Lori & Mario - Engagement Shoot

They met while working at the Elephant Bar, mostly agree that their first date was at P.F. Changs, and firmly believe that the third time's a charm.  Lori and Mario are one of the most adorable couples I've met yet.  For their engagement session this week, they brought out the big guns.  A full wardrobe, including some fan-tab-u-lous shoes, a gorgeous rose garden, and not one, but four classic cars!  I can't wait to see what their wedding next month will bring, but I'm sure it will be absolutely stunning, and I'm so glad to be a part of it!

Lori, I have just one word for you here:  RAWR.

You are a very lucky man, Mario.

A quick wardrobe change, and on to car number three, the Chevelle!

Channeling the Blues Brothers....

These last two shots make me smile every time.  You know it's true love when even a mock proposal brings this much joy!

Blackhawk Museum Roundup

Here are a few more shots from the Blackhawk Museum.  Sometimes, I just can't help myself!

Be sure to stop by our booth at First and M Streets in Livermore this weekend if you're in town for the Livermore Wine Country Festival!

Who doesn't love a good pink car?

Happy Friday folks!  Hope to see you over the weekend!

The Smiley Face Project - VW Bus

A while back, American Express ran a commercial where each scene was a photo of everyday items formed into a smiley face of sorts.  Josh and I thought this was pretty neat, so I've embarked on The Smiley Face Project.  It's an ongoing thing, and I'll post photos as I take them.  First up, the VW Bus!

Yellow Cars

I used to drive the end-all of yuppies car-- a bright yellow Ford Escape.  Yes, yellow.  I like bright colors, and, well, I have a tendency to lose my car in parking lots and especially garages.  It usually results in me starting at the bottom of the garage, and simply walking up the floors until I find it.

In any event, I have a tendency to get a little attached to my cars, and the Bananamobile was no different.  So, when the time came to trade it in, it was a little bittersweet.  I drove home in a brand-spanking new Jeep Wrangler, which I LOVE, but felt more than a little bad when the salesperson told me that my beloved Escape would likely be scrapped for parts.  Poor Banana.

Then, down in Monterey on my wedding day, as I walked over to the hair salon, I glanced to my right and saw to my complete disbelief my Bananamobile right there in the parking lot!  It hadn't been scrapped for parts after all!  I like to think it was there to wish me a happy marriage, but that's just me.  Here's another yellow car that happily wasn't scrapped for parts.

Blackhawk Museum

It's been a very busy two months at my place.  While kicking off wedding season with shows, meetings, and some truly fun and fabulous couples, we've also been putting together a new booth for Twisted Rock Photography, and building up new inventory for the Livermore Wine Country Festival (more on that soon!).  I'm told most people like to take the entire winter to do this.  We somehow decided to go with two months.  As such, the UPS man and I are really getting to know each other, our living room has been transformed into a veritable art gallery, and I'm just now getting around to blogging the rest of the photos from our Easter visit to the Blackhawk Museum.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

My favorite era for the automobile is the 1930s through 1960s.  I love a big, curvy land yacht, especially in an outrageously bright color.  The lines and contours flow effortlessly, and nothing can beat the variety and style of the hood ornaments.  I know it sounds totally un-environmental, but I love those cars.  Here's my plea to the auto industry: We've come a long way since the 50s, so let's build really good-looking cars again, but with more efficient engines and today's technologies.  Bring back some of that classic styling!

In any event, the Blackhawk Museum has a great collection, and, as Josh said, I must've had a really good time shooting, because after 15 minutes, I was still only 5 feet into the gallery.  On to some photos!

My dad used to have an 80s-issue Oldsmobile with a linear speedometer.  Granted, it was digital, but still not nearly as stylish as this one.  And, hello, mint green!

I spent a ton of time with this Plymouth Fury.  I love the Fury logo, and the fins, but with the eight bazillion spotlights above, finding an angle that worked took some finagling.

Happy Monday, folks!

Blackhawk Museum - Preview

Here's a sneak peak from our visit to the Blackhawk Museum in Danville....

Happy Tuesday!