A Friday thought

I'm a bit outdoor-starved after two weeks of class in Oakland.  (Next on the agenda: garden work and a hike!)  I happened on a part of Isaiah this morning that made me smile...there's nothing like the outdoor "temple" that God has made.  And we get to enjoy it!

"Heaven is my throne,

 

and the earth is my footstool

 

Could you build me a temple as good as that?

 

Could you build me such a resting place?

 

My hands have made both heaven and earth;

 

they and everything in them are mine.

 

I, the Lord, have spoken!

 

I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,

 

who tremble at my word."

 

- Isaiah 66:1-2

Have a great weekend, everybody!  :)

Kelsey

Discovering beauty... 

Kelsey Schweickert  |  San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer

Visit my website  |  Email me  |  Follow me on Twitter  |  Like my photography on Facebook

SF with Joy

When a photographer friend from across the country tells you she's going to be in your area over the weekend, there's only one thing to do: drop everything and go have some fun!

Joy is originally from Chicago and now lives in Raleigh, NC.  It's not often I get to shoot with her.  So a few weeks ago my brother and I headed to San Francisco and spent the day with Joy, her husband Jamie, and their friend (and my new friend!) Jana.

Joy and I have been to China and Alaska together. Once you've experienced such epic trips with someone, you're friends for life -- no matter how infrequently you see each other!

We had lunch in Sausalito, took the ferry across the bay to SF, wandered around Fishermen's Wharf and Ghirardelli, and took the ferry back...and then because we'd been very, very good all day, we gave in to our urge to be crazy photographers and drove up to the north end of the Golden Gate bridge for some post-sunset photos.

(Many thanks to Chris, Jamie, and Jana for putting up with after-dark trudges up a closed roadway with a heavy tripod to get That Bridge Shot We Wanted.  It was worth it.)

Jana, Jamie, and Chris on the ferry

 

The sunset was thoroughly blah, but we waited for "blue hour" and made the most of it!  And yes it was rather chilly up on the hill while we waited...

 

 

But entirely worth the wait.  I love blue hour.  And I love making all the lights into little stars (f/8, for the rest of you photo wonks out there).

Then we took a rather interesting route to the freeway, thanks to Chris, careening down Lombard and Hyde not once but twice.  Since those moments are best experienced without a camera, I did.  And then we all went home and downloaded photos and grinned at all our memories of good times...  :)

Happy Thursday, everybody!
Kelsey

Discovering beauty... 

Kelsey Schweickert  |  San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer

Visit my website  |  Email me  |  Follow me on Twitter  |  Like my photography on Facebook

Julie and Dan's glorious wedding-day sunset

As if it weren't enough that we got some stunning photos earlier that day, in the creek, when the sun went down the clouds lit up with one of the most dramatic color displays I've seen.  (I had to work quickly because sunset doesn't last long!)  Talk about a perfect outdoor-wedding moment.  The heavens were smiling on Julie and Dan's wedding day!

To view all of the photos from Dan and Julie's wedding or order prints and products, click here.

Have a great weekend, everyone!  :)

Kelsey

Discovering beauty... 

Kelsey Schweickert  |  San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer

Visit my website  |  Email me  |  Follow me on Twitter  |  Like my photography on Facebook

Dan and Julie's wedding

Dan and Julie were married on June 16 in the lovely Livermore garden of Julie's parents.  That Saturday was the hottest day this year, so far -- I think the high was 106F!  The couple was so happy, and we were all so glad to share their happiness, that the heat just didn't matter.  They have been planning this wedding for almost a year and a half and it was great to see how beautifully everything came together.

It was an honor to be asked by Julie and Dan to be their photographer.  I love being able to create photos for my family, knowing this is something they can treasure forever.  And it was fun to photograph a wedding where I knew three-quarters of the guests! :) (Looking forward to another wonderful family wedding in a couple months, my cousin Carla and her awesome fiance Kevin!)  Julie became my cousin when her mother married my dad's brother (who also has a daughter named Julie -- maybe great minds think alike?). It's a treat to share family ties with such a thoughtful, sincere person. Dan, you chose well!  You two are wonderful together!

As you can see, Julie has a knack for designing an event with perfect vintage elegance, down to the last pretty peony flower. She's amazing -- not a detail was left out, yet she was incredibly relaxed and calm. Planning a wedding is a supreme challenge and knowing Julie and Dan, it shouldn't be surprising that they put together a lovely day and were able to enjoy it!

Julie's mother Dianne and my uncle Jerry (below) were married at Ravenswood, a historic estate in Livermore, years ago.  So it was special to be able to spend an hour doing photos there before Julie and Dan's wedding -- in spite of the heat it was a great place to create some lovely outdoor portraits.

 

 

  

 

The flower dog, flower girl, and ring bearer!  (These guys are pros...I think it's the third time I've photographed them in a wedding...)

 

There were many poignant moments throughout the day as we remembered loved ones who have passed on. Julie and Dan's fathers and Jerry's first wife have passed away, and Julie carried this special remembrance of her father on her bouquet.

 

 

I love the way the light softens soon after the sun goes down...one my favorite times in an outdoor wedding.

 

Florist: Anne Mendenhall

Site decor: Milk Glass Vintage

Cake: Cake Delight

There's another photo I can't wait to share -- we had a stunning sunset -- but I'm still sorting and editing and haven't gotten to it yet.  Soon. :) (See the previous post for one of the most amazing photos of the whole day!)

Julie and Dan, may you enjoy many, many years of married happiness, and may life's path bring you many joys -- all the sweeter because you get to share them together!

(To see all the photos when they go online, follow this link.  Use the coupon code "kelsey5off" to get $5 off any order!)

Kelsey

Discovering beauty... 

Kelsey Schweickert  |  San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer
Visit my website  |  Email me  |  Follow me on Twitter  |  Like my photography on Facebook