Monthly Archives: November 2008

Brothers + Sisters = Family Session

About a month ago I found myself thinking of a friend from college and realized, hey, I haven’t talked to her in forever! So I sent her an email, hoping it was still her current email address, and voila, it was! So she gave me a call and asked what was going on with me, of course I talked to her a bit about my business, and the next thing you know we had set a date for a family session for her and her siblings.

All ten of them.

Ha, now things get a bit tricky when you have a total of ten siblings traveling from all over California to get here for a portrait. Obstacle one, limited time, obstacle two, there’s a ton of them! But I’m so glad they had a chance to do this, not only will it be a great gift to their parents, they also got a chance to see one another and share a meal. Fun huh? Here is one of their group pictures and a few of the solo shots I got. It was great to see my friend once more as well!

- T

It’s Been a Hard Day’s Night

This is the end, my last wedding has been completed, and although you might think it’s smooth sailing on out, you’d be wrong.

Oh how wrong.

Anyone currently waiting for anything from me… my apologies. Over here, things are not raining, they’re pouring. My poor car has died, and although it’s definitely fixable, the repairs would cost more than the value of the car. If I’m honest, it’s my college car, and unexpectedly the most dependable car I’ve ever had. It has never left me on the side of the road, it has never overheated, it has never needed a new belt, and then a new something else, followed by something else. I’ve taken it in for brakes, oil changes, new tires, and that’s it. I love my car and I have always said I’d drive it until it went straight into the ground. I love my ridiculously cheap reliable set of wheels.

The repairs are equal to the amount that I originally paid for the car. So yes, I have some things to think about. Unfortunately loans for new business owners are a bit hard to come by in the present economy. Sigh. As I write this I have the new car I’m coveting (well, new old but certified) up on a web page, while outside my old car sits forlorn and abandoned. What if the old car feels rejected? What if the dealer laughs at me when I show up? What if the right answer is somewhere inbetween? And should I really be worried about hurting the feelings of an inanimate object?

When I was little and hurt myself by throwing myself full force across the room in random directions I’d go crying to my mother. “What happened?”, she’d ask me while wiping my tears. “I…I…table!” and she’d lead me across the room to spank the coffee table saying, “Bad table hurting Terra!” Even though I was little I remember feeling guilty, after all, the table hadn’t really done anything but sit there. Poor table, punished for no reason.

And yet, at the same time, I feel that this is the right time for my car to die. I feel as if an era in my life is ending. For many, many years, I thought to myself, so this is it. I’m a grown up now. And yet those words never sunk in, and never felt true. But now? Now I feel it. I feel it in the weight of my skin, the steadiness of my voice, the comfortableness I have reached with my own inadequacies. Yes, I read too many celebrity magazines. So what? For the first time I wake up and have a purpose, I know who I am and where I am going. It’s a good feeling where the worst fear is that I’m not living up to my own standards. This is different from the past where I knew I had standards, but didn’t know quite what that meant. I am not in my college years any longer. Bye bye car.

Yet.

Life is unexpected, and I know this, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at finding myself pushed suddenly into the next phase of my life, but I am. Other hurdles this week? My internet crashed, taking with it my phone line. Total downtime close to three days. My kitty, the baby, aptly named Baby, let me know today that she would like to visit the vet by scaring me with her cut mouth. I know, I know, you don’t understand deadlines, you’re just a kitty.

For everyone else out there not having a fantastic week filled with surprise parties, unexpected gifts, and lotto wins, big group hug. Thankfully so very many of us have a lot more on the plus side of the list than the negative. Myself included. I leave you with pics of Halloween starring my Izzy’s big blonde girlfriend, Bubbles (affectionately known as Bubs) their disrespect for their Halloween outfits, and my mom letting them choose their favorite spooky cooky.

Pete + Suzy = Married!

Pete and Suzy were my last wedding of the year, but definitely one of my favorites. I loved their autumn theme, their numerous personal touches (I’ve included TONS of photos), but most especially their large family with their even larger personalities. Suzy even made sure to celebrate her grandmother’s birthday with song, and sugar free cake. Now that is sweet.

Many wonder how I choose the songs for my slideshow and I’ll let you know that it’s a combination of things, one, did I write down your first dance song? Ha. I know, but often I’m moving so much and so often that I don’t get a chance to do this one simple thing. In addition what if I didn’t recognize the song? In addition, I may not own the song (very possible), and it may be hard to find online. If one of these things have happened I’ll fall back on, what new songs have I heard, and new artists have I discovered or read about recently? From there I’ll listen to dozens of songs to pick the right one, with just the right spirit and perfect lyrics. Sound hard? It is a bit. But I love to listen to music so much that it works out.

In Pete and Suzy’s case it was a lot easier. First of all they had key songs written down in their timeline. Yay for me! However only one could be found online. Now, songs don’t always stick in my head, since I tend to go a bit deaf as I shoot I can honestly say I don’t always know what people have said in their toasts, or played at their wedding. But at Pete and Suzy’s wedding? Well, when Monster Mash came on it was just way too fun to NOT notice. In addition, Suzy’s step-mom was doing just the cutest dance playing around with her son (of course I got pics) that I don’t think I could’ve forgotten if I had tried. In the end I picked this unusual song to end their slideshow, and I think it worked out beautifully.

I hope you enjoy their Log Cabin pics, autumn themed event, and love filled wedding. It was gorgeous.

- T

This has to be one of my favorite ring shots… mostly because I just love the little wild flower in the back.

Followed by my favorite dress shot for most original location, Pete and Suzy’s roof top.

I’m so digging Pete’s tie.

Some pretty getting ready shots of Suzy (sorry I didn’t include Pete’s shots, as they were by my assistant/second shooter, and not myself, they didn’t make it to the blog, but make sure to watch the slideshow to catch some of her fab work!

Suzy and Pete had these great goody bags for their guests in a unique bag.

I LOVED their save the dates and cute little magnet buttons!

You know I had to catch the feet.

Plus the hair… which was just so pretty.

When you haven’t been a bride you don’t know that even your back get’s special attention.

I love this expression on Suzy’s face as she applies her perfume.

I had to drag her up to the roof as well for a few shots before we left to meet Pete.

And then it was time for their pre-ceremony reveal. So sweet.

From there we took care of their formal pics, this way they could later join their party directly after their ceremony.

Their beautiful cake.

On the sides of their aisle runner they had these great lanterns with orange candles.


Okay, they had SMORES at their wedding! Yeah, that’s what me and about 99 percent of their guests said. Some great shots of smore fun follows.

Some friends surprised them with pumpkins carved with their initials.

And last but not least, some Hora fun.

And of course, slideshow.

Ruthie - November 14, 2008 - 2:58 AM

This wedding looks like it was a blast!

And you amaze me every time!

Debbie Frankel - November 14, 2008 - 2:41 PM

Never in my life have I seen the kind of photographs that have COMPLETELY AND LOVINGLY captured the wedding of such a beautiful young couple. You have enchanted and amazed me with your creativity and fresh approach. You will undoubtedly become The #1 most sought-after photographer in San Francisco and beyond! Thank you so much for giving us a gift of special memories and the essence of my daughter’s wedding. Suzy and Pete Gavin will be blessed with a “visual gateway” of this day forever. Terra,you are brilliant! Debbie Frankel

Lauren Cohn-Frankel - November 27, 2008 - 3:59 PM

Wow Terra. When we met I forgot to tell you how much I love your work. Many of the photos in this wedding and the one below it made me gasp aloud, they are that beautiful. And I love the whimsy and humor in your perspective, the way you write definitely compliments that. This blog is very entertaining. You are going places for sure.

Lauren

Da`Nae Leo - December 2, 2008 - 3:29 PM

The pictures from Pete and Suzy’s wedding are absolutely incredible! I love all the textures and colors, there are amazing candid moments in there as well. So beautiful!

Suzy Gavin - December 15, 2008 - 1:03 PM

Wow Terra – you did such an amazing job and captured everything I could have possibly dreamed of. I am so happy that we chose you to shoot our wedding. You are so talented! Thank you for creating everlasting memories in the most amazing way!

Dawnette - December 15, 2008 - 6:06 PM

More Amazing shots… love the detail shot of his tie and cool boutonnière as well as the cool sequence shots of her coming up behind him… the couple shots were captured perfectly! ;-)

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