Winnie + Wallen in Oakland, Calif.

I don't know if I have made this clear before or not, but I am a total sucker for dogs.  Oh wait, of course I have!  So, when I found out that Winnie and Wallen planned for their two Corgi pups to make an appearance for their portraits I was a little bit excited. Why wouldn't you have the furry members of your family take part in your big day?

Winnie and Wallen had their wedding at the Mills College Chapel in Oakland, and we photographed their portraits among the beautiful buildings and trees on campus.  Later, we snuck them away from their reception at East Ocean in Alameda for some sunset portraits along the water looking out to San Francisco.  Congratulations, Winnie and Wallen!!!

Photo below by Adm:

Photo below by Adm:

Next two photos by Adm:

Photo below by Adm:

Next six photos by Adm:

Introducing Bryant and Dylan!

When Adm and I first moved to Oakland five years ago, I didn't know much about some of my relatives on my dad's side of the family who lived up here.  I felt a little apprehensive meeting family for the first time in my twenties at a birthday party in Oakland's Chinatown.  After all the milestones we have since shared it is fun to look back on what it first felt like to meet them.  I am so lucky to have been accepted  as a part of their family with open arms.

So, without further ado, I give you my cousin, Yen Yen and her husband Davin's newborn twins, Bryant and Dylan.  The sleepy baby is Dylan, but you have to give him a break because he is a growing boy.  It was a lot of fun photographing my brand new baby cousins, and I am sure that there will be many updates on their lives along the way, just as we have followed their parents.  You can see Yen Yen and Davin's engagement session here and their wedding here.

Bree + Ray: one frame

Megan and Popeye

I have always loved dogs, and so before we got Kiki, to get my dog fix, I'd always happily volunteer to take my friends' dogs for walks, runs and give them lots of scratches and pats.  Popeye was no exception.  We met in the summer of 2008, while his aunt Beth was walking him around his neighborhood, and I immediately grabbed his leash and we started sprinting around the Castro.  The thing about Popeye is that when he's home lounging in bed, he's the laziest of dogs, but when he's out and about, he will 100% match your level of energy.  When I took hold of him that first day, we tore off down the street, raced around corners and almost took out a frightened lady with her little dog.

The other thing about Popeye is that he is one tough survivor.  He's deaf and so because he doesn't know how to have normal social interactions with other dogs, he endured a period of getting picked on by them.  He has also fought and beaten cancer twice.  Recently, he was diagnosed with cancer for the third time, which he is in the middle of fighting, and throughout his battles, Megan has given him the best care.  To say she would do anything for Popeye is not an overstatement.  They've been together for more than 8 years, and it is really incredible to see someone who so fiercely loves their animal.  Here are some images from an afternoon with Megan and Popeye at home and around their neighborhood.

The Chow Family

Here are a few fun frames from a recent family session.  They may look familiar as I photographed them around this time last year!

Beth + Daniel Engaged!

I'm going to be a bridesmaid this coming year for my dear friend Beth.  We knew we weren't going to be able to photograph her wedding so Adm and I wanted to do her engagement pictures to help capture part of the happiest time in her life.

Beth could not be more perfectly matched than she is with her fiance Daniel.   Adm likes to call Beth the "Fiesta Bandita" (or "Party Bandit") because  no matter where you go, Beth ALWAYS seems to have just the right bottle of wine, champagne, home brew, wedge of cheese or baguette at hand, literally in her purse, to perfectly fit the situation.  And now, the perpetually happy Daniel with a heart of gold is always ready to throw gas on Beth's party fire.  These two are nonstop fun and I'm pretty sure you can tell from the pictures that their engagement shoot was exactly that.  Plus, Daniel, who still DJs in his spare time, raised the roof for us all over Knights Ferry which is where he proposed to Beth.

Beth and Dan, you know we love you and we absolutely cannot wait for your wedding this May - it is going to be like no other!