Monday, October 24, 2011

Erikka & Greg are engaged! - Bay Area Engagement and Wedding Photography

One of my joys is making clients feel comfortable and, well, happy.  I think that in our society today with everything being "EXTREEEEEEEEEEEME!!!!!!!!!!", people underestimate the power of being simply comfortable, and happy.  And this past weekend I truly felt as though I had the opportunity to make some people feel comfortable and happy.  Those people were Erikka and Greg.

I pulled up to the beach and Erikka was bouncing around, a little nervous, but mostly excited as she told me.  It cracks me up to see people giddy with excitement.  But I can't honestly take full credit for her excitement, because it instantaneously hit me that while she was excited to have a little part of her life documented photographically, that it was Greg who had her all excited and giddy.  And the love and joy and playfulness between these two is all too obvious.  I mean, just look at the photos!

Congratulations to both of you, Erikka and Greg. I already love you both, and cannot wait for you two to tie the knot in February!
























Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Mark & Linda's Vow Renewal - Bay Area Wedding Photography

It's tough to say which wedding or commitment ceremony was the most important for me this year.  So I'll just make it easy on myself and go by the numbers.  29 years kinda' trumps everything else.  A first commitment of a wedding day is the very start of the future for two lovebirds, and that has its own special place.  But a 29th wedding anniversary and a vow renewal speaks to the level of commitment that a couple shares with each other, and the hardships they have endured already.  And in that case... well, 29 years wins.

I grew up with Linda and Mark Clark.  In fact, I've known Linda, Mark, and their four beautiful daughters, Natalie, Amanda, Raven, and Tessa for probably 20 years - maybe longer.

Bearing witness to a couple who has achieved the near 30-year place in their marriage is not only a rarity, but something to be treasured; treasured by those close to you.  And the ceremony was small and truly intimate.  As Linda told me, "Every single person here has played a huge role in our marriage over the past 29 years.  They all have a special place in our hearts, and that's how we wanted it."  And upon asking if they'll be exchanging rings at their renewal ceremony, Linda told me, "We have our rings, but we decided to exchange watches.  We wanted to give each other a gift that was timeless."  How cool is that?  I don't think I could have planned it any better myself.

A huge thank you to the Clark family for allowing me to hang out with them for a few hours and spend this special time with them.  Being witness to such an amazing time in your lives was a true blessing, and showed me what I have to look forward to with my wife in another 26 years.