Well, that question was answered this past weekend when Chrissie and Collin were married at the James Leary Flood Mansion in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights.

We started the day by dropping off me (Dave) at the groom’s home, while Gregory went on over to the bride’s hotel room.

After a short while, we all came together for a first viewing and tea ceremony. Then it was off to the Flood Mansion.

With guests arriving from all over the globe, the happy couple tied the knot under beautiful blue skies, and the evening festivities included speeches, a sunset shot, cake-cutting, bouquet and garter toss, and a whole lot of dancing! We also got to catch up a bit with Lauren and Robert, whose wedding we shot a couple of years ago, and who referred us to Chrissie and Collin. It’s always great to see old friends.

It was truly a wonderful, fun-filled evening.

But it wasn’t over, for yesterday we had the privilege of taking the happy couple out for some after-session portraits around some familiar San Francisco icons.

We had a blast shooting for Chrissie and Collin and wish them all the best as they begin the next chapter in their lives together.

Cheers!

View Chrissie & Collin’s Engagement Portraits

They even got the sun the shine down from blue skies over the beautiful Tiburon landscape. Quite the feat, but nothing compared to what was to come.

Their ceremony took place at old St. Hilary Church, a picture-perfect postcard setting if there ever was one. Located high up on a grass-covered hill, the church was the perfect setting for their intimate marriage ceremony, attended by their close friends and family.

After the ceremony and family portraits, it was off to the reception site for everyone. Well, everyone except for Meredith, Gunter and we photographers. For the couple were planning something special, something we needed to capture. They were driving to the reception from the ceremony in motorized cupcakes!

Talk about traffic stoppers — many a gleeful driver honked as passed by.

These custom-made electronic cupcakes were the perfect vehicle of choice for the newly married couple. Meredith and Gunter laughed with their friends and shared a day filled with humor, love and cupcakes. Yes, they even had real cupcakes for desert.

As the sun started setting over Mt. Tamalpais, we took them out by the water’s edge for some final shots before we called it a day.

Our best wishes to the bride and groom and their family and friends (many came from as far as Germany!)

We were honored when Alex and his daughter Sandra chose us for family portraits. The two of them have a chemistry based on more than genetic connectedness — it is also based on genuine friendship.

We hope the images will always bring them smiles and touch on a little of this time even as it quickly passes.

A daughter and father will always have a special bond. Alex and Sandra showed us how families can also be friends.

We began the day by meeting up with Vanessa and her family at the nearby Hyatt, where we took some preparation and family photos.  Dave actually knew Vanessa’s brother, Andy, from school, and it was through him and mutual friend, Sandra – whose wedding we shot in 2006 – that we were recommended (we love, love referrals!)

Vanessa was simply gorgeous in her sleek, elegant gown, and even their recent furry friend addition, Rosie, got into the act!  Afterward, we scooted over to the Radisson to get shots of Howard and his groomsmen, who are his grown-up sons, before heading to the island itself.

To get onto Forbe’s Island, you actually need to take a short, 3-minute ride on a ferry piloted by the island’s creator, Mr. Forbes.  If you ask him what he does for a living, his dead-pan response is, “I do a little lighthousekeeping.”  He’s got a ton of one-liners, apparently developed from his many TV appearances over the years.

Forbe’s Island is a perfect little getaway that’s not faraway, and Vanessa and Howard had about 70 guests in the intimate galley, enjoying the scrumptious dinners prepared by the island staff.

There was lots of laughter, hugs and kisses, cake-cutting and dancing.  Guests also got to explore the island, get a view from the lighthouse, and take in the many naval details decorating the entire boat.

It was surely a night to remember.

Congratulations, Vanessa and Howard! A hearty pirate’s “Arrrgh!!” to ya!

Here you see the vessel needed to get onto the island. Then up the 55 steps of the lighthouse and you get a great view of the city.




Below deck is the galley, small, but cozy, and filled with wonderful navel-themed artifacts and knick-knacks.

The wedding ceremony was presided over by Vanessa’s father, Bob. It was a relaxed affair, with good laughs and everyone enjoying the break in the weather.


























composite triple beat

That is a snap shot of Christine and Hayden.

Amongst the early morning joggers and tourists, we found out just what a great senses of humor these two possess while we walked along some of the trails, exposing our eyes to the great beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge and its surrounding environs.

Things in the city are always changing, and our job allows us to see these changes on a regular basis. Taking photos is just an excuse for us to go out and explore!

Anyway, we had a lot of fun — they were great sports and a pleasure to work with.

We’re definitely looking forward to Chrissie and Collin’s wedding in a couple of months!

Update: See Chrissie & Collin’s Wedding Photos

However, that didn’t stop Fran and Kevin from exploring the old Sutro ruins in Sutro Heights Park.

We traipsed around in the cool, but comfortable weather, getting some great shots. Fran and Kevin were up for all sorts of fun activities, including a short game of tag.

Here are a few favorites from the session.

We’re looking forward to shooting their wedding later this summer. Congratulations, Fran & Kevin!

We had scheduled a shoot for Jessa’s summer store (where she ” borrows” our studio to run her fun store with local artists and artisans and has fundraisers for local dance companies — fun!).

She had 3 wonderful models lined up and 2 hours to shoot it — plenty of time right?

Well, one model had a family tragedy and was unable to be there and another was an hour late due to the traffic on the Bay Bridge — everyone and their mother’s cousin twice removed decided to be out for the beautiful weather.

What to do?

Jessa, being up the the challenge, quickly put on makeup and an outfit. By the time the 3 models were ready and we found the location, we had 35 minutes to make it happen. Luckily, all 3 knew what they were doing and then some.

Here are a few “picks” from the shoot. We’ll show you the postcard when it is complete.

Don’t forget — if you are in the Bay Area this summer, stop by during the store and support local designers and artists. Check out Jessa’s site at www.SFGallery143.com

Special thanks to Aziza, Natalia and Jessa for making this happen!

What was even better was the weather, which was warm with some light wind, but fortunately gone were the gale-like forces that whipped through the Bay Area for several days prior — whew!

Vanessa and Howard also brought along their puppy, a Yorkshire Terrier named Rosie — what a cute dog!

After our session there, we went into the City for some shots around the Palace of Fine Arts. Even though most of the grounds were still fenced off for renovation, we managed to work with that limitation to get some cool shots.

Take a look! You’ll be seeing more of Vanessa and Howard next month, after their wedding!

They just recently had a new addition — little Sammy, who was as cute as can be.

We made use of their comfy living room as well as their fruit tree-filled backyard for some cool, relaxed portraits of the entire clan.

Patty & Edo — Sammy’s just simply adorable!

Congratulations!