I met up with one of my couples recently on my travels and here are some highlights! Enjoy.
Archive for October, 2011
City Center, Las Vegas Engagement Shoot | Matt & Jennifer
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuscany, Italy Wedding | Bridal Portrait Shoot | Antonio & Shelley
Friday, October 14, 2011
Artistry and luxury from the 1600′s run deep here. These hilltop towns contain secrets of lives that are rusting away, and the paint from the walls thats hundreds of years old creates a fascinating backdrop that is impossible to duplicate. The authenticity of a tuscan villa built in 1697 was a perfect place for our shoot. This region has so many interesting and enchanting stories to tell if you are looking for, and take the time to slow down and experience them. Shelley & Antonio the following day dawned their wedding attire and we headed out for a sunset session. We explored the diverse areas around this property and could have shot for days without duplicating anything ,I know you will enjoy these images.
Villa Catignano caught my attention 5 years ago when I was commissioned photographed an american italian wedding there in the spring of that year. Located just outside Siena and one hour from Florence, its easy to get to, yet tucked away in the heart of the Chiante region of the hills there. We had taken the train up from Rome and fell in love with this countryside region. It was such a private place for the family to rent out the entire 30 room villa for their family and friends to come and enjoy their wedding! As you can see from some of the scene setting shots within eyeshot of the property as well as the view overlooking the town of Siena, this is a spectacular spot. One of the highlights of the villa are the ancient historical frescos painted on the walls and ceilings of the Villa. This was once a working olive oil farm with a chapel, pool, vineyard, cellars and production barn. As I was exploring I found the ruins of an old greenhouse where they kept their citrus trees in the winter.
Enjoy this collection of images from Antonio and Shelley. They were a sweet couple with equally as much interesting history together as the villa, and yet down to earth. My favorite images are the ones with the row of hedges that were almost a quarter mile long. Only in Tuscany.
Tuscany, Italy Engagement Shoot | Antonio & Shelley
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Every time I travel back to Italy, this is my favorite region. Something about meeting the farmers and picking up food to take back to the villa to cook. The way the beautiful tuscan light wrapped around everything at sunset reflecting off the olive orchard leaves. The perfect humidity and warm nights. The hilltop towns and listening to the passionate stories from the owners of the castles and villas tell the tales of how the turks were stopped at the city gates nine hundred years ago on the very location your sitting on. This region has so much fascinating and enchanting stories to tell if you are looking for, and take the time to slow down and experience it. Shelley & Antonio live in this region and his father owns a stunning Italian Castle called Castello Del Le Serre dating back to the 1100′s. I could have listened to the stories about the property and the region for hours. Antonio is from Rome originally. Shelley is from Santa Barbara. These two lovers met, wed and are such a fun couple. I recently caught up with them and captured this two part series of a casual portrait session and a day after wedding session. We explored some amazingly beautiful areas of this northern Italian region, and I’m excited to share these. Thanks to Ben with CanaVP for connecting us with Shelly & Antonio.
Hammer Sky Vineyard Wedding | {Banjo + Bev}
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Somewhere in between Summer and Fall here in the central coast’s wine region, lies a season of perfection. I’m not sure if it’s because the best produce is being harvested, or that the weather invites you to be outside both during the day and into the evening. It’s the time of year near crush season in the vineyards, and the air has a sweet scent of fullness, with days that make you wish time would stand still so you can savor the moment for as long as possible. This perfectly describes the day for Banjo & Beverly.
They chose their venue, Hammer Sky Vineyards, because it is a historic working estate vineyard, with the original building dating back to 1904. Best known for their Cabernet & Zinfandel varietels, Hammer Sky has done a good job of keeping things up to date, and original. Hammer Sky winery is also known for its views, and has the perfect position for enjoying the sunset. It feels like it was built for family get togethers. The guests, who were mostly from Los Angeles and San Francisco, were calling the estate the most elegant and enchanting location for a wedding. Umbrella Tree designs did the invites and save the dates.
Jenn at Allure Event Designs produced the event and floral decor. Joel VanZ, who specializes in outdoor wedding films, captured the day so well. He is about to release the feature highlights of the day soon. Santa Barbara Classic Party Rentals supplied the elegant and hand-crafted dark wood tables, and Kramer Entertainment was in charge of the event’s lighting.
Catering by Chef Charlie, who specializes in pairing wine with international foods and the freshest local meats & seafood, selected the most delectable local culinary cuisine, combined with a few imported European treats to pair perfectly with some of the excellent wine that Banjo chose for this wedding. Among some of the highlights of the day were the butternut squash ravioli paired with a Kendal Jackson Highlands Camelot Chardonnay. The braised short ribs paired with Villacana Cuvee. The most popular wine was an ’07 Syrah from Caliza which was bold and “jammy”. My personal favorites on the cheese & charcuterie table were the fresh local honeycomb with the french brillat saverin, saint agur with pyreneese. The salad had a 5 year banyuls cherry vinaigrette.
All in all this event was spectacular!
Thacher Winery Wedding | {Matt + Alison}
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
A few months ago I 1st photographed Matt & Alison for their casual portrait session. Their wedding was designed by Laura Robertson and the Floral Stylist was Livia & Joanne from the Green Vase. Livia is a contributor to the beautiful Martha Stewart Wedding Magazine. So I knew this event was going to be fabulous. The venue they chose was the historic family owned boutique Thacher Winery.
This barn has fascinating history that dates back almost one hundred hears. The “KR” on the barn is a well-known landmark of old time Paso Robles. The Kentucky Ranch, winery, vineyard and gardens was part of a 4,000 acre Spanish Land Grant until 1869 after which it became a thriving horse breeding operation. The ranch includes the 1920’s KR barn, outbuildings, farmhouse, barley fields and riparian habitat for deer, coyotes, bobcats, turkeys and the occasional mountain lion. The vineyard was planted in Spring of 2007, it consists of zinfandel and petite syrah, some of my favorite blends. The Controlled Chaos and Reserve Zin are among my favorites of the varietals they offer.
Their theme was “lucky horseshoes”. Everything they planned was very unique and original. From the custom micro brewed Firestone Walker “World Tour” beer that Matt brewed especially for his wife, to the individual pies in mason jars from which guests could choose from apricot, peach, strawberry and olalieberry, with a fresh “pie cookie” on top with whipped cream. The guests were continually surprised with originally crafted & planned elements! Livia designed a wildflower floral theme and Laura crafted their horseshoe theme throughout with the guest place cards to the invitations.
The entire wedding day was a beautiful blend of warmth, sunshine, paired with a cool afternoon breeze nestled in the valley alongside Vineyard road. They chose a tasty palette of local farmed & caught produce, beef and seafood. Both bands they chose were perfect pairing for the ceremony and reception. Alison had a great pair of Frye boots that fit her perfect, as well as matched the colors of her wedding. Alongside their details they included much of the horse theme with the historic awards and medals that were won over the years.
Ten hours on June 25th could not contain all the memories and smiles that Matt, Alison & friends wished never ended because the intimate moments with family and friends all together celebrating a joyous perfect day. As the sun set, the warmth continued to radiate from the ground, and from the faces of everyone as the festivities went into the late night. What a perfect day.
