Posts in sfcityhallvendors
Mariel & Chloe and my take on booking a photographer

I had an interesting email conversation with one of the potential clients. She reached out to me asking about my packages. I provided all the details. She then responded asking what is the difference between my packages on my site and my packages at another website (their rates are lower than mine). That other website is another photostudio and the only thing we have in common is we have cityhall in our name and obviously shoot in San Francisco City Hall. I responded to her with that information and explained that while I understand the price definitely matters, she should look at the photo portfolio and at the reviews to make sure the photographer is what she’s looking for. It’s not always about if you pay more, you get something better. And if the photographer charges less, doesn’t mean they are bad.

The general rule is that photographers charge based on their experience, artistic vision, etc…The main point I’m trying to say is that the couple shouldn’t book someone just based on the price. They should at least look at their portfolio. And you can tell a lot by looking at the images - these are usually the best that the photographer wants to showcase. It represents well their style, their color palette, their communication with the couple. At the end it’s your story… you shouldn’t compromise but also keep your budget in mind.

Now back to this beautiful couple. My goal is always to capture candid, real moments and to also pose my couple in such a way that it’s real. We all love watching the movies and can identify bad acting pretty easy now. Same with these images… the emotions have to be real. Otherwise the image isn’t good enough for me. As a photographers its our duty to tell the story and tell it right

Amanda & Nicholas

I love the first look. I don’t mind arranging it. I’d make sure the groom is positioned in the right place and not looking around too much. I’d arrange to meet the bride at the City Hall entrance and walk her to the right spot.

In case of Amanda and Nicholas, I wanted to hype it even more. I built up the anticipation with Nicholas and then took a few photos of him. I showed them to Amanda and told her he was very nervous (and he truly was).

Amanda looked beautiful and obviously Nicholas hadn’t see her yet. So I told her to take her time when she walks and build that anticipation for Nicholas even more.

And we got some awesome photos from that.

If you’re ever wondering why book the 4th floor for a private ceremony having an awesome harpist could be one of the reasons.

Here are some highlights from our 2 hours session

Alisson and Peter

When i photograph my couples I often start conversations on how they met. I’m naturally curious of how people meet. Often times they come from different backgrounds, different cities, countries and chances of them meeting …. well are very slim. But somehow they meet, have a wonderful relationship and want to take it to the next level by getting married. I meet couples that have been together for many years, but their relationship feels fresh, full of energy and obvious love for each other. So it’s really not how long the couple has been together but it’s finding the right person.

Alisson and Peter met via online dating app. A common story for many couples I photograph now. And it’s quite normal because people have more opportunities to meet someone they wouldn’t meet otherwise.

After getting to know them for 5 minutes the chemistry and how they balance each other out was obvious. Alisson is hyper, with tons of ideas… she literally can’t stand in one place. I’m very much the same way at times. Peter is very calm, thoughtful and fun at the same time. They both love dancing and they put on a performance for me. Alisson was born in Columbia and speaks perfect English, but Peter wanted to learn Spanish anyway. You can see that they care for each other and show it in small ways every day.

The result was a large collection of photos at the City Hall and Fort Mason. Their friends put together a picnic for them. Together with their 2 cute dogs - Burrito and Rico Suave they had a wonderful wedding ceremony and reception. We have photos to prove that

Favorite Fall wedding moments

What a fun, busy and crazy this Fall has been. I can have a separate post for every single wedding I shot because each one was unique, exciting and emotional in its own way. And once I have a bit more time I would like to go back and cover some of them. The light on the 4th Floor North side was something you can’t just pass by. I was draw to it and wanted to take advantage of it. There were these pocket of lights that make the City Hall even more mysterious and unique.

I was lucky to have some of the funniest couples that chose me. Maybe it’s not a coincidence they picked me. I always say that my goal is to not only have great photos that capture their day, but to make sure they don’t forget to have fun and to enjoy the process of taking photos. Without that the most beautiful place will look dull because they aren’t enjoying themselves and instead are posing for cameras. While I will always direct and come up with ideas and images I want to see, I love capturing these moments in between and strive to orchestra these moments.

And then there’s the actual ceremony where the couples and their guests are fully into that little moment that binds them together. I’m there to observe, watch and catch these little details that matter the most - like a tear shed by one of the guests.. or a bride, the way the groom looks at his bride.. the first kiss.. all that is important and the job of the photographer to capture it but to capture it from our point of view.

And while I love a lot of grand wide photos of the City Hall, my goal is always the couple. Make them laugh, smile, feel emotions, go back in time to their first day, or just talk to me about what matters to them. And it between all that I keep taking photos… i talk.. i encourage them to show their love for each other.. and keep taking photos.

Here are some of my favorite images and it was really hard to chose these because each wedding has a good number of images I really liked.

How To Get Married While City Hall Is Closed

So you’ve been planning to get married in 2020. It’s such a great year for that - numerically, symbolically and just why not? Nothing should stop the couples from tieing the knot. But then the pandemic hits and all the plans are changed. San Francisco City Hall that always attracts a large number of couples from all over the world wanting to get married closed its doors on March 17 and hasn’t reopened yet.

The good news is.. San Francisco City Hall started doing virtual licenses and ceremonies. There are certain requirements you have to meet but for majority of couples it should not be an issue.

You can view all that you need to know here and then book your ceremony with San Francisco City Hall officiant.

https://sfgov.org/countyclerk/video-marriage-services

Now i understand virtual ceremony is not the same as the one where the officiant is right in front of you. I’ve seen a few of these ceremonies. The officiant is still engaged, the moment are emotional and real. Unfortunately you’re not at San Francisco City Hall Rotunda, or on the magnificent 4th floor balcony, or the grand Mayor balcony. But you’re getting married, you have the person you love the most next to you and you have the officiant who’s “blessing” your union, giving it an official Californian stamp. In the eyes of the state you will be married.

So you get dressed, get your hair and makeup done. Why not take that opportunity and do a wedding photo session after your virtual ceremony. You can’t get inside of the City Hall, but there are plenty of great spots around the City Hall area. As a matter of fact I always left enough time for outside shots because San Francisco City Hall architecture strikes me the most from the outside. It’s what stands out first. The wedding session can be followed by going to the beach, overlooking the Golden Gate, Palace of Fine Arts or any other awesome location in the city.

Alyssa & Kevin

I’m always excited when i get booked for half a day. And it’s not because i’m greedy and here to make money. I enjoying spending time with people and getting to know them. It really is - ask my wife. She’s more of an introvert who has to deal with me always wanting to talk to people, ask questions and have random conversations.

So when i had an opportunity to spend 4 hours with an amazing couple like Alyssa and Kevin I’m beyond thrilled. First off we started off walking on the beach - the weather could not have been better. Then we headed to the City Hall and had time to do both serious and fun photos. It takes a little time for people to open up and be themselves in front of the camera. And I want to get the real, true them out.

Turns out Alyssa loves dancing - so of course i wanted to incorporate that. She has a lot of natural grace and i wanted to capture that as well… along with the silliness of course.

At the end i couldn’t have been happier with the collection of photos we got. There were lots of candid honest moments during the ceremony, very cool group photos and of course plenty of Alyssa and Kevin photos to chose from.

Tiffany & Bernard

One of the main reasons I enjoy shooting City Hall weddings is because majority of the time they are very intimate. There’s a small number of guests, often it’s the just the couple only. Don’t get me wrong, large, elaborate weddings are interesting, but they just aren’t as private. Often times they are about the guests more than about the couple getting married.

In the case of Tiffany and Bernard it was just them and their parents. Having 2 plus hours to spend with such a small group creates a sort of intimacy and an atmosphere where the couple gets to know you and I get to know the couple. To me they are not some people i just met. We have a moment to talk and get to know each other a little. I get to understand what they like, what they are into, how they met, etc… And the end result is we had time to do preparation photos at the hotel, first look, the ceremony, group photos, a very good variety of portrait photos as well as some individual shots.

We partnered with IqVideography to get a very cool highlights video - https://vimeo.com/379934906/85fc9e368c 

Megan & Alex

When I talk to others about their job and what kind of work they do, i realize that i can’t even consider what i do as work. Of course there are some intense days, there are days when you emotionally and physically tired, but at the end I realize that I’m around happy people who are enjoying a very special day and my job is really to capture that day for them. I’m their guest with a camera. I’m their friend who knows how to take photos. And yes I really enjoy smaller wedding like this one where it was close family and closest friends, while Lucy stood for the groom’s best man.

As a result this San Francisco City Hall wedding was filled with intimate moments during and after the ceremony. How often do you get to photograph a cute dog inside the City Hall? Not very often.. so i took full advantage of that. Lucy played her part perfectly - posing, giving high fives and barking her congratulations to the newly wed

Melanie & Andrew SF City Hall Wedding

Mel and Drew lived , went to school next to each other without actually knowing it. They bumped into each other and were introduced at a few parties, but nothing more happened. They continued living their lives. They kept bumping into each other at friend’s parties or events. They kept talking and texting over some period of time and then on July 4th Drew asked Mel on a date. They had dim sum, went to City Lights Books, then walked throughout Chinatown and North Beach and along Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. They went to Lou's Jazz Hall and listened to live music, then took a cab to the Mission District and enjoyed fireworks from the roof top of Lolinda El Techo (then known as Medjool's) and walked back together through a sea of illegal fireworks as police sirens echoed the Mission streets.

Then while on vacation in Paris Drew proposed to Mel.

Melanie and Andrew get hitched on the 71st wedding anniversary of Melanie's grandparents with friends and family.

SF City Hall Photo favorite vendors/partners

After working at SF City Hall for many years you build relationships, you get to know other vendors. I’ve done my homework on all the vendors I recommend. I would stand 100 percent behind this list. I’m hoping it’ll help you when you’re planning your SF City Hall wedding.

Flowers

  • http://solambiance.com . Oxana, the owner of Solambiance is outstanding. First time I worked with her was many years ago for my own personal project. She came recommended to me through a videographer. Since then she’s my to go florist - whether it’s for clients or myself. She is very creative with her bouquet and has an overall good sense what goes well with what. On top of that she’s one of most dependable and responsive people I know

Hair/Makeup

My 2 favorite studios. Both great in their own mind. For a photographer working with the right makeup/hair stylist is the key.

  • https://www.tripletwist.com/ - Mei is extremely patient, soft spoken, very attentive and detailed. She styles, while her husband Robert takes care of administrative part. Every single bride I recommended Mei to sang her praise. And of course the results were amazing.

  • https://www.bunbunbridallab.com/ - Felicia runs her studio so well. She’s the main stylist and the administrator. She is very well organized and very friendly. All brides love her as she makes them feel like she’s known them for a long time. And of course her results speak for themselves. She has an IG page that shows before and after.

Music

This is my personal favorite since I’m also a musician at heart and occasional playing now.

  • https://www.corellitrios.com/ - Midori is the heart of Corelli Strings and she can put together any ensemble you’d like for your wedding. She only works with great musicians. I’ve watched them perform at wedding on many occasions. They are not only fantastic musicians, they truly enjoy playing. On top of that Midori is very responsive, reliable and is a great person to work with

Videography

  • IQVideography - I’ve dedicated the whole Blog Post to my favorite video studio. Alex is not only a very talented videographer, but great business partner and a friend.