I have a really hard time picking my favorites from each shoot, but it’s a great exercise to review your work from time to time. This is the first installment of what I hope becomes an annual tradition – picking JUST ONE photo from each of my shoots from the past year, be it a business portrait or an entire wedding. There are of course private shoots for clients that don’t want their photos public, so this is a (mostly) comprehensive look back at the collective work I accomplished in 2015. When viewing the entirety of the collection, the thing that first struck me was the crazy variety – I had weeks where I shot commercial food & lifestyle one day, gymnastics portraits on the beach the next, and a wedding after that. It’s this constant variety that not only keeps me on my toes, but keeps this profession fresh for me – interesting, engaging and fulfilling. I love it.
Enjoy my “One Photo” summaries of 2015 below – with comments and links to full shoots scattered throughout.
January 2015 Photo Shoots
Author / Bio Business Portrait – at the author’s home in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Engagement Photography in Nisene Marks forest in Aptos, California. View more photos here
Architecture / interior photos at Cockscomb restaurant in San Francisco, California. View more photos here
Engagement photos at Natural Bridges beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Maternity and family photos taken at Covered Bridge Park in Felton, California. View more photos here
Engagement photos taken at natural bridges beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos from this shoot
The CEO of a tech startup gets a custom portrait session for his business. Taken in Scotts Valley, California. View more photos from this shoot
Engagement photos taken at Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills, California. View more photos from this shoot
Group photos taken from above of the staff at a company in Scotts Valley, California. View more photos from this shoot
A beach proposal followed by a brief sunset engagement photography session at Panther Beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
February 2015 Photo Shoots
Wedding photos at Casa Real @ Ruby Hill Winery in Pleasanton, California. View more photos here
Product photos of essential oils taken on-site in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Wedding photos taken at Sand Rock Farm in Aptos, California. View more photos here
Engagement photos taken at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur, California. View more photos here
Photos from RevConnect 2015 event (candid event coverage + professional headshots) in Burlingame, California. View more photos here
Business portraits and staged photos with clients taken for a law firm in Pacifica, California.
Professional on-location business portrait of a CEO of a well known accounting firm based in Denver, CO. Photo taken in Scotts Valley, California. View more photos here
The couple dressed up in their tux and bridal gown for their engagement session at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California. View more photos here
Business portraits taken on location in Corralitos, California.
A lifestyle / portrait photography session focusing on group fitness and nutrition for women. View more photos here
Commercial business portraits (group and individual) and lifestyle photography for a law firm in San Jose, California. View more photos here
A newly married couple stands against a dramatic vista overlooking the ocean of Monterey Bay – photographed behind the Monterey Bay Aquarium. View more photos here
Commercial interior photos of a new building in Pleasanton, California. View more photos here
March 2015 Photo Shoots
Monica gets some new headshots taken at her place of work in Aptos, California. View more photos here
Closeup of a gold necklace with a large blue jewel, taken during a professional jewelry photo shoot in Los Altos, California. View more photos here
Editorial potrait session with a female author in Atherton, California.
One week old baby portraits taken at his home in Aromas, California. View more photos here
Engagement photos taken in Capitola, California – along the railroad, colorful houses, under the pier and more. View the full engagement session here
Monica and Kevin’s engagement shoot – starting along the railroad tracks and redwoods in Felton, and finishing in the forest and beach at Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz, California. View the whole engagement session here
Maternity photos taken next to a large tree at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California.
This family gets some portraits taken, with a focus on their toddler – taken at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California. View more photos here
Engagement photo session along Honoloa Trail and The Ritz Carlton in Maui.
Portrait session of three lawyers at a prominent law firm in San Jose, California. Photos taken on-site in and outside the superior court. View more photos here
Headshots of fitness experts taken in Menlo Park, California against a rich blue background. View more photos here
Photos of a house for sale in the Pajaro Dunes community in Watsonville, California. View more photos here
Alexandra and Adam’s engagement session in Capitola, California. View more photos here
Moulin Rouge Dancers – Event photography / candids at the 21st Annial Art Inspires Hope event at Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason, San Francisco, California. View more photos here
April 2015 Photo Shoots
Alex and Yee have a bridal portrait / engagement session with tux and gown in the forest of Henry Cowell Park in Felton, California. View more photos here
CEO of local startup gets some on-location outdoor portraits in Scotts Valley, California. View more photos here
This couple announces their growing family in a creative way at a restaurant in downtown San Jose, California.
Joanne and Fred’s amazing wedding photos taken at Concannon Vineyard in Livermore, California. View more photos here
Photos from a commercial shoot at MacArthur Park restaurant in Palo Alto – this photo show the executive chef Faz greeting four people having dinner next to the brick fireplace. The atmosphere is warm, cozy and friendly. View more photos here
Photos from a grand re-opening of a Orchard Supply in Sand City, California. Most of the photos are candids of the event, but the doors opened we got some great panoramic interiors of the store. View more photos here
Fun birthday party candids at a 16 year old’s get together in Fremont, California.
Santa Cruz Gymnastics has team and individual portraits taken on Twin Lakes Beach in Santa Cruz, California
Jacob’s senior portrait session on the beach in Capitola, California. View more photos here
Vivan and Patrick’s amazing wedding ceremony at Five Wounds Church, formals at Japanese Friendship Garden and reception at Dynasty Restaurant in San Jose, California. View more photos here
Food photo shoot at Cafe Cruz in Soquel, California. View more photos here
May 2015 Photo Shoots
Lisa and Chris’ romantic engagement session at Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Multiple generations come together while staying at a rental in Pajaro Dunes, Watsonville, California. We took lots of family photos on the beach this overcast day – in all the combinations, the above photo being a shot of all the cousins wearing bright, bold colors. View more photos here
Lill and Will tie the knot in Shakespeare Garden, followed by a reception at Dogpatch Wineworks – all in San Francisco, California. View more photos here
Mai and Hai have a romantic engagement session at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California. View more photos here
A wonderful moment of a daughter and mother laughing – taken during a business portrait session at the client’s home in Aptos.
Closeup business headshot for a new employee – taken at a park in Menlo Park, California.
Creative portraits during a commercial shoot at a design studio in Menlo Park, California. View more photos here
A romantic, candid moment captured in B&W during Diane and Hector’s engagement session at Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
A candid, touching moment between bride and groom while standing on the beach in Carmel – the reception was held at Mission Ranch. View more of Kevin and Monica’s wedding photos here
Kirsten’s business portrait session taken outdoors at a park in Mountain View, California.
3mo baby photos taken at her home in Santa Cruz, California.
Katherine and Trevor’s wedding photos at The Chateau in Los Altos, California. View more photos here
June 2015 Photo Shoots
Britainy and Marcos’ engagement session at the Legion of Honor and Baker Beach in San Francisco, California. View more photos here
Shyam proposes to his girlfriend on the rocky cliffs above the ocean in Point Lobos, Carmel, California. View more photos here
Diana and Hector’s large wedding ceremony at Five Wounds Church, formals at Japanese Friendship Garden, and reception at the Morgan Hill Community Center. View more photos here
Photo shoot covering multiple chefs cooking in a commercial kitchen – lifestyle, well-lit candid and posed portraits of all the action behind the scenes in a professional kitchen environment. View more photos here
From a commercial lifestyle shoot for Stonebrae Country Club in Haywayd (Hills), California. View more photos here
Headshots of a businesswoman taken outdoors in a park in Santa Cruz, California
Carole and Patrick’s engagement session taken in Shoup Park in Los Altos, California. View more photos here
Rachel and Mark’s amazing wedding – the ceremony took place at Mt. Madonna and their reception was at a private residence in Watsonville. View more photos here
Day One GlobalLogic Innovate 2015 corporate event photos taken at the Stanford Faculty Club on the Stanford campus in Palo Alto, California. View more photos here
Day Two GlobalLogic Innovate 2015 corporate event photos taken at the Rosewood Sand Hill Resort in Menlo Park, California. View more photos here
Laurel and Brian’s amazing wedding photos taken at the Nicklaus Club in Monterey, Calfiornia. View more photos here
A candid B&W moment with a teen taken during her family’s portrait session on the beach in Capitola, California.
Commercial lifestyle shoot showing people enjoying food in various cafeteria / private dining environments in San Mateo, California. View more photos here
Food photos at Burmese restaurant Rangoon Ruby in San Carlos, California. View more photos here
Interior panoramic photos of the Rail Club lounge in San Carlos, California.
A fun, multi-family portrait session at Sunny Cove Beach in Santa Cruz. View more photos here
French food at Pastis restaurant in Palo Alto, California.
Frnech food at Zola restaurant in Palo Alto, Caliornia
Frnech food at Le Papillon in San Jose, California
French food (tentacle) at Bon Vivant in Palo Alto, California
Photos of lobster at La Mere Michelle in Saratoga, California
July 2015 Photo Shoots
Portraits of partners in an investment firm in San Francisco, California.
French food photography (raw oysters in the shell) taken at Left Bank in San Jose, California
Frnech food photography (wrapped filet mignon) taken at Cafe Brioche in Palo Alto, California
Seared shrimp appetizer at La Foret in San Jose, Calfornia
Alicia and Chris’ fun wedding photos taken at The Bridges Golf Club in San Ramon, California. View more photos here
Tara and Tony’s German-enfused themed rehearsal dinner event at Pema Osel Ling in Corralitos, California. View more photos here
Tara and Tony’s amazing redwood forest wedding at Pema Osel Ling in Corralitos, California. View more photos here
A really fun family portrait session with a family at Shoup Park in Los Altos, California. Check out the sassy attitude of this little girl in the B&W portrait above! View more photos here
Autumn and Art’s family and engagement photos taken at Capitola Beach. View more photos here
French food photos taken at Maison Cafe in Los Gatos, California.
Multiple generations of family get together at the Dream Inn and Cowell’s Beach for some great candid and posed photos. View more photos here
Kayla has her senior portrait session at Natural Bridges Beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Autumn and Art’s July wedding at Kennolyn in Soquel, California. View more photos here
Headshot / portraits of a businessman, shot at the Dream Inn, Santa Cruz, California
Jackie and Preston’s wedding photos taken at the Adobe Lodge and Santa Clara Mission. View more photos here
Sher and Grant’s elopement photos at the Old Monterey Inn and Lover’s Point in Monterey, California. View more photos here
August 2015 Photo Shoots
Mai and Hai’s wedding photos at Sunol Valley Golf Club. The photo above was taken at a public waterfall installation on Bollinger in San Ramon, California. View more photos here
This creative family got dressed up as Game of Thrones characters for their family portrait session on the beach in Capitola, California. View more photos here
Mary and John’s engagement photos taken at Shoup Park in Los Altos, California
Brian proposes to his girlfriend Kaela at the end of the Boardwalk Pier in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Elliot gets down on one knee to propose to Nicole at Panther Beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Hannah and Graham’s engagement shoot – starting at the Pacific Grove public library and ending at Lover’s Point in Monterey, California. View more photos here
Commercial architecture photos of various upscale apartment complexes in Sacramento, California.
Lifestyle editorial portrait session with Andy Weir, author of The Martian, which is now an award-winning major motion picture. We took the photos at Central Park in Santa Clara, California. I staged Andy insde a cement tunnel at the playground and edited it later to have a planetary feel. View more photos here
Qiru and Yu’s bridal portrait session (with tux and gown) – starting in the forest at Henry Cowell Park in Felton, and finishing at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Yuriana and Ruben’s wedding photos – ceremony at Monastery Beach, reception at Rancho Canada Golf Club in Carmel, California. View more photos here
September 2015 Photo Shoots
Mary and John’s wedding photos at Gamble Garden in Palo Alto, California. View more photos here
Group and individual business portraits taken at Heritage Park in Palo Alto, California.
Sarah and Steve’s engagement/family portrait session at Vasona Park in Los Gatos, California. View more photos here
Anna and Alan’s wedding photos at Bianchi Winery in Paso Robles, California. View more photos here
Monica and Bob’s bridal portrait session at Seacliff Beach in Aptos, California. View more photos here
Brandon proposes to Annie at Panther Beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Keith and Avis’ elopement on the beach at Waddell Creek near Davenport, California. View more photos here
Bethany and Eric’s wedding photos at the Highlands Inn Carmel. View more photos
Britainy and Marcos’ wedding at Pema Osel Ling in Corralitos, California. View more photos here
October 2015 Photo Shoots
Dylan proposes to his girlfriend Caitlin at their special bench overlooking the Monterey Bay on the UCSC campus. View more photos here
Erin and Pete’s amazing destination wedding photos at Glacier Point and the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley. View more photos here
Jamie and Will’s engagement session at City Hall in San Francisco, California. View more photos here
Anna and Elliot’s engagement session at Panther Beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
A lovely multi-family portrait session at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Headshots of the staff at Jojo Hair Studio in San Jose, California. View more photos here
Indian foof photoshoot highlighting bowls + the unique ingredients that go in them – shot at a private residence in Alameda, California. View more photos here
Jamie and Will’s wedding photos taken at The Bridges Golf Club in San Ramon, California. View more photos here
Awesome wedding at a private residence in La Selva Beach – I love this shot of the groom and his guys. View more photos here
Interior and exterior panoramic photos at various apartment complexes in Sacramento, California.
Local florist gets some of her creations captured at various locations around Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz, California.
Family portaits of these adorable fraternal twins and their parents on the beach in Capitola, California. View more photos here
Suzanne and Mitch’s Berwick Park wedding ceremony with reception at The Perry House in Monterey, California. View more photos here
November 2015 Photo Shoots
Maternity and family portraits taken at Nisene Marks forest in Aptos, California. View more photos here
Monica and Jason’s fun engagement shoot in Capitola, California.
Headshots and portraits of various executives working at the San Jose, California City Hall. View more photos here
Multiple families have their portraits taken at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Faina gets a variety of formal and casual business portraits taken around the lighthouse at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Grace holds a pilates pose while her puppy looks on, wondering about the sanity of humans. Taken at Pilates Suites in Los Gatos, California. View more photos here
Candid moment between father and daughter for their Christmas Card photo shoot in Santa Cruz, California
Yummy homemade cookie photo shoot for a new business starting in Los Gatos, California.
Joyce and Paul share a special moment in the doorway of Carmel Mission, framed by beautiful red leaves and glowing natural light. Their reception was at The Perry House in Monterey, California. View more photos here
Silhouette of family in distance holding hands, looking at dramatic rays of light shining through the clouds near sunset – at Natural Bridges Beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
Big brother hugs his younger sisters, sharing a candid moment with a beautiful ocean and wharf backdrop. Their family portrait session was taken on the beach in Capitola, California. View more photos here
Phoebe and Daniel share a kiss, framed by dramatic architectural lines – after their elopement at City Hall in San Francisco, Calfiornia. View more photos here
December 2015 Photo Shoots
Family photos taken at the forest and beach at Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here
A jeweler shows a client different engagement ring options at a store in Pleasanton, California
Indian meatballs photographed in Alameda, California
Business portraits taken in Palo Alto, California
Photos of a human couple with their canine counterparts – wandering around Antonelli Pond (near Natural Bridges) in Santa Cruz, California on an overcast December day. View more photos here
Business lifestyle portraits taken of this real estate agent in her office in Menlo Park, California. View more photos here
The staff at this design / branding agency in Menlo Park pose in front of the brick walled-office. View more photos here
A newly married couples closes in for a kiss in this dramatic black and white portrait shot from below, showing dark stormy skies above the majestic rotunda of the City Hall building. View more photos here
Bride and Groom Kiss at Sunset After a Seabright Beach Wedding Ceremony. View more photos here
B&W photo of bride and groom sharing a kiss while the bridal party encourages them with enthusiasm in the background. Wedding ceremony and reception at The Perry House in Monterey, California. View more photos here
Cousins shot – from a multi-family portrait session at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California. View more photos here