I’ll talk more about the wedding in the next post with all the photos, but the weekend in general begged to have it’s own post because of all the cool people, places and textures of the city. I wish I had another week just to walk around those eclectic streets! Luckily, I was introduced to the famous Farmer’s Market Saturday at Pier 1. It was everything I was told and more, with incredibly fresh food and drinks of all types all under temporary tents right on the waterway. There were great bands, like “The Easy Leaves”, who were rocking out songs that sounded (to my untuned ears) like something from “Oh Brother, Where Out Thou”, and plenty of neat boutique-style eateries on the way. Basically, for someone that is constantly hungry, it was hard to make it more than 100ft without buying more food, bread, drinks, or whatever! Anyway, enough talk, the pictures can tell the story from here.  v

Listening to this guy play made me feel like I was transported back in time. So melodic and relaxing in all the hustle-bustle of the Market!

So, after filling up a cart for the wedding the next day (and some more stuff for the rental house) we headed back to relax… and eat more

The house had an awesome view of San Fran, but also of some gorgeous gardens below. The whole crew basically took turns coming out and appreciating how the other half lives.

I have a ton more photos that I’d like to post, but I’ll end on two of my favorites from a quick walk around the neighborhood that Maya and I took. Have a great weekend, and leave a comment before you go.

A crazy busy work schedule, and quite a bit of travel has left me little time to update the blog. I got some tough love from my brother and Maya about. (See guys, told you I’d update it!)

Ok, so a little while back I got the chance to shoot a late engagement session for Maya and my good friends Matt and Jill. I’ve known Matt since college, back when he had a rad fro and a long board… in Kansas. As if that wasn’t enough, he dwarfed the rest of us Design kids by a good half foot.

Matt met Jill shortly after he moved out to California and fell in Love (yes I used a capital on purpose, it was that immediate). Fast forward a couple years, a lot of early morning wakeboard sessions, surfing, biking, hiking, and kite surfing and they got engaged a day after they bought a beautiful house together.

That’s where our story begins on this blog, as it was our first shooting location. Enjoy (we did)! Special thanks to Maya for all her pose and shot ideas.

A quick change of clothes and then we cruised down to the Encinitas downtown to grab a few shots before nightfall. I loved all the motion in Jill’s dress when she was dancing!

I was torn on whether to include this one or not, but I just LOVE the feeling of it regardless of it being pretty dark. To me, it feels like something you’d catch this couple doing… sitting outside, enjoying the night and chatting it up until the stars are out.

Michael and Sanya, I wish you guys the best, and thank you again for having me out to document your fun wedding!

While the ladies got ready for the wedding…

The  men met outside their room, protected by Sanya’s Serbian brother and his friend. Their job was simple: get Michael, and the guys representing him, to pay as high of a fee for their sister as possible.

…trade ensued, with tickets, gold (chocolate) coins, cash money, and many other things passing hands. Finally, after many laughs and a good amount of shenanigans, an agreement was struck and the two parties embraced.

Meanwhile, inside, the women peeked out trying to keep up with what was going on just outside their door.

…yet, when the time came for them to bring out Sanya, they brought out her maid of honor… and then her and her friend… and then the maid of honor, her friend, and her other friend! It was great!!

I just loved this tradition, because it really put everyone in a good mood. People were laughing and joking around, so we took a few quick shots before the bridal party made their way over to Baleen for the ceremony. But, not before the guys tried on some of the exchanged goods (the hats were AWESOME!)…

Once all the guests and party were at the ceremony, Sanya made her grand entrance escorted by Michael’s brother with the Serbian flags flying proudly on the windows. 

And then the ceremony flowed onward as smoothly as anyone could of wanted. I’ll stop the commentary, as I think the pictures tell the story from here.

Hope everyone’s doing well and leave a comment if you enjoyed the pictures. I’ll upload more from after the ceremony later this week after I’ve had a chance to whittle them down to be post-able.