This wedding just got featured on Ruffled Blog!

Australian Musician Savannah Jo Lack, and Owner of the San Francisco Weinstein Gallery Rowland Weinstein: Starting off with a few photos from the couple session I shot of them on the gorgeous property they were staying at in a sweet little town called Point Reyes Station in Northern California. Wedding photos to follow.

Wedding vendor list:

Catering - Osteria Stellina /Ceremony - The Dance Palace/Reception – Toby’s Feed Barn / Design – Bird Machine Bird /Music – bride’s friends – Fiora, Paul Hankinson, Chris Pickering, Ben Tolliday/ Wedding Video – Luke Goodman Cinematography / Bicycle Ferris Wheel – Cyclecide /Make up and hair – Maria Lee Makeup and Hair / DJ -Square Dance Band – Erik Hoffman / Florist: Ixia / Dresses – Reem Acra, N.Y & vintage from Tavin, L.A, respectively / Hairpiece (ayasuki), Belt (project u), Braclet (SarahWhiteJewlery) /Rowland’s outfit - The Archive, S.F /Groomsmen – Barneys and All Saints/ Bridesmaids: Bayou Salvage (wrist bands), Amorebytinae (lace crop jackets), KTJean (tulipe skirt and top), ManoBello (leather belt flowers), Post (cool stockings) /Wedding Design team: Traci Goudie & Patrick Hubik from ‘Bird Machine Bird‘./D.I.Y: Pretty much every single design element – the chair adornments from the ceremony, the Alice in Wonderland cups & saucers, the lighting fixture (mason jar chandelier) , the light boxes (in the hay bales), the big curtains at the entrance to the barn, the place cards, the printed cushions, the hanging bird cage/heart nests/All of our friends and family helped in some way – we had a big, impromptu work party a few days before the wedding to get everything finished. My aunty and cousin sewed the huge curtains, my uncle and Dad worked on the light fixture, my Mum and niece attached hundreds of bits of fabric to the hanging ceiling streamers, our friend, Stephen Gibson did a lot of the grunt work, sawing and assembling, Rowly’s kids and sister did the calligraphy on the place settings./Wedding invites: cards from ‘the story people‘ that we printed inside/ Wedding RSVP’s: vintage SF postcards with yes and no boxes/

Below- a couple of Holgas.

These two portraits below shot on 35mm film.

The wedding.

Below, 2 Holga shots.

Below: Rowland’s gorgeous kids.

BELOW: 35mm film shot of groom & groomsman actor Richmond Arquette — I love the magical light orbs! (No processing  was done to this photo).

These next 2 portraits below, also shot on 35mm film– and invaded by a flurry of intense auras and spirits! (Again, no processing was done to these)… I seriously lose my mind when this sort of stuff happens.

Below images are 35mm film and digital.

I love it when guests get into the vibe and dress up- it adds so much character to the entire day…. this reminded me so much of the beautiful spectacle of Kestrin & Jonathan’s wedding of the century!- remember that one?

3 Holga’s below….

Savannah played fiddle at her own wedding…

Also a great big giant THANK YOU to my beautiful clients for spoiling us rotten and getting us this gorgeous 2 bedroom cottage for the weekend, fully equipped with Jacuzzi and right in the middle of town. I highly recommend The Lavender Cottage during your stay in Point Reyes Station.

To find out more about my upcoming workshops, join my mailing list HERE, and check my WORKSHOP page. You can also follow my facebook and twitter for the latest news.
Purchase the video of my London Lecture HERE. Or contact me with questions.

I met such wonderful, talented artists from the UK photo scene at our workshop. Everyone was so open and into getting deep, but also equally into after-partiying hard and getting stupid with me… It’s all about balance, really ; ) As Kat of Rock ‘n Roll bride said on her post about it- it’s really difficult to describe that day or that night. Something magical happened for sure.

After all the craziness I had been through on my trip so far before London (read this and this), it made sense that I would do something that means so much to me- discussing art, artists and all our philosophies around the subject etc- in the strange state of mind that I was in… exhausted and sort of blurry, fuzzy, and more in some other dimension than in this one. It’s living within the conversation you are having, speaking from within the subject you are discussing, working from the space inside of what you are creating, being right there in it,  in real-time. And everyone put up with my spaced-out moments and exhaustion. Thanks guys, and thanks for making me feel so good to be around you all right off the bat, for opening yourselves and having important discussions. It was intensely beautiful to be in a gorgeous space with this group of people who each brought so much to the table energetically. And this includes all the attendees, models, hair and makeup, event design… everyone. All 25 of us! Here’s to be being weird together!!

I came up with a concept, a vibe I had in mind for the styling of our shoot that day- Emma & Kat got their best people on it, and they all took it from there… They blew my mind. Everything was stunning! It also really helped that we held the workshop in this amazing loft (that Emma, Pete, Kat, Christina, Pappin and I lived in for a couple days), remodeled from an old frame factory warehouse. Perfect.

That Emma Case! Her talk at the workshop was exactly like her photography: honest, warm, insightful & beautiful. If you have followed my blog/fbook etc, you know how much I am in love with Emma and her art (I also shot their engagement session a while back in London). And her husband Pete is one of the sweetest and funniest people on earth! And he is so kind, and was SO extremely helpful with the workshop, and so fun to be around… and so supportive of his wife… I’m bummed we don’t all live closer- if we did I would surely be over at their house, bugging them every single day.
Just a hint at something: Emma and I plan to do more workshoppy stuff together very soon, so keep following our facebooks and twitters to hear about what we’re up to…

Meeting Kat for the first time after being online besties for like 3 years was incredible, but I felt like it wasn’t our first meeting at all, like we’d hung out a hundred times before… she’s so unapologetically herself, so passionate, so exactly what she seems like on her blog, and I deeply admire that. Thank you Kat for all your help and for being a kindred spirit!  <3 Now that I’ve met you, I’m addicted and want to hang out with you in the “real” world like all the time.

Emma, myself & Kat.

Christina Brosnan- I have no words that can describe my appreciation for you- you where my baby sitter, you handled everything for me, and you still danced your ass off after all that–  ! Thank you for everything and for being so kind and beautiful.

And thanks to everyone who helped put this wonderful day together.., and thanks to all that came out and listened to me go blah blah blah for hours and hours, and for being so patient with me in my completely jet-lagged spaced-out craziness. Each one of you guys made that day perfect!

Big giant thanks to Steve Pappin (Son of Shark Pig) who I flew out to shoot video of the workshop- and to spend some time with us in Italy. Thanks to him, I have a new workshop video online available for purchase AND this awesome behind-the-scenes video he made about our trip!

And these two beauties, Kat’s intern Roo & her fiancé Lamb… both modeled like pros (although apparently it was their first time). I insisted on barefeet for this look for Roo- so pretty ! Roo and Lamb- Gosh, I would kill to shoot your wedding! I just know we have the same taste and the eye candy would be overwhelming!! It was a pleasure to meet you guys and thank you for being so perfectly gorgeous and sweet! x

Table Styling: Ava Event Styling
Confectionery/Cakes: The Boutique Baking Company
Vintage Furs: Charlotte Casadejus & Ava Event Styling
Flowers: Little ‘a’
Roo’s Dress: vintage dress from Charlotte Casadejus
Roo’s necklace: Noa’s own
Roo’s Eyelashes: Paperself
Hair & Make Up: Elbie Van Eeden
Lamb’s Outfit: His Own
Venue: Framery Loft, Hoxton
Video: (to come soon) Son of Shark Pig

… you are all seriously talented! thank you!

What people had to say about the workshop, as well as some other snaps…

Rock ‘n Roll Bride
Emma Case
Brosnan Photography
Thaoski – Thank you SO much for all your help with setting up food, and planning our dinner, and for being so open! And mostly for your burning desire to do what you love!! A true honor to meet you!
Rachel Ward
Elbie Hair & Makeup
Pete Smyth
and another one from Rock ‘n Roll bride’s reflections on the workshop

Ok enough talking, more photos…

I snuck a shot in of Emma and I.

This photo below is from  Brosnan Photographic, of the sweet little cookies that The Boutique Baking Company made for the workshop guests!

THE ENTIRE BEAUTIFUL CREW! Love you guys!!!

To find out more about my upcoming workshops, check my WORKSHOP page, or follow my facebook and twitter for the latest news!

I set up a shoot with my good friends Kristen & Dave to model for us for my last workshop. You may recognize the stunning Kristen from the Rue Magazine artist feature I had, where she not only modeled but also did my hair. And she did my hair for the Chloe Aftel shoot as well as my wedding hair 5 yrs ago! Kristen Henry has been a dear friend for years and is a Master Hair Stylist! I haven’t let anyone touch my hair besides her in like 2 decades or something. Her gorgeous boyfriend David Hurley may look familiar too as I have taken thousands of photos of him on tour with his band (that my husband is in too) ASTRA. You can see some of my European tour photos of them here and here, promo photos I did for their first album here, and I also did a shoot of him a few years ago for one of his solo albums at his home, which you can see here. Anyways I love these two & their giant goofy sweet doggie Gus, and their home in Hillcrest, San Diego. Thanks for having us and allowing us to shoot all your beauty!!

This first shot is Polaroid.

Below, shot on 35mm expired film.

Gus face!

Just having some wine in the tub…

This shot below taken on Holga. (medium format film)

35mm expired film shot below.

My magic rainbow-maker, sort-of homemade filter (aka unicorn puke) below.

And my lovely workshop attendees below…

After this we all went back to my place for some dinner and then we accidentally had a dance party til really late. <3 u guys!!

Here are some of the beautiful shots from a few of the workshop attendees that day…

This one below by Amber of Live It Out Photography

This one by Jenna at Flutter Glass Photography (Jenna is also one of my extremely talented assistants/2nd shooters!)

And this one by Molly at Cedar House Photography

You can find out more about my workshops here, or get on my mailing list here.

(holga above)

Below: Holga double-exposure.

Nick is a motion designer (his website is Greyscalegorilla) and he makes those most awesome iPhoneapps (ShakeItPhoto and CrossProcess). Alexia helps with the iPhone business and also runs this etsy shop, Ruggles Stitch, where she sells her handmade items.

I had the BEST time at my Artist Workshop that I held here at our home on Sept 4th! The photographers who attended were all amazing.

After my lecture, we ate and then ran off to the surprise photo session I organized with my old friends Amanda & Jason; well-known in San Diego for their creativity and involvement in so many great projects.

This session is also part of a project I have been working on for years, Cabinet of Curiosities, which is an environmental portraiture study of creative people I know in their natural environments (their homes). I have several other shoots I have done for this project which you can see on my blog here.

I had in mind to do a “color clusterfuck” project for this one. I love the look of intense contrast and bright colors and these two lovebirds & their home are perfect for that.

In case you are wondering- yes, that is her real hair.

I have known Amanda & Jason for years. Amanda has had her creative hands in tons of projects. She works in the vintage clothing business for a high end online boutique called Wear It Again Sam (ebay store & Etsy store) which she models for as well. She also designs her own jewelry. Check out her f.book page for House of Magenta Tarantula. And her Etsy store. When I first met her years ago she played/ sang in the band The Viewmasters, a 60′s garage/soul group, one of the most energetic and fun bands in San Diego during that time…

As if that’s not enough, Amanda is ALSO a burlesque performer: Miss Dixie von Trixie. She founded Sultry Savage Burlesque and as a matter of fact, my girls took me to her burlesque show for my bachelorette party in 2006…! She is a collector of pretty much anything old from the 40′s through 60′s (the weirder the better) like housewares, clothing, furniture etc and they have tons of cool stuff all over their house. She also has a flickr page for her photography here.

Their gorgeous home was built in 1908.

One of their two cats, Iris, is SUCH a model. Constantly posing. Beautiful.

Lee Anne and Kristin (2 of the photographers who attended my workshop), mesmerized by Iris.

Their collection of turquoise jewelry drives me nuts! Amanda was all “how many of these do you want us to put on?” and I was like, “ALL OF THEM!”

Stunning beauty.

Jason owns his own handyman business, Armadillo Handyman and Landscaping (he’s going to be doing some landscaping projects on our property in the very near future!). He also is the lead singer and guitar player for the vintage-type country band Bartenders Bible and he plays rhythm guitar for the band Mr. Tube and The Flying Objects.

She has tons of old showgirl outfits and burlesque costumes… this one is my favorite.

Amanda’s closet.
I got the pleasure of going through a bunch of her stuff to look for the outfits for the shoot. That closet is to DIE for! So much good stuff. She needs to be a vintage clothing consultant/stylist/specialist for films.

Dig the horns behind his head. I’m going straight to hell for doing that.

Thank you Amanda & Jason for opening up your home and your life to us! You are true beauties!!

And a HUGE thank you to my most loving and supportive husband Stuart for helping set up everything for the whole day… You are my entire heart!

I am completely beside myself with all the insanely kind words the photographer attendees had to say about my workshop!  Thanks for the gifts and the cupcakes and for hanging out with me all day and being so rad!

You can find out more about my workshops here, or get on my mailing list here.

** UPDATE ** We just got a mega rad feature of this session on Style Me Pretty by Emilia Jane! Check out lots more pics from this session here.














I love this one below so much.








Reflected in the little mirror… magical.














This one below gives me the warm fuzzies.





l.o.v.e

sweet

don’t these guys belong in an Urban Outfitters catalog?

** UPDATE ** We just got a mega rad feature of this session on Style Me Pretty by Emilia Jane! Check out lots more pics from this session here.

See their entire wedding, complete with video clips on my blog here.

Also, Emma just interviewed me on The Photography Parlour! A blog for aspiring as well as professional photographers. There’s so much good stuff on that site. To check out our interview, please go here.

And the absolute radness that is Kat of Rock ‘n Roll Bride just featured this shoot on her blog! She is also a mega fan of Emma’s : ) You can view it here.

Emma & Pete are the cutest cutsies ever, and I instantly fell in love with them. It was so great to hang out for a bit and meet this budding (exploding!) artist and her beautiful musician of a man.

Right near where we were staying in Bellsize Park, there was this gorgeous church, St. Peters, that I kept walking by and freaking out over, so we decided to shoot there.

We wanted to see if it was open so we went in and found that not only was it open but that there was some really beautiful choir music playing. The adorable priest inside was so welcoming when we asked if we could shoot in there. Once we looked up we realized that it was actually a real choir practicing! Elated.

I was totally blown away by this church which I think just celebrated it’s 150th birthday. Emma & Pete were a little surprised I think, probably because these types of old churches and buildings are a dime a dozen in Europe- I really wish we had more of this architecture stateside.

The choir practicing.

Sweet priest was so into us shooting in there.

The giant gorgeous old pipe organ!

And these tiled floors! I was losing my mind…

My legs made a little cameo.

And this was kinda strange: as I was looking down at them I had a weird psychedelic momentary mind lapse because I realized that Emma and I look so much the same! I was like, woah Emma- we kinda look the same. I felt like I was taking a photo of myself for a second.

Precious loves.

!! the ceiling !!

These next 2 photos reminded me of some old movie shot in circa ’69, where the young lovers are having an existential debate with each other, or something like that…

I love this one below so much.

Aw, I love you guys!! Thank you so much for the shoot and for the interview!… xxoo

They belong in the movies…

seriously, how beautiful are these two?

Oh and PS: Leanne is wearing a Betsey Johnson dress (she works for them) and I love how the colors & print came out in the pics… remember this session I did of the stunning Emilia Jane & her hombre? Well she wore a really pretty Betsey Johnson dress for the 2nd half of their e-session too… hm, do I smell a trend?? If so, it’s a good one.

oh, hey- by the way we are getting married right now- oh and also, you guys are the bridesmaids.

& this was the total “omg you’re in a wedding dress!! shut the F up!” moment it was seriously awesome to see everyone’s total surprise… I don’t know how Meegan kept this from her best friends… but she did! they had no clue. It was really cute.

How cute is Meegan’s dad?

And this is when the guests saw them and realized what was actually going on… this isn’t an engagement party- it’s a wedding! The cheers where so loud and emotional.

you guys are total sweethearts!

… If it sounds as though I am sort of in love with them, it’s probably because I kind of am. I could shoot these guys forever and the more I get to know them, the more I get pleasantly surprised…  Btw, thanks for springing the life-size cardboard cutout of Edward Cullen on me the other night Emilia, I am silently awaiting my opportunity to surprise you as well… one day soon when you least expect it ; )

These were shot in San Diego at the Park Manor Suites, outside of Cafe de L’Opera, and Caffe Carpe Diem.

Emilia and I clicked immediately on what type of photo session we wanted to achieve. We had several connected concepts. Here is the result…