There was a lot of Tricks and Treats as Lisa and Jeff celebrated their wedding day at the Ranch Golf Club in San Jose, California.  When I first met with Lisa and Jeff I had to laugh because they were going to be getting married on Halloween but it wasn’t going to be a Halloween theme.  I was so glad when they added just some subtle little things that made the day tie in to Halloween but it didn’t overshadow the celebration of the wedding.  Just the little things like carved pumpkins lining the walkway for guest, the life size skeletons in the bathroom, tables named after candy bars, and carmel apples for favors were just a few things that added to the days charm.

Lisa had the most beautiful champagne colored dress designed by Private Label G. It complimented her coloring amazingly, but my favorite is what she wore under her dress.  Yes,  the witch tights that no one even saw til it was time to take off the garter.  You should of heard the laughter as her new husband did the worm across the dance floor to every one’s request and delight and then she unveiled those babies.  The laughter that roared thru the place was undescribable.  This crowd was really fun and I had to especially give points to Jeff.  He wasn’t in the family but maybe an hour when he had to do something to impress his new father-in-law.  Like with many weddings there  are an abundant of different speeches and toast of champagne.  But when Lisa’s dad did his toast he handed the couple two mini bottles of tequila that they were suppose to drink.  Now a shots a shot no big deal for some but this was special.  It had the little worm on the bottom and it needed to be gone.  Both Lisa and Jeff did it to the hoots of friends and family.  I wonder if that is what gave Jeff the inspiration to worm his way across the dance floor to his bride later that night.  To see more of the fun and shenanigans of their day click here to view their slide show.

I’m sitting inside the Kirkwood lodge at the bottom of chair 5,  ironically the name of the lift is “solitude”.  Solitude is far from what the outside is like.  The wind is making us hear its voice as it howls across the resort, huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf and twirling the snow in every direction it can manage.  We are on day 3 of being snowed in here and this is the worst day of weather yet but we are still having fun.  Growing up in Michigan snowstorms are nothing, but to be honest I haven’t been in a storm like this since I was young and it can’t help but bring memories of my youth.  Just yesterday my kids dug themselves out a tunnel in one of the snowbanks.  My best friend Sherry and I use to do that all the time along with our stylish moon boots.  The boots were so huge that we use to make footprints in the snow and play “hunt for big foot”.  Thank goodness we made a tunnel because when we heard the big “bumble” we had a place to hide. Plus, it made a great place to throw snowballs from to hit the other kids.  Every kid should have at least one chance to build a snow tunnel in their lifetime.

 Even though we have woke up every morning here to either duck hunters guns or the sounds of avalanche booms it has been a wonderful get away.  The fun part for my husband and I is that our kids are getting “snow days”.  For both of us this was one of the best memories of both of our childhoods. Today was the first day the slopes didn’t open due to high winds but the kids are playing outside, throwing snowballs, and jumping off picnic tables in to huge drifts.  No matter how stressful it was earlier today with us needing to get back home nothing was worth killing ourselves.  We attempted to leave earlier today and got a mile down the road and had to stop because you couldn’t make out the ground out from the sky,   a little scarey.  You know it was bad when your husband turns the car around and you didn’t even need to nag or beg to stop and stay.  But we are determined to make the best of it.  Enjoying the beauty of the fresh powder, the warmth of the fire, the comraderie of fellow stranded guest, and the laughter of our kids will make for a great family memory. 

For those of you who ski or board the last couple of days have been amazing.  So much better then the rain we’ve been hearing everyone in San Jose is getting.  In fact, yesterday only 2 lifts were open and one of them was the one we use the most.  It was a great day.  At times it was like we owned the mountain being the only ones on it.  I loved it!  It was so peaceful and surreal and we were exhausted because of how many runs we made.  You can see how empty it was from the photo below of my boys and me at the picnic table.  Last we were so bundled up it was kind of a pain to go inside to eat so we had a snack picnic outside.  One of my favorite things is how they made snowcones out of the fresh snow and Dr. Pepper.  The kids loved it.   As fun as it has been we hope  to make it back down the mountain tomorrow.  I know Eric will have a hard time giving up his corner office but its time to get back to real life. 

This past summer my youngest son told me that he was going to go to the Olympics one day.  I told him you have to work hard and give up a lot.  Well, this past weekend I have to say I feel like I need to brag.  My little guy did his second gymnastic competition and he won first place.  We were all shocked when his name was announced.  We were so excited and stunned I almost forgot to get a picture.    I can’t believe how strong he is for a 7 year old.  He blows us away daily.

Julie and Ryan are just two of the sweetest people you’ll meet and a lot of fun to boot.  Julie, her mom, and her talented vendors did a wonderful job selecting and creating everything for this big day. They were married at the Santa Clara Mission and the reception was at the Palo Alto Country Club.  Besides their big beaming smiles and animated faces, there was so many little touches that added to the magic of the day.  For starters just the simple things of “something blue”, to the flower in her hair, and Julie’s orange toenail polish were just a simple beginning to details that would unfold and wow everyone .   There is so much to talk about that it is best for you to view the photos but some highlights that I loved. Bikes! Yes bikes Julie had Ryan and her classic Schwins brought to the church for photos that made a fun moment for the two of them. I love when clients take the initiative to bring some fun props. The flowers created by Bloomsters demanded your attention.  From the bouquets, to the hanging flowers behind the head table,  to the centerpieces so intricate that if you didn’t take the time to examine them carefully you would surely miss something woven in to these pieces.   They were so full of color and texture it was like a sensory overload.  Her seating chart and place holders were by far some of the most creative I’ve seen to date.  She created a riverbed table of rocks, succulants, flowers and moss.  Each rock had the persons name and a color coded leaf hand painted on each rock so the servers knew what that guest had ordered for dinner salmon, vegetarian, or beef.  It was truly a colorful and whimsical wedding.  Simply said ” Just beautiful.”

To view more of their amazing day click here for their slideshow.

Their “A” team list of vendors:

Florist:           Bloomsters

Car:                 Elegant Journey

Cake:               Cake Coquette

Band:               Jesse Charles Band

Wine:               Topa Vista Winery

Happy New Year everyone.  We are so excited about the new year and can’t wait to tell you about some of our favorite things about 2009 and to share with you what has been going on.  But there is so many things to do , show, edit, and blog that I just wanted to say hello so that I could get working on all the things to share.  So many of you sent such wonderful cards and gifts and I was so touched.  It was so fun to hear what was going on with your lives.   One of my favorites was a couple sent me a picture of the dog they said they were always going to get.  They named him Burger, love that!  Plus, they even had more exciting news that they were expecting their first child.  So many of you shared your adventures of 2009 and your plans for 2010 it made my day.

Over the holiday my e-mail and computer came down with a horrible virus.  The doctors weren’t able to save it.  So, if you wouldn’t mind resending me your contact info.  I would so appreciate it.  So saying that 2010 is also teaching me a whole new operating system etc.  My first challenge of the year.

If your new and looking for a photographer I’m so looking forward to talking with you and getting to know you too.  Please contact me with any questions or to set up an appointment.  Now off to work so I can share what we did and what have cooking for 2010.

Last  in the meantime if your planning a wedding don’t forget to check out the Vintage and Consignment dresses and the wonderful Vendors that make up Adorn Bridal in Los Gatos.

Like most of my weddings there is something that always stands out to be that makes it unique and special to the couple.  There were several things about Chau and David’s day that stick out in my mind, but I’ll only tell you about a few.  The first thing was the church they were married in.  I love the story behind it and I don’t think I could give it justice but lets just say the story has an amazing act of faith and the power of prayer.  So, it seemed fitting that David and Chau exchanged vows in front of family and friends at St. Joseph’s Parish in Mountain View.

The other two things are not as sentimental but just kind of fun.  I loved Chau’s headpiece.  I thought it was really unique and it looked fantastic on her with both of her hairdo’s.  It just gave her such a simple and classic elegance that just really enhanced her natural beauty.  It was just amazing.  I love what brides are doing with headpieces these days.

The last thing is Lito, the best man has to be my most photographed groomsmen.  I”m not sure what the count is right now but I believe he has been in at least 3 with a possibility of 4.  He’s always a groomsmen and not a groom.  I’m so looking forward to when I get to photograph him as the groom, I mean look how much practice I’ve had.

This crowd of friends is so much fun and we had a great day photographing all over the south bay area. In fact, some of my favorite shots are of the wedding party in the limo as we headed from place to place.  From the Crown Plaza Cabana hotel in Palo Alto, to the church in Mountain View, to San Jose University , and finally ending up downtown at the San Jose Fairmont.      A special thanks to my second shooter Gustavo for making the day go easy.  Please feel free to leave a comment for David and Chau below.  If you love what you see vote for their post.

To view more of their wedding day images  click here.

If you missed their engagement session click here to see how much fun they had.

Her beautiful handbead supplied by Jonathon Nguyen

The family church and its beautiful artwork.

Flowers by Crispy and having some fun at the San Jose University Campus

A little fun in downtown right outside the fairmont.  A great little place to shoot.

I love how much fun Chau’s having cutting her cake.  She did a great job smashing it on his face.

……..and my most  photographed groomsman Lito  codename “Prada” with his Grandma.  I believe she’s 93. I love photographic oppurtunities like this one.

Some of their vendors

Florist                                              Crispy Luppino of Nataliniflowers.com

Wedding Coordinator               Michele Aviles-Hana

Videographer                             www.davidkalaniphoto.com

DJ                                                        Alvin from www.729mixx.com

Make up Artist                              Jonathan Nguyen

I was so excited when Jana and Gino asked me to photograph the new addition to their family.  She is just adorable and the cutest little peanut.  She did great on her first photo session and Guiliana went above and beyond what a little girl needed to do.  I love spending time with the Borello’s!

I had to admit this was an unusual year for the Johnsons.  I feel like Halloween snuck up on us this year and went right by.  For me I was sad because between everyone’s schedules this year we didn’t make it to the pumpkin patch which I love.  These are usually some of my favorite pictures of my kids all year long.  But for those of you who have been asking here are some picks  to our very quick Halloween season this year.  I had a nerd and football player.  Enjoy!

These days you don’t see many large families so it was so fun to be able to shoot this crowd.  Yes, they are all siblings ranging from 6 months up to middle school age.   Being the youngest of 6 myself it was great to see the different dynamics among the siblings and how each of their personalities came out during the shoot. We kept busy trying to keep their attention but it was a lot of fun.  One of my favorites is them walking on the hill.  It shows alot about a big family.  I love how the one boy is making faces at the baby, the other two are occupied with each other and big sister overseeing it all. You know this house if full of fun, laughter, and I”m guessing a few disputes once in a while.

First of all I’m not even sure where to start on this adventure or even what to share.  There is absolutely no way to fully capture the feeling of the day, the people, or the location with just a few photos and words. The sites and sounds were so much a part of the excitement.  From the vibrant colors and smells  of the Campo de Fiori where I started documenting the day til the pouring rain and  lighting storm that brought the day to an end.  There was so many great moments during the day but I decided I would share with you my favorite one.  This left me awed.

I’ve photographed weddings for years and in my opinion this was the most breathtaking entrances ever for a bride. I felt like I was watching a classic black and white movie but realized I was there  live in color  watching it unveil thru the lens of my camera.

The outside of the Pantheon was just buzzing.  Who gets married at the Pantheon?  Is that the king of the Phillipeans?  Is she a famous actress?  Hundreds of people huddled together to get a better view as the Rolls Royce pulled up to the Ancient Monument with its towering columns.  Irma looked  like a version of Audrey Hepburn as she revealed herself from the car.  Congratulations and best wishes were being sent to her in so many different languages and cameras were just clicking away.  It was so sweet as she stopped in shyness, smiled, and waved at all the people.  It had to be an amazing moment to experience her face was just beaming.  With a parent on each side her mother tenderly pulled her veil over her face as she entered the Pantheon with its massive and majestic doorways.  To think of how many brides thru the centuries  had entered thru the threshold of this church to be wed was just awesome.  I can’t even imagine what went thru Ernie’s mind as he saw her enter.  It was one of the most majestic and dramatic entrances I’d ever experienced.   It was truly breathtaking.

To see more of their day click here.