Fern Lee Photography

This wedding shot for Tony Yang Photography was one of my favorite weddings of the year. Forest House Lodge immediately earned a place on my personal list of favorite venues – not just because it was a photogenic place to shoot, but it was also THE ultimate hangout spot… for kids and adults alike. During our downtime, Tony and I had fun taking photos with the silly hats hung on the walls in the bar and even got in a few exciting rounds of ping pong in the game room downstairs. The game room, by the way, is completely decked out with shuffleboard, poker, ping pong, and pool tables; ample couches, big screen tvs, and videogames; and awesome decor that is both loud and welcoming at the same time.

The venue was spectacular but the couple was even better. Gerrine and Homam were totally relaxed throughout the day and gave us free reign in terms of artistic direction. Their families took care of us and treated us like family. All weddings should be like this… warm and happy. :)

I was a huge fan of their centerpieces, naturally. :P
This was the first wedding I attended that passed out noisemakers during the ceremony! What a fun element to add to the celebration. :)Cheering on the guests as they put their noisemakers to use!!Thank you Tony for the chance to second shoot, and congratulations Gerrine & Homam!!

This month I’ll be shooting a handful of civil ceremonies at San Francisco City Hall. The ornate ceilings, majestic staircases, and huge arched windows are just a few of the many features of this beautiful space. My favorite area to shoot is the 4th floor – it’s the best place to find ample amounts of natural window light. :)

Alexis and Matt had an intimate ceremony with their close friends and family before going out to celebrate afterwards. They were totally easygoing and fun to work with, and I especially loved those aviators!

This shoot began with a relaxing road trip down the California coast with my beautiful and talented friend Sarah of Sarah Dawson Photography. We ate at Splash Cafe in Pismo Beach, walked along the beach, and explored the beautiful Santa Barbara Courthouse – if you haven’t been, it’s a must see! From the courthouse tower you can enjoy a spectacular 360 degree view of the city. We spotted a cute couple at the top and admired how they were posed against the tower’s archways… so, naturally, Sarah asked them if she could snap a photo. No big deal, it’s what photographers do in their spare time. Hahaha. That is why I love spending time with my photographer friends! Not only do we share the same passion; they’re also a great source of advice and mentorship. As a seasoned wedding photographer, Sarah is one of my role models (check out her work, it’s fantastic) and it’s always an honor to second shoot for her.

For Megan and Dan’s wedding, Sarah put me in charge of the guys. Ten of them, to be exact.

… Challenge accepted. :)

Dan gave customized baseball bats to each of his groomsmen! We already knew these would come in handy for photos later. Fess Parker’s Double Tree Resort is truly a gorgeous venue. Dan’s room on the 2nd floor provided a great view of the ceremony site. I could not get over how cute these sand dollar escort cards were!!! Especially when placed in the sand. :) The mariachi band was a major highlight of this wedding for me personally. I grew up playing the violin and was mesmerized by their playing! But what REALLY made my day was when they handed me a violin and let me play with them. Soooo much fun. I want to join a mariachi band.
What is love?  (Scroll down to find out the answer.) 

I’ve always dreamed of an outdoor garden wedding, and this is exactly the reason why. Enchanting garden venues like Descanso Gardens bring together ALL my favorite things about photography – you’ll see how these really come through in Jamie and Romin’s wedding photos. :) The lighting was bright, the color palette soft, and the scenery… so romantic!

Romin and I go back to my freshman year of college at UCSB. We shared a lot of memories over the years… but what stood out to me most was his selfless nature. He was one of the upperclassmen who never hesitated to help a friend in need (and as freshmen, my friends and I were particularly needy). Romin is also one of the most mellow, laid-back people you’ll ever meet. When Jamie came along, it was clear that she was the perfect complement to Romin’s easygoing personality – this girl knows what she wants! And so it was truly an honor for me when they asked if I was available to shoot their wedding. :)

Photographing friends’ weddings is simultaneously a fun and nerve-racking experience. I knew over half of the bridal party from college (including the bride and groom) and a good portion of the guests too. Pro: instant familiarity between the subjects and photographer. It is so incredibly important to choose a photographer you’re comfortable with! And that level of ease makes my job that much easier. Con: Spotlight. It changes the dynamic when you’re working in front of an audience… I know my friends are watching me and it makes me nervous! (How do I know? Because they tell me: “Can’t wait to see you in action at so-and-so’s wedding!”)

Fortunately there are more pros than cons in this comparison, given that two is greater than one. Pro: joining in the party when everything is said and done and everyone gets to REALLY celebrate. To Jamie, Romin, other friends who have hired me, and even those occasional awesome clients – thank you for letting me dance with you!!!

Jamie’s bouquet blossomed with delicate peonies and classic roses. 

Her facial expression is so sweet. 

Always amusing to see the treats waiting at the end of the aisle. ;) 

The natural light that day was just beautiful!