Sal's Birthday

It was a pleasure to be part of baby Sal's first birthday celebration. He was such a joy to photograph.

Alexia's Birthday

Alexia's friend made this special birthday cupcake tree. Everything was edible including the flowers. Happy Birthday Alexia

So this friendly blue bird started hanging out on our front porch......

He was so comfortable with us he flew over my husband's hand for some special bird seed treat

Lohse Family

We knew Ralph and Belinda before they got married. As they started their family, we were eager to baby sit their babies. Now that the kids are grown up, it's a joy to get a wonderful family portrait of them at the Rose Garden and the Egyptian Museum.

Baby Celestyna's Baptism

Baby Celestyna had a special baptism at the St. Peter Paul church in San Francisco. She was such a good girl and seemed to really enjoy her baptism. Mom and Dad and all of their family was quite happy to enjoy her special day as well.

Caterina and Filippo

2 weeks after Caterina & Filippo's wedding in Sicily, they flew to California for their honeymoon to see California. Caterina brought her wedding gown and Filippo his tux for a photo shoot in San Francisco. They wanted some wonderful shots of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. We were so lucky San Francisco had the best weather that day! Click on their photo album below to see more of their photos.

Then they wanted more shots in Sonoma for more of their honeymoon adventure.  They were such a delight to be with.

The Night of the Henna

It is celebrated by most groups in the areas where henna grew naturally: Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Christians are among the cultures that celebrated marriages by adorning the bride, and often the groom, with henna.

Both the bride and groom had henna decorated on their hands.

The henna tradition used to adorn their hands in preparation to meet their husbands widely popular in the Mediterranean and middle eastern culture. Their intricate and quite decorative is quite beautiful to photograph.
The henna in this bride is much darker, which I believe they used the black henna. 

Semaya and Alomary

It was a pleasure to meet Semaya and Alomary.

They were quite shy and so sweet and tender to each other.

David and Debbie

Debbie and David have the kindest heart. I was in tears watching David console his mother during their dance. Debbie was so sweet and was so calm through her wedding day. Best wishes to a wonderful couple! (Film by Clarisse Balistreri Video, Production by my wonderful friend Chris Dasilva, Da Silva Video.)

Marguerite and Jordan - Just the way you look tonight!

We were so excited to travel to San Diego for Marguerite and Jordan's wedding. Everyone had so much fun including us! To Marguerite and Jordan, wishing you a wonderful beginning ...on the journey to a lifetime of love.