San Jose Engagement Session :: Janice & Phil

Janice loves Phil. Like, a lot. Why? Dudes drives a wicked BMW. I kinda have a man-crush on him as well. I think it's the bald head.

Yo my PEEPS!! Meet Janice and Phil. Stylish. Hot. Fun. I can already imagine how fun their wedding will be. It's gonna be a Filipino mosh-pit on the dance floor during the reception. Their wedding will be in the City at The Intercontinental Hotel.
Marriage will be made. Love will be felt. Fun will be had. Lumpia will be eaten.

Big thanks to 3 people! Firstly, thank you Cathy & Nate for referring these awesome folks to us. Secondly, thank you Ed Pingol for also referring them. :) Yeah, they came to us having been referred by 2 separate folks. HA! It's fate.
Lastly, thank you Quan D. for helping out as assistant on this one. I love this guy even more then Phil's Beemer. Even when he isn't trying, he takes good shots. All the behind the scenes were taken by him.

Thanks for the good time guys. Happy Thursday folks.

~Sam

I love the shot on the right.
From the few hours we spent together, THIS shot felt like what they are together when it's just the 2 of them. So sweet.
Phil sells drugs..... I mean, he has to right?

Quan's shot.



And........the car.
BEHIND THE SCENES. Thank you Quan. :)

Branding & Catalog Photography :: Barakah Life

My friends at Barakah Life, (Arabic for blessed/happy life) and I have yet again come together to create some more magic. With their ever expanding arsenal of goodies to decorate your life with, there is always something for everyone. Catering to the Islamic community, (though NOT just exclusively) they've created a much needed niche market for decorating your home or office with a very inspired look. They make some really pretty things. Who doesn't love handmade indie products? You owe it to yourself to stop by their BRAND NEW weblog. The design geniuses for the over all marketing and web design are powered by Azzaan Graphics. REALLY talented folks over here. (I even plan on using their services). Of course, all the images here are from yours truly.

It was another fun session Khadija. Lets do some more. :) Enjoy your Friday everyone. Be well.

~Sam

The Blue Bomber Crew

I'm a member of First Church San Jose. At our church we have a Sunday School Team bus ministry appropriately named, "The Blue Bomber Crew". The word to describe these soldiers is incredible.
Every Saturday morning they canvas the local neighborhood here in West San Jose looking for folks wanting to join us for Sunday Morning Service. That following Sunday, they wake up as early at 5 and 6 o'clock, crank up The Blue Bomber and bus in up to 200+ folks for Sunday School. At times the bus will make 3 and 4 trips through the neighborhood and back to get the people to church. This ministry is at the core of what we do at First Church. The heart beat if you will. Below are some of the faces of those that are on the front line.

To the Blue Bomber Crew, you are AWESOME. Eternity will tell the POWERFUL impact your having on our City.

Don't stop.

March on.

Reach them.

Teach them.

Love them.

Godspeed young people. We love you.

~Sam



More valuable then any Superbowl ticket you'll ever come across.


Turning our world upsidedo............

Inside joke. Blue Bomber FTW

Wedding at Oak Farm Vineyards, Lodi Ca. :: Sarah & Clay

Here's another one I've been waiting to blog. Good grief, THIS wedding was crazy. Sarah & Clay got married at this amazing place. Oak Farm Vineyards is just off The 5 in Lodi California. Who knew such an great place was nestled away in Lodi!? Whats more about this wedding was all the friends I got to see. The Rock in the house!!

Current brides, have look. The group shots were the result of good planning and providing enough time. Extra time = Extra Awesomes. You guys spoiled the photographers. :) THANK YOU! This set is also proof positive that a second shooter is SO good to have. Quan killed it. I think this is the most shots I've showcased of his in any given wedding. You did awesome good sir.

Lastly, if you found yourself drooling over the suits the gentlemen were wearing, you should know they were all hand tailored by my friends over at R.Douglas Custom Clothiers. I see this as a no-brainer. Your groomsmen are gonna fork over a couple hundred on a rented tux as is. For another few bills, they can all be "Double OH Awesome". Best part, when the wedding is over they get to KEEP the suit. Check em out: R. Douglas Custom Clothiers. They run great specials for wedding parties.

Friends and family, please feel free to say a word or 2 to the newlyweds i n the comment section below. Visiting photographers, tell Quan how bad he is.

Happy Tuesday folks.
Shot by Quan




Shot by Quan



Shot by Quan

Shot by Quan
Shot by Quan
J. Crew called, they want their models back.
A random formal. The Gentlemen on the far left and right are both hero's of mine. Just wanted to post it. :)

they thought of everything, argile socks included.


Shot by Quan

This was WOW. Shot by Quan


Among my favorite group shots ever.



Custom lining!? I wish I was this cool. Actually, I am. I own a suit made by RDouglas. ;)

This cake smelled SOOOO good.This shot was not Photo-shoped.


A behind the scenes shot. Thanks for stopping by folks. :)