documentary style engagement photos

North Beach Engagement Session

I met Austin and Tom on a gorgeous March afternoon in San Francisco’s North Beach, connected through Taylor Rae Weddings. The city felt alive that day—warm sunlight spilling over the pastel façades, the faint smell of espresso drifting from corner cafés, the clang of a distant cable car echoing down the hill.

We wandered through the neighborhood together, taking photos as they moved easily through the streets—kissing at crosswalks, crossing hand in hand, wandering alleys, and sitting on low stone walls where the breeze from the bay carried a hint of salt. From the hilltops, the skyline shimmered against a perfect blue sky, and for a moment, everything felt suspended in that soft, golden light.

Their warmth, laughter, and quiet affection made every frame feel like a small story of its own. They wed in June at the lovely Straus Home Ranch.

Temescal and Joaquin Miller Park Engagement Session

Audrey & Marina and I were connected through their wedding planner, Luciana Guerrero-Shibatsuji of Events by GS, and from the start it felt like such an excellent fit. We began their session at North Light in Temescal, a favorite local bar that also houses a highly curated bookstore at the front. It felt natural to capture them in a place that’s part of their regular routine.

After a quick stop at home to pick up their dogs, Archie and Baby, we headed into the redwoods at Joaquin Miller Park. Surrounded by towering trees and winding trails, the session shifted into something whimsical, joyful, and relaxed, a reflection of the life they’re building together.

I was especially looking forward to celebrating their wedding during Pride month at Cornerstone Sonoma, a favorite venue I’ve had the joy of photographing before. This casual, easy, totally-them engagement session set the tone for what would be a beautiful wedding with many of the same qualities.

Check out how their Pride weekend wedding at Cornerstone Gardens went, here.

Lake Merritt Engagement Session

For Sasha and Tobias’ engagement session we started the evening at Bar Cesar, a spot central to their early relationship. The familiar corners made a sweet backdrop for the beginning of this session. From there, we headed back to their place near Lake Merritt for an outfit change and some photos around their home. As the sun began to set, we strolled together toward the lake, catching that golden light that turns everything soft.

Sometimes an engagement session doesn’t need a sweeping landscape or a meticulously planned itinerary. It can be as simple as tagging along on a date night to meaningful places for the couple. The magic of being together somewhere you love—your favorite bar, a plant you pass every evening on your walks, the bench at the park where you meet after work—can be all it takes to create portraits that feel like you.

With these two, it was exactly that. Just them, moving through familiar spaces, laughing in the same places they’ve shared countless small moments before. And as the sun set over Lake Merritt, it felt like the perfect reflection of their story—calm, glowing, and deeply connected.

Check out how they incorporated nods to their Oakland home on their wedding day at The Haven at Tomales – here.

2024 Weddings Year-In-Review

2024 was an excellent year for my family and my tiny business.

I started the wedding season early at the end of January with a wedding in the redwoods in Marin .

Then my wife and I traveled to New Orleans for Mardi Gras (with the kids!)

When we returned in mid-February, I photographed a wedding at San Francisco City Hall with a reception at a secret club with a secret green room hidden behind a bookcase/door that automatically swung open when you waved your hand above the bald head of a brass bust of Winston Churchill…

The rest of the play-by-play from all 12 months of exploring family dynamics, forests, and gorgeous architecture, follows after the photos. (with shoutouts to co-conspirators)

I don’t get much time to reflect when the wedding season is in full swing… but by the time January rolls around, I can come up for air and think back on the year.

In retrospect, I find it striking that I took a vacation from photographing weddings, to go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and party for a week straight. (Which is, of course, a completely different animal with a four-year-old and one-year-old in tow.)

One of the reasons I became a wedding photographer is because I love parties! I met my wife, Addie, at a pair of parties in the span of a week. By the end of the 2nd party I had fallen in love. While I was swimming laps the other day I had a wonderful thought whilst underwater, “What if I had met Addie at a wedding? I’m certain it would have only taken that one big party for me to fall in love.”

And now for a few of my favorite photos from 2024:

Late in February, I headed down to Big Sur for a gorgeous, intimate wedding, with the majestic blue of the Pacific for a backdrop.

In March we headed down to LA to visit with old friends. We learned how obsessed the four-year-old is with Easter egg hunts. Then we learned why Venice Beach is called Venice, as we explored the canals.

April was packed. I began by exploring the lovely Falkirk Cultural Center in San Rafael, a mansion on a hilltop with an exquisite wall of stained glass running up the grand staircase. This wedding was on the intimate side. Beth of Sassy Diva Designs & Events crafted florals and kept things running smoothly.

Weddings brought me back to a pair of venues I had explored previously: Gallery 308, in the City, with its glorious wall of French windows looking out on the Marina, and the sea lions lazing in the sun. Aimée of Weddings by Aimée worked her magic. Next I traveled to Stanly Ranch up in Napa for a black tie affair with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony and one of the best wedding bands I have ever experienced. Catherine of “Big Day Of” knows Stanly Ranch like the back of her hand, and was a pleasure to work with.

My May began with an intimate wedding at the Moon Viewing Garden in the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, and continued with an engagement session in Golden Gate Park.

In mid-May I completed an experimental project I had been bandying about in my head for a while. I met an engaged couple at a diner in Berkeley at 7:00am where we began our engagement session with coffee and breakfast, and then… we made photographs, with only short breaks, for a full 24 hours. We finished the session at 7:00am with coffee and breakfast the following day. Olivia & Stu are legends for enduring all 24 hours with me.

At the end of month, I headed down to the Peninsula to photograph a wedding at Valley Presbyterian with a stunning floor-to-ceiling A-frame window that looked out on a redwood grove.

I started June with a double-header: First a return to Healdsburg for a wedding at the delightfully quirky/delicious/romantic Barndiva designed by the uber talented Carrie, of Boheme Events, followed by a raucous Jewish wedding in West Berkeley which was full of familiar faces from weddings past.

In mid-June I photographed a pair of engagement sessions: one at the Palace of Fine Arts at sunrise (we had the place to ourselves,) and one at Sutro Baths at sunset. I closed out June with a wedding at Radonich Ranch in the Santa Cruz mountains. The wedding was billed as an Italian Garden Party, and sent me on a kick listening to Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Buddy Greco, et al.

July brought me to Muir Beach for an engagement session, out to Walnut Creek for a wedding at The Gardens at Heather Farms, down to The Santa Cruz Mountains for an engagement session, back to San Francisco City Hall for an elopement, back to Sutro Baths for an engagement session (but foggy and moody this time,) to Oakland for an absolutely classic Bar/Redwoods engagement session, and back to San Francisco City Hall & Coqueta for a wedding.

We spent the first half of August visiting with grandparents on the Jersey Shore and eating ice cream every night, followed by a visit with dear old friends in Montreal.

When we returned to California, I headed up to the Haven at Tomales for a-bash-of-a-wedding expertly planned by Nicole Taylor Events and headlined by the inimitable La Doña.

September came fast and furious. I was reunited with Olivia & Stu, of 24-hour engagement session fame, at the Lodge at the Marconi Center, a brand new venue on the hill looking out over Tomales Bay.

Next I returned to Falkirk Cultural Center for an intimate wedding followed by a reception at the Academy SF.

Then out to American Canyon for an engagement session amongst golden grasses, which always remind me of the film, Days of Heaven.

Then I drove farther east to Park Winters, a wedding venue tucked away on a back road near Davis. The wedding at Park Winters was perfectly planned by Taylor Rae with many elements designed by Skye Foster, the bride. I was particularly taken by the Christmas crackers that popped open to reveal multi-color paper crowns.

And then back to the City for a return to the Presidio for a wedding with a ceremony at the brand new Tunnel Tops park followed by a reception at the Presidio officers club.

I closed out September with a return to West Marin for a wedding on a family property on a hillside, followed by dinner at Saltwater Oyster Depot. The couple met in radio, and crafted podcast-style vows that they broadcast for guests during the ceremony. I did cry right into my camera’s viewfinder while I continued to make photographs through the ceremony.

October began with ice cream cones in Cole Valley, followed by a mad dash to Ocean Beach for a delirious golden sunset engagement session.

In mid-October I photographed a daytime wedding steeped in family history. At the end of the day I brought the couple up to Tank Hill to take in the setting sun.

In late October I photographed a backyard wedding ceremony and tea ceremony in North Berkeley followed by an al fresco paella feast on long banquet tables in West Berkeley.

My wedding season wrapped up in early November, first with a visit to San Francisco City Hall, followed by an exceptionally intimate full wedding day at Beltane Ranch, a venue in the Sonoma Valley that has become an old friend over the years. Samar of Blissful Events orchestrated a particularly seamless and beautiful day.

My final wedding of the year was at the James Leary Flood Mansion, up on the top of Pacific Heights with stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. The mansion is now used as a school. I loved how a wedding fit into the building, with a wedding dress hanging from bookshelves in the school library and a hopscotch board underfoot at cocktail hour. Sachi & Maja designed wonderful full tablecapes, and were instrumental in making the day come together.

November & December were taken up with a mountain of editing, and plenty of time with the kids: throwing fall leaves, stomping in puddles, and riding the steam train in Tilden Park. We taught the four-year-old to read and to ride a pedal bike. The 1-year-old was both soft and bossy, so we squeezed him up and listened attentively to his orders.

Each Christmas my family prepares a feast of seven fishes. In 2024, we made ceviche, tacos, and caldo de pescado including: red shrimp, tilapia, mahi mahi, rock cod, black cod, clams, and mussels.

What will 2025 hold? We shall see! More travels, more kiddo milestones, more explorations of new venues, many returns to familiar friends. Hopefully some new unexpected collaborations that push at the edges of wedding work, and burst into the realm of art… Thanks for sticking with me, if you made it this far.

Some of the collaborators and venues:
Falkirk Cultural Center / Sassy Diva Designs & Events / Gallery 308 / Weddings by Aimée / Stanly Ranch / Big Day Of / Moon Viewing Garden / Valley Presbyterian / Barndiva / Boheme Events / Palace of Fine Arts / Radonich Ranch / The Gardens at Heather Farms / San Francisco City Hall / Coqueta / Haven at Tomales / Nicole Taylor Events / La Doña / Lodge at the Marconi / Academy SF / Park Winters / Taylor Rae Weddings / James Leary Flood Mansion / Sachi & Maja

Inner Richmond and China Beach Engagement Photos

Christine and Craig met and fell in love while they were living on opposite ends of country. But after getting together, moves ensued and they nurtured a life together in San Francisco.

Their engagement session started in their Inner Richmond neighborhood of San Francisco. We stopped for a stiff drink at their favorite bar and then visited their favorite bookstore – Green Apple Books. We wandered the aisles and I captured candid images of them existing in their regular spots and making each other smile and laugh like they regularly do.

We eventually made it out to China Beach where we took advantage of golden hour. Christine’s glowing red dress contrasting beautifully with the sand and rock. Craig with a sly outfit change into something more casual for beach time.

The images captured pieces of their connection and the ease of their relationship.

Check out their beautiful Carneros Resort wedding here.

engagement photo shoot san francisco bar

documentary style photo of bride and groom posing with dog at wedding, candid action shot

Essential tips for having a dog at your wedding in the Bay Area

As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen it all, from furry friends as ring bearers to four-legged performers stealing the show. If you’re thinking of including your beloved pooch in your big day, here are 8 things you should keep in mind to ensure it’s a tail-wagging success – for all involved!

Wedding couple posing with small dog, bay area wedding

1. Plan, plan, plan: Before you decide to bring your furry friend to your wedding, make sure your venue is pet-friendly and arrange for a designated handler to look after them during the ceremony and reception. Also consider your guests and determine if anyone might be scared or allergic! Consider logistics such as their transportation and access for their handler for their drop off and pick up.

Bridge and groom in tuxedo posing with small black and white dog, documentary style photo, botanical garden wedding

2. Be honest with yourself: Not all dogs will do well at large, bustling events like weddings – and that’s ok! If your dog becomes easily agitated or frightened, it may be best to leave them at home. Perhaps they are better suited for an intimate photo shoot with just your photographer!

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3. Dress them to impress: You want your dog to look as good as you do on your wedding day! Make sure their outfit is comfortable and doesn’t impede their movement. A simple bandana or bow tie will do the trick. Avoid accoutrement that might end up falling off and getting gnawed on.

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4. Hydration is key: Weddings can be long, tiring events, and your dog will need plenty of water to stay hydrated. Make sure you have a water bowl readily available for them throughout the day. Additionally you will want to prep their handler with their food, treats, doggie bags, and perhaps even some toys.

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5. Never leave them alone: Your dog should never be left alone during your wedding, even for a few minutes. They may become anxious or disoriented without you there, and could end up running off or causing a disturbance. Again, make sure someone is aware of their responsibilities regarding your beloved dog!

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6. Accidents happen: Accidents can happen, even with the most well-behaved dogs. The last thing you want to deal with is a less than savory stain at a historic venue or on you or your guests’ outfit. Make sure you have cleaning supplies handy in case your dog has an accident during the ceremony or reception.

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7. Capture the moment: Make sure your photographer gets some shots of your furry friend on your big day. After all, you’ve put in all the effort to make sure they are well taken care of and smiling!

8. Have fun: The most important thing is to make sure everyone, including your furry friend, is having a good time and no one is stressed out or uncomfortable. Have a backup plan with the handler in case something goes awry or the pooch needs a rest from the excitement of the event!

Incorporating your dog into your wedding can be a wonderful way to add a special touch to your big day, but it’s essential to be prepared and ensure that both you and your furry friend are having fun. By keeping these eight things in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating a memorable and stress-free wedding experience for everyone involved.

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