Back in Love::Film's not Dead

As some of you might know my love affair with photography started many years ago when I took a class while in high school. The intention was to hang out with my buddies, get an easy A, pad the GPA, and simply goof off. It was in my photo class where I fell in love with photography. Not just making photographs with the camera but actually developing my own film in the dark room, hang drying the prints, to finally hanging the photos on the walls of my room. I loved everything about the process.

It's probably been about 5 years since I shot film. With digital cameras and that instant gradification you get with being able to see the photos with a matter of about a second. Truth is, I've been yearning to shoot film for a while now. It's a much slower process but a more gradifying one. As much as I love my professional digital DSLR cameras I picked up a used Nikon F100 film camera and some Fuji Film Pro 400H. The results are finally in from my first two rolls of shooting film once again and upon seeing the photos I got that same warm fuzzy feeling I did when I developed my first photo.

Check it out:

*Please note these are all straight out of camera, no digital manipulation at all.

Gen + Dan::2nd Shooting

Once again my good friend and talented photographer Luke Snyder gave me a chance to shoot with him at the wedding of Gen and Dan. When I was told the reception was being held at the Exploratorium I couldn't hide my excitement. They had a beautiful ceremony at Mission Dolores. It's always fun to 2nd shoot as I like to push my limits and creativity. Working with Luke I always have 100% creative freedom.

Moving on check out a few from my persective on the day.





























They had a Mexican theme to their reception, mariachi band and all. It was super fun!

Elina + Marek::Going the Distance

About 3 days before Christmas I received an email from my friend Elina. The subject of the email read "Big Favor". As I read the email and came across the line "I'm getting married on December 31, 2009" the first thing that came to my mind was, "She wants me to shoot her wedding. But a wedding that is going to take place in a matter of days?" So I go on reading and the entire time I was subconsciously looking for the line "Can you take our photos?" About three quarters of the way down she says "We were wondering if you were available and willing to be our..." get ready for this one "...wedding officiant." I rubbed my eyes to make sure I hadn't misread. Maybe she meant to say "Official photographer" I thought to myself. As I read on sure enough she was asking me to be her officiant.

So for those of you who don't know the County of San Francisco has a 1 time deputation program in which one can carry the title of Deputy Marriage Commissioner. This title allows one to conduct and legally sign off on a marriage certificate. The only requirement is to be 18 years of age and speak English fluently.

Nonetheless I was in complete shock and awe. No words can describe how honored I felt to have been the Deputy Marriage Commissioner for Elina and Marek. Of course, being a wedding photographer I offered to take some portraits afterwards. But as good fortune would have it before the ceremony (which by the way was performed at the Sutro Bath ruins)we came across a couple who were photographers. Alex, the gentleman offered to help take a couple of photos for us during the short ceremony. So yes, that's me down there conducting the ceremony.

Here's to Elina and Marek going the distance (literally as they've been flying across the country to see one another as he lives in South Carolina).







Here I am with Marek right before swearing to uphold all the duties for a Deputy Marriage Commissioner (Photo taken by Elina)






Ryan, Elina's brother from Miami stood in as the witness and during our portrait session was my assistant.


Our view




Here's my perspective of the first kiss


Here I am getting the shot above