105
April 20, 2010
Wow. That one word pretty much sums up Kerri and Brad's wedding day, and that is only from our side of the camera.
Kerri is just about the happiest person I have met. She always has an honest smile across her face and engaging personality. Brad was so relaxed and humble all day long, you couldn't help but admire him. Kerri, her sister and mother were busy getting ready at the top of the Westin St. Francis overlooking Union Square and most of San Francisco. Meaganne McCandess provided the excellent hair and makeup styling. Meanwhile just across Union Square, Brad and his family were relaxing and preparing in his suite atop the Grand Hyatt.
Once everyone was ready, we headed out to the Chapel at the Presido. The chapel was built in the 1930's and its beautiful Spanish architecture make it one of the favorite wedding spots. Planning ahead, Kerri and Brad arranged a shuttle for all of their wedding guests to go between the Chapel and the Westin. The Rev. Peadar Dalton officiated the heartfelt ceremony with moments of both tears and laughter.
After the ceremony everyone went back to the Westin for cocktails and a stunning reception atop the hotel. With 360 degree views of San Francisco, it was hard not to stare out the windows at the city below. We all enjoyed delicious food and luxurious surroundings while listening to humorous and touching toasts before dancing until midnight. The dance floor was the place to be that night - everyone was there.
Kerri made it clear to me that one of her top priorities for her wedding day was to spend as much time as possible with her friends and family. This meant that the normal amount of time I spent photographing the bride and groom directly after the ceremony would be cut short. It also meant that I was going to make up that time later. In this case, after the reception was over and they said goodnight to many of their friends and family, joined by some of their closest friends we went street side for a 1 AM session.
As we finished up in Union Square well into Sunday, I couldn't help but be amazed by Kerri and Brad. For them, the day was just getting started with new possibilities. Their love for each other and family was a tangible thing - they are truly beautiful people. Thank you again for trusting us with your wedding!
Read all of this and still didn't get enough? Click to see more of Kerri and Brad's wedding on our portfolio site!
Ceremony: Chapel at the Presido
Reception: Westin St. Francis
Hair and Makeup Artist: Meaganne McCandess
Officiant: Reverend Peadar Dalton
Dancing Beats: ProSound Entertainment
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104
April 18, 2010
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Kerry and Brad: Sneak Preview
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103
April 14, 2010
A few months ago I had three consultations in a row where my clients asked what gear I used. As I answered each couple, in my mind I couldn't help but wonder where this was coming from. Was the Knot telling everyone to make sure their photographers use brand new cameras this month? Each of these couples had throughly looked through my work and seen wedding after wedding that I had shot and knew the quality of images I produce. Does the camera gear I use really matter?
As a consumerist, it is all to easy to get excited about the latest product offerings. As a photographer, it's even easier to get sucked into the advertising hype. Surely I need that new Canon 1D IV to get the next shot, right? Or if I only had that fancy new tilt shift lens then I would make the big bucks. Somehow this amazing new piece of gear will erase all of my past difficulties. Sadly I am not immune to this line of thinking.
I am reminded and my first ventures with Canon's 50L 1.2 lens a few years ago. I had the chance to purchase the lens used for a good deal and couldn't pass it up. I thought that just by attaching the lens to my camera, my camera would automatically create mind-blowing imagery. It didn't. It did however, produce a lot of out of focus shots. Actually I produced a lot of out of focus shots. The truth is, I just didn't know how to properly use the tool in my hands.
The lens sat in my camera bag for quite a while, untouched at most shoots. Occasionally I would revisit the lens and I ended creating some very cool photographs with it, but when I did it had little to do with the lens. It was the result of my vision coming out in the photograph. So I sold the "professional" 50mm and downgraded to the "consumer" 50mm. Two years later and I do not have a single regret.
To be sure, I have lots of high end equipment and use it on a regular basis. But the equipment I use is a set of tools and nothing more. My cameras do not automatically create photographs on their own. It's all about using the tools for expression. No longer do I have the false illusion that high end equipment creates high end results.
The majority of gear in my bag was purchased used. Some of it is not of the "professional" line (whatever that is). One of my favorite tools is a twenty year old lens that still gets my creative juices flowing. What is in my camera bag is the collection of tools that lets me express myself
So does the gear we as photographers use really matter? Does using an expensive lens or camera body somehow impart value on the imagery that would not otherwise be there? I tend to think not. Even when I look at other photographers' amazing work, I am more inclined to as "How did they do that?" rather than "What gear did they use to do that?" To me all of this gear is just a set of tools to express my artistic vision. Vision is where the real investment needs to be.
Leave me a comment to let me know what you think!
Oh and all of these photos were taken with my "non-professional" lens collection.
Comments
Harland says:
Friday, April 23, 2010
let's hear it for the 'non-professional' lenses ... or those lenses that were once professional in their heyday.
Good composition, nice balance between light/shadow and simply capturing an intimate or special moment will win out over corner-sharpness and micro-contrast anyday of the week.
But boy, if only I had that ....
cheers, great work and I like the blog layout too.
Patrick says:
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Thanks Harland for the good word. I actually brought out my point and shoot for a few shots at today's wedding just to play around, and I love the results. And just because a lens is old is no reason to think it still won't work. One reason I still love my older lenses is that they are not coated in the way new lenses are. I can really play around with lens flare in ways that just aren't possible today.
John says:
Monday, April 26, 2010
I agree. I have the resources to buy all "L" lenses and I can truthfully say, they didn't make me a better photographer. When I hit it right on, they do produce some amazingly sharp images. I, too have the 50 1.2L, I'm still learning on that one. I have seen excellent images with the consumer grade lenses - you still need to know how to use them!
Patrick says:
Monday, April 26, 2010
You're right on the money John. Gear is great and opens up new possibilities, but you have to understand the gear first. When I first started shooting I kept looking for the "magic" lens that would take perfect photos. Now, I have been shooting the same gear for years and I know what each lens will produce without even looking through the viewfinder (or digital screen) and I am better for it. I have an understanding of how to best use each tool, it's limitations, and how to overcome those limitations.
Whenever I get asked by new photographers what lens they should use, my response is always the same; the one you have. Once you master that lens inside and out, then you can get a new one.
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102
April 13, 2010
By using native elements, the designs of Coarsegold Flower Shop echo the beauty of Yosemite. Over the past few years, I have had the chance to see their work firsthand at many weddings, but I wanted to get a better idea of what they are all about and where they draw their inspiration from for their designs.
Recently I had the chance to sit down with Beth Alberta, the talented designer and owner behind Coarsegold Flower Shop to talk with her about her wedding arrangements.
PP
What drew you to working with flowers?
BA
While away for school in Oregan, I took a job as a delivery driver at a local flower shop. My boss there loved her job, and I was blessed to be taught by someone who loves what they are doing. While learning the techniques of floral design, I started to design arrangements for weddings. I found that I really enjoyed weddings because of the creative freedom.
When I returned to this area, I took a job with a local shop here working with all of their weddings. I loved it and grew while developing my own style. But most of all I found out that it was fun.
PP
When did you open up this location?
BA
I opened my own flower shop in Coarsegold in May of 2002 and I didn't open solely for weddings. I figured if I couldn't do it here, where everyone knows my name, it won't work. The weddings just started coming in on their own, I didn't even advertise. I started with local girls and it grew from there.
PP
When it comes to weddings, what makes you stand apart from other wedding floral designers?
BA
Since we are a full service flower shop and open six days a week, I know the freshness of the product. I am able to test it out the week before the wedding instead of just getting the flowers right before the wedding.
PP
I have noticed in the past that your designs are very unique. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
BA
That's hard to say because I only work with my designs, I don't copy others. I usually take my inspiration from the couple. When I talk with a couple I don't ask them what type of flowers they want, I ask them what feeling they want from their wedding and I play off of that. I know the flower world, so I ask them do they want it to be warm and romantic, or a vintage feel and I take those words that they say and then bring the flowers into it.
My favorite clients trust me with their ideas and concepts. They don't come to me with specific flowers, they come to me with a specific feeling. Once I get the idea from the couple, I start to look at what flowers go together color wise.
PP
Everyone is different in their creative approach, do you approach new client with a set idea or template in mind?
BA
Everything is custom and most of the girls who go with me have seen what they like, they like me, and trust me. When clients ask me exactly how many roses are in each bouquet, I don't know the answers to those questions. I won't know until it is done. That's where they have to trust me.
PP
One thing I have noticed is that your designs are very indicative of this area, they blend very well with Yosemite.
BA
To use your environment around you is going to match the feeling of your wedding; the girls that are coming here want the feeling of nature and Yosemite. Yosemite itself is such a beautiful spot, I feel like I will never be able to upstage it with flowers, I just want to accent it a bit and bring in the local elements.
I was a bit surprised to see some of these same designs on shows like Platinum Weddings when I realized those are the same plants in my backyard!
PP
You mentioned shows like Platinum Weddings, do you follow up on floral trends?
BA
The biggest trend that I have noticed, are that girls are doing what they want. Do what you want, your colors, what you like, follow whats in your heart and true to you.
As my work evolves, I am using more of the natural elements around me. As I look forward, I want to bring in more of the hanging candles, the manzanita trees, and using the elements while keeping it simple and staying true to what the bride wants. These manzanitas done up as a centerpiece are breathtaking, their massive. Then we do these flower balls that hang off of them with lights, they're gorgeous!
PP
What do you see as being unique with wedding in Yosemite from your standpoint.
BA
To me Yosemite is so Yosemite, that there is no way to upstage it. The Ahwahnee to me is already so well done, I feel like you don't need a whole lot to have the perfect wedding. Instead I focus on the details and make the arrangements fit within Yosemite.
So much in Yosemite depends on the time of year, especially for your color pallet. Spring is fair game for anything; there are colors all over. There is the mixture of the dogwoods in the white and green. You've got the shooting stars that are blooming that are pink. You can still use the red roses and the reds pop so well outside for photos.
With summer time I would probably go with primary colors and brighter colors. To me, in the summertime in the valley the hues are not as intense as in the spring and fall. The grasses start to fade a little bit so I think the flowers need to be bright and vibrant. I would go with bold colors, stick with your primary colors, hot pinks, really really bright eye popping flowers. There is a circus rose that we use all of the time that is a gorgeous rose that photographs awesome.
Fall is one of my favorite times, and what is great about fall in Yosemite compared to your typical fall colors that are reds, yellows and oranges, you have the Dogwoods that bring in the pink and the purple hues. So you can still do the fall colors using the pinks and the purples and the yellows with a little bit of the oranges and you get a whole different feeling than the harsh yellow-red-orange.
Winter is classic for red. Deep deep red rose and lots of snow is gorgeous.
Coarsegold Flower Shop
35300 Highway 41
Coarsegold, CA
(559) 641-2384
Comments
Krystal Preciado says:
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Yeah she is an artist! Love her work too.
Patrick says:
Saturday, April 24, 2010
We really are blessed to have so much amazing artistic talent up here!
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09
March 23, 2010
Nancy contacted me last year after she saw photographs from her friend's wedding that we had taken and just about hired me on the spot. This past weekend we met in the afternoon at the Beach Chalet, where Golden Gate Park meets the Pacific, for an engagement session. Outside of phone conversations, it was the first time we all had the chance to meet each other, so it was great to talk with them face to face. It quickly became evident to me that having a camera follow them around was going to push them outside of their comfort zone. But hey, it's my job right?
We traveled
through the city and then to the Marin Headlands, with a quick stopover
to view a small bridge. It's always a bit of a challenge to me to come
to some place so iconic as this and do something that doesn't look like a
replica of everyone's tourist photos.
I know there are lots of images here, but I made a slideshow with
even more photos. It's work and all, but there's nothing like getting
to know a couple and spend the day with them creating memories. One
thing is for certain, I can't wait for the wedding! See you both soon!
Comments
paula leme says:
Monday, April 12, 2010
you new blog looks amazing, i love it! and congrats on the awesome images :)
Matthew Saville says:
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The new blog is awesome! Love those intothedarkroom ppl...
Great images in this session of course. The rim light on that 4th one is magic!
=Matt=
Patrick says:
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Thanks everyone! I couldn't be happier with they process or the finished product. This is the perfect platform to show our hard work!
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Nancy and Josh
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Simply amazing. They are going to be beyond thrilled with all of the photos you captured. Fantastic job.
beautiful images!
Great work Patrick. Love the cityscape shot at sunset.
AMAZING JOB!!! ;)
Thanks everyone, they were an awesome couple to work with!
amazing wedding coverage, simple yet so powerful.
Thanks Fer I appreciate it!