While talking to Nathan and Daphna a few months before their wedding, it was obvious they wanted something more than to hire me as their wedding photographer. They wanted a friend first and made me feel like one, even inviting my wife and new born to join their sacred celebration. How sweet is that? These guys are precious people inside and out and it was an honor to capture their most special union.

Thanks guys for choosing Dan Johanson-Weddings to capture your beautiful Redwood Grove wedding!

A bit about the venue — they could not have picked a more serene location for their wedding. Who knew that just above the U.C. Berkeley campus lies a grove of beautiful redwoods, just across the street from the Botanical Gardens which made for endless portrait possibilities. Nathan and Daphna got permission in advance to take some of their portraits at the Botanical Gardens, which is really a stunning place for endless wedding-portrait-type of shots. It’s not open however for weddings, which everyone does across the street at the Redwood Grove amphitheater. For weddings or any other event it’s pretty much a photographer’s dream location with lots of indirect light that makes for beautiful, artistic wedding photographs.

Had a blast doing a MYLIFE portrait session with Justin and Kelsey, both from Amador Valley High School. Justin is heading down south for college soon and Kelsey is entering her senior year in the fall. Good luck guys and thanks for the great time in Pleasanton!

We’ll be providing awesome school portraits for all East Bay high schools throughout the summer. It’s time to say no to the corny studio pictures and get your MYLIFE on already! The first 11 people to join the Facebook page will receive a free package upgrade — worth over $110!

Elena claimed her senior status (class of 2011) with a cool set of portraits from around Ruby Ridge in Pleasanton. We found all kinds of cool locations around the golf course and especially at the clubhouse where we found some protection from the wind that was causing significant hair issues. Elena’s MYLIFE website is up now too, a free full screen website that displays all the awesome pictures!

Mention “ELENA’S BLOG POST” when you book your own school portrat photoshoot and receive a $20 print credit!