About the shoot: Joy Marie and David are a couple of people that I hold close to my heart. Not only are they great friends and fellow colleagues, but they are two people who Push, Inspire and Believe in me from a Creative Standpoint. I like to surround myself with people like that! I feel so blessed to have them in my life. So you can imagine what an honor it was when they asked me to photograph them on their 13th Wedding anniversary in Nashville, TN! How is it even possible that Joy and David have these 3 growing boys who add all this life and vitality to their day-to-day! I think I’m gonna have to photograph the WHOLE FAMILY next time! Until then, check out some Smallwood STYLE….

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!

1. They’re both Architects (Art Vandelay, you wish you were that cool).

2. They’re getting married at the de Young Museum – nuff said.

3. Abdulla and his family reside in the UAE and they’re all flying in to SF especially for the wedding.

Tell me this is not going to be a good time? Because it’s going to be an awesome time! One thing I forgot to mention….Michelle and Abdulla are kind, genuine and caring people…you can just feel it from the moment you first shake hands. All of that kindness translates into PURE BEAUTY through the camera lens. We feel so blessed that we get to capture your day, M&A. We think you both are completely wonderful in so many ways and we can’t wait to share the day with you and your family and all the people who love you!