Annual Mahoney Chistmas

How did I get so lucky to be part of this wacky and fun Christmas project? My good friends, the Mahoney's, have taken the standard Christmas card to a whole new level. Lore says Ben is trying to out do his brother, but I can't imagine anyone topping them, ever. Thankfully Mel is game and they put out a much talked about and anticipating card every year. This years shoot was shot around Napa and Sonoma, their new backyard, featuring an old western theme. Sworn under secrecy, I had to wait to release these photos. Am already excited to see what they will come up with next year!

Sharkfest Golden Gate swim!

Just got back from a great open water swim - the inaugural Sharkfest Golden Gate Bridge swim. Couldn't have asked for a better day!

On my drive over the bridge, I got to catch the sun rise over the east bay hills, making the bay truly shimmer. Upon arriving, my nerves was instantly calmed when the registrants recognized my HSB crew shirt and I found out that they were part of the stellar info booth crew. Once boarding the ferry, we had to wait a bit for a cargo ship to make it's way through, and got to talking to a few hilarious and wonderful people. Love these events if nothing more then for the great people.

But then of course, the swim! Started off a little rough with the wake of said cargo ship hitting us upon entry, but was able to get a rhythm going a little ways in. Did ride a few of those wave though! Sight lines were confusing to say the least and my course would be anything but direct, but having the underside of the golden gate bridge as my view wasn't half bad.
Great swim and am so happy my friend Martha convinced me to do it. Thanks!

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

To say I look forward to this festival every year would be quite the understatment. It truly is a fantastic music festival, but more importantly, a time that friends from all over the city, state, and country gather for the better part of a week in golden gate park to set it all up. Getting to work on this festival is part fun and part insanity. The hours are ridiculously long, but seem to fly by. Somehow in all the madness of the event and multitude of jobs I take on during the festival, I snuck in the time to get a few shots. Maybe some year I'll not work and just photograph the event... nah, it's too much fun not to work!

Oh how I love fall

With out question, October is my favorite month of the whole year. In San Francisco it means the warm weather is finally here, people get out of the fog and take advantage of all what this city has to offer. It starts with my favorite music festival of the year and ends with my favorite holiday of all time, Halloween.

Goodbye, Kim!

My dear, sweet friend Kim, is taking another job and sharing her knowledge and passion with the greater bay area. She will be missed at the night club we both worked at, but knowing she's just down the street makes it all okay. Some shots below from one truly fun going away party!

Beautiful, fun, and loving Irish wedding!

Still smiling and face sore from all the laughter of yesterday's wedding. I was honored to photograph the commitment ceremony of Kira and Denise who flew all the way to San Francisco from their hometown of Limerick, Ireland to exchange vows. Joining them were their close friends and family, many in from Ireland, and a few in from New York. The ceremony took place at the little known wave organ along the San Francisco bay, the weather cooperated with sun shining on these two and warming the spirits of all attendees. The touching ceremony was followed up with a beautiful lunch along the Berkeley marina and a true Irish wedding party at Nickie's bar in the city that went to all hours of the evening. Just so happy to be included in this ceremony and enjoyed everyone's company!

Whirlwind New York trip wrap up!

Though it was such a short visit to the east coast, we got to see, eat, watch, and do so much while there. Started off immediately with the most fun rehearsal dinner I've ever been to. It was a colorful, exciting, and lively Indian party I was honored to attend. No less sit at the family of the grooms table, which they named the "San Francisco" table... coincidence?? Amazing food, dancing and music to follow, only to be out done by the wedding itself the following day.
A quick drive around the area in the morning had us exploring some quaint towns, picking up some farm stand fruit, and the elusive search for a good cup of coffee. The wedding was great, lots of fun and did I mention lots of food? Definitely did not starve on this trip. After our Sunday brunch with the family, we headed into New York city to explore and walk about all different areas, get more food, and finally some good coffee thanks to Stumptown.
The quick and dirty wrap up of our short time in New York city goes something like this; tribeca, garden district, high line park walks, chelsea, west village, fresh fruit popsicles, bakeries, eataly, no. 7 subs, stumptown, subways, moma, lower east side, dinner with toni and rob, late night pizza eats, drinks at sophie's, martha stewart office visit, mom meeting Martha in the halls, more good eats, penn station, jfk, and finally, flying home with fresh made mozarella and ny pizza. yum!

Lydia & David

What a great day with Lydia and David. We took advantage of the sun breaking through the fog and traveled all over the city. Lydia wanted lots of vibrant colors and had some great ideas of mission murals and funky Victorians. Hopefully going to squeeze in another shoot with their adorable pug before the wedding day. Love these two!