Tommy’s proposal to his sweetheart for almost two years,  Rachel was nothing short of breathtaking. There were candles, flowers, blankets and champagne. There was a handwritten poem. The backdrop was so picturesque as the dreamy fog rolled in over the cityscape a top of Loews Regency hotel in San Francisco.  He pulled out all the stops, including hiring The Yes Girls to assist in with this romantic and modern proposal.  The florist, Urban Botanica did a fabulous job on the flowers and set up. Everything was all ready, when Tommy led Rachel up to the 40th floor private balcony. She had no idea what was going on and I think she was so surprised.  Then she read the poem “your passionate kisses and heart of gold solidifies my love for you…”They both started to tear up as soon as she knew what was happening. I was so honored to be there and document the amazing moment. Thanks to the beautiful couple, The Yes Girls and to all the vendors-It went perfectly! Oh, and She said yes!!!!

It was a hot day in the East Bay, and a hot, young. and so in love couple was getting married.  I loved the fact that Kathy’s Aunt and Uncle not only provided the couple with a great getting ready spot, but they threw in a sweet red vintage mustang too!  I had never met the groom, as he was  in the military and stationed out of state right up until the wedding-so he had fun pretending that he was just one of the groomsmen for a second with me. As the groom and groomsmen had fun playing pool, Kathy was getting her wedding gown on just a room away. She looked absolutely stunning  and her Mom and Dad couldn’t have been more proud.  The ceremony and reception was held at The Lonetree golfcourse in Antioch. The couple did not see each other until that moment when she came down the aisle and that moment was beautiful as Kenny’s eyes lit up. Their love could not have been more apparent and I loved that they were high school sweethearts. They were both very silly and also so sweet that I know they are going to have a long happy life together as best friends.  For future reference, Brides do not have to help photographers to their car with their equipment!!!  Of course, I did not let her do that, but the offer was ridiculously sweet.  The night ended with a breathtaking sunset that I could not help but capture on my way out.

I was so excited to see Kayla and Chris again after photographing their engagement session. The day had finally come and their wedding ceremony was going to be at my childhood church, Community Presbyterian Church in Danville, better know as CPC. Kayla and Chris met at at their best friends’s wedding and it was meant to be. They were best man and maid of honor and now it was their friends’ turns to be best man and maid of honor and they took their roles very seriously. It was a such a fun wedding as the groom is a total comedian and the bride can’t help but laugh. Kayla was so diy savvy and had made such wonderful details for the wedding. They also bought such thoughtful gifts for each other to incorporate as well. I love the key to my heart bouquet and boutonniere charms and the awesome superhero cufflinks. Their ceremony was in the beautiful little chapel and the lighting was amazing. I loved the moment they shared in the middle where they just hugged each other for awhile. Roses are in bloom at Heather Farms Garden Center Reception site and that is where Kayla and Chris continued the celebration and where the party started! We had fun photographing in the gardens and there were so many pretty spots to sit and walk and kiss!! The Heather Farms center is a great little place for a wedding and they did a great job decorating. I loved their little pink cake for them to cut and then each guest was given a tasty cupcake to indulge in. Dancing started after I left, but I am sure they had a blast. Thanks Kayla and Chris for having me as your photographer! Congratulations to you both!!

I had an amazing time at a lovely wedding in Dublin. What a sweet and gorgeous couple-both inside and out!! Stephanie and Erik met on CatholicMatch.com and their love for each other is just as strong as their faith. By their second date they knew it would be forever and now they have solidified that in front of God and all their friends and family at St. Raymond Catholic Church in Dublin.  In fact, Erik proposed to Stephanie  right in front of this very church beside the Mary Statue outside.  I was rewarded with the simple beauty and power of love as I photographed throughout the day. The bridesmaids and bride and I took some fun photos before the ceremony at the Shannon Community Center. The wind brought a little relief from the heat and a little lift to the extra long veil Stephanie wore. We got some beautiful sunset shots with their church in the background.  Their wedding day couldn’t have gone more perfect! Cheers guys!!

Jessica and James were married at the Sorelle Winery in Stockton, California. As I drove towards the venue on the back country roads for miles, listening to love songs to get me in the mood I knew it was going to be a perfect wedding! The Sorelle Winery was an amazing little venue that had so many cute spots for photos and it’s vintage charm made for the perfect setting. And on such a hot day-all the guests enjoyed their signature pink wine slushies. I met Jessica at C&T publishing when I was a in house photographer for them. She is a graphic designer-so she is also in the creative field-which I love, because she put a lovely effort into the details. The couple met through a mutual friend at a local watering hole and were instantly drawn toward each other. I love how Jessica’s mom put it in here toast, “I heard him singing in the backseat of the car to her and I knew he was the one for her.”-so sweet!! Jessica could not even look at her mom during the toast-for fear of uncontrollable tears!! James proposed to Jessica on his birthday exclaiming it was the best birthday present he could have gotten. They are truly in love and I could see that they will keep each other smiling.

Thanks to all the vendors that helped make this wedding a smash!

Venue: Sorelle Winery

DJ: Dave Metildi

Hair stylist: Kayla Kruger

Makeup artist: Courtney Gurash

Florist: Ericka Skinner

Caterer: Tin Roof Catering

Dress:  Allure Bridal

Breanna and Brandon’s wedding was as elegant as it was charming.The setting could not have been more majesic at an amazing private estate called Tamayo Family Vineyards in Brentwood, California. I was lucky to have my great friend and fellow photographer, Anja Ulfeldt by my side, to give this wedding the complete coverage it deserved. We had a blast photographing at this venue with it’s European charm and picturesque gardens and vineyards. The adorable couple met in a college speech class and there was an instant connection.   This couple was so much in love and sooooo comfortable in front of the camera. Forget speech, I think they might of taken some modeling classes before their wedding-they were that good!! Here’s to Breanndon! Wishing them a wonderful life and a great start to their marriage over on the east coast!

The main room at the estate had a beautiful white baby grand piano, so Brandon, a self-taught piano player could not help himself but sit down and play some relaxing pre-wedding songs!

Breanna’s dress was amazing-I am loving all the lace and it fit her perfectly! The paintings inside the estate were phenomenal and made for great props in the photos!

I love these shoes!! Purple with sparkle!!

It was so sweet to watch her Dad’s first look, he was so patient waiting behind the door and when he opened it and saw his daughter the tears started to swell. I love those moments!

The estate had an amazing wine cellar and it was a great spot for Anja to capture the men before going outside.

Breanna was a real life venus de milo and she looked exquisite in the midst of this Italian charm.

Brandon was very popular with the flower girls and the guys had a blast with their pre-ceremony shots!

The ceremony was perfect and set in the shade of nice big trees during the hot day and this couple was so happy walking down the aisle together during the recession.

You can tell this brother and sister are close, I love it when people close their eyes when they hug!

You got to love entire wedding group shots-shot from a private movie theatre balcany.

I love it when family group photos get silly!!

The vineyard and estate made for a great backdrop for the reception and I love sweetheart tables!

The couple immediately went into their first dance after being introduced to the reception and it was such a lovely first dance with all the love and sparkly pool waves and stunning statue and columns.

I love photographing couples in vineyards at sunset, such a romantic setting and then we also had Mt. Diablo in the background.

                                                           As the sun went down, the party got started and everything looked amazing under the disco lights.

I was so excited when I saw sparkler send off in Breanna’s timeline and couldn’t wait to try these sparkler photo of the bride and groom at the end of the night. It was the perfect sparkly ending to a amazing day!

Special thanks to all the vendors!

Venue: Tamayo Vineyard Estate

Wedding dress: Allure Romance

Shoes: Nina

Florist: Ribbons and Roses

Hair and makeup: Rachelle Kekic

Caterer: Derry Englund

Cake: T L Cakes

Coordinator: Sophie and Sarah Tamayo

Photographer: Christina Carty-Francis and Anja Ulfeldt

I just love babies and I love babies that are born to parents who are awesome! This little girl is adorable, and with all that cuteness you got have a little spunk too. After all she is part California/part Kentucky!  Proud parents, Jody and Jason are good friends and I am so happy for them and I look forward to our girls growing up together! I had bought some new stretch fabric to wrap the baby with for our shoot and Jody had a rustic wooden crate and floral wreath and voilá we have 16th century mediterranean baby. Dressing up babies is so much fun, if only they would enjoy it just a little bit more! Rae did awesome though and we were able to get some beautiful shots of her. Congrats Neal family!

I am extremely happy for one of my best friend’s Anja (since high school!) and her fiance´ Rocky! These two lovebirds got engaged in Europe last summer and originally met at Burning Man a few years ago. They are such a great pair and I know they are going to build a beautiful life together. They live in Oakland and of course love it there, so it was a perfect backdrop for their engagement photos.  It is so romantic to be in the midst of train tracks, boats, palm trees and a cute doggie named Sadie. I love Oakland and I love these guys! Congratulations!!!

Baby John was such a cutie at only just shy of three weeks old. I love that Melissa and Craig wanted to do the session during that fresh newborn baby stage-it is hard when you are so tired and still recovering from delivery, but it is soooo worth it! Fresh babies are not only cute they are sleepy and easy to photograph. During the shoot we really just needed to keep him warm with all the those cute outfit changes. Because it was right before Christmas, we had a cute crocheted Santa hat and pouch that he just fit perfectly in. Melissa also had gotten him an adorable bow tie and suspenders in Christmas colors that was just too stinking cute and I loved that it was a little too big for him as well. They are such a cute family complete with little fluffy doggie and I am so happy for them! Congratulations on your sweet baby boy. Enjoy!

This past family portrait mini session day was at Hap Magee Ranch Park in Danville. It is such a great spot for doing portraits and especially when you are working with multiple families and you want variety in one place. The only thing is that you are not the only photographer and family there shooting at the same time, however the park has so many options and is big there was no issues ( and of course everyone is respectful of others!) I love the big Oak tree and I love the heart on it-makes for a great spot to show love between loved ones. I also love the fall colors here-there are some amazing trees with so many pretty colors-it is great for fall family photos. I photographed three families here at this park and they were all different: toddler, baby and family of six including a doggie!! Let’s just say, I was kept plenty busy. I can’t wait till next fall for my next family portrait  mini session day!