I just want to thank Adapt Clothing for letting me hang out and document their first store opening. I’m happy to say it was a good day in the SFC and a lot of supporters came out to show love,  not to mention, I had some of the best tacos I’ve ever tasted courtesy of Senor Sisig.  It was really an all around successful grand opening and I was honored to have some of our work displayed on the wall.  If you guys find your self in San Francisco check out the Adapt Clothing store and say wassup to my homeboy, Evan, for me.

We spent a day with Erma and Al and let me tell you, it was non-stop jokes.  Being that they are both from San Francisco it made sense to do their engagement session there.  We wanted it very low key; less about the location and what they’re wearing but more about them.  With their two kids with Erma’s mother it was fun watching them interact with each other.  Uninterrupted.  We definitely can’t wait for these two to tie the knot!  The party in itself is going to be off the hook!!

We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding to round out our wedding season of 2011.  We literally spent all day with Wenjie and Ashley, venturing off to the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco to do a first look, pre-wedding session,  to capturing their ten-course dinner reception at The Legendary Palace in Oakland.  It was definitely a beautiful day for a wedding for such a well-deserving couple.

It took barely an hour for this show to sell out after the announcement was made online.  The house was packed by those eager to see Los Rakas and Mos Def perform.  For those lucky enough to score tickets to the show, Mos Def announced that this performance would be the last time that he would perform in the Bay by his infamous moniker, “Mos Def“.  Most gasped in disbelief but sighed a little relief when he stated that he will, after 2011, go by his Muslim name, “Yasiin” and provided the crowd with a sample of what to look forward to.  Read more on his announcement here.

Another successful event by the Hip-Hop.com and Ankh Marketing  crew who partnered with Another Planet to bring this show to fruition.  Always an honor to photograph for them.

Mos Def watching Nas perform his Illmatic set. I think his image says a lot about being a fan of hip hop..

What an amazing line up.  We were, once again, very honored to cover Rock The Bells SF at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View for Hip-Hop.com.  With artists such as Common, Black Star, Nas and Lauryn Hill on the bill we wanted to give a different perspective to those who weren’t able to attend.  We wanted those who view our images to feel as though they were right there.  You see, Rock The Bells is more than just performances, it’s about a culture.  With so many people converging into one location to celebrate all things hip-hop it would be crazy for anyone who considers themselves a fan of hip-hop to not have been present for this event.  Thanks again to Hip-Hop.com for giving us the opportunity to cover this event.

A few months ago, Alhea contacted me about photographing her and James’s engagement session.  A few months later, we were off in the boroughs of San Francisco snapping away.  We started off the day grabbing a few shots of espressos and tea and hiked our way through Sutro Heights Park.  I have to hand it to them, they were a little nervous at first since they weren’t sure what they were supposed to do or how to act in front of the camera but they eased up fairly quickly.  We couldn’t stop laughing most of the time and that is exactly what we wanted from them.  Nothing forced or fabricated.  Just have fun and be themselves.  We may have broken the law a few times during the day but it’s was all in good fun.

Alhea & James. . . thanks trusting our creative vision.  Thanks for risking your necks for this shoot and being open to photograph just about anywhere.  (“I should go call the cops.”)  Here’s to Hawaii 2012!

I went to the Skratch Pad the other night to record DJ Snayk Eyez’s set for the DMC finals. After seeing him perform in front of a live crowd, I can say he’s definitely ready to take it all. Snayk, you got this homie!!

There are some things in life that people take for granted but they don’t realize it until their world completely changes.  In this case, it’s not some profound epiphany nor is it something emotion driven.  It’s simply is: alone time.  You see, people who don’t have kids don’t get it but for those who do, alone time is something that is, for the most part, nonexistent.  Having 4 kids of our own, the only alone time Amari and I seem to have together is when we’re actually on a shoot and well, when the kids fall asleep.  (But, *ahem*, that’s another story. . .)  It’s a common story really.  Most people who are married with kids can empathize.  For Del & Marnie, photographing their anniversary session was a welcome break of alone time from their busy schedules and their two adorable young boys.  Now, don’t get us wrong, we love the kids. . . but sometimes, parents just need that breather to reconnect with one another.

We basically ventured off in San Francisco, touring parts of China Town and Little Italy.  Not really having a set route we set off with our cameras and walking shoes in tow and, well, just kicked it.  We found a quaint Thai restaurant for lunch which surprisingly had a well-stocked bar.  Knocking a couple Patron shots, Marnie and I took full advantage of not having to worry about packing a car seat right after our meal.  Simple pleasures.  It was a fun shoot and we got some really cool shots of them.  We laughed hard.  Mostly at Amari, which is always fun.  ;-)

Del & Marn, thanks for the laughs!  Love you guys!

Eric and Ann, thank you so much for the opportunity to photograph your special day.  I enjoyed every minute of it.  I loved how you both opened up your home and made it a big family party which I think says a lot about you two as a couple, genuinely loving and caring.  I can go on for days talking about about how fun it was, about all the shot’s that were taken or just about all the moments in general that allowed me tell this beautiful story.

Ann, you looked absolutely beautiful–so excited and full of smiles.  I’ll never forget how your face would light up every time you told someone:  ”I’m a Manuel n0w!”

Eric, dude, you had a taco truck at your reception!  There’s nothing I can say but, “You the man!”  Lol!  Those tacos were on hit! Forreal!  But honestly, Eric, you have all the makings of a good husband and you are a true family man.

Shout out to Christian Antonio for doing an amazing job second shooting and congrats Eric and Ann! I wish you two nothing but the best on your journey together.

To contact us, please email us at info@foot-candles.com.

Wilnea and Morris have been together for years after first meeting each other at a New Years Eve celebration so when Morris said he had a surprise for her, she expected what any long term girlfriend expected–to him put a ring on it!  Little did she expect that he was going to gift her a horse.  Not to worry, the ring didn’t follow long afterwards.

Because they spend so much time at the stables not tending to their two horses we wanted to incorporate that as part of their engagement session.  We also ventured to Golden Gate Park to snap a few images of them there as well.