Tammy + Mat: San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at Lands End

Bowerbird Photography April 30, 2014

San Francisco's temperate Mediterranean climate and breathtaking coast provides a combo one-two punch that inspires things like: a gourmet picnic culture, playing hooky from work, wild frolicking, uncorking champagne bottles at sunset, and of course, love.

Driving up the coast and visiting Land's End provided a jaw-dropping scenic destination and romantic memory for one of Tammy + Mat's earliest dates. When a match is so perfect, perk your ears for the sound of wedding bells ringing from a future horizon! Months later and madly in love, they return to our coast, now with sparkling bling on Tammy's finger, an exuberant puppy in tow, and two sweet friends providing a celebrity-style entourage and doggy-sitting service for their engagement photo session (Thanks Betsy + Cole!).

Not only were we able to take beautiful photographs of these two, but we all had tons of fun! Hiking into the wind-sculpted trees on the hill overlooking the Sutro Baths, Tammy + Mat found a bed of flowering ice plants to sit and enjoy the view of the Bay. From there, we made our way down the hill and onto the old ruins and reflective pools of the Sutro Baths. The sea churned white, and salty mists rose before the couple putting a spell of romance over the whole scene. They ducked into a cave for some excitingly playful photos, where they danced together in the blanket of dark.

We are so happy for you, Tammy + Mat. Thanks for letting us share these wonderful moments with you, and to commemorate this special time in your lives. Congratulations on your engagement! Enjoy some of our favorite photographs from that amazing day:

San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at Lands End and Sutro Baths. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014 — San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at Lands End and Sutro Baths. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014

Daisy couldn't wait to smell all the news carried to her by the sea breeze, and hurried her humans along with excitement that was barely restrained. With the help of her lovely dog sitters, she watched on the side as we took the following photograph of the beautiful couple.

Like Russian nestling dolls, we love how Tammy is cradled under Mat, and Mat is wrapped around by the tree above him.

Tammy and Mat scamper off from the main trail, and find a secluded spot away from the weekend tourists, perfect for a romantic smooch!

Now's the time for your close-up. With those eyes, it'd be hard to deny any request: "Sure -- I'll do the dishes!"

Congratulations Tammy + Mat on your beautiful engagement!

xoxo,

Sam + Ariel

Jessica, Simon + Isaac: San Francisco Family Photo Session at the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park

Bowerbird Photography April 23, 2014

If baby Isaac ever wondered what his parents do when he is sleeping, years from now he will be able to look back at photo albums from our fun-filled photography session in Golden Gate Park's Botanical Gardens for proof. With Baby snug in his buggy, Mom and Dad scampered off for a kiss in a giant bush of purple flowers! So romantic. Yet, with the twittering of birds all around and the quack-quack of ducks (we all took turns at our best bird calls) Isaac slowly stirred awake. And what fun we had! Jessica entertained us by blowing bubbles by the lake, we chased Isaac chasing Canadian Geese by the lake's edge, we plopped down on the grass for a game of "1-2-3 Blast Off" where we threw fuzzy balls at each other, and then paused to greet a squirrel who came to join the party. We shared so many laughs that the nibble of cold from the S.F. fog rolling in was barely noticeable.

What a gorgeous, loving family! Enjoy a selection of our fave pics from their family photography session.

San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014 — San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014

San Francisco Family Photo Session at the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014 — San Francisco Family Photo Session at the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Kira + Nick: San Francisco Engagement Photo Session on Nob Hill

Bowerbird Photography April 22, 2014

Nob Hill is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in San Francisco, and served as the perfect backdrop for Kira + Nick's engagement photo session. They were dressed elegantly in black, and we were inspired to take photos that emphasized a high-contrast romantic style, while also capturing the color and joy that sparked from their playful interaction together.

We had a wonderful time with Kira + Nick and they are such a sweet pair :) Congrats love birds on your engagement!

San Francisco Engagement Photo Session on Nob Hill. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014 — San Francisco Engagement Photo Session on Nob Hill. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014

San Francisco Engagement Session on Nob Hill. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Elisa + Jaime: San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at the Ferry Building

Bowerbird Photography April 14, 2014

We love to hear how couples meet for the first time. With each story we hear, it seems that there could be no better explanation for how lovers find each other than fate. The universe seemed to align for Elisa and Jaime. After a sitcom style series of events, Elisa found herself working at the Cliff House, where she met Jaime, and found her reason for staying in San Francisco, the reason that propelled that fortunate moment of fate: love.

We met Elisa and Jaime at the Ferry Building and took some great shots of them over the water with the historic clock tower behind them. After a stroll along the water and under the sunny spring sky, we took refuge in the cool shade of the Ferry Building. Elisa and Jaime browsed the fruit stands, playfully making goo-goo eyes with each other with orange halves, and sampled olive oil and cheese from the local vendors.

We're so excited for Elisa + Jaime's engagement! Congratulations love birds!

San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at the Ferry Building. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014 — San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at the Ferry Building. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Christie + Andrew: San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at USF + Ocean Beach

Bowerbird Photography April 11, 2014

As the two sweetest and smartest cookies around, the verdict is no surprise: Christie and Andrew win the adorable prize! They met on the first day of law school at USF in 2007. Not long after, Andrew began reserving a seat for Christie next to him in class. With these two working together, puzzling legal concepts (remember the "rule against perpetuities"?) were unraveled with the ease of kittens chasing a ball of yarn. When their eyes grew tired of squinting at hornbooks and treatises, no doubt they would look up and rest their eyes on each other for a much needed reprieve. The benefits of having a cute study buddy!

We started their engagement photo session with a visit to USF for a lovely reunion, running around the green campus lawn, and sitting down in Kendrick Hall's foyer to read the USF law journal. Coincidentally, just after Sam was reminiscing about the legal writing class they shared together, their professor strolled into the room, and we got to let her in on the story of their romance too. (She joked that her class was so boring that the setting provided the perfect relief for a romance.)

Afterward, we headed to San Francisco's Ocean Beach, where it seemed like the whole city was out working on their tans, walking their dogs, and surfing the waves. Andrew and Christie had fun revisiting the place where he proposed on the beach, and we got some great images of them walking hand in hand on the shore.

Christie + Andrew, you two are so wonderful! We had such a great time hanging out with you, remembering our law school days, and talking about your upcoming wedding this summer!! You are so perfect for each other, and we couldn't be happier for you!

San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at USF. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014 — San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at USF. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014

San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at Ocean Beach. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014 — San Francisco Engagement Photo Session at Ocean Beach. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam