Lisa & Neil's Saratoga, CA Engagement Session | Savannah Chanelle Vineyards

I will be photographing Lisa and Neil's wedding next year in Los Altos - we have actually never met before, so their engagement session was the first time that we got to talk in person. I dare say that we hit it off right away. Lisa and Neil are both UC Davis alums. Lisa is a teacher and Neil is now a PhD student at UCSF, graduating next year shortly before the wedding. They chose the Savannah Chanelle Vineyards in Saratoga for their engagement session. I'm not very familiar with the San Jose area or the Santa Cruz mountains, so I was a little worried as I was driving in on a dark, narrow, windy road, but then as you're pulling up to the vineyards, you climb up onto a hill and the sun breaks through all of the dense forest. Savannah Chanelle sits on an overlook with gorgeous views of the surrounding hills. The folks there were kind enough to grant us access to their grounds and even made sure that I knew their wi-fi password :)

Thanks again Lisa and Neil! I can't wait until it's time to photograph your wedding!

The CMA Foundation Gala | Southern California Event Photographer

I had the honor of photographing the California Medical Association (CMA) Foundation Gala at the Marriot in Anaheim. This was a 600 person black-tie optional event complete with a step and repeat, cocktail hour, full dinner, speakers, awards, an auction, and performances by the amazing artist David Garibaldi (you must check out his site!) and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The whole evening was simply wonderful and I left feeling like I was a guest instead of simply the photographer. On a personal note, I will disclose that I attempted to wear heels for the first time while I was working. Well, that was an epic fail. I managed to keep them on my feet for an hour and a half until I had to retreat to my black ballet flats that I had stashed in my bag.

I simply love photographing events. I like to feel like a fly on the wall and capture the personality that will undoubtedly shine through at every gathering. For the CMA Gala, I learned that doctors are funny and great dancers - who knew?!

And here I am with the gorgeous lady who helped plan and organize the entire evening. Thanks for giving me this opportunity to dress up ;)