Ok, ok. So, normally, it takes me a wee bit to get my most recent wedding images on the blog. But this wedding was just so great, I just couldn’t wait to put these up.

What can I say about Nat & Ty? They are FABulous. (I can’t believe I just used that word either, but there you have it, I did.) Working with them over the past few months has been a sincere pleasure, and I was so looking forward to photographing their big day.

The day started off with Natalie getting ready at her home in Russian Hill, with her mom and close friends by her side. Once we hailed a cab, we were off to Ina Coolbrith Park. From this cozy park you get an amazing view of the downtown skyline!

The ceremony was intimate….just under 50 close friends and family. The Blue Angels were out practicing this day, but stopped just long enough for everyone to hear the touching ceremony. I particularly liked the part where Natalie and Tyler nailed shut a wooden box, which held love letters to one another. When Natalie wiped away a tear, and then Ty followed suit, my own glasses started to fog up! I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. (Note, photographing a wedding with foggy glasses is not advised!)

After the ceremony, there was a champagne and cigar reception, which made for some great photo fun. Then we were off to catch the sunset at San Francisco’s Aquatic Park, where Natalie often swims.(You’re brave girl….burr!!!)

This day was just beautiful, and Nat and Ty were absolutely gorgeous to photograph, as I’m sure you’ll agree.

Days like this remind me how lucky I am to have the job that I do. A big thanks goes out to Nat and Ty for making my job one that I love so dearly.

Congratulations you two! xoxoxoxo

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Ina Coolbrith Park
Taylor & Vallejo Streets
San Francisco, CA 94101

San Francisco Aquatic Park
Beach Street and Hyde
San Francisco, CA 94133

P.S. I can’t forget to give a big shout out to my assistant photographer, Diana. She captured the great, colorful shots of the boys before the ceremony.

History of the Bently Reserve:

If you’re not familiar, the Bently Reserve is regarded as one of the most opulent and unique venues for upscale weddings and corporate/private events in San Francisco. The stunning building was built in 1924 and is included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Originally named the Old Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, the building was the main headquarters of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. In 1983, when the Federal Reserve Bank moved to a larger building on Market Street. In 2004 the building was purchased by private developers Bently Holdings, who began a major renovation of the building’s interior.

The Bently Reserve Goes Green:

According to Wikipedia, special attention was paid to preserving the original Beaux-Arts style of the building, while applying modern technologies and sustainable design. New flooring was selected from renewable resources, and artificial lighting was designed to interact with natural sources. A daylight harvesting system was installed, and a Central Building Automation and Control Network was installed to monitor occupancy and vacancy status and adjust HVAC and lighting systems to conserve energy. In total, these control systems save the building 66% in lighting energy costs annually. The Bently Reserve’s multiple-pane windows have been part of the building since its construction in 1924, and allow abundant daylight into each room, another feature the lighting system capitalizes upon. In addition to the building’s modern features, great care was taken to preserve historic elements, such as the original chandeliers, hand-painted travertine walls, Italian marble floors, doric columns, grand stair case and Gules Guerin mural.

Since purchasing the building in 2005, Bently Holdings owners Christopher and Amber Marie Bently have cultivated a green environment by requiring all new tenants to design their office space at a minimum of LEED Silver Certified. The Bently Reserve received silver certification in the National Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System for Core and Shell Development (LEED Silver CS) in December 2009.

Amber Marie Bently: Couture and Eco-Friendly Jewelry

Amber Marie Bently’s dedication to environmental conservation and sustainable fashion inspired her to create jewelry handcrafted from 18 karat recycled gold and responsibly sourced gemstones. Her environmentalism, global travel, and lifelong interest in Eastern culture have together influenced her design of one-of-a-kind pieces.

In addition to her line of hand-made jewelry and the LEED-Certified Bently Reserve, Amber and her husband Chris also promote sustainable energy through their company Bently Biofuels. Amber Marie is a well-known contributor to conservation causes, serving on the board of nonprofit environmental organizations such as Global Green USA, Forest Ethics, and PRBO Conservation Science. A San Francisco style icon often featured on the red carpet of the city’s galas, Amber actively promotes green fashion among San Francisco’s style leaders.

Each piece from the Amber Marie Bently Jewelry collection is made by hand and are true works of art. To see her collection, please visit Amber online.

The Bently Reserve
301 Battery St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 294-2226
http://bentlyreserve.com

Amber Marie Bently
240 Stockton Street, 7th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
(888) 229-4442
http://www.AmberMarieBently.com

I recently had the pleasure of photographing a group portrait for the San Francisco law firm Hanson Bridgett, LLP. This year, Hanson Bridgett hosted Globalaw’s Annual Members Meeting in San Francisco. Hanson Bridgett is a member of the Globalaw international legal network, which gives them access to lawyers at firms in 165 major jurisdictions around the world and provides critical international resources for their clients. Hanson Bridget has been a San Francisco and California mainstay since 1958. Based in Northern California, Hanson Bridgets’ 150+ attorneys serve clients nationally and internationally.

In addition to being able to work with a great bunch of folks, I loved this shoot because Hanson Bridgett’s San Francisco and Marin offices are certified Green Businesses and their Sacramento office is a certified Sacramento Sustainable Business. In addition, they are the only law firm we know of that features a Rock Band, a Jazz Trio and a Grammy award winning violinist. Cool, eh?

To top it off, the shoot was held at the fabulous Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. Since 1907, the Fairmont hotel has hosted the rich and famous, kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, and stars of the stage and screen. If you didn’t know, the United Nations charter was signed at the hotel, and Tony Bennett first sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at the hotel’s famous nightclub, The Venetian Room. In addition to hosting some of the most influential meetings and events, the hotel also is well known for its breathtaking weddings and other special occasions.

The Fairmont San Francisco luxury hotel is centrally located, just a short cable car trip from downtown, the Financial District, Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s also located at the only spot in San Francisco where each of the City’s cable car lines meet. I encourage anyone visiting San Francisco to spend even just one night in this amazing hotel. If you do, be sure to check out the hotel’s incredible panoramic view of San Francisco and the Bay!

Special thanks goes out to my assistant, Mischa, and Hanson Bridget staff Rob Corwin and Brandi Hewlett who worked as an incredible team to help me arrange and capture this fun group portrait.

Hanson Bridgett LLP
425 Market Street, 26th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
www.hansonbridgett.com

The Fairmont Hotel – San Francisco
950 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 772-5000
www.fairmont.com/sanfrancisco

Tips and Information from Certified Green Photographer Rebecca Wilkowski

by Tricia Goss, Featured Green Contributor; Featured Food & Wine Contributor, Associated Content

Photographers have an affinity for nature. If you are a professional photographer or simply love to snap photos of scenes that catch your eye, you do so because you want to share the beauty and appeal that you perceive in the setting. Perhaps this is why green photography makes so much sense.

What is green photography? Photographer Rebecca Wilkowski provides a definition.

“It’s pretty simple, actually,” says Rebecca. “A ‘green’ photographer is one who has assessed the impact his/her company has on the environment and who chooses to use environmentally sustainable and socially responsible practices in an effort towards lessening this impact.”

Rebecca should know. She is a certified green photographer.

Rebecca did not start out as a green photographer, though. After moving from the Midwest to California in the late 90′s, she became interested in green living through her new friends.

“I was really intrigued by how important fitness and health was to so many people here,” she says. “I quickly made friends with people who really placed an importance on healthy living, and living in harmony with their surroundings. In some respects, I had to un-learn a lot of what I was taught growing up.”

Eventually, her new habits became a way of life. This, in turn, began to affect her work.

“When I moved to San Francisco in 2004,” shares Rebecca, “I attended the San Francisco Green Festival. It was then that I realized that I could apply the principals of green living in my daily life, to those of my business. It took me about two years of research, and a lot of trial and error, in order to change my business to being more environmentally friendly.”

So what is it about Rebecca’s methods that qualify her as a green photographer? She modified her business practices and became certified by Greener Photography, which is a non-profit organization that seeks to lessen the environmental impact of the photography industry. She is also a member of Green America’s Green Business Network, Greener Photography, Green Chamber of Commerce and Green Bride Guide.

Why should you consider green photography?

“With over 155,000 professional photographers in the United States,” says Rebecca, “the photography industry is simultaneously experiencing its largest ecological footprint in its 200-year history. By going green, not only are you opening yourself up to a new segment of customers who are looking to hire eco-friendly vendors, but by implementing some simple energy and cost saving steps, you’ll be helping the environment and your bottom line.”

There are green photography steps you can begin to take immediately.

“Going green may be easier than you think,” reveals Rebecca. “Even small steps can have an impact.”

Here are Rebecca’s thorough yet practical tips for any photographer wishing to go green:

• Recycle – Think paper, cans, glass, plastics, batteries, ink cartridges, paper, mail, and office supplies. It’s all fair game!

• Reduce Waste – Use only what you need. Offer online galleries in lieu of paper proofs. Deliver contracts, invoices and receipts as PDFs.

• Reuse Materials – Use rechargeable batteries and solar powered battery chargers. Consider purchasing recycled, used or re-furbished computer hardware, office machines, camera equipment and office furnishings.

• Save Energy – Use the standby mode (or turn off) electrical equipment when not in use, install dimmer switches and CFLs, keep the thermostat below 70 degrees, install low flow toilets and faucets.

• Cut Your CO2 – Got a destination wedding or event? Purchase carbon offsets to lessen the footprint of your travel. Use public transportation, carpool, or ride a bike to run errands and meet clients. You’ll be surprised how the good fresh air and sunshine will make you feel. And, you might even get there quicker!

• Shop Local – When you shop locally, not only are you reducing the pollutants and other expenses involved in the long-distance manufacturing and shipping of products, but you are also doing your part to support the local economy.

• Don’t Be Trashy – Before you toss old or used items into the trash, consider posting them on websites like Freecycle.com or Craigslist.org, or donating them to charity. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

• Choose Eco-Friendly Vendors – Does your lab offer eco-friendly products or paper? Are your frames made from sustainable materials? How many of your vendors are employing green practices?

• Ask Questions – Do you really need to purchase a new item, or can it be rented or bought used? If you must buy new, is the item available in an eco-friendly version, or from a local retailer?

• Create Partnerships – Connect with other local/green-certified, businesses. These relationships often lead to lucrative referrals.

• Get Certified – Many local, national and industry-specific organizations are available to certify green businesses. Certification not only recognizes you for your achievement, but it also sets you apart from your competition.

• Keep on Learning – Going green doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a result of thoughtful choices and changing one’s habits. For tips on how you can be more eco-friendly, check out National Geographic’s Green Guide or attend the annual Green Festival in a city near you.

• Donate to an Environmental Non-Profit – Whether you choose to donate your time, or a portion of your earnings, organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund, Sierra Club, World Wildlife Federation, Friends of the Urban Forest and Greenpeace are just a few of many great organizations you can support.

Visit Rebecca Wilkowski’s blog for links to the organizations with which she is affiliated, as well as links to her photography portfolio. For more on green photography, check out GreenerPhotography.org.

(Click here to read this article on Associated Content. I hope you enjoyed my post. Click here if you’d like to see more Green/Eco-friendly blog posts, View My Portfolio, or Contact Me.)

I’m happy to share that recently I was asked to participate in, and photograph, an event at Oakland’s Lake Chalet. I go past the Lake Chalet several times a week while going running around Lake Merritt, and I’ve always wanted to peek inside as I’ve heard the restaurant is just great!

The green event was put on by the Lake Chalet, in conjunction with Karine Brighten of Karine Brighten Events, and Pilar Zuniga of Gorgeous and Green. Karine specializes in coordinating ‘green’ events, both private and corporate. Pilar offers wonderful eco-friendly gift, decor and floral arrangements, both for events and through her retail boutique in Berkeley.

The Lake Chalet has been working towards greening its facility, and is now available to host green events, such as weddings, corporate meetings, and more! I was really excited and honored to be chosen to be on the Lake Chalet’s “Preferred Vendor’s” list, as their only green-certified photographer…woo hoo!

Here are some fun photos of the event. I can’t wait to do more at this great venue. Oh, and they do a awesome 3-6-9 Happy Hour in the Pumphouse, and a great Taco Tuesday that you can enjoy right out on the dock when the weather is nice. Be sure to check them out, and commission a Gondola Ride on the Lake after dinner!

Event photographer for Lake Chalet Oakland Lake Chalet Green Weddings event Eco-friendly wedding flowers Lake Chalet Green Weddings event Sustainable Wedding Flowers Oakland Green Event Coordinator Oakland Green wedding flowers San Francisco Gorgeous and Green Weddings Berkeley Blue and Green wedding flowers San Francisco charity event photographer San Francisco private party photographer Green Wedding Coordinator San Francisco San Francisco gala event photographer Corporate event photography San Francisco Corporate Event Photography Oakland Oakland event photography Oakland Event Photographer Berkeley event photographer

A little history on the Lake Chalet (in case you didn’t know….I sure didn’t!)

Originally a tidal estuary formed by several creeks, Lake Merritt’s gets its name from former Oakland Mayor, Samuel Merritt, who proposed to dam and clean up the estuary in 1868. After funding the project with his own money, Merritt laid the groundwork for the urban sanctuary we know today as Lake Merritt.

The Lake was further transformed into a recreational park around the turn of the Twentieth Century as the roads and paths were built and in 1925 the Lake got its Necklace of Lights.

Municipal Boat House - The Lake Chalet building began life in 1909 as a high-pressure salt water pumping plant for the Oakland Fire Department; John Galen Howard designed the original concrete building.

In 1913, Walter D. Reed designed the two building wings to serve as a municipal boathouse. The building hosted excursions, regattas, locker rooms, a tea room and several restaurants.

The original pump station remained in operation until 1955 when building was converted to offices by Superintendent of Parks William Penn Mott Jr. to move parks staff there from downtown. The Lake Merritt Rowing club has used the lower south wing for their activities since 1961.

Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill – The restaurant, which opened in August of 2009, was created by veteran restaurateurs Gar and Lara Truppelli (Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant and Park Chalet Garden Restaurant in San Francisco) working with Executive Chef Jarad Gallagher.

I hope you enjoyed my post. Click here if you’d like to see my Wedding Photography, View My Portfolio, or Contact Me.

Jerry Hart is a veteran radio broadcaster and morning show radio personality, including KISS FM in San Francisco. His weekly show, Smart Green Travel, is just one of many popular shows on Green 960 AM, which regularly features nationally syndicated talkers, including local and live news programming and environmental editorial content.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Featured on this program:

Corina Ann Beczner
Owner & Green Wedding Consultant
Vibrant Events
www.vibrantevents.net
(415) 613-3778

Rebecca Wilkowski Photography
Certified Green Wedding Photographer & Photojournalist
(347) 413-4747
Web: www.RebeccaWilkowski.com
Blog: www.RebeccaWilkowski.com/blog

Bride Chic is the fabulous blog of couture wedding fashion designer, Amy-Jo Tatum. Amy-Jo has been a columnist for San Francisco Art and Fashion News and written articles for The Wedding Gazette. She founded The Design Project of San Francisco, a networking organization of fashion professionals collaborating their skills and talents on projects. She’s currently working on a book called—you guessed it—’Bride Chic’, all about that white gown and very special designer/client relationship. Want to see more of her fabulous gowns? Check out her site at www.amyjotatum.com

To read the article on my company in full, please visit Bride Chic. I hope you enjoyed my post. Click here if you’d like to see more Wedding Photography, View My Portfolio, or Contact Me.

About the Couple:
Sarah and Anthony met while they were students attending the Art Institute of California in Santa Monica. Anthony works in film and Sarah is an artist. According to their photographer, Rebecca Wilkowski, Sarah and Anthony are “stylish, young, and fun, and with a great aesthetic as they are both artists…” In college, the couple had the same circle of friends, but somehow managed not to meet each other for three months. Then, late one night at the end of a party, Sarah showed up and Anthony was smitten. A week into dating, Anthony asked for her hand in marriage but she promptly said “no.” After 3 1/2 years of asking, Sarah finally said yes! They tied the knot on January 31, which is Sarah’s grandparents’ wedding anniversary. They thought it would be a nice tribute to them, as they have been happily married for more than fifty years.

The Decision to Go Green:
The couple’s shared love of nature led them to throw a gorgeous green wedding. Anthony loves to write, draw, and go camping. Sarah likes hiking, camping, riding horses, and all things outdoorsy. They invited a group of close friends to keep their wedding day small and simple, very in tune with the outdoors. Using their creativity and working with the gorgeous scenery of their venue, Anthony and Sarah incorporated their unique personal styles into their celebration.

Venue:
Before the wedding, the couple stayed at the Claremont Resort Hotel and Spa.  The ceremony took place at Tilden Park in the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden, a naturally stunning and serene living museum of California’s native plant species. This garden encompasses many of the state’s rare and endangered plants and is a place for visitors to wander among trees, shrubbery, and flowers from different plant communities throughout the state. Sarah and Anthony had both always wanted to get married outside, and the gorgeous Botanical Garden seemed like the perfect place.

Rings:
Anthony and Sarah chose a green and meaningful option for their wedding rings—they exchanged vintage rings that had belonged to Anthony’s grandmother.  This idea is eco-friendly, and offers a way for the bride and groom to make a special connection to important family members.

Florist:
The couple decided to use a local, family-owned and operated florist, Darling Flower Shop, for their floral arrangements. The Darling Flower Shop came highly recommended and created the gorgeous succulent bouquets that Sarah wanted. The yellow flowers in the bouquet are wattles, Australia’s national flowers, which perfectly represent Sarah because she is from Sydney, Australia and yellow is her favorite color.

Reception Food:
Sarah and Anthony both love Italian food, and Oliveto, close to Oakland, CA is their favorite restaurant in the whole city for Italian cuisine. Sarah’s heritage is English and Italian, so it fit very well and was a natural choice for their reception dinner. The venue created a delicious menu of fresh, local and certified organic foods for the bride, groom, and their guests.

Table Linens and Decorations:
The couple rented their table linens and decorations, an option that is both budget and eco-friendly. The white tablecloths added to the simple, elegant look that Sarah and Anthony created.

Entertainment:
Instead of having a live band, Sarah and Anthony decided to use their iPod for music as a money-saving strategy. They made their own playlists and hand picked songs that were meaningful to their relationship, as well as their friends and family.

Cake:
Sarah and Anthony wanted an Alice in Wonderland type cake, unique and a little silly, similar to the Mad Hatter’s hat.  Fortunately, they had a close family friend who was willing to make the beautiful cake from scratch. This is a great way to save money and add a personal touch.

Final Thoughts:
The bride acknowledges that planning a wedding can be stressful at times, but it’s worth it.  Sarah says that she and Anthony realized this “the moment we saw each other right before the ceremony. In that instant, all the stress of the day melts away, and you remember why you love each other.”

—–

The Green Bride Guide (GBG) has everything you need to plan a green wedding! Here you can find pictures from real green weddings, articles and advice on eco-chic decor, and a wide range of green wedding gifts including: organic bedding, Recycled Glass Dishes, and eco-friendly appliances. GBG also has the largest green wedding directory in the country, to help you connect with local vendors.

To read this article in full, please visit the Green Bride Guide. I hope you enjoyed my post. Click here if you’d like to see more Wedding Photography, View My Portfolio, or Contact Me.

If having a green wedding is important to you, it’s a good idea to choose green vendors to accommodate you on your big day. This week’s Macro Monday featured photographer, Rebecca Wilkowski, definitely belongs in the green group.  Not only is Rebecca a Certified Green Photographer, she also serves on the board of directors for Greener Photography and is a member of Green America, Green Chamber of Commerce and the Bay Area Green Business Program.

In 2006, Rebecca modified her business practices to be more environmentally friendly.  This included reevaluating her practices, technology, office work flow, services and products.  Rebecca Wilkowski Photography even offers environmentally-friendly wedding albums, canvas wall prints, and DVD folios made from recycled materials.

So, who is Rebecca and what is she all about?  Here’s what she has to say …”My background is as diverse as the people I’ve come to photograph, and includes photojournalism, commercial work, portraiture, fine art and travel photography. Weddings, however, are my first love…people are my passion! I treat each wedding as if it were my own. I spend copious amounts of time planning and preparing. I get pre-wedding jitters. I’m overwhelmed with the joy of the first kiss. I get nostalgic when the bride and her father dance. I get down and boogie with the guests on the dance floor. And, (yes, I’ll admit it), I even cry as I edit the photos from each wedding. These images….my client’s images…are that beautiful. And it is this emotion that I strive to evoke in individuals when they see my work.”

The wedding she’s sharing with us today is one with plenty of green elements.  Sarah and Anthony met in school at the Art Institute of California.  After a week of dating, Anthony asked Sarah to marry him.  She quickly said “no.” Then, she finally said “yes” … after 3 1/2 years of him asking.  They were married at the East Bay Botanical Gardens on the anniversary of Sarah’s grandparents to honor their marriage of over 50 years.