Engagements: Rob & Mary

I first met Rob and Mary a couple of months ago for the first time at a Cafe in SOMA. I remember leaving that cafe and having a huge smile on my face because I could really feel their excitement. About their wedding, about meeting with me, about each other. I LOVED IT! I secretly wished that they'd book me, and I'm so lucky because they did!

Fast forward to the first weekend of April, we spent the afternoon in San Francisco taking shot after engagement shot. Laughing, telling stories, and me saying, "Rob, look over here." ;) I was nervous because it had been raining the days before their shoot, but because they're awesome...the sun was out and about that Saturday afternoon :)

Rob and Mary, there is something about the two of you that I really love. Maybe its the quiet love, or how relaxed and chill the two of you are. Maybe it's that Rob looks all around during photos, or maybe it's Mary saying "Rob, we're taking pictures" (hahahah) Whatever it is, I think you two are wonderful. So here they are, the photos we spent taking around the city. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Xoxo

Below are some of my favorites

Enjoy!

My most favoritest

Look at Rob rockin his cool hat

Rob and Mary practice smizing at home. Can't you tell? Ok they don't, I'm just jealous that they're so good at it ;)

Thank you Rob for looking at me and not at the abandoned backpack

Always admiring his love

To see more, click here for a slideshow

JOIE

When I started my internship, I had a desk and drawer filled with goodies. Lots of post its in different colors, lots of pens, lots of pins, lots of pencils, lots of office goodies that made my heart skip a beat because I'm a nerd. There was also a stack of cards that stated the following...

WEAR AN OLD PAIR OF JEANS. TAKE A WALK ON THE BEACH. BUY SOME FRESH FLOWERS. TREAT YOURSELF TO SOMETHING SWEET. ENJOY THE SUNRISE. PAY THE BRIDGE TOLL FOR THE CAR BEHIND YOURS. GIVE UP YOUR SEAT ON THE BUS. TAKE A BUBBLE BATH. SMILE MORE. RIDE A CABLE CAR. CONTACT AN OLD FRIEND. TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH HE OR SHE MEANS TO YOU. CREATE JOY. - joy of life club, joie de vivre

I took one of these cards home and its currently on my desk. I read it every time. Every single time. Because it's the little things that make the world go round. And it's a good reminder to always create joy for ourselves, and to those around us. So go do it. Give Joy! Because lets face it, happiness is like a table covered with cupcakes. Who wouldn't want at least one bite? ;)

Photographs make me happy. Below is a sneak peak of the session I'm working on...

Enjoy!

Bringing it back to life.

I don't fly like paper, or get high like planes. But I have been, MIA. It's not because I don't want to blog, or I banned myself from the internet (that's just crazy!) but my life has been ummm...how do I put this properly. "Well, I don't have one."

Chris and I moved last weekend to a fabulous apartment in Nob Hill. AT&T couldn't come and install the internet until Thursday. I cried about it. Fa real. When Chris told me, I said "But how am I suppose to blog?" AT&T doesn't care and couldn't give us an earlier appointment. Trust me internet, I shook my head and fist.

But besides not having internet, my life consists of: Getting up, going to work, going to the gym, going home to unpack, and going to sleep. It's been like that since Monday and I've never felt so dead in my entire life. That's until Thursday. I sat in my office with an hour to go and a headache that made me want to cry to my Mom. But I sat there feeling the need to be alive. So I went home, I picked up my camera, and I cardioed (I know thats not a word, but whatever) myself up and down and up some more of the hills surrounding our neighborhood with my camera. It was the only moment this week that I did something I truly wanted to do. Something that made me smile. It made my heart happy like a little dancing leprachaun. I finally felt alive.

Below are some of the snapshots I took of our new neighborhood.

This is one of the reasons I love our new place. Our view from the rooftop.

I love the next series.

Left: Our Lobby

Center: Grace Cathedral (Just up the block)

Right: My favorite Hotel on California St., The Mark Hopkins

And this...this is one of my favorite street photos I've ever taken. This is Chinatown.

We've still got a lot of unpacking to do, but once it's all done I'll post photos of our new place. We have these big bay windows in our bedroom and living room that pours in the most amazing light.

But until then, I promise I will blog more. I look forward to March because it's my birthday month, engagement sessions, and a special shoot next Sunday. Then April begins my wedding season for this year! So much to look forward to!

Happy Saturday!

Engaged: Katie and AJ

She said she'd get in trouble because her boss thought she was messy. AJ threw paper clips at Katie's desk. That's where they met. At work. It was his way of flirting. He said, "I knew it was true love because she didn't rat me out." And true love is just what I saw when we spent some time in the city to photograph their love.

We originally scheduled their engagement session last year, but due to bad weather we had to re-schedule. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my first Saturday in 2010 photographing two people absolutely in love. The weather turned out to be beautiful, but I know that these two had everything to do with it ;)

I actually met Katie and AJ a couple of years ago. But it was for a brief moment. Who knew that years later, they'd choose me to be their photographer. During their engagement session, I fell in love. I fell in love with who they were as people, and as a couple. Everything about the way they looked at each other. The way AJ whispered into Katie's ears sending a huge smile on her face. The way they make each other laugh. Their chemistry. It's pure. It's real. It's true love.

Katie and AJ: I love you both! Fa real. I am SO excited that we have finally managed to somehow meet again and be in each other's lives. You guys make me laugh until my tummy hurts, and make me smile my big smiles. Thank you for spending the day with me, and I'm looking forward to it again in April! Xoxo

They make each other laugh so easily

Katie looked like this the entire day. I love her happiness.

My favorite from the session. Took them to the painted ladies, or better known as the Full House Houses. I knew I loved them when they got excited and love the show as much as I do. Yep. I'm a loud and proud Tanner Family lover.

Again, with the laughing

gorgeous lighting on the embarcadero

don't they just make you want to smile?

AJ, this one if for you! You're the star in this picture ;)

Cuteness overload!

hahahhaha. I love them.

I'm also in lurrvee with this shot.

Save the date

Click here for a slideshow

Happy Thursday!

Baby Bump: Sarah and James

Funny, down to earth, and in love. Absolutely, positively, unconditionally in love. Those are the three words that best describe Sarah and James to me, and I couldn't be more in love with who they are. In January, they are expecting their first child. And I was honored when they asked me to take their maternity photos.

They want to be surprised with the sex of the baby, but I think it's going to be a handsome little guy. I just know it. But if I'm wrong, then we know it will be a beautiful little girl! Which I hope they'll name Gladys ;) Jokes jokes! But I am just so excited for their baby to come into the world. Well, because he or she is going to be loved so much by Sarah and James. Seriously. When you are around Sarah and James, you'll want them to adopt you. They are just that great, and so full of love. I mean hello, they got me a latte before the session! Awesome with a capital A! Times 5.

Sarah and James: Thank you for letting me into your home to take these photographs. I think the world of you both. You truly will make wonderful parents, and I can't wait to meet your baby in the New Year. Enjoy these pictures! Xoxo

Baby Manual. I lurrrve it.

Can you believe this lighting? Perfection!

Best book ever!!!

have you seen a more beautiful bump?

I love this one, and I know it means a lot to Sarah

Ok, seriously. I am in love with couples who look at each other just like this.

My goal: To look this amazing when I'm pregnant. You're absolutely beautiful Sarah!

Click here for a slideshow :)