Jackie and Anthony – Married in San Diego, CA

Jackie and Anthony were married inside the gorgeous Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Poway – sitting just on the outskirts of San Diego, CA. Guests were afterwards ushered to the US Grant Hotel in Downtown SD, for an uuunnnbelievably beautiful reception that just had me (as well as everyone else) gasping! From the chandeliers, to the flower arrangements, everything about the wedding preparation was complete bliss.

Jackie and Anthony both met by chance online several years ago… I actually remember casually talking to Jackie when she first met Anthony – she was giggling and cooing over the new “fireman” in her life. Gretchen and I both asked how she felt about dating him since they both lived about 2 hours away from each other. She said she was considering maybe moving to be closer to him in a few months… And so I guess you could say that the rest was history :)

I am eager to say that the connection that Jackie and Anthony share is more than just strong. It’s momentous.

They lift each other up with their love. And from start to finish of their wedding day, I know that I (along with everyone else in attendance) was lifted by them as well.

Cheers to a beautiful day, and a beautiful couple.

May you both have many years of blessings, health and love.

-Michelle

Kim and Jacky Get Married – Long Beach Museum of Art

To be given the opportunity to bear witness to such an incredible moment in the lives of these two women is not simply a job fulfillment that I can now check off my bucket list, and nor does it serve any religious or social agenda I may (or may not) have… But to state that this wedding was a pivotal moment in my career as a photographer is an understatement. This marriage was profound. Profound in the way that has changed the way I perceive my job. Profound in a way that has solidified my perceptions of love, marriage, and truth. Profound in such a way that has changed the way I see myself in the world – and the depth of this realization has consumed me in the most wonderful way.

The love that Kim and Jacky have for each other is a blessing that not a single person should be hidden from. These two share such rare and precious moments, that it was both an honor and a challenge to be able to capture the depth of their love on camera. And to be able to have played a part in their lives in this way is endlessly giving. I truly have no words to describe it. They are just complete magic both in front of the lens, and in real life.

It was a day filled with love and only love. I can safely say for myself, and perhaps even for all of the guests in attendance, that we were all there to not just witness a wedding, but to commit all of our love and support to embrace these two every way we could.

With that said, each and every single image is a reminder of what a gift these two are to me personally, to our mutual friends, our entire community, and even beyond that.

So cheers, Kim and Jacky. May your lives together be filled with health, happiness and love.

I wish you my warmest and most sincere blessings.

Wedding Coordination: Kristi Jo Ticehurst

Venue: Long Beach Museum of Art – Long Beach, CA

Catering: Long Beach Museum of Art

Makeup:

Hair: Krystel Gibson

Nicole and Kevin’s Wedding – Atop Signal Hill, Long Beach CA

Words will entirely fail me no matter how hard I try to describe the complete magic this day was from beginning to end. Guess it’s a good thing I have my camera to do that job instead. Nicole and Kevin were… to say the least… the most beautifully connected couple I’ve yet to experience from behind the lens, and it was both a challenge and an honor to be able to capture every moment between the two of them on this day.

They were married on Saturday, September 7th, perched atop Signal Hill in Long Beach, CA – on the grounds of a beautifully historic 1912 craftsman home called the Ahlswede House.

Cheers to you both, Nicole and Kevin. After being able to experience the connection that you two have  – I think it’s pretty safe to say that you two are absolutely perfect for one another. May your lives together be blessed and filled with health, happiness and an abundance of your love. Thank you both for sharing your love with me.

For the rest of everyone else who either helped during, or simply attended the wedding, it was an incredible pleasure to be in your presence and watch the entire day unfold in complete perfection. Cheers to old friends, and new friends made.

Coordinator – Diana Hutchinson http://www.hutchinsonweddings.com

Catering – Fork in the Road http://www.forkintheroadcatering.com

Flowers – Devynn’s Garden http://www.devynnsgarden.com

Hair & Makeup – Carly Aguilar

You can check out their engagement images here.

oh, and if you’re into waterworks and sentimental moments… I HIGHLY suggest you listen to the song she walked down the aisle to, while looking over the photos your first time around. I teared up at least 10 times while arranging the images with that song playing in the background.

LISTEN HERE:  ORANGE SKY – ALEXI MURDOCH

Enjoy.

Camping at Treebones Resort in Big Sur, CA

Can’t even begin to start writing about this experience… will be posting more images and words soon.

Jackie and Anthony – Engagement Photos!

I had the wonderful opportunity to be asked to team up with Gretchen Williams Photography for this engagement shoot in San Diego, CA!

We shot the first part of this session in their beautiful backyard countryside of Jamul – a hidden gem of native Californian landscape just 20 minutes inland from Downtown San Diego. They both live inside the house that Anthony himself built from the ground up, and the place where Anthony proposed to Jackie in December is perched high atop a mountain that is easily visible from their backyard – I really loved learning their story and capturing the spark between the two of them.

Anthony and Jackie are set to be married this November on Coronado Island just minutes off the coast from Downtown San Diego. I can’t wait to be there with Gretchen and capture their special day!!!

Kevin and Nicole Engagement!

This engagement shoot was one of my favorite moments to document. Ever.

The evening was filled with incredible scenes, as well my absolute favorite thing to see behind the lens… deliciously quiet moments.

From the way the sun broke through the clouds at perfect moments, to the subtle ways the way these two interacted with each other, I could not be a happier photographer. It was complete magic from beginning to end.

Kevin and Nicole are high school sweethearts that are getting married this September atop Signal Hill, CA  in a beautifully sweet little 1930’s bungalow that overlooks downtown Long Beach. Everything about the chemistry between the two of them is just a complete dream to capture on camera – and I can NOT wait for their big day!!

 

Stahl-Kovell Wedding

I am really excited to be able to share these images finally.

I don’t believe it can get any better for a photographer when it comes to having a location and couple like this.

I shot this event along with my assistant –  the very talented and capable Gretchen Williams Photography – at the Historic Empire Mine in Grass Valley, CA.

You can read more about this incredible venue here!

Many, many thanks to everyone who was involved in this wonderful day – from the wedding planner, to the makeup and hair artists, to the friends who were setting up tables early in the morning :) This was seriously SO much fun to be a part of!!

Thanks again to Danny and Katie — you two are simply the best.

Katie & Daniel pre-wedding shoot

Quick mini-engagement shoot with two lovebirds that have easily become one of my favorite couple-shoots to date! Katie Stahl and Daniel Kovell are set to be wed in just over one week — I jumped in on this pretty late in the game, but I am SO excited to see all the beautiful images I’ll be able to capture in front of these two!! These were taken on the lovely little coast of Seal Beach, CA (just steps away from their adorable studio apt). Stay tuned for the upcoming wedding spread!! xx

Christopher Heyerdahl Photoshoot

Did some photography and web design for Christopher Heyerdahl a few months back.

It was really such an incredible pleasure working with him — he could not have been more kind or hilarious! Be sure to catch him as ‘The Swede’ on AMC’s Hell on Wheels, as well as ‘Dieter Braun’ on HBO’s 5th season of True Blood which aired this summer! Oh, and go rent the Twilight Saga…. seriously. He did a quick imitation of his Volturi character and I almost died.

Portrait of Christopher Heyerdahl

Photography and Design by Michelleswork

On-Site Assistant: Meredith Ambruso

With Love,

From Los Angeles, CA

Outtake

Another late post.

My sister is gorgeous. I photographed these around the very beginning of summer.

Jealous of those eyes.

 

Summer Celebration – Cake and Popsicles

GOSH! It has been such an incredibly wonderful summer, I have completely let my blog slide!

I figured since the season is starting to slip away, I would post one of my favorite memories from the past three months. These are original recipes of my own that really celebrated all the wonderful goodness of berries, cake, watermelon and vegetables!

Even though it is over a month old, I wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Gretchen — she currently has a blog of her own that documents the wonderful renovations of her 1950’s cottage in Prairie Village, Kansas City (which is where we held this lovely birthday event!). You can see read all about her home, her dogs, and her homeowner projects here:  http://theanchorcottage.wordpress.com/

Please let me know if any of you re-create the recipes! I really can’t say enough good things about them. Especially the popsicles. And I guess especially the cake. I really can’t choose which one was better!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful summer. I will be posting new things as soon as I can get back up-to-speed with my project. There will be some new jewelry for purchase, as well as a new poster. Can’t wait to share with everyone.

xx

M

A Quick Portrait of Meredith Ambruso

I will never be able to find enough good things to say about my incredibly talented artist-friend Meredith Ambruso!

We sat down for a quick photoshoot the other day – and it’s easy to see why she is one of my absolute favorites to photograph.

Michelleswork featured on Martha Stewart!!!

Hi everyone! Just stumbled upon this really, really great news that has actually been up since JANUARY. But I had absolutely no flippin’ idea.

The Michelleswork Minerals Print was featured on MarthaStewart.com as #4 on her “On Trend” list! Sooo great! I can’t believe I had NO CLUE about this for THREEEE MOOONNNTTHHHSSSSS. Here’s the link http://ourfinds.marthastewart.com/2012/01/11/on-trend-minerals/

There has been a super super HUGE pouring of incoming emails, asking about whether or not I will be printing these directly since UO has sold out. YESYESYES I WILL BE PRINTING WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH!! If you want your name on the waiting list, please email me at MichelleBandach@gmail.com with your name and number of posters desired. I will be emailing everyone on the list once I have them in my hands.

Big yay!!!

Now time to celebrate.

Clay Safari

Gaaahhh so I made these a few months ago, but have been slacking on keeping my blog updated. Considering making some of these to sell… maybe! I made them on a whim after I discovered my hidden stash of polymer clay in my home. They are varnished and mounted onto raw eucalyptus slices. So excited with how they turned out!!

I am hoping to really catch up on projects like this, and start sharing some really wonderful stuff from other artists that I support and love very much. I am shooting for a four-post minimum every week starting in April, which will hopefully last through the summer :) Stay tuned!

xx

Seaside Resort Collection!

It’s finally ready! After a few weeks of inspiration hunting, raw sketching, and having lots of paint and varnish on my hands, I can now FINALLY say that my brand new necklace collection is available for purchase!

Click on the images below to read fine text — Pick your custom color and custom size, and have your necklace within a week!

Feel free to email me at MichelleBandach@gmail.com with any inquiries, comments or custom-order ideas!!

Enjoy!

xx