Michelle Walker Photography's BLOG

BIG, (and I mean really BIG) canvas print sale!

2009-11-02T18:16:00.001-08:00

Trying to think of a really rockin' gift to give this year? I have a selection of 40x60 fine-art canvas prints that are on sale! Now only $850 (normally $1200).

2010 Trends in Wedding Photography!

2009-11-02T16:57:00.000-08:00

From The Knot - Best of Weddings Survey

"Create a DIY photo studio in a section of the reception room."

Hey! We've been doing this for years! Check out the details HERE.

Holiday Deadlines

2009-10-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that it's almost holiday time?!? Here are our holiday deadlines (to receive products by December 25th):

ALBUMS - final layouts must be approved by November 1st
CANVAS PRINTS - Place orders on your Pictage website by November 30th
PROFESSIONAL PRINTS - Place your Pictage orders by December 10th
FINE ART/PHOTO GREETING CARDS (get your orders in sooner to use for holiday cards!) - Place your Pictage orders by December 10th
COFFEE TABLE BOOKS - Place your Pictage orders by December 4th

Africa - 2009

2009-08-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Lots of you have been asking (begging really) to see some photos from my recent trip to Tanzania with Grace Ormonde and Thirst Relief International. While I can't yet show you photos from the AMAZING fashion shoot for Grace (not until the magazine comes out in January), I can share some of my other favorite photos. I hope you enjoy!

Foto Fridays Part VIII

2009-08-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

Every Friday a favorite photo of mine is featured on The Pink Blossom List. Today's is especially fun!

{Photography: Foto Fridays VIII}
It seems like our Foto Fridays are getting better and better. Today's image from Michelle Walker is especially wonderful. Michelle writes, "we were finishing Connie & Steve’s portraits at St. Dominic’s Church when the wind made a surprise visit! " Sometimes the unexpected is truly the exceptional. Love.

Foto Fridays part VII

2009-08-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

Every Friday a favorite photo of mine is featured on The Pink Blossom List. Today is from one of my very favorite weddings - when Kelly McLeskey from The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn married Nick Dolata from Domanine Chandon. Check it out!

Friday, August 14, 2009
{Photography: Foto Fridays VII}

Photo taken of Kelly McLeskey (event coordinator at SMI) & Nick Dolata’s wedding in Beaver Creek, Colorado.
Michelle Walker writes, "who says you need to wear white shoes?".

Michelle & Masa's - a match made in heaven...

2009-08-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

YumSugar recently reviewed the amazing food at Masa's (a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its elevation of California-French cuisine) in San Francisco (featuring photos by moi). To get a glimpse of the dinner, read on...

http://www.yumsugar.com/3619941

Grace Ormonde Wedding Style

2009-08-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

I just got the best news! I've been published in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine! Take a look at the current issue (fall/winter 2009) for a beautiful tabletop at Ralston Hall (one of my very favorte places). This was created for Amanda & Louie's wedding by my good friends: Kristina Taheri Special Events, Asiel Design, and Classic Party Rentals. Thanks for making my job so easy, guys!

Megan + Kelly at The Corinthian Yacht Club

2009-07-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

Megan & Kelly were married (close to their hometown in Marin) at St. Patrick's Church and celebrated the evening on the water at the historic Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon, CA. They spent a warm & beautiful night with 150 of their closest friends & families enjoying a fine dinner from the chef at the club, delicious cake from Tiers of Joy, and flowers (and wedding coordination extraordinaire!) from Kelly Cloney at Kelly & Company Events.

Minnie + Jon at Auberge du Soleil

2009-07-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

Minnie & Jon were recently married at the beautiful Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford, CA. After a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony, we headed to the terrace (which overlooks all of Napa Valley) for the nuptials. Their guests were then treated to a memorable evening of great food, great wine, and lots of fun (the toasts were hilarious!).

Cara + Eric's engagement session

2009-07-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Cara & Eric's upcoming nuptials at the Fairmont in San Francisco are sure to be fabulous. For their engagement session they wanted to capture that "San Francisco feeling" - I think we did that and more! Photographing some of their favorite (and special) locations makes these photos even more memorable...

Madeline + Roger are getting married!

2009-07-29T16:14:00.001-07:00

Next month, Madeline & Roger will tie-the-knot at the beautiful St. Joseph's Cathedral and the stylish Sainte Claire Hotel in San Jose. We had a blast photographing their engagement session in San Francisco yesterday!

SEE THEIR ENGAGEMENT GUESTBOOK

Africa has a hold on my heart (again)...

2009-07-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

Africa is an amazing place full of contradictions… its beauty, its poverty, its joy, its troubled history. I find myself thinking about Africa almost every day – tugging on my heart, wanting to return. Spending time in Africa with old and new friends over the past 10 days has been wonderful – being with a group of photographers who see things more deeply than most is a special pleasure. I am looking forward to sharing more images - check back often!

Africa with Grace Ormonde Wedding Style and ThirstRelief

2009-07-13T07:28:00.001-07:00

For the next 10 days 14 of my photographer friends and I will be in Tanzania with Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine and Thirst Relief International. Here's our itinerary...

July 13-14: Travel to Tanzania
July 15-16: Grace Ormonde Fashion Shoot (8-10 page spread to be featured in Jan 2010 issue!!)
July 17-18: Deliver and Install Bio-Sand Filters (and capture impactful images for Thirst)
July 19-20: Overnight Safari
July 21 Rest, Pack up, shop around Dar Es Salem
July 22-23: Travel home

To keep updated on our trip (and see some awesome photography), check out this special BLOG. It will be updated throughout the trip. I'm looking forward to sharing all my stories & photos with you when I return!

An invitation for Mom's

2009-07-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well Rehearsed (a fabulous company with incredibly creative ideas - check them out) is hosting a unique fashion event for Mothers-of-the-Bride & Groom to help them select what to wear to your rehearsal dinner & wedding. There will be champagne, there will be tips & tricks, and there will be fashion! What could be better?

July 25th
11:30am
Neiman Marcus, Stanford
Level 3
RSVP
or call (650) 329-3303

Jenna + Dave | Calistoga Ranch

2009-06-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

Calistoga Ranch is a magical place - perfect location, gorgeous views, wonderful food... That's why Jenna and Dave choose it for their destination wedding. The couple was married on a bluff overlooking The Lakehouse (where they later held their reception). Suzy Berberian from A Dream Day did indeed create a dream day with a little help from Kathleen Deery Design, Classic Party Rentals, and La Tavola Linens. Alex Fuhrman was wonderful on the acoustic guitar, we provided our SnapShot photo studio, and the vivacious Martha with Video Creations by Martha captured it all on video.

VIEW THEIR SLIDESHOW

Gustav Maxwell

2009-06-05T10:28:00.001-07:00

In case you didn't already know, I shoot all kinds of stuff - travel, weddings, portraits, dogs, and baby products! The super-soft, plush, luxurious products from Gustav Maxwell are my favorite baby goodies of all time (not only because they feel SO GOOD, but because I just scored an amazing grown-up robe from Mari made of the same ultra soft material as the kids robes - thanks Mari!). If you need a gift for a baby (or one for yourself!) take a look at their website.

Jen & Mike are getting married!

2009-06-03T15:57:00.000-07:00

In August, Jen & Mike will get hitched at the beautiful Sonoma Mission Inn. Recently we got together to create their awesome engagement photos at the Legion of Honor and that big bow & arrow sculpture in San Francisco. (From Wikipedia: A sculpture, "Cupid's Span" by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, was built in 2003 along the Rincon Park area. Resembling Cupid's bow and arrow with the arrow implanted in the ground, the statue symbolizes the place where Tony Bennett "left his heart" - who knew???) I can't wait for their wedding!

SEE THEIR ENGAGEMENT GUESTBOOK

Rose + Joe | The Sonoma Mission Inn

2009-06-03T15:36:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to photograph Rose & Joe getting married at the historic St. Francis Solano Church in beautiful Sonoma, CA. After a lovely (and sometimes funny) ceremony by Fr. Sullivan, their guests were treated to an afternoon of cocktails on the terrace at the fabulous Sonoma Mission Inn. As darkness descended, everyone moved inside for a delicious dinner followed by wedding cake (almost too beautiful to cut) created by Inticing Creations. My friends at A Savvy Event, Dandelion Floral and LaTavola designed the perfect palette of colors for the bride and groom and my friends at Savadelis Films captured it all on video. Rose and Joe are a perfect couple and had a perfect day!

VIEW THEIR SLIDESHOW

Interview with Michelle Walker

2009-06-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

I was just interviewed for the Pink Blossom List - it's funny! Take a look.

What we want you to know (but are afraid to tell you)

2009-05-29T15:08:00.001-07:00

This FANTASTIC article was just published in Brides Magazine. It's everything that we photographers want to tell our brides, but are a little hesitant. If you're about to get married, listen to this advice from these wedding photographers...

HIRE A MAKEUP ARTIST
"Invest in a make-up artists - it will pay off in the long run. Do-it-yourself brides look fine for the first hour or so, but then the makeup wears off. Or they wear very subtle makeup that doesn't photograph well; Nothing 'pops'."
Cathy Short, Devonshire Photography - Wilbraham, MA

SEE EACH OTHER BEFORE THE CEREMONY
"I think the bride and groom should see each other before the ceremony. It gets the jitters out of the way and gives me time to get some fun, unique images. When portraits are taken after the ceremony, it's hard for the couple to focus. They don't want to miss the party!"
Sarah Maren, Sarah Maren Photography - Sacramento, CA

SHARE THE PICS
"When we take posed or more traditional shots, sometimes guests attempt to capture the same images, potentially slowing the process. If you request digital images from your photographers, you can send them to your guests later, and save time on your wedding day."
Craig Butler, Craig Butler Studios - Northville, MI

JUST GO WITH IT
"Realize that even though you feel stupid while you're getting pictures taken, they're turning out great. If you can juts laugh and go with it, the images will reflect your personalities and show the connection between the two of you. You can be in a crappy location, but as long as you're in a good mood, your pictures are going to rock."
Genya Garrett, Vue Photography - Panama City, FL

CLEAN YOUR ROOM
"If you want your 'getting ready' pictures to look their best, keep the place clean. That room becomes the basis, the background, for all your pictures. If you have ten girls dressing and undressing in the same room, it will show in your photos. The room should be clutterless. I get the best pictures when I walk into a room that someone has intentionally kept neat."
Brian Dorsey, Brian Dorsey Studios - NY, NY

DON'T INVITE THE PARTY
"Don't cut your first dance short or have your bridal party join you halfway through it. This decreases the amount of images I can get of just the two of you during your reception. If you dance for the entire song, you'll end up with more sweet, intimate photos."
Alison Conklin, Alison Conklin Photography - Philadelphia, PA

LIGHT YOUR DANCE FLOOR
"There are so many great things that happen during a reception, so you should think about how yours is going to be lit. Ask the DJ or band to light themselves and the dance floor. Or, it it's in your budget, look into a lighting designer, who can add uplighting to the room and give it extra pop. Lighting makes the space look cooler and preserves the ambiance."
Anne Ruthman, Anne Ruthman Photography - Boston, MA

A Savvy Event & my 3 favorite things...

2009-05-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was the featured vendor on A Savvy Event's BLOG. Instead of the same old boring BLOG entry, I did something fun - I gave my 3 favorite things that I've seen at weddings. Take a look!

http://asavvyevent.blogspot.com/2009/05/favorite-vendor-day-3-michelle-walker.html

Memorial Day 2009

2009-05-28T15:50:00.000-07:00

My dear friend, Kimberly Thompson asked me to photograph her son (Devin) before he is deployed to Afganistan next week. Devin is brave, funny, and an inspiration - it was truly an honor to spend this time with them and create these beautiful photos.

VIEW SLIDESHOW

Pretty in Pink!

2009-05-19T15:09:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this BLOG? It's full of creative ideas to make your wedding extra-special. And it's hosted by the ever-fabulous Nancy Liu Chin of Nancy Liu Chin Designs (extraordinary florals). I'm honored to be one of their Pink List Photographers!

Look at this!

2009-05-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

I just got THE CUTEST invitation in the mail for an upcoming celebration at the fabulous Cornerstone Gardens. This western-wear inspired design was created by my bestest girlfriends at Peculiar Pair Press. Yeehaw - I love it! {PS - if you're going to the shingding, I'll be there with my camera. Wear your fanciest cowboy boots!}