There’s something flammable about Katie and Shawn’s engagement session… I had a big smile on my face editing these photos and was in need of lots of coffee and some post rock music… 😀 Katie and Sean are getting married in the beautiful Oceano Hotel.
Dearest Beth and James,
Your dream has come true – 6 years ago, it was you, James, whom Beth chose to dance with, at this beautiful event with all the people who loved both of you. You had to play “hard to get” in order to get this most amazing woman. During Thanksgiving of 2009, among all the things that people were thankful for, Beth had the most amazing one – her boyfriend whom she was deeply in love with, finally proposed…
And Beth, you are one of the simplest, humblest, purest and most loving women I have seen. You shared every bit of yourself and gave every bit of love you have to your beloved… when you said with much pride: “I, am the luckiest one who married James!” on your wedding day, your beautiful face lit up and the whole world could not help but falling in love with you too, including me… You both have worked so hard to be together and it was that special day, when you finally danced as husband and wife – for the first time. May you both keep dancing together, for a long lifetime …
xoxoxo…
view slide show here.
I shared this amazing journey with my beloved couple Sharon and Viresh in South Africa. During this journey, I discovered not only the beautiful scenes in Pilanesburg, Johannesburg and the AMAZING Cape Town, but also the warmest hospitality from Chana/Kara family and the Indian community, and most importantly, the amazing friendship of all the friends I shared this journey with. Many thanks to Tiffany for helping me on luggage and internet; to Sarah & Mark, Brian & Kelly for driving us all around in Cape Town; to Derrick for helping me on lighting and many other chores; to Sneha for finding me the Indian dress; To Neetesh for being such a good host; to Coleen and Tom for loaning props; to Daniel, Eric, Linda and Suling for helping organizing … and most of all, big THANKS to Sharon and Viresh to make all of these happen and sharing a “group honeymoon” with all of us… I’m truly grateful to share such an amazing trip with such amazing people.
I will be posting more photos from the trip…
Love, Jasmine
Heather first met Sean when she was 14. Two young kids were in love – then chased their dreams separately. She showed me a picture of Sean when he was really young, I saw a young blonde handsome half naked dude in the photo. Wow! I yelled out loud. Where did the time go? I looked at them smiling to each other in such peaceful way, then I realized – whatever happened in the past didn’t not matter – what matters is now, they are now together.
Blessings to you, my dear friends… I look forward to capture more beautiful images on your wedding day.
Herman watched youtube clips before he proposed – the crime scene was set on the ocean beach close to cliff house where the marathon ends, Wendy was going to run the marathon that day and he was planning to propose right after she reached the destination. Thank god there’s youtube! In a movie clip a guy attempt to propose when the poor girl was totally out of breath after running the marathon, she creamed:”no, not here!!!” uh-oh – that’s a bad idea! Herman recomposed the scene to the beach nearby – rose petals had to be in the picture, gave her some time to breath and rest, then proposed with one knee down – result… Wendy said: “you are finally doing it!”…total success.
It was Wendy first send a love note to Herman during class when they were both in high school, and it was Wendy who also broke up with him. 20 years has past, they completely lost contact. When they somehow reconnect, it was freaky – without meeting each other in person, here are the questions back and forth: “Which high school did you go to?””uh…Mission High…why? “Herman Ma!” “Woo, how do you know my last name?” … so after 20 years, their love story continued…
At the of their engagement session, Herman said to Wendy: you are so beautiful, I would propose again if I didn’t…
Lily and Andreas met each other for the first time over 10 years ago. Under the wrong impression that Andreas was engaged with someone else, every time Lily met Andreas she was wondering where was his significant other…? Not until much later, they realized there wasn’t such a person, hence romance began…
In the movie Julia and Julie, Julia Child asked her husband Paul: “what if you didn’t fall in love with me?” Paul said” but I did…” and here came all the stories happened in Paris and a birth of one of the greatest French cook books in the American history. There are way too many what ifs around us, I don’t know about you, I constantly ask myself the what ifs – some are way too silly, like – what if I never became a photographer… what if I never lived in San Francisco… I started to believe everything happens for a very good reason and meant to be. And like many other things that are meant to be, after all of these years missing each other, Lily and Andreas did fall in love… The wedding is going to be at the beautiful Oceano Hotel at Half Moon Bay, like a fairy tale finally comes true…
I look forward to the big day, Lily and Andreas… xoxo, Jasmine 
One warm afternoon in Berkeley; I was sitting in the car while D was driving us around town – I looked (and felt) like a tourist. Suddenly I saw something and randomly screamed: stop, stop please… can I take some photos here? Totally random places. I must have sounded absurd… although it must be hard for J & D to understand why I wanted to photograph them in front of a white wall; they were so patient with me, stopped and posed for me…
Impressionism is coming to town at the end of this month to our favorite DeYoung, it’s time to make a few water lily “Monet like” photos! Albany landfill was one of the coolest places I have ever photographed, thanks J for introducing it to me!
Beautiful Monique,
Seven years ago this day, you and Raymond chose to give your hearts to each other… how would you have known what a wonderful decision that would turn out to be? You have been Raymond’s first and last girlfriend, until he proudly called you “my beautiful wife”… In many sense, I truly think you both are the luckiest in the world. There’s no greater gift in the world than sharing a life together, and now you gave this gift to each other. What a privilege to be the first, last and the only one for a life time…
I have seen you cried – when you and Raymond came to meet with me for the first time, one of my photo albums reminded you of the vows you have taken – your cried; when I photographed your engagement session, we relived the nostalgic moment at the City Hall, you cried; on your wedding day at the Bridges, you cried… there’s no greater evidence of love for one to see, so precious, so crystal clear, so beautiful.
Best wishes to both of you,
xoxo, Jasmine
Dear friends,
Today I want to share with you some of my favorite new albums. When DHL delivered them this morning I could hardly wait to see… each time I saw a new album I made for our beautiful couples – I feel soooo excited and anxious to see how my bride and groom will like them. As I have left so much of heart and thoughts into them, I hope you all like what you see…
Love, Jasmine
Both Eddie and I agree that Jennifer is not only beautiful, but also strong and determined. She made things happen… the photo session was canceled due to weather; we somehow made it work when it stopped raining in the afternoon, although it was windy and freezing at Treasure Island. She was shaking but fearless in the wind… Love, was deeply rooted in her heart, to keep her warm, loving, strong and fearless… it shows so clearly in the photos… a love relationship requires two people to make it happen, and there are always so much more than what we can see on the surface. I was honored to experience such level of love, and was in hope capturing such beautiful connection in my images… thanks for spending this beautiful afternoon with me.
Jasmine 
Dear Rudy and Tina,
You two put smile on my face – when I look at your photographs, they way you two look and smile at each other, the way Rudy opens the door for Tina always, the way Tina gently flips Rudy’s shirt collar… there’s so much love cannot be hidden…
25 years… you have been together sharing all the beautiful memories in life. We shared this sunny afternoon together, to you it’s a tiny fragment of time in life, to me is a beautiful experience for such deep, peaceful love – the love you share with each other and people around you…
May many more 25 years to come, Tina & Rudy…
Love, Jasmine
To my dear friends Sharon and Viresh,
I created these images for you, and for my heart. I hope they tell how much I love both of you. You two are so worldly, hard working, cultured, successful, the long list of good quality I see in you can go on and on… If it wasn’t because of your wedding, our life paths might never go cross even though we live only a few blocks away. As young couple as you are, who would expect that you have been more than 50 countries in the world so far? Who would expect one sunny afternoon, both of you appeared in my office, decided to share a journey with me for your wedding in South Africa?
And Sharon, we have shared so many moments in such short period time that I feel I have known you for so long… I see so much love in you, to Viresh, to people around you and to this beautiful world… I hope to share much longer friendship with both of you.
Much love, Jasmine
Dear Bridget and Doug,
I have to say that I did feel much of pressure photographing your wedding… a young artist bride as you with a background in film and video and work for the National Geographic Channel …oh my, you must have had very high expectations. Knowing that you loved the photographs I have captured for you, you can’t imagine how much I feel relieved!
This is another Cavallo point wedding I have photographed. You had your reception at the hall with Gregory Colbert’s large format “Ashes and Snow” series… I have always in love with his work and was honored to spend such artistic night with such artistic people. Thanks again for sharing with me for a beautiful night, and best wishes to both of you!
Love, jasmine
While coping with my sickness last month, editing Heidi and Brian’s wedding photos was such a fun and addictive favorite thing for me to do, though it took longer time than I expected. Thanks so much for understanding, Heidi and Brian! Looking at Heidi’s photos, I’m so amazed how beautiful of a bride she turned out to be… what an amazing couple. Each wedding was a unique experience to me, taking Heidi and Brian to the Union Square with the holiday lights up was a highlight! Union Square suits Heidi, her super star charm has drawn everyone’s attention…
Many thanks to Amanda Gall, owner of Romantique Weddings for the amazing design and generous help on the wedding day.
Josselyn and Matt were so excited with their up coming 1920 wedding earlier this year, when they just met me. It’s amazing how fast time goes by, before we realized it, it has come to the end of the year and it was their big day already… and now the 2010 New Year is just around the corner, with such beautiful memories, I think we can call 2009 a thoughtful, beautiful and fruitful year. We’ve made it… with grace and love. Nothing makes us feel better than knowing the most important person in our lives are with us, in our hearts. Thank you Matt and Josselyn, for enduring me the paparazzi on your wedding day. It all turned out beautiful. Hope you had a wonderful time in Australia, and Happy New Year!
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey
View the slide show here.
A few images from their rehearsal dinner at San Francisco Golden Gate Yatch Club, many thanks to Kathy Goodman, Well Rehearsed for her beautiful state of art planning and arrangement:
Monique and Raymond were married in the city hall a few months ago. Yet there will be a grandeur wedding and this cute “engagement session” got all of us into the mood… Monique, Raymond and I ended up hanging out in a Chinese restaurant. After we were fed, photo session continued… the restaurant is right in their photos as background, so I know exactly which one we went to despite the fact that I get lost in Chinatown every time. And thanks for the quick bite, Monique and Raymond! I loved spending time with you, driving around, chatting, and photographing.
Jenn and Darek first saw my slideshow of Ted and Teresa’s wedding at San Francisco Palace Hotel, and a year later, they flew from Seattle and got married at this beautiful place – Palace hotel… still so vintage, classic and graceful.
view slideshow here.
Shannon, Troy, Nyah (Bonbobee) and I had a great time at Palace of Fine arts in a lovely warm afternoo. How sunny and gold in the beautiful fall in San Francisco. Here are the photos, hope you all like them too…
There was this very warm feeling photographing Stefanie and Rudy’s wedding. We started at Rose Hotel where there are roses in every corner in the hotel; then headed to Casa Real Ruby Hill Winery in Pleasanton. Warn, gold, lively, amazing feeling. Here to share some photos with you…
View slideshow here.
Ashley and Eddie got married at the beautiful winery Sebastiani Winery. They danced in such loving notes:
Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldn’t see
For parting my lips
When I couldn’t breathe
Thank you for loving me
You pick me up when I fall down
You ring the bell before they count me out
If I was drowning you would part the sea
And risk your own life to rescue me…
Best wishes to both of you, my beautiful bride and groom. Your both look so gorgeous … I still remember the moment when Eddie saw Ashley walk down to the isle, you cried… yet I haven’t seen many men being happier…
Speicial thanks to Shannon burns, NV Custom Events for making such a beautiful wedding happen; Barbara Rose from Sebastiani for taking care of us so well; Alex Keys from Thomas Hughes Video for working so closely with me on lighting; and the talented Officiant Marvin Wray from Napa Seventh Day Adventist…
To view slideshow click here. Engagement session photos click here.
Gena and Isaac have been in each other’s lives for over 10 years. It was such a long wait for the dream to finally come true; the promise is a real one. The wedding was more than beautiful. Hope both of you had fun in Paris and Italy; I cannot tell you how jealous I am… there’s such a long, promising, and loving life ahead of you; with good and bad, fun and challenges, laughs and tears – all require much love and patience. Best wishes to both of you, my dear new neighbors! I look forward to bumping into you from time to time and continue to be your friend…
Xoxo, jasmine
Dear Ivory and Laurence,
I knew you are a special one when I first met you – thanks for picking me to photograph your wedding, I truly hoped that I would have the opportunity and it came true… I loved hanging out with you and getting to know you – Hope you enjoyed Europe for your honeymoon. Your wedding was such a special one to me; it was special because of you.
爱情也可以是如此简单真挚，你能陪她一时的难过，你能陪她肩上的压力，你能给她身体的温度，你能给她生活的方向… 谁都可以看得到，你们在一起好般配，好快乐… 祝你们这样快乐到永久。
Wedding ceremony was held at Hakone Garden in Saratoga, reception at the Four Seasons Palo Alto.
Special thanks to Amazae Special Events and Nicole Ha floral design – truly a pleasure to work with such amazing designers, the wedding turned out so beautiful. Was impressed by the gifted makeup artist Ann Ho from Styles by Ann. I’m thankful to be able to work with all these talented people.
A classic wedding at Napa valley Country Club, Nicole and Patrick’s wedding was so tiffany blue. On the top of the golf course, there was a 360 degree view looking down the entire valley – we were able to take some photos there; although Nicole and Patrick was just married, holding the champagne glasses celebrating – photo session was not as appealing to them 🙂
Oceano Hotel at Half Moon Bay is like a hidden gem overlooking the ocean at Half Moon Bay with an amazing view. Karen and Sean of course fell in love with this place right away, it turned out that it was such a sweet wedding! Nancy Nerhan, the wedding & event planner at the hotel did every efforts to make sure we had access to the amazing places such as the spa , the mall area. I loved the interior of the hotel, quite antique look. Sean is a musician; we were quite amazed by his performance at the end of the reception…
When Rocio walked down to the aisle, Nick looked at her coming to him with tears in his eye… it was truly the first time he saw her in her beautiful wedding dress. The speech Nick gave was the most touching one – with tears in his eye, he said: “this is the best woman for me! Not for you guys…”
View slideshow, and engagement session.
Venue: Kohl Mansion
Wedding planner and event designer: MB Wedding Design & Events.
Florist: Asiel Design
