Merritt + Brian: Outdoor Art Club Wedding in Mill Valley, Pt. 1

Bowerbird Photography September 21, 2015

Sitting down to prepare this blog post makes us feel a little nervous. Not the photo part - feeling pretty good about that (this heartthrob couple makes our cameras click spontaneously when they enter the frame). The written part gives us pause. Merritt is a published author, has countless bylines in big magazines, and is a wit bot of infinite bon mots. Moreover, Brian is like a genius in everything - history, birds, preservation law, crabbing - thereby rendering Google obsolete when we can just text him a picture of a nondescript brown bird and he writes back excitedly with the name and some fun facts. Sooooo, a little intimidating to write when the readers are writers and such... but, since we dare not bug them on their honeymoon to do our jobs for us, (1000 words, please?), onward we go!

Okay. Maybe after a bit of a break to cry our eyes out first. This isn't easy. We're reviewing the photos of the "first look" on their wedding day in the garden at the Outdoor Art Club and it makes a confetti canon out of the box of tissues that was on our desk. Awwwww... guys!!!! Now, that's love!!! Merritt strolled down the garden in her gorgeous white dress, and Brian waited under a tree after having just read Merritt's letter to him. Their expressions when they saw each other for the first time that day were indescribable. They lit up with pure joy. There were tears, twirls (Brian checks out Merritt's... dress!), and belly laughs that utterly erased any nervousness they felt before that moment. Merritt found her hanky, and after daubing her eyes, helped Brian dry his. Sooooo sweet!

It was a perfect summer day, the world was saying to them, "you can have it all!" Bystanders shouted well-wishes as they strolled down Mill Valley, and just when we started to think that it might be a good idea to put on some sunscreen, we plunged into the cool shade of a redwood grove, redolent of dewy ferns and moss, at Old Mill Park. After family photos, these two traipsed away further into the woods and had some quiet moments together before their ceremony under the hush of the giant trees.

Their wedding ceremony was held at the Community Church of Mill Valley. A loving, spirit-filled ceremony, it celebrated these two and their commitment to each other with unadorned beauty. Merritt + Brian make friends wherever they go, and are adored for their kindness and generosity of spirit, evidenced by the rows of guests with beaming faces. We couldn't wait to contribute our voices of support, and family and friends sang along with the folk musicians to the Shaker song, "Simple Gifts." Tears flowed out again (and made our viewfinders misty there for a minute too). With bands exchanged and a hearty kiss, these two lovebirds left the church with huge grins and were ready to party (but first Brian had to grab his giant bell... see next post).

Merritt + Brian, it has been such an honor to watch you two flourish with such joy together these last few years. We love you both so much and are CRAZY happy for you both!

Can we just send you your photos already... because we are running out of tissues over here! Check back on the blog soon for more photos. There was a parade, dancing, goofiness, and all the good times that could be contained under one crocodile gabled roof!

Outdoor Art Club Wedding in Mill Valley. © Bowerbird Photography 2015

Old Mill Park Wedding Photo in Mill Valley. © Bowerbird Photography 2015

Wedding Cutout Flags. © Bowerbird Photography 2015

Community Church of Mill Valley Wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2015

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Wedding Vendors

Wedding Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Wedding Ceremony: The Community Church of Mill Valley

Wedding Reception: Outdoor Art Club

Wedding Planner: Alex Barranco

Flowers: Venn Floral

Cake: Knead to Make

DJ: Dave Tutton

Catering: All Seasons Catering

Family + Newborn Photo Session at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Redwood Grove

Bowerbird Photography September 13, 2015

Baby Abby has arrived!!! It took every ounce of restraint not to want to nibble on her little toes and hold her tight. Sooo precious!!! Check out her little feet below --- know what we mean? But we also had to chase after her big sis' with our cameras - now a preschooler so full of exuberant energy she literally ran around us in circles.

It's pretty incredible to document families as they grow. We feel so honored to be able to photograph the growing Schrader family, starting with maternity photos at the beach, (that bump yielded darling Cate), and now, with newborn baby Abby. We found the perfect location for the photo session as well. While the Bay crackled under 100+ degrees of heat, we followed Grant's wise request and ducked into the cool shade of the redwood grove at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden. The comfortable temperature allowed Abby to sleep through most of the session, while Cate ran through the majestic trees collecting redwood sorrel and enjoyed the company of her new best friend.

We had the best time photographing this fab four and all their love and excitement under the canopy of California's ancient trees. Congratulations beautiful family!!

Family + Newborn Photo Session at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Redwood Grove. © Bowerbird Photography 2015

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Merritt + Brian's Mill Valley Wedding: Sneak peek!

Bowerbird Photography September 8, 2015

Dearest Merritt + Brian,

We know you're off to honeymoon on a dreamy Italian agroturismo, and can picture Merritt wearing a big floppy sun hat and Brain reading Italian birding books -- but let's just take you back to one among the many blissful moments of your wedding: here, standing on a bridge under the shade of a redwood grove, with fingers intertwined, and grins that say it all. Swoon! Your wedding was perfect, as you are together. We love you both so much and wish you both a lifetime of smooches and cuddles! Avere una meravigliosa luna di miele!

Mill Valley Wedding Photography, Old Mill Park, Outdoor Art Club. © Bowerbird Photography 2015

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Juniper's First Dip in the Ocean

Bowerbird Photography August 17, 2015

Juniper got to wear her bathing suit for the first time for an ocean dip in Tomales Bay. We enjoyed the (surprisingly!) warm water and the company of our dear friend Jane and Snorkel Grandma. Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Shell Beach, Inverness. © Bowerbird Photography 2015

That's Jane out there on the dock :) Shell Beach, Inverness. © Bowerbird Photography 2015 — That's Jane out there on the dock :) Shell Beach, Inverness. © Bowerbird Photography 2015

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

San Francisco Family Photo Session at Baker Beach

Bowerbird Photography August 9, 2015

Max had never been to the beach before, and boy, he couldn't wait to plunge his fingers through the sun-warmed sand! We spent a miraculously radiant day on Baker Beach with this little guy, and his parent's, Sarah + Klaus, as they celebrated their last days in the Bay Area before leaving on a grand adventure to China. They wanted to get some family photos to remember the great times they've shared here. While the iconic Golden Gate Bridge features prominently, what shines through as the focus of each image is a tremendous spirit of love. Although this family hails from all corners of the globe, they carry home and happiness with them wherever they go.

Bon voyage sweet family! And best of luck on this new chapter in your lives :)

San Francisco Family Photo Session at Baker Beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2015

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam