A + S [in] B + W

A little B+W love...

Engagements shot in Carmel, California

S A N . F R A N C I S C O . E N G A G E M E N T .. P H O T O G R A P H E R / / J A S O N + S E L U

I have about 2 weeks of down-time before things start back up again, so I can finally blog all the many sessions that never made it to the blog over 2010.  

There is so much that I wanted to share but never had the time to.  

To start things off, I wanted to share this engagement session from back in February, almost a year ago! 

I still love these photos and their story is one too good not to share!

Have you ever thought about destiny and how our smallest of choices make the biggest impact in the path our lives take.  Where would your life be if you had chosen differently?  

Here's a story:  

A guy is catching a flight but has the choice to take a later flight or catch the current one. He is thinking of catching the later flight but his friend convinces him to catch the flight leaving right then.  

He decides to listen to his friend. 

Once on the plane he decides to sit in the first seat instead of making his way to the back of the plane.  

A girl,  excited for her very first flight as a  new flight attendant, is originally scheduled to work in the first class section but decides to switch positions with a co-worker to work in the back of the plane. 

As the plane is taking off, she takes her seat directly across from THE guy who could've been on another flight or could've been sitting across from a male flight attendent, if both the girl and the guy had made the slightest different choice.

The girl and the guy in this story are Selu and Jason and they had a very serendipitous meeting.  

Luckily for them they made all the right choices that led up to their first encounter and the beginning of their love story.  

The bride who lives in Arizona wanted to shoot in San Francisco, so she flew out and flew me out.  But the day of the shoot it was raining heavily and the Golden Gate Bridge was covered in fog and not visible at all!  We were scared that we wouldn't be able to shoot in San Francisco like she so wanted to... but the rain stopped, the fog quickly rolled out and the sun shined, it was perfect!

I was laying flat on my back on the Golden Gate Bridge for these shots, it was definitely an experience! 

San Francisco wedding photographer | San Francisco Design Center | Nicole + Matt Toeaina

Matt and Nicole had a beautiful wedding in San Francisco. It was a lovely ceremony and quite a party that followed.  Here are a few of my favorite images from their day. Enjoy!


The day started with the bride and her bridesmaids getting ready.  I shoot a lot of temple weddings and usually miss out on these getting ready shots, so I was really excited for the opportunity to shoot these.

Bridesmaids shoes and the brides.





The most laid back and easy going bride.... no bride-zilla here!


The ladies looking pretty!

I loved the choice of suits for the groom and groomsmen!



Riding around in the Rolls Royce to shoot some bride and groom and baby shots! 







The ceremony and reception were at the beautiful San Francisco Design Center


The band was really good!










The guy who caught the garter belt and his girlfriend who was so excited for him.





Hey it's Annie, a past bride of mine!



I thought this was a cool shot of the father of the groom and his son's college ring, must be a proud father with two sons in the NFL.

Matt and Nicole's gorgeous rings.



Matt and Nicole thanks so much for having me out to San Francisco to capture your special day! It was great getting to know you!


To view more photos from Matt and Nicole's wedding or to order prints please click here.
(gallery will be open in a few hours.)

Vendor Info:

Florist - Ramona & Rennelle Toeaina
Cake - VaiMele Bakery (Jessie Uperesa)
Dress - Eva's Bridal Chicago
Favors - Garbin Graphics Inc.
Venue (Ceremony/Reception) - Jill Snapps (The Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center)
Caterer - Carvary Catering
Photography - Kayleen T. Photography
Band - Off Tomorrow
Sound - Keresoma La'a
DJ - Faaliliu Jr. Tagata
Vocalists ("I Love You/Betcha By Golly Wow", & "Sweetest Roses") - Pastor Alexander M. Toeaina, Rev. Albert Toeaina, Ofaira Taito, Milosia Williams, Alexis Toeaina, Lefefe Toeaina.
Stage decor - Tepora Tagata