San Francisco, Carmel, & Napa Valley Photojournalistic Wedding Photographer

Carmel Wedding Photography at Holly Farm | Meri & Mollie

Gavin — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:50:30 +0000

I’ll never forget watching Meri & Mollie literally bounce with excitement on the altar as they tied the knot at Holly Farm in Carmel. I love you both, and I loved photographing your wedding! (Oh and how awesome is a cake made of cheese wheels?)

By: Gavin Farrington {Google}

San Francisco Mission District Engagement Session | Orly & Zack

Gavin — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:31:33 +0000

It’s important to Orly that she mix elements of her heritage in with her engagement session, and what better way than in San Francisco’s Mission District? We visited the murals in Balmy Alley, then walked around to various stops, pausing wherever we found beautiful light. Afterword we made a trip to the UCSF Med Center’s Rec Building in the SOMA area, and finished off underneath the cherry blossom trees. A beautiful conclusion to an amazing day.

Orly & Zack, I can’t wait for your wedding!

Love photojournalistic wedding photography? I can’t wait to hear from you!
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By: Gavin Farrington

San Francisco Mission District Engagement Photography | Michelle & Kyle

Gavin — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 02:22:35 +0000

What’s better than an engagement session that begins with wine and a cheese flight at Mission Cheese in San Francisco’s Mission District? Almost nothing. I loved spending the evening with Michelle and Kyle, and I can’t wait for their wedding in June!

Looking for a photo-journalistic wedding photographer? I can’t wait to hear from you!
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By: Gavin Farrington

San Franciso Marriage Proposal Photography | Harika & Bhargava

Gavin — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 06:06:12 +0000

Harika thought she was going for a fun little photo shoot with friends. She was right, but also oh so wrong. In fact, she didn’t even know her soon-to-be fiancé was even in town! All her friends were in on it, so you can image the excitement as they stood on the sidelines waiting for what they knew was coming.

Congratulations Harika and Bhargava. Next up, engagement photographs. I can’t wait to be a part of them!

Love photojournalistic wedding photography? Ready to book me for your own wedding? I can’t wait to hear from you!
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By: Gavin Farrington

San Francisco Marriage Proposal | Honey & Raji

Gavin — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:15:32 +0000

Love unscripted moments? Ready to book me for your own wedding? I can’t wait to hear from you!
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By: Gavin Farrington

Highlands Inn Carmel Wedding | My Parents

Gavin — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 04:59:58 +0000

My parents are fascinating people. Raised on the island of Oahu, mom is gentle, warm, and has the heart (though not the style) of a flowered hippie. She laughs and loves easily, and connects with everyone. She quilts, collects photos of family and friends in the halls, forwards too many joke emails, and wants everyone around her to be comfortable and happy.

My dad is a harder person to know, but no less amazing. With a doctorate in geology, he’s smart, analytical, and he struggles to show his warm side. He’s five years retired now, but busier than he’s ever been between his projects around the house and his involvement in local politics. If you met him, he would probably scowl at you first. Then he’d ask some pointed questions. Then about 30 minutes later he’d start to actually chat. He’d probably still be scowling, though.

Then magic happens. Someone pokes fun at him for being so curmudgeonly. Unexpectedly the corners of his eyes crack, and a laugh erupts from below his ridiculous push-broom mustache. He rocks back on his heels and briefly points his laughter at the ceiling before rolling forward to put his head in his hand and laugh toward the floor.

Like many dads, mine cares deeply, but keeps it to himself.

It’s easy to look at amazing photojournalistic wedding photography and appreciate the value those memories will bring to the couple for generations. I’ve personally watched people very close to me pour over their parents’ album and relish every image – every story – every personality. Many of those stories are about people who have long since passed away.

But I’m writing from the other side of the fence. My parents have no wedding photographs. No getting-ready, no ceremony, no kiss, no dancing, no toasts. Most of all, no laughter, no tears, no stories, no album, and for me… no connection to the beginning of my family. A single snapshot was taken by a friend with an Instamatic camera. The only remaining evidence is a small 4×6 print so badly adhered to the glass that it can’t be removed from the frame. There is no negative. There are no other copies.

Compare my dad in this photo to my headshots on the “my story” pages of my website. It’s almost uncanny.

I treasure this image, but it leaves me wanting so much more. I want to know who was there and what they were like. I want to see who was important to my parents but faded away, and who has stuck around. I want some kind of connection to my roots.

Since there aren’t any images, my mom sent me some notes about the day:

We had a late morning wedding in Carmel at the Highlands Inn’s small chapel, which was removed when it was later remodeled.

Your dad had just graduated from college a few months before, and was working part time. I was working for United Airlines, which is fortunate because finances were very tight. We wouldn’t have been able to go to Hawaii in the following weeks if it weren’t for the travel and lodging benefits through my job. Your grandparents helped as much as they could, but it only amounted to about one or two hundred dollars each.

My dress was simple; a princess cut gown with scalloped neckline trimmed with daisies. It cost about $35. I borrowed the veil from a friend and held white orchids and a three-strand lei of Pikake Flowers that were flown over from Hawaii the day before. Unfortunately the Post Office kept them in a warm spot, and they started to turn brown before we got them. But they still smelled wonderful!

The chapel was free with a reception booking. We only had to pay the minister, and about $25 per person for the food and cake cutting.

When it came time to “kiss the bride” I’d asked your dad to put the lei on me. He had a bit of trouble untangling the strands and finally gave up and just shoved it over my head, then kissed me. Everyone was laughing by that time and it helped to ease the tension as we finished up the ceremony! After that we went to the Inn’s reception room and had a lovely buffet luncheon, then cut the cake.

We ended up staying the night in one of their fireside rooms. We flew out the next day for Oahu, where my parents gave us a second reception in their home on Kailua Beach for all our Hawaii relatives and friends. The honeymoon then progressed through Waikiki, Kauai, and was topped off by an unforgettable experience watching the volcano erupt on the Big Island. Your dad was in heaven!

As my parents prepare to celebrate their 44th wedding anniversary this year, I thought this one, lone image of their wedding was worth sharing. In some small way, my family’s lack of photographs has motivated me to be the absolute best at what I do, and to never be satisfied. I’m always pushing, learning, and expanding my abilities, because I know what it’s like to be one of the “have nots.”

Mom, dad, thank you. This story of your humble beginnings is absolutely inspiring when I think of everything you’ve achieved since then.

I love you both.

By: Gavin Farrington

Snowy Amador “Day-After” Session | Shion & Paul

Gavin — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 21:57:21 +0000

You’ve already seen Shion & Paul’s incredible snow-laced wedding day in Foresthill, California. This time we jet up to the hills again, into Amador County for an afternoon of playful photography in the wedding dress!

Love photojournalistic wedding photography? Ready to book me for your own wedding? I can’t wait to hear from you!
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By: Gavin Farrington

San Francisco Swedenborgian Church Elopement | Barry & Greg

Gavin — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 05:55:07 +0000

Barry planned her entire San Francisco elopement from her home in Texas via the internet, and what an incredible job she did. When she told me she’d selected the Swedenborgian Church for their very intimate ceremony (all of five people – Barry & Greg, the officiant, the pianist, and myself,) I knew we would be in for a treat. Following the ceremony, we spent some time walking around the Presidio Park for some truly beautiful images in a natural setting.

Thank you Barry & Greg. I hope the remainder of your stay in San Francisco was as incredible as your first day.

Love photojournalistic wedding photography? Ready to book me for your own wedding? I can’t wait to hear from you!
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By: Gavin Farrington

San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts Marriage Proposal Photography | Margarita & Danny

Gavin — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 04:31:34 +0000

Danny and Margarita spent a weekend in San Francisco from their home in Calgary, Canada, and while there Danny wanted to have his marriage proposal photographed. Preserving these memories is such a joy. I get to hide in plain sight and capture some truly incredible moments. Just look at the way Margarita reacts to Danny.

All the best to you both!

Planning to propose? I’d love to document it for you!
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By: Gavin Farrington

Danville & San Ramon Engagement Photography | Katelyn & Mark

Gavin — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 01:03:03 +0000

I first met Katelyn & Mark at a coffee shop in Danville. Mark is gregarious, outgoing, talkative, and I imagine he makes friends easily. Katelyn is reserved and poised. She’s also stunningly beautiful, but doesn’t seem to be aware of it.

Together, they make me smile. A lot. It’s like hours of playfulness, punctuated by tenderness and love.

Simply awesome.

Katelyn & Mark, I can’t wait to photograph your wedding!

Love photojournalistic wedding photography? Ready to book me for your own wedding? I can’t wait to hear from you!
Email | Facebook | Google+ | Portfolio | Tel: +1 415 658 5776

By: Gavin Farrington