San Francisco Wedding Photographer

Death of Scientist in Big Pine Under Investigation

Posted by on Apr 6, 2010 in FEATURED, HUAN TRAN | 0 comments

I found this article concerning HUAN TRAN. Here’s the original link but printed below for your convenience.

http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/eastern-sierra-news/2821-death-of-scientist-in-big-pine-under-investigation

A 39-year-old Princeton graduate and post doctoral student from Berkeley died Saturday night, apparently when a wall furnace malfunctioned in his apartment in Big Pine, asphyxiating him, according to the Inyo County Coroner.

Huan Tran was working towards his professorship with a major project at the Caltech Observatory at Big Pine.  Dave Woody, Assistant Director at the observatory said that Tran was a staff member and post doctoral student. 

He had achieved his PHD in astro-physics from Princeton and was the project manager of a test telescope destined for Chile.  Woody said Mr. Tran had worked to design the telescope which was going up on Caltech’s Cedar Flat location.

The Inyo County Coroner, Leon Brune, said that it appears Tran died in his sleep.  Brune said a fire marshall from San Bernardino was expected to come to Big Pine and investigate.  Brune said Caltech had called to say Tran failed to come to work and they requested a welfare check.  On Sunday, the Big Pine Fire Department and Inyo Sheriff’s deputies responded. 

Tran was a resident of Oakland.  His family lives in Minnesota where his remains will go.

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death-big_pine

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In Loving Memory of HUAN TRAN

Posted by on Apr 6, 2010 in FEATURED, HUAN TRAN | 0 comments

It pains me to write this. Huan Tran was my friend, colleague and human mentor example. Huan was an excellent wedding photographer, and I loved working with him on wedding photography shoots. A comraderie between us was made and we started spending more and more time together, whether on the phone, in person or on a wedding shoot. HUAN was gracious enough to take some AMAZING pictures of me and my family [see below]. I was lucky to have known him. Funny thing is, I only knew him for photography and the subject of his other work NEVER even came up. I mean, I knew he was at berkeley doing the telescope thing but I didn’t realize what a genius he really was. Anyway, we often discussed photography and things of this nature. The first couple years HUAN shot many weddings for me but this began to taper off because as some of you may know, he was working on this huge telescope project. He told me it was a ‘promotion’ and that he couldn’t commit to any shoots for the upcoming year. I was saddened and remember thinking I wish he could just do photography and not the other thing LOL.

This freak accident, to say the least…………well rather than getting all into it, it’s easiest just to read it herehttp://news.sierrawave.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2821:death-of-scientist-in-big-pine-under-investigation&catid=6&Itemid=200021

http://news.sierrawave.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2850:cause-of-big-pine-death-confirmed-by-coroner&catid=6&Itemid=200021

Looking back, is it TABOO to think that if my wish came true, that HUAN could just do wedding photography full time, he would not have been at the time and place he was at when he parished? But then I remember that perhaps photography was not HUAN’s true passion and that the ‘other thing’ was more important to him. Either way, I think the man DID WHAT HE LOVED TO DO BEST and that’s all we can ask for. RIP my friend

photo of huan tran taken by robert valdes

Pictured above. HUAN TRAN with Nikon D1x. NIKKOR 28 to 70 2.8 D lens. Nikon SB-28dx flash.

I took this photo of HUAN on the FIRST SHOOT we ever did together. He impressed me to say the least. I have fond memories of my friend HUAN TRAN.

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photo of family at baker beach san francisco, ca

ABOVE: A picture of my family that HUAN TRAN took. I have tons of great photos from this day. Actually, HUAN went out with us on a few occasions, taking pictures of me and my family. He loved it, and he never asked for a penny. Of course, I always returned the favor if HUAN ever needed one. I will post some more family photos that HUAN TRAN took later on.

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Monterey Plaza Hotel Wedding Photos

Posted by on Apr 1, 2010 in FEATURED, Monterey Plaza Hotel | 0 comments

Surprisingly, I only got down to Monterey a few times in 2009. I hope to be down there much more in 2010 and beyond. I really don’t mind traveling that far. Here are some really nice wedding photos I took at the Monterey Plaza Hotel back in 2007. This couple was so nice, I really enjoyed working with them. I love being able to reflect back on past weddings and smile and remember how nice the bride and groom were to work with. So while these wedding pics are considered old in terms of technology, the style and emotion of my work is clearly evident back then.

The bride gets ready up in her suite. This is actually true black and white film.

wedding photo taken at the monterey plaza hotel

wedding photo taken at the monterey plaza hotel

some of my special cake shots. Actually, the cake shot is one of the RARE posed shots I take at the reception as I mainly do all run and gun photo journalism at the wedding reception.

wedding photo taken at the monterey plaza hotel

wedding photo taken at the monterey plaza hotel

I like me some shadow play

wedding photo taken at monterey plaza hotel in monterey ca

I love how the twinkling lights in the background helped tell the story. The backgrounds are what separates the men from the boys so to speak. That is to say, a great wedding photographer will always use the background to help tell the story. Not so much on the turn and burn stuff, but especially on anything that is posed and well thought out.

wedding photo taken at the monterey plaza hotel

If you plan on having your wedding down in the Monterey Bay area please contact me right away. I have experience at many wedding venues in Monterey and I have been to the Monterey Plaza Hotel at least half a dozen times.

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St. Mary’s Cathedral Wedding Photos

Posted by on Apr 1, 2010 in FEATURED, St. Mary's Cathedral | 0 comments

These are wedding photos of St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco.

I’m often amazed at how many times I have been to a wedding ceremony location. It only seems like I’ve been to Saint Mary’s Cathedral a half dozen times when in fact, I have been there about A DOZEN times in my illustrious 20 year career.

This wedding is actually one I still use in my portfolio. That is to say, I carry a really nice wedding album with me to meetings with potential brides. So I feel it fitting to post some of my favorites here. This wedding was shot in 2006 so my equipment is quite different now. I’m producing much better quality now, than I was back in 2006. But the pictures still hold up in my opinion. Otherwise, I would not be posting them.

But don’t take my word for it. You be the judge. In either case, you can take a look at a more recent wedding I shot at St. Mary’s Cathedral by click here, then see for yourself. I think you will find that my style of wedding photography hasn’t changed that much. Rather, it has evolved into what you see today with much better quality thanks to new equipment acquisitions, etc.

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

st mary's cathedral wedding photos

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

st mary's cathedral wedding photos

st mary's cathedral wedding photos

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

st mary's cathedral wedding photos

st mary's cathedral wedding photos

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

If you are getting married at St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco I would love the opportunity to sit down face to face with you and show you this amazing wedding album I still have from this wedding ceremony. I can also provide client testimonials from past clients that have used me, that had there wedding ceremony at St. Mary’s Cathedral. oops I almost forgot, Abel and Cynthia have left positive feedback for me on a number of wedding websites. So be sure to contact me so I can give you those links.

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St. Mary’s Cathedral wedding photos

Posted by on Apr 1, 2010 in FEATURED, St. Mary's Cathedral | 0 comments

I have shot many WEDDING PHOTOS in the most awesome ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL in San Francisco, CA. In fact, MIMI RUIZ who works at the church often recommends me to brides and groom’s who are looking for an amazing wedding photographer.

The official name of this catholic church is THE CATHEDRAL OF SAINT MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION. There are many St. Mary’s Churches in and around the United States. But this one is in San Francisco and it is a HUGE domed cathedral. Not to be confused with OLD ST MARY’S church which is right across the street from this one [I have shot many weddings there as well].

Here are some of the most recent wedding photographs taken at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Keep in mind this church DOES NOT allow any flash photography during the ceremony. Which means that I am often using 800, 1600 and 2000 iso. That is where the grain comes from. But sometimes grain is good. It makes the wedding photographs look more like film, and less like digital wedding photography. As a film lover myself, I always try to emulate that dreamy film look when I capture digitally.

The church allows you to shoot the processional and recessional with a flash. The start of the ceremony is considered after the BRIDAL MARCH.

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

They really don’t allow moving around and shooting from many different angles like this. So I have to be super stealth and be careful not to draw too much attention to myself. This is one of my specialties.

All these shots were all natural light, no flash.

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

The dome at St. Mary’s Cathedral is awesome!

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

I use a super long lens to get these shots.

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

The following pictures show an entire wedding guest list as well as wedding court in front of the Church. This is one of my trademark shots. I always love doing shots like this if there is time.

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

wedding photo taken at st mary's cathedral in san francisco

For those of you wanting more information about this catholic church please contact them. The address is 1111 Gough St, San Francisco CA 94109. You can also click here to see it on a map http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=1111%20Gough%20St%2C%20San%20Francisco%20CA%2094109

image of st mary's cathedral san francisco

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