Our photos showcased on StyleMePretty...

We received word over the weekend that our recent photos of Christina & Jeff's amazing wedding in Sonoma (see June 2009 post "Christina & Jeff's wedding") has been featured in the hugely popular StyleMePretty blog.
It's no surprise that Christina & Jeff's wedding made the impact it has- it had everything going for it: A beautiful couple, an incredibly picturesque venue and one of the best wedding planners in the industry, Amy Nichols.
As we stated in our original notes about the wedding, "Christina & Jeff had all the luck and love in the world, which made for constant chances to to capture those defining shots."

Wendy & Louis

The Summer went way too fast for us this year, and looking back at all of the amazing events a certain special thank you goes out to Napa Valley locals Wendy & Louis. Two of the most inviting, easy going, and friendly people we had the opportunity to work with.
Wendy & Louis chose the Pavilion at Vintage Estate in Yountville (Villagio Inn&Spa), and must have consulted the Farmer's Almanac for the perfect weather! The venue is an amazing spot for weddings, and the Historic Barrel Room, adjacent to the Pavilion, is the perfect spot for a party.
The photos enclosed were from a quick post-nuptial visit to the neighboring Kapcsandy Vineyard... Where else?
Congrats Wendy & Louis!

Christina & Jeff's Wedding

Glen Ellen, CA, in the Summer, is a beautiful place to visit, but WOW does it get hot!
The entire wedding weekend was orchestrated perfectly by Christina (a very talented event planner in her own right), and her "right-hand" for the day of, Amy Nichols (www.amynichols.com)
I was honored to be asked by Christina & Jeff to photograph, and where I knew I really had to pull out all stops to please Christina's high expectations for quality and great taste, I was also welcomed like a member of the Family, which made my job as easy as could be!
Photographing weddings requires alot of things to go well, and outside of what can be controlled through experience, there's also a little bit left to chance; like the cherry on the sundae. Christina & Jeff had all the luck and love in the world, which made for constant chances to to capture those defining shots.

Thanks again C&J, Enjoy your memories!

Spanish Lightning!

From the rooftops in Malaga, Spain, I was able to catch this photo of a dry lightning storm that passed over the city in the early morning.

I have always been determined to expose a full lightning bolt at some point in my life, but never imagined that I'd be on a high rooftop standing beside a camera mounted to a 6-foot tripod while doing it! It's a very sketchy feeling, a lot like harvesting apples with a golfclub during a thunderstorm.

I found that my best strategy was to lock-on my shutter drive for continuous 15 second exposures, cross my fingers, and get as far and low from the camera as possible. Realistically, and as a footnote to you purists out there, there's no other way to get this shot! After 40-50 photos, I knew that I had it! The lightning seems to have grounded to a construction crane which is just out of the frame to the right, as well as a bolt in the distance that hits the roof and antennae of an apartment building.

Thanks, Gerhard, for the perfect vantage point, and thanks also for the cigars! Muchas Gracias, Amigo!

Style and "Grace"

Our most recent babe portrait was an eye-opener. Little Grace was totally hamming it up to the camera, and at only 9 weeks old we have yet to see so much personality, she really was enjoying the attention!
Lessons learned from this photoshoot... Always schedule time for naps, don't take baby far from home, and keep the bottle closer than the camera.

San Francisco stock imagery

It's been a busy March and April of building our Stock Photo Library, especially our San Francisco collection, and the weather in the Bay Area has been perfect for getting those quintessential City shots. What started as a client's need for "San Francisco" imagery back in March has led us to a good string of City photos.
Stay posted for a special section of our website to be be launched in the Summer showcasing this ever-growing collection!

St. Paddy's Warmup No.6 - fundraiser for St. Charles School

If this was a "preview" of St.Pat's 2009, then this coming Tuesday is going to be a day to celebrate in San Francisco... This 6th Annual Fund Raiser (to help raise money for the Children of St. Charles School in the Bay Area) was a complete turnout!

PurkinjeBlue was asked to cover the event this year, and through our Social Responsibility Program we happily donated a photography booth setup to help the cause. We expected a nice party, but were surprised to see the Temple Bar totally packed!

What really made the party were the two guests of honor: "Mike" & "Anthony"... these two were like little powerpack Emcees. Good times!

The Shupnick Collection...

We were pleased to hear that Larry & Glenda Shupnick recently purchased our "Clos Du Val Harvest" piece.
I delivered the print this week and spent some time with Larry to find a best spot to hang in his Napa Valley Home, only to find a lot of well-placed artwork to compete with.
After some debate, we agreed that their front entryway was best- what an honor!

Local Tastes of Yountville

Today was a preview of sorts for the Annual Napa Valley Mustard Fest/Taste of Yountville Event... hosted by Vintage Estate, local wine growers and winery owners came together to share their latest creations, and size each other up for the Spring season.
Several familiar wines were represented, as well as a few new faces.
My favorite had to be Carmen & Gail Policy's first ever vintage of Casa Piena, a 2006 Estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mustard in bloom, Sonoma, CA

I captured this photo today, driving home from a work weekend in Napa.
This time of Year is typically a photographer's "pull over and take a photo" season in the Wine Country, with the mustard flowers in bloom. When I see a potential photo while driving, I usually do the ceremonial quadruple-take glance, then subsequently I find myself debating internally over whether or not it's worth the time... More often than not, I'll get about a half-mile before whipping a U turn, then try my best to look like a complete tourist.
Today, I was glad I "stopped to smell the roses" (photograph the mustard), as the bloom fades quickly.