Oakland Yacht Club Wedding of Millie and James

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.

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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.

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

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Striking a quick pose on the way to the lobby.

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

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Millie – you look absolutely radiant!

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

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

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

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Just married…with the bling to prove it.

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I love this series.

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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.

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

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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!

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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.

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Adrienne Gunde: Beautiful! I love all the dreamy portraits & that genius ring shot. Happy to have met you at WPPI! :) (03.30.10 6:50 pm)
Tana H: These are beautiful!! Great job! (03.23.10 7:20 pm)
sarah k chen: some really beautiful images you guys! i especially love that light blue wall and the portrait with the sailboats in the bg. so dreamy! so glad we finally got to meet! (03.14.10 10:21 am)
Millie: I love this slideshow so much… great music, too! (01.12.10 6:53 pm)

San Francisco Engagement of Pham and Albert

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.

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Heaven in a cup.

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Albert seems to agree with me.

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

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

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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?

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

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Add the ocean breeze for a dynamic photo.

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A curious stranger drops by for a visit.

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While I was capturing these great moments…

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

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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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isabelle Stephan: Great memories with wonderful, beautiful pictures ! Well done ! Super great photographer. I keep his number. (11.13.09 2:59 pm)
Alexander Leung: Wow! Some of the pics should belong in poster store! (11.12.09 7:54 pm)
Albert: We had a blast! Thanks for the great shots. (11.12.09 7:28 pm)
Pham: Wowsers…The pics look great! Thanks David and Ham. (11.12.09 3:54 pm)
Ramona: :) The pics look great! (11.12.09 1:51 pm)

Cornerstone Gardens Wedding of Pamela and Bill

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.

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A conga line back down the aisle? Heck yea!

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Yummy golden light…

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And even the night sky was just as yummy.

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Smorgasbord of good eats…Yum!

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

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Enjoy the slideshow!

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Irene: Thank you for sharing your photos. I love all the vivid colors and beautiful movement. The photos truly capture all of the wonderful moments of your wedding beautifully. (11.13.09 5:06 pm)
Patrick and Liz: Beautiful photos! They definitely capture the type of couple you guys are- fun and relaxed. :-) Thank you for sharing your special day with us. (11.13.09 2:40 pm)
Marlena: Absolutely enchanting! Could not help but smile as I watched. With love, Marlena (10.06.09 1:08 pm)
Fojan, John and Kian: Great photos, it was a beautiful wedding. You both look great in the phtos and most of all you both look very happy ;-) Thank you for sharing your big day with us. (10.05.09 10:49 pm)
Denny Vath: WOW!!!! Luv the photo’s. (10.05.09 11:01 am)
Bill & Pam: Seeing the slideshow made us feel like we were reliving our special day. Thank you for preserving the moment forever. We really enjoyed working with you and wish we can take you along with us to NY. You guys never fail to impress us with your creativity and vision. (10.03.09 8:41 pm)