- About This Post
-
I’ve never been to Derby Park on the West side of Santa Cruz before, no less shot a family portrait session there – so this was a new location for me, which is always fun and challenging. This was a one-year-old session with Kaitlin, who I captured as a newborn and at 8 months old as well! This time we had some more family members tag along to share in the awesomeness of this baby-turned-toddler (who’s talking and walking, by the way). I got some group photos of the whole family, some shots of just the parents and their daughter, and of course Kaitlin on her own. So cute! We ended by shooting at the graffiti-laden skate park because, why not? Here’s some of my faves:
Below are some of my favorite photos from the family photography session, laid out album spread-style. Enjoy!
- Booking Info
-
Interested in scheduling a GoodEye family portrait shoot? Check out my family portrait packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch thinks your family rocks, and would love to capture some truly precious memories of you and your little ones (or big ones!). From families with their first newborn, to multigenerational huge get-togethers, Chris is up to the task. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture the memories before it’s too late (Hint: it’s never too late).
Looking for a creative family portrait photographer with mad little-kid skills? San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch captures sweet family moments like no other! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Family Portrait” Posts:
- About This Post
-
Ellen and John put together a most beautiful DIY wedding at her aunt’s home & business – Deerhaven Herb & Flower Farm in Bonny Doon. Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Deerhaven has all kinds of rustic charm going for it: rolling golden fields, towering old-growth pine, beautiful fields of lavender, a neat old barn – and of course the local labrador ready to make you her best friend. This area succumbed to a forest fire about 5 years ago, but it’s clearly rebounded from the tragedy, including the rebuilding of the main house on the property where Ellen and the girls got ready. On the lawn and around the pool, there were details galore – tons of framed photos of Ellen and John through the years, neat old bottles and colored glass, beautiful field greens and flowers. Inside the house, Ellen’s dress was a simple, but elegant affair, reflecting her easygoing personality and flair for fun. The new home offered beautiful natural light for all the ladies while they got ready for the ceremony.
The talented Susannah Gill joined me as a second shooter, and she did an amazing job capturing the guys getting ready as well as playing “sniper” from the cliffs above the ceremony down at Five Mile Beach. Not to mention her mad skills capturing charming candid moments throughout the day! Thanks Susannah!
Near sunset, I was able to get Ellen and John away from the reception activities for 20-30 minutes so we could take advantage of the golden light and the beautiful backdrops Deerhaven has to offer. These are some of my favorite photos from most weddings, and today was no exception. The evening was full of laughter and good times for all. Thanks so much for including Susannah and I in your big day.
Below are some of my favorite photos – enjoy!
- Booking Info
-
Interested in booking a GoodEye wedding? Check out my wedding packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch loves weddings – from intimate elopements, to grand events with your 1,000 closest friends – it’s truly an honor to participate in, and be responsible for capturing all the fleeting moments throughout the day. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture your wedding the way you envision it (i.e. as amazing as possible).
Looking for a skilled wedding photographer familiar with the beaches around Santa Cruz, California? San Francisco / Bay Area Wedding and Engagement Photographer Chris Schmauch makes you look like a superstar! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Wedding Photography” Posts:
Tags: 5-mile beach, bay area wedding photographers, bay area wedding photography, beach wedding, bonny doon, bonny doon beach, deerhaven, ellen and john, santa cruz beach wedding, santa cruz wedding photographers, santa cruz wedding photography, wedding photography
- About This Post
- Liz and Scott held their lovely wedding at The Historic Perry House, inviting their closest family and friends to the occasion. I love shooting the smaller weddings, and I’m sure the bride and groom enjoy being able to interact with each and every guest, as opposed to the princess-wave-level of interaction that you get with a huge guest list. The Perry House is the ideal Monterey wedding venue for such an affair; you can’t beat the multiple patios, amazing bay views, and variety of intimate nooks for guests to hang out in at this place. Liz and Scott were so easy to work with, and knew that entrusting me with the full creative vision for their wedding photography needs was the right decision to make (and lowered their stress level to boot). Their easygoing nature and true love for another really shine in my favorite photos that I feel tell the story of the day below. Enjoy, and feel free to leave a note at the bottom.
- Booking Info
- Interested in booking a GoodEye wedding? Check out my wedding packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch loves weddings – from intimate elopements, to grand events with your 1,000 closest friends – it’s truly an honor to participate in, and be responsible for capturing all the fleeting moments throughout the day. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture your wedding the way you envision it (i.e. as amazing as possible).
Looking for a skilled wedding photographer familiar with The Perry House in Monterey, California? San Francisco / Bay Area Wedding and Engagement Photographer Chris Schmauch makes you look like a superstar! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Wedding Photography” Posts:
Tags: apple, avocado, baked, bay area food photographers, bay area food photography, block, bottle, bread, brownies, callebaut, chai, chocolate, chocolate chip, cookies, cucumber, cut, dip, flatbread, food photography, fraiche, fraiche yogurt, fresh, frozen, fruit, gluten free, green, hot chocolate, iced, juice, lemon, lemonade, madelines, mayfield, palo alto, palo alto food photographers, palo alto food photography, pita chips, pressed, pumpkin bread, quiche, salad, shaved, soup, spread, tea, thick, toast, toasted, vegetables, yogurt
- About This Post
-
Jonathan, Angela and kids were visiting from out of town and wanted to get some family photos at the beach – Capitola is always a favorite of mine, since it has the photogenic wharf, the waves are mellow, and it’s usually not too windy. Below are some of my favorites from their family portrait session, enjoy!
Below are some of my favorite photos from the family photography session, laid out album spread-style. Enjoy!
- Booking Info
-
Interested in scheduling a GoodEye family portrait shoot? Check out my family portrait packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch thinks your family rocks, and would love to capture some truly precious memories of you and your little ones (or big ones!). From families with their first newborn, to multigenerational huge get-togethers, Chris is up to the task. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture the memories before it’s too late (Hint: it’s never too late).
Looking for a creative family portrait photographer with mad little-kid skills? San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch captures sweet family moments like no other! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Family Portrait” Posts:
Tags: angela, bay area family photographers, bay area family photography, capitola beach, capitola beach family photos, capitola family photographers, capitola family photography, evening, family photos at the beach, jonathan, sisters, wharf
- About This Post
-
Wow, every once in a while I have a wedding that I simply can’t narrow down to my target of 800 photos; Sarah and Mark’s was one of these. I knew after our Capitola engagement session that their wedding day at The Bridge Golf Club in San Ramon was going to be epic – and I don’t use that adjective lightly! The wedding party were all so nice and adventurous – and everyone looked like that could be a model. Well after today, they’ve got some tearsheets if they want to break into the business!
From beginning to end, it was non-stop action, laughter, and a few tears. Mark and Sarah share a unique bond, and I was honored to spend this hugely special day with them. Thanks guys!
Below are my favorite photos from the day – enjoy!
- Booking Info
-
Interested in booking a GoodEye wedding? Check out my wedding packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch loves weddings – from intimate elopements, to grand events with your 1,000 closest friends – it’s truly an honor to participate in, and be responsible for capturing all the fleeting moments throughout the day. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture your wedding the way you envision it (i.e. as amazing as possible).
Looking for a skilled wedding photographer familiar with The Bridges Golf Club in San Ramon, California? San Francisco / Bay Area Wedding and Engagement Photographer Chris Schmauch makes you look like a superstar! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Wedding Photography” Posts:
- About This Post
-
Most of my family portrait sessions happen at one outdoor location, just to keep things simple. But sometimes a family will have a great location at their own home AND a nearby outdoor spot to explore. Such is the case with Hieu, Cindy and their kids. Their rugrats are about the same age as my older two kids, so I felt right at home interacting with them from the get-go. They seemed really excited about the photo shoot, so I thought I’d start out with some fun stuff, like jumping on the bed (sorry Mom, I didn’t ask your permission first…). Luckily nobody fell off and hit their head, but we DID get some great photos of these guys in action. Looking around, I noticed that Chloe was into martial arts, so I got a few photos of her showing off the belts she’s earned. Based on the proudly displayed light sabers and the Star Wars bedding, I was pretty sure Alex would want to show off his sabering abilities (I was right). By now I figured the kids were warmed up and pumped about photos, so I decided to bring the parental units into the equation. I had them give me some formal poses on a formal-looking couch, then we moved to the living room for some cuddling on the “comfy” couch, which quickly turned to an enthusiastic tickling session. No fake smiles here! I knew I was getting some truly awesome photos, and we were just getting started!
Next, we explored the back yard; I got some great individual and group shots of just the kids in a spot Hieu and Cindy would never have guessed as photo-worthy, and then I had the whole family lay down on their backs in the grass, heads together but feet pointing away. I stood on a chair, shooting straight down; the dappled light coming through the tree was neat, and I knew it would make a great black and white (later confirmed by the 30×40 print of one of these photos!). After a good hour of shooting around the house and back yard, everyone changed into a new outfit and we headed to Vasona Park. There, we explored the fence area, walked along the railroad tracks, ran on the grass (dodging goose poop), got some great (trademarked) drinking fountain shots, and finished up with some hula hoop action in the shade of a tree island. All in all, it was a blast – for me and for this awesome family.
Below are some of my favorite photos from the family photography session, laid out album spread-style. Enjoy!
- Booking Info
-
Interested in scheduling a GoodEye family portrait shoot? Check out my family portrait packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch thinks your family rocks, and would love to capture some truly precious memories of you and your little ones (or big ones!). From families with their first newborn, to multigenerational huge get-togethers, Chris is up to the task. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture the memories before it’s too late (Hint: it’s never too late).
Looking for a creative family portrait photographer with mad little-kid skills (and is familiar with Vasona Park and Los Gatos to boot)? San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch captures sweet family moments like no other! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Family Portrait” Posts:
Tags: bay area family photographers, bay area family photography, cindy, family photography, family photos, hieu, kids, los gatos, los gatos family photographers, los gatos family photography, private residence, siblings, vasona park, vasona park family photos
- About This Post
-
It was another typical gloomy June day, but Cindy and her nieces and nephews’ smiles certainly brightened up the day. We took their family photos at Capitola Beach in, you guessed it – Capitola! These boys and girls were all over the place, rambunctious and full of energy, just as kids should be! So after the quick posed family portraits, I just let them have fun – sometimes those are the best pictures! Enjoy my faves below…
- Booking Info
-
Interested in scheduling a GoodEye family portrait or maternity shoot? Check out my family portrait packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch thinks your family rocks, and would love to capture some truly precious memories of you and your little ones (or big ones!). From families with their first newborn, to multigenerational huge get-togethers, Chris is up to the task. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture the memories before it’s too late (Hint: it’s never too late).
Looking for a creative family portrait photographer with mad little-kid skills? San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch captures sweet family moments like no other! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Family Portrait” Posts:
Tags: bay area family photographers, bay area family photography, capitola beach, capitola beach family photos, capitola family photographers, capitola family photography, cindy, family photography, family photos at the beach, foggy, mist, morning
- About This Post
-
The Santa Cruz area is a destination for many families during the summer – a few families will rent a beach house or two for a week, and of course hire a professional photographer to help capture the fun times! I usually capture the whole family first, then move on to the individual families and different groupings. It’s always a lot of fun, and challenging, of course. Today was overcast and chilly (typical June-gloom!), so no blue skies; but that didn’t prevent these guys from having a great time, giving me some wonderful photos as a result. Below are a few of my favorites, enjoy!
- Booking Info
-
Interested in scheduling a GoodEye family portrait or maternity shoot? Check out my family portrait packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch thinks your family rocks, and would love to capture some truly precious memories of you and your little ones (or big ones!). From families with their first newborn, to multigenerational huge get-togethers, Chris is up to the task. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture the memories before it’s too late (Hint: it’s never too late).
Looking for a creative family portrait photographer with mad little-kid skills? San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch captures sweet family moments like no other! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Maternity” Posts:
Tags: andrina, aptos family photographers, aptos family photography, baby, bay area family photographers, bay area family photography, dog, family photography, family photos at the beach, lab, multiple families, ocean, rio del mar beach, sand, toddler, walking on the beach
- About This Post
-
After a romantic (but chilly!) Lover’s Point engagement, Di and Eric were ready to turn up the heat for their wedding day at Wente Vineyards and Golf Club in Livermore, California. And by turn up the heat, I mean 103-degree weather for an outdoor wedding! We spent as much time in the shade as possible, and exploring the wine caves with the wedding party was cool relief for us all. But everyone was in high spirits, regardless of the heat, and helped me get some truly great photos. Everything about this venue is beautiful, and adding Di and Eric was frosting on the cake. Below are my favorite photos from the day – enjoy!
- Booking Info
-
Interested in booking a GoodEye wedding? Check out my wedding packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch loves weddings – from intimate elopements, to grand events with your 1,000 closest friends – it’s truly an honor to participate in, and be responsible for capturing all the fleeting moments throughout the day. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture your wedding the way you envision it (i.e. as amazing as possible).
Looking for a skilled wedding photographer familiar with Wente Vineyards and Golf Club in Livermore, California? San Francisco / Bay Area Wedding and Engagement Photographer Chris Schmauch makes you look like a superstar! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Wedding Photography” Posts:
Tags: bay area wedding photographers, bay area wedding photography, di and eric, livermore wedding photographers, livermore wedding photography, vineyard wedding photos, wente vineyards, wente vineyards golf club, wente vineyards wedding photography, wente vineyards wedding photos, wente wedding photos, wente winery
- About This Post
-
This was my first wedding at Los Laureles Lodge, and boy is it a great place to shoot! The best part of the venue is the rows of pews that look straight out of a big church – nestled under a giant oak tree at the top of the hill. It’s rustic and beautiful and intimate at the same time. Stevie was the true gem of the day; composed, but with shining eyes. When she got that dress on, I was blown away – such a stunning bride! I hardly recognized Angelo when I saw him – he was looking great as well. He’d wrestled a very heavy custom door up to the ceremony grounds as a kind of “entrance” to the area a couple days earlier – lots of preparation or this DIY wedding! We shot pretty much all the formals before the ceremony after a first look, so the pacing of the day was super mellow and easy.
After the ceremony everyone headed down the hill to the outdoor reception area for some great food, toasts and dancing. The highlight of the reception was Angelo’s garter-extraction antics; he’d hidden a bunch of items under Stevie’s chair including nunchakus, a rubber chicken, pots and pans, and even a naked baby doll (which he promptly put back!). It was hilarious and a first for me.
Below are my favorite photos from the day – enjoy!
- Booking Info
-
Interested in booking a GoodEye wedding? Check out my wedding packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch loves weddings – from intimate elopements, to grand events with your 1,000 closest friends – it’s truly an honor to participate in, and be responsible for capturing all the fleeting moments throughout the day. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture your wedding the way you envision it (i.e. as amazing as possible).
Looking for a skilled wedding photographer familiar with Los Laureles Lodge in Carmel Valley, California? San Francisco / Bay Area Wedding and Engagement Photographer Chris Schmauch makes you look like a superstar! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Wedding Photography” Posts:
- About This Post
-
It seems like I’ve been shooting a lot of engagements up in San Francisco lately – of course there’s a good reason why; there’s just so much envrionmental variety and backdrop options to even the most creatively challenged photographer. Luckily I know how to take advantage of all the city has to offer, and when you’ve got a fun couple like Nicole and Tommy to work with, the City simply becomes a romantic backdrop for their natural chemistry. We started the session at Coit Tower where it was of course quite breezy, but not so much that we couldn’t find some great places to shoot. I have a habit of coming up with crazy ideas, and basically keep pushing until the couple says “no.” Tommy and Nicole were pretty much down to try anything, so I had a great time exploring fun angles and perspectives on things.
After spending 40 minutes or so at Coit, we headed down to the Embarcadero area by the Ferry Building. The almost-setting sun gave us some great light across the green park next to Embarcadero center. From there we pretty much walked around and explored little nooks and crannies around the Ferry Building, various piers, and the cityscape and street scenes. A little after sunset we headed to Harrison St. for the Bay Bridge backdrop photos my clients love to get. Each time I do it is a different look and experience.
Enjoy my favorite photos below – presented as I’d design a square album with open spreads.
- Booking Info
- Interested in scheduling a GoodEye engagement shoot? Check out my engagement packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- If you don’t think you have what it takes to look like one of the couples on this page – you’re wrong! With a little coaching and a couple shots of tequila (I jest…), you can get results just like all the other “normal” non-model people you see here. I’ve been shooting engaged couples for quite a few years, and I absolutely love it. It’s a challenge that I embrace – and let’s be honest, you two will be way more cooperative than a couple of cranky toddlers – right?
San Francisco Engagement Photos – Coit Tower, Embarcadero, Ferry Building, Bay Bridge, Piers – Nicole and Tommy
Looking for some creative engagement photos in the San Francisco area? Bay Area Wedding and Engagement Photographer Chris Schmauch makes you both look simply amazing! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Engagement” Posts:
Tags: bay area engagement photographers, bay area engagement photography, bay bridge, coit tower, embarcadero, engagement photography, ferry building, nicole and tommy, park, pier, san francisco engagement photographers, san francisco engagement photography, trolley
- About This Post
-
I first met Christina and Jaime for their wedding a few years ago. Then a little later, their first maternity shoot. Now, it’s a little later still, and we have maternity shoot #2 / family portrait session! They picked Vasona Park in Los Gatos for our location – lots of green grass, big oak trees, a railroad, and just lots and lots of room to run around. We decided on a 10am morning session since Mila, their 1.5 year old, would probably be on her best behavior then. It took her a while to warm up, but after she did – wow, super dimply smiles! It was so adorable seeing her interact with her momma’s belly, then lifting her own dress up to examine her belly. I was dying! Anyways, here’s my faves from their maternity/family session, enjoy!
- Booking Info
-
Interested in scheduling a GoodEye family portrait or maternity shoot? Check out my family portrait packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch thinks your family rocks, and would love to capture some truly precious memories of you and your little ones (or big ones!). From families with their first newborn, to multigenerational huge get-togethers, Chris is up to the task. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture the memories before it’s too late (Hint: it’s never too late).
Looking for a creative family portrait photographer with mad little-kid skills? San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch captures sweet family moments like no other! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Maternity” Posts:
Tags: bay area family photographers, bay area family photography, belly, christina, family photography, family photos at the park, jaime, los gatos family photographers, los gatos family photography, maternity photography, mila, pregnant, toddler, vasona park, vasona park family photos
- About This Post
-
Tyler and Katie are good friends of mine, and while this photo shoot was six months, then 12 months late – it finally happened. I think Ellie is about 13 months and change here, so we’ll round off to a year for posterity’s sake. We were originally going to shoot at Panther Beach, like Katie’s maternity session last year, but it’s just been way too windy over on the west side, and little kids + blowing sand is NOT a good combination. I suggested Capitola Beach, since it’s south-facing, and therefore generally not too windy, and with mellow waves. It’s also got a great pier/wharf with amazing visual character, so I always start my photo sessions under it. Ellie’s grandpa stood in as my “attention getting assistant” – and he came with a whistle around his neck and everything! John was a big help in getting Ellie to look in my direction – taking a one-year-old to the beach and expecting them to keep their eyes in one direction is an exercise in futility, for sure. The whole session went really well, and Ellie gave me some really great portraits that I’m sure her parents will treasure for years to come. Here’s some of my favorite photos from the session, laid out like I’d design an album. Enjoy!
- Booking Info
-
Interested in scheduling a GoodEye family portrait or maternity shoot? Check out my family portrait packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch thinks every business person deserves to have an excellent, professional portrait. Your online photo (think: LinkedIn) is increasingly the “first impression” – and we all know how important that is. A GoodEye portrait is sure to stand out among the sea of crappy selfies or point and shoot photos! Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture great photos of you and your staff.
family photo under the wharf
She’s so happy! Love b&w pics of course.
Two of my favorite father/daughter and mother/daughter photos from this session.
Walking along the beach, sitting on dad’s shoulders. Also, the classic holding parent’s hands while facing away from the camera.
What kid doesn’t like being swung in the air by their parents?
Sassy and cute!
Mom blowing sand off Ellie’s head. Love the sand particles flying!
Walking on the beach
A cute candid moment, Ellie sticking her tongue out while mom and dad make sure she’s photo-ready.
Classic sitting on the beach family photo.
LOVE this closeup shot of Ellie – she’s like, “yeah, you can have my autograph…”
Looking for a creative family portrait photographer with mad little-kid skills? San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch captures sweet family moments like no other! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Family Portrait” Posts:
Tags: 1yo, baby, bay area family photographers, bay area family photography, capitola beach, capitola family photographers, capitola family photography, ellie, family photos, family photos at the beach, katie, one year old, tyler
- About This Post
-
It seems like just a few weeks ago that I was hanging out with Antonette and Michael for their Watsonville engagement shoot – well, I guess it was just four weeks ago! I met up with Antonette at the house she’d rented in Pajaro Dunes where her and her 7 bridesmaids were getting ready. It was such a great, fun, relaxing way to start the day. Luckily we had enough time to head to the beach for a few photos before we had to leave for the venue. My trusted second shooter Sam did the same with the guys in another house down the way. We also had plenty of time to get some awesome shots of the rings, dress, shoes and other details before the craziness of the day hit us. Not long after our beach shoot, Mike’s dad showed up with his vintage ’31 Ford ModelA to escort the bride to the ceremony venue – Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.
The ceremony was held outdoors, with plenty of sunshine for all 250+ guests. Antonette had a bunch of family from Nigeria, so there were plenty of colorful outfits scattered throughout the crowd. Antonette looked radiant as her dad opened the ModelA door for her and escorted her down the aisle. Mike simply beamed as he spotted her coming down through the crowd. The ceremony was really well done, and before long it was sealed with a kiss. Sam and I took care of all the family formals nearby, and we had plenty of time get some great bride and groom portraits done during cocktail hour.
The reception at Heritage Hall was full of laughter, happy tears, moving speeches, cake in the face, and epic dance moves. Sam and I had the best time with Antonette, Michael and their family and friends!
Here’s my favorite photos from Antonette and Michael’s wedding. Feel free to comment below!
- Booking Info
-
Interested in booking a GoodEye wedding? Check out my wedding packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch loves weddings – from intimate elopements, to grand events with your 1,000 closest friends – it’s truly an honor to participate in, and be responsible for capturing all the fleeting moments throughout the day. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture your wedding the way you envision it (i.e. as amazing as possible).
Looking for a skilled wedding photographer familiar with the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, California? San Francisco / Bay Area Wedding and Engagement Photographer Chris Schmauch makes you look like a superstar! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Wedding Photography” Posts:
- About This Post
-
Christy, Scott and their two adorable girls met me at Capitola beach this Friday morning – the fog was still relatively heavy, so no sun – but that didn’t lessen the fun! We started with a few full-family portraits under the Capitola wharf – it’s such a photogenic location. I got as many “posed” shots as the girls would give me before the draw of the open beach called to them… which just means I switch to candid-mode and capture them having a great time, exploring the beach that’s new to them. Thanks so much for choosing GoodEye, here’s a few of my favorite photos from the family photo shoot, laid out flush-mount album-style.
- Booking Info
-
Interested in scheduling a GoodEye family portrait or maternity shoot? Check out my family portrait packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch thinks every business person deserves to have an excellent, professional portrait. Your online photo (think: LinkedIn) is increasingly the “first impression” – and we all know how important that is. A GoodEye portrait is sure to stand out among the sea of crappy selfies or point and shoot photos! Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture great photos of you and your staff.
family photos under the wharf
love the black and white of mom and dad
each parent with a daughter
that girl loves the camera!
grandma/mom with her son, love the b&w version
classic photo of sisters holding hands on the beach
the whole family walking along the beach holding hands
two sisters running along the beach, holding hands (and not eating sand thank goodness!)
black and white pics of the family having fun
I love daddy-daughter candid moments
sisters having fun playing in the sand
oh my, so cute! these two sisters NEVER fight, evar!
Artificially-lit, very cute portraits of these girls – big sis with her arm over her little sis
Sisters digging in the sand at the beach, how fun!
Looking for a creative family portrait photographer with mad little-kid skills? San Francisco / Bay Area Family Portrait Photographer Chris Schmauch captures sweet family moments like no other! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Family Portrait” Posts:
Tags: bay area family photographers, bay area family photography, capitola beach, capitola family photographers, capitola family photography, cassidy, christy, family photography, family photos at the beach, foggy, kendall, ocean, overcast, pier, pink dress, sand, scott, sisters, toddler, under the wharf, wharf
- About This Post
-
Since I booked Rachel and Jonathan’s wedding over the phone, their engagement session was the first time I got to see them. We’d had to reschedule a couple times due to weather – and even though it still ended up being pretty breezy, we forged ahead anyways and just worked with it. This is the first engagement I’ve shot in quite a while using 100% available light (except the very last Bay Bridge shot); I usually haul around lighting equipment and previsualize all my shots accordingly. So, I felt a little “light” going with only my two cameras. But you know what? It was refreshing, and great practice – I’m so used to making the light happen where I want it, that doing it this way brought me back to my roots – seeing what’s already there, and capturing it in a unique way. Plus, my back thanked me and we could move from location to location much quicker, netting more photos as a result.
Rachel and Jonathan are really sweet and considerate – and truly genuine individuals. They made sure I was fed before the shoot, and were really curious about the ins and outs of what the shoot would entail. They were excellent subjects and easy to direct – plus they had a natural chemistry that I only had to tweak here and there for composition’s sake. Below are my favorite photos from the session, please comment below if you like what you see.
- Booking Info
- Interested in scheduling a GoodEye engagement shoot? Check out my engagement packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- If you don’t think you have what it takes to look like one of the couples on this page – you’re wrong! With a little coaching and a couple shots of tequila (I jest…), you can get results just like all the other “normal” non-model people you see here. I’ve been shooting engaged couples for quite a few years, and I absolutely love it. It’s a challenge that I embrace – and let’s be honest, you two will be way more cooperative than a couple of cranky toddlers – right?
Shadows!
I love this c’mere and give me a kiss pose…
Attempting some slow shutter motion blur of people – semi successful…
Anyone remember that scene with Tom Hanks in Big? Those fortune teller guys are creepy – this one was talking to us!
Checking out the farmers market
Love the bokeh of the carousel lights behind the couple
Note: Looking through a camera while spinning on the merry-go-round is a great way to get motion sickness!
Slow shutter of the Pier 39 carousel spinning behind the kissing couple
Enjoying the view of the bay and the barking sea lions
Nice view of the San Francisco Skyline on the elevated bridge connecting Pier 39 to the parking garage
A nice view of alcatraz and the Bay from Pier 39’s elevated walkway
Shooting through the iron fencing
Shooting through the iron fencing
Pier 7’s lights casting a lovely glow on the couple and water
The Bay Bridge and skyscrapers lit up at night
Looking for some creative engagement photos in the San Francisco area? Bay Area Wedding and Engagement Photographer Chris Schmauch makes you both look simply amazing! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Engagement” Posts:
Tags: bay are engagement photographers, bay area engagement photography, bay bridge, carousel, carousel engagement photos, engagement photos at night, harrison, night, pier 39, pier 39 engagement photos, pier 7, rachel and jonathan, san francisco engagement photographers, san francisco engagement photography
Here’s a couple pics from tonight’s romantic “available light only” engagement session with Jonathan and Rachel. It was windy so I couldn’t bring along my usual lighting rig – but it was fun (and quicker) to shoot without so much staging. We started at Pier 39 in San Francisco, and ended at Pier 7 (by the Ferry Building) and the Bay Bridge. More to come!
Looking for some creative engagement photos in the city of San Francisco? Bay Area Wedding and Engagement Photographer Chris Schmauch makes you both look simply amazing! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Engagement” Posts:
Tags: bay area engagement photographers, bay area engagement photography, bay bridge, carousel, embarcadero, engagement, engagement photography, engagement photos, harrison st., jonathan, night, ocean, pier, pier 39, rachel, san francisco engagement photographers, san francisco engagement photography
I met Sandi and Andrei in the parking lot of the Westside Santa Cruz Safeway along with the rest of their families. This intimate Russian and Chinese union was made all the more special by the small gathering of only the immediate family and best friends. It happened to be incredibly windy at Panther Beach – even more so than usual! But the gusts didn’t deter the couple from going through with the nuptials one bit. After the quick ceremony by a common friend, I too Sandi and Andre down to the beach for more photos of just the two of them. Below are some of my favorite photos from their elopement / small beach wedding. Enjoy!
The wedding guests waving in a group photo
It was really REALLY windy!
Bride and groom embracing on the cliff edge
Bride and groom jumping for joy on the bluffs above Panther Beach
Bride and groom on the bluff overlooking Panther Beach
Bride and groom kissing in a field of yellow flowers
The natural bridge and ocean in a wide couple shot
Bride and groom facing the ocean in the arch of the natural bridge
Gorgeous rock texture, black and white bride and groom.
Black and white, bride and groom holding hands in the shadow of the rock
Bride getting a piggy back ride by the ocean
Bride and groom holding hands in front of the big orange rock at Panther Beach
Waves splashing against a rock while the bride and groom kiss
Sneaking a kiss with the ocean in the background
Running on the beach
Looking for some creative elopement photos on the beach in Santa Cruz? Bay Area Wedding and Engagement Photographer Chris Schmauch makes you both look simply amazing! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Elopement” Posts:
- About This Post
-
Wow. What an amazing venue Jerissa and Kyle chose for their destination – Gloria Ferrer Wine Caves and Vineyards is set up on a hill in Sonoma, California with vast, panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards and countryside. This was my first wedding at Gloria Ferrer, and I truly can’t wait to come back. I was warned multiple times that the “caves” are dark and the lighting is terrible, but anyone who follows my work knows I scoff in the face of “bad light” – challenge accepted! The real challenge on J&K’s wedding day was the WIND. Dear Lord, was it ever windy! Luckily the outdoor ceremony was protected with wind screens, so the intimate 21-person nuptials went off without a hitch – and just a *little* veil swayage in the breeze 🙂 Luckily, the rest of the evening was in the wine CAVE – beautifully lit with candles (so yeah, not much available light here), but the ambience – especially once Daisy and Mickey from Daisy Rose Flowers got those amazing candlelit flower centerpieces up! Since this was a small destination wedding, the reception was more like an intimate dinner party – but that isn’t to say there weren’t moving speeches, tearful father/daughter & mother/son dances, and much laughter and joy. Congrats to this lovely couple – it was a long time coming, but I know you knew it would always lead to this day.
Here’s my favorite photos from Jerissa and Kyle’s wedding. Feel free to comment below!
- Booking Info
-
Interested in booking a GoodEye wedding? Check out my wedding packages and availability before you contact me.
- About Chris (GoodEye)
- Chris Schmauch loves weddings – from intimate elopements, to grand events with your 1,000 closest friends – it’s truly an honor to participate in, and be responsible for capturing all the fleeting moments throughout the day. Based in Santa Cruz, but traveling all over the Bay Area and beyond, consider taking advantage of Chris’ talent to capture your wedding the way you envision it (i.e. as amazing as possible).
Looking for a skilled wedding photographer familiar with Gloria Ferrer Wine Caves & Vineyards in Sonoma, California? San Francisco / Bay Area Wedding and Engagement Photographer Chris Schmauch makes you look like a superstar! Call (831) 216-6210 or fill out this nifty contact form (for serious inquiries only).
Recent “Wedding Photography” Posts:
by Chris Schmauch
no comments
add a comment link to this post email a friend