Sonoma Engagement Portrait { Alana + Tony }

Sonoma Engagement Portrait { Alana + Tony }


Photographing engagement portraits is probably one of my most favorite sessions! I just love the season of the couples lives during this time as they look forward to their future. Planning a wedding can be stressful at times and all-consuming so when they take time out for their engagement portraits to be with each other, play around and go to amazing places this is very special to be a part of it for me.

Alana and Tony are very special to me because they are my friends and I have been a part of witnessing them coming together since the beginning. I had the pleasure of hearing about their first date, watching their relationship bloom and I even photographed the proposal, which was secretly set up by Tony.

The portraits were amazing to photograph as we spent the day in the amazing city of Kenwood in Sonoma County

. The leaves on the vines were yellows and oranges which gave a beautiful fall look – not to mention photographing at the right time of day for warm softness. Alana and Tony added their own flair, personality and playfulness with each other to really convey their relationship. My goal and passion in my work is always for NATURAL and REAL photographs which represent YOU!

I want to thank the following places for allowing us to use the property and even supplying us with champagne and wine:

Muscardini Cellars

Paradise Ridge Winery


{ Jessica + Greg } – Castlewood Country Club

{ Jessica + Greg } – Castlewood Country Club

Jessica + Greg had a spectacular wedding day at the amazing Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton!

The details wouldn’t have been complete without the talented crew painstakingly working together:

Florals: Katharina Stuart, Floral Art and Design

DJ/MC: Turner Hayes, Elite Entertainment

Bakery: Cake Delight

Wedding Coordinator: Kristy Moul, Senior Catering Director, Castlewood Country Club

Photography: Angela Gail Banchi, AGB Photographics

Brazilian Room Berkeley Wedding { Cynthia + Steve }

Brazilian Room Berkeley Wedding { Cynthia + Steve }


Cynthia and Steve’s wedding day was absolutely gorgeous and the setting was in Berkeley’s amazing Tilden Regional Park at the Brazil Room.

The day began with bridal preparations at a nearby hotel, DoubleTree Hilton (Berkeley Marina). I love photographing this part of the day as it eases the bridal party into being documented all day and I get to “warm-up” as well getting into the mood and emotional setting of the bride. Plus, details are so important to capturing the day and photographing all of those specially picked details are ever so special to the service I give each couple. My favorite photo from this time was the bride,  Cynthia walking to the car and capturing her dress billow out with the wind along with the fantastic expression on Cynthia’s face!

The ceremony was beautiful and we had PERFECT conditions. Sometimes at this location you get fog in the hills or it is just too sunny on the faces. However, today all was perfect!

In choosing photos which captured the spirit of the day as well as the photos that speak most to me, I loved the “selfie” group photo and the photo bombing groom photo (look closely behind the photo of the bride and her ladies!)

. These are those totally spontaneous moments that can never be “posed” but only captured by a photographer who is constantly observing and ever ready to whip her camera up to document it!

The day could not have been complete without the efforts of some wonderful vendors. Kudos to you, guys:

Florals: Laura Miller Design

Baker: Indie Cakes & Pastries, Anastasia Widiarsih

DJ/Music Services: Quantum Music Event Planners


Sonoma Wedding { Josh + Yvonne }

Sonoma Wedding { Josh + Yvonne }


What an absolutely GORGEOUS wedding day for Josh and Yvonne! The day began at the lovely and picturesque Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn for dressing and the couples first glance at each other in their wedding attire. I love this moment! It is full of emotion & excitement and I am so blessed to capture the expressions which they will treasure forever

. What a job I have!

The ceremony and reception were held at the Sonoma Golf Club. This venue is gorgeous with its hacienda style architecture and warm tones. I love the ivy covered outside hallway/pathway. Perfect for leading lines and dramatic portraits!

A special shout out to all the vendors who made the details and the day go so smoothly:

Florals: Flowers by Rebekah,  Rebekah Saunders

Video: Thomas Hughes Films,  David Rogers videographer

DJ: One Final Touch, Ron Reduta

Rabbi: Rabbi Miriam Senturia, Jewish and Interfaith Rituals with Heart


Berkeley Rose Garden Engagement {Josh + Yvonne}


I am blessed to photograph this wonderful couples wedding this coming Saturday! In honor of their upcoming wedding day,  I am showcasing their engagement session portraits. We had a wonderful time together at the Berkeley Rose Garden

. Yvonne and Josh brought some fun trinkets along to their shoot to represent them as a couple and some of those “inside jokes” they share!


Napa Valley Vineyard Wedding { Graeme + Sarah }

Napa Valley Vineyard Wedding { Graeme + Sarah }


What an amazing wedding day for Sarah and Graeme! Located in Napa Valley on a private vineyard, the setting was an array of vineyards, mountain views and sunshine. The ceremony took place under a massive oak tree with their dog, Honeybee, adding laughter and charm to the festivities. One of my favorite photos from the ceremony is the one with a young ring bearer laying on the grass and you can see the cowgirl boots of the bridesmaids. Such an adorable candid!

This wedding had many elements of history embedded into the day

. The vineyard farm is part of the family estate, the oak tree was a place the couple told grandparents they would marry under, and the groom wore an old jacket of his grandfathers!

Many thanks to Jennifer Stone, La Grande Fête Special Events, for creating a beautiful atmosphere and coordinating the events for the day

Mother’s Day Portraits

Mother’s Day Portraits


Mother’s Day is May 10th! Why not schedule a portrait session as a gift to a loved one or FOR YOURSELF?! Please inquire about our special Mother’s Day portrait pricing

.

This is a session I did for my website designer, Amy, with her fun & characteristic daughter, Veronica! I feel the images really portray the personality of their mother daughter relationship.

 

 

Oakland Hills Engagement Session { Laura + David }

Oakland Hills Engagement Session { Laura + David }


I just love photographing my “Get To Know You” Engagement sessions! It is such a vital part of the process of a wedding experience. I get to know my couples and how they naturally show their affections to each other

. They get to know me in the process and how I photograph, how i gently nudge them into natural, flattering positions and how i LOVE to laugh with them the whole time! It is a WIN-WIN experience for all of us!

This session was in the Oakland hills at the majestic Joaquin Miller Park. Laura and David were a delight to collaborate together to really get a glimpse of their “couple personality”. Thank you both and I am very excited to capture your wedding day at Santa Clara University’s Mission Church and reception at the grand Dolce Hayes Mansion in San Jose.

During engagement sessions I sometimes use the opportunity to practice my craft/artistry and try out more complicated lighting locations/set-ups. I am quite pleased with the sunset images which show off the environment with unique lighting.


Brazilian Room Berkeley Wedding { Anastasia + Christian }

Brazilian Room Berkeley Wedding { Anastasia + Christian }


Anastasia and Chris had a lovely wedding day at the Brazilian Room in Tilden Park,  Berkeley!

The day began with some changes to the wedding as the outdoor ceremony was thwarted by rain. But there was no stopping this couple’s special moments. The wedding was moved indoors and located in front of a gorgeous fireplace crackling a toasty fire! What a beautiful backdrop to the nuptials.

Halfway through the reception the skies cleared and the sun came out! Of course, I whisked the couple outside for some scenic portraits. I just love the reflections cast by the wet ground!

The food was amazing (as usual) as the catering was provided by Serves You Right.

Cake was lovingly crafted by Carolyn Wong Cakes (and OH SO DECADENT)

.

The bride,  Anastastia, is a baker and owner of Indie Cakes & Pastries herself so she provided the assortment of french macaroons as well as some amazing cupcakes!

Flowers were just the perfect compliment to the location and designed by Laura Miller Designs.


St John, Virgin Islands Wedding { Melody + John }

St John, Virgin Islands Wedding { Melody + John }


Photographing Melody and John’s wedding on St

. John Island in the US Virgin Islands was an amazing experience!

The wedding day was planned for Saturday, Sept 2nd but good ole tropical storm Bertha decided to attend as well.  This  guest was crashing the wedding!  Plans were able to be shifted to the following day, Sunday.

Sunday was an absolutely gorgeous day!  You can see from the photographs that the seas were calm, the water was aquamarine blue and the sunset ceremony was everything Melody and John wanted for their special day! I had the opportunity to photograph John, the groom, getting ready and all the portraits of him and his men. This is a rare opportunity I have to be with the guys but I was able to while my partner photographer was photographing the bride. Let’s hear it for a two photographer coverage!

I don’t know what else can top this whole experience. Bride and Groom are amazing people with a great gift of welcoming two photographers into their family and into their lives. As a photographer I am blessed to be an important part of capturing the wedding day visually. But, for this wedding I also was given the opportunity to be a part of it in a new way!

Enjoy, Melody and John and thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life and welcoming us into your lives!

AGB