Patricia Mark Photography Blog

Napa Photographer, Napa Country Iris Garden

Patricia Mark — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:15:32 +0000

I have been wanting to go and visit the Iris Garden in Napa for several years now so when the Napa Register had an article in the newspaper with the dates that they are open to the public (Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 27th – May 20th), I checked our schedule and finally was able to make the trip to see this place for myself. It is simply beautiful with rows and rows of colorful irises with equally colorful and interesting names for each variety. Upon our arrival, you could see folks walking through each row with pen and paper in hand marking down which of these delicate-looking beauties they couldn’t live without. Even I, an iris newbie, found my favorites which all were in shades of pink (my favorite color). This first iris is called “Happenstance” and, to my delight, bloomed within a couple of days of bringing it home. I chose two other irises to bring home that day called “Pink Champagne” and “Wedding Belle”. As a wedding photographer, they seemed very appropriate.

Napa Wedding Photographer, Churchill Manor, Amber & Eric

Patricia Mark — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:29:37 +0000

Your knight in shining armor has asked for your hand in marriage…what’s next? Wedding Planning, although exciting, can be a daunting task with so many details and wonderful choices to consider. That said, a big wedding may not be your idea of the perfect choice for you. If you have ever considered eloping, you are not alone! Napa Valley is a fantastic choice for an intimate elopement; it could be just the two of you getting away for a romantic ceremony. How does that sound? Amber and Eric made this wonderful choice and were married in an intimate ceremony at Churchill Manor and, I must say, it was perfect! The bride’s walk down the isle was quite impressive and dramatic with Churchill Manor as the backdrop. Amber chose a lovely white street-length wedding dress and her flowers of choice were yellow roses by Garaventa’s Napa Valley.

Napa Portrait Photographer, Senior Session, Rachel

Patricia Mark — Fri, 11 May 2012 00:37:52 +0000

Spring…a time for new beginnings, opportunities and time to contemplate the future. My favorite time of year! I always look forward to the display of new plant life~flowers, the vineyards of Napa Valley shooting forth their tiny grape leaves and I especially enjoy the cherry blossom and dogwood trees. And, as in nature, it is a new beginning for the graduating seniors of 2012. Rachel wanted to do some senior photos on location at various sites in our beautiful valley. Here is a taste of some of the photos we took on our photo adventure. Congratulations and best wishes to you Rachel~you have a bright future ahead!

Napa Wedding Photographer, Reiko & Malcom at Churchill Manor

Patricia Mark — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:47:55 +0000

Capturing real moments in time is something I never tire of ~ in fact, it is a driving force in the work Mark and I create together. I love it that people have a comfort level with us to reveal their true emotions, no stiff or forced expressions, just be themselves! Reiko and Malcom traveled from Japan for their destination wedding at Churchill Manor, which speaks volumes for this fantastic venue. We have photographed many weddings at Churchill Manor for couples that have traveled, not only from out of state but from out of the country. If you are looking for a Napa Valley wedding venue where all the details are skillfully taken care of for you (with your input), you really owe it to yourself to check out Churchill Manor.

The photo of Reiko and Malcom in this series during the recessional is one that I particularly like because it is like a two-part story. Part one is the joy of the bride soaking up every delicious moment of her ceremony by taking a glance back at her clapping guests and enjoying the rose-petal celebration. Part two is the obvious look of pure joy on the look of the groom with his new wife.

Napa Portrait Photographers, Jensen-Guidotti Family Portraits

Patricia Mark — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:20:51 +0000

It is always a delight to make a memory for this family each year with a series of portraits. I love it when the family pet(s) is included ~ they are, of course, a part of the family!

Napa Wedding Photographer, Churchill Manor, Cynthia & Jonathan

Patricia Mark — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:06:10 +0000

Another fantastic winter destination wedding at Churchill Manor in Napa! The weather has been so mild this winter that even the roses are blooming! This intimate gathering for seventeen was a perfect way to celebrate their marriage. The guests enjoyed dining at a beautifully-adorned, candle-lit table beneath one of the many chandeliers that romantically light up Churchill Manor. A toast by one of the guests included a “Big Hunk” candy bar, making reference to the groom.

Napa Wedding Photographer – San Francisco Bride’s Magazine – Harvest Inn

Patricia Mark — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:03:29 +0000

We are pleased to announce that Harvest Inn has chosen one of our vineyard wedding photographs at Harvest Inn for their advertisement in the current issue of San Francisco Brides Magazine! It can be found on page 91. This is a great magazine with a lot of wedding gowns, flowers, venues, ideas, etc. I love the pink Oscar de la Renta wedding gown and veil on page 7 in this issue. It is nice to see a beautiful wedding gown in a non-traditional color. You can pick up an issue at the newsstand or view the online version here: San Francisco Brides Magazine.

Napa Engagement Photographer, Christine & Bill’s Engagement Photos

Patricia Mark — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:31:03 +0000

There are always great places to do your engagement session in Napa Valley…even in Winter. Christine and Bill wanted to have some engagement photos that included their yellow labrador retriever. We were all for that! Here are a variety of photos from their session. We are looking forward to their wedding later this year.

Napa Wedding Photographer, Churchill Manor, Lauren & Brian

Patricia Mark — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:34:25 +0000

Churchill Manor is truly one of our favorite venues to photograph at! We are well acquainted with the property, having done so many weddings, elopements and events there. Be it summer, spring, winter or fall, morning, afternoon or evening~we’ve been there for an event. You can do a search on our blog to view our extensive work at Churchill Manor. Today’s post is about Lauren and Brian’s winter wedding, on a sunny winter January day, which is a little unusual for this time of year in Napa Valley. Both of the bride’s parents escorted her down the isle and gave her away. They had a printed wedding tree that each guest could stamp with a leaf (see photos below) and then sign their name on it, which I thought was a nice variation on the traditional “guest signing book”.

Napa Wedding Photographer, Churchill Manor, Brittnee & Brandon

Patricia Mark — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:50:47 +0000

A few photos of a winter elopement at Churchill Manor. The bride wore a white ball gown wedding dress with a sweetheart neckline while the groom wore a gray tuxedo with a vest and bow tie. Flowers by Garaventa Florist, Napa.