Seattle Couple's Photography: Mel + Gus

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

The Art of The Perfect Date

     Four and half years ago, Mel and Gus embarked on a spectacular love voyage, witnessed in this photo taken on their wedding day.  Gus mans the oars, maneuvering through the lily pads, as Mel looks back and waves.  It's a photo that tells a hundred beautiful stories.  Everyone who sees the photograph wants to learn more, and invariably asks, "Where are they going?"  That is a very good question.

       For these inquisitive fans, we are pleased to give a news update!  After spending a day taking photos with them last Sunday in Seattle, we are happy to announce that, among other accomplishments, they have, in our opinion, mastered the Art of the Perfect Date.  They packed so much fun and romance in our hop-around-town photo session that we just have to share some sneak peek images from the lovely outing.

       First, the day started at their favorite weekend breakfast spot, the Volunteer Park Cafe, which was festively festooned with boughs of fir for the holiday. It seems that every Seattleite either took their turn as a barista in their youth, skipped that step and bought an espresso machine for their home kitchen, or both. This hometown couple also knows a well-roasted bean like a bee knows its blossoms. They are more than mere connoisseurs; they understand the romantic alchemy contained in the Northwest's antidote for rainy days.  The beverage bends time itself.  Hours are not counted in minutes, but are slowly decanted with periodic sips from steaming cups of hot brew.  Shared moments last twice as long.  After whiling away the time with warm mug in hand, their paws are perfectly primed for a long period of romantic hand-holding.  And so, we follow these java-fueled lovers onto the next stage of their date. 

       We trekked over to the Mt. Baker neighborhood to visit… their new home!  That's more great news to report, and an incredible way to usher in the new year.  When we asked what their extra bedroom was for, they simultaneously smiled and said, "nursery!"  We took a few photos around the home.  One of our faves was a portrait of them gazing in the window after Mel traced a heart on the steamed glass with her finger.  What a perfect family nest :)

       Okay, it's about that time.  Cue the romantic movie montage!  #1 - The Cute-Walk: Mel + Gus take a lover's stroll along the water's edge at Lake Washington. #2 - Shared Interests: they read travel books together to remember their romantic trip to Italy at the legendary Elliott Bay Bookstore. #3 - The Soundtrack: they browse through some LPs and joke about album covers as the music soars.  #4 - The Ice Cream Parlor:  the couple shares two scoops on a waffle cone at Mollie Moon's, and Gus manages to get a little on his nose.  Ice cream dates are the cutest!

Sunday morning coffee at the Volunteer Park Cafe. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

Love over coffee and tea. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

Edible delights at the cafe.© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

Peeking in the window of their new beautiful home! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

A tender moment by Lake Washington. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

Love birds! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

It's getting steamy in the stacks! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

A stop at the Elliot Bay Books. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

Music shop fun. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

© Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

It's never too cold out for ice cream! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Couple's Photography in Seattle.

       Oh, and you might ask, "where is this wonderful couple off to now?"  One perfect date after another.

       Best wishes to Mel and Gus on their new home, and to many more wonderful adventures together!

xoxo,

Sam + Ariel

San Francisco Family Photography Session: Holiday Photos at the Beach

        In high school, Giuliana would always bring the best lunch. Her mom, Diane, stuffed her lunch satchel with fresh baked goods, like homemade Italian biscotti and cookies topped with M&M's. Giuliana, being the generous and sweet person that she is, would always share these tasty treats with me and our high school posse. Eventually her mom found out that someone was helping her eat her lunch and started packing double or triple helpings of desserts -- helping to feed the hungry masses (including her now-husband, then high-school sweetheart, Rick).

       That sharing and caring instinct runs through all of Giuliana's family. They are some of the most generous and loving people you'll ever meet. As an example, Giuliana's grandparents grew and nurtured countless orchids at their home, and their flowers decorated our wedding.  Diane supplemented the bounty with baskets of blossoms from her yard too. You couldn't buy fresher and better tended flowers. This family added so much color and beauty to our wedding, and we remain forever grateful to them.

       You can imagine how wonderful it must be to be part of this family, and especially how delicious their Thanksgiving spread must have been. Just before dessert was served, Gina's boyfriend, Michael, with the importance of family and love on his mind, asked for everyone's attention, and then surprised the table by asking for Gina's hand in marriage!  What a gift for this tight-knit family to be able to witness their engagement, and celebrate it over dessert too! Talk about great timing. We had already planned to take family photos, but now there was even more to celebrate with a ring on Gina's finger. We are so happy for Gina + Michael! Congratulations!

       We hope you enjoy this sneak peek from our family photo session, including a few photos from our pop engagement session of the beautiful couple.

The Grands. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Family Photography at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

All together now! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Family Photography at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

Boys being boys! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Family Photography at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

Beautiful mama Diane and Giuliana. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Family Photography at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

Gina -- you are stunning! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Family Photography at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

A kiss in the grass. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Family Photography at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

Still so in love. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Family Photography at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

High school sweethearts. The real deal! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Family Photography at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

The grands, looking sharp. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Family Photography at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

Loving hands. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Family Photography at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

And a new ring on Gina's hand! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Family Photography at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

Pure romance. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Family Photography at Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

       There's so much to be thankful for, and we are pleased to be able to share these images of a family that has so many reasons to celebrate and are so happy to spend time together.

xoxo,

Ariel (and Sam)

San Francisco Engagement Photography Session: Sara + Nick

       In the latest photo session that Annie Leibovitz did with Rihanna for Vogue , she used large fans to create glam breezes.  Walking through Lands End in San Francisco, with the newly-engaged couple Nick and Sara, we had no shortage of wind, giving some nice, natural movement to these photos.  While gusty at the top (we used hand warmers to produce heat on demand), at the bottom of the hill near the Sutro Baths, the sun came out, and all of a sudden it felt like summer again.  San Francisco: you confuse and delight us with your weather.

       Nick and Sara are a perfect couple, and they have such fun and easy-going personalities that we almost had to remind ourselves that we were on a photo shoot with them.  It felt like another hike by the Bay with friends.   Of course, looking at the pictures it is easy to see why they are so likeable.  Nick and Sara were eager to explore all the different ecosystems at Lands End from a wooded forest, to a grassy riparian habitat, and even into a cave.  We also caught a few photos of them goofing around in the the stone remnants of the Sutro Baths.  (It's actually no surprise that we had such a great time with them, as we are also good friends with Nick's sister, and coincidentally, just did a maternity photo session with her and her husband.  We've also had a photo session with Nick's other sister earlier this year.  We feel privileged to get to know their entire family so well and to be able to document all the wonderful milestones in their lives.)

       We're so excited that Nick and Sara are getting married.  Congratulations to the happy couple!

​Nick and Sara look out over the Bay and the Sutro Baths.  © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at Lands End, San Francisco.

​Snuggling among the reeds with a backdrop of the Bay.  © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at Lands End, San Francisco.

​The couple peeks out of the "windows" at the Sutro Baths.  © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at Lands End, San Francisco.

Sharing a kiss.  © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at Lands End, San Francisco.

Emerging from the cave at the Sutro Baths.  © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at Lands End, San Francisco.

​You know where this is heading!  © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at Lands End, San Francisco.

A romantic San Francisco postcard - a beautiful couple kissing in front of the Golden Gate Bride.​ © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at Lands End, San Francisco.

​The waves crash below, but all that exists for them is each other. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at Lands End, San Francisco.

Catching a moment as the wind whips through Sara's hair.  © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at Lands End, San Francisco.

​Glam-o-rama! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at Lands End, San Francisco.

​Congratulations love birds!  We are so happy for you. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at Lands End, San Francisco.

       It is no secret that we love our jobs.  We had so much fun with Sara and Nick last Sunday, both taking their photos and getting to know them better.  We hope you enjoy these selected photos from their engagement session!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

San Francisco Engagement Photography Session: Emily + Marcus

       Iggy Pup was excited to play the minute he arrived in the Panhandle. After a few rounds of squeaky-ball toss + chase, he was ready to get down to business and take some photos with his darling human-folk, Emily + Marcus.  But this photo session, of course, wasn't just about Iggy Pup. We were in the park to celebrate the recent engagement of this beautiful couple. 

​Iggy and his peeps! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at the Panhandle, San Francisco.

​Puppy lick! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at the Panhandle, San Francisco.

Emily has such beautiful eyes! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at the Panhandle, San Francisco.

​So romantic!  © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at the Panhandle, San Francisco.

Dreamy. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at the Panhandle, San Francisco.
​

​Steamy! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at the Panhandle, San Francisco.

​Steve Martin and Petula Clark get their cameo appearances! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at the Panhandle, San Francisco.

​These two are so adorable! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at the Panhandle, San Francisco.

​Love! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at the Panhandle, San Francisco.

​We're so happy for these two lovebirds!!!!  What a perfect match! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at the Panhandle, San Francisco.

​Emily is so lovely! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at the Panhandle, San Francisco.

      We had so much fun at this engagement session, and felt we captured so many wonderful moments: from silly to glam, and from whimsical, to just, simply, HOT! Emily + Marcus are one of the coolest couples we've met, and we're soooo excited for their wedding in San Francisco next year!

xoxo,

Sam + Ariel

San Francisco Engagement Photography Session: Emily + Marcus -- Sneak Peek!

       Totally dreamy.

       We couldn't have asked to spend Sunday afternoon with a more wonderful couple than Emily + Marcus. Oh, and did we mention that they have an adorable furry friend named Iggy Pup? We promise to post photos of him too, but we had to show this photo first. It's one-hundred percent feathered, fanciful romance.  (If any plant could be a bird and sprout feathers, it would surely be pampas grass!)

​Feather romance! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Engagement Photography at the Panhandle, San Francisco.

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam