Julie Cheshire Photography

East Bay Family Portraits

2012-02-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some of my favorites from a recent session. This is a perfect example of what to wear for your family portraits- I LOVE the charcoal pallette. What a great looking family!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2012-02-14T11:50:00.000-08:00

Newborn Portraits in Walnut Creek

2012-02-13T22:15:00.000-08:00

A few of my favorites from a recent newborn photo session in Walnut Creek. Eliana was photographed at her home at the perfect age- seven days young. I brought a portable studio and Eliana was the perfect little model. She fell asleep for us to capture some sweet images with all the newborn fuzz and wrinkles. What a doll!

Senior Portraits at Mt. Diablo

2012-02-06T12:22:00.000-08:00

I had SO much fun photographing Ryan's senior session up at Mt. Diablo last week. The day was absolutely perfect. I was so excited to hear that Ryan's favorite activity is rock climbing and he wanted the setting of his portraits to reflect that. We drove up to the Rock City area of Mt. Diablo State Park and spent some time there capturing some really fun images. We also took a short drive to my favorite vista point in the park for a few more photos. Congratulations Ryan!!

Family Portraits in Palo Alto, CA

2012-01-29T22:00:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of my favorite photos from a recent extended family session at Stanford. What a FUN group of people this is!

siblings being silly!

Family Portraits in San Francisco

2011-11-29T12:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas Photos in Walnut Creek

2011-11-27T22:38:00.000-08:00

I had to share a few of my favorites from Kim and Mark's recent family session in Walnut Creek. It's hard to believe it's been over two and a half years since I photographed their wedding. I was thrilled to meet the newest member of their sweet family!

bullies and horsies

2011-08-05T16:19:00.000-07:00

I got to hang out with Carly, Hayden, Shadow and Jack last week for a session.. so much fun! I have the best job in the world :)

Family Portraits in Concord, CA

2011-08-04T22:27:00.000-07:00

TWINS!

2011-07-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

a sneak peek from today's studio session. Unbelievable cuteness! more to come..

Portraits at Shiloh West Training Center, San Ramon

2011-05-24T00:19:00.000-07:00

Portraits in Pleasant Hill, CA

2011-04-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

Have you EVER seen such gorgeous hair??! I had so much fun photographing the absolutely stunning Mandy last week in Pleasant Hill- I had to share!

Wedding at the Brazilian Room, Tilden Park, Berkeley, CA

2011-03-21T21:10:00.000-07:00

One of my goals for this spring is to update my album samples that I show to prospective clients. It's been a few seasons since I've ordered new samples so I have some work ahead of me to show my favorite images from some of the fabulous events I've photographed in just the past couple of years. I knew when I photographed Yuki and Sam's wedding in September that I would definitely want an album on hand to show from their wedding. Their wedding was at the incredible Brazilian Room inside Tilden Park in Berkeley. I LOVE this location. It's so close to everything yet you feel like you are in a totally secluded secret venue. It is such a sweet spot for a ceremony- a perfect choice for smaller events with a rustic feel. Yuki got ready at the nearby Lafayette Park Hotel. The ceremony and reception were at the Brazil Room- but Yuki and Sam decided to take a quick drive over to the Lawrence Hall of Science for some photos with the wedding party after the ceremony. Again, what an incredible place for photos! I had so much fun photographing Yuki and Sam and their friends with the incredible views of the city AND the cool exhibits- my favorite being the enormous DNA strand they were able to climb on :) Here are a few spreads (two pages each) of my first draft of the album- I can't wait to get it in my hands! Congrats Yuki and Sam :)

Portrait Session at Markham Arbouretum, Concord, CA

2011-03-14T13:31:00.001-07:00

one of my faves from my session with Maddie a few weeks ago.. isn't she adorable??

Headshots in Walnut Creek, CA

2011-03-12T14:43:00.000-08:00

I had a blast yesterday with Kathy. She's an incredible interior designer in Walnut Creek who needed some new images for her business cards and website. Beautiful!

Wedding at the Purple Orchid Inn, Livermore, CA

2011-03-01T11:31:00.000-08:00

This week I've been busy designing Becca and Jeff's wedding album from their fabulous event at the Purple Orchid Inn a while back. I am so happy to share a few of my favorite pages from their album. Enjoy!

Wedding at Hap Magee Ranch, Danville, CA

2011-01-06T14:30:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe my 14th year of photographing weddings has come and gone. Somehow I have managed to neglect my blog for quite a while.. so before the 2011 wedding season kicks into full gear I want make sure I blog about some of my favorite weddings and sessions from 2010.

First, going WAY back to June I want to share some images from Deanna and Eric's amazing, fresh, laid-back wedding at Hap Magee Ranch in Danville, CA. I introduced them on my blog after their super cool engagement session back in April. Deanna and Eric's wedding day started at Deanna's parents house in Danville where all of the women were getting ready.

I fell in love immediately with all of the beautiful kelly green accents that Deanna had chosen. The shoes, bouquets, shoes, dresses, shoes, garter and did I mention, shoes? were SO CUTE!

Eric and Deanna are super laid-back and wanted a stress free day. They decided to see each other before the ceremony, so we set up the "first look" on the cute little bridge in the park.

I loved finding out that Deanna is a BIG parrothead-- something we definitely have in common.

After a sweet ceremony underneath the giant oak tree at Hap Magee, Eric and Deanna hosted a giant party, complete with live music (LOTS of Buffett) and plenty of games (even beer pong!)

One of the sweetest parts of the afternoon was Deanna's surprise to her father. Apparently for many years he had been asking her to learn how to play the accordion (a family heirloom)--and she never did. So.. she decided to surprise him by learning how to play before the wedding. So sweet! And talk about sweet.. Deanna made her own wedding cupcakes! As it turns out she is quite the baker- her blog, Occasional Sugar, gives you a peek into her talent.

I thought it was so cute that each of her tables was named after a favorite drink. Eric and Deanna definitely know how to have a good time!

Best wishes Eric and Deanna! Your wedding was an absolute blast and I was honored to be a part of your day :)

Palo Alto Wedding Faire

2010-08-19T15:54:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited to participate in Brocade Wedding's Palo Alto Wedding Faire on August 29th. Michael Smolens with Second Sight Music will also have a booth where he'll be showcasing some of my images with his fabulous music. This will be my first show with Brocade, and I'm so excited to meet this fall's South Bay Brides! Come check us out at the Crowne Plaza Hotel from 11am to 4pm. Cheers!

Engagement Session on BART and at the Berkeley Marina

2010-07-12T22:54:00.001-07:00

I just love engagement sessions. Especially ones like Yuki and Sam's! It's been over a month since this session but I just have to post a few of my favorites. I was thrilled when Yuki suggested BART as a possible location-- so cool! Apparently throughout their relationship there have been many trips back and forth between Sam's place near Rockridge and Yuki's in Walnut Creek. So, what a perfect background for their photos!

We found this awesome mural outside of the Rockridge station. Never mind that it's in front of a pretty nasty parking lot- remember, if the camera doesn't see it, it doesn't exist! :)

We drove over to the Berkeley Marina area afterwards. We also walked through Cesar Chavez Park and finished up our session on the Berkeley fishing pier. I had such a blast with Yuki and Sam--I can't wait till their wedding in September!

Engagement session at Lafayette Reservoir and Moraga, CA

2010-06-13T14:12:00.000-07:00

Back at the beginning of May I photographed Lauren and Ted's engagement session at Lafayette Reservoir. I can't wait till their wedding in early July. I'll be working with Danielle Gallagher and just know that it will be fabulous. Lauren and Ted have known each other for most of their lives and they are just adorable together.

After spending some time in Lafayette we drove over to Moraga to capture some amazing views of Mt. Diablo and the golf course. This spot was considered for their ceremony site- but beautiful Piedmont Hall won out in the end.

Congratulations Lauren and Ted! See you in just a few weeks!

Wedding at Testarossa Winery, Los Gatos, CA

2010-06-09T22:45:00.000-07:00

Over Memorial Day Weekend I had the honor of photographing Ali and Dan's absolutely fabulous wedding at Testarossa Winery in Los Gatos. I LOVE this location. The day started at the beautiful Cypress Hotel in Cupertino where the women were getting ready.

The "first look" before the ceremony

I photographed Ali and Dan's engagement session last September at the Palace of Fine Arts and Baker Beach in San Francisco. One of these days I'm going to catch up on all my blog posts!! Until then here are a couple of my favorites from that session.

Congratulations Ali and Dan. You two were absolutely wonderful to work with!!!

Engagement Session at Spoontonic Lounge in Walnut Creek

2010-04-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I met up with Deanna and Eric for their engagement session. I always encourage my clients to choose a location that has some meaning to them- and Deanna and Eric are the perfect example! Spoontonic Lounge in Walnut Creek is a super cool "speakeasy" style bar- and it just happens to be the place where Deanna and Eric met :) If I have the story straight, conversation between these two first started over a comic book at the bar. The rest is history! I can't wait until their wedding in June! Here are a few of my favorites from their session. Congratulations Deanna and Eric!

Christian's 3 month session- Teaser

2010-04-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

Becky and Jeff's Engagement Session- A Peak!

2010-03-14T00:25:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick look at a few favorites from today's engagement session in Pleasanton.. More to come!! :)

Matteo's 3 month session- A teaser

2010-03-10T17:45:00.000-08:00

I had SO much fun this morning photographing 3 month old Matteo. What a cutie patootie! I photographed his mom and dad's wedding in 2008 and was thrilled to meet the little guy today. Here are a few of my favorites from the studio this morning.

*Bay Area Moms Welcome Spring!!!

2010-03-01T15:17:00.000-08:00

Winter and Rain are FINALLY beginning to make their way out this month-- It's time to schedule your spring family or children's portraits! Celebrate with 50% off the regular session fee of $195. Your $97.50 session fee can be used for a one to two hour session, regardless of family size. Sessions must take place during the month of March. Contact us for further information and to get on the calendar! 925-798-5804

North Carolina Children and Family Portrait Sessions April 6-15

2010-02-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

Hello to all of my Raleigh clients and friends! I'm now scheduling children and family sessions for an upcoming ten day trip to North Carolina. I will once again honor my 2005 Raleigh session fee of $125. You can also choose to take advantage of the "buddy" system for mini-sessions. Invite a friend! Simply schedule you and your friend's location sessions at the same site, on the same day, one hour apart, and you can split the session fee ($62.50 per family) We will also be scheduling sessions at Wrightsville Beach- dates TBA.

Don't know where to go? Here are just a few suggestions of my favorite places to photograph children and family sessions- I will likely be visiting several of these spots:

Oakview County Park, Raleigh -just off of Poole Rd. and the beltline, behind the Wake County office complex
JC Raulston Arboretum at NCSU, Raleigh -on Beryl Rd. just off of Hillsborough Street near Meredith College
Bond Park, Cary on High House Road between Cary Parkway and Northwest Maynard Road.
Historic Yates Mill, Raleigh 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd, 5 miles south of downtown Raleigh
UNC Chapel Hill Arboretum and campus
Wrightsville Beach

In home or backyard sessions are always encouraged as well. Be creative! Let us know if there is a place with special meaning to you.

As always, I recommend solid, neutral colored clothing in complementary tones for your family members.

Please give me a call at 919-272-4049. I look forward to seeing you all!

Wedding at St. Gregory's in San Mateo and the James Flood Mansion, San Francisco

2010-02-04T15:15:00.000-08:00

At the end of last year I photographed Kristen and Shannon's fabulous wedding in San Mateo and San Francisco. They had an absolutely GORGEOUS day! I started at the bride's mother's home just a short drive from St. Gregory's Catholic Church in San Mateo. Meanwhile, my second shooter Sara was with the men at the groom's home. All of Kristen's five bridesmaids were there to get ready with her. I had to hold back my own sniffles when Kristen saw her Grandfather- It is quite clear just how much she loves this man!

The ceremony was absolutely beautiful- I remembered how gorgeous the building was from Daniela and Robert's wedding in 2007! The sunlight that comes through the stained glass in the late afternoon almost seems to put a spotlight on the bride and groom- absolutely breathtaking.

After the ceremony we drove into the city for the reception at the fabulous James Flood Mansion.

What a stunning venue this is! The view of the city is absolutely incredible. Kristen Shannon's coordinator JoAnn did a fabulous job making sure everything came together.

Engagement Session in Santa Cruz

2010-01-26T21:43:00.000-08:00

I had SOOO much fun back in December in Santa Cruz with Monica and Ben. We met down at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk area.. and made our way down to the pier just before sunset. This was my first trip to Santa Cruz for a session since I've lived in CA- and it definitely won't be my last! The colors was absolutely fantastic!

Monica and Ben are getting married in June- I can't wait to photograph their big day! They absolutely adore each other,and it's not hard to get that to show in their photographs.

Monica and Ben chose the perfect clothing also. I definitely recommend solid, neutral colored clothing for all of my sessions. For a beach session this time of year jeans and black pull-overs were perfect!

Wedding at Wente Vineyards, Livermore, CA

2010-01-23T13:51:00.000-08:00

Back in October I had the honor to photograph Lauren and Steve's wedding at Wente Vineyards in Livermore. What a beautiful day it was! They are such an incredibly sweet couple. Their engagement session at Mt.Diablo State Park back in the spring helped me to get to know them a little better.

Lauren was an absolute knock-out. The day started at her parent's home in Pleasanton where the women were getting dressed. My second shooter Mary was keeping an eye on the men at the groom's home just a few miles away. I was SO excited to photograph Lauren with her sweet dog Parker-- He even had a bow tie for the occasion. Luckily, we were able to capture a few images of him before he darted away and jumped in the pool. You can imagine the chaos as everyone (myself included) was trying to keep him from shaking water all over Lauren's dress!

I was thrilled that Lauren took my advice and booked DJ Hector Duron- still my favorite DJ in the Bay Area! Lauren and Steve's guests had a wonderful time under the gorgeous tent on Wente's lawn.

Welcome to the world Christian

2010-01-20T23:11:00.000-08:00

I've been back in California from my whirlwind tour of the East coast for almost a week now. I need to catch-up on my blog! One of the many sessions I have to talk about was little Christian Alexander's. What a cutie he is! We had a wonderful session at his house in Pleasant Hill this past weekend. Newborns remain one of my very favorite subjects! It never ceases to amaze me how much they change between birth and three months.

I was sooo impressed by how strong Christian is! A few weeks old and he's practically holding his head up!

Sometimes it is easier for Mom and Dad if we have the session at their home. Naps and feedings are a bit less stressful that way. It can be tough to get out of the house in those first few weeks! I'm happy to travel within an hour of the Walnut Creek area for location sessions.

I've been photographing Christian's 2 year old brother since he was born. It seems like just last week that I photographed his newborn session!

See you in three months Christian- I can't wait!

Wedding at St. Dominic's San Francisco, Pavilion By the Bay, Treasure Island

2009-11-21T23:56:00.001-08:00

Last month I had the honor of photographing the beautiful wedding of Phyllis and Chris. It was absolutely incredible. I met this adorable couple last year at a Bridal Fair.. and I quickly realized that their wedding was going to be extra special. I was able to get to know them a little better when I photographed their engagement session back in the summer.

The day started with everyone getting ready at the Four Seasons in San Francisco. It just so happened that Love Fest was going on that same morning. The parade was in full force on Market Street when I arrived. It was my first time witnessing the mass chaos! It was quite interesting getting to the hotel- luckily I was able to get a cab to drop me just a block or so away. I saw quite a few more nearly naked people than I cared to on the way over. :) The funny thing was that Phyllis and Chris had actually changed their date from October 8th to avoid Fleet Week! They didn't let this surprise get to them though-- and everyone was having a blast in the two suites where the guys and gals were getting ready.

The ceremony was at the incredible St. Dominic's. The cathedral was full of Chris and Phyllis's over 300 guests. This couple is clearly very loved.. the Bridal Party included 10 groomsmen, 8 bridesmaids and 20 sponsors!

After a cable car ride to Treasure Island the reception began at the new Pavilion by the Bay. What a fabulous location for a wedding! Theirs was one of the first few weddings at this new facility.

You couldn't ask for more spectacular views.. and Phyllis and Chris were blessed with clear weather- at sunset the view of both bridges and the city was just stunning.

I love love LOVED the centerpieces Chris and Phyllis put together- with goldfish!! One surprise for the guests was Phyllis and two of her bridesmaids performing a choreographed dance to "Single Ladies" just before the bouquet toss.. too cool.

Congratulations Phyllis and Chris. You two were awesome to work with and I wish you the best !!

A Sweet City Hall Wedding in San Francisco

2009-09-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

On Monday, September 21st I photographed Allison and Aaron incredibly sweet wedding ceremony at City Hall in San Francisco. Allison looked absolutely adorable in her short white eyelet dress and strappy silver heels. They were lucky enough to have 14 of their family members with them for the ceremony, officiated by Mayor Newsome. Allison and Aaron have been together for over ten years. They met the same week that Allison moved to the city, and have apparently been inseperable since. You could just tell how in love they are with each other.

Congrats Aaron and Allison!!

Some time in the Tarheel State

2009-09-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

Last month I spent some time in North Carolina, my home state. It was wonderful to see some of my wonderful NC clients,friends and family. It was a busy but incredibly fun time. I spent some time in the Triangle area as well as down at the coast in Wilmington. Here are a few of my favorite images! If you'd like to get on the calendar for the next time I'm on the east coast let me know- As of right now it looks like late December through January 8th. I am also planning a spring trip for mid-April- just in time for the azaleas and dogwoods :) Stay tuned!

A garden wedding in Danville, CA

2009-09-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

On August 15th I photographed Amelia and Ted's absolutely gorgeous wedding in Danville. Amelia and Ted decided to change their original plan of having the ceremony at the Lafayette Park Hotel- and go with a simply beautiful wedding in Amelia's parents own fabulous backyard. It was absolutely the perfect choice for them. The weather was perfect and the ceremony overlooking the pool was just stunning. The sweetest part of the ceremony to me was the music- Amelia's own brother sang as well as her mother's choral group.

Amelia and Ted decided that they wanted to see each other before the ceremony so that we could all go to their neighborhood park- an area of the Greenbelt from Crow Canyon Country Club leading to Osage Park. It was simply perfect. Amelia met Ted downstairs in the home she grew up in - and they shared a special moment seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day. Then, the wedding party and Sara and I spent some time with them at the park before the ceremony.

Newborn studio session

2009-09-14T19:12:00.000-07:00

Wow have I been busy! I'm back in California from my two week trip to North Carolina and I have a lot of sessions to blog about. I couldn't help though but to go ahead and post this teaser from yesterday's session- I love newborns!

Wedding at St. Helena Catholic Church, Culinary Institute of America (CIA) St. Helena, California

2009-08-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

On August 1st Sara and I drove up through Napa to St. Helena to photograph Eleonora and Al's stunning wedding at St. Helena Catholic Church. The reception followed at the Culinary Institute of America, or CIA, also in St. Helena. Sara was first with the men as they were getting ready at Tudal Winery while I was with the women at Eleonora's parents house in St. Helena. El's parents house is not far from their Napa Valley Olive Oil Mfg company. I LOVED the miniature olive oil bottles they gave as favors to their guests at the reception. With ten bridesmaids and ten groomsmen there was definitely some excitement before the ceremony! The women were absolutely gorgeous in champagne and chocolate brown. Eleonora's gown was just to die for- complete with an antique broach on the front that was given to her by a family friend.

St. Helena Catholic was filled to capacity with Eleonora and Al's 330 guests, some of which came from Italy for the celebration. It was standing room only in the back as they took their vows. The full mass was absolutely gorgeous in the newly renovated church. I loved Al's celebratory gesture after they were pronounced! :) El and Al's wedding was actually the first in the church post-renovation. The "re"dedication ceremony for St. Helena Catholic actually followed directly after their wedding.

We stopped for some photos at Charles Krug Winery on the way to the CIA . There's a perfect view of the architecture of the CIA from Charles Krug- and we also took advantage of the opportunity to photograph the bride and groom with the carriage house and vineyard behind them.

The CIA was absolutely gorgeous lit by the candelabras on each of the 33 tables. The wine barrels that form the perimeter of the ballroom add such warmth to the room. I loved the combination of roses, lilies, and hydrangea's that formed the centerpieces.

Congratulations Eleonora and Al Morando!!

Portraits in North Carolina August 25-Sept. 5, 2009

2009-07-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

To all my awesome NC clients-- I've just booked a couple of weeks on the East Coast and look forward to seeing you! I will be available for children and family portrait sessions August 25th through September 5th. Please contact me if you'd like to get on the calendar. All sessions will be on location in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area the week of August 25th, followed by sessions in Wilmington the week of the 31st. I'm instituting the "buddy" system for the Triangle area this season as well- So if you have a friend or relative who would like to get on the calendar too you can split the cost of the session! (same location, sessions one hour apart.) I am still honoring my 2005 Raleigh prices for this week, which means the session fee is only $125. Don't know where to go? Here are some suggestions of my favorite places to photograph children and family sessions- I will likely be visiting several of these spots:

Oakview County Park, Raleigh -just off of Poole Rd. and the beltline, behind the Wake County office complex
JC Raulston Arboretum at NCSU, Raleigh -on Beryl Rd. just off of Hillsborough Street near Meredith College
Bond Park, Cary on High House Road between Cary Parkway and Northwest Maynard Road.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham *please note Duke charges a fee for use of their grounds for photography*
UNC Chapel Hill Arboretum and campus
Wrightsville Beach
UNCW campus

In home or backyard sessions are always encouraged as well. As always, I recommend solid, neutral colored clothing in coordinated tones for your family members.

Please give me a call at 919-272-4049. I look forward to seeing you all!

Wedding at Garre Winery, Martinelli Center

2009-07-08T21:13:00.000-07:00

Kimberlee and Mark's wedding last month was absolutely fabulous. The new Martinelli Center at Garre Winery in Livermore is stunning. Theirs was the first wedding I photographed in the new building (Rilene and Lawrence's wedding in September was on the other side of the grounds- I still haven't blogged about that one!)

I photographed Kim and Mark's engagement session last summer and looked forward to this wedding all year. It's amazing how quickly that year went by!

You could tell the heart and soul Kim poured into all of the details. She was incredibly lucky to have her good friend Cheryl helping also. It came together beautifully.

One of the biggest hits with Kim and Mark's guests was the photo booth that they brought in. What a great idea! It was quite entertaining watching what was going on inside on the monitor mounted above the booth. In addition, Kim's favors were little frames the image strips could go into afterwards. The booth generated a duplicate strip to go into Kim and Mark's guest scrapbook.

Once again Mary and I had the pleasure of working with DJ Hector Duron. I always encourage my clients to book with Hector- He definitely keeps the energy up and keeps the party going. You gotta love a wedding where someone starts breakdancing.
Here's my favorite image from Kimberlee and Mark's engagement session last year. They are such a good looking couple!

Studio Maternity Session

2009-06-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

Last week I had so much fun photographing Adrienne's maternity session in the studio. She's due with Alyssa in early August. She is an absolutely gorgeous pregnant person! We were also able to include a few with her adorable two year old Mason - who I have photographed over the past couple of years - and her husband Steve. Adrienne was positively glowing throughout the session. I can't wait to meet Alyssa in a couple of months!

Yippeeee!! The new site is live!!

2009-06-25T17:10:00.001-07:00

I must admit I'm a little hesitant to say just how long I've been in need of some updates at juliecheshire.com! To photographers updating a website can be an especially daunting task. I'm happy to say though that after weeks of pouring through images from 2008 and 2009 I have finally gone live with a completely new look. I'm still ironing out some of the kinks but we're live! Keep checking back as I now have the ability to update the site more frequently.

Engagement Session in San Francisco

2009-06-24T21:51:00.000-07:00

Sara and I had an absolute blast last Thursday with Chris and Phyllis in San Francisco. These two are getting married October 3rd at St. Dominics. Chris and Phyllis wanted a San Francisco theme for their engagement photos- so we pretty much toured the city on Thursday! We started off at Yerba Buena Gardens. There is SO much fun stuff to shoot there! We started at the carousel, a great way to get Chris and Phyllis loosened up for an afternoon photo session :) It didn't take much though- they are naturals with the camera and incredibly fun people.

We had originally tossed around the idea of hitting Alamo Square Park, but decided against it. Luckily there was an awesome sculpture at Yerba Buena depicting the Painted Ladies, so it all worked out!

We also walked around the perimeter of Yerba Buena for some city scenes. One of the best spots was behind St. Patrick's at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. The fabulous architecture of the new building provided some cool scenes.

Next, it was off to the Palace of Fine Arts. Chris and Phyllis wanted to incorporate some of the columns there for sentimental reasons- they got engaged in Rome! :)

Our last stop was Baker Beach/Fort Point for sunset. The bunkers at Fort Point always make the top of my list for favorite places to shoot.

Luckily we avoided a handful of nude beachgoers (at the bridge end of Baker Beach it's legal) and captured some gorgeous images at the end of the day. I am really looking forward to working with Chris and Phyllis on October 3rd! They are so much fun and absolutely in love with each other!!

Portrait Session at Markham Arboretum, Concord, CA

2009-06-10T14:02:00.000-07:00

This was a great weekend for portrait sessions! Sunday morning I met up with Christine and her family at the Markham Arboretum and Nature Park in Concord. This is an absolutely gorgeous location for portraits. It's typically a bit more quiet than other local parks on the weekends, and there's an added benefit of an abundance of trees. I always recommend portrait sessions in the late afternoon to take advantage of the best sunlight- however if you have enough tree cover you can sometimes get away with shooting closer to the middle of the day without too much trouble. (This is great if you are working around nap schedules that can't be changed easily!)
There is a gorgeous old tree stump at Markham which is awesome for photos. The covered arbor at the center of the park is great too- especially earlier in the spring when the wisteria is blooming. Christine's family was so much fun! I photographed the kids two years ago at Turtle Creek Park. The last photo here is from that session-- they have grown so much!!

Engagement Session at Mt. Diablo State Park

2009-05-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

Portrait Session in Walnut Creek

2009-04-23T00:38:00.000-07:00

Wedding at Marines' Memorial Club, San Francisco

2009-04-21T23:56:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago Sara and I had the privilege to photograph Liz and Jeff's wedding in San Francisco.

This is an amazing couple!! I had a blast with them last summer at Chrissy Field for their engagement session
We started at noon at Marines' Memorial to capture everyone getting ready, and then it was off on a cable car around San Francisco.

Pier 3 was our first stop- where we had an incredibly clear (and incredibly sunny) view of the city behind us. We were surprised at how incredibly warm it was in the city for the beginning of April!! A slight bump in the road occurred when our cable car driver informed us that the car was overheating- so we had to wait a few minutes for a back up to arrive. More opportunity for photos! :)

After we reloaded into the second car, it was off to stop #2, the Letterman Gardens at the Lucas Digital Arts Center. This place is absolutely incredible. As it turns out, Liz's family's company built the site, so it was extra special that we were able to utilize the gardens for family photos. Back on the cable car, we headed back to Marines' Memorial to prepare for the ceremony. The Crystal Ballroom was stunning- and after the cocktail hour it was transformed into the most elegant reception. I was a huge fan of the cake topper and the wedding favors (chocolate cable cars) - It reminded me of my own wedding 2 and a half years ago! (Our favors were little cable car Christmas ornaments)

Wedding at Tra Vigne, St. Helena, CA

2009-02-24T21:42:00.000-08:00

Anne and Keith's wedding was just one of the many we photographed last fall that I have yet to blog about! I was blown away by this gorgeous location in St. Helena. The charming restaurant was the setting for both the ceremony and reception. The courtyard of Tra Vigne was speckled with sunlight for the ceremony. I still haven't gotten over the stunning yellow calla lilies against this background. The centerpieces, simple milk jars with just a few stems each, were striking with the red brick and lush greenery of the courtyard.

Wedding at Sunol Golf and Country Club

2009-02-16T18:32:00.000-08:00

Last month Mary and I drove down to Sunol to photograph Shella and Dave's wedding at Sunol Valley. You would never have believed how beautiful the day was- for January! Shella and Dave started the day at the Larkspur Landing Hotel in Pleasanton.

The ceremony was incredibly sweet- incorporating both Phillipino and Jewish traditions. The incredible sunlight coming through the floor to ceiling windows in the ceremony room made the cord and veil ceremony that much more beautiful.

One of the best parts of the whole day was getting to see Karen and Mark again. We photographed Karen, Shella's sister, for her wedding last May in Palo Alto. I feel incredibly honored that Shella's wedding was the second in a referral line :) We had photographed Karen as a bridesmaid in Linda and Neil's wedding in '07!

A good sign that your DJ is getting people to have a good time: when the servers join in! Hector was also the DJ at Karen's wedding- we love working with him!

The Party and Wedding Faire, San Ramon Jan. 25th

2009-01-23T16:44:00.000-08:00

It's show time!

We are looking forward to the Party and Wedding Faire this weekend in San Ramon. The name “Party & Wedding Faire” is highly recognized by both local exhibitors and brides. The shows have an excellent reputation for being the most well-run and organized consumer bridal marketing event in the area.

Come check out our booth- the show is open from 11-4 this Sunday, Jan. 25th. We hope to see you there!

Imaging USA, Phoenix, AZ January 11-13th 2009

2009-01-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to be heading back west after a very productive stay on the east coast! I'll be stopping in Phoenix first, however, to attend Imaging USA. This is the biggest and best photography convention of the year and I always come back energized and full of fresh new ideas and products to share with my wonderful clients in California. I'll be browsing 600+ booths at the Imaging USA trade show and can't wait to see what's new in '09!! Additionally I will be attending three days of seminars with the biggest names in the business. I am thrilled that two of my favorite speakers from '08 in Tampa will be back - Katrin Eismann and Juliann Kost. These are just two of the 100+ instructors that will be speaking. My biggest challenge will be choosing the classes to take!
I look forward to returning to the Bay Area on January 15th. See you then!!

Wedding in Monterey, July 2008

2008-11-28T11:22:00.000-08:00

Back at the end of July Lindsay and I drove down to Monterey to photograph Susan and Mark's wedding. The day began with the getting ready shots of Susan in their honeymoon suite overlooking the Bay at the Marriott. I couldn't believe how lucky they were to have a perfectly clear day in Monterey for the wedding. As it turns out the very next day you couldn't even see the bay because of the fog!
The limo picked up Mark and then a few minutes later, Susan. The ceremony site was the beautiful historic Perry-Downer house in downtown Monterey. Susan and Mark chose to see each other pre-ceremony, so we arranged for the ceremony site to be completely quiet for their special first moment.

After the family shots and the ceremony it was off for a walk around historic downtown Monterey. Absolutely charming! We had so many gorgeous settings for images of the bride and groom and their party.

The reception was in the top floor ballroom of the Marriott. What an incredible view! Cecilia from SightNSound provided the entertainment. Susan and Mark had been taking dance lessons- and it certainly showed during their first dance! Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars led into classic Sinatra.

We'll do it all
Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

The Great Bridal Expo!!

2008-11-20T18:52:00.000-08:00

I am looking forward to an extremely busy weekend! We'll be at the Great Bridal Expo on Saturday at the Marriott in Burlingame AND on Sunday at the Fairmont in San Jose. If you are planning your wedding for next year this is the place to be! We'll be one of the many fabulous booths where you can find just about everything you need to plan the big day. We'll have LOTS of cool stuff to look at in our booth. Come check us out!!

My Little Pony

2008-10-28T18:56:00.000-07:00

I can't even begin to explain how much fun I had yesterday photographing Isabella. The afternoon started at Tilden Park where we found some absolutely gorgeous light. It took some patience to work with Maggie the yellow lab. She is a tad camera shy. After capturing some gorgeous images we then drove over to the barn where the family keeps Daisy. What a sweet animal this is! Isabella is quickly outgrowing small Daisy so we took this opportunity to photograph the two of them together. I can't wait to see the new horse Isabella!

Studio Maternity Session

2008-10-16T21:18:00.000-07:00

At the end of July I photographed Shawn and Danielle's maternity session in the studio. Baby Grace Jessica arrived last month- but I just had to post a few images from this session first. Danielle was such an adorable pregnant person!

Wedding at Rios Lovell Winery, Livermore, CA

2008-10-15T23:09:00.000-07:00

The day after Brittany and Brian's wedding Lindsay and I headed off to Livermore to photograph Chris and Sarah's wedding. These two are so easy to photograph! They had the most genuine smiles all day and we had so much fun with them in the vineyards.

I absolutely loved the blue and red color combination that Sarah chose - It looked absolutely gorgeous. I hope to see more of it this coming season!

Wedding at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, and the Olympic Club

2008-10-08T16:24:00.000-07:00

Back on July 19th Lindsay and I had the privelege of photographing Brittany and Brian's incredible wedding in San Francisco. What a fantastic day it was! The intimate ceremony for only their closest friends and family was held at the Fairmont Hotel in the Buckingham Suite.

Then we all hopped on a cable car to tour around the city.

Only in San Francisco could it be that cold on a Saturday in July! You would never have guessed it though by looking at Brittany and Brian. They didn't stop beaming the whole day.

After stopping at the Golden Gate Bridge, Alamo Square Park, and the Embarcadero near the Bay Bridge, we headed to the Olympic Club where the cocktail hour was going strong with all of their extended family and friends. Brian is a member of this fabulous club and we spent a bit of time capturing some images of the two of them poolside. The reception followed upstairs at the club. The ballroom looked absolutely amazing. I thought it was a really nice touch that each table had a framed photo of the wedding image of an important couple to Brittany and Brian. So thoughtful and a great way to honor the important couples in their lives. With lots of help from Vicki, the Olympic Club's coordinator, the night went very smoothly. I was blown away by the band Brittany and Brian chose- the Cheeseballs! (what a great name!)

Raleigh, NC November 1-6

2008-10-04T12:29:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce that I'll be heading back to Raleigh for a trip November 1-6. I have several sessions already planned- Let me know if you'd like to get on the calendar!

Our New Location!!

2008-09-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce that we have completed our move! We will miss downtown Walnut Creek but we have a bit more elbow room now at Citrus Plaza. Please note our new address:

3021 Citrus Circle
Suite 260
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

We are now right at the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Oak Grove. Come check us out!

Wedding at St. Mary's College and Blackhawk Auto Museum

2008-09-08T23:04:00.000-07:00

Wow it's been a while since I've posted anything! I want to go back and post some images from Anjuli and Marc's wedding back in July. What a BEAUTIFUL wedding this was! The day started at St. Mary's College in Moraga.

I absolutely love photographing weddings at this location! From the stunning chapel to the gorgeous archways to the beautiful courtyards - this campus is a photographer's dream. Anjuli and Marc looked absolutely stunning!

After the ceremony Mary and I headed over to Danville to the incredible Blackhawk Auto Museum.
My favorite part of the evening was their first dance. Two of Marc's groomsmen performed "Stellar" from Incubus. Such a cool touch.
Marc and Anjuli are now off to Spain where they'll be living for the next year or so. Best of luck to you both and thanks for sharing this beautiful day with us!

Meet me in outerspace
We could spend the night, watch the earth come up
I've grown tired of that place, wont you come with me
We could start again
How do you do it, make me feel like I do
How do you do it, its better than I ever knew

Wedding at Mission Ranch, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

2008-08-07T00:34:00.000-07:00

The first weekend in July Lindsay and I drove down to beautiful Carmel to photography Loren and Michael's wedding. The entire event was held at the incredible Mission Ranch. Loren and her bridesmaids got ready in the honeymoon cottage- an adorable little house adjacent to the 1850s farmhouse on the property. Loren and Michael decided to see each other before the ceremony, allowing for ample time to take advantage of the incredible grounds for photos. The ceremony itself was in front of an enormous pasture just in front of the sea- and in there is a quaint little group of sheep. Absolutely stunning. The highlight was watching the adorable children Loren and Michael chose to be bell-ringers for their ceremony. Following the ceremony the cocktail hour took place in the small barn; and then everyone moved into the large barn for the formal dinner and toasts. Afterwards it was back to the patio barn for dancing. James Coulson from SightNSound provided music that kept the party going full steam for the entire evening. We were thrilled to learn that we would again be working with them a few weeks later for Mark and Susan's wedding in Monterey. Congratulations Loren and Michael!

Wedding at St. Bonaventure and Blackhawk Auto Museum

2008-07-28T22:01:00.001-07:00

In mid-June Mary and I had the pleasure of photographing Tristanne and Jeremy's wedding at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Clayton. Their reception followed at the Blackhawk Auto Museum in Danville. I got to know Tristanne and Jeremy last year when Lindsay and I photographed their engagement session down in Pacifica. They are absolutely adorable together. Tristanne told me about the beautiful garden behind St. Bonaventure and how she really hoped to get some beautiful photos of the two of them there after the ceremony. I pictured a quaint little garden like what is found behind many churches. I had absolutely no idea. This garden is an amazing project of the parishioners like I have never seen. The garden spans the entire back side of the enormous building- with paths that wind in and out between rose gardens, enormous hydrangea bushes, and beautiful wooden bridges. On the day of the wedding we started at Tristanne and Jeremy's new home for preparation photos. It was quite warm that Friday (it broke the record, 104!)- but thankfully the church was nice and cool when we arrived. The ceremony was beautiful and nearly went off without a hitch- no one seemed to mind when the priest almost closed the ceremony without leading Tristanne and Jeremy to exchange rings! After their first kiss Tristanne and Jeremy exchanged their wedding bands and all was good. After family photographs and many images in the garden we were off to Blackhawk for the reception. It was absolutely beautiful. I was impressed by Darlene's hard work from Wallace and Events. The ballroom looked like something from a fairy tale. I loved the Mickey Mouse inspired cake (Tristanne and Jeremy got engaged in front of the castle) and the colorful candy station. No Blackhawk wedding is complete without photos in the upstairs gallery - especially in front of the '37 Cadillac. I thought it was great that Jeremy's dad also drove in his own classic Alfa Romeo and parked it out front for Tristanne and Jeremy.

Engagement Session at Chrissy Field

2008-07-21T20:04:00.001-07:00

I had SO much fun back in June photographing Jeff and Liz's engagement session at Chrissy Field. They are such a fun couple and I can't wait for their wedding in April. I absolutely LOVED that they included their precious pooch Bella in the session. "Little" Bella is an enormous newfoundland that is clearly their "baby." The dog is absolutely adorable and they are considering having her in the wedding!

Thanks for a great session Jeff and Liz! See you soon Bella!

Portrait Session at Heather Farms Park, Walnut Creek, CA

2008-07-20T22:48:00.001-07:00

I absolutely love shooting at Heather Farms Park. Back in early May I photographed Tiago's 1 year session at the park. I have had SO much fun with this little boy over the past year. He is such a doll. It's been fun watching him grow as I've photographed his newborn, 3, 6, and 9 month sessions. It's been great getting to know his parents also- I feel like I've known them for years! Here's a look at the past year .. I can't wait to see how their family grows in the future!

Wedding at Wedgewood Banquet Center

2008-07-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

In mid-June we had the pleasure of photographing Jennifer and Pedro's wedding. We started at mom and dad's house for the preparation photos. We then all travelled to Wedgewood for both the ceremony and the reception. I was super impressed with how laid back and collected Jennifer was all day-- even when she realized the marriage license had been left at home! I was also very impressed by Pedro- this Groom was definitely not afraid of showing some emotion. I'm not afraid to admit that I still get teary eyed at weddings every now and then- and this definitely was one of them.

This couple is definitely in love.

Wedding at Holbrook Palmer Park, Atherton, CA

2008-07-17T17:14:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of June we photographed Amy and Dan's wedding at Holbrook Palmer Park in Atherton. Amy and Dan had typical gorgeous June weather and just a perfect day in general. The party went on full steam with Dan's twin brother, Dean and his wife burning up the dance floor with unbelievable energy. I was so excited to learn that we'll be photographing Amy's coworker Susan's wedding this month. It's a small world!

I loved all of the personal touches Amy incorporated into the wedding decor. Amy has a passion for horseback riding and I just LOVED the favors she chose- Lucky horseshoes! Amy and Dan definitely picked a lucky date- 06-07-08 - to get married. Best of "luck" to you two!!
As photographers we have to be incredibly observant individuals. Sometimes that could get us in trouble. Take for example the decision I had to make here at Amy and Dan's wedding. It's the end of the night, and you spot the ring bearer dumping a layer of salt over everything left on the hors devours table. What should I do?? Stop him? Get his mom? Nah.. I'll just photograph it. :) Everyone's finished anyhow.
What a cutie.

Wedding in Palo Alto at the Garden Court Hotel

2008-07-16T23:13:00.001-07:00

Back in May we drove down to the South Bay to photograph Karen and Mark's wedding at the Garden Court Hotel in Palo Alto. This is an absolutely stunning site and we were thrilled to work with such a great couple. I first met Karen and Mark back in September of 07 at Linda and Neil's wedding in Burlingame. Karen was a bridesmaid in Linda's wedding, and, coincidentally we sat at the same table during dinner as Mark. I was so happy to find out that they were engaged! Their wedding day was absolutely perfect. I loved seeing Linda and Neil again too!! It was also great working with DJ Hector again- My favorite in the Bay Area! He kept the party hopping without the slightest bit of "cheese."
Here's a look at "Team Cheshire" from the end of the night. Thanks Mary and Lindsay for also capturing some amazing images. Congratulations Karen and Mark!!

Here We Grow Again

2008-07-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

I have some exciting news for Julie Cheshire Photography! We have outgrown our space in downtown Walnut Creek and will be moving in mid-August. Stay tuned for more info!

Engagement Session in San Francisco

2008-07-15T21:19:00.000-07:00

Okay- I promise I will start posting some of this seasons weddings! We've been rockin' and rollin' right on through and have been having a blast every weekend with our great brides and grooms! Keep checking back and I'll post some of our favorites.

I couldn't put off posting some of Jessica and Matt's engagement session photos - What a fun day this was! Jessica and Matt are both theater people- and GREAT with the camera! I met up with Jess and Matt last month at Fisherman's Wharf. We walked over to the Mechanical Museum to start our session. I had never been in there before- I have been missing out! From old Laughing Sal's to old penny arcade games, this place is a kid's dream. We then walked down towards Pier 39 and fought the wind to capture some images with the beautiful San Francisco skyline in the background. From there we moved on to Golden Gate Park where we spent some time at the Japanese Tea Gardens. We hit it at just the right time of day and had GORGEOUS light to work with. We hardly noticed when they locked the gate behind us- oops! Thankfully we were able to finish up our session and use the back exit. Moving on, we stopped and had dinner at the Wharf (you can't go down there without having a bread bowl!) and then it was on to Ripley's Believe it or Not. We had a blast walking through - I can't believe I'd never been in there either!

This really was the most fun I've had at an engagement session in a long time! Thanks Jessica and Matt! I can't wait till your wedding in November!

Mt. Diablo in April

2008-06-15T16:45:00.000-07:00

Back at the beginning of April my husband and I hosted two of our best friends from North Carolina. One of our favorite things to do when we have houseguests is to show off the beautiful Mt. Diablo State Park. We are so incredibly lucky to live 20 minutes away from this incredible site. It's amazing that you can see as far as Sacramento from the summit on a clear day. When Kevin and Allison were in town we were very happy to take them up on an almost perfectly clear day. An added bonus was the fact that they arrived in the small window of time where the hills around Mt. Diablo are actually green! We stopped at a couple of turn-outs along the way and got some great pics of the California poppies scattered along the hillside.

Engagement Session in downtown San Jose

2008-06-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

Last month I met up with Mark and Susan in downtown San Jose to shoot their engagement session- They wanted a modern, urban feel but wanted to still keep it romantic. We met up at the site of one of their first dates and walked around downtown from there. We stopped at the Tech Museum and had a great time utilizing the bright blue tile wall of the famous building. I'm really looking forward to their wedding in Monterey in July. Their reception ballroom has an absolutely fabulous view of Monterey Bay and I know we'll have a blast photographing it!

Engagement Session at Holbrook Palmer Park

2008-06-02T23:08:00.001-07:00

Back in April I met with Amy and Dan to photograph their engagement session. I am really looking forward to their wedding this Saturday! Their engagement session was at the same site as their ceremony and reception, Holbrook Palmer Park in Atherton. Atherton is down in the South Bay- next to Menlo Park and near Palo Alto. We had gorgeous weather for the engagement session and I'm looking forward to more of the same on Saturday! Congratulations Amy and Dan!

Here's the image they chose for their signature board-- They look so happy!!

Working Mother Magazine

2008-05-30T17:20:00.001-07:00

I was happy to find out yesterday that I was published in the current issue of Working Mother Magazine. I photographed Christine and Don when Christine was pregnant last year, and then again when her twins were born. She has a wonderful story and I am so happy that I was able to help her share it with the magazine. Check out the June/July issue to read her story. Congratulations on two beautiful boys Christine and Don!

Newborn studio portrait session

2008-05-29T00:29:00.001-07:00

When I got back to California from my trip my first session was with newborn Owen. I absolutely love photographing newborns! I spent a little less than an hour with this sweet new baby. I am really looking forward to watching him grow as I will be photographing his 3, 6, 9 and 12 month sessions. See you soon Owen!

Portrait Session at the NCSU Arboretum, Raleigh, NC

2008-05-28T23:58:00.000-07:00

My last day in Raleigh, NC was a busy one. My last session was with 2 year old Riley. What a doll she is! I photographed her mom and dad's wedding back in 2005 in Wake Forest, NC and then photographed Riley when she was just a few months old. She has also changed quite a bit! She is a VERY girly little girl and sweet as she can be. She was a bit shy at first but we managed to coax out some sweet smiles at the end of the session. Riley now has a new baby brother--I look forward to photographing the two kids together on my next trip to North Carolina!

If you're interested in scheduling a session for the fall of 08 in Raleigh or the spring of 09 please contact me and I'll put you on the calendar. See you soon Raleigh!!

Portrait Session at Oakview County Park

2008-05-28T20:51:00.001-07:00

When I met with Gail a few years ago to talk about photographing her wedding I just knew she was someone I would want to get to know. Gail and Hien's wedding in 2006 was one of the last ones I photographed before moving to California. I was thrilled to later learn that their family grew to include little Parker! I met them in Raleigh last month and we had a wonderful session at Oakview Park- The same place where we did Mom's bridal portrait in '06!! What a good looking family!!

Portrait Session at Five Points, Raleigh

2008-05-28T20:29:00.001-07:00

Another one of my favorite sessions while back in NC last month was photographing Brooke and Katie. This was the first time I had met little Katie but I've known mom and dad since I photographed their wedding at North Ridge Country Club back in 2002. It is so awesome to watch their little family grow! We had a great session at Grandma's house in Raleigh. I just know Brooke will be a great big sister. Welcome to the world Katie!!

Portrait Session at the All Children's Playground

2008-05-28T20:03:00.001-07:00

When I was in Raleigh last month I was able to spend some time with my best friend Meaghan and her two boys. We went to the All Children's Playground at Laurel Hills Park one day with them. I've been photographing the boys since they were born and it just gets more fun every time. I'm still about a month behind on my posting but I had to include some of my favorites. I miss these guys so much!!

Portrait Session at the NCSU Arboretum, Raleigh, NC

2008-05-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

When I was in Raleigh last month I also photographed Taylor and Colin. The highlight of this session was their mom's request to photograph Colin "in a bucket" like we did with Taylor when she was his age. We were all laughing hysterically watching Colin look at the bubbles and try to figure out why we had put him in a bucket in the middle of the park. It was a bit challenging photographing the two kids together-- This particular one is my favorite. I like to call it "please don't put me next to my baby brother." Her expression is priceless.

Portrait Session at Umstead Park, Raleigh, NC

2008-05-19T10:12:00.001-07:00

While I was in Raleigh another one of my favorite shoots was of three year old Davis. What a cutie he is!! I began photographing Davis right after he was born in 2005. I then did his 3,6,9, and 12 month sessions before I moved to California in 2006.

He has changed a lot in a couple of years! He is a very well behaved little boy and I had a great time photographing him again. We went out to Umstead Park in Raleigh and were able to fit in quite a few photos before a really serious thunderstorm crept up. Check out these clouds here at the end! I must admit how much I miss a good spring thunderstorm in the South!

Bridal Portrait Session at Oakview Park

2008-05-18T13:43:00.001-07:00

While I was in NC I had the opportunity to shoot a bridal portrait session with my good friend Larry of Laurence Lynn Photography. Ankur is a beautiful Indian bride who is getting married in Raleigh this month. Her dress was custom made for her using fabric her mother purchased in India. She was absolutely stunning. It was great shooting a bridal portrait again! Unfortunately California brides aren't as likely to ask for the sessions as my NC brides-- But I'm working on changing that!! It really is an awesome opportunity for the bride to be photographed alone in her gown. Who could argue with a second chance to wear the dress!

Portrait Session at Prestonwood Country Club, Cary, NC

2008-05-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

On my April trip to NC I had the opportunity to photograph the Hodgins family again. I had not seen them since I flew back to photograph daughter Nicki's Bat Mitzvah in the fall of '06. It was great to see them all again this spring! They are a very sweet family and you can just tell how close the three kids are. We had beautiful early morning light to work with and mild temperatures. Here are a few of my favorites!

Spring in North Carolina

2008-05-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

I was so excited back in mid-April to get a chance to go back home to North Carolina for a week. I couldn't have timed it any better - I was so lucky to get absolutely beautiful weather. I scheduled a week of portrait sessions with some of my favorite NC clients. I'll be posting some images from those sessions in the next week.
After landing at RDU and picking up my rental car I drove out to northwest Raleigh to my parents house. The land my parents house is on is affectionately called "dogwood acres" for the overwhelming amount of trees on their property. It takes your breath away in the spring it is so beautiful. The trees were in full bloom just as I arrived. The first morning I was home I took the opportunity to photograph them- one of my favorite subjects! Here are a few of my favorites from this trip.

Jewelry Shoot for Crystal Accents by Susanna Ordway

2008-05-13T22:40:00.000-07:00

Wow.. once again I find myself a little behind on my posting :) It's been super busy! Last month I photographed some AMAZING jewelry for Susanna Ordway of Crystal Accents jewelry design. She needed some updated professional photos for her existing website- http://www.crystalaccents.com/
I can't wait to see the new website with all of the new photos! Susanna designs and hand crafts items for weddings or just for a little extra sparkle for any part of your wardrobe. I love her tagline "because you deserve a little sparkle in your life." Here are a few of my favorites. After spending all day photographing her designs it was really hard not to purchase them all for myself!

Wedding at The Ranch, San Jose CA

2008-04-29T21:58:00.000-07:00

The last weekend in March we photographed Karen and Tom's wedding in the South Bay. I don't even know where to begin with this one :) They were SO much fun and Lindsay and I had a blast photographing them! We started in Cupertino at the bride's mother's house and then went on to Sunnyvale for the Catholic ceremony. The reception followed in San Jose at The Ranch Golf Club. These two are truly meant for one another. It was great to hear their love story, which began over 20 years ago. Karen had a lot of nice "eighties" touches to celebrate how long the two of them have been dating on and (not-so) off through the years. I loved the display they had of old photos and the big-hair band videos that were playing on the monitors around the dance floor. The band was quite a trip as well- encouraging everyone out onto the dancefloor to some really old favorites. Karen's sister even coaxed the couple onto the dance floor for one last "toast," only she really had a surprise for them. Karen and Tom were soon surrounded by everyone holding up lighters- it was too funny.

Portrait Session in Southern California

2008-04-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

While I was down in Temecula for Toni and Mike's wedding I photographed little Lindsay. It was a great shoot and an incredible coincidence. When I lived in Raleigh, NC I photographed Lindsay when she was 4 months old. Her mom and I kept in touch after she moved to Southern California and I moved to Northern California. When I booked Toni and Mike's wedding I knew I had to get in touch with her! We got together Saturday morning and captured some sweet images of Lindsay, now three, at her gorgeous home just five minutes away from the wedding site.

She has changed quite a bit since our first session in 05 in North Carolina!!

Wedding in Southern California

2008-04-29T12:50:00.001-07:00

I'm going to be backtracking here a bit. This past month or so has been insanely busy and I haven't posted anything! Let me start with a beautiful wedding I shot back in mid-March in Temecula, CA at the Falkner Winery. Toni and Mike are a really fun couple and I had an absolute blast photographing them at this incredible location. Temecula is a bit south and east of Los Angeles. My second shooter Lindsay and I took the opportunity to do a bit of silly sight-seeing on the way back. Here I am in front of one of the most photographed structures in Hollywood- Funny how much this German tourist beside me (in the corner of the frame) looks like Lindsay Lohan!

And then there's the "other" world famous Lindsay :)

Great Bridal Expo, San Francisco April 13th

2008-03-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

It's that time again!- Time for me to start preparing for my next wedding show. I'll be at the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco on Sunday, April 13th from 12-4pm.

www.greatbridalexpo.com

I typically do 3-4 wedding shows a year. My clients all love that they're able to actually put a face to the names of some of the vendors they've been researching. I love being able to meet with potential clients face to face and hear about their unique wedding plans. Recently I had a booth at the Party and Wedding Faire at the Marriott in Walnut Creek. It was a great show and I met a lot of excited brides and grooms-to-be. It was a bit challenging talking over the fashion show speaker I was next to - and diverting attention away from the wonderful cake samples I was also next to- but we had a good time nonetheless. :) Here's a photo of our booth
Back in November I had a booth at the Great Bridal Expo at the Fairmont in San Jose. This is pretty much like what my booth will be like next month. That's me on the right (soon after I went brunette. Thankfully that has now faded to a non-descript bronde shade.) That's my faithful second-shooter Lindsay on the left taking copious notes.

*Photo courtesy of my husband's IPhone. He's quite proud of that little device.

So, if you're planning a wedding don't forget to put the Great Bridal Expo on your calendar. We hope to see you there!

Flower Power

2008-03-18T20:02:00.001-07:00

I have the sweetest husband. Every once in a while he'll come home with flowers for me - He really is a closet romantic. I find it incredibly therapeutic to photograph them... Usually just as they are, on my kitchen table at home. Just a few days ago he came home with lillies. Here's my first blog installment of the "flower of the week." I am one lucky woman. :)

Engagement Session at Tilden Park

2008-03-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I photographed Marc and Anjuli's engagement session at Tilden Park near Berkeley. It was a BEAUTIFUL day - however a bit chilly in the shade! We went to the Botanical Gardens and had a great time. Marc and Anjuli's wedding will be here soon- July 12th. I can't wait till their wedding! This is a very photogenic couple and SO much fun.

NILMDTS

2008-03-17T15:47:00.001-07:00

When I was at Imaging USA in Tampa this past January I finally had the courage to do something that I've been wanting to do for a long time. I signed up to become a "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" volunteer. NILMDTS is an organization that introduces volunteer photographers to families with newborns who are terminally ill. The volunteers provide these families with priceless keepsakes of their little ones.

http://www.nilmdts.org/

The organization received a lot of attention after a segment aired on the Today show last week.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23481435#23481435

Sadly, I was called on Thursday to photograph my first NILMDTS session. I arrived at the hospital and was introduced to one of the sweetest families I have ever met. Unfortunately their newborn had been diagnosed with Trisomy 18 and was not expected to live much more than an hour after birth. I was there to photograph a very powerful baptism there in the hospital room and captured some lovely images of a sweet baby boy. This is why I do what I do. I am so blessed to be able to share my talent for more reasons than just making a living. I felt so incredibly honored to be able to provide this heartbroken family with images they will treasure for the rest of their lives. I left the hospital an emotional wreck-- but I am incredibly glad that I was able to be there for this family. This little one was with his family until Saturday when he passed away. If you know of anyone who may be in need of the services NILMDTS provides please contact one of the 3200 volunteer photographers across the country by simply searching by zipcode on the website.

Childrens session in Oakland

2008-03-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday I had the pleasure of photographing *Connor and *Ryan again. This family is EXTRA special to me because their mom was my very first client contact when I moved to California. It's been wonderful watching their little family grow. I photographed *Connor when he was younger and then with his mom last year when she was pregnant. *Ryan is now a little over three months old an a complete doll. The session went very well and I can't wait to share all of the images. Here are a few!

If your friends jumped off a bridge....

2008-03-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

I've had "start a blog" on my to-do list for a couple of years now. I've finally decided to jump in and join the crowd. I'll do my best to keep you all updated with what's happening at Julie Cheshire Photography and throw in some other fun stuff as well. I've had a SUPER busy week as I am getting into the 08 wedding season. I can't wait to work with all of my fantastic clients this year! The best part of my job is getting to know people on a personal level. This weekend I had a great time with Chris and Sarah at their engagement session at Heather Farms Park. You can just tell how in love they are! I'm really looking forward to their wedding. I'll be posting their images soon.. but here's a sneak peak at a few of my favorites.

Julie Cheshire Photography

East Bay Family Portraits

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Newborn Portraits in Walnut Creek

Senior Portraits at Mt. Diablo

Family Portraits in Palo Alto, CA

Family Portraits in San Francisco

Christmas Photos in Walnut Creek

bullies and horsies

Family Portraits in Concord, CA

TWINS!

Portraits at Shiloh West Training Center, San Ramon

Portraits in Pleasant Hill, CA

Wedding at the Brazilian Room, Tilden Park, Berkeley, CA

Portrait Session at Markham Arbouretum, Concord, CA

Headshots in Walnut Creek, CA

Wedding at the Purple Orchid Inn, Livermore, CA

Wedding at Hap Magee Ranch, Danville, CA

Palo Alto Wedding Faire

Engagement Session on BART and at the Berkeley Marina

Engagement session at Lafayette Reservoir and Moraga, CA

Wedding at Testarossa Winery, Los Gatos, CA

Engagement Session at Spoontonic Lounge in Walnut Creek

Christian's 3 month session- Teaser

Becky and Jeff's Engagement Session- A Peak!

Matteo's 3 month session- A teaser

***Bay Area Moms** Welcome Spring!!!

***North Carolina*** Children and Family Portrait Sessions April 6-15

Wedding at St. Gregory's in San Mateo and the James Flood Mansion, San Francisco

Engagement Session in Santa Cruz

Wedding at Wente Vineyards, Livermore, CA

Welcome to the world Christian

Wedding at St. Dominic's San Francisco, Pavilion By the Bay, Treasure Island

A Sweet City Hall Wedding in San Francisco

Some time in the Tarheel State

A garden wedding in Danville, CA

Newborn studio session

Wedding at St. Helena Catholic Church, Culinary Institute of America (CIA) St. Helena, California

Portraits in North Carolina August 25-Sept. 5, 2009

Wedding at Garre Winery, Martinelli Center

Studio Maternity Session

Yippeeee!! The new site is live!!

Engagement Session in San Francisco

Portrait Session at Markham Arboretum, Concord, CA

Engagement Session at Mt. Diablo State Park

Portrait Session in Walnut Creek

Wedding at Marines' Memorial Club, San Francisco

Wedding at Tra Vigne, St. Helena, CA

Wedding at Sunol Golf and Country Club

The Party and Wedding Faire, San Ramon Jan. 25th

Imaging USA, Phoenix, AZ January 11-13th 2009

Wedding in Monterey, July 2008

The Great Bridal Expo!!

My Little Pony

Studio Maternity Session

Wedding at Rios Lovell Winery, Livermore, CA

Wedding at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, and the Olympic Club

Raleigh, NC November 1-6

Our New Location!!

Wedding at St. Mary's College and Blackhawk Auto Museum

Wedding at Mission Ranch, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Wedding at St. Bonaventure and Blackhawk Auto Museum

Engagement Session at Chrissy Field

Portrait Session at Heather Farms Park, Walnut Creek, CA

Wedding at Wedgewood Banquet Center

Wedding at Holbrook Palmer Park, Atherton, CA

Wedding in Palo Alto at the Garden Court Hotel

Here We Grow Again

Engagement Session in San Francisco

Mt. Diablo in April

Engagement Session in downtown San Jose

Engagement Session at Holbrook Palmer Park

Working Mother Magazine

Newborn studio portrait session

Portrait Session at the NCSU Arboretum, Raleigh, NC

Portrait Session at Oakview County Park

Portrait Session at Five Points, Raleigh

Portrait Session at the All Children's Playground

Portrait Session at the NCSU Arboretum, Raleigh, NC

Portrait Session at Umstead Park, Raleigh, NC

*Bay Area Moms Welcome Spring!!!

North Carolina Children and Family Portrait Sessions April 6-15