They say laughter is the best medicine. If this is true, Stasia & Tim are destined to live long and happy lives, because I’ve never been around a couple with more laughter than they share between them. It’s contagious! I absolutely cannot wait for their wedding this October.

With her adorable freckles, Stasia bears a striking resemblance to Lucy Liu, doesn’t she?

Annie and Mel! I love these two and I think their pictures speak for themselves. They have the kind of relationship that reminds me why I love photography so much.  I just loved capturing their relationship on camera and they made it so easy. I seriously cannot wait to photograph their Napa wedding this September.

Mel proposed to Annie on the steps of Union Square, where we started off. Coincidentally, Union Square is where Mr. Chau propsed to me too! I guess there’s something magical about this spot.

I know it’s cheesy to say this. My favorite part of being a wedding photographer is meeting the couples. I’ve always been one of those romantic, optimistic types. You know, the type that reads Pride & Prejudice once a month and cries watching Disney movies. I just love people in love. And nothing makes me happier than meeting two people who are so perfectly matched, it’s like the universe created them to be together. What can I say? I’m a sap.

Erika and Will are two such people. Just being around them one afternoon, I could immediately tell they are like yin and yang. Will’s boyish humor and Erika’s sweet demeanor are the perfect balance of fun and affection. They were so adorable together, I smiled the entire time I was shooting. As I watched how sweetly Erika interacted with Will, I couldn’t help but think, sessions like theirs make me grateful for my job.

We started out in Pacifica at Rockaway Beach in Pacifica for some fun, casual portraits. It was still quite sunny out at 5pm and warm by Pacifica standards. Erika picked this location, a perfect match for her sweet personality. 

After Pacifica, we headed up at the Ferry Building for Will’s location pick. The city matched his fun personality. I had memories of my own engagement session while shooting this (we also explored the Embarcadero area).

Erika took off her shoes for this picture because she didn’t know I was going to take a full body shot. But I think it’s more adorable without the shoes.

Erika & Will, thanks for letting me drag you around the city in the cold. I can’t wait for your wedding in July!

Christina and Buddy are getting married on New Year’s Day (1/1/11)! How cool of a wedding date is that?   I met Christina through Andrew (my Hubs), who went to college with her. And I’m so glad I did! As it turns out, Christina and I have a great deal in common, including a borderline unhealthy addiction to papercrafts and rubber stamps.

Buddy and Christina also went to college together, but never met cross paths during their time in school. As fate and timing would have it, they ended meeting soon after, and I’m so glad they did because I couldn’t think of a better matched pair.

For their engagement session, we headed over to the amazingly beauiful Hakone Gardens in Saratoga, which also hosts weddings. I can only imagine how lovely and peaceful these Japanese gardens would be as a place to say one’s vows.

My most favorite spot in the was the bamboo garden. I love this place! I could shoot here for days.

We left Hakone Gardens at closing and headed to some empty fields in Saratoga for part two of Christina & Buddy’s e-session. Christina was a good sport as I had her hike a little through some pricky brush to get some amazing shots. We threw a few details into the scene to create a laid-back picnic feel and I just love how the images turned out.

Buddy and Christina, I’m so very happy for you both and so honored to shoot your wedding. I can’t think of a better way to spend New Year’s day than to celebrate with friends!

Hello! As noted on my last update, I’m actually in Italy right now. But, I felt guilty for leaving without writing for such a long time, so I’m finally posting my favorite images from the USC e-session with Lydia and Gordon, who were two of the sweetest, most down to earth people a photographer could ask for. I had a wonderful time exploring all the nooks and crannies of USC with them. We even found an open classroom to play in.

Leyla is Lydia & Gordon’s lovable, rambunctious pup, who came along for the shoot. I love this how Leyla is looking at her mum and pop in this image.

There’s a story behind these t-shirts: Lydia loves friends and Gordon loves Chick fil-A. I’ve never tried Chick fil-A, so on the drive back up to SF from LA, I stopped by one, excited to find out what I’ve been missing out on. Unfortunately, it was still under construction, so I never did get to try it; there aren’t any Chick fil-A restaurants up in SF. I guess I’ll have to try it when I’m in LA to shoot their wedding in October.

I’m still playing catch up from the busy summer season, but here is a teaser from Lydia and Gordon’s engagement session on the lovely USC campus. Lydia and Gordon are two of the most easy going, sweet people you’ll ever meet and I can’t wait to share the rest of their images with you.

I just returned from a fabulous week in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico with Ms. Phoebe Joy. Boy, was it hard to leave the clear aqua ocean, warm sandy beaches, and deliciously fresh seafood. I ate an abundance of octopus tacos and cerviche. But I’m glad to be back and I’m finally posting some photos from the San Luis Obispo photography workshop I attended last month. Day one, we shot a themed engagement session, complete with croquet, tandem bikes, sports cars, and a truck load of oranges on the beach. Themed engagement sessions = pure brilliance. I wish I thought of a theme for my own engagement session!

Onto the photos: