Judy & Eric's Wedding. San Jose

Ceremony and reception at Silver Creek Valley Country Club in San Jose.

I met Judy and Eric at the Ritz Carlton Modern Bridal show last July. They are a fun and youthful pair that happened to meet half way around the world in Shanghai despite both being from California at the time!

Fast forward to early March. Great news! Battling the threat of rain all week, we got the go ahead the day before to expect an outdoor ceremony. The wedding party looked great and we couldn't have hoped for a better combination of cloud cover and lighting. The ceremony and photographs were completed just as it started to drizzle.

As the reception got underway, the bridesmaids and groomsmen performed a little number as Judy and Eric ran into the room. It was a great evening featuring classic Chinese wedding games, dress changes, a little nephew, a karaoke star, and a chocolate fountain. Now they are off to Taiwan for what will probably be another great party.

Floral Arrangements: DeYoung Flowers
Hair & Makeup: Sarah Chu
Cake: Bijan Bakery
Videographer: Van Hsieh (Ocean Blue)
Music: Turner Hayes (Elite Entertainment)

Haiti Relief

I have been busy and not posted in a while. However, it is difficult to ignore the utter devastation experienced in Haiti. This is one of the worst catastrophes to occur in the western hemisphere! In a poor country with 9 million people, at least one third now require assistance, at least 50,000 are estimated dead (a figure sure to rise), the capital is virtually flattened, 8 hospitals have closed, the nation has little ability to help itself, and this is just in the first few days (AP report). Haiti will require aid for years to come. After a couple of days of study this is what I've come up with.

Medical care will be in short supply. The studio will donate 10% of gross bookings for the next 3 months to the SendANurse.org. This newly formed group is California-based and has been established by the Registered Nurse Response Network to support volunteer nurses going to Haiti to assist in relief efforts.

From April to July, 10% will be donated to AmeriCares. This organization is uber-efficient and specializes in delivering medical aid to disaster areas. They are on the ground now preparing to receive an airlift and also plan an overland convoy from the Dominican Republic.

From July until December, 10% will be donated to the United Nations World Food Program. Specializing the feeding the world's hungry and undernourished, this global organization has already landed emergency food supplies from El Salvador and Panama. What is nice about this group is that they stay long after the disaster to support the rebuilding process, Haiti will need their services.

To evaluate a charity on your own, you can try Charity Navigator. They have an excellent and extensive ratings and review database which is accessible online. CNN has also listed several reputable need organizations here.

Katie and Matt's Engagement

Ann Arbor Engagements Part II. Earlier in the day it was Theresa and Nate. Ending the day is Katie and Matt, also Michigan Alumnus who plan on getting married in Traverse City next summer. Thanks again to Ana from TwoFoot Creative for this fabulous couple!

Katie expressed an interest in a green setting so we started at the well known "Arb" aka Nichol's Arboretum. The Arb was very tranquil as most students vacate the park around dinner time on weeknights. We wandered around the huge meadow and then hiked out just before sunset. Our last stop was Hill Auditorium where Matt and Katie first met their freshmen year. It was pretty dark by now, but we got in a few shots. It was fun watching students pass by as we played around out front. :D

Theresa and Nate's Engagement

I've long wanted to photograph a wedding or engagement on the Michigan campus and about 2 weeks ago I got my chance. Theresa and Nate are fellow University of Michigan Alumnus and were introduced to me by Ana of TwoFoot Creative - a busy wedding planner based in Ann Arbor. The three of them were all Michigan track/cross country teammates. Cool!

Theresa and Nate were just recently engaged and are planning a wedding in Ann Arbor next year. We got together in the Law Quad early one morning just before sunrise. Winston, their bulldog, made an appearance before retiring to the car for a nap. Then off we went from landmark to landmark; the Bookstore Mural on Liberty, Nickels Arcade, the Cube, Angell Hall, and finally the Diag. Good Times!

If you want to support another Michigan alum, check this out.