allana July 10th, 2008
Tucked away in the dense green of Scituate’s Egypt neighborhood, lives a little girl called Cassidy and her new baby sister Matilda.
Cassidy is, as did once the rest of us ‘big’ sisters and brothers, getting acclimated to the idea of having a baby around. Learning how to care for her, and to be gentle with her affections.
Sunday morning was a bit cold, and wet, so we stayed inside and played on the new blue couch and in the pretended to make Matilda and Dad breakfast in the play kitchen.
Cassidy is a sharp, and playful girl, with a delightful imagination. Dressed in her blue dress from her Oma, she posed with her patient little sister. Matilda wasn’t up for much picture making.
allana July 3rd, 2008
It’s been an interesting two weeks of visiting people, making portraits of old friends, new friends, and little children new to the world.
It is energizing to feel and see these things reflected in people I care about; to those people who struggled and worked for happiness, for success, for families, for life. Friends whose life paths are opening to something new, paths that are revealing themselvs in directions that a decade ago, two decades ago we might not have thought possible or probable. Paved with experience, disappointments, reverse directions, the best intentions.
Many friends whom are nearly a decade out of school, seeing their work, dreams, sidebars, all come together for them. The energies invested and the diligence put into programs, jobs, busniess, personal exploarions and relationships come to fruition. Seeing this makes everything seems worthwhile. Life affirming. a good gift of awareness to me, on the 2 year anniversary of such a life changing incident. A reminder.
My husband reminds me often. To enjoy life, to make our time here together count, to move with purpose through the world.
allana June 26th, 2008
As my mother quotes, there’s nothing so lovely as a day in June. Though my experience of the seasons is much more mild now that I live on the west coast, I can still appreciated these perfect weather days as compared to the cold winters of my youth, that are still etched deep in my bones.
And to spend such a June day with a dear friend and her adorable daughter, to delight in a New England summers day, to feel a buttery wind across the pond, to take respite in the the dappled light, to swim out into a pond and be on all sides surrounded by trees and blue skies, and to continue to savor the day in the mix of pond and sunscreen on my skin. It was wonderful.
All of this happened yesterday when I took off for Walden Pond with my close friend from college, Ilana Krepchin and her four month old daughter Molly, who due to her inherent smallness has earned the nickname ‘molecule’ from her cousin Rex.
Molly and I hung out at the water’s edge while her mom swam into the center of the pond and back out again. In her little sun-dress, Ilana bounced her around and dipped her toes in the water. I told her about the wonders of pond swimming, after all this is no doubt the pond in which she will learn to swim, and the summer spot where she will remember picnicking with her parents.
Big blue eyes, and with an occasional chirp into the conversation to remind us of her presence, she was an easy baby to photograph.
Here a some of my favorites from our mini-session at Walden Pond.
allana June 23rd, 2008
I first met Tristan when we briefly worked together, in the Education Department at the San Diego Museum of Art. She had moved to California from New York. I knew she was engaged, and was so flattered when she called last winter and asked me if I would photograph her wedding.
In an intimate ceremony overlooking the sun-drenched vineyards, Tristan and Brian said their vows on a Thursday afternoon at the Orfila Winery in Escondido.
Tristan and Brian wove thoughtful inclusions of their family into their wedding. The bride’s hand carved wedding band made to coordinate with Brian’s ring, which had been his grandfather’s. Cake topper from her grandmother’s wedding cake. Her mother, Rose, crafted a beautiful birdcage veil complete with a fabric flower made from a piece of the wedding dress.
Tristan’s favorite colors are red and turquoise, and the colors punctuated everything from the clusters of red roses, to the ring bearer’s pillow, to the table settings to the red velvet cake with turquoise icing. (Turquoise icing that somehow later ended up all over my pants).
And after the cake, Brian’s family set out a tray of cookies, almost like an Italian torta di biscotto di nozze, cookies that were stacked to make a tower. Absolutely amazing orange tinged dark chocolate over shortbread with a dollop of raspberry jam. Yum. I’d even say these were the best cookies I have ever had.
It was one of the lightest days of the year, close to the summer solstice. A good day to get married. The sun cast long shadows on the vineyards and they were still partying when I left the vineyard.
allana June 17th, 2008
I’m not sure I’ve ever met two people more ready to laugh and have a good time than Liz and Steve. They each have a big and incontestable enjoyment of life. It’s wonderful to be around that kind of joy. And, I can’t forget their collective sense of humor.
Together they invited their family and friends, from Boston, Ohio, and North Carolina, to join them in San Francisco to celebrate their wedding. Both ceremony and reception were held at the Golden Gate Club at the Presidio.
Their love was also in the details. From the new purse containing a surprise honeymoon trip to Kuai, his grandfather’s cufflinks, the assymetrical necklines of the bridesmaids’ dresses, the aroma of raspberry balsamic cupcakes, the SF neighborhood table cards, the color splashes in the coordinating bouquets and boutonnières, the pearl drop necklace that was forgotten and then retrieved, the Wall Street Journal that kept Dad occupied, and the continual toasting of BruichLaddich in coffee cups.
allana June 12th, 2008
Early on Saturday morning, our car climbed up into the Santa Cruz mountains and then wound down into the lush green estate, Nestldown.
Dominique and Jonathan were married in a magical little spot at the base of the redwood trees, nestled in the cool shade, along the water. Their ceremony was completed by a reading from Khalil Gibran.
The venue was lovely, and we were thrilled that the bride and groom took some time with me ham it up a little in the tiniest of all hedge mazes and pose in the accompanying miniature cottage, also known as Snow White’s Cabin. Inside the cabin, Jonathan jokingly offered an apple to his new wife.
Since these lovebirds met while still in high school, on the way to the banquet, we took a short detour to the very campus where they first met. Turned out it was SAT day, and so we tried not to be distracting to anyone who was embroiled in any dreadful Saturday testing.
Later, at Fu Lam Mum, a short tea ceremony was followed by a full Chinese banquet. Delicious! Once dinner was served, Dominique changed back into her white gown, and the DJ opened the dance floor to the guests with some Rolling Stones.
They are such a gentle, generous and loving couple.
Here are a few of our favorites from their wedding:
allana June 9th, 2008
Delightful and palpable love. Merrymaking and revelry all around. It was the Jonwyn wedding.
Bronwyn and Jon, wearing their hearts on the sleeves and joy on their faces, were married at Pomona College; the campus where they met as undergrads. Their love encompassed everyone in attendance. It was truly a celebration of two amazing people who, gathered with their family and friends, joined their lives together as partners in life’s adventures.
Cupcakes and catci adorned the ballroom, the bridesmaids carried parasols and green clutches, the bride’s bouquet featured succulents. They definitely made this one their own. Rocking their reception was DJ Jester aka-The Filipino Fist, who kept the party going with an amazingly eclectic mash up of songs I don’t hear at weddings.
At the end of the night, my husband whispered to me ’seeing these two so in love and happy is how I feel about you.’ How’s that for sharing the love?
Next up for the newlyweds: a move across the Pacific to their new lives as English teachers in Japan.
Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding.
allana May 26th, 2008
Eugene moved to Indiana from Singapore. Ambrose came from the Bay Area. They met in Indiana, in the IU music program, and were married on Saturday at Palmdale Estates in Fremont. Ambrose and Eugene apparently not only love each other, but also love limericks, which the wedding guests were encouraged to write and recite. I’m apparently not feeling clever enough to write this blog entry as a limerick, though.
Eugene’s family flew in from Singapore, and will host another celebration there with the extended family in July. That means Eugene and Ambrose get to holiday for several weeks, through Hawaii, Thailand and Singapore before they head back to Indiana. Sounds like an amazing honeymoon. I’m happy to share a few pictures from their wedding.
allana May 23rd, 2008
I was asked to create a graduation portrait for our neighbor and soon to be an SFSU alumn, Kai Pederson. Trent and I made use of his near empty house to set up a little studio. We tried to incorporate elements of his graduation, and his future plans. Kai’s dog Zoe is BFF with our dog. So when they return to New Mexico on Sunday, we are prepared to face some major puppy heartache.
This is one of my favorite portraits of Kai.
allana May 17th, 2008
I first met Liz & Steve at the Vermont wedding of Scott & Simone. Turned out they were newly engaged and lived in San Francisco. Liz & Steve invited me to come along with them as they applied for their marriage license at City Hall. San Francisco City Hall is a gorgeous interior space. During the lunch-hour we were there we saw a couple get married at the top of the steps (only the officient and the photographer present whom we assumed doubled as their witness); we saw several other couples come through the halls and file their own paperwork; some dallying and giddy, some efficient and business-like; and Liz was even asked to be an emergency witness for another couple who were in a frenzy to get married right then and there.
It was cool to be there to photograph the first legal document of their marriage.
A ladybug party was discovered in a bunch of greens at the Civic Center Farmer’s Market. Liz makes a wish.
Afterwards, Liz and Steve took me out to lunch at Tu Lan. It was, of course, fabulous.
We are very excited to photograph their wedding in June at the Presidio.
