JK Life Stories Photography Blog

Connie and Sean’s Engagement Session | Napa Engagement | Napa Engagement Photographer

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:21:55 +0000

Connie and Sean’s request for a photo session was the first I’ve ever received from Hong Kong. The two were preparing for their wedding in Southern California (which happened Saturday!), where Connie spent most of her youth. To celebrate, seven of their close friends were flying into California from Hong Kong for the wedding and pre-wedding festivities. Connie and Sean weren’t really into traditional engagement photos, they told me, but they really wanted to visit some Napa wineries with their friends. Could I come along and take some fun photos of them with their friends, they asked? And, could we bring some colorful helium balloons? I was in!

A lot of the photos I took during the day were candids of the whole group. At first, Connie and Sean said they didn’t need any photos just the two of them. With some affectionate prodding from their friends, however, they agreed to a few. And oh, I love them! Here’s a small smattering from our time at the gorgeous Kuleto Estate in St. Helena and Sterling Vineyards in Calistoga.

Riding the tram at Sterling Vineyards!

The whole gang, a great bunch.

I had an awesome time with everyone, and am so glad I got to spend this beautiful day with them. Congratulations Connie and Sean! I’m so glad we connected from around the world.

Kirsten and Andrew’s Wedding Part III | Napa Wedding | Napa Wedding Photographer

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:58:57 +0000

So many beautiful moments from this wedding, it’s hard to wrap up! Here are some last blog post beauties from Kirsten and Andrew’s wine country wedding.

Gorgeous flowers by Valley Flora

Portraits from this breathtaking, hidden-away villa

Onto the gorgeous reception at Merryvale Vineyards

This was such a lovely wedding, and I loved being a part of it. Congratulations Kirsten and Andrew!

Ceremony Location: Private Estate, Napa
Reception Location: Merryvale Vineyards
Event Planner: Sharon Burns, Napa Valley Custom Events
Dress: Melissa Sweet, Priscilla of Boston
Makeup: Shelley Knauer, Panache Salon
Florist: Valley Flora
Officiant: Rev. Lili Goodman Freitas, Weddings of Heart
Ceremony catering: Real Events/Tra Vigne
Ceremony Music: Eloquence Strings
Cake: Laurie Lucov Wedding Cakes
Transportation: Pure Luxury
Rentals: Wine Country Party Rentals

Kirsten and Andrew’s Wedding Part II | Napa Wedding | Napa Wedding Photographer

admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:00:28 +0000

Okay, it’s time for more photos from Kirsten and Andrew’s beautiful Napa wedding last month. Their ceremony was held at a private estate in an exquisite, historic room overlooking acres of vineyards as far as the eye could see. Here’s one last getting ready photo, followed by some photos of the ceremony.

Stay tuned for part 3!

Kirsten and Andrew’s Wedding, Part I | Napa Wedding | Napa Wedding Photographer

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:58:11 +0000

Wow, what a treat this wedding was.

Kirsten and Andrew, who currently live on the East Coast, got married in an intimate, dreamy wine country wedding last weekend. There’s a lot to take in, and to share, about this wedding. For now, here are some of my favorite getting ready images.

Kirsten’s mom watching her first child prepare to get married.

Love this!!

Andrew, the handsome groom. This photo and the next one were taken by my amazing second photographer Kristi.

More coming soon. Congratulations Kirsten and Andrew!

Featured in a Style Me Pretty Gallery ~ Sarah and Eric’s Engagement photos!

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:42:35 +0000

Oh so excited! Just found out that Style Me Pretty published Sarah and Eric’s engagement photos in an inspiration gallery and on their Facebook page. This is a huge honor for me, since I have been a fan of Style Me Pretty for so long, and love the inspiration they provide to couples, to photographers, and to artists of all kinds around the world. Truth be told, I submitted these photos on somewhat of a whim. I’ve only recently started submitting my photos for publication, and have been truly overjoyed and humbled by the response I’ve gotten. It is so exciting to me that Sarah and Eric’s beauty and joy get to be shared. And, I am so excited for their October wedding. Thanks again Sarah and Eric, and thank you SMP!

Debbie and Ron’s Wedding | Healdsburg Wedding | Healdsburg Wedding Photographer

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:02:29 +0000

Debbie and Ron’s Healdsburg wedding was small on guests, big on meaning.

Here’s the littlest guest, Ron’s grandson. There were seven other guests: Debbie and Ron’s children, and their partners. To get to witness and document such an intimate gathering was a true privilege.

Ron and Debbie have been together for more than a decade. While they never felt any rush to get married, they always knew they were a perfect match. They held their wedding at their vacation home in Healdsburg, which they have meticulously restored over the past year.

Their adoration and respect for one another is obvious, as is their love for their children and their entire family. Witnessing the love and respect between parents and children at this wedding was one of its most moving aspects.

Here’s their first look, held right out on their back porch, while all of their children watched from inside.

Debbie and Ron’s children are all recently married, or have marriage in their not-too-distant futures. And while no one said it explicitly, I knew everyone at the wedding knew: “This is what good, enduring love looks like.”

Debbie and Ron had their ceremony right in their living room, with light from their enormous picture windows pouring in.

Did I mention how gorgeous their children are?

Do these two look familiar? I met Debbie and Ron through Debbie’s son Eric, and his fiance Sarah, whose wedding I’m photographing in October. It’s the first time I’ve photographed the weddings of a groom, and of his mother. How cool is that?

As if the day wasn’t sufficiently chock-full of beauty, I also got to spend some time with Ron’s daughter, son-in-law, and grandson down at the river, where we took some family portraits.

This little guy was so exuberant and charming – and so full of love. This is clearly a blessed family, and I feel so lucky I got to be there for this special day.

Thanks to Ron and Debbie, and to your entire beautiful family. I can’t wait for the next chapter of your story.

Location: Private Healdsbur home
Wedding Planer: Barbara Infante
Florist: Barbara Vakassian
Chef: John Harasty

Featured in Today’s Bride

admin — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:54:34 +0000

The inspiration shoot I did with a handful of amazingly talented artists just hit the newstands! This shoot for Today’s Bride magazine was sooo much fun. I’ll be posting more photos from the shoot soon, but for now, here’s the beautiful spread.

The incredible team of artists:

● Designer Napa Valley Linens
● Cinematography Seaglass Cinema
● Floral designer Soulflower Floral Design
● Location Annadel Estate Winery
● Paper The Card Lady
● Tableware + linens Napa Valley Linens
● Cake designer The Whole Cake
● Photographer JK Life Stories

● Lighting Blueprint Studios
● Props, furniture, table + chairs Blueprint Studios
● Props One True Love Vintage Rentals
● Gown Vianett Bridal
● Hair stylist Pretty Me Chic
● Jewelry Yael Designs
● Makeup Lena Chavez, Atelier Emmanuel
● Formalwear Bloomingdale’s

I loved working with all of you, and with the talented team at Today’s Bride!

Two

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:16:42 +0000

Happy birthday precious. I love you more than words can say.

Lina and Michael’s Engagement Party | San Francisco Fairmont Hotel | San Francisco Engagement Photographer

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:26:11 +0000

I had the total privilege of photographing Lina and Michael’s engagement party at the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel on Saturday. I’m so excited about the beautiful photos that I had to post this one sneak peek. More coming soon.

Congratulations Lina and Michael – I’m so excited for you!

Sarah and Eric’s Engagement Session | San Francisco Ferry Building Engagement | San Francisco Engagement Photographer

admin — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:42:31 +0000

Though taken in San Francisco in the wintertime, these photos have a summery feel. This has to do partly with our luck in getting a gorgeous December day, but also so much with Sarah and Eric. These two truly shine. I liked them both from the moment I met them, and am so excited to photograph their wedding at the Palm Event Center in October. In retrospect, I have to laugh remembering a conversation Sarah and I had shortly before the shoot, in which Sarah wondered whether she and Eric would feel at ease in front of the camera. I came prepared to pull out all my tricks for getting people to relax, but this proved entirely unnecessary. Sarah and Eric were naturals. I hope they forgot, if only for a few moments, that the camera was there. I love what we got here and can’t wait for my next chance to have these two in front of the camera again. Congratulations Sarah and Eric, I had so much fun.