Introducing: The High Five Factory

Custom photo booth backdrops for weddings, parties and special events. My friend April lives across the street, and she is by far one of the most creative people I know.  I've solicited her help on quite a number of wedding related projects - most recently, she helped me make the backdrop and animal faces for Liz and Darren's photo booth (see below):

While we were crafting, we started thinking that we should make custom backdrops, props and themed photo booth kits and sell them as creative, one-of-a-kind options for couples.  There seems to be a lack of unique photo booth accessories out there so we decided to start with a few trial ideas.  We're currently selling items and accepting custom orders as The High Five Factory on our Etsy site.  We're still just getting started, and we have LOTS more fun ideas in the works so check back often for new items and ideas.
Here are our first set of backdrops, and we are happy to create backdrops with custom colors/fabric:  from upper left, going clockwise, I give you:  Into the Jungle, Rainbow Brite, The Nautical, and (our personal fave) The Carlton
Custom photo booth backdrops for weddings, parties and special events.

We recommend using a backdrop stand (this is the one I have), but you could always hang the backdrops on a sturdy clothesline.
So, check us out!  You know you want to.  : )

Crazytown and Kiki, the Jumping Queen

It's been really busy around here - loads of weddings, portrait sessions and quite a few corporate shoots, and in the middle of all the craziness, I've decided to start a new venture with my friend April.  Oh, and Adm and I are teaching Kiki to become a circus performer.  Here's a behind-the-scenes photo with a sneak peek of our new project that we'll hopefully (fingers crossed) officially announce next week!

Prairie + Andris in San Francisco

Anyone who plans an outdoor wedding in San Francisco in April is keeping their fingers crossed to have the weather gods on their side.  Well, it was actually lightly raining about an hour before Prairie and Andris' wedding in the Shakespeare Garden of Golden Gate Park, and the weather seemed farthest from their minds.  These two are world travelers as they both work for international non-profits, (Andris was unexpectedly sent to the West Bank just days before the wedding), so I should've known that a little rain wouldn't have fazed them.  As an observer, you could just sense their excitement and happiness for what was to come, and in the moments leading up to their ceremony, the drizzle stopped, giving way to one of the sweetest ceremonies we've witnessed.  Adm and I had so much fun photographing these two, who have such a pleasant and easygoing aura about them.  We wish them loads of happiness as they continue their adventure together, now as husband and wife.

Next four photos by Adm:

Prairie's gorgeous dress was custom-designed and made by Karleen Eberle.

Photo below by Adm:

Vu Family Session

Adm and I had a fun little family portrait session last weekend at the beautiful Hakone Gardens in Saratoga.  There were two moms, four daughters and a husband, and we had a great time photographing them all together.  The session was prompted by the fact that one of the daughters, Michelle, is in the Army and heading to Afghanistan soon.  We wish her well and hope she returns safe and sound.

Ariadne + Nicholas in Pasadena, CA

Ariadne and Nicholas were married in Pasadena, CA, where I pretty much grew up.  Actually, Ariadne and I went to high school together so it was really fun to photograph her wedding in my old stomping grounds.  We hit a number of different spots throughout Pasadena including City Hall for some portraits, before ending up at her parents' house for one of the most beautiful summer backyard weddings that Adm and I have been to.  She and Nicholas live in New Jersey, and so Ariadne's mom did almost all of the planning and coordinating, and she just did a fabulous job.  There were so many sweet details, like the colorful shawls hanging over the backs of the chairs that not only added to the decor, but also served as favors for guests to take home and use as the night went on, or the signs that instructed guests how to play games which were set up in the front yard.  Everything about the wedding felt very natural and comfortable, and we could tell that a lot of thought and care had gone into trying to make guests feel welcome and at home, which is exactly how I remember Ariadne from high school.  She was always calm and collected, and genuinely expressed her care for other people and what was going on with them.

Although Ariadne and Nicholas had a short engagement, from the way they were with each other on their wedding day, we think they'll have an infinitely long marriage.  I guess it goes back to that old saying, "When you know, you know."  Thank you, Ariadne and Nicholas for having us along for your wedding.  We loved documenting you two and your families and friends, and we wish you years of joy.

Next four photos by Adm

Photo below by Adm:

Next two photos by Adm:

Photo on left by Adm:

Next two photos by Adm:

Photo on left by Adm:

Chow Family Photos

Last week, Adm and I had the pleasure of photographing the Chow and Liu families!  They're actually all my family so it was a fun excuse to see them and photograph them all together, a rare thing since half of them live on the East Coast.  We had three generations, my auntie Shirley and her husband, and their three daughters with their families, including 7-week old Kayden!  We started at home before heading to La Cuesta Park in Sunnyvale, which I discovered is a great spot for family portraits!  There's a great playground, redwoods, grassy hills, and blossoming trees all in the same park!

Above photo by Adm.

Above photo by Adm.

Don't forget that we're having a special rate for family portrait sessions booked now through Saturday, April 30 where we'll be donating 50% of all proceeds to the Japan relief effort.  You can read more details here or contact me directly to book a session at alison@alisonyinweddings.com.