San Francisco Photographer

Abisia Family at Perry Farms

January 28, 2012 By rebeca Leave a Comment

I met the Abisia family a few months back at Perry Farms in Hayward (about 30 miles south of San Francisco) and we had a great time. Perry farms is an awesome place for picking pumpkins, learning about frontier living and generally having a great time. In fact, my family is still enjoying the popcorn corn that we picked then. Pretty awesome to put the whole cob in the microwave and watch it pop. But we were there to take photos and it was great spot. Pumpkins, hay bales, trees and wagons made for a great session. Of course the Abisia’s were nothing but smiles and the photos came out great. Loved how playful everyone was and that energy came through in the photographs.

We ended up printing several large canvas’s for their home and those look awesome. Really love when my work makes a contribution to a family’s home.

Thanks again Abisia Family and I look forward to seeing you again.

Boy posing for a picture in the woods at Perry Farms

Brother and sister playing in the woods at Perry Farms

Family of four sitting on stacks of haybales in Perry's Pumpkin Patch

Family of four smiling at Perry's Pumpkin Patch

Family of four playing at Perry's Pumpkin Patch

Family posing on top of haybales in Perry's Pumpkin Patch

Little girl hugging tree trunk at Perry Farms

Little girl on dad's shoulders in the woods at Perry Farms

Mom hugging son at Perry's Pumpkin Patch

Mom hugging son in the woods at Perry Farms

Thoughtful boy posing in the woods at Perry Farms

Filed Under: Children/Families Tagged With: Perry Farms, San Francisco Family Photogapher, San Francisco Photographer, San Francisco Portrait Photographer

Shadow fun in San Franisco

January 28, 2012 By Joey Leave a Comment

Follow any of my family or engagement photography and you know that I love playing with shadows. My shadow proposal photo remains perhaps my most talked about photo. So I get a lot of requests for different shadow shots. But for anyone that has tried these types of shots, you know they aren’t easy. To get something that works, you have to have the right lighting, the right background and most importantly, the right people. And honestly, I’ve had little success trying to recreate that moment.

But light and shadows are always on my mind so I’m not surprised that I yelled “pull over quick” (almost causing an accident) while driving between locations while on an engagement session in San Francisco’s Mission district. Matthew and Emily looked at me with a little concern of course but they are a totally fun loving couple so they agreed without too much explanation. We ran over too the loading dock I had seen and played with the shadows that were there. Once they saw the light (pun intended), Matthew and Emily were the perfect subjects as we played with different positions and placements. Pretty happy with these shots especially with this first one. You can see how much fun they have together the love shows through even in black and white.

Have to love moments like that.

Shadow of man proposing to his girlfriend in San Francisco

Shadow of couple kissing in San Francisco

Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: Mission, San Francisco Engagement Photographer, San Francisco Photographer

San Francisco Smugmug User Group Call for Presentations in 2012

November 20, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

The San Francisco Smugmug User Group is putting out a call for speakers for our 2012 monthly speakers series:

The general topic for 2012 is Creativity and all that it encompasses. Possible topics include:

Expanding creativity through lighting, posing and personal projects
Building a business foundation that supports one’s creativity
Finding inspiration for creativity after being in business for a while
Collaborating with others photographers and vendors.
What are newbies missing about creativity and what are the old dogs missing about creativity?
Finding your own creativity without chasing every new fad

We are looking for people that can address these topics and other in an educational and entertaining way.

About the San Francisco Smugmug User Group

SF SMUG is a place for professional and amateur photographers to meet other photographers and hear talks from industry leaders. Currently the group has about a 1000 members and averages about 70-80 attendees at our monthly meetings. About 50% of the attendees are photographers that have both a photography business and a full or part-time job. The other half incudes full time professionals and amateurs. That ratio fluctuates depending on the speaker. Over all we are one of the most active photography groups in San Francisco and the Bay Area outside of the industry associations (and even with those we are getting close).

Our speaker series runs from January to October with the meetings always being held on the last Tuesday of the month in San Francisco. Meetings last from 6-9 with the speakers going from 7:05-8:30. Topics range from using flash and natural night, working with brides and clients, and creating strong business practices. About half of the speakers are wedding and portrait focused with the other half being a mixture of landscape, sports and fashion photography. We also bring in business experts to discuss marketing, contracts and search engine optimization. Past speakers have included Bambi Cantrell, Ed Pignol, Anna Kuperberg, Scott Robert Lim, Zach Prez and Brook Todd. The group has a 4.5 star rating on meetup.com and you can see our reviews here.

If you are interested in speaking, please send a short bio and course description and let us know why you would be great for our group. We really want people with something interesting to say so let us know why at this you. These presentations are not sales-oriented so while you are more then welcome to mention products and workshops at the end, the bulk of the presentation should be on the chosen topic. This is a great opportunity for anyone to get in front of a large, active group of photographers.

To submit your presentation or if you have questions, please email Joey Chandler at joey@jchandlerphotography.com. We are already a quarter booked for the year so don’t delay. All submissions will be kept on file and we’ll contact you if we choose your presentation. At this point we have no budget for travel so speakers have to cover those costs.

P.S. If you are wondering why this is posted here, I’ve been running the group fro the past two years – Joey

Filed Under: Photo Thoughts Tagged With: San Francisco Photographer, Smugmug

Surprise Engagement Photographs on the San Francisco to Sausalito Ferry

October 26, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

“Yes! Yes! Yes!”

Those words were said twice in the past week. The first time when Creighton called me to see if I would be interested in photographing him as he proposes to his girlfriend. I responded with the multiple “Yes’s” since this was something that I have been wanting to do for several years. I’ve done lots of engagement sessions in San Francisco but never an actual, in the moment, engagement session. Creighton’s plan was perfect. He told Julia that they were going on a hot date complete with a ferry ride from San Francisco to Sausalito and dinner at Caballa point. (Take note if you are ever planning to do a surprise photography session for a girlfriend or wife. Make sure you give her a reason to dress up – this was very smart on Creighton’s part.) Just as we were pulling out, I approached them as planned and pretended to be a boat photographer. I took their photo and as Julia started to pull away and walk towards the warmth of the cabin, Creighton pulled her in close and whispered something. I kept shooting as she went through a slew of emotions – confusion, surprise, excitement, glee – as Creighton talked to her and then got down on one knee. The boat crowd cheered as he slipped the ring on her finger and she said her “Yes’s”. So much fun. They called their family from the ferry and once we landed in Sausalito we walked around for a few more photos. All in all a very well executed plan and a great way to start their life together.

Well done Creighton and Congrats Julia. Can’t wait to see what plans you cook up for the wedding.

Couple on deck of a San Francisco ferry. He is leaning in to whisper something in her ear. The Ferry Building is behind them.

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Man on one knee on the deck of a San Francisco ferry boat with a ring in his hand, looking up at a woman who has a look of surprise and excitement on her face.

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San Francisco skyline in the background as, on the deck of a ferry boat, a man on bended knee is placing a ring on his fiancee's finger.

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With the ocean as a backdrop and her hair blowing in the wind, a woman kisses her fiance.

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Sitting on a metal bench on a ferry deck, a woman makes a call on her cell phone as her fiance looks on.

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Woman laughs as she talks on the phone on the deck of a ferry boat, while her fiance looks on.

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Walking down the gangplank of a ferry boat, a newly-engaged woman raises her arms in celebration with a look of excitement on her face, as her fiance looks on.

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With the San Francisco bay as a backdrop, a newly engaged couple hugs.

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Black and white photo of a newly engaged couple sitting on cement steps- she is sitting on his knee and he is lookking at her and smiling adoringly.

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Newly engaged woman stretches her arm out and extends her fingers to admire her engagement ring with a smile. Her fiance watches.

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In a narrow alley, a recently engaged couple kisses in celebration.

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Black and white photo of a recently engaged couple- he is smiling and she is leaning her head thoughfully on his shoulder. Their image is reflected by a metal surface opposite.

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In romantic lighting at night outside, a woman leans back and smiles as her fiance touches his forehead against hers.

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I love photographing people with interesting ideas. If that is you and you need an engagement or wedding photographer, please contact me. I would love to talk with you.

Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: San Francisco Engagement Photographer, San Francisco Photographer, San Francisco Portrait Photographer, san francisco wedding Photographer

Date Night Photography with Jocelyn and Glenn

October 26, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

Photography sessions in San Francisco always have a unique feel depending on the couple’s personality, where we are at, and of course the always interesting variable of the San Francisco weather. This session ended up being special because the location was great (Yerba Buena Gardens) and the fall sunshine made for perfect weather. The last aspect of the personality was determined by who was and wasn’t there. Jocelyn and Glenn have been married for 14 years and it was great to see the love and the playfulness between the two of them. And what made this session all the more was who wasn’t there – namely their two beautiful children. This was a Date Night Photosession and we were out on the town for a few photos before their reservations and a local steak house. But even after the 14 year span since their wedding, a doubling in size of their family, and a whole lot of pre-session gitters, they did awesome and we had a great time. I’ve always said photography sessions make for great dates (especially for parents) and this was proven true again. There were a few nervous laughs but we explored around the Contemporary Jewish Museum and started having fun. By the time we crossed Mission and went to the Yerba Buena Gardens they were holding hands a bit more tightly and I could see the romance through the camera (always love that). All in all it was a wonderful afternoon. The photos turned out wonderful and from what I hear the steak dinner was equally fabulous so all in all they had a very good date. Congrats Jocelyn and Glenn on not letting the day to day get in the way of having a great date.

Against a brick and cement wall, a couple smiles at each other from some distance apart, flirtingly.

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Couple smiling playfully as their bodies press agians each other.

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Witha tall building in the background leading up to blue sky and patchy clouds, a well-dressed couple looks at each other in a playful and loving way.

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In the imosing entrance of the brick facade of San Francisco's Jewish Museum, a well-dressed couple flirts.

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With a fountain behind them and leaning on a railing, a couple looks at each other with passion.

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Black and white close-up image of a husband and wife holding hands. She is wearing jewelry and a white jacket.

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With a big tree behind them, a couple sits on a park bench slightly apart, not looking at each other.

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Sitting on a park bench, a woman looks over at the man sitting beside her- he seems not to be responding.

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Well-dressed couple walks arm-in-arm through an arboretum. She is smiling and he is lookng at her adoringly.

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A woman smiles at the camera, arms out-stretched, as her husband looks at her from close behind, mimicking her position.

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A black and white photo of a man and woman from the waist down leaning against a wall. He elans into her as she lifts her high-heel slightly.

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If you want a date that goes beyond dinner and a movie, call me to set up a Date Night Session.

Filed Under: Children/Families, Engagement/Couples Tagged With: San Francisco Family Photographer, San Francisco Photographer, San Francisco Portrait Photographer

Photos for a New San Francisco Family

October 26, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

I met the Mayer Family at their San Francisco home for a session with their newborn son. He was (and is) super cute and we had a great time. The little one didn’t fuss at all and even took a nap just about the time we needed him to. Best part was that they had done a wonderful job of decorating the baby’s room and it made a great backdrop for the photographs. By far my favorite shots of these is the three of them just sitting on the couch and holding each other. You absolutely can see the warmth and the love jumping out of the pictures. Felt a bit like movie stars being photographed in their exclusive New York apartment. Fortunately you don’t have to be famous to be loving parents or create beautiful family photographs.

Congrats Mayer Family and good luck as he gets bigger and bigger.

Focus on the two small feet of a newborn baby curled together on a soft surface fading into the background

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Newborn baby boy curled up in a bassinet looking straight at the camera and smiling gently.

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Baby sleeping with pillows in San Francisco

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Black and white photo of dad holding his baby above his face admiringly.

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Father looks on as his newborn baby yawns.

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Portrait of family sitting on a couch with the father kissing his wife as she smiles, eyes closed, with their baby in her arms.

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Sleeping baby with mouth slightly open in his mother's arms as she holds him and watches as he rests.

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Mother cradling her newborn baby. He looks away from the camera as she leans down to kiss him.

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Black and white photo of a family sitting on a day bed. The mother is looking on from one side of the bed as her husband cradles their baby on the other side.

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Portrait of a family sitting on a cream-colored couch. The father sits in back with his wife leaning against him and their baby sleeping sweetly in her arms.

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Want moments like these for you home or holiday cards? Contact me today to set up a session.

Filed Under: Children/Families Tagged With: San Francisco Baby Photographer, San Francisco Family Photographer, San Francisco Photographer, San Francisco Portrait Photographer

Engagement Photography – perfect for visiting San Francisco

October 3, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

This session combined two of my favorite topics – people getting engaged and people visiting San Francisco. Marc and Leng were visiting from Singapore and want some engagement photographs in our fair city. I love working with people visiting San Francisco because it reminds me how amazing our city really is. I’ve said this more then once but people will save up their life savings to visit San Francisco for a week and it will be the trip they talk about for the rest of their lives. And while they are here visiting and having the time of their lives, most of us are pissed off about something like a bad cup of coffee, a crowded muni bus or someone cutting us off on the Golden Gate Bridge. Guess it’s all a matter of perspective.

Marc and Leng and I spent time walking in Union Square, chasing Cable cars and shivering in the fog at Baker Beach. They were great and totally up for anything. Most memorable moment was putting them on a cable car and chasing them up the hill with two cameras and a backpack. I took a few photos and then started laughing when I heard another passenger say “Run, Forest. Run!”

Congrats Marc and Leng. Best of luck with the wedding and I hope to see you again.

Engaged couple in San Francisco's Union Square

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Engagement photos in San Francisco's Union Square

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Engaged Couple kissing in from of a mirror storefront in San Francisco

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Engaged couple standing in from of a San Francisco Heart in Union Square.

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An engaged couple standing below a tree in San Francisco

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Engaged couple watching San Francisco chef throw pizza dough.

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Couple hugging after engagement photographs in San Francisco

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An engaged couple sitting in a San Francisco Cable Car

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A San Francisco Cable Car Kiss - San Francisco Engagement Photographs

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a San Francisco cable car moment - San Francisco Engagement Photographs

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Engagement photos on a cable car in San Francisco

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Engaged couple hanging off a San Francisco Cable Car

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a foggy embrace on Baker Beach San Francisco Engagement Photographs

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A baker beach kiss for San Francisco Engagement Photographs

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Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: San Francisco Engagement Photographer, San Francisco Photographer, san francisco wedding Photographer

Dudley Family Photographs in Golden Gate Park

October 3, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

I’ve known the Dudley family for three or four years. They lived a few blocks away in San Francisco’s NOPA district and we would see each other from time to time at the various neighborhood events put on by the NOPA Parents group. Their kids are beautiful and they were always super nice. So I was excited when they asked me over for a family photo sessions but then I was a bit bummed when I learned that this was bon voyage event as they were leaving San francisco for a job in Texas the next week. I was honored of course to be part of their list of “things we have to do before leaving San Francisco” but I was sad to leave them leave. We took a few photos at their home and then moved down to Golden Gate Park (or at least the Pan Handle section). The kids were so cute and made great pictures at their home and their park. Always love photo sessions where the children start of a bit nervous and then quickly take to being photographed.

Best luck of Dudley Family. Have fun and Texas and hope to see you again soon.

Smiling Family in their San Francisco Home

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Beautiful girl in pink boots in a san Francisco Hallwas

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Beautiful girl opening the door to her San Francisco Home

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Boy looking up in his San Francisco Home

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Mom and son hugging in their San Francisco Home

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Boy climbing a tree in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park

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Girl playing in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park

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Brother and Sister playing in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park

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Family playing in a tree in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park

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Family walking in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park

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Mom and girl hugging in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park

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Family playing in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park

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Filed Under: Children/Families Tagged With: S, San Francisco Family Photogapher, San Francisco Photographer

San Francisco City Hall Wedding – Marichris and Patrick

October 1, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

Marichris and Patrick had an amazing wedding at San Francisco’s Hall. Most of the time I photograph the bride and groom at City Hall and then maybe at a few locations afterwards. This time I met them at the San Francisco Marriott and we go all the getting ready photographs that usually come with a larger wedding. Have to say it made for a great time. Marichris got even more beautiful as she progressed through the getting ready process and it’s always fun to see a groom go through the various stages of nervousness, pride and excitement. Their room had a deck with an amazing view and that made for a perfect first look location. Then we took a limo to City Hall and there, their family trickled in until we filled the entire hallway. Never had seen quite so many people there. The wedding went well and the photos were just beautiful. San Francisco’s City Hall is always amazing and is a great place for photographs.

Best of Luck Marichris and Patrick. You are going to have quite the amazing year.

Beautiful bride at the San Francisco Marriott

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Smiling bride getting ready for San Francisco City Hall Wedding

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Groom waiting for Bride at San Francisco Marriott

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Bride seeing groom before wedding at San Francisco Marriott

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Bride and Groom hugging at San Francisco Marriott

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Bride and groom kissing at San Francisco Marriott

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Bride and Groom in limo on their way to San Francisco City Hall Wedding

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Bride and groom sitting in rotunda at San Francisco City Hall

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Groom getting nervous at at San Francisco City Hall Wedding

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Bride and Groom at San Francisco City Hall wedding

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Marriage in Rotunda at San Francisco City Hall Wedding

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Bride and groom kissing at San Francisco City Hall Wedding

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Bride and Groom walking in San Francisco City Hall

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Bride and Groom celebrating their wedding in San Francisco City Hall

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Sexy moment at San Francisco City Hall Wedding

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A big family at a San Francisco City Hall Wedding

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Bride and her girls at San Francisco City Hall Wedding

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Groom celebrating the wedding Day at San Francisco's City Hall

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Filed Under: Weddings Tagged With: San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco Photographer, san francisco wedding Photographer

Redwood City Wedding – Leigh Anne and John

October 1, 2011 By Joey 7 Comments

This summer I spent a wonderful day in July photographing Leigh Anne and John as they were married (after a short courtship of 18 years) at fabulous backyard wedding ceremony in Redwood City (about 20 miles south of San Francisco if you don’t know). Leigh Anne wore a beautiful vintage dress and John had a jacket enough details to make any bride jealous. The ceremony took place in a friend’s back yard. The ceremony was short and sweet and I don’t think I’ll ever forget the passing of the whisky bowl. The grandparents had no problem of course of one and the whiskey flowed. But the moment of the day was seeing a young lady’s (maybe about 13) face contort as she sipped from the whiskey bowl and felt the burn of the fiery liquid. Lots of laugh and made the afternoon.

The reception as at the beautiful San Mateo History Museum in downtown Redwood City. Definitely a place worth checking out if you haven’t been there yet. The rotunda made a great place for the reception and dancing. And the museum exhibits were a blast to explore. The highlight of the evening was a wonderful show put on by Leigh Anne’s belly dancing troupe. Leigh Anne told me about it and I figured it was just a few ladies doing something for fun. Well there was definitely a few ladies and they were definitely having fun but wow they were way more amazing then I expected. It was a show at a level well above anything I expected. Pretty amazing and so much fun to watch.

All in all, a great day. Congrats Leigh Anne and John and best wishes in the next 18 years.