Mama's got a brand new blog... Check it!

Ok, I have loved my blog for so long, and now it is time to make a BIG switch... my new blog has huge images, which is what ostensibly most of you are tuning in for, right? make sure you update your favorites folders/links as the new blog is live and in color, and on the "interwebs" at

www.millcottagephoto.com/wordpress

See you at the new digs! Make sure to leave a comment so we know you found us!!
love, light, and cotton candy,
Kim

Oh, the beautiful perfect weather... the wonderful couple, and the elegance that IS the Four Seasons Hotel... We had a great day yesterday! Special thanks to my associate photographers, Shannon Stellmacher and Amy Shat! It was a pleasure to have you along with me to capture Rachel & Jesse's day! Jesse wins with the coolest ever location for the groom and groomsmen photos! This couch sculpture was so cool, and it was good that the guys were all avid rock climbers as it was HIGH! The Four Seasons lived up to their reputation, delivering an amazing location, and a fabulous dessert bar! Thanks to Rachel & Jesse for choosing me to capture your wedding memories! Can't wait to see you again! Enjoy your sneak peeks!

San Carlos Children's and Family Portraits - A is for Adorable Audrey!

It's so hard to believe that I photographed Michelle & Patrick's wedding almost 4 years ago... and I was thrilled to hear from Michelle that they had a baby girl back in October! Today was the day I got to see Michelle and meet Audrey, and she couldn't be cuter! She's got her mommy's grace (and that of her namesake, Audrey Hepburn!) and she looks so much like her daddy too! Here are just a couple of teasers for you guys!! Really looking forward to sharing them all with you soon!!

Hans Fahden Winery Weddings in Calistoga - Kit & Ginny's perfect day!!

Wow, as I download and look at the images from Kit & Ginny's wedding at Hans Fahden Winery in Calistoga (a favorite place for weddings!), I almost have to pinch myself... Was it a dream?? All the ingredients were there... Sweet couple absolutely enraptured by each other, crazy gorgeous location, impeccable details, rich vibrant colors of jewel toned purples and blues, and a whole lotta love!

It was a huge pleasure to work with Chris Flitter of Events by Twist for the first time (and I am sure not the last!!), and the staff at Hans Fahden are impeccable. The catering from Wine Valley Catering was delicious, and Paige and the crew from Passiflora Designs made this wedding a perfect jewel! Of course we had cake... Laurie Lucov Wedding Cakes provided a heavenly confection that was not only gorgeous, but melt in your mouth-make you want more GOOD! DJ Abe was in da house... and spinning all our favorites, and Kit & Ginny's first dance was INCREDIBLE!!!!!

My associate photographer for the day was the wonderful Shannon Stellmacher, and we chattered all the way home about how great lucky I am to have the wonderful clients I have! It was so wonderful to see former (and future...hopefully!) clients as Ginny & Kit were referred by Valerie & Drew whose beautiful wedding I photographed 3 years ago! Kit & Ginny, I am so glad you shared your wedding day with me!! Happiness always!

Lifestyle Images - The Sayres hit the Marin County Fair!!

Our good friend Mitch suggested we head out to the fair today for all things fried, and we had a blast! It's been a long time since I have been to a carnival... at least 15 years, but thankfully some things remain the same... thrills, chills, "prizes" you can "win" if you have enough cash, aforementioned fried things, and smiling children covered in ice cream. For my non-California blog readers, the last two are how you can tell you're in Marin County... cracked me up...

San Francisco East Bay Weddings - Anne & Ron's Backyard Wedding

Well, it sure looked like it went off without a hitch... They were married in their new backyard on Friday with warm friends and family all around them, and it was beautiful! From my photographer point of view, having just seen the incredible-after-all-these-years Denis Reggie last week, I made a vow to myself to try to capture images with as little camera awareness as possible, and really utilize my amazing fast lenses to really isolate moments!

Here are some of my favorites... Anne & Ron, congratulations, and I can't wait to show you the rest!!!

San Francisco East Bay Weddings - Anne & Ron's Backyard Wedding

When I spoke to Anne on the phone about her wedding photography, I knew immediately that we were a great match. I loved her personality, and couldn't wait to meet her (and the love of her life, Ron!) Imagine the stress of selling, and buying houses, planning a wedding and knowing you wanted to be married in a lovely backyard setting, but not knowing where that backyard would be!!!

San Carlos Children's and Family Portraits - Studio Play Date!!

Every once in a while we do a studio playdate, and we always have a great time, and catch some great portraits! Today Josh & I got to play with Adam & Luke (and their parents, of course), and here area couple of favorites!

St. Mary's Moraga Weddings - Carrie & Ryan Part 5

Whew!! Still with me? Sorry, I just had too many favorites from the day! Last, but not least some of my favorites of Carrie & Ryan - smooching, working it for the camera, dancing with loved ones, and finally... one of my favorite favorites... sitting on top of the grand piano in the Claremont Resort's lobby! Happiness always you guys!! and for my wonderful blog readers, thanks for reading 5 posts about one wonderful wedding!!

St. Mary's Moraga Weddings - Carrie & Ryan Part 4

The beautiful reception was held at the Claremont Resort in Berkeley... great weather, great view, and wonderful staff!! They had a super-fun photo booth from San Francisco Photobooth, which the guests thoroughly enjoyed!

St. Mary's Moraga Weddings - Carrie & Ryan Part 3

The ceremony was held at the beautiful chapel at St. Mary's College in Moraga (where the temperature actually rose to 114 degrees!!) The priest was WONDERFUL, and even paid us the best compliment... he said that in his 40 years of doing weddings, we were some of the least obtrusive photographers he had ever worked with, and it was so wonderful to hear that as we are always doing our best to capture this important ritual while being respectful of the guests, the sanctity of the church, and the wishes of the clergy!!

St. Mary's Moraga Weddings - Carrie & Ryan part 2

Details in the beautiful chapel at St. Mary's College in Moraga... one of my favorite churches in the Bay Area...

St. Mary's Moraga Weddings - Carrie & Ryan

You know when I meet with my couples, and talk about my network of colleagues, and how we all love to shoot together, so we often trade off with each other and come and second shoot for each other on open weekends, and the lucky couple gets the chops of both amazing photographers, and the best wedding images on the planet! Well, yesterday was one of those days where all the stars aligned... I happened to be free for the day, and my good friend Rhee Bevere happened to need a second shooter to work with her (along with the fabulous Jennifer Giles), so I charged up, packed up and drove out.

I was to start with the boys at the groom's parents' home - such a great group of friends and brothers, and I knew we were going to have a great day from the moment I met them! Ryan had given all his guys watches as his thank you gift, and each one was different to match the style of the receiver. Pretty cool! The guys humored me, and stepped out into the 110 degree weather in full tux, and gave me their best action shots...