Hello blog readers! Hope you are all well! I have been such a stranger lately I am taking some time out to dedicate to family but I promise to touch base every now and then… enjoy one of our last memorable weddings in the lavish Palazzo Brancaccio in Rome… click here to view the slideshow. Be well and Happy Holidays to you all!

Greetings from Italy everyone!! It’s been a while but we are finally back with a quick sneak peek of lovely Barbara and Lorenzo’s luxurious Roman Wedding! We loved working along side Fiori di Miele! Thank you Franca!

This is a ‘double treat’ post since I have to make our readers enjoy it for a while… I will be taking off for a two weeks vacation on Saturday so won’t be posting for a while… but I will look forward to share a sneak peek of our October Italian Wedding in Rome!!!

Back to last weekend, we loved shooting Christine and Donovan’s wedding at the Garden Court Hotel in Palo Alto. They are super sweet and their crowd was just so much fun, I couldn’t resist hitting the floor myself at the end of our photo coverage   Here’s a look at the slideshow of their magic day. And below, some of my favorite images:

Gamble Park was the perfect spot for these romantic captures. Quiet and relaxed while the wild wedding party was awaiting in the limo Christine stunning gown is by Lazaro and her sophisticated bouquet as well as all floral arrangements are signed by Nicole Ha. Make up by Christina Chen.

One of the highlights of the evening was the Photo Booth – my Wedding Associate Gorete Ferreira and I had the energy to play in front of their camera after our 9 hours coverage   and I may as well share a few of our fun poses later on Dj Turner Hayes of Elite Entertainment made sure everyone hit the floor.  To see more fun photos from Christine and Donovan wedding make sure you also visit our Facebook Gallery of the wedding which features also the great captures of Gorete Ferreira!

Here’s one of my favorite poses of beautiful Christine in her stunning dress! We absolutely loved shooting this wedding last Saturday! Stay tuned for more…

As I am preparing to spend more time in Italy in 2012, I am thrilled to announce and welcome the arrival of two sensational ladies at Daniela Degrassi Photography. To celebrate this special occasion we organized a small ‘in house’ shoot at the San Mateo Central Park to introduce to our blog friends the lovelies Gorete and Lisa!

HOW IT ALL BEGAN… I have met Gorete Ferreira during the inspiring workshop with National Geographic Photographer Raul Touzon. Gorete and I became friends and quickly thought of  starting a professional collaboration. Gorete quickly became indispensable as my Wedding Associate Photographer. Working side by side at weddings we soon realized how well we complimented each other and how much more fun each event could be, working in sync. I am very blessed to have found such a talented artist to work by my side that shares the same enthusiasm and energy.

Gorete has been involved in photography and fine arts for over 20 years, first earning a bachelors and masters degrees in Graphic Design and then working as an Art Director for a graphic design firm.  Her artistic design background has provided a fantastic foundation for her photography career.

In her own words: “I have always had a passion for photography.  After, quite literally, photographing my children thousands of times, friends who saw the portraits began asking me to photograph their family.  Through this type of recognition and numerous workshops I have been able to transition my career full-time photography.  In addition to weddings I have my own studio for newborn and portrait photography.
I feel very fortunate for having met Daniela — we enjoy each others company and share the same artistic sense, allowing us to work together exceptionally well and to capture the joy and passion of each event.”

Whenever I will be in Europe, Gorete will be meeting with future brides and grooms interested in our Signature Wedding Coverages. Gorete will also be available for family and newborn sessions during my absence. You will be quickly enchanted by her talent! Please visit her freshly new Facebook page and make sure you give her your thumb up

I met Lisa a few years back when I photographed her as an expecting mom and later captured her adorable baby girl. She became my intern after attending my weekend workshop for parents with cameras. It was evident she was eager to learn and enjoyed every step of it. Her fun and charming personality has helped many times keeping my subjects relaxed, at ease and looking picture perfect

In her own words: “A sales professional by trade, and shutterbug by passion, I began working with Daniela Degrassi after taking her “Through Your Eyes” workshop.  Captivated with Daniela’s intimate and beautifully artistic style which I personally experienced through my own maternity and infant photographs, I am thrilled to be able to show you Daniela’s portfolio and work with you to set up a session for Daniela to capture your own magical moments!”

As our new Office Manager, Lisa will be offering great advice to our Portrait Clients which will be waiting for my visits in US to schedule their Family Portraits and Boudoirs.

Welcome on board ladies! I am looking forward to working with you! Our photo shoot was so much fun!! And, it wouldn’t have been the same without the presence of my long time friend and talented graphic designer Nadia Andreini which came to help with the photos and has also been part of our history as an irreplaceable presence at Daniela Degrassi Photography.

We’re happy to share the fun moments of Nina and Brent’s wedding at the magical settings of Calegari Vineyards. Enjoy the slideshow!! Many thanks to my Wedding Associate Gorete Ferreira for all her great captures!

Happy to share more from Nina and Brent wedding at Calegari Vineyard in beautiful North California Wine Country… This wedding was so bubbly, fun and romantic! Thank you to my precious associate Gorete Ferreira for her fantastic photographs!

Nina was such a good sport posing for us in the peak of the heat of the day!! And here’s Brent a few moments before the ceremony…

Toasts and dances are always such emotional moments! They are my favorite to capture touching  and fun candid images…

The dance floor at Calegari was filled with party people of all ages, we’ll be showing more on Nina and Brent’s slideshow to come soon…

Great to see this special family again!! Charles, Ray and Jessica are not new to our blog. I photographed them three years ago in their San Francisco neighborhood and had the opportunity to photograph their lovely wedding later that year. Now that Jessica’s adoption is finalized, there was definitely reason to celebrate!!

The rain free summers of Northern California gifts us with such rich golden colors on our local hills. I love the dry yellow grass at Foothill Park in Palo Alto! That’s where I met Lindsay, Lukas and their little Valentina, reuniting after shooting their wedding last year. Valentina now is moving her first steps and despite the long ride on their way to Palo Alto, she seemed to enjoy the outdoors with us. Thank you to Lisa for joining in and helping out with the reflector, it would have been impossible to get these nice backlight portraits otherwise

I must tell you, some of the most heart warming weddings take place at Calegari Vineyards! Maybe is the Italian atmosphere of country side weddings filled with love, energy and spontaneity.. I am bias! You must stay tuned for more of Nina and Brent fun wedding!!!