Jared Alvarez :: Wedding and portrait photographer in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Sacramento

Bay Area High School Senior Photographer // Julie

Jared — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:30:54 +0000

Julie, mom and I met up over Starbucks only recently. Why? Because Julie had procrastinated in getting her High School Senior pics done. Why? ’Cause she didn’t like the cheesy stuff she was seeing. Me either! :) So glad Julie has good taste.

So a mutual acquaintance connected us and there we sat, talking about Julie’s wardrobe and theme and location over an iced, grande, upside-down Caramel Macchiato (my drink). Well, the weather kind of shot down our theme as it was raining off-and-on, but the location and wardrobe worked out. And Julie was a natural in front of the camera! She made it so easy. All I had to do was push the button.

So here are some teasers: Enjoy!

PS – More of these on film to come after I get them back from the lab. Should be coolness!

PPS – Turtle! Fire!! (That’s for Julie)

Bay Area Family Photographer // Bryce & Ella in harmony

Jared — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:07:28 +0000

Had the chance to shoot for my friends Scott & Erica from Napa the other day. It was an awesome shoot with their two hilarious kids, Bryce and Ella. Bryce is learning the piano and Ella is a violinist, hence the theme. Much thanks to Erica’s brain for wanting to be out-o’-the-box on this and do something really cool.

Along the way we also got a cow anatomy lesson from Bryce…. I’m just gonna leave it at that. :) Enjoy a few teasers.

PS – Almost forgot – some of these images were captured on my newest obsession: medium format film. It’s incredible, and it will be a part of what I do from now on. Awesomeness.

San Francisco Wedding Photographer // Marisa & James & The Sunset & The Ocean & The GG Bridge

Jared — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:40:21 +0000

I had mucho fun getting drenched and gritty with Marisa and James at Baker Beach. The weather was perfect, James having done a Native American Un-Rain dance the night before. The beach had a few people around, but only a couple of weirdos in speedos – and one homeless guy who kept trying to get in the background of our pics.

Then the waves!! They were pretty awesome. Amazing surf, a few body boarders, gorgeous light, wet sand underfoot, ocean mist all around, slight breeze, and Marisa and James = recipe for awesomeness. Wish you guys the best! I know you’re wedding’s going to be beautiful. Enjoy!

Bay Area High School Senior Photographer // Sarah

Jared — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:18:12 +0000

Sorry for the long absence from blogging. Hopefully I’ll be able to do some catch-up here over the next couple of weeks. A broken interfacer doth not a consistent blogger make.

So I’m breaking silence with ‘Sarah’. Love that red hair! :) Sarah was super easy to shoot and we got some amazing shots. And on top of that, a friend of the family showed up with an antique convertible Woody – which made my job infinitely easier. Pretty girl + cool car + amazing light = incredible shots. Enjoy.

Sebastopol Wedding Photographer // Jen & Andy

Jared — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 23:40:50 +0000

Jen & Andy were rad to hang out with. Yes – I said rad. :) I had a rare opportunity to 2nd this wedding and had forgotten how much fun it was to have free reign to shoot whatever jumped in front of the lens! It was really hard narrowing it down for the blog post, but I decided to keep it straightforward and tell the story.

The venue was amazing, a little ranchita in Sebastopol. There was so much character and detail there. Their friends and family were so warm and relaxed. The wedding was billed as a fun event, there was crowd interaction during the ceremony, and I LOVED the MOSH PIT KISS!! :) Jen and Andy invited everyone to crowd around them as they were pronounced husband and wife and permitted to ‘kiss the bride’. It was awesome.

Thanks mucho, Jen and Andy, for asking me to be a part and giving me the freedom to shoot your day as it unfolded in front of me. I wish you both continued happiness!

Enjoy!

Bay Area Wedding Photographer // Veronica & Will

Jared — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:34:27 +0000

Veronica & Will’s awesome wedding last Saturday. Had to get a few images up on the blog. I had a blast guys! More pics to come later.

San Francisco Wedding Photographer // My First Belly Dance

Jared — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 13:46:33 +0000

Bet that title gotcha readin’, huh? :) Super awesomeness from Holly and Ryan got bumped up a notch at the reception when Holly and friends performed a belly dance (she is a professional, ladies and gentlemen – please don’t try this at home) for friends and family. It was elegantly graceful and tastefully performed. Much applause.

Holly and Ryan’s wedding was a super fun event. Tons of personality and flair, details, awesome location, warm family and friends that made me feel so welcome – lots of reasons I enjoyed myself. AND… Holly knows how to ‘bring it’ in front of a lens – which makes my job so much easier. And Ryan didn’t do too bad himself, pretty much was a pro by the end.

Thanks so much for inviting me to be a part, you guys. I wish you much happiness. If you guys stay in love and laughin’ like you were on W-day, I see only more happiness and laughter ahead. Enjoy!

Napa Wedding Photographer // I Like Cupcakes

Jared — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:30:31 +0000

The awesomeness of homemade cupcakes CAN NOT be overstated. Alexis and James had a first date at Sweetie Pies in Napa, and the rest of the chronology of their ‘sweet’ infatuation is not clear to me as I was lost in a homemade cupcake while they recounted their tale…. All that I can remember is: they love sweets, Alexis makes cupcakes from scratch, and she gave one to me! :)

I had a blast with the lovely pâtissier, Alexis and her un-funny fiancé, James (just kidding dude, I thought you were funny) shooting in Napa near the above-mentioned Sweetie Pies. I’m really looking forward to shooting their wedding later this year, meeting their family and getting to hang-out with them more.

You guys did awesomely. And Alexis, you’re crazy for not liking that favorite pic of mine. :) Enjoy!

Brooke & Curtis – makin’ me sweat in Georgia

Jared — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:52:26 +0000

So glad I got to meet Brooke and Curtis last year, and finally shoot their wedding earlier last month in Young Harris, Georgia! yeeeee-haaww!! I love the south and southern people, with their long drawls and nice manners. The hot, muggy weather I could’ve done without, but hey, no complaints…. except for the people at the airport that forgot their deodorant. ugghh

Brooke, you were gorgeous, m’dear. Curtis, you rocked the Lynyrd Skynyrd shirt! You both, and your families, made me and ever-cool 2nd photog, Jeff Ambrose feel very welcome and at home.

The wedding was beautiful, the location was amazing, the grub was awesome, the bridal party was hilarious and fun, the ‘Trans-Gender’ golf cart still cracks me up (felonious groomsmen at work), the guns were left in the hotel room – even though the guys wanted to carry them in the ceremony, and I had fun.

Enjoy the teasers!

Image by Jeff – one of my fav’sBrooke did not tell me she had a twin sister! What a shock when I saw Brooke in the hall…. after just leaving Brooke in the getting ready room!Image by Jeff

Image by Jeff

A personal favorite

Image by Jeff

Veronia & Will – e-Session

Jared — Thu, 13 May 2010 22:38:50 +0000

Meet Veronica & Will – two clients who I like very mucho. We had fun dodging mosquitos and non-English speaking tourists at the Meritage in Napa last Saturday. The cave was amazing. Super dark but lots o’ drama. Loved it.

Thanks Veronica for choosing that location! I can’t wait to shoot with you on W-day in Livermore at lovely Poppy Ridge. Looking forward to it, you guys. Enjoy!