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GoodEye Photography + Design Blog bio picture

Welcome to the
GoodEye Photography + Design PhotoBlog!

Hey you. Yeah, you. Thanks for visiting my blog. Check here often for the latest and greatest photos by Chris Schmauch. I shoot weddings, food, architecture, families, events, models, products... well you get the point, I love it all!

Click on the "Categories" link up top to find posts related to certain types of photography. Most of my stuff is restaurant-related (architecture & food) or people-related (weddings, engagements, families, etc.)

Click the "portfolio" link to visit www.GoodEyePhotography.com, where you can order prints from over 130,000 photos in my always-expanding archive.

Oh, a little about me: I'm 32, happily married with two little girls, and am passionate about both Photography and Design (hence the business name). I'm a Nikon shooter, love both Macs and PCs, have that type of personality that gets along with anyone, am totally unflappable, and, well, I'm pretty good at what I do.

Visit often, and if you need to book me, don't hesitate to call: 408.431.4808!

P.S. Yelp me here. Facebook me here. Twitter me here.

New Dishes @ Pasta Pomodoro (Bay Area Food Photography)

“They” say food is the hardest thing to shoot. Well I guess “they” never had to deal with screaming toddlers and stressed out parents during a photo session! I suppose if my client was a fast food joint and the food they serve looks decidedly less erect than shown in marketing materials, then yeah, I can see how that would be really hard. But I believe photography is about truth, and that a business should a) be honest in portraying their product to consumers, and b) avoid using stock imagery in lieu of actual product, and c) strive to produce a product that looks/tastes/performs as well as the marketing material promoting said product.

I’m lucky to be in an area where clients tend to agree with A, B and C – and know the only way to achieve it is to hire a professional. Pasta Pomodoro is a local “chain” (26 restaurants in California), but they truly care about providing good, quality food. My job is to make sure the food looks as good as it tastes, and I love working with chefs to make this happen. Here’s a selection of all the dishes we shot this morning – narrowed down to one shot per dish. Let’s just say I didn’t leave this assignment hungry. Enjoy.

Looking for an on-location food photographer in the Bay Area?
San Francisco / Bay Area Commercial Food Photographer Chris Schmauch makes food look really yummy!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past food & restaurant sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Eye Center of Silicon Valley (San Jose Portrait Photography)

Dr. Bindi needed some updated portraits of himself and his staff at Eye Center of Silicon Valley (which, I might add, is a stellar company). Everyone is very friendly, and even though nobody was fighting to be first in front of the camera, everyone gave it their best. Thanks guys, see you next time!

Looking for a headshot or portrait photographer in San Jose?
San Francisco / Bay Area Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch makes everyone look their best!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past portrait sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

GoodEye Photography Wins Award: Honored Among Top 5% of Wedding Photographers in North America

Santa Cruz, CA – January 23, 2012 – For the second year in a row, WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce GoodEye Photography + Design has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Photography!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, GoodEye Photography + Design was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

GoodEye Photography + Design is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes  the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate GoodEye Photography + Design for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are happy to announce that GoodEye Photography + Design is one of the very best Photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able  to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today.

To learn more about the Bride’s Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire™, the nation’s leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.
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May 1, 2012 - 11:09 am Janass - You deserve it Chris, was just looking thru your blog and the pics they are pretty fucken awesome!

August 28, 2012 - 1:08 pm Jus Zouhaier - Jus Frais Naturels Tunisien | Jus Naturel de Tunisie - Goodeye

Erin (Santa Cruz Portrait Photography) @ Wilder Ranch

I shot Erin’s fabulous Roaring 20s wedding last year, and the cool thing about doing great work for clients is that they come back to you. It so happens that Erin needed some portraits for career purposes, so we set a date in January. We almost postponed due to the forecast for rain, but we went for it anyways amidst my promises that she’d love the photos or we’d reshoot on my dime next time. One thing I love about Erin is she’s a girl who knows what she wants. When we met in the Wilder Ranch parking lot she handed over a stack of printouts – inspiration, stuff she likes. This kind of thing is helpful as it sets a tone and style for my approach. It was really cold, but not rainy, and being the diminutive but powerful woman she is, Erin bravely faced the forces of nature with a snarky grin. She’s a lot of fun to work with, and I only hope I captured her personality to her liking. My faves are below, all the proofs are at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Looking for a professional headshot and portrait photographer in Santa Cruz?
San Francisco / Bay Area Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch makes everyone look their best!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past portrait sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

January 21, 2012 - 10:55 am Paula Green Carden - Still beautiful! Favors her mom more and more!

January 21, 2012 - 10:55 am Paula Green Carden - Still beautiful! Favors her mom more and more!

January 22, 2012 - 3:31 am Wanda Temple-Stephens - She's a perfect model, in many, many ways! Good job.

January 22, 2012 - 7:56 am Arlynne Blockey Swanson - Great pictures! Beautiful and full of energy.

January 22, 2012 - 3:31 am Wanda Temple-Stephens - She's a perfect model, in many, many ways! Good job.

January 22, 2012 - 7:56 am Arlynne Blockey Swanson - Great pictures! Beautiful and full of energy.

UPS Store Group Photo (Television Commercial Photography) Scotts Valley

The UPS store chain has an upcoming television advertising campaign, and the last five seconds of each corporate commercial is devoted to the local store owners. They needed a shot of some of the owners from the Santa Cruz area in a group shot, so they all convened at the Scotts Valley location tonight after the store closed. I wanted a wide shot that showed the context of the store, but the group also had to look great in case the designers wanted to crop the photo tight on the group. I think the shot below worked best, and look forward to seeing its 5 seconds of fame on TV.

Looking for a professional headshot and portrait photographer in Scotts Valley?
San Francisco / Bay Area Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch makes everyone look their best!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past portrait sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Bella, First Communion (Aptos Portrait Photography)

I had a portrait session with Bella last year at Natural Bridges, but both mom and grandma wanted a formal portrait of Bella in her dress that mimicked the photos they have of themselves from their first communions. Being nine and growing like a weed, we had to get the shot done quickly before she outgrew the dress! It was a fun project to create the similar setup, pose and lighting to what Bella’s mom and grandma had, and I’m sure the three framed prints will look great hanging together on the wall.

Need professional photos of your child’s first communion?
San Francisco / Bay Area Wedding Photographer Chris Schmauch makes everyone look their best!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past family portrait sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Christian + Catherine = Veronica (Family Photography) @ Capitola Beach

Oh. My. God. Little 2yo Veronica is simply adorable! She was a little shy at first, not sure what to think about me (see first photo below), but after a couple minutes she was all smiles. It doesn’t hurt that I’m not ashamed to dance for small children. Or anyone, really, but I digress. I do whatever it takes to get genuine smiles from people, and I just love it when it’s this easy. We met under the Capitola Wharf and just stuck to that general vicinity for this one-hour family portrait session. Here’s some of my favorite photos from the shoot, more to see at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Looking for a family photographer in Capitola?
San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch makes everyone look their best!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past family portrait sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Peggy + Lance (Couples Photography) @ Fall Creek, Felton

Peggy and Lance are both into cameras, Lance himself specializing in nighttime architectural photography. But as is always the case in this situation, they really don’t have any photos of the two of them together. Enter: Me. We took a stroll during their lunch break through Fall Creek, just off Highway 9 in Felton. Here’s a few of my favorites below, more to see at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Looking for a photographer in Felton to capture you and your loved one?
San Francisco / Bay Area Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch makes everyone look their best!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past couples portrait sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Samantha + Anthony (Engagement Photography) @ Sutro Baths and Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco

We had so much fun with our first engagement shoot at Panther Beach we decided to do it AGAIN! Ok, so most brides that hire me are usually content with just one engagement session before their big day, but Samantha says she never gets photos of the two of them – and of course I’m always game for more photos! We explored the ruins at Sutro Baths on the west coast of San Francisco, then I led them the loooong way to the Palace of Fine Arts (I missed an exit, not the best navigator). The sun had set by the time we got there, but I just kicked up the ISO and balanced my lighting to take advantage of the breathtaking architecture on display there. Sexy, romantic, and lots of fun is pretty much how I sum up this e-session. Check ’em out below. Full gallery of photos at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Looking for engagement photographers in San Francisco?
San Francisco / Bay Area Wedding Photographer Chris Schmauch makes everyone look their best!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past weddings, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

January 14, 2012 - 6:52 am Samantha Morales-Torres - Aww thank you!! Your pictures came out stunning as usual!! :)

January 14, 2012 - 7:19 am Day Bernstein-Freeman - The lighting in these in gorgeous-some fun creative angles too.

January 14, 2012 - 6:17 am Chris Schmauch - Samantha Morales-Terrazas lookin' stunning as usual.

January 14, 2012 - 7:19 am Day Bernstein-Freeman - The lighting in these in gorgeous-some fun creative angles too.

Jon + Kim (Maternity Photography) @ Panther Beach, Santa Cruz

You know how pregnant women often have that special “glow” – well Kim brought her glowiness and fantastic attitude to this remote, semi-treacherous beach to get some photos taken with her hubby Jon. They hadn’t ever been to Panther Beach so it was exciting to introduce this seductive little cove to them. I’m sure Juliana will love these photos of her parents (once she’s born and grown up a little). The quality of light was fantastic and they were very natural in front of the camera. Here’s some of my faves, more to see at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Got a bun in the oven that needs some photographin’?
Santa Cruz / Bay Area Maternity Photographer Chris Schmauch will capture the earliest moments of your family!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past maternity photography sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Angela + Josiah (Engagement Photography) @ Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco

Angela and Josiah’s wedding is coming up next month so we figured we should get that engagement shoot taken care of straight quick. We met at the Palace of Fine Arts up in San Francisco as they’re both fans of architecture – I’m usually there in the evening but it was really fun to explore it on a Monday morning to see it in a new light, so to speak. I think we got some great shots, and I am really looking forward to their wedding! More pics at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Looking for engagement photographers in San Francisco?
San Francisco / Bay Area Wedding Photographer Chris Schmauch makes everyone look their best!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past weddings, check our romantic engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

March 12, 2012 - 10:16 am Angela + Josiah (Berkeley Wedding Photography) | GoodEye Photography + Design Blog - [...] Angela + Josiah (Engagement Photography) @ Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco [...]

Erin and Son Jacob (Family Photography) @ Lighthouse Field, Santa Cruz

So a mom, her 14-year-old son and their one-eyed pit bull walk into a field… oh, you’ve heard this one? Never mind then. Enjoy the pics. More here.

Looking for the perfect photographer for your crazy family?
San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch makes everyone look their best!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past family portrait sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Lindsey + George (Wedding Photography) @ Dream Inn, Santa Cruz

Lindsey contacted me a couple weeks before she was due to be married, telling me about how her and George had finally decided to tie the knot after 15 years together. Neither of them had ever been married, so it was neat to see it happen for them. The wedding took place at the Dream Inn, which is a beautiful venue right on the beach in downtown Santa Cruz – with panoramic views of the Boardwalk, wharf and the bay. It was an intimate affair with only the closest friends and family attending, which often means a more emotional and connected experience for everyone. A couple amazing moments I’ll never forget: George, after being asked if wished to take Lindsey as his bride, enthusiastically shouting out “SURE!” (cue raucous laughter) and also the surreal moment during the ceremony when two birds landed on the tiny ledge outside the window; everyone gasped at the interruption and later exclaimed how they believed it was the spirit of Lindsey’s parents coming to witness the union. Regardless, it was really neat to behold. Enjoy my favorite photos below, there’s many more to see at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Vendors:

Venue:
Cupcakes:
Ceremony Venue:
Reception Venue:
DJ:
Dress:
Tuxedos:
Bridesmaid’s dresses:
Flowers:
Rings:

Getting married at the Santa Cruz Dream Inn?
Bay Area Wedding Photographer Chris Schmauch wants to shoot your wedding! (831) 216-6210

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past weddings, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Greg + Jamie (Engagement Photography) @ Nisene Marks Forest, Aptos

Shooting in the forest is challenging; it’s dark of course, and then there’s those pesky forest creatures – the slimy bananslugs are always a terror, and then there’s that braying donkey that sounds like an irate forest ogre. It can be wet and slippery, making for muddy and slippery trail conditions. But when you have a cool couple like Greg and Jamie (and positive attitudes of course), magical things can happen. I enjoyed my time with these guys – they make great subjects and I’m really looking forward to capturing them again – in bridal getup of course! Check out some of my favorite photos below, there’s about 100 more to see at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Are you looking for engagement photos in the forest?
Aptos / Bay Area Wedding Photographer Chris Schmauch will make you look like a model!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past weddings, check our romantic engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Chris + Parisa (San Jose Wedding Photography) @ Center for Spiritual Living

I met Chris quite a few years ago on a magazine shoot where we profiled his Morning Crane Healing Center business. I was intrigued by what he did, and apparently the feeling was mutual at the time, for he called me up years later after he proposed to Parisa. They really bring out the best in each other, and the smiles generated whenever they’re together are truly infectious. They chose 11/11/11 for their wedding date, and lucky or not, the weather decided to rain that day. It didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, though, as we even braved through a lot of the bridal formals out in the drizzle – so fun!! MMA fighter Cung Le was Chris’ best man, and it was neat to see him again after our last shoot together in 2007.

The reception hall inside the Center for Spiritual Living was decked out in intense pink and blue colors, matched by the colorful cupcakes in the corner. Chris and Parisa also hired a Fairy Godmother that quickly transformed all the little kids into fairies, which only added to the fairytale feel of the decor. I really enjoyed capturing the spirit of the event, and it was neat to connect with old friends that randomly all know Chris and Parisa well enough to be at the wedding. Below are some of my favorite photos that I feel sum up the day – but if these aren’t enough for ya, head on over to www.GoodEyePhotography.com for the full swath of photographic coverage.

Vendors:

Venue:
Cupcakes:
Ceremony Venue:
Reception Venue:
DJ:
Dress:
Tuxedos:
Bridesmaid’s dresses:
Flowers:
Rings:

Getting married at the Center for Spiritual Living in San Jose?
Bay Area Wedding Photographer Chris Schmauch wants to shoot your wedding! (831) 216-6210

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past weddings, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Liz + Ben = Leah > Clara (Family Photography) @ Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz

Sisters Leah and Clara stole the show during their family portrait session at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz. We hit the sand near sunset and the girls had so much fun running around and playing together. I got a few posed shots, but lots of candids as well. Many beach family photo shoots end up at the water, and theirs was no exception. I hope these photos capture their spunky personalities! Let me know in the comments box below. My favorite photos from the session are below, there’s a bunch more to see at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Looking for family photos on the beach in Santa Cruz?
San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch makes everyone look their best!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past family portrait sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

The Corsiglias (Soquel Familly Photography)

Usually teenagers are less than thrilled about getting family photos taken, but these guys were all smiles for me during our shoot at their home in the mountains above Soquel. Maybe some serious bribes were involved, but I was impressed nonetheless! Here’s a few of my favorites from their family portrait session, more to see at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Looking for a family photographer in Aptos?
San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch makes everyone look their best!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past family portrait sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Susan + Jesus = Bella (Family Photography) @ Hidden Beach, Aptos

There aren’t too many grassy parks right next to beaches, so it’s no wonder this place is named “Hidden Beach Playground.” It’s a good place to take little kids as it has a nice variety of locations to use, depending on the child’s mood. Bella and her uni-pony made some great photos for my camera – oh, and her parents did a fine job as well! Enjoy my favorites below, and also check out the rest of the photos at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Looking for a family photographer in Aptos?
San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch makes everyone look their best!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past family portrait sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Shalisa + Morgan = Waylan > Colton (Aptos Family Photography)

This beautiful family lives way up in the mountains of Aptos – no cell coverage, and even the sun had given up for the day by the time I got to Shalisa and Morgan’s home. After stepping out of the car I immediately saw several locations we could shoot at on their property, and I was definitely going to have to set up lights given the encroaching darkness. Colton wasn’t too stoked about the shoot in general, but we still managed to get some great photos of the clan, my absolute favorite being the shot of the four of them sitting behind the ’50s Caddy. So cool. Enjoy my select favorites below, and feel free to check out all the photos at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Looking for a great family photographer in Aptos?
San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch wants to capture your family’s zaniness and love!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past family portrait sessions, check our romantic {and FREE*} engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.

Amy + Elliott (Engagement Photography) @ Capitola Beach

Even though it appeared to be an overcast, dreary day in Capitola, Amy and Elliott turned up the heat for their engagement session in downtown Capitola. They rode their cruisers, posed in front of the mural, cuddled on private property (oops!), trespassed on the train tracks (double oops!), and of course traversed all around the beach and wharf and colorful group of vacation properties. I’m looking forward to their wedding in July! Here’s some of my favorite photos from the session, more to see at www.GoodEyePhotography.com.

Looking for engagement photographers in Capitola?
San Francisco / Bay Area Wedding Photographer Chris Schmauch is a pro at capturing your chemistry!
Call (831) 216-6210 for serious inquiries only.

If you haven’t already, feel free to review our portfolio site, browse past weddings, check our romantic engagement sessions, follow our business on Facebook (like us while you’re at it!), or read our awesome Yelp reviews.