Young'ins in San Francisco: Family Photography

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  Thomas and I went over to San Francisco three weeks ago for our third wedding anniversary and for some much-needed vacation time.  It was a great experience, and we did actually end up doing just this one shoot while we were out there.  The Youngs recently moved out to the area, and they are some of the coolest people ever.  Danny took a job with Google, and actually showed us around the campus a bit- talk about your nerd paradise!  Full-sized T-rex bones, slides going from one floor to another, nap pods and free food everywhere.... it was a very neat place.

 

So one of the days we went into the City and met up to some family portraits.  We went to Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the Exploratorium, and finished out near the Oakland Bay Bridge (the Golden Gate bridge was completely fogged out.  I mean, just-one-big-grey-smudge-nothing-to-be-seen-at-all kind of fogged out.  San Francisco is crazy like that sometimes).

 

  

 

I've known the Youngs for a long time, and I think we've captured their essence here below.  It's just fun.  :D

 

 

  

  

 

 

Thanks for being such great hosts guys, and for showing us around your new hometown!  Check out the first half of their photos, and the rest as they become available, here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holladay Family

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  Thomas and I had a lot of fun at this family portrait/ 1st birthday baby shoot.  The Holladays were awesome to work with, and little Benjamin was absolutely adorable!

 

 

I love this park.  It's quite possibly my favorite spot to do family photos.

 

 

Little Ben was quite the poser.... he was pushing himself up into a sitting position, and just kind of stopped when he got halfway up so he could look at his parents and the camera...

 

  

 

I loved the outfits that they had for Ben!  This orange button-up was perfect for summer.

 

 

Ben was so cute when we got his cake in front of him... he was pretty timid at first, just kind of poking at it a bit.  Brooke actually had to take a bit of the frosting and put it on his nose and mouth before he tried it.  As soon as he tried it though, it was like a train just building up steam.  First fingers went in to get licked off, then one little hand was reaching out for more at a time, and within about 3 or 4 minutes he was double-fisting huge handfuls of cake into his mouth.  Not just frosting either, but actual big chunks of cake.  He ate about three quarters of the cake before we were finished!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emily

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  Emily Mangum was an intern with me this last winter and spring.  She and her husband Ryan moved to Boston so Ryan could finish school, so sadly we don't get to hang out that much anymore.  Emily was a fantastic intern.  She was always happy and fun to be around.  She is incredibly hardworking, and a very talented photographer.  She is also one of those people who is always positive... no matter when you talk to her she's always got a smile on her face.

 

 

Right before Emily and Ryan moved away, we did this portrait shoot for them at Nielsen's Grove in Orem.

 

 

 

These cupcakes were delicious.  Almost as delicious as her apron was cute.  Ryan, you're a lucky man!!!

 

  

  

 

Ryan and Emily are both sports fans, so we showed a little baseball spirit. :D

 

 

 

I also wanted to take a minute to feature Emily's photos.  She was able to put together a good portrait portfolio before they left Utah, and I especially love her black and white's!  If you know anyone in the Boston area who needs photos...

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danica & Ryan: The Wedding Day

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  Danica and Ryan's wedding day was gorgeous- lots of sunny blue skies, and lots of high temperatures.  The exact kind of day when you think about the phrase "late July wedding".

 

 

Danica and Ryan both loved the Wes Anderson film "Fantastic Mr Fox."  Can you tell? :)

 

  

 

It was so warm outside we just got a few quick newlywed photos, and then it was off to the Springville Museum of Art to relax and cool off before the reception started....

 

 

  

 

If you are looking for a nice reception venue in Utah County near Provo, and specifically want one with an outdoor, almost-backyard feel, you might want to look at the Springville Museum of Art.

 

  

 

I am a sucker for baked goods.... cookies, cake, and especially cup cakes!  Little bite-sized ones are very dangerous, because if it's just a bite, then before you know it you've eaten about 5 or 6.

 

  

 

Best way to cool off on a hot summer day while attending a wedding reception?  Well, if that reception happens to be catered by Sam Schultz of the magnificent Sammy's Burgers and Pie Shakes, then you are set.    No matter what flavor you get, it's going to be awesome.

 

  

 

This little girl above was kind of shy, and she wasn't too sure about the camera;  however that didn't stop her finishing off her shake!

 

 

Sam and his wife Nikki are some of the coolest people around.  If you get the chance to hang out with them, you should feel lucky.

 

  

 

  

 

Ok, cake's been cut, pie shakes have been eaten, and hands have been shaken.  Time to get the heck out of here!

 

 

 

Joelle and Brett- Formals at Salt Lake Temple

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  Call them what you will, bridals, groomals, or formals... pre-wedding day shoots are where it is at.  Joelle and Brett were great to work with, and we ended up with some photos that they were super excited to enlarge for the reception.   Here are a few favorites...

 

  

 

Joelle did some photography back in high school, where she focused on black and white photography.  So we had to get a couple b&w's to show them off as well...

 

 

Joelle and Brett will be married at the end of this month in the LDS Salt Lake Temple and will have their reception at Magnolia Grove, so check back later for more pictures!

 

 

 

 

...Then comes the baby in the baby carriage.

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  When Liz and Ryan had their beautiful baby boy Sammy, we scheduled this mini shoot.  Here are a few images I was really pleased with.

 

  

 

Ryan and Liz were both LDS missionaries in Mexico City where they first met.  They thought it would be cute to set up the next two shots for their future missionary.  I thought it was adorable.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holli & David: The Shindig

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  As promised, here are a few faves from the rest of Holli and David's wedding reception in Draper.

 

  

 

The photo below pretty much illustrates the essence of Holli to anyone who doesn't already know her.  In short, she always makes you feel like she's excited to see you, and it is always genuine.  Such a fun person to be around!

 

  

 

The food was delicious- Holli and David take their barbeque seriously... mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

   

 

I love this next sequence.

 

  

 

 

Hooray for live music!

 

 

Holli sang a love song for David right before they left for their honeymoon- it was lovely.

 

 

Huge grins?  Check.  Sweeeeeeet ride?  Check check.  Big 'ol fireworks display to send you on your way?  Check check check.  We're ready to rock.

 

 

That's all she wrote, folks.  Have a great night!

 

 

 

 

 

Holli & David: Vintage and Retro Reception Details

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  Just to continue gushing from last night, the details for Holli and David's reception were just so fun and so well done.  It didn't just have a lot of "cutesy vintage touches", but had lots of genuine and beautiful Americana elements.  It was around the 4th of July, after all!  And what could be more perfect to ride away in than a pristine red vintage Cadillac?

 

 

The food was absolutely amazing, but the best part?  This locomotive barbeque!

 

  

 

As you can see, the whole layout was very open, and just reminded me of what I picture when I think of an old-time southern barbeque or big extended family party.  I loved the setting they created for the receiving line here below.  Very artistic and full of color!!! I'm told that David himself actually painted most of these.... I wonder if he knew what he was getting into when he proposed?  Apparently he was awake at 7 am ON HIS WEDDING DAY to help set up this amazing reception.  Along with many other people, of course.  SO much work went into it, and I thought it went off perfectly.

 

 

You can get a little preview of David's reception suit here on the right...  Thomas thought it was perfect.  He is a huge fan of the "trad" or classic "prep" look (or so he tells me).  All I can say is that David looked fantastic, and I loved the lighter suit.

 

  

 

Despite how much I loved the vibrant colors everywhere, I really really liked Holli's bouquet (which didn't have ANY strong colors, just mostly shades of white).  It was so elegant, and I felt was a great counterpoint to everything else.

 

    

 

  

 

Ok, stay tuned tomorrow for some favorite photos from the rest of the reception!