I know we are in full Holiday season but soon enough Valentine’s Day will be here you will be looking for that something special to surprise your loved one. And why not, this could be an awesome and unexpected Christmas gift too!

Book your FREE portrait design consultation today to discuss with Daniela your vision for your special gift!

As some of you may be hesitant about posing for a boudoir portrait, I asked my first clients to write testimonials of their experiences. Here’s what they had to say:

Liza and Andres gave me ‘card blank’ to work on their wedding album. They trust my vision and let me pick all the photos for their Art Book. I loved being able to have such creative freedom! Here’s the result while their book’s been binded as we speak.. only 2 1/2 months after their wedding!

I am still in shock from the passage of Proposition 8 (I mean, it’s like voting against love!) but I still hope that in the near future we can have laws to protect unions of people who want to be life partners.. like Glen and Art, two loving men who I had the chance to meet at the Castro Street Fair last month and gave me the chance to photograph their wedding only a week ago, at Astaria Restaurant in San Mateo.

It was such a exhilarating and enthusiastic day, surrounded by family and friends while the storm and rain where raging outside. But it was so cozy and warm at the special event room Astaria set up for the ceremony and reception.

I like this photograph… although it may look busy, if you look closely you can notice how everyone in the picture was having a blast… the feeling I had throughout the day, it wasn’t a boring dinner, many entertaining moments for the joy of my cameras, from Glen and Art visiting each guest and having a laugh with them, to memorable and moving episodes like the reading of a poem, the serenade of a friend and Art himself singing a couple of songs to his dear husband.

This fabulous cake was prepared by Glen and Art dear friend Penny.

More images from the day in this slideshow. And let’s end with a few more of Glen and Art, and their sweet dog Regina, in few photos we took a couple of weeks before the wedding at Central Park in San Mateo.

Another warm October Sunday in the lovely settings of Fogarty Winery in Woodside to witness Liz and Simon exchanging their vows to a small gathering of family and friends. Fogarty Winery is a fantastic place for pictures. Not only the vineyards are so close and accessible, but there are so many romantic spots like the pond where Liz and Simon took some time for themselves right after the ceremony.

I love this pictures of Liz and Simon looking at each other.. there is nothing like a couple’s complicity

The warm weather allowed for the ceremony to be held outdoors, so the guests not familiar with the area had a chance to admire the stunning views of the Valley. Simon’s family all traveled from England so they had quite a treat. They were all impressed with the location!

Posing, posing, posing… sometimes people can be shy in front of a professional photographer and the best way to capture them is when they relax in front of more familiar cameras Here’s Simon’s family having some fun.. I like these more then the usual formal pictures.. wouldn’t you have guessed?

Time to go inside for some dinner… Fogarty Winery offers an incredible view even from their dining room thanks to these big windows.

I was lucky enough to taste this deliciously tender filet mignon.. but, as I was working, I couldn’t enjoy the incredible wines of the house. I know what I was missing since I have attended a networking event at Fogarty Winery a couple of years ago and then had the chance to taste their superb wines.

Flowers at table are such a blessing for photographers.. they hide all the mess of a busy dinner meal and they provide quite a colorful and soft frame. Here’s just a couple of candid portraits of Liz nieces and her sister..

I like this wide angle shot of the cake although the focus is set on the wedding rings at the bottom center of the frame.. they may be hard to see in this small version.. so here is a close up!

I wanted to thank Ellie Warner, event coordinator at Fogarty, for her help. Now enjoy this slideshow with more images from the wedding…

Thanks to Eric for this homage to our new President!!!!

I am beyond words happy for the outcome of this election. These are exciting times for America and I am so proud to have been able to contribute as a first time voter… I have received my citizenship early this year and I couldn’t have been more excited to have the chance to vote for such an incredibly inspiring man.

I have seen Barack Obama for the first time at the Democratic Convention 4 years ago when he spoke supporting John Kerry. I was so impressed with his words, passion and ideals that I immediately wondered why wasn’t he running for President.. well, apparently many people shared my feelings

Tonight I was celebrating this victory among some Italian friends, all thrilled with the results. Some of my friends are not able to vote yet so it is quite something to see non Americans being so captivated by Obama. I can say Italians don’t get that excited with Italian politics… It is really true that foreigners understand and feel the power of a nation like America and what a positive change can do for this Country and the whole world. Let’s see Obama work his magic now…