Last night I had the pleasure to photograph DJ Shadow at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, as I had heard about his “egg” that he performs in, and how folks complained that you couldn’t even see him for half the show.

But, I had always wanted to see Shadow live. Early on when I was cutting my own teeth on the decks, he was a huge influence. His skill and creativity are beyond measure. His passion and love for what he does is obvious if you just watch him for more than 30 seconds. His low attitude, non-publicity seeking personality is entirely refreshing.

I must admit, was pleasantly surprised by the visuals. Watching most dj’s isn’t that interesting, and Shadow really put together a performance that was engaging and creative. I honestly didn’t mind that I didn’t get to see him for much of the show.

And, did I mention the bass? Good lord. I don’t think I’ve felt bass so heavy, vibrating every cell in my body, since one of the last raves I attended back in 1995 in Chicago. Normally, this wouldn’t be something I’d be into nowadays (hey, I’m getting old!), but this time around, it actually was a good thing.

I’m really glad I got to experience this concert. In fact, I’d like to see it again, and this time be able to put the camera down, and just be a spectator like everyone else. So many people seemed to be lost in the music, completely enjoying themselves. Beautiful.

Here’s some of my faves from last night:

I was recently contracted by dental imaging company, Gendex, to photograph their special red carpet event in San Francisco at Waterfront Restaurant.

In addition to a red carpet photo opp and complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres, the select group of VIP’s and media partners were treated to tours of the Gendex motor coach. Wrapped on the exterior with their branding, and loaded on the interior with some of the newest and most high tech dental imaging available including intra-oral sensors and 3D CBCT systems, the coach is truly one of a kind.

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Experience Gendex
www.experiencegendex.com/

Waterfront Restaurant & Cafe
Pier 7, The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 391-2696
waterfrontsf.com/

Special thanks goes to my team this evening: Ryan, Sarah and Andris!

I recently had the pleasure to photograph medical anthropologist, cyber-sexpert and MD/PhD. candidate Laura G. Duncan when she recently visited San Francisco and presented her “Hey, Where’s My Robot Girlfriend?” multimedia show at the Tip. (For those of you who don’t know, this is the fabulous rooftop event space, hosted by well known San Francisco agency, Duncan Channon). I have to say, this event was by far one of the most interesting, and unusual, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph in a while.

Musical foreplay was provided by Chel C. Faith, who performed a live PA salute to robot eroticism on stompboxes, loopstations and mixers. Aphrodisia was provided by 600 Hog Island oysters served raw and al fresco on the Tip roof and washed down with a fearsome concoction called Robot Sex on the Beach created by D/C’s friends at The Alcohol Enthusiast. (The mixologist, Neil, was the one to invent the original Cosmo).

Laura Duncan was not only an informative speaker, but also really funny. She single handedly made a complex, and somewhat risque topic, quite enjoyable for all. I’m not sure what people knew about sex and machines before this lecture, but one thing is for sure….the masturbatory machine world goes WAY beyond the mere vibrator. Some of it interesting, some of it a bit creepy, but hey, different strokes for different folks, right? (No pun intended!)

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A Little About Laura:

Raised in Boston and currently settled in Brooklyn, Laura G. Duncan is a sexual health researcher and educator studying issues of sexuality within medicine. This research focuses on the issues of social inequity in sexual health care, as well as health technologies and accessibility in underserved communities.

With a degree in Medical Anthropology and Human Sexuality Studies from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, she has worked as a sexual health educator for a high school, medical school, condom company and health non-profit. She currently serves as a full-spectrum doula with The Doula Project and a Gynecological Teaching Associate.

For the past two years, Laura has been performing a multimedia research presentation on sexual robotics and teledildonics in venues around New York City. This event has been featured on the cover of Time Out New York, as well as by The Village Voice, Though Catalog, New York Magazine, AOL’s Lemondrop and others.

Other public appearances have included workshops on topics such as: contraception and STI prevention, sexual pleasure, and navigating health care for queer communities. She has been a featured guest on various radio shows, podcasts and at themed readings. Past publications include educational materials and web resources on sexual health, relationship and communication skills, as well as a paper on reproductive evolution coauthored for The American Journal of Human Biology.

She is the proud owner of one handmade Star Trek uniform, turn of the century erotic memoirs and a stack of 1920’s anatomical drawings.

For more information on Laura, or to check her out at her next appearance, please visit her online: http://lauragduncan.tumblr.com/

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’m happy to announce that my studio is featured in the January/February 2011 issue of Green Business Quarterly. Green Business Quarterly serves businesses and executives that are embracing innovative sustainable practices in profitable and responsible ways. It is an essential guide for gaining industry insight, learning in depth about unparalleled executive strategies, and keeping a head of industry trends. From start-ups to large corporations, Green Business Quarterly provides a fresh perspective and well-rounded view on how to be a leader in your market while simultaneously being a leader in sustainability. As a trusted publication for mid- and top-level executives, Green Business Quarterly constantly provides inspiring and timely editorial.

To read the article, just scroll below, or visit the Green Business Quarterly website. The article appears in the January/February 2011 issue on page 11. Enjoy!

Back in August I had the pleasure of photographing Farm Sanctuary’s 2010 Walk for Farm Animals in Berkeley, California. The Walk for Farm Animals is an annual event that helps spread the word about the treatment of animals on factory farms and raises vital funds for our rescue, education and advocacy work.

The Walks are an important part of Farm Sanctuary’s history and outreach and fundraising efforts. They are also a great way for supporters to help send a positive message of compassion and hope for farm animals. Each year, the Walks are more successful, attracting more participants and raising more money to help abused animals. They are positive events that bring together people who care about what factory farming is doing to animals, people and the environment. This year’s event hosted over 160 participants, raised over $20,000, and included speakers Colleen Patrick-Goudreau and Shani Campbell.

Farm Sanctuary works to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living. The organization was founded to combat the abuses of factory farming and to encourage a new awareness and understanding about “farm animals.”

Farm Sanctuary advocates for laws and policies to prevent suffering and promote compassion, reaches out to legislators and businesses, and works to bring about institutional reforms. When Farm Sanctuary started in 1986, it was a fledgling, all volunteer organization that was funded by sales of veggie hot dogs from a VW van. Today, Farm Sanctuary has grown to become the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, with hundreds of thousands of supporters.

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Farm Sanctuary
Works to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living.

Karine Brighten Events
A full service event-planning firm serving the San Francisco Bay Area, specializing in eco-friendly events. A Bay Area certified green business.

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
A long-time vegan and animal activist, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is a sought-after and inspiring public speaker on the spiritual, social, and practical aspects of a vegan lifestyle. She has appeared on the Food Network, is a columnist for VegNews Magazine, and she is a contributor to National Public Radio.

Shani Campbell
President of East Bay Animal Advocates.

MyHairFix.com
Fabulous, tinted dry shampoo that smells fantastic and contains only the highest quality organic ingredients while being free of animal products/testing, talc, perfume or chemicals. Also offers Lip Fix Lip Balm and Skin Fix Soap lines and plan on adding additional personal care products in the coming year.

Melie Bianco
Founded in 2003 by a husband and wife team, this wildly successful family-owned accessories company offers affordable high-quality faux-leather handbags free of animal-based products.

Sappo Hill
All natural, vegetable oil soaps made according to traditional methods.

The Vegan Collection
Stylish vegan accessories, t-shirts and shoes.

Alternative Baking Company
Incredibly delicious vegan cookies with no refined sugar, hydrogenated oil, artificial ingredients, or preservatives!

V-Dog Vegetarian Dog Food
V-dog is recognized as the original vegetarian dog food, first produced in 1980, using only natural, healthy and wholesome ingredients and without the use of artificial colors or preservatives.

Opie & Dixie
Produces premium pet vitamins, supplements and shampoos to enhance your pet’s well-being.

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

OUT Magazine recently asked me to photograph a benefit event they were holding for the AIDS Memorial Grove. The event was held at/co-sponsored by the luxury retailer, Burberry, in San Francisco’s Union Square. OUT Magazine is a gay and lesbian magazine with a perspective on style, entertainment, fashion, the arts, politics, culture, and the world at large. The AIDS Memorial Grove is dedicated to the creation and long-term maintenance of the first living memorial to those lost to AIDS and in support of those living with HIV. A portion of the sales from this evening’s charity event were donated to the AIDS Memorial Grove. The event was VIP, invite only, and was well attended by many of San Francisco’s most hip and well heeled . The evening’s festivities were held on 3 floors of Burberry’s Union Square store, and offered a live DJ, complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, stunning models wearing Burberry’s latest fashions, and fantastic shopping all night long. I had such a great time photographing this luxury event! Here are a few of my favorite photos from the night:

San Francisco Charity Event Photographer San Francisco Corporate Event Photographer San Francisco Public Relations photographer San Francisco Corporate Event Photography San Francisco Event Photographer San Francisco celebrity photographer San Francisco luxury event photographer San Francisco society photographer San Francisco corporate event photographer San Francisco luxury event photographer San Francisco non-profit event photographer San Francisco private event photographer San Francisco gala event photography San Francisco Charity Event Photography San Francisco fundraiser photography San Francisco gala event photography San Francisco party photographer San Francisco luxury event photography AIDS Memorial Grove event photography OUT Magazine charity event photography Burberry Event Photographer San Francisco Event Photographer

Burberry – San Francisco/Union Square
225 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 392-2200

I just LOVE photographing events like San Francisco’s Day of the Dead parade. This parade is a community event that has been happening for the last 30 years. Dia de los Muertos is an annual Meso-American holiday dedicated to people’s ancestors and loved ones now gone. Participants celebrate the Day of the Dead by creating sacred space with art installations, performances and a walking procession which help people contemplate their personal existence, mortality and celebration of life.

Dia de Los Muertos in pre-Columbian America is at least as old as the vivid 3000 year old recorded art history of Mesoamerica. Its best know symbol, the skull head, represents rebirth as well as death. Life was but a dream or mask, and death was when one would meet the real world. Like its spring counterpart, Carnaval, attempts were made to repress it by the Catholic church authorities, but it was too deeply ingrained in the people. While Spaniards viewed death as the end of life, the natives believed the dead came back and visited.

Communal expression, is widespread in Native America. It aims to re-create the sacred in the present moment. Communities regularly seek to be restored to their original fertility in cyclic ceremonies of renewal, and thus promote the continuance of life on earth.  Throughout the weeks surrounding November 2nd are innumerable altar exhibits and special displays which demonstrate and sell the pieces which mark Day of the Dead.

Calaveras, the animated skeletons which remind us that death is best approached as an inevitable greatest life journey are the most popular in both San Francisco and Mexico, either as small sculptures or as prints by the great Mexican artist Jose Posada. Yet the palate is large, with many that serve on personal ancestor altars like sugar skulls, marigolds, candlesticks, incense-burners and images of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

I hope you enjoyed my post. Click here if you’d like to see more San Francisco Photojournalism, View My Portfolio, or  Contact Me.

Alice and Stan are such a cute couple. Both originally hail from Russia, but now call San Francisco home. Alice and Stan are actually having 3 wedding ceremonies, with the first marriage ceremony held at San Francisco City Hall. By the time they have their big ceremony in Thailand next fall, this couple will have those wedding day nerves completely in check! Practice makes perfect

I had so much fun working with this couple. They were incredibly cute, really easy going, and completely open to my suggestions. I particularly like the images that capture the way they look at each other….such sweetness in their eyes! Oh, and be sure to check out the incredible blue color of Alice’s eyes. WOW! Who needs Photoshop when you’ve got knock out features like that? Lucky girl!

The best part about working with Alice and Stan was how nice they were. They even brought us healthy snacks for the car ride to Cafe Volare in North Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge near Baker Beach. Thanks for driving Stan! I hope you two had a wonderful night out after the ceremony.

Here’s a sneak peak of some of my favorites from our day together:

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San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA
http://www.sfgov.org

Volare Trattoria Caffee
561 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 362-2774
www.volarecafe.com

Transamerica Pyramid
600 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA
http://www.transamerica.com/

Special thanks goes out to my assistant for this wedding, Mischa. Click here if you’d like to see more San Francisco City Hall Weddings, View My Portfolio, or Contact Me. Have questions about getting married at San Francisco City Hall? Check out my Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

Now, I know I say this a lot about my clients……but, Nicole and Johnathan were so incredible to work with. This couple was not only cute and stylish, but they were so laid back, funny, and willing to have a great time. Now, that’s my kind of couple!

I can’t say enough how much fun I had with these two. They had constant smiles on their faces, and when they weren’t smiling, they were smooching or making goofy faces at each other. I LOVE IT!

They came all the way from Texas to get hitched in San Francisco’s gorgeous City Hall. They’ve been to the City several times before and fell in love with it (can you blame them?).

After some fun shots at City Hall, we hopped in their limo and headed for Alamo Square for some quick shots in front of the famous Painted Ladies Victorian houses.

The only bad thing about this wedding was that it didn’t last nearly long enough! Honestly, I could have hung out with this great couple and their family all day.

Here’s a few favorites from Nicole and Johnathan’s big day.

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Special thanks goes out to my assistant for this wedding, Alexis. Click here if you’d like to see more San Francisco City Hall Weddings, View My Portfolio, or Contact Me. Have questions about getting married at San Francisco City Hall? Check out my Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA
http://www.sfgov.org