Ashley & Erik :: Engagement

Just woke up from a 3 day nap. The Tryptophan in the monster turkey I cooked last week had me out! Finally back on track. I've had 5 turkey sandwiches since Thursday. And you? Still have enough for about 20 more. Need some suggestions for other leftover turkey ideas. Anyone? Turkey was so good. I'm in charge for the Christmas Turkey this year. Enough already, on with my super duper clients.

I'd like to introduce Ashley & Erik. These two love bugs will be tying the knot the 14th of Feb 09'! That's right, Valentines day falls on a Saturday next year. From what I'm reading, it looks to be a really big day for weddings. Maybe even as big as 7/7/7 or this years 8/8/8. It's gonna rock!

Took them to Vasona Park in Los Gatos. Such a pretty place. HUGE as well. Almost overwhelming how many opportunities it provided. Thanks for being such awesome sports you two. Erik put on a street cone and was "street cone monster" in one of our shots below. I LOVE it! And you said you were shy. By the end of the night they were both up to anything. I love that.
Best part about this session was they opted to have a sign in guest book made from the images from our session here. I'll post it when it's complete. The 14th of February can't come soon enough guys. Enjoy the planning and the pics .We'll see you next year. Take care.

~Sam

Thanksgiving + Self Portrait

Cooked the first turkey of my life. Results......Best. Turkey. Ever. So juicy you didn't need a knife. The recipe comes from a mixture of my Mother-in-law and my Sister-in-law's turkey recipes. Thank guys:

20 pound pre-brined Turkey
Stuffing used:
Whole yellow onion
Fuji apple
5 cloves of fresh garlic
4 celery stalks.

The magic is in the butter and white wine used. Cook about 1 cup of cooking white wine with 2 cubes of unsalted butter. This is what I used to inject the turkey with. The cavity of the turkey needs to be patted down with rock salt before the stuffing is added. Cut another 2 cubes of salted butter and place several slices under the turkey skin. Lastly sprinkle garlic salt on the bird after rubbing it down with vegetable oil.
Cooking time was about 5 hours on 350 degrees. We basted it every hour. It was delicious!!


After my Tryptophan induced nap I took these of myself while laying on the couch. This is something, I rarely see. A picture of myself.

I love this time of year. Food, friends and festivites till the new year!! Happy Holiday's everyone.

Danielle & Michael :: Wedding

Had the pleasure of shooting with a good photographer friend mine in Florida over the weekend.
Tony Schreiber was an extremely gracious host along with his wife Maggie, daughter Alex & son Max. (Don't tell Alex but I used her toothbrush and she'll probably get cooties now.) Good times man. Had a blast taring you up on Rock Band, (not really, he smoked me). Thanks again, Tony.

The flight was SOOOOOOO long. And if flying across the U.S. isn't enough, I had a layover in N. Carolina. When I finally got to Florida, (first time by the way) the weather was just great. I have to say though that the humidity there was crazy. NOTHING like anywhere I've been. Best way to describe it is it felt like I was in the shower the whole time I was there.

The Wedding was a very grand affair with no details missed. It took place of a very nice part of North Miami called Williams Island. The wedding party was HUGE, (22 altogether not including the bride and groom) and everyone looked like they had walked out of magazines. Very classy folks. This wedding even had a 10 piece Latin band. I'm gonna guess they were Cuban. So good! Did a montage just for them. This wedding was a real blast, and I hope it's not my last time in Florida either(wink, wink). Enjoy the shots!

~Sam


















Little bonus montage of Tony the Tiger. He's is a beast at rock band! Look at his fancy shirt, ppffff. Thay don't make clothes like that for guys my size :(

Baby Aviana

Darlene and Eli have been friends of my wife and I for many years. Aviana is their cutie for a daughter and I had the privilege of shooting for them a couple weeks back.

Shot their session in Niles Fremont, (my old stompin grounds). I also added a new prop to my growing list, a ladder and it worked perfect with her little pink outfit. This girl was all over the place. So surprised all the shots weren't blurry with the way she moves. Lots of fun guys, take care and enjoy the shots. Friends and family are encouraged to say something about the munchkin below.

~Sam






Darlene and Eli have been friends of my wife and I for many years. Aviana is their cutie for a daughter and I had the privileged of shooting for then a couple weeks back.

Shot their session in Niles Fremont, (my old stompin grounds). I also added a new prop to my growing list, a ladder and it worked perfect with her little pink outfit. This girl was all over the place. So surprised all the shots weren't blurry with the way she moves. Lots of fun guys, take care and enjoy the shots. Friends and family are encouraged to say something about the munchin below.

~Sam

Sandie & Ben :: Wedding

Had a chance to second shoot with my photog partner in crime Jared Alvarez. If you're looking for a great photographer, (and I'm not available ;) check him out. He's got serious style and shooting with him is super fun. Lots of laughs. We've flown, drove and walked many-a-miles this year shooting together. Enough of that - to the pictures!!

Ceremony and reception were all in one place which makes things pretty cool. Sandie was a beautiful bride and Ben was just too cool.
Off to Florida this Friday to shoot with my buddy Tony Shreiber. Gonna be fun! look for the shots in a few weeks from now. Till then enjoy the shots folks, cheers.

~Sam