San Jose Wedding Photographer | Accolade Photography - Bay Area Wedding Los Gatos Wedding

Clos La Chance Winery | Photo Contest Winner

2009-10-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Each week, Clos La Chance Winery down in San Martin picks a winner for their photo of the week contest. I recently posted a series of photos I took at an auction gala event and won their contest this week! Check out some of the photo I posted on Facebook :)

Featured on Jewelboxing's Blog

2009-10-06T13:42:00.001-07:00

Check this out! Jewelboxing just posted me on their blog. I guess I'm not use to being on anyone else's blog but this is very exciting! They make these really cool dvd cases I've been using for all my clients. And now I'm on their freakin' blog! Trip out. :P

Jewelboxing blog: What Tom Has Learned in Sunny California (permalink)

Welcome Baby Ethan!

2009-09-13T21:00:00.000-07:00

Halfie babies are so cute! Baby Ethan was no exception. He was great for our photoshoot and and was very cuddly with his new mommy and daddy. His older 'canine' brother made sure to keep a close eye on me and my gear. Thanks for allowing me into your homes guys. You guys are going to have so much fun being parents! :)

PS: Here's Ethan's older brother. lol

Amy & Mike's Wedding | Willow Heights Mansion | 9.12.09

2009-09-12T23:35:00.000-07:00

We had such a fantastic & emotional day at Willow Heights. Everyone was in good spirits and the weather was just spectacular! Well I take that back, the best man had food poisoning so he was not in a happy place but was a trooper about it all. I love all the details Amy (& Mike..hehe) put into their wedding. I LOVE details in my photos and had fun running around making sure I captured every last one. Congrats to Amy & Mike!! You guys are the sweetest couple ever and I appreciate you allowing me the honor to be there with you on your wedding day. :)

Wedding Vendor Information:

Location - Willow Heights Mansion (Contact: Geraldine)

Offician - Rev. Anne Welker

Entertainment - DJ Ross Hartman

Cake - Jen's Cake

Kristine & Matt's Wedding | Garden Court Hotel - Palo Alto

2009-08-28T22:53:00.000-07:00

It's not often that I meet the bride and groom for the first time on their wedding day but that was the case with Kristine & Matt. They're both from out of state but had their wedding here in the bay area. It was fun to finally meet them and their family after months of planning. The entire day went without even the slightest glitch and we can thank Kristine & her mom, Carol, for that. I had a chance to check out the hotel prior to the wedding and the second I walked in, I knew this was going to be a very beautiful wedding. The Mediterranean decor with the fountain in the courtyard made for a very romantic backdrop for some of our shots. Kristine & Matt, I wish you both the best and thank you for your kindness throughout the day. It's clear that you guys are VERY much in Love with each other! Congrats to you both!!

Wedding Vendor Information:

Location - Garden Court Hotel, Palo Alto (Kelly Tsutsumi, Sr. Events Mgr.)

Florist - Janette Rutherford

Entertainment - DJ Miguel

Cake - Cake Expressions (Baker: Cero Anthony)

tiny prints dot com

2009-08-25T00:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a random blog about the Tiny Prints website. I LOVE these guys! They have amazing cards and I've recently used them for baby announcements. The site is very easy to use and the designs they have are totally hip and cool - baby announcements, weddings, etc. Granted you're paying about $2 / card but seriously, you only live once so splurge. Plus you'll probably keep one and someday you can show your kids when they are all grown up. I received and email from them today with a 10% off discount on $75 or more orders and free shipping. Just use the code "AUGEMAIL" or "AUGSALE" to take advantage of this promo. PS: I have no financial ties with these folks whatsoever. I just really really like their stuff. :P

Block Party | 8.17.09

2009-08-17T09:53:00.001-07:00

This was the mothership of all block parties! What a great way for the neigborhood to get together for some fun in the sun and really get to know each other. Our good friends invited us back this year for their annual celebration. It was just awesome! The local firefighters from Station 9 also took time out of their busy schedule to come to say hi to the kids. These are just some of the most amazing folks ever!

Larkspur Family Portraits | 8.16.09

2009-08-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

It was so much fun to see these folks again. They are such a sweet family and this time around, they had the addition of a year old boy to help balance out all the estrogen in the house. hehe You can tell these little rugrats are very close to each other and will be amazing sibblings as they grow up together. Thanks again for inviting me back up to Marin guys!

Kid Portraits | Oak Meadows Park - Los Gatos, CA

2009-08-15T22:08:00.000-07:00

It was great catching up with some old friends who were in town visiting family. They hired me to help them capture some fun photos of their three kids. I somehow convinced them that this would a fun photoshoot so they were amazingly cooperative. We spent an hour together in Los Gatos and have these adorable photos to prove it.

JK Wedding Entrance Dance....

2009-08-15T01:03:00.000-07:00

Ok... So I saw this a month ago and was left howling ! And now over 20 Million people have viewed this video on YouTube. That's more than every person living in the state of New York or Florida. Now that's seriously impressive and you gotta love the swagger these guys have! I have a good feeling their photographer didn't know about their unique entrance. I have a feeling this is what Gene Higa meant when he said to "Dare to be Different!" Check it out and you'll see why there's still so much buzz around it. You Tube: JK Wedding Entrance Dance.

Jackie & Joe's Wedding | Hastings House - Half Moon Bay 8.8.09

2009-08-08T23:15:00.000-07:00

Wow - I've known Jackie for many many years. She was actually a guest at my wedding and now I am her wedding photographer. Just too wild how things all come around in a full circle! It was so much fun spending the day with her and Joe! I love HMB weddings because of the ridiculously gorgeous background known as the beach. And if you talk to anyone who lives in the area, you will realize that the weather changes daily and even many times over throughout the day. For Joe and Jackie, they were blessed with the most amazing weather throughout their wedding day. Congratulations Jackie & Joe! Enjoy the photos from your special day.

Wedding Vendor Information:

Location - Hastings House

Hair Stylist - Stacey Gonzales

Make-Up - Melanie Farrote

Florist - Wendy Pine | Wendy Pine Florals

DJ - Mike Ewing

Wedding Cake - Half Moon Bay Bakery

Alexis & Carlos' Wedding | Sunol Valley Golf Club

2009-07-31T02:33:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you - the entire day was one BIG party! I had met Alexis and Carlos through their fellow teacher friends when I photographed their wedding last year. It was really cool to see so many familiar faces again, which helped made everything run that much more smoothly. Thank you to everyone who helped out that day, including the amazing bridal party and the folks at the Sunol Golf Club. A big CONGRATULATIONS to the very fun and wild couple. Alexis & Carlos, you guys ROCK!

Wedding Vendor Information:

Location - Sunol Valley Golf Club

Angie & Family - 7.27.09 | Santa Cruz Beach

2009-07-27T00:52:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful day at the beach. Sometimes photoshoot don't always go as planned. This was one of those times. Our little guy REALLY wanted to be in the water and on one of his many attempts, he face-planted right into the wet sand. It was actually pretty funny but a bummer since he was done after taking that spill. We made the best of it and photographed the rest of the family.

Skinfit Splash & Dash Series | Stevens Creek Reservoir 7.9.09

2009-07-14T21:09:00.000-07:00

The second installment of the Skinfit Splash & Dash Series brought out a ton of folks for an afternoon swim and a run. I had fun shooting this event for Andy, the event coordinator. I'll see everyone back on August 13th for round 3! Register on Active.com.

Amy & Mike Engagement Session | San Francisco

2009-07-06T21:40:00.000-07:00

I love Amy & Mike! We had fun cruising around the financial district where they met at work. It was the last workday before July 4th so incredibly enough there was no one around. After shooting downtown, we moseyed down to the beach for the second half of our photosession. I can't wait for their wedding in September at the Willow Heights Mansion. Enjoy the photos!

Pam & Raj's Wedding | Saratoga Country Club, CA

2009-06-20T22:48:00.000-07:00

What an amazing adventure it was for Pam & Raj today! They were constantly surrounded by loving family and friends throughout their wedding day. And like most Indian weddings I've photographed, this one was filled with gorgeous beautiful colors and stunning fabrics. I wish you both the best in TX, as you start your lives together as husband and wife. Cheers!

Wedding Vendors: Location - Saratoga Country Club

Jessica & Steve's Wedding | Highlands Inn, Carmel

2009-06-12T15:58:00.001-07:00

So who gets married in the middle of the week? Well Jessica & Steve of course! This was by far, one of the most intimate weddings I've ever shot and one of the most beautiful. Jessica found a secluded cove near the reception site that was just perfect for post-ceremony photos. I edited the beach shots with a vintage flavor because it fit their style. Thank you to you both for allowing me to be your wedding photographer. Have a blast in Hawaii guys!!

Vendor Information - Location: Highlands Inn - Carmel

Makeup: Nikol Elaine - Nikol Elaine Artistry

Hair: Isabel Nuno - Izabels Hair Salon

Randa & Matt's Wedding | Fairmont Hotel, SF

2009-06-07T01:48:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Randa & Matt on your very recent marriage! What an amazingly sweet and beautiful couple you guys are! I want to thank both your families, especially Fatima & Ann for their amazing hospitality. I'd also like to thank the very fun and awesome bridal party for all their help and cooperation. Thank you for putting up with all my crazy ideas. I had so much fun with you guys! Enjoy some of my favorite photos I picked out late last night. Congratulations, eh?

Vendor Information - Location: Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, CA (Fairmont Event Coordinator, Al Smyth)

Wedding Planner: Kristen Sullivan
Makeup/Hair: Maritza - 5 Color Cowboy
DJ: Peter Morrison - Morrison Enterprise
Floral: Michelle Liu - Inspiration Floral Design

Brooke & Scott's Wedding | Saratoga Country Club

2009-05-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

Yet another fairy tale wedding for this wonderful couple. They met back when they were both tow truck drivers. Scott pursued his bride, Brooke, at a local 7-11 and the rest is history. Everyone had a great time at their wedding and the Saratoga Country Club made for a gorgeous backdrop. I was honored that they allowed me to help document their very special day. Thank you to all their family and friends and the folks at Saratoga Country Club for all their help. Congratulations! I hope you guys enjoy the photos from your wedding day.

Vendor Information - Location:Saratoga Country Club
Floral: Bloomster's
DJ: Mike Ewing

Villa Montalvo | Walkthrough

2009-05-23T13:43:00.001-07:00

What a perfect day for photography! Hopefully it'll be just this nice in a couple weeks for Pam and Raj's wedding portraits. They chose Villa Montalvo in Saratoga, which has to be one of the most beautiful locations in the bay area for photos. The facility does require a photography permit for any commercial work so they will be taking care of before the actual wedding date. Raj is currently in TX so hopefully these photos will give him an ideal of what their wedding photos will look like. I told Pam this location totally reminds me a little of Taylor Swift's video, "Love Story." hehe

Location Villa Montalvo

Bloomster's | Almaden Florist

2009-05-23T02:13:00.000-07:00

I can't say enough positive things about Bloomster's. It's located out here in South San Jose and is just the most amazing location for your floral needs, whether it be for home decor or your spectacular wedding. I've personally had the opportunity to work with Kren and his staff on many occasions, most commonly weddings. The one thing I know is that if Bloomsters is taking care of the floral arrangements for the wedding, it will be absolutely beautiful and done just right. All I can say is that if you want things done right for your wedding, you can't go wrong with Bloomster's!!

Greg Landers | State Farm Insurance - Corporate photography

2009-05-22T22:46:00.000-07:00

Occasionally I get calls from local businesses asking me to help them update photos for their websites. In this case, Greg from the local State Farm office needed some updated photos of himself and his staff. We met up in the later afternoon and I quickly realize that the lighting outside would be much to harsh for the photos. We found a spot covered by the awning for the group shot and then a great area in the lobby that was filled with amazing natural lighting. Greg happens to be my family's insurance person and I recommend him to anyone!! Maybe you'll soon see these photos on a billboard near you.

Client Information: Greg Landers - State Farm Insurance

Willow Heights Mansion

2009-05-16T04:35:00.000-07:00

If you and your fiance are still looking for a location in the south bay for your upcoming wedding, definitely check out the Willow Heights Mansion in Morgan Hill. It's just beautiful and makes for the most amazing backdrop for wedding photographs. As a photographer, it has all the great colors and natural lighting I could ever ask for. Here's a sample of an album I put together for on of my couples who were married there. Enjoy!!

Venue Information: Willow Heights Mansion, Morgan Hill

Meilani | Senior Portaits 2009

2009-05-14T23:19:00.000-07:00

The weather couldn't have been better for our high school senior portrait session with Meilani. She drove over and hour with her mom for this photoshoot so I applaud them for their efforts. The goal was to create images that were cool, hip and modern and doing it in a way that reflected Meilani's outgoing personality. Meilani is also a competitive hula dancer, so it was a must that we found a nice beach and have her don the traditional attire. The results were.... well see for yourself. Go Class of 2009!!

Welcome Baby Stella!

2009-05-10T23:31:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a fun photoshoot this turned out to be! Ellen & Patrick invited me into their home to photograph their three month old daughter, Stella. Baby Stella absolutely LOVED the camera!! We had fun photographing her in different rooms, outfits and having mom and dad take turns holding her. What I focus on with newborn photoshoots is to help document the beautiful environment and also the interaction between mom and dad with their new addition. And the secret: to use as much natural lighting as possible. I hope you guys enjoy the slideshow & photos as much as I did taking them. Congratulations Ellen & Patrick on making such a precious baby girl and congratulations to Stella for having such beautiful, loving parents!!