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Welcome!
 Many many thanks for stopping by and taking a peek at First Comes Love Photography. I have been taking pictures for a very long time, after being given my grandfather’s camera when I was 14. My career as a wedding photographer has been full of surprises and lots of joy. I’m happy to share it with you! Feel free to leave a comment. They are truly appreciated. If you need any information regarding pricing or scheduling, send me an email at: alison@alisonbankphoto.com. I will get right back to you. Thanks for visiting!
Don’t forget to check out my official website at: www.firstcomeslovephoto.com.
November 19th, 2011
I think I might have gone a bit overboard on the post, but really, can you blame me?
 
Décor: Classic Party Rentals, Ceremony Gown: WTOO by Watters, Ceremony Gown Cover Up: BHLDN, Reception Gown: Rachel Gilbert, Headpiece: Preston and Olivia, Ceremony Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden, Reception Shoes: Geren Ford, Jewelry: Vintage, Flowers: Bryan Butler, Catering: Nicole ‘s Catering (Nicole Esteybar), Band: Hot Club Pacific, DJ: Dillon Donovan, Wedding Planning and Coordinating: Pamela Donnellan, Venue: Douglas Ranch, Carmel Valley, CA, Bride’s Rings: Antique www.langantiques.com , Groom’s Ring: Custom by Lulu and Shay, Invitations & Save the Date: Designed by Groom printed by Mercurio Brothers, Hair and Makeup: Kristy White of Festoon Salon , Groomsmen Attire: Zara suits, Brooks Brothers shirts, Bloomingdales ties and Allen Edmonds shoes, Groom’s Suit: Paul Smith, Bridesmaid Dresses: Each picked their own. (BCBG, ASOS, Maggie London, Calvin Klein, Melissa Sweet), Videography: Sunset Productions
Posted in Carmel Valley, destination wedding, forest wedding, Garden wedding, Northern California, Northern California wedding, outdoor wedding, outside, rustic, rustic wedding, whimsical wedding | Please Comment » | Link to this post| Email a friend
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Cari & Dan…Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Upstate New York 
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October 5th, 2011
Well. This post is long overdue. James and Chrissy eloped in March (eek) but between shooting 18 weddings this year and being pregnant, I’m just a tad behind.
The Elopement.
It was just James & Chrissy. And me. (Okay, and the officiant for 10 minutes.) They are just lovely and it was awesome to be able to photograph their love without the hullabaloo of a normal wedding. I’m so grateful that they were super excited about the photography and willing to withstand my ideas (let’s go here! and there!) for hours.
What an honor it was to be chosen to be a part of their intimate day! We had a blast, starting at The Stanford Inn by the Sea and ending at the beautiful California coastline.
 
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Karen & Berry’s Yosemite wedding in Autumn… featured on SF Style Unveiled 
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First blog!
March 17th, 2011
Who says family photos need to be traditional? When you have a retired professional sand sculptor, an artist, a crunchy Berkeley teacher and writer (her words, not mine) and a LA stuntwoman, traditional just doesn’t enter the picture.No pun intended.
Excerpts from my day with a fabulous family:
                 
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March 3rd, 2011
It’s been a long long time since I did 2 things that used to bring me much happiness:
1) shoot film 2) for myself
When you make photographs for a living, it can be really hard to keep finding the passion and inspiration that got you going in the first place. So I decided in January to shoot a roll of film a month, with no expectations, no thoughts of “how can I sell this shot,” just … shoot. And shoot I did. In fact, I shot 4 rolls instead of the requisite 1. It was so refreshing to not be led by thoughts of marketing and advertising and websites and blogs-to not think about how these photos could help pay my bills, but just to be led by my eyes and my intuition.
I’m pleased with the results. So pleased that I’m looking for a used Contax 645 (let me know if you have any leads!) and thinking about transitioning back to film in some way. It makes me feel SO GOOD when I click the shutter and just know that I did (or didn’t) get the shot, instead of looking on the back to find out and do it again if necessary. I’m thinking it’s time to trade this current life in front of a computer in for a life behind the camera!
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment!
    
    
January 8th, 2011
The folks over at Style Me Pretty gave Meredith & Cameron’s wedding a front page feature. I’m pretty darn excited and proud!
A full write up of Meredith & Cameron’s sweetness coming soon…
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Camille & Takeshi’s SF City Hall wedding 
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December 7th, 2010
Usama & Melissa. What can I say about these two lovely people? When I first met them, I was super excited.
1. Because they are super cool (positive, enthusiastic, a great team, artsy and kind.)
2. Because they’re both designers (click on their names above), so I knew their wedding would be a little different.
They got married at the Montclair Women’s Arts and Cultural Club, which is gorgeous and quirky place I would love to shoot at again. The giraffe statues? They rock. The catering: Fork & Spoon who, besides having a clever name, makes delicious food. More details coming soon!
It was definitely refreshing to shooting a wedding a bit more modern than the rustic, vintage, farmy weddings that dominate my calendar. Don’t get me wrong-I love it all. But it’s a quality challenge to be given straight lines when you’re used to shooting soft circles.
Things I loved about this wedding: the moody light, the baby with the chubby thighs, mustaches, the bride & groom, the sundial, the cosmic carpet in the ladies’ lounge, Usama’s father, the ceremony, Melissa’s purse, the beautiful straight lines, the photobooth, the characters that loved the photobooth, the table settings, the music, Usama & Melissa’s first dance.
Check out the result. I went a little overboard on the photos I posted because I love love love this wedding and this couple.
That and I’m a terrible editor.
                           
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November 22nd, 2010
I adore Christine and Shehkar. I met them when I rented space from the design firm Christine works for. At some point, she told me she had recently gotten engaged and I so hoped she would hire me! They are lovely, as the photos will tell. Super mellow, fun and willing to spend the time to make awesome photos with me. They both had lots of ideas, which was awesome because I love when my clients really care about and get involved with the photography. It’s a recipe for great photos!
They had been together 9 years, after meeting in the marching band at UC Berkeley. They got married at the gorgeous Radonich Ranch, which I can’t wait to photograph at again, for reasons you’ll understand when you see the photos. (And you might recognize it from the maternity photos I shot a few months ago.)
Favorite moments/Special details, from Christine:
- decorating and making my bouquet with bridesmaids the day before
- getting ready with the girls and my mom before the ceremony
- hugging my dad after walking down the aisle
- reading vows during the ceremony
- slideshow!
- incorporating elements belonging to my mom (earrings), grandma (earrings and silk bouquet flowers), and great-grandma (wedding band)
- incorporating Indian, Chinese, and Polish cultures into ceremony
- having Porter (the dog) be part of the festivities
Christine is a crafty genius and a designer so there was a ton of homemade details that were super fun to photograph. Here’s a partial (!!) list:
- groomsmen bouttonieres (accordion paper badge things)
- family member corsages (felt roses) and bouttonieres (wooden buttons)
- Porter’s ring pillow and bow tie
- table names and seating chart
- guest book/poster
- paper pom poms at “altar” and around the site
- yarn pom poms for aisle
- table runners
- napkin rings
- garlands hung in barn
- caramel corn cone favors
- invitations
Venue & Catering: Radonich Ranch
Ceremony dress: Vintage
Reception dress: Anthropologie
Hairpiece: Homemade, includes silk flowers from grandma’s wedding bouquet
Suits: English Laundry
Hair: Shelly Ann Cross
Cake & all desserts: Christine’s mom
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Target
Bridesmaids’ hairpieces: Vintage scarves
Band: Dave & The Diamonds
Posted in designer, destination wedding, farm, Farm wedding, forest wedding, Garden wedding, green, indian groom, Indian/American wedding, interracial wedding, Northern California, Northern California wedding, outdoor wedding, outside, Radonich Ranch, rustic, Santa Cruz, vintage wedding, vintage wedding dress, whimsical wedding | Please Comment » | Link to this post| Email a friend
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November 10th, 2010
Thank you to Kathryn over at Snippet & Ink for featuring Dave & Adrea’s gorgeous wedding on her site!
D & A got married at the Olema Inn, which has become one of my favorite places to shoot. Amazing light, setting and food. Yum.
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Wedding Photography With Sweetness, Style & Fun
