When I first met Christina & Ray and they told me how they first met through a science fair, I knew how meaningful it is for them to have their wedding at the California Academy of Science in San Francisco. What felt special to me in this wedding was the ceremony took place in the planetarium, and having read vows to each other under the Milky Way was incredibly romantic! While it is as cool as it sounds, this photoshoot was by far one of the most challenging venues I've taken. In able to preserve the best atmosphere in the photos, this presented a significant challenge in such a dimly lit environment. Gratefully, my team's synergy and coordination through control of the lighting made the shoot seemingly easy.
Knowing it would be a hectic day on a typical weekend in Golden Gate Park, our research and site visits before the wedding really paid off. With the building flooded with visitors, early preparation saved us a lot of time on-site. The couple cooperated excellently, quickly grasping my directions. In a little over an hour, we covered all the classic scenes like the dinosaur exhibit, the aquarium, the rainforest, the planetarium exterior, and the rooftop! This shoot left me with many reflections.
Most importantly, I'm grateful to Maggie, Christina’s mother. She not only gave me the opportunity to fulfill this important mission but also provided me with a wealth of background information about the couple, allowing me to better understand them. She continuously assisted in communication, showing that she is truly one of the most dedicated mothers when it comes to her children's wedding. I genuinely believe she is a fantastic mother—her love for her children isn't just blind indulgence; she respects their decisions while offering encouragement. I remember during the first rehearsal, as she walked her daughter to the stage, tears were already streaming down her face. After the ceremony, as we went to the signing room together, I witnessed Maggie constantly telling the couple how great their ceremony was and expressing her pride in them. It was truly moving. No wonder Christina has always been exceptional and has a good personality. This Stanford overachiever owes much of her strength and positivity to her amazing mother.
California Academy of Sciences 加州科学博物馆
I want to express my sincere gratitude to my couple as well. Within such a short time frame, they efficiently completed all the preparations as per my instructions and showed unwavering trust in me on the day of the shoot. I also want to thank all the hardworking vendors behind the scenes, especially Teresa, the planner. She was a tremendous help to our photography team, consistently following up and checking in. Despite our first-time collaboration, working together on this wedding felt reassuring. This wonderful experience is sure to be remembered. There were tears of emotion, bursts of laughter, traditional ethnic dances, and amusing modern dances. There were heartfelt songs and humorous yet touching toasts. It was a warm and wonderful wedding. I wish our couple, Christina and Ray, all the best. I'm delighted to have met such a fantastic pair of scientists through this photography journey. May your love be like the boundless universe, enduring and profound until eternity.
California Academy of Sciences Aquarium
