glad I got to meet you and get to know you over the year (and plan my wedding alongside you)! Good luck back in China, and I hope we meet again soon!

Come back tomorrow to see the day-after* shoot we did in San Francisco.

*And by day, I mean month. Whatevs.

Check out their engagement photos here.

{musings} how a lens changed my perspective

2011-01-11T15:30:00.000-08:00

Here's a little story I felt like sharing with you all today:

In 2007 I switched my major from Recreation to Photography, and that October I shot a friend's wedding (on a crappy little point and shoot). In 2008, I bought a Canon Rebel xTi and a couple cheap lenses, shot two more friends' weddings, really enjoyed it, and decided to pursue it as a career. Realizing the cheap equipment wasn't going to cut it for long, I started researching pieces I wanted to invest in, and I came across the "What's In Your Bag?" post on Jasmine Star's blog about what equipment she uses. I really was jumping into this with both feet and kinda had no clue what I was doing, but I knew I liked her photography and trusted her advice, and this list gave me a great jumping off point.

I really didn't have a lot of money at the time (think poor college student/part-time swim instructor), so I decided to take the money I had and buy myself a 5D Mk II (so happy with that decision) and a used 24-70mm 2.8, since her recommendation made it seem like a good choice for a first lens (and it was). But the one lens I really would have loved to buy was her #1 choice: the 50mm 1.2. Oh, I would have given up a limb to have that lens, but the price was waaaay out of my range. I thought to myself, "someday, I'm going to buy that lens, and then I'll know I've made it!"

In 2009 I established my business, shooting weddings with my 24-70. I then stumbled upon the 50mm 1.4, and especially at such a low price, it immediately became my favourite lens. Since then, I've expanded my lens collection, and I'm pretty happy with what I've got; it gets the job done. But I never got the 50mm 1.2. I dunno, I guess I just figured I already had the 1.4, and I didn't really need to replace it. Plus, I kind of felt like I hadn't earned that lens yet.

2010 was a good year for me. I graduated, went full-time with the business, got a new site, got better at blogging. I made some good connections in the wedding industry and tried to pass on my (somewhat limited) knowledge on to friends and other budding photographers. I even got my work published on some wedding blogs! It had been a great year, and I was starting to get comfortable in my new skin as a photographer, but something kept gnawing at me, making me doubt my potential. I knew I still had a lot I wanted to accomplish but wondered "would I rise to the occasion?" Would I be a success?" I feared I would fail if I stepped out of my comfort zone, but I knew I wanted to grow as a photographer and as a business owner.

I started planning my finances for this year but didn't plan to buy any new (major) pieces of equipment; I had what I needed. Sure there were a couple lenses I wouldn't mind having in my arsenal, but I didn't need them to get the job done. I wrote out my list of business goals for 2011, all the while wondering if I'd actually accomplish any of them. Things had slowed down; the last of the 2010 work was finishing up, so I had time to focus on the business side of things (meaning my brain had time to over-think and worry). I started the year with a heavy, doubtful heart.

Which brings us to yesterday.

I was emailed about a sale at a local camera store, and I browsed through the listings to see what was in stock, not actually planning to buy anything. And then I saw it: a slightly used 50mm 1.2, for about 2/3 of the normal price. I called my mum, asking her if I should get it, because for some reason I still didn't think I had earned it. She encouraged me to go for it, so I did. I went to the store's site, put it in my cart and proceeded to check out, when I got the following message:

"We're sorry, the product you tried to purchase is sold out."

My heart sank. "Damn it, that was MY lens! I earned it, it's MY turn to have one!" I though it was the universe's way of telling me that I hadn't earned it, that I didn't deserve to have it, and I was pissed. I thought to myself, "I had a really good year! My business took off, my photography skills really improved, and I had accomplished so many goals that I thought would take years to achieve!"

As I sat back and listened to myself, all that stress and doubt just melted away. I realized that if I approached this year with the same ferocity with which I approached last year, there was no reason I couldn't grow my business or myself. I realized that while some of my success could be attributed to luck or being in the right place at the right time, I made the rest happen, and there was no reason I couldn't do it again. I realized too, that my success couldn't be measured by what lens I had, or what goals I had accomplished, because there would always be new goals, and the only way to fail would be to stop trying. And in realizing this, I found my success.

Oh, and it turned out that it was just a glitch on the store's site. I got the lens. :)

The original photo that started it all, by Jasmine Star

{weddings} laurie & mark

2011-01-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

This wedding has been featured on Every Last Detail.

It has been so cold here lately, so I wanted to brighten things up with this cheery, sunny wedding. Laurie and Mark got married on a warm Autumn day at Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside. Just like their rehearsal, it was a relaxed but elegant celebration. Laurie's uncle performed the ceremony, giving it a sweet, personal touch, as well as cracking us all up a bit! The setting was gorgeous, and Andi from Pomegranate Events did an amazing job decorating with a clean colour palate accented by fresh lemons (as well as being one awesome coordinator!).

To Laurie and Mark: Thank you so much for letting me get such an intimate glimpse into your lives; you and your families are just wonderful!

Check out their rehearsal photos here.

{rehearsal} laurie & mark

2011-01-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

In lieu of an engagement session, I met up with Laurie and Mark and their close friends and family for their rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. It was really nice to meet and hang out with everyone the night before' made my job that much easier at the wedding (especially during family photos)! Laurie and Mark are a sweet, fun couple and they really set the tone for a relaxing weekend. The rehearsal was at her dad's house followed by drinks and hors d'oeuvres on the front lawn, and the rehearsal dinner was held at the Dutch Goose in Menlo Park, where we were joined by more friends and family. Fun note: Mark's college friend, who played the music for the ceremony, is the brother of one of my first friends from when I moved up to the Bay! Small world!

I'll post their wedding photos tomorrow!

{musings} happy holidays!

2010-12-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays everyone! I know I said Monday's post would be my last for the year, but I just had to share this adorable holiday card that Mayi made using one of the photos from their engagement session. So clever!

Anyway, enjoy yourselves and each other, and I'll see you in the new year!

{photos] recap of 2010

2010-12-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

It has been an amazing year for me, both personally and professionally. I'm am still blown away by how lucky I am to be doing what I do, and I'm so thankful for everyone who has come into my life as a result. This is my last post for the year, though I have plenty more to share with you all in January. I spent this weekend sorting through a year's worth of photos, and I pulled a few of my favourites to share with you now.

I wish everyone a fun and relaxing time during the holidays, and I'm very excited to see what's in store for 2011!

{engagements} sara & eric

2010-12-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

I met up with Sara and Eric for a fun afternoon in San Francisco, and we hit up a few of my favourite spots: City Hall, the Presidio, Crissy Field and the Sutro Baths. It had been raining that week, but we lucked out and got some fabulous weather. We even managed to finish off the shoot with a glorious sunset at the Baths! Sara and Eric are super sweet and totally in love, and it sounds like they're going to have a killer wedding next year!

{weddings} irene & dan

2010-12-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

This wedding has been featured on K.I.S.S Weddings.

I've been waiting a while to share this wedding with you; I've already told you how awesome Irene and Dan are, but I didn't tell you that their wedding was epic beyond belief! It started off like any other wedding, giddy girls getting ready while the guys play it cool, a sweet first look, some family portraits, then a quick walk around the zoo before the ceremony. Say what?! Yes, they got married at the San Francisco Zoo on the African Savannah surrounded by animals. Short of actually going to the African Savannah (you know, the one in Africa), I'd say this is probably one of the coolest places to get married. But the awesomeness didn't stop there. The cocktail hour was held in the giraffe barn, where guests got to pet a few small animals and feed the giraffes* with their mouths! The evening winded down (or up, depending on how you look at it) with dinner and dancing at the Olympic Club. The food was amazing, and the dancing was off the hook; it was a big floor and a small group, but they knew how to fill the space! Oh, and their cake had a ribbon of binary** around it. Awesome.

*I totally want one for Christmas. Screw ponies.

**For those who don't know, Ed and I have binary on our wedding bands.

To Irene & Dan: You two are clearly the coolest people in the world. I feel cool by proxy. ;) Enjoy your awesome life together!

Check out their engagement photos here.

{portraits} demetria

2010-12-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

Today's post is a little more different that what I normally share. Demetria has had more than her fair share of health battles, including breast cancer (twice), and has opted to have a double-mastectomy before it gets another chance to rear its ugly head. She asked me to take photos of her and her pre-surgery body, and I was so honoured to be asked to do such a touching and personal project. I had a lovely time with Demetria; she has the best attitude and an awesome sense of humour, and is just a joy to be around!

To Demetria: Thank you so much for letting me into your life like that. I hope your surgery and recovery go smoothly and that you enjoy a long and healthy life!

{weddings} allison & ryan

2010-12-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

This wedding has been featured on Every Last Detail.

Those of you who know me or follow my blog know I tend to tear up at weddings. With each wedding over the last couple of years I had slowly built up a tolerance, and I was at the point where I might get a lump in my throat, but my eyes would remain dry. That ended with Allison and Ryan weddings, specifically during their "first look," when they first saw each other. They were both just brimming with joy and excitement; it was hard not to get choked up. I managed to get away with a few tears, but then I ran into her dad, whose eyes were welling up with pride and awe at his beautiful daughter; I had to run inside and find some tissues!

Allison and Ryan got married at her parents' home which has a great view of the Pacific Ocean. It was a charming and easy-going wedding to match their personalities, the details of the day were gorgeous, and her dress was to die for! DJ Justin kept the dance floor packed, while their friends showed off some killer dance moves, including a penguin strut-off (you know who you are)!

To Allison & Ryan: Thank you so much for allowing us to capture you're incredible day. Wishing you life as fun and sweet as your wedding!

Check out their engagement photos here.

{weddings} megan & aaron

2010-12-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

This wedding has been featured on La Belle Bride.

Megan and Aaron, the winners of my photography giveaway from last year, held a sweet wedding at Montington Vineyards in Napa. Their ceremony was filled with joy and happy tears (and her dad's vintage car!), and was only made sweeter by the fact that they're expecting a baby this winter! The whole day had a happy, laid-back vibe to it, with a major dance party towards the end of the night. I had so much fun meeting all their friends and family (and soliciting help from a nice couple after getting locked in upstairs on the balcony). I always feel that who we surround ourselves with reflects who we are, and with that in mind, Megan and Aaron are the loveliest couple who deserve only the very best life has to offer them.

To Megan & Aaron: I couldn't think of a more deserving couple than you two; I'm so glad I was able to shoot your wedding and watch your family grow. Many congratulations!

Check out their engagement photos here.