PhotosTM Bay Area Photography

Jennifer & Francis Wedding day January 17, 2009

2009-01-22T15:28:00.000-08:00

Jennifer & Francis's wedding was my first wedding for the New Year.
Few months ago we shot their engagement session which was a lot of fun. But I have to tell you shooting the wedding was a BLAST!
The ceremony was at the amazing Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco. The Reception was at the beautiful Westin Hotel.
Jennifer & Francis looked stunning! And the best thing was the large bridal party - awesome people - funny, cool, and great personalities!
So to keep this short, I had great time! Let there be many more wedding like this one to come this year.

Here is a sneak preview of some of the photos... :)
Enjoy.

The Great Bridal Expo @ FAIRMONT SAN JOSE

2008-11-24T20:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had a booth at the Great Bridal Expo in the FAIRMONT SAN JOSE.
The show was a great success! I had over 150 people at my booth.
Here is a photo of my booth taken with Mark's iPhone.

Phuong Trinh Bridal & Tuxedo Model shoot, October 12, 2008

2008-10-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I organized a special shoot for Phuong Trinh Bridal & Tuxedo store in San Jose. The shoot was with two GREAT models I got to know from Model Mayhem: Melody and Melisha.
We went to Stanford University to shoot on location. I took two assistants with me to help me with holding my California Sanbounce reflectors.
I also had an amazing make up artist from Model Mayhem: Marisol

We had a lot of fun creating amazing images that will be displayed at the store.
Here are the images we selected to go on the store:

Step it Up Seminar with Mike Larson and Brittany, October 6-7, 2008 Las Vegas

2008-10-12T11:43:00.000-07:00

Improving my skills as a photographer and as a business person is a continues goal of mine.
I am always looking for great opportunities to learn new techniques and new ideas.
I was very fortunate to win an entry to Mike Larson's "Step it Up" Seminar in Las Vegas!
I got to spend some amazing time with him and Brittany from Vegas's best photography studio - BLR photography.
I have to tell you all, this seminar was one of the best I attended! Mike and Brittany were pouring all their secrets on us, I was so overwhelmed I only took few shots the entire two days... so here are my favorites from the seminar.

Shiany & Felix wedding photography, Crystal Springs Burlingame CA, September 13, 2008.

2008-09-20T20:59:00.000-07:00

The big day has arrived, the wedding of my good friends, Shiany and Felix, was about to begin.
I have to tell you, it is a lot harder to perform when you know that this is for your friends! I was both excited and nervous and the same time, but hey, I have to do my best for my friends!
So I woke up at 6:30am, Shiany wanted me to come to the hotel, where the girls would get ready at 8am, but I like to be early, so I arrived at 7:15am and Shiany was shocked :) I immediately started taking pictures of the hair making, the make up and the details of the dresses. I used my new lens, the 85mm 1.2f, WOW what an amazing lens! I LOVE IT !!!
As always the preparation took longer then planed and we took of to Crystal Springs half an hour late...
When we arrived, we started taking photos for the bridal party! they are the funniest bridal party I had in a long time, hey knowing 50% of them helped :)
The ceremony started, and I was able to take all the artistic photos, since I knew my good friend, Adam Hays, a great photographer will take all the "must have" shots I was free to rome around and take all the artistic shots!
After the ceremony we shot few more portraits, and we headed to the reception area in Crystal Springs. Shiany and Felix performed several dances, some with all the bridal party and some alone... I must tell you, Felix you were the bomb, for someone who did not know how to dance 4 months ago you PERFORMED!!!
As I like to say - "say no more" here are the photos, Enjoy:

Jouney & Tim Engagement session September 14, 2008

2008-09-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

This day started with a smile when we headed to the legion of honors museum. Jouney and Tim were funny and they kept hugging each other, which was great for me :) We then went to Bakers beach, and San Francisco. I had Great time with both Jouney and Tim, it is too bad the wedding is not here and I will not be the photographer ....
I love the photos from our day, here there are:

Jennifer & Francis Engagement session September 10, 2008

2008-09-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

I love hanging out with my clients, get to know them better, and take some great engagement shots for them.
We started the day early, around 11am, we took of to Santana Row where we did some "paparazzi" style photos - I love these photos, they are so candid and the look great! then we headed down to Pacifica and finally we topped it of with a tour at the city - San Francisco. I had a blast spending the day with Jennifer and Francis, I can't wait to shoot their wedding soon :)
Here are some of my favorites shots from the day:

Helen & Lars Wedding on August 31, 2008

2008-09-09T16:33:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon I drove up to Willow Heights Mansion in Morgan Hill.
The place is beautiful! it has an amazing view of the valley, and the mansion is a piece of art.
It was a sunny day and I was lucky to have my assistant with me to help me with light control.
I have to tell you, the ceremony was very short, less then 10 minutes and boom the couple was married :) that was fast :) of course I got all the important shots... so I was happy.
then we had about an hour of shooting with the couple and I loved it, I got some amazing shots for them!
Well, I should say no more, here are my favorites. Enjoy!

Kari & Ann wedding on September 1, 2008

2008-09-09T16:23:00.000-07:00

On September 1, 2008 I took of to the beautiful Rengstorff House in Mountain View.
I went to shoot a same sex wedding for Kari & Ann.
This was a colorful outdoor wedding, both brides wore colorful cloths, and the entire setting was wonderful.
The day went by so fast since every moment was filled with fun!
Here are some of the images from that day:

Faces of Operation Smile

2008-09-07T22:12:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

I'm a member of the PPA - Professional Photographers of America.
PPA is promoting a very important Charity here is more information from the PPA BLOG:
Take a look at the smiles that are created when you participate in Family Portrait Month. When you participate in Family Portrait Month, you help PPA Charities raise funds for Operation Smile, allowing them to continue their work with children around the world.

Since 1982, more than 115,000 children and young adults have been treated by thousands of volunteers worldwide and thousands of healthcare professionals have been trained globally. For as little as $240 Operation Smile can change a child's life by giving the gift of a surgery. Revenue in excess of surgical costs is invested into our sustainability programs, empowering our partner countries to treat more children on their own and making your investment go even farther. In as little as 45 minutes, one cleft lip surgery can change a child's life forever.

For More information, or to participate, visit www.PPACharities.com.

Slideshow prepared by Angie Weedon for PPA Charities. Copy and paste the code below to post this to your blog. Or use this url to add to Facebook or other social networking site: http://prophoto.typepad.com/ppa_charities/2008/09/slideshow-faces.html

San Jose Studio shoot on August 23, 2008.

2008-08-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

We started the day early and we got 4 models and 3 photographers to collaborate in the San Jose studio by S.F. Bay Studios.
I love working with models, since they want to get the perfect shot, they would do a lot to make it happen.
We moved old pepsi machine, we took some models outside to the hot weather, then we got them under some cold water... Wow what a day... :)
I had a lot of fun working with all the models, here are my favorite shots from that day.

Dror Catering, Inc. is the best meals provider in the bay area

2008-08-21T14:48:00.001-07:00

Hi again,

Today I ordered some European & Mediterranean Cuisine from Dror Catering. I must tell you, they have some amazing dishes. The food is delicious, and it comes ready to serve. You must check them out!
They serve the entire bay area, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, San Jose, and more.
I love Dror Catering food, it was so tasty I licked my fingers!
Thank you Yair from Dror Catering! For the excellent service!

Today's studio session with Bernadett Otterbein

2008-08-19T21:20:00.000-07:00

Today I had the privilege to work with a very talented marshal art's instructor, Bernadett Otterbein.
I have to tell you I was impressed with the flexibility she demonstrated. That was so amazing that at the beginning I could not really shoot since I was overwhelmed. I had to get myself together and begin shooting, and boy, I got some amazing shots!
Bernadett is so great to work with. She wants to keep getting better and better poses for her portfolio, and she is very hard on herself with the demands she has.
Here are two of my favorites shots from today:

Alisa photo shoot

2008-07-29T21:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I met Alisa, a 13 years old model, at the Crossroads cafe in San Francisco.
We went to the piers and took some shots for her. Alisa has a natural attitude in-front of the camera. We tried many locations and I got ton of great shots for her.
Here are my favorites ... enjoy.

Models studio shoot in Fremont

2008-07-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

Last saturday I went to Fremont to shoot one of SF Bay Studios studio.
We had several models show up and a meeting with many photographers from the San Francisco meetup group.
I had a blast, I took over 600 images... it was a lot of fun!
The models were very cooperative, and we all had a lot of fun.
Here are some of the photos I took:

Samantha & Alexander's wedding

2008-07-19T22:29:00.000-07:00

June 28, 2008 started as a sunny day. On my way to Corralitos Community Center I knew this will be a wonderful day!
I had the honor to take photos at the wedding of Samantha & Alexander, a lovely couple that is full of smiles.
I arrived with my assistant and we got right to work, with Samantha's getting ready for the big day.
The day continued to be beautiful and the images kept flowing...
At the end my couple drove off in an old car.

Here are some of the images from that day:

My NEW Website is live !!!! YEH!!!!

2008-07-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

Hi.... I'm so happy ... my new website is live now!
I've worked hard on making it look good.
I hope you will like it!
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!
www.PhotosTM.com

Shiany & Felix engagement photo shoot in Half Moon Bay

2008-07-08T22:05:00.001-07:00

It is a little late, but better late then never.
On June 21, 2008, my clients and my great group of helpers, Mayraav and Richelle, went to the Ritz Carlton hotel in Half Moon bay for shooting their engagement session.
I've known Shiany for a long time since we used to dance salsa together, and when she told me she was getting married I immediately decided to give them a full day engagement session as my gift.
So off we went around 10:30am. We arrived at the Ritz around 11:30am and discovered a gorgeous sunny day. The sky where blue, and the grass was green. I was lucky to have my two assistants. Both helped with the reflector to create amazing shots.
And since both my assistants are photographers as well we got a ton of photos the entire day.
We started at the hotel, taking some shots with the great view, then we went to the golf course and from then we headed to the beach. Both Shiany and Felix were wonderful, they cooperated with all our ideas.
By late noon time we headed to Half Moon Bay's main street and grabbed some pizza - what a great pizza that was...
With our stomachs full we headed to some spots in the main street and then we took off to San Francisco to Hyde street.
By the end of the day we were tired but happy!
By now I made Shiany & Felix a nice guest sign in book from our session - and they love it.
I am sooooo happy!!!

Here are some of the images from that day:

You can also see Mayraav's work on her website

Janet & Forrest Wedding Photography - June 7, 2008

2008-06-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to shoot Janet and Forrest wedding day.
As you might know Janet and Forrest are the clients in the video I have:

Janet was a beautiful bride, she did not stop smiling all day long! Even when I asked her to do a "serious" shot she still smiled... :)
Forrest - wow - he was a treat! When I arrived to their home, early in the morning, he asked me if I want to eat something - he said he will cook... I had a lot of work ahead of me so I was forced to decline his great offer.
Both Janet and Forrest were very cooperative with any photo ideas I had in mind, although the time was running short on us we still got some amazing shots!
After Janet & Forrest were ready - we took of in the limo and headed to Stanford, we spent 10 minutes there since Janet was worried that we might get late to the reception, so we wrapped things up and --- off we go to the reception.
The ceremony site was absolutly amazing, this was the first time I shot there, and I'm happy I booked another wedding to the same location: Crystal Springs Golf course in Burlingame.
The Reception was held at the Empress of China, located in China Town - San Francisco. It was a traditional Chinese Banquet with 10 course dinner - Wow WOW Wow what a great food! and a thrilling lion dance.
I am grateful for having wonderful clients like Janet and Forrest!

To see the Online Flash gallery from the wedding - click here

And here is a preview of some of my favorites shots:

Ponti & Mathew wedding May 25, 2008.

2008-06-14T17:33:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I had the honor of taking the photos for Ponti and Mathew's wedding.
The Ceremony took place in the amazing Ainsley house, The weather was perfect - it was warm and there was a great over cast - simply perfect for pictures.
The reception took place in down town Sunnyvale at The Del Monte Restaurant.
Ponti was very calm and happy, I was impressed, we went to FAUX to do the make up, and she simply shined.
Mathew arrived to the Ainsley house and we had a lot of fun taking photos for the man.
It was simply a great day!

You can see a Flash gallery on this link - click here

Here is a small sample of the images I took:

Christina & Steven's wedding April 12, 2008

2008-06-14T01:41:00.000-07:00

It took me a while to upload a flash gallery to my website, but I have to tell you - I love it :)

Working with Christina & Steven was a blast! Christina laughed all the time, she was so happy to do anything I suggested... just before the ceremony we went to Central Park in Santa Clara, and downtown San Jose. We did a lot of fun shots - it was so cool!!!

The ceremony took place in Assumption Of Mary Catholic Church.

The reception took place in Del Monte Restaurant in Downtown Sunnyvale.

I enjoyed every moment with Christina and Steven - Thank you!!!

You can see my favorites shots in this link - click here

Here is a small selection of the images I took:

Special for Father's day ! Family portrait

2008-06-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

Father's day is just around the corner...
Surprise your family with a family portrait.
I'm offering a family portrait session for only $200 (Normally $300)
The session includes 1 hour of photography on location, one selected image in 8x10 print (no frame)

Additional hours, print orders, digital files and frames also available.

To schedule your session call this weekend.
Offer valid only for sessions scheduled until June 15. (The session can be schedule to any time)

See you soon,

Tsafrir (Mike) Melamed
PhotosTM Bay Area Photography
Mobile: (408) 533-5523
Office/FAX: (408) 747-1299

Santa Cruz Portfolio Jam 2008 - Robin Bourbonnais

2008-05-31T11:41:00.000-07:00

Last week (May 24) I went to Santa Cruz to participate in the portfolio Jam that Robin put together.

Several models arrived to the beautiful beach at Santa Cruz, the day to with a nice overcast and the atmosphere was relaxed.

I had great time taking photos for several of the models that came to the event.

later that night most of the group went to eat at a local restaurant, it was a blast!

Here are my photos from that day - Click here...

Thank you for taking the time to view them.

Tsafrir (Mike)

West Valley and Mission College Dancers Present - Dance CAravan 2008 - May 16&17, 2008

2008-05-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

On May 17 I went to see the Dance Caravan performance in West Valley theater.

The performances were amazing, the costumes, the music and the lighting was wonderful.

I took some photos at the show - you can see them in the following link:

Click Here to see the photos from West Valley and Mission College - Dance Caravan 2008

Talk to you later...

Tsafrir (Mike)

Nataliia Rudometkina on stage...

2008-05-18T12:52:00.000-07:00

Last week Nataliia came over to boost her portfolio.

We spent about an hour shooting some interesting images.

Here is a sample from that day: