I’m not even sure where to begin with the story of Alton + Jill. We’ve been dear friends for years and years, A is a BFF in every way. It all started back in Austin, Tx. when Alton and I showed up to  the same party wearing the same exact makeup. It was a FIERCE look that was featured in the pages of Vogue magazine that month….a cylindrical black liner/shadow application that’s kind of hard to explain. But when two people meet who are brave enough to step outside their space with a look so bold, it is clear that those two people are bound to be soul mates on some level. So it was at that moment that our friendship was etched into the books of eternity. I think that was in the year 1998. Since that day we’ve really become like family, moving to NY at the same time – exploring the city together. Making a home there. Thanksgivings spent together, year after year. And the parties, oh the parties.

Somewhere along the way, Alton met Andre and they fell in love (: Seeing Alton that happy with someone who clearly loved him with equal amounts of enthusiasm….well that was something that has always put a giant smile on my face. Being in the presence of these two will always put a giant smile on my face. I don’t go on the record about very many things on my blog. But I actually do have ALOT of strong opinions about a lot of things. Perhaps the strongest opinion I have is that gay men and women SHOULD have the right to be married just like everyone else. Who are we to set the rules on who can spend their lives together and who cannot? I’m not going to rant – but there….I’ve put my stake in the ground.

Alton and Andre were actually married years and years ago with an extravagant ceremony atop a Cruise liner Ship in Rio de Janiero. All the guests were asked to wear white. And when it came time for me to get married, well, guess who made the rings? Andre and his Dad have been making jewelry for years out of their family owned Atelier located at the Copa Cabana. Simply Fabulous! I always get compliments on my “stackables”.

Anyway, when Alton and Andre came to town recently…we got together and did what we ALWAYS do. 1. Drink Champagne and 2. Take Pictures of Each other. Only this time, I was strapped with some hefty equipment, and my professional lighting technician, haha.  Nice work Tony on making these guys look EXTRA FLY with the Off-Camera Flash. And big kisses to you A+A – please move to Hollywood soon!

Michelle and Abdulla have a classic love story with a huge dose of international travel attached. These two met while attending the Architecture College at Carnigie Melon University. Abdulla hailed from the United Arab Emirites, while Michelle’s parents had recently moved their camp to the city of San Francisco. As if they needed to make things any more exotic….Michelle and Abdulla went and landed themselves an opportunity to study abroad while working at an Architectural Firm in Barcelona. They’re college kids…of course they traveled all over Europe together and then what happened? Well, of course they fell in love! How could they not? With all that travel on their heels – there is nothing more romantic!

Skip way forward, they’ve known each other five years, they’re traveling back and forth to see each other from SF, to UAE, over to NY, back to respective towns….and FINALLY – the day of marriage….silence….together, finally. Woop – they hop a plane to the Sechelle Isands (widely known as the most romantic place on earth, also exactly on the other side of the world from CA) for their honeymoon, and then directly to the UAE where they will both hang their hats as a family…until they get that itch and just have to hop a plane for the next place! ha, I know exactly who these kids are, they’re just like you and me – except, instead of talking about going all those places, Michelle and Abdulla are actually DOING IT. Nice work you two. Congrats, we love and admire you! And we’re not joking, we’ll see you soon in Abu Dhabi (:

Floral: Grace Street Floral
Catering: Grace Street Catering
Dress: Bridal Galleria
Location: DeYoung Museum

It wasn’t that long ago I featured a belly shoot I did with Shelley. When she contacted me to photograph the baby – I was thrilled! The best part was that I got to get at this little one while he was still under 2 weeks old! The first two weeks is my favorite time to photograph the little newbies, because they’re still in that little ball from being in the womb. This little guy actually loved the sound of the camera shutter click….something about it seamed to sooth him. Hmmm, perhaps we have another Hollywood Natural (: