Welcome to my blog!

Hi There,
Thanks for stopping by to see what I get up to most of the time!
I am a California-based wedding and lifestyle photographer, specializing in visual storytelling with beautiful contemporary and fine-art images. This site also showcases a wide range of my other types of work as well.
Hopefully my blog will give you a sense of who I am as you follow my professional and personal life. I love hearing from people...clients, photographers...anybody. So don't be shy, let me know you were here!

Happy Reading,
Claire

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Caribbean Wedding



Even with all the planning and logistic difficulties it's easy to see why some couples simply HAVE to get married in the Caribbean. The wedding day can't help but be laid back and easy going....no bridezillas here!!

What's not to love? The warm, tropical sea breeze; calypso music; friendly locals; fresh seafood; island paradise.....

Laura and Tim's small family-only wedding on the beautiful island of St. Lucia was a dream.
I don't do too well in tropical climes...I'm British!! But even I was thinking, " My job doesn't exactly suck... " as I was floating in my few spare hours in the Caribbean sea ; )

I'm an explorer by nature...so I LOVE being dropped off somewhere I've never been before...it's one of the greatest pleasures in life.
I'm inspired beyond belief by territories new to me, so I'm delighted whenever I have a destination wedding and perhaps the creativity is amped a little!

The largest church in the Caribbean, The Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception, in Castries, was the location for Laura and Tim's wedding ceremony. It is huge and seemed such a privilege that our small celebration was allowed.
The vibrantly colored town center was great for the bride and groom shots. As was the wonderfully formal "colonial" Derek Walcott Square, with cherub-flanked gates, brick paths and red coral trees.
Local children adored the new bride and flocked around the couple.

Even when it rains on your wedding day on a tropical island it's still gorgeous....just a casual umbrella can feel and look more like a parasol : )

Laura and Tim's very casual cocktail reception was on the beach followed by a reception at Jacque's Restaurant, stunningly situated on the marina's edge.

I had the great pleasure of shooting the 200-person celebratory part for Laura and Tim a month later at the Jersey Shore, wheer they shared their wedding and engagement photos with their guests as projected slideshows.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Chameleon Chairs



I've shot many a fabulous wedding where the reception seating has been provided by Chameleon Chairs...and one thing I can say is never underestimate the impact 150+ chairs can have on the "look" of the room!

It was an honor to be asked by the ladies who run Chameleon to shoot their newest ad campaign, featured in the latest editions of Inside Weddings magazine.

It felt great to work with my talented team-mates: Ashley Bogart and Kim Koral from BK Events, and Joey Corrigan the fabulous floral designer at Sticks and Stones.

And the cherry on top was having the gorgeous Vibiana act as the backdrop!

The Bubbly Bride



The signature cocktail has become a fun, sometimes unique addition to many a wedding. So it was with great pleasure that I shot the images for The Bubbly Bride, the second book written by my very good friend and colleague Natalie Bovis aka The Liquid Muse ( Natalie's earlier book was Preggatinis ).
The book has been perfectly summed up by the ladies over at The Shower Diva :

" With her new book, The Bubbly Bride: Your Ultimate Wedding Cocktail Guide, Natalie guides readers through outfitting a home bar, hand-crafting simple syrups for signature cocktails, and today’s chic flavors. Are you ready to learn champagne basics or how to put a libation twist on pre and post wedding parties?

A perfect little bartender’s bible for the newlywed’s household, The Bubbly Bride’s washable cover is au courant, complimenting the contents. For those who don’t know the difference between a shot glass or a shaker,The Bubbly Bride will be their go-to handbook.

We’ve mixed up a few of the more than 70 tasty cocktails to try; just the names invite giggles and a race to grab the shaker and ice! Try Battling the Bridezilla jitters with a frosty flute of Chill Pill, filling a martini glass with a White Pomegranate Teani or raising a toast to the newlyweds with a Love in Bloom cocktail.

Don’t get the idea these recipes are just for bridal showers and girly get-togethers. Bachelor parties can serve up more than a pony keg or cases of beer. You may have to arm wrestle the man in your life for your copy ofThe Bubbly Bride once he’s mixed up the Jackalope, Dirty Harry or Bachelor Party Punch!

There are plenty of tried and true recipes plus new renditions of traditional favorites. The Bubbly Bride has suggestions for cocktails with muddled herbs, fruit, nuts, and yes, even vegetables.

We loved the idea of planning a function around personalized cocktails. Think of fruity cocktails and mocktails from a juice bar at the reception or creating designer cocktails that compliment the wedding menu.

From first blush to happily ever after, the contents of The Bubbly Bride guarantee glasses will be raised and sprits bright, toast after inventive toast. "

If you'd like to see what all the fuss is about...order your copy of The Bubbly Bride at Amazon....perfect shower gift!