Each year of my career has its own rhythm, its own texture. Patterns emerge. 2025 was a year of return, and return again. 2025 also marked an explosion for my wedding work on film. I made images on a Rolleiflex 6×6 and a Pentax 645. I shot Portra and Gold, E100 and Tmax, Tri-x and Ektar. What a dream! This was a return in its own way… as I had brought my Hasselblad along to the first couple weddings I photographed 15 years ago! (Special shoutout to my lab, Royal We in West Oakland. So friendly, hard working, and consistent)

2025 was bookended by weddings at the Brazilian Room with an early start to the season on a sunny January day.

Mid-January through mid-February is a special time in our household. We take down the christmas lights and hang strings of colorful pennants as part of celebrating our kids birthdays (2 & 5.)

In February my brother and I took our father to Sicily for the first time in his life. His paternal grandpa had immigrated from Sicily to New York City around the turn of the century. This was my first trip to Italy, and I adored much about it, though I would avoid driving against rush hour traffic in Palermo next time. Eternal thanks to my wife for holding down the fort while I cavorted.

I started the spring by hopping back and forth across the Golden Gate Bridge: March in the Presidio, April at Cavallo Point, April in the Presidio, May at Cavallo Point.

The rest of the play-by-play from all 12 months of patterns and returns follows after the photos. (with shoutouts to co-conspirators)

The March wedding in the Presidio was my first Persian/Jewish hybrid with a Chuppah/Sofreh mashup. One of the pleasures of my job over the years is bearing witness to the creative melding and reinvention of wedding traditions.

Both weddings at Cavallo Point were graced with an exquisite field of California poppies.

In March I had my first newborn session that included film… the slow pace of photographing a newborn and their family is suited to the slow pace of shooting film. I think I liked that experience… as I followed that session with three more newborn sessions over the year including one for my brother, his wife, and my brand new niece!

The spring also held a handful of elopements at San Francisco City Hall. A space of many returns, of all the returns, and still stunning 7 years after my first elopement amongst the marble and lofted ceilinga, intricate moldings, and civic hubub.

In May I was invited out to Stinson Beach to document a wedding ceremony with the Bolinas Lagoon as a backdrop, followed by a reception at the Stinson Beach Community Center with the best wedding band I’ve ever had the pleasure of dancing to.

At the end of May I photographed my first wedding at Urban Adamah… this was by far my shortest commute! Ten minutes drive (no freeways.)

June was my busiest month of returns, with weddings in The Sacramento Valley, Glen Ellen, The Santa Cruz Mountains, and Sonoma.

I ate fresh figs straight from the trees. I was wowed by magicians. I hiked through redwood wonderlands. I slurped oysters. And I cackled with clients who felt like old friends.

At a wedding in June the power went out for a few hours right as guests were arriving at the venue. The whole vendor team leapt into action to problem solve/pivot… I remember popping my head into the kitchen at one point to see how the caterers were faring. They had a worksite light set up, and they were plowing away. I was struck both by how beautifully the catering team rallied, and by how their hard work and ingenuity was hidden away in the back house undetected by the wedding guests.

In July I returned to Urban Adamah for a particularly energetic Jewish wedding.

Later in July I was treated to an elegant Mandap dripping with marigolds nestled high on a rooftop in San Francisco.

In August my family explored Hawaii’s Big Island. Our five-year-old swam after a juvenile sea turtle. I told him not to touch it. He definitely succeeded in touching the turtle’s shell. It was the strongest, most independent swimming he had done in his life. I felt big pride even as he ignored my warning.

In late August I returned to Whispertree up near Boonville. Last I had been at the property, it was called Bell Valley Retreat, and it was drenched in rain. This time it was sunny and glistened with golden grasses. This time I also learned Boonville has its own local language.

September began with a return to Barndiva for a delightfully casual garden party reception for a San Francisco City Hall wedding I had photographed back in the spring.

September continued with a new vineyard venue near Santa Rosa and one of the most memorable meals I’ve eaten at a wedding. Something about breaking bread with the venue owner, the head caterer etc. at a round table in a meadow overlooking vineyards felt cinematic.

In late September I returned to a family property in Aptos. I had photographed the brother’s wedding at the property in the fall of 2020. In 2025 it was the sister’s turn to be wed. Returning felt both familiar and completely new. The day overflowed with children – their many nieces and nephews adding joyful chaos from every corner. My job affords me intimate peeks into multigenerational families. Often I find inspiration for my own family.

October began with a return to Slide Ranch for a colorful celebration by the sparkling Pacific Ocean for an intercontinental love story. This time it was so sunny! My previous visits had been characterized by the drama of a shifting marine layer. The groom’s mom insisted on dancing with me, which I took as an honor.

And finally the bookending with a return to the Brazilian Room and an afterparty at the New Parkway Theater.

Some of the collaborators and venues:
Events by GS / Riley Loves Lulu / Goodstock Productions / Small Blue Planet / Dream a Little Dream Events / Jacinda Weddings / Something Blue Productitons / Weddings by Aimée / Sachi & Maja / Kendall Melissa Events / AWE Planner / Sarah Elizabeth Events / Ybarra Events / Barndiva / San Francisco City Hall / Park Winters / Beltane Ranch / Cavallo Point / Nestldown / The Pearl / Slide Ranch / Whispertree / Vine Hill House / Deer Park Villa / Brazilian Room / Stinson Beach Community Center / Cornerstone Sonoma / Presidio Log Cabin / Dart Collective Family Band / Golden Bell Music / Last Wave Productions / Heart of Gold DJs / Lucky Devils Band