ars magna studio - photography blog

wedding post card from - san francisco

allana — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:53:07 +0000

E pluribus unum – It was truly an American marriage, the twining of two adventurous souls, a celebration combining not only two people, but many families, cultures, traditions seamlessly, where the sum was substantially greater than its’ parts. Out of many, one.

The ceremony was held at the Swedenborgian church, an historic landmark here in San Francisco. The chapel is an intimate space made of handcrafted wooden pews, high windows bringing in streams of light, with the other walls bathed in candle light. Those congregated for the ceremony were sisters, brothers, friends from college, law school, childhood, nieces, nephews; all in attendance to witness and share an exchange of vows.

The bride and groom had issued invitations to close friends to read and sing at the service their thoughts, advice and poems on marriage and relationships. The groom sang a traditional African American spiritual in 4 part harmony with his siblings. All of this unified many voices into one communal voice in support and advocacy of their vows.

The couple later celebrated in true bay area foodie style, breaking bread at Greens in Fort Mason, enjoying a full vegetarian meal with featuring local produce and artisanal cheese, and ending with a chocolate laden desert bar. Everyone ate, and drank and visited to the mellow soundtrack of love songs, including a ‘make-out’ song to which the bride and groom disappeared around the corner for a bit of privacy.

Unfortunately, I am not able to share any images from last Sunday’s wedding, but it was a special day and a touching display of love, though I find it worthy of sharing a few words.

wedding post card from - sacramento

allana — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:53:03 +0000

It is a love story of destinations and divine intervention. From Ghana, to California, with a planned spontaneous (perhaps not an oxymoron) proposal in Scotland and a future life as scholars in Massachusetts, Jana and Nii found their way into each other’s arms.

The ceremony was officiated by the pastor who organized the church group where they met, became friends, and ultimately fell in love. Nii’s family and friends traveled from around the globe to Sacramento, to join Jana’s family and celebrate thier union. Two flower girls scattered petals along the aisle, making way for Jana who was walked down by her mother. Jana and Nii left the church in a patined red truck that was her father’s and took them from their petal exit to the reception.
An intimate reception was held at the vintage Capitol Plaza Ballroom, that kind of had an art-deco vibe. The dj spun American and African music, and the dance party that I was warned about began. Blend of families, traditions, cultures and most importantly love.

Later we snuck out from the reception to get some portraits in downtown Sacramento, with a side trip to Starbucks.

Here are a few images:

engagement portraits - Joanne & Hil

allana — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:04:26 +0000

I was immediately struck by what lovely people Joanne and Hil are. I had suggested dressing for a casual date, but they stepped it up, with a lovely crisp white sun dress for Joanne, and a cool vintage tie for Hil. They were both naturals in front of the camera, and had gone recon style on some location scouting missions the week before. These two have known each other for over a decade, which does explain their rapport, both on and off camera and that the sweet whispers between them seemed to be about laundry and Sunday house chore divisions. Their familiarity and comfort shows. Joanne confided in me that Hil is the more romantic of the two, and this is something she is working on. Though I am happy to report that it was Joanne who chose these gorgeous (and romantic) spots to enjoy this Sunday afternoon.

A few memorable moments from our afternoon in the gardens.

engagement portraits - Zoey & Scott

allana — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:04:31 +0000

We met up with Zoey and Scott at their apartment in Santa Monica. While we walked to the waterfront, they recounted the romantic story of their long distance courtship comprised of red eye cross country flights, and sporadic weekends together. We enjoyed the morning by the Santa Monica shoreline, under the veil of the marine layer. We photographed them in a beautiful organic sculpture, and in a rose garden, and even found a little courtyard of brick for an urban feel. Pretty much touched on a bit of everything.

Here are a few images from our morning stroll:

wedding post card from - San Diego

allana — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:59:39 +0000

Though they both went to school in San Diego, it wasn’t until after they left California that they met as colleagues in Arizona. Katie and Scott fell in love in Phoenix, and are soon to begin this new chapter of married life in Boulder, where Scott will begin an MBA program and Katie will start teaching.Taking advantage of their knowledge of San Diego, the couple organized a wonderful weekend for their out of town guests.Beginning with a Mexican dinner in Old Town, and festivities at the new Gaslamp Marriot, complete with views into Petco Park.

Pouring champagne in the limo to begin, the bridal party took the limo up to USD, Katie’s alma mater, and there we created some portraits on campus.

It was very simple ceremony, in the grand Don Room at El Cortez. Candles in glass votives lined the aisles, reflecting off the polished dark wood floors.
The Don Room was flipped for the reception, and the tables srrounded the dance floor. I even found out the Scott hand painted the numbered table centerpieces.
The bouquets of roses were a delicate porcelain pink, the bodice was hand beaded, and bridesmaid dresses were a lovely shade of dark grey to set off the pinks in the flowers.
After the ceremony, friend and family celebrated, danced, and toasted the couple throughout the night. It was a beautiful wedding, and wonderful to share the delight with Katie, Scott and their families.

the jonwyn experience - part three: after wedding shoot

allana — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:20:58 +0000

You’ve seen these two before, and now once again before they jet off for Japan. Taking a break from the packing of thier American life, Bronwyn and Jon shook out their wedding attire and met up with us in Echo Park for a little post wedding photo shoot. Where once they stood at a festival under an LA sky full of fireworks, this day was a sunny afternoon and the park was filled with families picnicking and absorbing the heat of the sun amongst the patches of grass. We returned to the site of the proposal.

Wishing them the best as they ready themselves to embark of their new (mis)adventures.

A few of our favorites from the park and further urban LA scenes.

wedding postcard from - Scituate, Massachusetts

allana — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:46:40 +0000

Margot, one of my dearest and oldest friends, owns a complete and unapologetic enthusiasm for life. Truly, and always, herself with a wonderfully timed dash of slapstick thrown in. As my friend, she has stood by me, as side by side we made our way through the trials of adolescence. School dances, sleep-overs, double dates, inevitable heartaches, and various teenage misadventures not to recounted here. Needless to say, my emotional connection to this wedding was immediate. And I am so thrilled and honored to have been chosen to document and witness (through my lens) the bliss of their wedding day.

Margot approaches everything with zeal, and her wedding was no exception. Matt, her new husband, seems to have every bit the humor and enjoyment of life that she does. Matt is a kind, wonderfully supportive partner to one of my dearest friends. I’m proud to have been a part of their marriage, and to be a part of the community of friends and family that were with them as they became partners in life.

They chose a Saturday in June; a beach house wedding in Scituate at Minot Beach. The ceremony held on the lawn between her family’s twin Victorian beach homes, and the respective back yards united under an enormous white tent. Beaming in delight, they said their vows with amazement and acknowledgement in their eyes.
Periwinkle-blue silk bridesmaids dresses, and a sash for the bride in the same color to accent the wedding gown, the
grromsmen dressed in classic New England navy blazers with creamy yellow ties and khakis. It was perfect summer’s afternoon wedding attire. The homes had been repainted and were in their coordinating displays of colors. Peonies sat in in glass jars at intervals alongside wicker chairs on the wrap-around porches. Baskets of sandals were thoughtfully set out for feet tired of dancing in party shoes. A sand strewn table of beach pebbles and starfish served for table cards.
Big familes on both sides alongside boisterous groups of friends from high school, college and work; everyone in attendance spent the rest of the evening celebrating. The men in the wedding party treated everyone to a loosely choreographed and joyously performed dance and pyramid formation to Mr. Roboto.

After the cake was served, the ice cream truck Margot had hired came up to the lawn, and the subsequent line of guests were ready to tuck into a choco taco or a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar. The guests were joined by a line of inquisitive and large eyed neighborhood children who were lured over by the jingle.

The party kept on after the band departed, with Matt’s ipod mix of classic rock and suddenly appeared trays of Fenway Franks and little bags of potato chips. The remaining party goers, at the end of the night, in exhaustion and contentment, sat on the porches enveloped in the cooling fog drifting over the shore.

Yes, perhaps I am waxing on and this is a kind of love letter to Margot and Matt.

Here are a few of the many favorites from the day.

portrait - baby boy Silvestro

allana — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:07:55 +0000

Since meeting Lisa and Mike, and photographing their wedding in Glendale two summers ago, I have been sporadically following the hilarity and adventures through pregnancy in their family blog. Mike was so content in being a Dad, holding his son Vince in one arm, highlighting the difference in their sizes. Parenthood definitely suits them.

portrait - E. Lang & R. Harris

allana — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:32:10 +0000

Still acting like newlyweds, though 9 years in, and newly grandparents to an adorable baby girl, Elizabeth and Rick invited me over to make a few portraits of them together. Their home, a wonderful embodiment of their life work - building and playing with structure, color, texture, and form - is an amazing space to visit.

Elizabeth is a spinner, weaver and importantly a thinker, synthesizing her previous careers as psychologist and engineer into her current vocation as an artist. Rick, who Eliabeth jokingly refers to as her Pennsylvania Dutch Farmer, proudly hows me their collection of spinning wheels, their work in basket weaving, spinning and together they are working on a book on Mad Weave, a triaxial weacing technique that is usually done with caning, but they have begun creating with fabrics, papers and wood.

portrait - will rawls of dance gang

allana — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:48:10 +0000

In honor of his sponsored attendance at Vienna’s International Dance Festival, Impulstanz, and his guest blogging invitation to chronicle said dance festival, I came through New York to make some street portraits of Will James Rawls, of Dance Gang.

Much of Will’s work is site specific, a dialogue in movement with his surroundings. He exudes a playful energy, using his height and limbs to explore the environment. Last time I photographed Will, he had just finished four years at Williams, and was entertaining the idea of moving to New York City to become a dancer. Seeing him now, making his mark in the dance world, I am thrilled to witness his hard work turning that dream into reality.

Learn more about Will and his Dance Gang partner, featured here in this New York Times article.