DeFalco Photography Blog

Paparazzi : Popping the Question at Ponte Winery

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:43:21 +0000

I often marvel at how many wonderful, intimate moments that I am fortunate enough to witness as a photographer. Sometimes a camera is a tool, and other times it’s like having a passport into people’s lives. There are always moments during weddings when I become acutely aware that I am witnessing the beginning of a new life, a new family, and a new future. In a way, sometimes I feel more like a cultural anthropologist than a photographer. Witnessing life through a viewfinder is always fascinating to me.

Usually, the first time I talk to a couple, we are talking about wedding dates and engagement sessions. When Marko called me and described the elaborate set-up he was masterminding in order to propose to his girlfriend (and now Fiancé’!!!!!) Ashley, I was super excited. I always meet people after the proposal, so this was something very new and intriguing for me. There was also an elevated sense of excitement because there could always be a tiny, tiny chance that maybe she might not say yes, and so I instantly became a member of Team Marko – totally pulling for Marko and rooting for his cause. Of course, anyone who knows them as a couple could have told me he was a shoe-in, but still….

So last Saturday morning, I made my way to the Ponte Winery in Temecula. I got there a bit early so I could talk to Ty Tyler, Marko’s partner in crime at the Winery. Ty had safely tucked away a couple of very special bottles for Marko that you’ll see below. He very kindly showed me around the winery and described the game plan to me, so when Marko and Ashely arrived at the counter, it was ‘game on.’

When Marko and Ashley came to the tasting counter, Rene gently guided them down to the sunny end of the counter. My job was to pretend to shoot wine bottles, but really I was just sneaking shots of Marko and Ashley when she wasn’t looking!

As Rene was helping Marko and Ashley, Ty Tyler casually came by and offered them a more private tasting in the barrel room. As Ty guided them to a corner of the barrel room to taste a couple of wines, I was out in the garden, pretending to shoot the scenery…

This is where the story gets even better. During their staged tasting, Ashley enjoyed one particular vintage of red wine, so Tyler promptly offered to sell them a rare bottle…only a few existed in the whole winery! Marko and Ashely took a little stroll outside while Ty went to grab this special bottle. Marko and Ashley walked past the garden to the foot of the aisle, where later that day a wedding would be held. The symbolism was perfect!

Here comes Ty with “THE” bottle…

So here it is…the big moment. Ashley realizes this is no ordinary bottle of wine, as Marko goes down on one knee with a ring box in hand…

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The proposal wasn’t the only surprise for Ashely. About 30 friends and family members were waiting in a reserve room at the winery, ready to celebrate with the happy couple.

In this picture, Marko’s father is watching him speak…he looks very proud and happy for his son.

Ashley’s father proposes a toast!

Congratulations to Marko and Ashley!

Bayside Bliss: Sara & Phil in Point Loma

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:10:36 +0000

I’d like to share some images from the wedding ceremony of Sara and Phil. Sara and Phil planned their day much further in advance than most couples I’ve met. Between the two of them, it seems like either one or both of them are always on a Navy ship in a far-flung part of the world, so advance planning was truly a must. I remember the first time I talked to Sara early in 2008, when November of 2009 seemed reeeaaalllly far away! It’s hard for me to believe that their day came and went, and that it’s already time to blog the images!

The day itself was perfect. The sky was blue, the sun was warm, and everybody was in a great mood. The day flowed just the way it was supposed to and it all came together for their sunset ceremony on the lawn at the Bayside in Point Loma. One of my favorite photographers, Kristina Chartier, was kind enough to lend her talent to the event and shoot with me that day, so I send her my thanks!

Without further ado, here are some of their images:

I have to confess: I was sent home with four of these cupcakes, and I ate them ALL before all of their images were uplaoded to my Mac!

Sara is a Nurse and this is part of her medical crew!

They act like Bad Girls, but they’re just clever stickers that say “Sara & Phil”

Down Under, Up High! Jodie and James at the Ultimate Skybox!

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:09:26 +0000

Venue: Ultimate Skybox, Downtown San Diego.
Coordination: Amanda McPhail

I always create a slideshow for every wedding, but I never seem to post them here. Slideshows are a great way to tell the story of the day with my favorites, sort of like an online album.

This slideshow belongs to Jodie and James, who were married fifteen stories above Petco Park at Skybox. The venue was a natural choice for Jodie and James, since baseball runs in both families. James had the good fortune to travel to Australia to play baseball for Jamie’s father, who is a coach. James got to stay with the coach’s family for a while, and one thing led to another, which happily led to a wedding!

There was a large Aussie contingency present and the dance floor definitely got a lot busier when music from down under came on the speakers. The ceremony was beautiful, the view was amazing, the food (best mashed potatoes ever) was great, and everybody was incredibly fun. I know that if I ever find myself in Brisbane, it will probably feel oddly familiar!

Enjoy the show!

Winston and Winston

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:10:42 +0000

Choosing puppy names is hard! Sometimes people look at Winston, my Boston Terrier puppy, and right away, they get where his name came from. I actually had this image by the legendary photographer Yousuf Karsh in mind when I thought to call him Winston. So maybe Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill inspired the masses with his speeches, but little Winston here makes people smile everywhere he goes, and I kind of like a dog that only speaks occasionally. It’s still true that the only thing to fear is fear itself and Winston is a shining example. He’s never afraid to greet another dog or share puppy kisses with passers by. He’s definitely more of a lover than a fighter!

I Read the News Today – Oh Boy!

admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:10:02 +0000

The next time you happen by the newstand, you might want to check out the latest copy of “San Diego Style Weddings” magazine! I’m very happy to share the news that one of my favorite weddings from 2008 is featured in the weddings section. Yay! Natalie Maxwell, the Bride, submitted her wedding to the magazine, and of course I was thrilled to get the news that they’d chosen it for publication.

Natalie is the proprietor of The Floral Palette in Rancho Santa Fe, so when we met to talk about photography, I understood that she’d be taking care of all of the flowers for her own wedding. What I didn’t realize at the time was that Natalie is a really, really, rediculously good florist AND she has an incredible eye for how to deck out a wedding. Her wedding was hosted in a private residence in Fairbanks Ranch that was an absolutely story book setting. Once Natalie brought in her decor, it was like a dream come true.

Natalie has since added an event studio with a beautiful meeting space to her shop in Rancho Santa Fe called “The Event Studio – Rancho Santa Fe” where brides can go to not only talk about flowers, but to meet with other wedding vendors as well. Speaking as a photographer, it’s always very reassuring to be familiar with the good work of the other vedors I work alongside at a wedding. For instance, when I am scheduled to start photographing bridal portraits, not only is it nice to know the flowers are going to be amazing, but knowing they’ll be delivered where they are supposed to be on time is huge! Natalie hand picked the vendors that belong to the Event Studio RSF and everybody is top quality. Congratulations once again to Natalie and Aaron!

Allison and Asheesh: Engagement portraits in San Francisco!

admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:09:59 +0000

I recently met up with Allison and Asheesh in San Francisco for their engagement session and we had a great afternoon. They both live in that part of the state, and I had been meaning to make my way up there for some time, so we were finally able to get together. As usual, weather in the city was blustery and mostly fogged in, but hey, it’s San Francisco! We met up in Union Square for a bit before heading over to the Golden Gate as the sun went down. Just navigating the streets of the city was an adventure in itself since none of us knew exactly how to get around, but we really had fun the whole time. I’m looking forward to seeing them again next year when I photograph their wedding. In many ways it will be just like San Francisco; a beautiful combination of East meeting West!

Happy Halloweenie

admin — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:50:32 +0000

Winston is getting into the spirit of the holiday…well, sort of.

Introducing Winston!

admin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:48:09 +0000

I am happy to say that the new website is not the only thing new here in the DeFalco studio ! It is my pleasure to introduce the newsest member of the DeFalco Family : Winston! His full name is Winston Rigby Wiggle Waggles DeFalco III, but we just call him Winston! Winston is a Boston Terrier that was born about 12 weeks ago up in the bay area. He’s been with us a little over a week and he’s proving to be an awesome little Boston! He was an early Christmas present from Mom, and he’s really the best present we could have ever asked for! We came in from one of our walks the other day and I snapped a few frames of him as he was getting ready to pass out :

New Website Almost Here!

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:50:12 +0000

I’m happy to say that within a few days, I will be launching a BRAND NEW webite! It’s been almost a year and a half since I updated images on my main web site, and as much as I love a bunch of the ‘old’ images, I’m excited to share new ones ! Also, look for a handful of blog updates in the coming weeks as I finally begin to catch up on work. Yay!

Hotel Del-ight! Rachel and Marc at the Hotel Del Coronado!

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:19:41 +0000

Coordination: Creative Affairs by Amanda

Flowers: The Floral Palette

Linens: A Perfect Table

Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Rachel and Marc at the Hotel Del Coronado. I’m getting a quick ’sneak peak’ online for them today because I know they’re excited to see some of their images, and I’m even more excited to share them! They are heading off to Kauai tomorrow, so I’m thinking of offering honeymoon photo coverage starting now. : )

Marc has been working on finishing law school here at USD, though he and Rachel met at Wake Forest in North Carolina. Rachel and Marc live here in San Diego, but their guests came from all over to attend their wedding. Most of Rachel’s family came out from North Carolina and Marc had his own Chicago contingency present.

Without further ado, here is a big sneak peak!

One of my favorite getting ready images – Rachel thinking about how she’s just about to put on her wedding dress. (Vera Wang, btw!)

Putting on the veil. Success!

A perfect combination of beautiful bride, stunning dress and storybook location.

If you look really, really, really close, you can see a reflection of Marc in his ring!

The flowers were amazing. Natalie at the Floral Palette did incredible work as usual. All the linens provided by Irene at A Perfect Table completed the ballroom for a beautiful reception.

Father and Daughter.

We always love to make a few parting shots at night for the closing pages of the wedding album. I love these!