wedding | yvonne + tim

Yvonne and Tim’s special day nearly surpassed a magical fairy tale day and The Holly Farm had a lot to do with it as well. This beautiful venue, tucked away in the depths of Carmel Valley, was brimming with lush gardens and details. There were secret alcoves, where elves would hide if they existed, all around and altogether The Holly Farm was like a maze of a playground for everyone to roam.
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wedding | an + evan

It’s the interactions between the child and the parents that always puts a smile on our faces, especially the sheer joy that overcome parents when their child has grown, blossomed, and found their better half. It’s a story of born love into found love and finally into love blossoming, only to repeat time and time again.

We had the honor of being there for An and Evan’s traditional tea ceremony, a day before their actual wedding, which we  weren’t able to cover due to a prior booking. Regardless, it was so nice to be able to see them nonetheless. All of our love and wishes go out to An and Evan and their dear families ❤

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wedding | huong + desmond

We were thrilled when Huong and Desmond mentioned that their wedding was going to be held at La Costanera Restaurant by Montara Beach.  Stellar views, an amazing staff, and delicious food are all the reasons we love the restaurant and then some.  The day couldn’t have been anymore perfect, considering how windy it can get at Montara Beach, but the sun did not shy away at all that day 🙂

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Congratulations to the wonderful couple!

OFFICIANT \\ Michael Selic of Beyond Belief Ministry

VENUE \\ La Costanera, Montara, CA

the life force behind travel photography

Traveling has always been a source of inspiration for me, especially since the life force of any culture reside in the people that live in any one place. And it’s a wonderful feeling to take photographs that inspire others to want to travel abroad.

Not one person I know and don’t know can’t say they don’t enjoy traveling. Here are some thoughts that I keep in mind when shooting photos while traveling:


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Try photographing complete strangers. They are the culture of the land and place you are visiting. Their images can tell a story that is beyond words sometimes but also try to keep cultural sensitivities in mind.

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Travel photography is a waiting game. You’re lucky if you’re at the right place at the right time. But, at the same time, you don’t want to draw attention and disrupt the flow of what is naturally happening. Take what you need if you’re able to capture it.

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Great composition is something that I am always very particular about and truly believe is the key factor behind a meaningful photograph, no what what type of camera you have. If you have great composition, it doesn’t matter what kind of camera you have. If you have no composition and a great camera, I’m sorry but that won’t get you far. Great cameras won’t make a great photograph if you don’t know the basics of composition. It is an achievement when composition becomes first nature.

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 Try to see the world from the world’s eye view. Instead of just snapping photos right off the bat, take in mentally and physically where you are at and the breeze that is blowing where you are. Let the life of the world fill you with inspiration and you’ll start seeing things you’d never even realize before. Our world is delicate but also very versatile and has been around much longer than you have. Take advantage of views not everyone has access to and frame your subjects through objects.

With that said, our office will be closed starting next week through mid-October. We will be out traveling so we apologize in advance for any delay in email and phone replies.

engagement | elizabeth + michael

Elizabeth and Michael’s engagement session was one hell of a hay day! Pun intended 😉
Elizabeth rides so it was only fitting to include one of her other loves, besides Michael, in the portraits. We made a stop to visit her very own white stallion and a couple of miniature horses along the way. The day couldn’t have been more delightful!
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We can’t wait to be there for their big day in Hope Town, Abaco, next year!

portrait | brent bushnell

We got the opportunity to meet Brent and it was one that really touch our hearts. He is probably one of the rare people we’ve meet whose eyes seemed to have seen all. It isn’t easy to be an artist in San Francisco, and survival is a little hard and even harder now than ever.

The Examiner mentions that “with apartments renting at $2000 a month and condos selling for five million and up, it’s become a city for the 1%. But some artists have managed to survive without compromising their vision of making art that transcends boundaries and speaks to both environmental concerns and mystical beliefs. Just ask Brent Bushnell who has managed to survive in San Francisco for decades, with one stint “in exile” in Sacramento… Brent came to San Francisco in 60s and got his MFA at SFSU, studying with noted Bay Area sculptor Stephen de Staebler, (among others)”

His studio was a small one and there was so much organized clutter all around but the kind of clutter where everything seemed to be used often and never lost it’s place on the shelf or crevice. Just like all the tool he had used to create his art, he and his passion for  will forever have a place in this city.

The other wonderful thing is that the homeless, encamped around the sculpture, tended the the works to keep them from being destroyed. Brent and Sofia brought some art even into the grim and difficult lives of San Francesco’s lowest of the low, proving that art can communicate across all boundaries.

“Brent shares concerns about the environment, our wanton misuse of natural resources and destruction of the wilderness. He is on a journey compelled by the love of art and, for both, it is the journey that is the reward.” You can find some of Brent’s sculptures around the city. “And the wonderful thing is that the homeless, encamped around the sculptures, tended the works to keep them from being destroyed, proving that art can communicate across all boundaries, even into the grim and difficult lives of those in San Francisco.”

wedding | sarah + john

Sarah was filled with giggles the entire time and we can see why! It was so great to be around a couple so happy in love. They both flew in from San Diego just to be married at the gorgeous San Francisco city hall and our own talented photographer, Lacey, even had the honors of signing as their witness 🙂
Hearts out to Sarah and John ❤ Come back and visit again!

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MUA+HAIR  \\ Joli de Jackie

the art of tea

Most people have their cup or four of coffee a day, and we have our tea to give us our sweet smiles 🙂

We had the wonderful opportunity to work with Thao Tea Company on their brand launch by doing some lifestyle and product photos. The branding, packaging and identity was designed by one of our talented wedding clients, Thuy, who was so sweet to refer us. Much love out to her, the lovely ladies at Thao Tea and to tea.
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