Millie have always had the adventurous spirit. One that she nurtured in order to live life to it’s fullest. She once drove across the United States on such an adventure after all. I should have known this as the first time I met Millie many years ago, it was on a camping trip in the Sierra. You know, the kind with tents that can be visited by bears in the middle of the night. So it’s fitting that in James, she has a partner that both complements her zest for life and allow her to do just that, live life to the fullest.

It was a beautiful blue skies day when we arrived at Jack London Square on the Oakland waterfront. A perfect day for a nautical themed wedding across the harbor. It is appropriately themed as James have been working hard on their yacht, getting it ship shape for their eventual journey together, first to Mexico and then eventually around the world.

Ham and I found the Waterfront hotel just as Millie was arriving, so we practiced our ninja style, stealth photography without being detected. It’s a requirement for all photojournalistic photographer.

Some lovely details on the wedding gown. Sparkling like the stars themselves.

Striking a quick pose on the way to the lobby.

The decor of the lobby was dressed to have a nautical feel. But Millie dresses it up even better.

Millie – you look absolutely radiant!

Some personal details as we waited for the wedding to start.

I love capturing the groom as he gets a good look at his wife to be. The look on James’ face says it all.

One of my favorite moments just after the ceremony. A shared moment of joy and elation.

Just married…with the bling to prove it.

I love this series.

James made a slideshow for Millie and their guest and I just love this moment as Millie turns around to take in the happy expressions all across the room.

One of the reasons we stay until the very end. You get to capture endearing moments like these that you wouldn’t have otherwise.

The wedding guest were rocking the room, literally. While we were downstairs to get the ring shot, we felt the ceiling thumping along with the beat. And there were some serious dancers in the crowd. Check out the compilation below and the slideshow for some serious moves. So fun!

Millie and James – We wish you bon voyage on your life together as husband and wife. May you find the beautiful blue skies like you did on your wedding day and smooth sailing on all your adventures. We look forward to getting some postcards from the different countries you guys will experience together. Enjoy the recap of your wedding day and the slideshow below.

For their engagement, Josephine and Robert made the trek down to San Diego to revisit the place where the two met. For their beautiful garden wedding, I returned the favor by flying up to Fremont to document the two say I do. The grounds of the Palmdale Estates was just perfect for the wedding. It’s picturesque gardens lined with native California trees made for a perfect backdrop as well as provided shade on the wedding day.

Let’s start off with some details…

Taking advantage of the Tudor mansion on the grounds of the estate for a detail shot of the veil and wedding gown.

The gals and mom helping Josephine put on the final touches…

All my brides looks absolutely gorgeous. I have decided that my good luck and charm must be responsible for  attracting them as clients.

One more peek at the gorgeous and happy bride to be.

Gentlemen reading this and planning on a Chinese style wedding. Bribing your way in with cold hard cash works every time. Here’s Roberto working hard to get in to see his bride.

At one point, breaking into a song and dance routine reminiscent of the Backstreet Boys.

Josephine elegantly awaits on her man to break through the barrier that is preventing his entry.

I always love seeing wedding traditions play out at each wedding. It’s such an important part of our respective cultures. Tea Ceremonies…

Tea ceremony at the groom’s home with a more traditional Chinese dress. I love all the intricate details and embroidery.

The sun was out in full force for the ceremony. The surrounding trees putting the “palm” in Palmdale Estate.

Can it get any more perfect that this setting?

And while the ceremony was going on, I spied the flower girl through the bushes on an adjacent garden having a wonderful time while nobody is looking. Well, nobody except me.

This little ring bearer took a liking to me all day. I guess I attract gorgeous brides and cute, adorable children.

Putting some restraint on the little man. Little Addison made me miss my two boys all the more while away on wedding trips.

The bride with her brides maid and maid of honor. Sizzling!

Some bridal details…

Classic, timeless portraiture.

The day was hot, but it was worth coming to the adjacent garden for a different backdrop. We work quickly so our couples doesn’t melt and be able to enjoy their day.

A more dramatic shot of the bridal bouquet and rings.

Josephine and Roberto – thanks so much for entrusting us with documenting your day. It was so beautiful to witness an alumni of my alma mater wed and begin a new chapter of their life. Ham and I wish the best for you guys and have fun at your banquet in Hong Kong later this year.

I love my job. And I have to admit, sometimes when on a shoot…I forget that I am working. Especially when I am offered something as delectable as a cupcake from Kara’s Cupcakes. In my defense though, how could I possibly hit the shutter button while my fingers are still in my mouth, licking off the chocolatty frosting from my fingers?

We met Pham and Albert in the shopping and dining district near Crissy Fields in San Francisco. After enjoying some of the best cup cakes I have ever had in my life, we head over to Golden Gate park so I can start actually do my job. Crissy Fields is such an eclectic oasis on the metropolitian pennisula that is San Francisco. There are stadiums and baseball fields to lakes and museums. With flower gardens and Japanese tea garden to mini forest and passes. And that’s only describing a quarter of the park’s offering. On any given weekend, you can find artist and musical talents in the music concourse where we officially began our session.

Heaven in a cup.

Albert seems to agree with me.

Love tree covered paths like these. Without even closing your eyes, you can imagine you are not in the city anymore.

Pham, you look fabulous! The picture speaks for itself.

Striking a “Hero” pose in front of the portapotty? Why not? Actually a funny story…as we walked back to the car, we saw this series of portapotty. Pham said it would befitting for Albert to get a shot in front of them as he is constantly making trips to the restroom. Looking back at this photo, Albert almost looks like he has his Clark Kent disguise on. I wonder what type of super hero power Albert is gifted with?

An outfit change, clear skies and golden sunlight makes for a great photo with the famous Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop.

Add the ocean breeze for a dynamic photo.

A curious stranger drops by for a visit.

While I was capturing these great moments…

Ham was able to capture this awesome vantage and moment from his view.

I love it when my couples have fun during their session. This is always our goal and the photos really make themselves.

A photo op in front of the car. Love the light rays filtering through the structure.

One more outfit change and taking a chance. You guys look fantastic!

Pham’s sweet talks paid off and we were grant access for some quick photos in the Apple Store. I would dare to say Apple products may be Albert’s first love…well, second now that Pham’s in the picture. Let’s just say, you bring those two loves together and there were a whole lotta kissing going around.

Pham and Albert – We love talking and hanging out with you guys simply from the moment we first met you guys over coffee. Your personalities complements each other like butterscotch frosting on top of a deliciously moist cupcake. Thanks so much for introducing me to my new obsession and angst. No Kara’s cupcakes in San Diego. We can’t wait to kick off the new year with your wedding. Until then, enjoy the slideshow and we’ll talk soon.

It is one of the only times I can recall visiting San Francisco in the early morning without being greeted by traffic or fog. The sun beamed brightly against the blue sky and the air wonderfully cool. These signs points to the start of a beautiful wedding day that takes us from the city proper, over the bridge and into the scenic valley of Sonoma county.

Bill met Pam while she was on a conference trip to Washington, DC. Their east coast meeting and the numerous trips between the two coast culminated in a west coast style, sun-kissed wedding at Cornerstone Gardens. Keeping alive the notion that the “best things happen in two,” this garden wedding is their second, with the first being a civil ceremony.

Following the wedding, Pam and Bill wined and dined their guest, following the meal with dancing and a delightful spread of dessert that would bust any diet and automatically add extra pounds if one’s eyes happen to feast on them for too long. Of course, a second east coast reception is already planned and they will be joining their east coast friends to celebrate their happy marriage next week.

Pam and Bill – you guys know how to throw a party and keep everyone happy and fed. You guys kept things relaxed and allowed us to capture that nature with relaxed portraitures. We love how you named all the tables after the location of all your favorite eats, saving the name of “our kitchen” for the bride and groom table. We wish you the best trip back east and only wish we could be there as well.

A conga line back down the aisle? Heck yea!

Yummy golden light…

And even the night sky was just as yummy.

Smorgasbord of good eats…Yum!

And the last shot of the night featuring the the Cornerstone Garden tree that was brought back to life as an art piece.

Enjoy the slideshow!

We continue to be bless in working with wonderful clients during one of the happiest times in their life. But once in a while, a couple comes along who are after our own heart. Those who knows me know that I was gifted with a high metabolism and insatiable tastebuds that desire to sample all the good eats in the world. A perfect duo of traits that complements each other really well.

When Pam first outlined her idea for an engagement day theme centered around old “haunts.” I didn’t know what to make of it. I knew there were a few places around San Francisco that was said to be haunted. Ok, I suppose being out of our comfort zone is a good thing. We like to capture our couple’s fun, interaction and love in and around greenery, urban-scape and golden light so yummy, one can almost taste it. Throw a couple of ghost in there, we can handle that. However, when we met at Pam and Bill’s west coast residence in San Francisco and learn that their definition of old hunts are all their favorite places to dine and hang out at, I knew these are my kind of clients.

We emerged out of the typical bay marine layer to glorious sunshine in the Mission District. I would take that as a good foreshadow of what’s to come as we arrive at Tartine before the usual rush and then later head over to the waterfront to enjoy some of Hog Island Co’s amazing oyster. Between the eating and the chatting, we got to watched two people who grew up on different coast enjoy the best thing of all, being together.

Pam and Bill – You say the best things happen in two and your story of how your relationship buds with the help of two mutual friends, two day dates and across two different coast is just amazing to hear. To keep the good time rolling, we can’t wait till these two photographers are able to meet up with you guys for your wedding and our second visit to Cornerstone later this month.

Sample of the colors of the Mission District.

We saw this bamboo grove earlier and glad we were able to find it again. Made for a fun session and nice contrast with the reds of their clothing.

San Francisco city is different than NYC…but I wanted to get a little of the vibe of east coast meets west coast in this series of shot in the alley way we found.

Chasing the setting sun, we head over to the sand dunes of Ocean Beach. Coincidently, we have a Ocean Beach here in San Diego too, but they look nothing alike.

Some of my favorites series of shots of the day. This is what I mean by yummy light so gorgeous you can taste it. Colors just pop and photos looks great out of the camera. How lucky they are to live only blocks away from this.

Definitely a different coast huh Bill. West coast’s soft golden light and the sun sets into the water for great view and perfect way to relax and cozy up with one another.

One of the first things Bill mention to me is during their research of photographers and coming across our work, a song I had used in one of my slideshow seem to have followed them around. I say it subliminal marketing and intentional. So I figure it befitting to use an alternate version in their engagement slideshow. Click below and enjoy!

While Melissa and Herman’s engagement session in San Francisco was met with cloudy skies and a cold wind, their wedding day was a stark contrast to that. The sun seem to cast it’s warm ray the entire day, with perfect lighting that any photographer would be thankful for. The historic Hayes Mansion beamed brightly against the clear blue sky, begging to be photograph. But it was the smile, joy and laughter on the faces of all the guest and family that outshone the sun and was more beautiful to behold than the mansion itself.

Melissa and Herman – what a wonderful and beautiful wedding. You guys managed to keep the atmosphere relaxed and joyful, even when squeezing in a tea ceremony after the wedding. To be able to witness all your love ones crowd into a small room to bestow their gifts and well wishes upon your happy union confirms that you are both surrounded by love through and through. Thank you for allowing us the honor to witness and capture all that. Enjoy your photos and slideshow.

How much more meaningful and awesome to find that Melissa’s mom created this beautiful gown for Melissa?

Love incorporating the antique radiator heater  into the bouquet shot.

Not sure what the guys were thinking when Ham had them climb the narrow fire escape for this photo op.

But it looks like Herman and the guys can have fun anywhere.

Melissa spying on her man as he got into position for their first look. Love the expression of Herman’s sister while holding back the curtain for a better look.

I am pretty certain by Herman’s expression, that it was one powerfully, satisfying kiss.

Beautiful tea ceremony following the wedding.

Herman’s sister made a wonderful documentary video for the couple. I wish I could have stopped and watched it with them as it was so funny and well done. But then I wouldn’t have been able to capture moments like these of Melissa and Herman as they enjoy the video.

Love these moments of their first dance.

We snuck the couple out for a few shots parting shots in the mansion and the grounds outside.

When your couple spontaneously start dancing, all your technical training pays off to capture images like this in the dark.

Grace and Walter – We hope you two enjoy this slideshow as much as we did making it. I will admit that I have the most difficult time coming up with current trending songs that will fit with our style of imagery and the feel of emotion behind each moment captured. This one needed four. Please enjoy!

The forecast calls for rain and rain it did came. But the weather did not put a dampener on the joy and love Grace and Walter has for one another. With friends and family coming from near and as far as Korea, Walter the golf instructor married his ‘whole in one’ where else but at a golf country club.

Grace and Walter – It is such a blessing to be able to witness your warmth and happiness surrounded by your love ones. You guys laugh and cried and laugh lots more as you danced and party the night away. Even these many months later, I still find laughter in viewing your laughter. If that is a testament, I know you each will bring one another a lifetime of happiness with lots of laughter. And for those moments with tears, may Grace continue to be there to wipe them away.

Who needs sunshine when you can bring your own color with vibrant dresses like these. Red is my favorite bridesmaid dress color.

Grace looks so radiant.

The wedding gown is gorgeous hanging from the ceiling fan.

But it looks even better on Grace for sure!

Did I already say that Grace looks absolutely Radiant?

Sometimes bucking traditions is the way to go. Here the gals accompany Grace to meet with the groom before the wedding for their first look. Especially on days like this, it allow us to gather what little light there is for some beautiful photos.

The ladies look amazing.

The gents looks dashing and proper….

but boys will be boys, and proper is soon forgotten.

I love how careful the girls are as they help Grace get back inside before the heavy rain starts.

The rule is simple…a hole in one will get Walter and Grace to kiss.

We take a moment to give thanks to the men and women who courageously gave up their life for this country. We hope everyone is enjoying the long Memorial Day weekend as a result of the freedom and liberty they fought to preserve. Stay safe.

Flag at the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego.

For myself, one of the personal reward for a shoot well done is the resulting slideshow. What our couples purchase for reprints and enlargement or the photos that ultimately makes it into their wedding album are wholly up to them. But the slideshow is all me. The photos are all culled and edited. The hurdle of picking out the accompanying music is over. The work is over…and the fun begins.

I just love going over the photos and timing the fades, transitions just perfectly. It’s a labor of love but the story of the event start to unfurl with each picture to melody. It’s always the best feeling…(or cheese?)…when the moment and action in the photo matches up to the song’s lyric. I just love it.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoy watching Josephine and Robert’s slideshow as much as I did making it. We also sell iPod formatted version of the slideshow for carrying around in your iPhone or iPod Touch. It’s another perfect way to share your photos with friends and coworkers.