Well, last Tuesday was another random gorgeous summer-like day in San Francisco. I love it here! Especially when I am forced to meet clients at the beach. I cannot complain that half the time my office is the outdoors. I have nothing but appreciation.

. . . and this day I have to thank Julie and Serghio for wanting me to shoot their engagement pictures. They have yet to decide on a wedding photographer for their wedding later this summer, but I'm definitely working on it :) They are a great couple.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SLIDESHOW FROM THIS SHOOT

Do I need to point out the two birds symbolically flying overhead in this image. Sometimes it just seems meant to be, no?

The background here was Grace Cathedral.

Oh, you should have seen the drama and work it took to get these cablecar shots! We had to run after cable cars, get yelled at by cablecar guys (not our fault), and put in the extra commitment to reach our goals. So worth it.

. . . especially for shots like these.

Thanks Julie and Serghio. I hope to get the chance to cover your wedding as well. Try to imagine how awesome your Calistoga wedding images could be! Cheers.

Alright, an update!:

"Hi James,

Wow! You work fast. The pictures turned out fantastic! We love all of them. It's just a matter of picking out our absolute favorites. We'll definitely order some.

We also love you so much that we would like to have you be our wedding photographer too! We are really comfortable with you, we like that you're not afraid to take risky photos, and you definitely have an eye for beauty and finding beauty where people may not initially see it. We'll look over the brochure you gave us and decide what kinds of things we'll want in our package.

Thanks!

Julie"

Sometimes I wish I could shoot an engagement portrait session for all potential clients. I know if people got to experience how much heart I put into my work and how good I could make them look, they would not hesitate to book me. Alas, I'm only for some I guess! :)

Last week I had the opportunity to capture preschool children in a more candid contemporary fashion. Before I discovered my love and talent for photography, I had spent most of my academic years studying early childhood development. So I especially love these assignments!

For a four years old, this young lady sure seems to have an older spirit. I love this shot.

This one cracks me up. What wild, unruly, and beautiful hair! :)

Last Thursday I met up with Mercy and Noah in Santa Cruz to take some engagement pictures. They are a super-cute couple with well-defined styles, which made for some great inspiration and images.

To view the slideshow of these images, click on the following link:

click here for slideshow

I don't normally condone smoking, but come on, this was a cute shot.

I love that these two were willing to play around with me to get some unique poses.

My favorite from the shoot.

The building in the background with such nice style is about to be torn down for some beach condos or something, so we made sure to get a couple nice pictures in before it goes away for good.

We were waiting around for the circular swing ride to get spinning and Mercy and John were chillin and naturally looking super-cool. What a cute couple!

There we go, awesome. :)

On a personal note of regret: I could not stay away from trying out the Deep Fried Twinkies. Watching Mercy and Noah eat cotton candy and all of the smells of the boardwalk made me cave.

So good. So bad.

"Hey James,

We LOVE them :) All our family and friends adore them as well. Thank you SO much it was really fun to work with you and I believe next time will be even better!

~ Mercy La Barba "

I had another opportunity to volunteer my photography services to one of my favorite organizations: The Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area. Last Thursday night at the Palace Hotel in downtown San Francisco, they held their annual "Big Event" fundraiser.

This is their Board of Supervisors.

But it was all about the kids they help to connect with caring and positive adult role models. They had some great videos that helped to shead light on the type of lasting relationships BBBSBA helps to create and support.

This was one of the pairings of a "Big" and a "Little" that recieved special "inspiration" awards for exemplifying what this organization is all about.

Things definitely got emotional at times, the young adults (and volunteer adults for that matter) totally create special bonds that are super growth experiences.

They had a silent auction and an exciting live auction of donated items and packages. I think they raised over $50,000 that night: it was awesome.

This was an excited "Little" that got to participate by calling out raffle numbers :)

click here to view the slideshow

"Hi James:

Thank you SO VERY MUCH for your professional time and talents in photographing last night's BIG event! I'm so sorry I barely had a chance to say hello to you, let alone provide you with any kind of support at the event. And then I didnt even get to say thank you before you left. . . the event just seemed to go by in a flash (no pun intended!)

But I really do appreciate your being so generous in volunteering your photography services, a mere Thank you hardly seems enough. I'll be looking forward to seeing the photos when they're ready and know from past experience with you that I'm going to see the best event images we've ever had!

When we post them on our website/in our newsletter I will be sure to provide web links for you again. Let me know what else I can do - aside from sincerely recommending you to anyone who'll listen, which I already do!

Thanks again and have a great weekend,

Joanne Gold"

Chief Development Officer BBBSBA