Portrait Design by Shanti wins Two Bright LIghts Editor Choice Award

As a testament to my outstanding clients, and my commitment to producing the best-of-the-best wedding photography, I am thrilled to announce that I have been selected as a winner of a 2014 Two Bright Lights Editors' Choice Award!

The award is given in recognition of the those whose number of published features in 2013 placed them among the top 5% of all Two Bright Lights members. Winners were published across many of the most respected lifestyle, wedding and other print and digital publications in the United States and worldwide.

I am honored to be part of this group of talented photographers and creative professionals. My features this past year have enabled me to increase exposure for my work, and I am thrilled to have been recognized for my endeavors.

In 2013, I had the privilege of being published in the following publications:

http://www.ilovefarmweddings.com/2013/05/23/amanda-will-san-gregorio-california-barn-wedding/

http://poptasticbride.com/2013/06/mountain-view-oakland-wedding/#.Uw-Cff10wpE

http://www.weddingwindow.com/blog/waterfront-wedding-rebecca-evan/

http://www.ilovefarmweddings.com/2013/06/05/jennifer-travis-half-moon-bay-california-wedding/

http://www.lovewedbliss.com/real-weddings/traditional-weddings/half-moon-bay-golf-links-wedding-from-portrait-design-by-shanti/

http://www.swoonedmagazine.com/blog/post/redwood_forest_wedding_california

http://www.diybride.com/blog/2013/08/19/lisa-heinzs-iridescent-diy-garden-wedding/

http://poptasticbride.com/2013/08/hotel-vitale-rooftop-wedding/#.Uw-Cqf10wpE

http://www.ceremonyblog.com/2013/10/01/real-wedding-amy-matt/

http://www.lucydylanweddings.com/2013/10/22/real-wedding-irene-dan/

http://blog.weddingstar.com/md-heart-of-san-francisco/

http://www.valleyandcoblog.com/2014/01/just-wed-a-classic-green-and-white-wedding/

http://www.brendasweddingblog.com/blogs/2014/1/20/a-purple-beach-wedding-along-the-coast-of-half-moon-bay-california

http://poptasticbride.com/2014/02/monterey-beach-wedding/#.Uw-C8_10wpE

Thanks to all of the other creative professionals who made these features possible!

To see more of my work, or to get in touch about my services, please visit www.portraitsbyshanti.com

San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Photographer// Half Moon Bay Wedding Photographer// Northern California Wedding Photographer

I just wanted to share with you some of my favorite wedding shots from the last few years. Enjoy! This is part 1 of 2 … much more coming in the next few weeks. So many great memories.

Thank you

Oceano Hotel and Spa, Half Moon Bay

Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

Liquid Sky, Half Moon Bay

Peninsula Country Club, San Mateo

Del Monte Beach House, Monterey

Creekside Terrace, Los Gatos

Mission Ranch, Carmel

Long Branch Saloon, Half Moon Bay

Pema Osel Ling, Watsonville

Half Moon Bay Golf Links, Half Moon Bay

Diablo Country Club, Danville

City Club, San Francisco

Ralston Mansion, Belmont

Kohl Mansion, Burlingame

Sam's Chowder House, Half Moon Bay

JW Marriot, San Francisco

Wedding Photography in Saratoga / Jason and Tijana, Sanborn County Park

What I loved about this wedding is watching this from the perspective of a mother. I have had the pleasure of knowing Jason’s mother for the last ten years, and have admired the way she has been able to raise her two grown kids while nurturing her two babes, run a successful business, and be an amazing partner in her marriage. Watching Lauren at her son’s wedding and how proud she is of seeing all that she has given to her children and be able to live in this magical journey on such a special day left me feeling fulfilled. She has given them roots and now in turn gets to watch them blossom into amazing adults in their next chapter of life.

There is so much respect and love between Jason and Tijana that as a photographer capturing the chemistry between them was pretty darn easy, and inspiring. Talk about a rustic and simple venue that elegantly contrasted the beauty and shabby chic style that Jason and Tijana brought into their day. Sanborne County Park in Saratoga has a beautiful redwood cathedral that instilled the peace and love these two have with nature. Their ceremony was so perfectly orchestrated by Reverent Lisa Warner-Carey, I don’t know why I love female officiants, but I do. I think it has something to do with the intuitive love us women have for romance. I love, love , love the dress that was chosen for this day, an elegant classic dress from Simone Carvalli that would have been beautiful in a ballroom setting, but take it out to nature and it is amplified a thousand times over in its beauty. In fact all the details of the day were so perfectly chosen from the cake with bark like elements from Studio Cake in Menlo Park, to the simple and breathtaking designs of the flowers from Willi Wildflower. It was a perfect day for Jason and Tijana and I am so glad I was the one to capture it!

Wedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor WeddingWedding Portraits by Shanti DuPrez / Rustic Elegance Outdoor Wedding

Wedding Ceremony and Reception Venue: Sanborn County Park, Saratoga, CA

Wedding Photographer: Portrait Design by Shanti

Wedding Flowers: Willi Wildflower in Capitola

Wedding Cake: Studio Cake in Menlo Park

Wedding DJ: Denon & Doyle, Pleasant Hill, CA

Wedding Officiant: Reverend Lisa Warner-Carey of Half Moon Bay Community United Methodist Church

Wedding Dress: Simone Carvalli

Bride's Shoes: Lulu Townsend

Groom's Attire: Vera Wang

Bridesmaids Dresses: Bill Levkoff

Wedding Photography in Monterey, CA / Del Monte Beach House / Jenna and Trevor

Talk about the world working in amazing ways. Something about the way Jenna approached life (you see we briefly met on Facebook as I saw she became a huge fan of my work) made me want to be the one to capture this wedding for her. She embraces life with every ounce of her being and loves everyone to its fullest. That was just my first impression, not knowing her, never meeting, yet both agreeing that this was “a perfect match”, I had the extreme pleasure of capturing her wedding in the breathtaking location of Monterey. I rarely go into a wedding blind (not ever meeting) but in this case, I felt like I knew Jenna forever, that’s just how she makes you feel.

My impression of Jenna was not only spot on, but also amplified by the tender love that her groom showers her and everyone they come into contact with. It’s the kind of love you feel lucky to have witnessed.

Ok, so now the venue, the day, and the details: Wow! Jenna and Trevor put so much thought into every little detail. Most of it they designed themselves or were inspired by their own passion. The location was straight out of a destination-wedding catalogue, white sandy beach, the last 45 minutes before the sun went down, barefoot in the sand, palm trees, and even sea lions frolicking in the background. Del Monte Beach House in Monterey, CA definitely is a little hidden jewel that will give you that destination feeling without the destination price tag. The reception, which was inside has floor to ceiling windows all along the beach side that gives you a perfect glimpse to the majestic surroundings without freezing your arse off (we are in northern California after all).

Jenna has a zest for dazzle that on anyone else might have been to showy, but on her, she radiated the magic surrounding her. A blue sparkly wedding dress that was matched perfectly with her beautiful bouquet created by Fleurish Floral Designs by Melody King in Carmel, CA. Their spiritual leaders, friends, and couple Rich and Yvonne Dutra-St. John beautifully guided the ceremony. And last but not least, their cuisine was amazing… a scrumptious and delightful array of vegan inspired food that Chef Bliss, better known as the groom created. The vegan cupcakes were amazing! Thank you Buttercup Cakes of Santa Cruz for putting together a great blood orange cake with almond maple frosting. I said lastly, but I forgot one detail: The dj! Oh my goodness, probably the best dj I have ever worked with. Fun, I the moment and just rocked the house down, Beachcomber Kelley, you brought the party!

My favorite moment of the night: the bride and groom dedicated Same Love by Mackelmore to all their LGBT friends. In the words of the bride, “When we were planning our wedding it was not legal to marry in California as same sex couples. Both of us have family and friends who are gay and we believe everyone has the right to marry who they love. So on this day when we're celebrating our love for each other, we wanted to recognize and honor that there are still places were bigotry exists. The song was meant to honor those in our lives who face this every day an to cast a bright, beautiful light onto their love for each other – in that way totally honoring and respecting their love as equal as our own.”

See what I mean, wonderful!

Wedding Photography by Shanti DuPrez / Del Monte Beach House Monterey / Fleurish Floral Designs / Buttercup Cakes / Beachcomber Kelley / Challenge DayWedding Photography by Shanti DuPrez / Del Monte Beach House Monterey / Fleurish Floral Designs / Buttercup Cakes / Beachcomber Kelley / Challenge DayWedding Photography by Shanti DuPrez / Del Monte Beach House Monterey / Fleurish Floral Designs / Buttercup Cakes / Beachcomber Kelley / Challenge DayWedding Photography by Shanti DuPrez / Del Monte Beach House Monterey / Fleurish Floral Designs / Buttercup Cakes / Beachcomber Kelley / Challenge DayWedding Photography by Shanti DuPrez / Del Monte Beach House Monterey / Fleurish Floral Designs / Buttercup Cakes / Beachcomber Kelley / Challenge DayWedding Photography by Shanti DuPrez / Del Monte Beach House Monterey / Fleurish Floral Designs / Buttercup Cakes / Beachcomber Kelley / Challenge DayWedding Photography by Shanti DuPrez / Del Monte Beach House Monterey / Fleurish Floral Designs / 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And they lived Blissfully ever after…