Noah Hawthorne Photography | San Francisco Wedding Photographer » Golden Gate Park

Tim & Jess | Golden Gate Park Engagement Shoot

Noah Hawthorne — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:19:20 +0000

Tim and Jess joined me for a play date in Golden Gate Park where we enjoyed the late afternoon sun, and a beautiful summer day before heading down to the Civic Center area for a few evening photos. This was so much fun!

I’ll be shooting their wedding this next October at Relais du Soleil in Glen Ellen. Can’t wait.

Jen and Ji were around for the day as well as my honorary “assistants”. Ji is Jess’ brother and will be the “man of honor” for the wedding.

I was encouraged to do pull-ups after this. Tim is an Ironman (just qualified for this year’s Hawaii competition, while Jess is doing an Olympic distance triathlon today!), so monkey bar shenanigans were no problem for this couple.

This could have been an out-take, but was just too cute not to keep, and even put on the blog.

Tiara + Derek | San Francisco Engagement Shoot

Noah Hawthorne — Sun, 02 May 2010 00:13:43 +0000

Tiara Derek made the trip up to San Francisco for a quick engagement shoot this week. After a day of scattered showers the clouds parted right on cue as we started to work right on the edge of the Pacific near Golden Gate Park. I’ll be going out for their wedding in Hawaii this summer. I hardly know what I’ll do with myself without the brisk windy SF weather coming off the ocean. I always try to get natural, full emotions into my photos. I love looking through this set. Can’t you just tell that these are fun, goofy, friendly, wonderful people? See some favorites below:

Kong & Aimee | San Francisco Engagement Shoot

Noah Hawthorne — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:35:34 +0000

When Kong and Aimee told me that they wanted to bring their pug Spike along for the engagement session I knew I was in for some trouble. Being a wedding photographer, it’s bad form to fall in love with a client. However, I have to say that Spike was certainly an exception. We started out with a beautiful summer day at Baker Beach, followed by a jaunt through Golden Gate Park. I’ve met with Kong and Aimee at two weddings already, so it was fun to finally get them in front of the camera. We had a ton of fun, and I must say that if I had to let Spike be with anyone, Kong and Aimee are well worth it.

Phannie + Richard | Golden Gate Park Engagement Shoot

Noah Hawthorne — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:32:32 +0000

After a day of pouring rain, Phannie and Richard were understandably wondering if we should continue with our plans for an engagement shoot in Golden Gate park last weekend. I decided that we should go ahead, and was treated to one of the most adventuresome and fun photoshoots I’ve ever had.

Richard and Phannie met in dental school. Ironically, it was during a lab where their teacher informed them of the statistic that 30% of their class would get married to each other. Side by side, they looked at each other and said, “no way!”. Statistics are there for a reason though- and three years of school wore them down (or better yet, brought them closer together) to where we are today.

We started at the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park for a few beautiful portraits under an overhang, and then headed out into the unknown. We played with some geese at a nearby lake, and made it down to the ocean where howling winds and rain gave us plenty of excitement. It all worked out beautifully, and added an environmental aspect that I rarely get with my photos. Plus, it was a ton of fun. Here are a few favorites.

Yes, it really was that windy.

The Cliff House in San Francisco, overlooking the stormy sea, and Ocean Beach.

Tina & Thomas | Golden Gate Park Engagement Shoot

Noah Hawthorne — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:36:35 +0000

It’s a real privilege to have a place like Golden Gate Park making up my backyard. I really do have just about the best (and largest) photo studio imaginable right outside my front door.

Tina and Thomas have been bridging the country for the past several years, going between California and Massachusetts when possible. Thomas sent Bernie and Bo – two adorable stuffed teddy bears to keep Tina company when he was away, and the whole family of four re-united for some photos in the park. We walked between the California Academy of Sciences and the De Young Museum, found a great tunnel, columns, etc. Tina, Thomas, Bernie and Bo- it was an absolute pleasure!

Thomas has a patented “sad face.” Somehow he still manages to look happy. That has to be a good thing.

Every time I pass by I am put in awe of the amazing De Young Museum. It really is an architectural masterpiece.

Wendy & Grant’s engagement session

Noah Hawthorne — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:17:14 +0000

I met Wendy and Grant more than a year ago while I was photographing Masy and Chris’ wedding (they just had their first baby, congratulations!). The plan for this engagement shoot was to explore the fantastic new California Academy of Sciences. We showed up early on a Friday morning to find the place overrun by school field trips and tourists. We played tourist ourselves for a bit, then improvised a bit and headed out into San Francisco. The noon sun was nicely tempered by our infamous fog (the best soft box light ever), and we took advantage to get some great images throughout Golden Gate Park, the parking lot, and Baker Beach, with a stop in the woods next to the Presidio as well. So much fun. It was remarkable how close, genuine, and fun-loving this couple is. Take a look…the photos say it all.

Golden Gate Park Engagement Session | Julie & Jeff (and Agnes)

Noah Hawthorne — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:05:29 +0000

Julie and Jeff have just returned back to the Bay Area after a few years in New York City, and have transfered varied writing careers to downtown San Francisco. I met up with this fun and spunky couple in Golden Gate Park to walk their dog Agnes, and take a few photos along the way. We wound our way through the trees on the outskirts of the park, skirted the hordes of people at the California Academy of Sciences, and played with the colorful walls of the De Young Museum for a few portraits. We were lucky to get a break in the rain, with overcast skies that lead to beautiful light all day long.

One thing that I immediately noticed was that Julie and Jeff really know how to play with each other. It was really fun to watch. The resulting photos range from loving to just plain goofy, and of course an obligatory selection of dog portraits (the already adoped child of their upcoming marriage . Below are a few of my favorites from Golden Gate Park, the De Young Museum, and the Sunset District of San Francisco. Enjoy!

Alex & Emily’s Engagement | Sutro Heights Park | Ocean Beach

Noah Hawthorne — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:32:57 +0000

Here are a selection of Alex and Emily’s engagement photos, taken around the Western side of San Francisco. We met up at Sutro Heights Park for a few pictures, then headed to the windmill down the hill in Golden Gate Park, and then on to Ocean Beach. We were treated to some amazing golden light and a beautiful sunset before heading back to Berkeley. Emily and Alex are both Cal grads…and had to get a shot in front of the Campanile there at night. I can’t wait for their wedding, which will be at the Madrona Manor this next summer.

A slideshow, and a few of my favorites are below.