JK Life Stories Blog

JK Life Stories wins Wedding Photojournalism Award!

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:14:00 +0000

You can see the full post (and lots more) at my new blog:

http://www.jklifestories.com/blog/

Please change your bookmarks and meet me there!

Aimee and Justin's Wedding: Sneak Peek

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 04:43:00 +0000

That's a peek of Aimee from her wedding at Wente Vineyards. You can see the full post (and lots more) at my new blog:

http://www.jklifestories.com/blog/

Please change your bookmarks and meet me there!

Laura and Scott's Wedding: Sneak Peek

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:36:00 +0000

That's a peek of Laura and Scott from their wedding at Clos La Chance. You can see the full post (and lots more) at my new blog:

http://www.jklifestories.com/blog/

Please change your bookmarks and meet me there!

Adriana & Tim's Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 22:38:00 +0000

That's a peek of Adriana from her wedding at St. Dominic's Church. You can see the full post (and lots more) at my new blog:

http://www.jklifestories.com/blog/

Please change your bookmarks and meet me there!

Becky & Tosh's Wedding: Sneak Peek

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:54:00 +0000

That's Becky and Tosh, in a sneak preview. You can see the full post (and lots more) at my new blog:

http://www.jklifestories.com/blog/

See you there!

(By the way, if you're part of Julie's Inner Circle and want to receive updates from the new blog directly in your inbox, hang in there. I'll be making the switch soon. If you're not, but would like to receive these updates anyways, just drop me a line at julie@jklifestories.com)

New blog!

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:07:00 +0000

Please change your bookmarks and follow me here to my new blog:

http://www.jklifestories.com/blog/

A sneak peek:

Though I haven't had much time to post here over the last several months, life has been incredible. My little girl is blooming, my business is blooming, and - my blog is blooming.

And so, just as I do when my flowers outside outgrow their planters, I decided to give my blog a new home.

The photos above come from two of the many amazing weddings I've photographed over the last few months. Janey and Jason's wedding, photos from which are up on the new blog, was absolutely gorgeous.

Photographs from Becky and Tosh's wedding, Adriana and Tim's wedding, Laura and Scott's wedding, and Aimee and Justin's wedding will all be on the new blog in short order.

In the meantime, if you'd like to see me, swing by the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday!

Thanks for joining me here. I'll see you at the new blog!

Little Light

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:10:00 +0000

T, three months

Have a wonderful weekend!

Adriana and Tim Engaged

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:22:00 +0000

Adriana and Tim both come from places that begin with the letter "I" - she's from Indonesia; he's from Iowa. Despite growing up halfway around the world from one another, they fit together perfectly.

For their engagement photo session, we decided to head to the path along the coast where they had their first date.

Tim recalls that Adriana set such an ambitious pace that it was tough to keep up. He did his best to catch his breath to comment on the beautiful view. Adriana, however, got straight to the point, peppering Tim with intense questions throughout. As we took these photographs, Adriana and Tim laughed at the memory.

Adriana may have seemed intimidating, but as Tim later said, "I guess my answers were acceptable -just don't ask me exactly what I said - I was concentrating too much on the hike."

They must have been pretty good answers, actually, because look where Adriana and Tim are now! Nice work, Tim!

Thanks you two. I can't wait for your upcoming wedding!

Judy and John Engaged

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Sun, 02 May 2010 23:27:00 +0000

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

which is

...wow.

When I met these two, I knew we were going to have an amazing session.

And when told me they were interested in doing their engagement photos in an industrial area, I knew just the place.

I could not be more pleased with what we created.

Congratulations Judy and John. Here's to a love beautiful and eternal.

JK Life Stories nominated for BayList Best!

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:44:00 +0000

Wow - it's been such an awesome year so far for JK Life Stories. As many of you know, in January, JK Life Stories received a Bride's Choice Award from WeddingWire. Now, I've been nominated as a contender for the best wedding photographer on the Best of the BayList!

If you think JK Life Stories deserves to be named the best wedding photography get-up in the Bay Area, please help me win!

Simply click on the banner above, or on this link:
http://baylist.sfgate.com/jk-life-stories/biz/141426
And click the vote button!

(They will ask you for your name and email, but it’s quick and easy!)

Thanks in advance for all of your support!

Kim and Carl's Wedding, Meadowood

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Now that you've had a chance to hear Kim and Carl's amazing love story, I hope that you will appreciate these photos of their gorgeous wedding even more.

First, Kim, looking just as spectacular as she did in that magenta taffeta prom dress in 1982 (and, amazingly, hardly a day older!)

Kim taking one last moment to review the vows she wrote for Carl.

Kim's amazing bouquet of blue roses, created by Cristina Cejuda.

If you've ever spent time with Kim and Carl, you know that this is exactly the way they gaze into each other's eyes all the time.

Twenty-eight years (!!) after they fell in love and Kim predicted their marriage in her teenage diary, Kim and Carl finally tie the knot.

True romance.

Kim and Carl: meant to be.

Location: Meadowood

Flowers: Cristina Cejuda

DJ: Starsounds Productions

Do You Believe in True Love?

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:05:00 +0000

I promised you a great love story, and here it is. It debuted on the big screen at Kim and Carl's wedding two weeks ago.

To view, make sure the sound on your computer is on, then press the play button at lower left.

The direct link, if you have any trouble, is:
http://www.jklifestories.com/KCLoveStory/

Stay tuned for the teasers from their breathtaking wedding.

On the Homefront

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:26:00 +0000

Life is sweet :)

Janey and Jason Engaged

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:06:00 +0000

I first had the pleasure of meeting and photographing Janey when she was a bridesmaid in a beautiful wedding I photographed last fall.

When I found out she was planning her own wedding and wanted me to photograph it, I was delighted. Not only are Janey and her fiance Jason super photogenic, they are super nice.

The three of us spent a gorgeous afternoon in San Francisco recently and captured these and other amazing photographs.

This one holds particular significance, as Janey and Jason used to live on Lyon Street.

These bridge photos were based on an image Janey had long dreamed of, and that we set out to capture. We plan to do even more on the wedding day.

Their wedding, at the beautiful Golden Gate Club , is just around the corner so stay tuned for more amazing pix. Congratulations Janey and Jason - I am so excited!

One Amazing Love Story

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:10:00 +0000

Last year I got a call from Kim and Carl, an amazing couple with an amazing story.

They got engaged last year after a year of dizzying love set amongst sunlit vineyards and French chateaus.

But that's not even the half of it.

They had met before - 27 years earlier. In fact, they'd done more than just meet - at ages 15 and 17, while students at the same Maryland high school, they had fallen in love.

Their connection was so powerful that Kim had actually written in her diary:

Over the past months, I've spent time interviewing and photographing Kim and Carl and weaving together the keepsakes they've lovingly kept for decades into a mini-documentary film that will debut at their wine country wedding later this month.

I find their story so poignant and moving, that I haven't been able to work on it without grinning from ear to ear. I am so excited and honored to get to watch (and photograph) them walking down the aisle.

I'll be posting an excerpt from the documentary here next month, and promise you will be just as moved as I am.

Stay tuned for their story and their wedding photos, arriving on the blog sometime in April.

Bliss

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:08:00 +0000

Need I say more? :)

Can't see this post? Try clicking: www.jklifestories.blogspot.com

Announcing

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 02:39:00 +0000

Teagan Pearl Kelly, born 2/10/10, 7 pounds 7 ounces, 19 3/4 inches

We've never been happier. Blessings from our family to yours.

Val and Zack's Wedding, Hotel Kabuki

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Valerie and Zack had an amazing wedding on January 17th at the Hotel Kabuki.

Like any extraordinary wedding, this one began with an extraordinary couple. Above and below: Valerie.

Below: Zachary. Photograph by the amazing Lori Paladino.

Val and Zack had a traditional Jewish wedding, that began with kabbalat panim, - "welcoming of the faces." Bride and groom remain separate, and spend time greeting their guests.

Valerie, on the traditional throne, greets and blesses one of her friends. (above)

Meanwhile, (above), Zack was at his own reception, presided over by two rabbis.

Valerie and Zack under the huppah.

After the ceremony, it was time to celebrate!

I love this photograph of Valerie and her dad.

We stole away for a few quick portraits.

But made it back in time for the cake cutting.

I loved this wedding so very much. Thanks, Val and Zack, for giving me the honor of being a part of it.

Location: Hotel Kabuki
Hair: Jewel, Hair Deux
Makeup: Angela & Sofia, Dior Cosmetics at SF Bloomingdale's
Florist: Grandiflora
Ceremony band: Kugelplex
Dinner and Dancing band: Marianne Kent & Bay Society
Videographers: Slava Basovich and Louis Ekrem for Well-Spun Weddings
Lighting: Jeff Howard, Corporate Audio/Visual

Can't see this post? Try clicking: www.jklifestories.blogspot.com

Something I've Been Meaning to Tell You

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 07:38:00 +0000

On June 2nd, I wrote a letter. It began: "Today just might be the first day of our life together - the first day I've known about you at least. I've been sharing this secret with you know for about seven hours. No one else knows."

I went on to write about all of the people who were in for a big, beautiful surprise, and to talk about what I'd done that day, the day I found out.

The letter ended: "Will you stay with us? Will you be our child? I can't wait to find out. Love, your (maybe) mother."

I didn't realize how precarious it would feel, especially in the beginning, and even now, so many months later. I meant to tell you earlier, a thousand times. But, for whatever reason, I never did.

Now, with "Peanut"'s due date one week away, I've come to realize that, even if all goes well as I so hope and trust it will, it will probably always feel this way. Delicate, precious in a way that's almost painful.

In any case, I figured I'd better tell you now, so you understand what's going on if and when I suddenly start posting an inordinate number of images of one particular person here.

Many people have asked me: who has been documenting your pregnancy? The answer: me, with the help of a few good friends and family members.

Above are a few photographs I took myself. Below is a photograph taken by the immensely talented Sarah Linda Gossett-Raderman, at 37 weeks.

And, below, a photo taken of me by the amazing Lori Paladino, who was a godsend in helping me shoot Val and Zack's wedding, also at 37 weeks. (Stay tuned for some amazing images from their wedding in the next post.)

This is, perhaps, another reason why I haven't blogged about this part of my life more (okay, at all). JK Life Stories has been busier than ever, and has a packed 2010 coming up ahead. Stay tuned for some amazing photographs and stories. Including, perhaps, a few of my own.

Can't see this post? Try clicking: http://www.jklifestories.blogspot.com

Come See Me at The Claremont Sunday!

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:03:00 +0000

This Sunday - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. I even have two free tickets - let me know if you want dibs!

More info here

Hope to see you there!

JK Life Stories wins 2010 Bride's Choice Award!

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:08:00 +0000

So exciting! I just found out today that WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced JK Life Stories has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for photography! The WeddingWire Network includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings.

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

JK Life Stories is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

Thanks so much to my past newlyweds for nominating me for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™!

Come See Me at The Four Seasons

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 06:46:00 +0000

I am so excited to get to be a part of one of the most elegant fairs of the season - the San Francisco Wedding Fair, which takes place this Sunday, January 10, at The Four Seasons Hotel.

Billed as "California's most unique and elegant wedding experience," the event features more than 75 exhibits showcasing the elite of Bay Area wedding professionals. Whether you're a soon-to-be bride or not, come spend a day nibbling hors d'oeuvres created by world-class chefs, sipping premiere champagne from chilled flutes, and seeing masterful bridal creations of all sorts! More information at:

http://www.sfweddingfair.com/

Additionally, 7x7 just did a cool article about the fair yesterday, which you can see here

Hope to see you there!

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Becky and Tosh's Engagement Session

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:51:00 +0000

Meet Becky and Tosh. They are getting married this summer, and I can't wait to photograph their wedding.

We had a whirlwind engagement session together last month, traipsing around from place to place

and getting a zillion great photos.

At first meeting, Becky and Tosh struck me as amiable and serene. I was delighted during our session, though, to catch a few glances of their silly sides.

How delightful are they?!

Becky and Tosh, I'm so glad to be working with you both. I can't wait for your wedding this summer!

Can't see this post? Try clicking www.jklifestories.blogspot.com

Laura and Scott's Engagement Session

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:44:00 +0000

I was so excited for this engagement session with Laura and Scott. And, they didn't disappoint :)

I knew from the first time I met them that Laura's red hair and cobalt eyes, combined with Scott's zenlike aura, and the easy relationship between them would make for a wonderful photography experience.

And, it did. It seemed like everywhere we turned, there was another gorgeous photo op - and the same gorgeous couple . . .

in the autumn leaves;

in the creek;

and, yes, even over the hot coal receptacle :)

Thanks Laura and Scott. You're a pleasure to work with, and I am so honored and excited to photograph your wedding this summer.

Can't see this post? Try clicking http://www.jklifestories.blogspot.com

Amber and Marc's Wedding, Palmdale Estates

noreply@blogger.com (JK Life Stories) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:34:00 +0000

I had so much fun at Amber and Marc's wedding.

As I mentioned in my earlier post about Marc and Amber's engagement session, these two are deeply fun-loving, and that spirit pervaded the entire wedding.

It didn't hurt that the light on their wedding day was perfect

or that they got married at the gorgeous Palmdale Estates.

The day was full of brightness and color

and the wedding details they chose were adorable.

The dancing was deep-down fun, a celebratory end to a thoroughly joyful day. Congratulations Amber and Marc - I can't wait to get your photo album to you.

Location: Palmdale Estates
Florist: Flower Bowl and Donna Kendall

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