From our first meeting, I knew two things about Sean and Kelsey. They were stylish as well and we were on the same page with what we wanted to capture on their special day. I started the morning at the Ritz Residences where Kelsey and her bridesmaids sipped champagne and basically just looked rocking in their mixed floral dresses. As soon as Kelsey put on her dresses, all eyes in the room were on her and I loved capturing those reactions. Her tattoos really popped in that shoulder-less dress and the light coming into the room was just sublime. I put the ladies together and just let them be themselves for our shoot.
Over on the guy’s side, it was full hipster action. Matching suits, rocking shades and PBR all the way. There was also a puppet monkey involved. They were pretty much all ready to go.
Sean and Kelsey’s first look was just across the road from the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. I found an empty stretch of pathway and had Sean walk up behind Kelsey. I loved being able to capture that genuine look on their faces that carried so many different emotions. We transitioned seamlessly into their portrait shoot and it was clear how comfortable they were around each other. My directing was minimal. It was all about capturing their smiles. We played with some silhouette lighting at the entrance of a tunnel that just had the most beautifully defused light. It almost felt like shooting in a studio with a dark background and side lighting.
The ceremony is front of the ornately grand Conservatory of Flowers has got to be one of all time favorite setting. They timed their ceremony perfectly with the setting afternoon sun and everything just felt like a more magical. It also helped that there happened to be a dinosaur popping out of the Conservatory building. What more can you ask for at a wedding?
