Quinn Photography Blog

Dennis and Kate met at UC Davis several years ago. They were among a group of students back at UC Davis who in their undergraduate years served as band members or drove the double decked red transit bus or did both. It was one or both activities which facilitated the opportunity for many students to meet one another socially at school. This is how Dennis and Kate met as well as about 30 others who were  wedding guests.  The UC Davis Alumni Center was the venue for this Saturday’s wedding under beautiful clear skies and temperatures in the high 90s. The wedding took place outside under numerous shade trees.  The early ceremony time of 11:30 kept the heat at bay for everyone. Once the ceremony was over it was indoors for the reception.The UC Alumni Center was perfect for the wedding. Cool air conditioning with open doors to the courtyard for drinks and conversation made for a well planned wedding party.

It was apparent Dennis and Kate have strong ties to the campus and the many friends who were the invited guests. There was a very calm feel to the wedding because it was home to Dennis and Kate. One gets the feeling they will be back someday to Northern California when Kate finishes her PhD work down in San Diego. In the mean time Dennis will teach math in San Diego.

Now calm doesn’t equate to boring or sedate-the party after the wedding started with a very fun photo shoot for all the ex bus drivers and mechanics-we were all entertained by ____ I didn’t get his name but he put on one heck of a dancing demonstration for all the bus folks. Quite a few one liners could be heard during and after the break dancing-I think he broke his leg muscles.

The dancing and love toasts kept the party going and Dennis and Kate received many well wishes from all the invitees. Toasts were given and much love was exchanged between Kate and Dennis. I want to say as a couple they were fantastic to work with as they provided great attitudes toward each other  and toward having their pictures taken. They even agreed to take a few more after the wedding back at the motel. Its hard to do something like that when emotionally and physically you are just too tired to smile one more time. But they did and we were able to get some pictures we didn’t have time to get earlier in the day.   Thanks guys!!! Hope you enjoy the pictures. BQ

Chris and Valerie are now a happily married couple. They exchanged vows at Pioneer Convenent Church across the street from historic Sutter’s Fort. This church dates back to the Gold Rush days. It was quite a challenge to shoot there because the floors squeaked whenever you stepped across  the aisles to take pictures of Chris and Valerie. It was also a beautiful church with its many leaded stained colored glass windows. The friends of the two were so helpful in keeping everything going and on an even keel. Stress was at a minimum but the heat was at a maximum as it almost reached 100 degrees as we departed the church after the vows. The  poor wedding party was at the mercy of a limousine that provided no air conditioning. It broke at some point and transported a very hot and perspiring group for our bridal party shots at Capitol Park. You won’t see any of the stress of the heat because the whole group was so positive and supportive of the groom and bride and the photographer.

It was such fun to have been involved in this wedding as well a pleasure  working with another great couple. My job as a photographer is a such a positive experience because I get to work with my son, Ty as my second and because I get to experience the sheer joy and love all my couple such as Chris and Valerie have for each other. The support of family is also a big factor in enjoying these events. Valerie’s father’s nervousness resulted in a restless night of sleep. Let’s just say he lost his cookies several times in the course of the night and day. He was an emotional basket case but he managed to keep it together in front of Valerie. This kind of life experience is something I get paid for-what a deal to be in the middle of one of the most important days of a person’s life and to be able to help out and get paid!!!!

So Chris and Valerie thanks for inviting me to be a part of your day. Ty and I really had a great time but more than that we wish for you a life of love, joy, happiness, and companionship for the rest of your lives. Bless you both. BQ

Michael and Maria’s wedding was held at Nestldown in Los Gatos. This weekend’s wedding was held under some of the best summer weather conditions a wedding can have during the day. Once the sun started setting the cool breezes kicked in and created a rather chilling time for the guest’s outdoor dining pleasure. The best part of the cold breezes was it allowed the evenings  festivities to start sooner with great music and wild dancing. We even were serenaded by a brass band made up of Michael’s friends who agreed to play a song for all those in the audience.

Nestldown is such a magical place reminiscent of an adult Disneyland. The Nestldown site was originally designed to be used by non-profit organizations serving disadvantaged or disabled individuals, or those in crisis/transition. It was developed to be used directly in support of the individuals whose needs they serve. As such, it is provided by the owners at no-cost or a very low cost to a limited number of organizations per year.

Nestldown was such a cool place to hold a wedding. It was made even more perfect because Michael and Maria are a couple made for each other through their sense humor. They are always each others biggest booster. They also serve to be on alternating giggles, each others straight man then comedian. Laughs filled Nestldown all day at every stage of the wedding day process. Michael always had a big smile on his face and Maria was always cutting up with a zinger or two to the listening audience of bridesmaids and onlookers. It really didn’t get too serious all day until the final vows were taken and then toasts at dinner came around. Harold, who is Mari’s father, shed a few tears as he gave a very emotional toast for Michael and Maria. A good father cry, a couple of I love yous and hugs to Michael as his new son-in-law were all he needed to get past the tears. Of course the audience was right there with him as all the parents knew of what he had to say and felt. The younger members of the party knew Michael was getting a great father and mother-in-law.

Cheers to Michael and Maria, may the marriage be a happy journey to your destination through life together. BQ