half moon bay wedding photography – Page 5 – Shanti Duprez Fine Portrait Photography

Fog is my friend!: Engagement Session in Half Moon Bay

Posted on May 30, 2012 | by Shanti

Sometimes you just can't pick your weather! For those of you that know my style, you know that I am a bit of a weather snob. I do like a perfect day:) However, sometimes even I have to go with the flow, as this couple whom are getting married in August, flew in for the weekend from New York… Rain or Shine it was going to happen. Luckily no rain, but we did get our very thick fog.

Now just because I like a perfect day doesn't mean that I don't equally love the fog when captured right. Fog allows the mood to set into a very subductive serene feeling. It can leave you feeling at peace. The colors, though not popping with the sunset glow, have a very pleasing monochromatic look that compliments the mood that has been established.

Now, pair that up, with a couple that really enjoy being together and well… we got success. In hind sight, I love that we had fog on this night. Thanks Lori and Matt for enduring the cold.

Portraits by Shanti / Shanti Duprez / Engagement Photography / Destination Wedding / Half Moon Bay / Pescadero / Cowell State Beach / San Gregorio Beach / Drift Wood Beach

Living in the moment! St. Marys and Diablo Country Club

Posted on May 23, 2012 | by Shanti

What makes a wedding fun to capture for me? Well this wedding pretty much sums it up. Culture, elegance, love, and carefree…. yet chaos free!

I first began talking to the bride Agustina's mom about two months ago… amazing lady. Within two months, Mercedes pulled off an elegant event for her daughter that would have take most people a year to create! Good job Mercedes! Agustina, from Argentina, is 4 months pregnant and is just glowing… was it the baby or was it the love or maybe a little bit of both! Whatever it was, Chris and Agustina were just beaming all night with the love that pored in from literally all over the world, as most of their guests, on very short notice, flew in from as far away as Argentina and Amsterdam. Amazing!

The wedding was at one of my favorite churches, St. Mary's Chapelin Moraga. It’s a beautiful campus and just a breathtaking church… but the reception, a place I had never photographed at, is simply put, nothing but elegance. Diablo Country Club is a throw back in time to what a country club used to be. Its old school charm and its elite sophistication made you feel as if you just stepped into a place for the rich and famous.

Had the mother of the bride left it at that I would have been sold… but she continued the fun and festivities with an amazing live band, a photo booth, cigars for the guys (although there were a few girls out there), and a rose petal send off at the end of the night.

I left there with a big smile on my face at the end of the night, sure I worked my tale off, but it was just so nice to see all the love that pored into this couple and a wedding and party that really came together without a glitch in sight. And ok even though I worked.. I had so much fun too!

Meant to be: Engagement Session, Half Moon Bay

Posted on April 30, 2012 | by Shanti

Although Agustina and Chris only hired me as their wedding photographer a few short months ago, with a wedding planned in May, I have loved every minute of getting to know these two and their love for each other. The wedding itself will be at St. Mary's Chapel in Moraga followed by an elegant reception at the Diablo Country Club.

Of course with a short contract, and still the desire for engagement photo's we had to act quickly… despite weather concerns. The day for this photoshoot is a day I would have normally rescheduled as the weather was crisp with a little wind… but I am so glad we pushed through, as the light was still magical and the moment still real. The results of some of my favorites are below…

Portraits by Shanti / Shanti Duprez / Half Moon Bay / Miramar Beach / Country Engagement / San Francisco

I want to get married again! Long Branch Saloon, Half Moon Bay, CA

Posted on April 24, 2012 | by Shanti

Yes, I said it! But not to anyone new… I think my husband and I could rock the Long Branch Saloon. Talk about a venue that covers it all. Kevin Palmer, the owner of Long Branch Saloon, has taken his passion to a new level. It is a picturesque, straight out of the movies, old western town feel nestled into the country side of the Half Moon Bay Coastline. He has done such a tasteful and artistic job of really bringing you back to the old days in a sweet and vintage sort of way. What I loved about the Long Branch Saloon is that you have a wedding that can be kept intimate but not confined… allowing for everyone to really enjoy the day. From bow in arrows, to miniature golf… to the old style gambling saloon complete with poker tables and roulette… if you are not a dancer, there is sure to be something for the young at heart to enjoy…. and if nothing else, kick back and enjoy the creation Mr. Palmer has pulled together… it truly is magnificent!

The couple, Vanessa and Jordan, also put their special touches on the day. From vintage wear to custom cocktails and games, this wedding was definitely a fun one!

Portraits by Shanti / Shanti Duprez / Half Moon Bay / Long Branch Saloon / Shabby Chic Wedding / Kevin Palmer / Old Western Wedding / Barn Wedding / Gambling Wedding / Vintage Wedding / Custom Wedding / Arata's

I just wanted to thank you and Shannon so very much for making us feel like we had our friends their taking the pictures! You were very patient, especially when you first got there and none of us were ready and I was still sort of stressed from trying to finish the set up across the street! But after getting ready and starting to take pictures everything just fell into place. We had a number of people comment on Wow the photographer was everywhere. And you were.

We, Marty and I had almost as much fun as the kids did! The party/dancing didn’t end till I started blowing candles out at 1:30am!

Thank you very much for being professional and low key at the same time that worked for us perfectly!!

Cindy and Marty

Thank you again for the absolutely wonderful pictures. Erin and Steve were thrilled as were the Swing and Robinson families. You captured every moment of happiness and love and we now have a perfect record of a perfect day!

Toni and Barry Robinson