Eva grew up in a Chinese family in the East Bay, so a reception in Chinatown felt right for their wedding reception. Her vibrant pink silk qipao, embroidered with a soaring phoenix, glowed against the red lanterns of Chinatown and the hand-painted murals of Mister Jui’s Moongate Lounge.
Mister Jiu's pairs traditional Cantonese flavors with seasonal California ingredients. Crisp, savory bites traveled around the room banquet-style, and the silky noodles were a favorite at every table.
There’s a moment at almost every wedding we photograph where the light disappears fast. The ceremony glow fades, dinner wraps, and suddenly we’re on a dance floor lit by whatever the DJ brought and maybe a few strings of bistro lights. It’s a common question: how do we actually get good photos once the sun is down and everyone's dancing?
Reception lighting is definitely one of the trickiest parts of the wedding day to photograph and it’s worth understanding before your big day, not after.
Most venues aren’t lit for photography, they’re lit for atmosphere, so the light tends to be low and uneven. On the dance floor, add in mixed color temperatures and constant motion, and you’ve got a scene that’s nothing like a posed portrait. Get it wrong and you might end up with blown out faces, muddy backgrounds, and blurry subjects.
We bring the same approach to the dance floor that we use earlier in the day: add light as needed. The goal is to keep the mood of your lighting rather than wash it out. In practice, that means being prepared for and knowing how to handle many scenarios. Sometimes there’s enough ambient light that flash isn’t necessary, but most of the time we’re balancing on-camera and off-camera flash. We try to keep the footprint small, so the dance floor stays clear for your guests.
Timing matters too. Some of the best dance floor photos happen in short bursts, not through nonstop coverage.
The goal is always the same: to capture the real emotion of the room, as it looked and felt!
Justin and Haven met at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Justin, a winemaker originally from DC, moved to Napa Valley after graduation to break into the wine industry, while Haven found his way to the Napa Valley Gondola, an authentic Venetian gondola, and started running tours there. That same gondola became the setting for their engagement session, shot on Super 8, the vintage home movie film format known for its warm color and soft grain. The Napa Valley Gondola's hand carved wood, gold leaf details, and Venetian craftsmanship made it the perfect backdrop for a couple whose story is rooted in this valley: one who makes the wine, one who guides the boats.
There’s something quietly magical about a wedding that feels entirely like you—shaped by favorite streets, meaningful places, and the people who matter most. Colin and Zohreh’s city wedding was just that: small, personal, and full of joy.
The day began at home on Sutter Street, buzzing with family helping Zohreh get ready—hand-beaded dress from India, a last-minute coat by an Iranian designer that completed her look, and later, sneakers for photos that felt perfectly her. Colin looked effortlessly stylish in a vintage suit he found at a friend’s shop.
They exchanged vows at city hall, surrounded by a dozen guests, including grandparents from both sides. Afterward, we visited the couple’s favorite spots on Fillmore Street and Japantown.
Their story is one of connection across time and distance. They met years ago at a Vipassana meditation retreat, stayed in touch, and reconnected in New York, growing closer even through a long-distance stretch.
Dinner at The Progress wrapped up the day with warmth and laughter. There may be a larger wedding to come, but for now, this intimate gathering was perfect.
Dress: Tabeer India | Florals: The Petaler SF | Coat: Sepid Parsa
You're free to love who you want, how you want. Shouldn't your wedding be the same way?
