I have been so busy this summer that it has been hard to stay on top of blogging everything quickly. My friends Natalie and Dan got married at the beginning of the summer at the Santa Barbara Mission. Their reception was at the Maritime Museum. It was an amazing day from start to finish. Here are some photos from one of the funnest weddings I’ve ever shot.
Image of a wedding bouquet made by Joey Molina - Cana Flowers- for Natalie and Dan's Santa Barbara Wedding. SB wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher. Santa Barbara wedding coordination and planning by Jessica Zavala - Love and Merriment.
Image of moving her dress while getting ready for her Santa Barbara Wedding. SB wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Image of moving her dress while getting ready for her Santa Barbara Wedding. SB wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Image of Natalie Petrini getting into her wedding dress before her wedding ceremony at the Santa Barbara Mission. Santa Barbara Wedding Photography by Josh Gruetzmacher. Bridesmaids help a bride into her wedding dress.
Dan Provence Getting ready for his wedding at the Santa Barbara Mission. Groom boutonniere by Joey Molina, Cana Flowers.
Clergy processional enter the Santa Barbara Mission at the start of Natalie Petrini and Dan Provence's Wedding. Old Santa Barbara Mission wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Processional enter the Santa Barbara Mission at the start of Natalie Petrini and Dan Provence's Wedding. Old Santa Barbara Mission wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Photography.
The Mission is probably one of the most distinct landmarks in Santa Barbara. The inside is so beautiful, and it made for a distinctly Santa Barbara wedding ceremony.
Processional enter the Santa Barbara Mission at the start of Natalie Petrini and Dan Provence's Wedding. Old Santa Barbara Mission wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Photography.
Natalie Petrini and Dan Provence getting married at the Old Santa Barbara Mission. Old Santa Barbara Mission wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Photography.
Natalie Petrini and Dan Provence getting married at the Old Santa Barbara Mission. Old Santa Barbara Mission wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Photography.
Natalie Petrini and Dan Provence exit the Old Santa Barbara Mission after their wedding ceremony. Old Santa Barbara Mission wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Photography. Portrait of a bride and Groom in the courtyard of the SB Mission.
Natalie’s parents were married at the Santa Barbara Mission, and had a photo from their wedding near this palm tree. It wasn’t quite this big yet though.
Dan and Natalie Provence wedding portraits in front of the Old Santa Barbara Mission after their wedding ceremony. Old Santa Barbara Mission wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Photography. Portrait of a bride and Groom in the courtyard of the SB Mission.
Dan and Natalie Provence wedding portraits in front of the Old Santa Barbara Mission after their wedding ceremony. Old Santa Barbara Mission wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Photography. Portrait of a bride and Groom in the courtyard of the SB Mission.
Dan and Natalie Provence with their bridal party riding the Little Toot in the Santa Barbara Harbor after their wedding at the Santa Barbara Mission. Old Santa Barbara Mission wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Photography. Bride and Groom Riding the Little Toot boat towards the SB maritime Museum for their wedding reception.
The bridal party got dropped of by the trolly on the Wharf, and they took the Little Toot as a water taxi to get them to the other side of the harbor for the reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Do I even need to say that it was an epic entrance?
Dan and Natalie Provence with their bridal party riding the Little Toot in the Santa Barbara Harbor after their wedding at the Santa Barbara Mission. Old Santa Barbara Mission wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Photography. Bride and Groom Riding the Little Toot boat towards the SB maritime Museum for their wedding reception. Wedding floral arrangements made by Joey Molina, Cana Flowers for a Santa Barbara Wedding.
Tropical wedding reception details set up at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment.
Tropical wedding cake set up at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment. Santa Barbara Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Groomsmen toast for a wedding reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment. Santa Barbara Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Bride and Groom reactions during the wedding toasts for their wedding reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Natalie and Dan Provence wedding. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment. Santa Barbara Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Bride and Groom first dance for their wedding reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Natalie and Dan Provence wedding. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment. Santa Barbara Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Bride and Groom first dance for their wedding reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Natalie and Dan Provence wedding. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment. Santa Barbara Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Bride and Groom dance with their parents for their wedding reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Natalie and Dan Provence wedding. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment. Santa Barbara Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
I have a lot of great role models in my life including my parents, uncles, aunts, and friends, but throughout the wedding day I found a new one: Natalie’s dad, Jeff. There is something unique about the relationship between fathers and their daughters that is very special. After tearing up in a major way during Jeff’s toast, I realized that I would be very proud to become a father like Jeff Petrini someday.
Bride kicks off her shoes after dancing at her wedding reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Natalie and Dan Provence wedding. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment. Santa Barbara Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Weddings are a long day on your feet. I’m always impressed by brides who do everything including dance all night in their heels. This was a quick moment where the feet got a short break outside from all the dancing.
Guests dancing at a wedding reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Natalie and Dan Provence wedding. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment. Santa Barbara Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Guests dancing at a wedding reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Natalie and Dan Provence wedding. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment. Santa Barbara Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
This photo sums up how much fun the dancing was all night.
Guests dancing at a wedding reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Natalie and Dan Provence wedding. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment. Santa Barbara Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Guests dancing at a wedding reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Natalie and Dan Provence wedding. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment. Santa Barbara Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Guests dancing at a wedding reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Natalie and Dan Provence wedding. Wedding planning and design by Jessica Zavala, Merriment. Santa Barbara Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
You can see more photos in their slideshow if you’d like. Cheers!

A huge thank you to all of the rad people who made everything awesome. Jessica Zavala – Merriment Wedding Planning, was essential in so many ways and also very easy to work with. Joey Molina, Cana Flowers, made the creative floral arrangements. Country Catering served the food. Dawn Peters at Decadence made the beautiful wedding cake. DJ Joshua Jones, Goodbeat Productions, played music that kept everyone on the dance floor all night. If you are planning a Santa Barbara wedding, you should get these people involved.

Amy and Josh were some of the first people that I met when I moved to San Francisco. We met through some other mutual friends, and I was able to hang out with their Bible study group, The Jesus Fan Club, on numerous occasions. I also rode bikes with them one afternoon across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Sausalito. This ride inspired what would later become the “bike ride of destiny” where I rode with Alexis across the bridge and proposed when we got to the other side. All that to say that I think Amy and Josh are an awesome couple! They are both super smart, and artistic. I was so excited when they told me they had gotten engaged. I can’t wait to be a part of their wedding at the UC Berkeley Faculty Club in September.
For their engagement photos, we started in San Francisco at Golden Gate Park down at the end by the windmill. Next, we chased birds at Ocean beach, ran in the sand, and finished up our shoot at Albany Bulb in Berkeley. It was a fantastic afternoon.
Engagement photo of a couple laying in the grass in Golden Gate park in San Francisco. Photo by SF wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple in Golden Gate park in San Francisco. Photo by SF wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple in Golden Gate park in San Francisco. Photo by SF wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple in sitting by a brick wall in Golden Gate park in San Francisco. Photo by SF wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple in sitting at Ocean Beach, across the street from Golden Gate park in San Francisco. Photo by SF wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple scaring the seagulls at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. Photo by SF wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple scaring the seagulls at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. Photo by SF wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple running in the sand at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. Photo by SF wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a hipster couple at Albany Bulb, Berkeley. Photo by East Bay wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a young couple at Albany Bulb, Berkeley. Photo by East Bay wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple at Albany Bulb, Berkeley. Photo by East Bay wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple at Albany Bulb near the library, Berkeley. Photo by East Bay wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Albany Bulb used to be a landfill, so there is all sorts of random things everywhere. People built a makeshift library, and even stocked it with books. Artists built and left the sculptures out there. Albany bulb was full of interesting places to shoot at. It would be fun to go check it out on a weekend just for fun too.
Engagement photo of a couple at Albany Bulb near the library, Berkeley. Photo by East Bay wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple at Albany Bulb near the library, Berkeley. Photo by East Bay wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple at Albany Bulb near the sculptures, Berkeley. Photo by East Bay wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
All of the sculptures at Albany Bulb were great. Amy is an artist, and we wanted to get some art involved in the framing of these photos.
Engagement photo of a couple at Albany Bulb near the sculptures, Berkeley. Photo by East Bay wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple at Albany Bulb near the sculptures, Berkeley. Photo by East Bay wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Engagement photo of a couple at Albany Bulb at sunset, Berkeley. Photo by East Bay wedding photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Amy Wing Fong Lee and Joshua Ketchum engagement photo.
Not only do I love all of the photos that we got, but we celebrated after with some amazing pizza at Zachary’s in Berkeley. Little Star in SF better watchout, Zachary’s was SO good! I haven’t met any Chicago deep dish pizza that I didn’t like though. Cheers!

Bachelor Weekend

July 26, 2010

These are photos from a bachelor party weekend. It was for me, my best friend, Brandon, and my brother Mikey. So many weddings going on this year! I guess it’s like that for me every year, but not always with family and close friends. We went to Rock Creek, near June Lake. It was so nice getting to hang out with my Santa Barbara crew for the weekend. On the way home I camped in Yosemite with my roommate, Matt, and we hiked Half Dome. I had been wanting to do that hike for a while, and I was stoked that it worked out for us to do it. Yosemite is an amazing place! I can’t believe somewhere that beautiful is just a couple of hours away from us in San Francisco.

Fishing at Rock Creek Lake in the Sierras.
Jumping off a rock at Rock Creek Lake in the Sierras.
We found this awesome rock to jump off. When you do something that scares you, you feel alive. It’s a great feeling. Oh yeah, the photo on the right is of me in my underwear… I just did that. Boom.

Gruetzmacher Brothers. Mikey, Me, and DK
A photo with my brothers, Mikey, me and Daniel.
Waterfall photo shot from the Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.
This is a view of one of the waterfalls from the valley in Yosemite.
Josh Gruetzmacher in Yosemite
Sunset over Half Done shot from the Yosemite Valley.
Deer walking in the Yosemite Valley and a waterfall on the mist trail hike to Half Dome..
The cables going up to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.
The cables going up to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.
The hike up to the base of Half Dome is like many other hikes. When you get to the end though, there are these cables that you use to go up the super steep face to get to the top. This would be another one of those scary things you do to remember that you are still alive. The view from the top was amazing!!! I would recommend doing this hike at some point in your life if you are into this sort of thing.
The cables going up to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.
Image of Matt LeBourveau at the top of Half Dome in Yosemite.
Image of Josh Gruetzmacher at the top of Half Dome in Yosemite.
Image of a rainbow taken by Josh Gruetzmacher on the mist trail on the way back from Half Dome in Yosemite.
I would like to mention, that all of these photos were taken with my new point and shoot camera, the Canon S90. If you are looking for a great point and shoot camera that does it all, you should get one of these.

Annabel Lee

July 16, 2010

Here are a few portraits that I did for the brother and sister band, Annabel Lee. They have been working on recording their debut album which will hopefully be done sometime this fall. These photos were shot in Golden Gate park in San Francisco. Annabel Lee band portrait in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Photography by Josh Gruetzmacher. Ethan Sanchez and Ashlynn Sanchez
Annabel Lee band portrait in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Photography by Josh Gruetzmacher. Ethan Sanchez and Ashlynn Sanchez
Annabel Lee band portrait in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Photography by Josh Gruetzmacher. Ethan Sanchez and Ashlynn Sanchez
Annabel Lee band portrait in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Photography by Josh Gruetzmacher. Ethan Sanchez and Ashlynn Sanchez
Annabel Lee band portrait in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Photography by Josh Gruetzmacher. Ethan Sanchez and Ashlynn Sanchez
Annabel Lee band portrait in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Photography by Josh Gruetzmacher. Ethan Sanchez and Ashlynn Sanchez

Event flyer graphic design by Josh Gruetzmacher. San Francisco non-profit- Alpha Pregnancy Center's 2010 Walk for Life flyer.
I have been doing the graphic design for Alpha Pregnancy Center, a San Francisco non-profit, since 2009 when I offered to help them as part of a design class while I was still in school. I really appreciate how they are focused on loving women and families in the Bay Area who find themselves in the difficult place of an unplanned pregnancy. Chastidy, the executive director, and the other volunteers there offer a supportive ear, and provide tangible help through the donated resources they receive. The flyer I designed above is for their annual “Walk for Life” event. I am sad that I won’t be able to make it to the event since I will be shooting a wedding on the same day, but here is the event information: The walk will be on September 25, 2010 at 10am, starting at Alpha Pregnancy Center (5070 Mission Street, San Francisco). Walkers will drop off care packages at some of the families homes who receive support from APC, and then end at John McLaren Park for a community BBQ. Feel free to give them a call if you are interesting in hearing more about the work they do for the community, or to register to be a part of the Walk for Life (415-584-6800). You can see a larger version of their summer 2010 newsletter here if you would like to check that out.
Newsletter graphic design by Josh Gruetzmacher. San Francisco non-profit- Alpha Pregnancy Center's summer 2010 newsletter layout.
Newsletter graphic design by Josh Gruetzmacher. San Francisco non-profit- Alpha Pregnancy Center's summer 2010 newsletter layout.

Summer Previews

July 14, 2010

This summer has been so awesome! Lots of good people, good times, and so much fun. I can’t wait to share more of these photos with you all.








4th of July

July 4, 2010

Alexis and I had a really nice weekend in hanging out with family and friends down in Santa Barbara for the 4th. We also got to be guests at our friend’s, Teresa and Hany’s, wedding. It was such a blast! I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn’t at work. It is an honor to be a guest at a wedding (and lots of fun)! I hope you had a good weekend too. Here is a photo I took of the 4th of July fireworks in Santa Barbara.
Fireworks over the Wharf in Santa Barbara on July 4th, 2010. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.

This year has been going by SO fast! My brother, Mikey, will be getting married in less than a month!!! Does this manly endeavor mean that I will have to start calling him Michael instead of Mikey? It seemed like just yesterday that I was taking his proposal photos. With their wedding just around the corner, he wanted to do some proper engagement photos. We definitely had a good time, and I really enjoy how fun these photos are. I feel that they are fitting for Mikey and Ashley’s easy going and fun personalities. People who smile and laugh a lot are always having a good time. We started out just down the street from our parent’s house at the Goleta Pier at Goleta Beach.
Michael Gruetzmacher and Ashley Weiland engagement photo in Goleta at the Goleta pier / Goleta Beach. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Michael Gruetzmacher and Ashley Weiland engagement photo in Goleta at the Goleta pier / Goleta Beach. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Michael Gruetzmacher and Ashley Weiland engagement photo in Goleta at the Goleta pier / Goleta Beach. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Michael Gruetzmacher and Ashley Weiland engagement photo in Goleta's Old Town neighborhood. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.
We then did some more engagement photos in Old Town Goleta. For real.
Michael Gruetzmacher and Ashley Weiland engagement photo in Goleta's Old Town neighborhood. Couple framed by palm tree shadows. California engagement photo. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.
As we were driving by, I saw the shadows from the trees on the roll up doors, so we pulled off for a couple of quick photos outside of the muffler shop. I love Goleta!
Michael Gruetzmacher and Ashley Weiland engagement photo in Goleta's Old Town neighborhood. Couple framed by tree shadows. California engagement photo. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Michael Gruetzmacher and Ashley Weiland engagement photo in Goleta's Old Town neighborhood. Sizzling hot makeout session in old town Goleta by the Sizzler sign. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Sizzling hot makeout session in old town Goleta by the Sizzler sign. I bet that’s a first. On a side note, we used to love when our parents would take us to this Sizzler when we were kids.
Michael Gruetzmacher and Ashley Weiland engagement photo in Goleta's Old Town neighborhood. Engagement Photo of a couple in a lemon grove in Goleta. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.
In true Goleta style, we then took some engagement photos in a lemon grove.
Michael Gruetzmacher and Ashley Weiland engagement photo in Goleta's Old Town neighborhood. Engagement Photo of a couple in a lemon grove in Goleta. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Michael Gruetzmacher and Ashley Weiland engagement photo in Goleta's Old Town neighborhood. Engagement Photo of a couple in a lemon grove in Goleta. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Michael Gruetzmacher and Ashley Weiland engagement photo in Goleta's Old Town neighborhood. Engagement Photo of a couple in a lemon grove in Goleta. Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Mikey and Ashley are so great together! I am very proud of Mikey, and super excited that Ashley will be joining our family! I can’t wait to shut the dance floor down at their wedding. You can see more of this Goleta engagement goodness here.

I got to be involved in Christopher and Jacquelyn’s beautiful evening wedding in Modesto. It was actually my second weekend in a row being out here for a wedding. They live in Georgia, where Christopher is stationed in the army. Their family and friends helped put every thing together for such a nice wedding. Big thanks to Carol Anne Miller for both connecting me with the couple, and for opening up her home and design skills to help make this awesome. I really enjoyed how intimate this wedding felt. Good friends and good times. Here are some of the photos from their day:
Modesto bride having her birdcage veil pinned to her haed as she is getting ready for her backyard wedding in Modesto. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Modesto bride having her getting her make up done before for her backyard wedding in Modesto. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Blue bridal bouquet floral design for a wedding in Modesto. Oil lamps that hang from trees to create ambience for a backyard wedding. Photos of wedding design details. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Blue wedding design details for a Modesto wedding. Food images of a desert bar for a wedding reception. Photos of wedding design details. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Their reception was slightly different since their ceremony was in the evening. Instead of a formal dinner, they had a really nice desert bar. Mmmm…
Modesto bride getting into her wedding dress before for her backyard wedding in Modesto. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Photographs from Jacquelyn White and Christopher Clayton's wedding ceremony in Modesto. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Photographs from Jacquelyn White and Christopher Clayton's wedding ceremony in Modesto. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Wedding portraits of Jacquelyn White and Christopher Clayton after their wedding ceremony in Modesto. Portrait of a couple by a barn. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Wedding portraits of Jacquelyn White and Christopher Clayton after their wedding ceremony in Modesto. Portraits of a couple in a grove of almond trees in Modesto / Salida. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Wedding portraits of Jacquelyn White and Christopher Clayton after their wedding ceremony in Modesto. Portraits of a couple in a grove of almond trees in Modesto / Salida. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Wedding portraits of Jacquelyn White and Christopher Clayton after their wedding ceremony in Modesto. Portraits of a couple in a grove of almond trees in Modesto / Salida. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
I love this shot in the almond trees at sunset. The light coming through the trees was so amazing!
Bride and groom cutting their wedding cake as their family cheers them on at their wedding reception in Modesto. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
People dancing at a wedding reception in Modesto. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
People dancing at a wedding reception in Modesto. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
Bride and groom are exiting after their wedding reception in Modesto. Wedding photography by Josh Gruetzmacher.
It was such a fun evening! Thanks so much for letting me be a part of it. You can see more photos in their slideshow too.

I had a great time doing engagement photos for my friends, Tarik and Erika. They are such a cute couple! I can’t wait for their wedding in San Francisco this December. Tarik and Erika moved up to San Francisco to help start a new church, Reality SF. My fiance, Alexis, and I have been going there, and we love it. It is so great to be involved in a community of people who live close and have the same goals as we do for making a difference in the city. Before I moved up to San Francisco from Santa Barbara, I had been helping with the high school youth group at Reality SF’s sending church, Reality Carpinteria, so the Reality family has always been very close to me. Here are some of the photos that we got on this beautiful Sunday afternoon.
Engagement photo of a couple at Baker Beach with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, San Francisco. Photo by San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Erika Armentrout and Tarik El Ansary engagement photo.
San Francisco is such a big part of their lives, so we wanted to get some photos with the Golden Gate Bridge in them. Baker Beach is one of my favorite views of the bridge. I remember being blown away by the awesomeness of Baker Beach the first time I went there. I still feel that way when I go there actually.
Photo of a custom engagement ring that was designed to look like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Tarik had Erika’s engagement ring custom designed so that it would mimic the shape of the Golden Gate Bridge. SO awesome!
Engagement photo of a couple at Baker Beach in San Francisco. Photo by San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher. Erika Armentrout and Tarik El Ansary engagement photo.
Engagement photo of Erika Armentrout and Tarik el Ansary at Baker Beach in San Francisco. Photo by San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher.
While I have been to Baker Beach many times, this was the first time I even noticed all of the old military bunkers there. We had some great light at the bunkers, and I love the rustic/industrial feel of this scenery.
Engagement photo of Erika Armentrout and Tarik el Ansary at Baker Beach in San Francisco. Photo by San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher.
Engagement photo of Erika Armentrout and Tarik el Ansary at Baker Beach in San Francisco. Photo by San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher.
Engagement photo of Erika Armentrout and Tarik el Ansary at Baker Beach in San Francisco. Photo by San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher.
Engagement photo of a couple in front of an old brick church in San Francisco. Photo by San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher.
An outfit change and a couple of espresso shots later, we went downtown to get some evening and night portraits. St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in the back of this photo on the left is such a cool building. I love that it is right by the Contemporary Jewish Museum too (below). I’ve found that all of the interesting architecture in this area makes it a great place to take photographs.
Engagement photo of a couple in front of the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco. Also a photo in the evening of a couple on Market Street in San Francisco. Photo by San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher.
Engagement photo of a couple at night near maiden lane in San Francisco. Photo by San Francisco Wedding Photographer, Josh Gruetzmacher.
Thanks for such a good time! You can see more photos in the slideshow too.