A week and 2 days ago (yes it was a Monday wedding, how strange is that) I shot for the first time in Soledad CA. I shot at the Hahn Estate Winery which is on a hill looking over the little town of Soledad, and a lot of agricultural fields.

This photo really sums up what it looks like there:

Wedding Photo from Soledad CA, Hahn Winery

Friday, a wedding at San Francisco City hall, with bride and groom shots at Lands End.

Saturday, a wedding in Yosemite National park. You knew I was a San Francisco Photographer, but did you know I’m an official Yosemite Wedding Photographer?

The lunch was one of those ballroom of a major hotel things. If you’ve ever been in one, you’ve been in all of them. I honestly forgot which city I was in.

I like taking pictures of people at podiums however. Always get good expressions, and they are well lit.

Here is a shot of pundit and author Donna Brazile. I like the sly look on her face. She just told a joke, she knew it was funny, but she did not want to laugh at her own joke.

Donna Brazille at an ERA luncheon

I like the natural happy expression, I like the way they are holding hands, I like the lines created by the vine rows.

click photo for larger view

Bride and groom in Vineyard. Wine Country Wedding

Let me tell you a few of the things I love about this photos.

1. They are not looking at me. I captured them in a moment that has everything to do with them, and nothing to do with getting their photo taken

2. Their faces are showing true emotion (see #1)

3. I like the colors

Groom puts flowers on bride at Hindu Wedding

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San Francisco Photographers

Most of the day when I am shooting wedding pictures, I like to be as photojournalistic as possible.

When I am shooting “formal” I like to go for a light touch. You can’t tell people nothing, because they get confused. But if you tell them exactly how to be, they get still. Somewhere in the middle is the light touch that allows people to express actual emotions.

I look at this photo, and I see two people who are feeling a lot of love. If I had just posed them, it would not have come out so strongly.

bride and groom in vineyard by railroad track © Alex Schoenfeldt 2008

Yosemite wedding photographer

I have done a few Hindu weddings. Not as many as I would have liked (give me one every week, I am on it) I have also traveled extensively in India. (Over a year there in 3 trips) so I am tuned in to the culture.

Our conversation reminded me of this image:

Hindu Wedding in the San Francisco Bay Area

Toasts at table

It can be hard getting a good shot of everyone at a table at a wedding. If they all face you, it looks staged. If they face each other, you get their backs.

I like this shot, it has the action I like, AND you can see faces.

This post brought to you by San Francisco Photographers

Here is one taken at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts I like.

It was an elopement. The bride and groom got married at city hall with a few family members. Then I drove them around town ant took photos in some of the best spots.

Kiss at Palace of Fine Arts San Francisco

San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer

This post: Don’t let Uncle Ed take your wedding photos.

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Alex Schoenfeldt, a San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer said “In hard economic times, the urge to shot down and cut off needs to be resisted. By doing pro-bono photography for local non-profits, I can use my skills as a wedding photographer to make a difference for causes I believe in. In the past month I’ve had the opportunity to shoot for Architecture for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity, Opportunity Impact (an after school program for San Francisco inner city youth), Americorps, and the East Bay Jewish Community Teen Foundation. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with such fine organizations, and I’ve met great people.”

Non-profits typically rely on the talents of volunteers to cover many of their needs. Usually however photographers in San Francisco are too busy shooting weddings and events to jump in and volunteer at events. The job of taking charity event photos falls to amateurs who do not have the equipment or experience to capture first rate photos. Photographer Alex Schoenfeldt, who has been shooting weddings in San Francisco and weddings in Yosemite for over 10 years has put the word out thru the Young Non-Profit Professional Network email list that he had the time to do pro-bono photography for non-profits.

Alex Schoenfeldt, a San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer added “The response has been incredible. I am truly sorry that I do not have the time to attend every event. My weddings are down about 50% this year, and I am getting more calls for 2010 and 2011 than I normally would this early in the year. I normally shoot weddings in Yosemite every month, but so far this year I have only booked a few. Slow business is no fun, but I am very glad I can use the extra time to give back to so many organizations that are doing such good work in our community. Plus, I’m really only happy if I have a a camera in my hand. “

San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographers who shoot pro-bono events for local non-profits are finding that tough economic times does not mean that there is nothing to do. Wedding photography in San Francisco may be down substantially, but San Francisco photographers know that they have valuable skills that can help organizations and charities in their community get on with the work of making our world a better place. As photographers in San Francisco step up to volunteer for non-profits, the image that those organizations present in the future will only improve. To find out more visit San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer Alex Schoenfeldt’s website.