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. Golden Gate park 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.

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!

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.