california Archives | Elisha Braithwaite Photography

Mount Tamalpais State Park Engagements | Eunice & CY

My first time photographing around Mount Tamalpais State Park was amazing. I can’t thank Eunice and CY enough for inviting me out to experience more gems around the bay area. Being secluded on a mountaintop surrounded by vast hillside and damp mossy woods while still spotting downtown San Francisco and ocean views was an experience.

What makes these engagements truly beautiful though are Eunice and CY and the energy they brought with them. Going into the session they had a good idea of what they wanted which we communicated beforehand so we could simply show up, experience our environment, and create. We spotted deer, embraced a few silly moments here and there, and photographed well into sunset when fog rose and rain fell. They allowed themselves to feel vulnerable and interact with little guidance, while also taking my direction for any and all ideas. I can’t thank them enough for the energy and trust they brought to these engagements.

Scroll on down to see my favorites.

Photography: Elisha Braithwaite
Location: Mount Tamalpais State Park, California

Pan Toll Road by Elisha Braithwaite Photography

Pan Toll Road Engagements by Elisha Braithwaite Photography

San Francisco Engagements by Elisha Braithwaite Photography

Creative Engagements in Mount Tamalpais State Park

Woodsy Muir Woods Engagement by Elisha Braithwaite Photography

Moody Mount Tamalpais State Park Engagement by Elisha Braithwaite

Special thanks to Eunice and CY for having me out! San Francisco is one of my favorite cities to visit and I love every opportunity to visit. Check out my travel dates and reach out if you’re in the bay area.

Alicia and Taylor’s Modern Outdoor Wedding at Yokayo Ranch, Ukiahwedding

Toward the end of summer we packed up to spend a full weekend in Ukiah, California with Alicia and Taylor and honestly they were some of our favorite people to meet and be around. Their celebration could have easily extended into a full week and everyone would have been thrilled to stick around with them. Not only are they incredible designers, makers and event planners, they also knew what was most important for their wedding other than the marriage aspect.

When planning our wedding day, Taylor and I focused most on guest experience and working to show our guests how grateful we were for their effort to come to our big day, their presence in our lives, and our hope for their continued support throughout our marriage.
bride

On Friday they hosted a welcome party inspired by the first time they met back in the 1st/2nd grade. Their class spent weeks preparing for a play called Bleezer’s Pizza Parlor, so they ordered a ton of pizza, transferred it to custom designed Bleezer’s Pizza Parlor boxes and screened the play for all of us to join in and watch their beginning. It was the perfect way to kick off a weekend celebrating them.

The next day was wedding time. Every little detail from the custom wood signage, maps, stationary, escort card wall, etc., was designed, welded, and hand created by them. The amount of detail they personally put into their wedding along with their impeccable taste was overwhelming in all good ways. They even went to the length of writing every guest a handwritten letter for their escort cards. Their wedding was a labor of love and together they gave loved ones an unforgettable experience.

trendy minimalist wedding stationary in california

family eating lunch together before a wedding

closeup of a greenery bouquet with hellebore flowers

bouquet with greenery and one accent flower

greenery filled bouquet with neutral colors

candid detail shot of a sarah seven gown

intimate moment of bride writing fiance a letter

bride writing letter to fiance before the wedding

bridesmaid prep the morning of a wedding

documentary photography of a bridesmaid petting the brides dog

bride laughing with her bridesmaids at her wedding

brides dog happily watching her as she gets ready

bride applying nude lipstick for wedding

brides happy dog in her lap as she gets ready

minimalist black jumpsuits for bridesmaids

bride getting ready with her best friends

bride holding rose and a letter from her groom

bridesmaid with monogrammed button up shirt

bride getting her hair styled with classic side swept curls

happy bride with classic side swept curls

bridesmaids with custom made gifts from the bride

bride reading letters from her bridesmaids

lively bridesmaids having fun before the ceremony

modern minimalist wedding gown and shoes

bride getting dressed in her modern sara seven

bride putting on her freda salvador loafers

bride in her minimalist sarah seven gown

bride getting ready in her modern minimalist wedding gown

serious portrait of groom before first look

brides dog following her to her first look

a bride looking to her fiance before the first look

moody black and white portrait of modern bride

grooms reaction to seeing his fiance in her wedding dress

bride and grooms first look at yokayo ranch

grooms reaction to seeing his soon to be wife

intimate hug between bride and groom in black and white

grooms emotional reaction to seeing his bride

intimate moment between an emotional bride and groom

intimate hug between a bride and groom during a first look

bride and groom wearing blue and green for their wedding

stunning modern bride in her sarah seven gown

modern bridal style with a sarah seven gown

natural green wedding bouquet with hellebore

bride and groom with their dog disney at their wedding

happy bride and groom after their first look

bride and groom making their way to their wedding

bride and groom with their little dog disney following them

rad bridesmaids at a modern minimal wedding

bridesmaids wearing black jumpsuits and greenery bouquets

simple ceremony setting with wood benches

the best things in life are meant to be shared wedding sign

family waiting for the wedding ceremony to begin

couples cousin and best friend walking down the aisle

wedding party walking down the aisle at yokayo ranch

grandpa and grandson walking down the wedding aisle

minimalist flower girls in white jumpsuits

flower girl hugging the groom at yokayo ranch

bride and groom hugging at the end of the aisle

mother of the bride watching the ceremony with a smile

parent speeches during a wedding ceremony

bride and groom reacting to their parents wedding speech

bride and groom listening to their parents wedding speech

groom saying his vows to his bride at yokayo ranch

bride smiling at the grooms wedding speech

bridesmaids emotional response to wedding vows

bride wiping happy tears during wedding vows

bride reciting her wedding vows at yokayo ranch

bride and groom giving their wedding vows

brides cousin smiling during the wedding vows

bride and groom exchanging vows at yokayo ranch

bride and groom looking at their loved ones during the ceremony

maid of honor handing off the wedding bouquet

intimate hug down the aisle at yokayo ranch

bride and groom walking away from their wedding

creative portrait of a bride walking into yokayo ranch

private moment between a bride and groom after their ceremony

letters from a bride and groom to their loved ones

creatively illustrated venue sign at yokayo ranch in ukiah

elaborate charcuterie board with edible flowers

modern minimalistic bar menu at yokayo ranch

custom cocktail stir stick with initials and tassel

rad bridesmaids with black jumpsuits and leather jackets

wedding party with custom made leather jackets

picnic style wedding dinner with long wooden tables

monochromatic modern wedding table with custom made details

black and grey minimalist wedding table decor

picnic style wedding dinner at yokayo ranch

bride and groom thanking their wedding guests

bride and groom with their wedding guests

candid wedding dinner at yokayo ranch, ukiah

brides cousin giving a heartwarming dinner speech

bride tearing up during her bridesmaids speech

bride giving her maid of honor a tissue during speeches

bride hugging her maid of honor after her speech

guests toasting to the bride and groom during their dinner

bride and groom laughing with loved ones during their wedding dinner

bride and grooms loved ones giving a funny wedding speech

bride leaning on her husband during their wedding speeches

groom hugging his sister during their wedding speeches

flower girl napping during a wedding with custom made pillows

bride and grooms first dance at yokayo ranch

intimate moment between a bride and groom during their first dance

emotional first dance between a bride and groom

bride and groom dancing with their loved ones

loved ones joining bride and groom for their first dance

flower girl wearing custom made party outfit

bride dancing with her flower girls at their wedding

bride and groom dancing in colorful dj lights

bride and bridesmaid dancing during their wedding

bridesmaid dancing during wedding dinner

party portraits of a bride and groom at their wedding

let's get funk'd up custom dancefloor sign

The Baker family in their Oakland, California homefamily

Over the course of a year my dear friends experienced marriage along with the arrival of their little one. They’ve had me out to their home in Oakland to document every step of the way and honestly it’s been such an amazing experience of growth for me. Being around their family has influenced me to try living in the moment, loving unconditionally and to cherish every single moment with my loved ones more than I have. Their love was wildly strong when they were married a year ago and I honestly didn’t think it could get any better before Olivia arrived. They are completely rocking this crazy life together and are the luckiest parents in the world. So here’s a little glimpse of how they are together on a daily basis. We started in their home like last time and eventually wandered into San Francisco where we found some steep streets and lush gardens.

Photography: Elisha Braithwaite | Locations: Oakland & San Francisco, California | See their San Francisco City Hall wedding and their Sutro Baths maternity portraits.

loving moment of a mother with her child

candid photography of a family with their baby

a father lovingly looking after his child

playing with baby during an in home session

candid in home session of dad dressing baby

candid photography of dad playing with baby

lifestyle session of mamma dressing baby

family walking up sloped san francisco street

candid family photography in san francisco

family playing with their child near haight and ashbury

family photography at the Rhododendron Garden

mom breastfeeding in downtown san francisco

mom breastfeeding in the lush green woods

mom breastfeeding at the Rhododendron Garden

Torrie and Nick’s Maternity Portraits at Sutro Baths, San Franciscofamily

Last month we traveled to San Francisco, California to photograph our dear friends Torrie and Nick just a few weeks before their newborn baby arrives. I was only able to spend an evening with them and I came away from it feeling deeply inspired by the love they already have for their daughter. Pretty similarly to how their wedding day began, the first part of our time together was spent with them cuddled up together but this time in their Oakland home. They let me in on their thoughts of becoming new parents and spoke of their hopes and dreams of the kind of people they want to be for their daughter. They were excited and hopeful and these feelings were strongly felt by being near them.

After spending some time in their home they dressed up and ventured to the beach surrounding Sutro Baths in San Francisco, California. The weather was beautiful and the beach was less crowded than I’ve ever been able to experience it. Lucky for me they were up for crossing rocks to venture onto the beach and hike up through the trees to catch the prettiest evening light that shined off the water and through them.

Torrie and Nick – I truly can’t thank you enough for all the opportunities you’ve given Todd and I to be part of your lives. Being able to photograph your wedding celebration all the way to this moment of your little girl coming into this world has been an honor. We’ve learned to adore you both and the way you’ve inspired us with your love for each other and your family. Thank you so much my friends.

xo, elisha.

Photography: Elisha Braithwaite | Location: Sutro Baths, San Francisco, California | Dress: Free People | See their San Francisco City Hall wedding here

ultrasound and wedding vows

maternity in home session elisha braithwaite photography

maternity in home session elisha braithwaite photography

Sutro baths san francisco california

sutro baths maternity portraits elisha braithwaite photography

sutro baths portraits elisha braithwaite photography

sutro baths portraits elisha braithwaite photography

lands end maternity portraits san francisco

maternity baby portraits san francisco

sutro baths maternity portraits elisha braithwaite

sutro baths couples session elisha braithwaite photography

rocky coastline sutro baths california

sutro baths lifestyle portraits elisha braithwaite photography

sutro baths lifestyle portraits elisha braithwaite photography

lands end couple portraits elisha braithwaite photography

maternity portraits at lands end california

lands end beach san francisco california

Torrie And Nick’s Intimate City Hall Wedding in San Francisco, Californiawedding

Torrie and Nick were married in San Francisco, California where they first met and shortly after fell in love. Naturally this beautiful city where their relationship began is where they chose to celebrate their wedding. We can’t thank them enough for having us along!

Their day began while cozied up in bed together during the sunrise. It set a very calm and peaceful feel to the day and a common theme of togetherness that was important to them as they got ready and went about the rest of the day. They gushed over each other while getting ready, helped one another dress and spent every moment that morning together like this. Then they drove from San Francisco to Muir Woods where they found a quiet area to read their vows. Both had pages and pages, all full of specific words of love and support.

After their vows we made our way to the San Francisco City Hall where their parents and friends joined them for their ceremony. One of our favorite things was seeing them really enjoy their date together while still having plenty of time to celebrate with close loved ones later on. Following their ceremony everyone joined them for dinner and rinks at West of Pecos in downtown, ate way too much food and had informal speeches at their parents hotel.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for having us out to celebrate with the two of you. The weekend was amazing and the love we’ve seen you share together is inspiring. You two deserve all the happiness you’ve found in one another.

xo, elisha and todd

Photography: Elisha and Todd | Floral: The Bud Stop | Vows: Muir Woods | Ceremony: San Francisco City Hall | Dinner: West of Pecos

san francisco skyline sunrise