Photo of the Week

My wife and I were on a day trip on the island of Barbados on a cruise to the Caribbean last February.  The tour bus stopped at an orchid farm but the weather wasn't cooperating.  I was able to duck under a tarp that they had over one of the outside areas.  All the flowers were wet from the rain which makes them even more vibrant and beautiful.  I'm glad that I brought my 100mm macro along for the ride!  I got a little wet too, but it was worth it.
I treated myself to a shot of good Caribbean rum before we hopped back on the bus...

Samantha & Wilbur

Samantha and Wilbur are getting married soon.  It was a last minute pre-wedding session so we headed to Santa Cruz to one of my favorite spots.

We started by the wharf.  I loved what they wore...very light and summery.

Then we headed to the open fields of Lighthouse Field...

Now to the rocks between the ocean and W. Cliff Drive..

Ended up on the beach.  It was perfect...low tide!

We wanted to do something at night with the city lights.  Santa Cruz goes to sleep early but we found some cool neon for our backgrounds.

Susanna & Mark

Susanna and Mark.  They're getting married this Saturday.  I can't wait to photograph their wedding...a very sweet couple.

Chopper

I was in Santa Cruz the other day, shooting some pre-wedding photos with a couple and when I was done a guy pulls up in a pretty nice custom bike.  He set it up so he could take a photo of it and I asked if I could step in for one.....

Amy & Dustin

I'm back at Saratoga Country Club for the wedding of a wonderful couple, Amy and Dustin, from Boca Raton, Florida.  We did pre-ceremony photography at the Cypress Hotel in Cupertino, not far from the club.

Flowers by The Wild Geranium
Music by Mike Ewing

Ellie & Andy

I'm not normally a superstitious guy but the weather had been a little rainy lately.  I really wanted a nice day for my couple so I didn't wash my car the day before, for fear of the rain returning for their wedding day (basic superstition).  Sure enough...a beautiful day! 

The church is in Saratoga and the reception was at one of my favorite locations, Saratoga Country Club.  They always do a fabulous job to make sure the day runs smooth and I always know that I will get treated to a wonderful meal.  Ellie and Andy did a good job on their first dance (lot's of practice, I'll bet)  and DJ Mike Ewing made sure that the dance floor was packed.

Flower Girls & Ring Bearers

There is just nothing cuter than a little guy or girl all dressed up for a special wedding day. 
Most of the time they are members of the brides'e or groom's extended family.

Giggly & Happy

I think I'll just try on the brides shoes (they are prettier than my shoes).

"Risky Business"

Kassi and her friends

We had this little game going playing... 'monkeys at the zoo".

She really did make it down the aisle! 
Notice Mom (matron of honor) helping out?





Get ready for summer!

Just to get you in the mood for the warm weather ahead, I'm sharing a couple of my personal favorite photos from the island of Maui.

Maui surfer, Donald "DJ" Dettloff collects old boards and has made a fence around his property on Kaupakalua Road, Maui.

A gekko has found himself on a warm spot on top of a tropical leaf.

Beautiful how the light changes from one minute to the next.  Keawakpu Beach, Maui.