rizzarizphotography

I have to admit that while I truly enjoy second shooting for other wedding photographers, I get antsy because I also really love shooting my own. So when MaryAnne + Angel approached me to shoot their wedding, I happily obliged. The ceremony was held at Holy Angels Church, which exists in the heart of the true Fog City (Daly City) just South of Fog City (San Francisco).

The story about Mary Anne + Angel: they both carried the same unusually unique last names pre marriage years ago; they currently have two children + 1 on the way.

Congratulations Mary Anne + Angel! I wish you well on your journey together as a family. To love, more children and a life of chaos and happiness! :-)

Mary Anne wore a beautiful traditional Filipina wedding gown which was designed by an atelier in the Philippines.





For many, many years I've driven by Holy Angels often thinking to myself "hhmmm...I wonder what I should have for lunch today.." In other words, Holy Angels was never on my radar, in fact, even though it was apparent it was a church, being the total dud I am, it never exactly registered! Although the structure was erected in the 60's, for some reason or another, it gives off an old world feeling. This gem is so oddly placed to me, yet you'd never guess that all this beauty existed inside. I took the liberty and trespassed at my own leisure, found some rather interesting statuettes and hidden rooms.

Labels: holy angels daly city, san francisco wedding photographer

I have to say trying to get this post off the ground has been difficult. I wanted to share images from the other 7 Deadly Sins, but that would take away from the images you see here below. I've been craving for something new, something different in how I execute my work, and while working into the wee hours of this morning, I was able to come up with something this edgy - which is more than what usually I'm comfortable with. I have to thank Misha for taking those acting classes, because her facial expressions really set the tone for these images. Watching Led Zeppelin's "Song Remains The Same" also helped inspired me :-)...enjoy!

Labels: san francisco portrait photographer, www.bare-faced.com

Meet Misha, the fabulous winner of the Bare-Faced.com contest. Bare-faced.com is an online community supported by real, natural women for real, natural women, in which the term natural is defined by unaugmented beauty. Viewers of the bare-faced.com site were able to select from a panel of barefaced beauties to represent the line-up. Here I present to you Misha...whose fabulous ideas manifested into a tasty collection of sinful and sultry images....here she commits a few among 7 deadly sins...(part II of this post forthcoming this week)....

But first...a georgeous, dewy look...

getting ready...although Misha doesn't require a lot to look great (hate her), she still gets the full hair and make-up ensemble!
Now comes Wrath

then lust....



Sloth...but in a glamorous sorta way

Pride
Gluttony


I'd also like to extend a huge thank you to the girls who helped this fantastic shoot to fruition: Donna Lim, Sharon Payumo and Mary Ann Payumo of barefaced.com; make-up: Vanessa Rodriguez; hair: Jenny Payumo.

You may remember Kristi + Eric from their engagement session I posted a few months back. Now the couple is newly wed with an exciting future ahead of them. It was also refreshing to see these two let loose and have a wonderful time with their friends and family.

A sneak peak of my favorites...

Labels: Brentwood Golf course, san francisco photographer, san francisco wedding photographer

I asked Jerius and Christie just exactly how they met on our way back from shooting in the Marin Headlands, . "I snatched her up," he grinned. "Christie was on her way to college. I told her there would be no one else. I just had to have her." The car broke in silence for a few good seconds. With his eyes concentrated on the road and one hand firmly planted on the steering wheel, Jeries' hand made its way to greet Christie's.

Well, it's five years later now and the two have nly a few months to go before their big day. If they weren't already about the "yadda, yadda yaddas" of love and romance, you'd be shocked to know their relationship was able to maintain rock solid through the tricky trials of young love and long distance. I'm thinking that's how you know when it's just meant to be. But first, a big thank you to Erica Berger of Erica Berger Family Photography for allowing me to tag along to the shoot.

Below, a few of my favorite images.





You can't buy light like this....

When I learned I'd be joining Jen Hosler of Candid Moments to document a wedding in Weed, I wasn't quite prepared for what to expect. If you've never been to the town of Weed, know that it is a few hours shy of the Oregon State border and its town population is 5,000. There isn't much a city dweller can expect but to enjoy the relaxing view of Mount Shasta, maybe peruse the quaint Main street strip which consists of a few cool book stores, cafes, antique shops, restaurants and maybe a furniture store. That isn't to take away from the town's charm. I'm a small town gal myself and to visit this wonderful little place brought back fluttery feelings that made my stomach turn in every direction, but in a good way.

But, our purpose for being in this town was to photograph Steve+Rhawnie's wedding. As second shooter you don't know much about the bride and groom. You maybe know a little of their history, where they're from, whether they have a child or two. Regardless of whether I know their story or not, I almost immediately get a general sense of who they are. If you ever meet Steve+Rhawnie in person, you can't help but smile and think to yourself, "now that is a couple who truly loves each other."

The weather forecast for the town of Weed was estimated to be in the low 60's with possible thunderstorms. On our way up together, Jen and I thought to bring umbrellas just in case as a way to protect our gear, but in the town just below it was deceitfully sunny and hot so we figured we'd trek on. After two hours from our arrival to two minutes after the ceremony ended, the rain quickly made way across the big green - the wedding was held at a baseball stadium to commemorate the couple's love for the sport and luckily for the guests and bridal party, the stadium's overhang provided a safe dry-haven for folks to converge, eat, and have a good ol' time. Despite the unfavorable forecast, the couple remained calm, cool, and collected. After packing up, the guests were moved to a brewery in town to continue the festivities.

According to Rhawnie it's good luck when it rains on your wedding day, though I doubt she and Steve will need it. I can say this is one couple with much to look forward to in a very promising future together. Below are a few of my favorites from the day.



Steve catches two rings from left field.
I couldn't help this shot....
...or this one.....
You can't see it, but somewhere in the background is Mt. Shasta.
Can you believe it was pouring cats and dogs when I took this shot? I tried several takes to get this shot without the ghost of rain drops.
A very appropriate cake though I don't think the glove is edible...
Classic!
The couple hired this awesome beer truck to serve their guests.
The goofy groomsmen show a sensitive and serious side. They happen to be reason #167 of why I love photographing weddings.
Rhawnie's face was all smiles all day! Rain or shine!


Flood light flare!