Silva Stills & Cinema, Sacramento and Bay Area wedding photography and videography » EPIC wedding imagery.

Silva Stills & Cinema, Sacramento and Bay Area wedding photography and videography bio picture

Lovers of Loving Love

We love getting to know our couples (and even becoming tight friends!). We love meeting a new, eclectic group of guests every weekend. We love making some ugly spot next to a dumpster look freaking epic. We love sharing those unspoken moments with the bride and groom, when everyone else is too involved with themselves. We love feeling comfortable enough to laugh when our couples make asses out of themselves for the shot... and even moreso when the tables are turned. We love catching those truly candid moments when people think that no one's watching. Most of all, we love that we can take a step back from it all and still know that, if given the chance, hell yeah, we'd do it all over again.

Dec 30 2011

Sharon & Chris’ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk/Downtown SJ E-Session

Posted in E-Sessions

Hey, everybody! I’ve finally surfaced for a moment underneath the mountain of editing and designing I’ve been doing this past month and a half – still got a lot left to do, but I wanted to make sure people didn’t think I died or something! ;)

This E-Session means a lot to me, a bit more than most others, because it’s of my dear friend, Sharon, and her wonderful now-husband, Chris (those pictures are to come, too!). Sharon and I met at UCD through the Filipino Association for Health Careers back in the early 2000′s, and have maintained an incredible friendship all the way through to today. We’ve been roommates, co-workers (yes, she’s shot her fair share of weddings, both photo and video!), and bridesmaids for each other… this girl is even Michael’s godmother! I was thrilled to have shot Chris’ proposal to her, and being given the opportunity to do their E-Session has been just as gratifying.

We shot out at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, where Sharon and Chris had their first “date”. We’d gotten to meander all over the place, eating half of the time, but overall having a complete blast. The best sessions are when couples aren’t afraid to goof off and be themselves, and these two embraced that to the fullest… but I’ll just let you see for yourselves.

Sharon and Chris, you guys were awesome! Thank you for making this shoot one of my most memorable!

Sharon opted to wear a top that had an overly large neckline… probably not the best option for a roller coaster. Here’s one of her more “decent” shots. hehe.

Apparently, Chris is notorious for sneaking bites of Sharon’s food… just like this.

They started doing this without being prompted.

loveloveloveloveLOVE this.

See? A blank wall DOES look awesome.

Freaking adorable.

Fun times.

Posted in E-Sessions Tags: Beach Boardwalk, Chris, downtown, food, pier, roller coaster, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Sharon

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Nov 15 2011

Nicole & Rene’s Casa Real Wedding

Posted in Stills, Weddings

Holy moly… we just wrapped our Northern CA wedding season with such an awesome wedding, I’m still basking in the afterglow 3 days later.

Nicole (who occasionally moonlights as a wedding MUA) and Rene (a wedding videographer) hit us up almost 2 years ago to book their wedding on what was obviously going to be a popular date (11/11/11). We finally got around to their E-Session this past summer after watching each other’s business and family grow on fb, and with the wedding going down this past weekend, it was so wonderfully fulfilling to see everything come together in such a fun, beautiful way.

After getting ready at home and at a hotel, the two had their unconventional First Look at Casa Real. With the weather being hit and miss, we bounced around during the portraits up until ceremony time. The ceremony itself was beautifully simple (loved that Rene started laughing to offset the tears when Nicole came down the aisle), and led straight into one of the best receptions ever (live band that did soul and hip-hop?! MOH dropping the F-bomb during her speech?! legit b-boys going at it on the dance floor?!).

Nicole and Rene, you were easily one of our favorites, and it’s no surprise why. You two are just amazing. Congratulations, and enjoy!!

mmm… Valentino.

Naiya doodles while her mommy writes the groom a note.

Trying to keep the tears in.

Enjoying a bite to eat before getting ready.

Love the direction Nicole took with the details… did you spot the keys on the bouquet and his boutonierre…?

Butt Grab First Look.

Simple… and that’s all it needs to be.

I had to raid the gummy bears before the wedding to get Naiya to stop crying… you have no idea how hard it was to hold back!

Freaking adorable coin bearer!

Cheers to the freakin’ weekend!

…this post wouldn’t have been complete without shots of the guys doin’ their thang.

Whatever. I can do this. While doing the dishes.

For those that know cameras, I was using my 24mm for these shots… with how close these shots look, it’s no wonder I ended up getting kicked at one point. That’s what I get for gettin’ all up in their business… I’m just surprised none of the little kids got punted across the room…

…had to throw one of the many crotch shots in.

And last but not least, the couple enjoying their Same Day Edit.

Posted in Stills, Weddings Tags: b-boy, Casa Real, Nicole, Pleasanton, Rene, Ruby Hill, transformers, vineyard, vintage, winery

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Nov 12 2011

Whitney & Zack’s Casa Real Wedding

Posted in Stills, Weddings

Last month, Christina and I returned to the Pleasanton area to shoot Whitney and Zack’s intimate nuptials at Casa Real. We started with the bride getting ready on-site, and took portraits of both of them separately before their ceremony right before sunset (they lucked out – the weather was perfect that evening). Afterwards, everyone made their way inside to the baseball-themed reception to party the night away.

Congratulations, Whitney & Zack! Enjoy!

Love this set-up! Perfect to play with the rings on.

Cheers!

LOVE this.

Whitney cranked this thing out to display seating arrangements. INGENIOUS.

Posted in Stills, Weddings Tags: baseball, Casa Real, pennant, Pleasanton, Ruby Hill, vineyard, Whitney, winery, Zack

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Nov 10 2011

Jenny & Kris’ Palm Event Center Wedding

Posted in Stills, Weddings

Oh man… I hope y’all are in the mood for wedding porn, because I’ve totally just made your day, if you are…! Jenny and Kris had an incredibly decorated wedding celebration last month, from the custom gown hanger in the hotel room to the monogram-flagged paper straws at the reception. It was literally everywhere you looked – and when you realize that Jenny came up with everything, it’s just that much more awesome. :)

Everybody got ready at the Hilton in Pleasanton, and the bride and groom had their First Look downstairs just off of the lobby. We headed straight for the Palm Event Center from there, and while everybody got settled, Christina and I set to work on the insane number of details. Once that was done, we cranked out the portraits and set in on the ceremony. By the end, night had fallen and everybody was ready to party.

Jenny & Kris, it was a beautiful event – bravo, and congratulations! Enjoy!

Anything but questioning, it’s still a cute picture. hehe.

Jenny did a good job keeping her composure… at first.

Kris had trouble with the straight face.

Got it.

The First Look.

Multi-Tasking.

Guess it’s too late to let ‘em know her grapes are lop-sided… XD

We played tackle the bride…

…and the guys did something… uh… less “manly”.

I made them do this for the sheer pleasure of seeing Kris squirm at the request. >:D

Let the details… BEGIN!

Seriously… look at this spread!

Shufflin’. Er’ryday.

…insanity, huh?!

Posted in Stills, Weddings Tags: balloons, details, flowers, Hilton, Jenny, Kris, owls, Palm Event Center, Pleasanton, vintage, wine

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Sofie Holm - February 5, 2012 - 3:12 pm

I HAVE to know who makes your wedding dress!! It’s gorgeous!! Just the style I’ve been looking for! If you could share, i’ll be forever grateful!!

Susanne Wong - November 11, 2011 - 4:36 pm

Hi… such a beautiful and sweet wedding and I love the photos you have captured of the couple. Thanks for taking the time to capture lovely photos of my stationery we designed for the couple. If you don’t mind sharing, I would love a few shots for my portfolio.

Jenny Vallecer - November 11, 2011 - 4:02 pm

Amber, Christina and Team! Thank yo so much for being part of our special day and capturing all the shots of the day. I couldn’t have asked for such a better team to capture our wedding day. Love, Jenny & Kris

Nov 07 2011

Betzi & Ryan’s Los Angeles E-Session

Posted in E-Sessions

How freaking awesome are Betzi and Ryan? Let’s just say that this shoot went way longer than usual, and we probably could have kicked it for a couple hours more, afterward… oh wait, we did. :D

My original starting location having fallen through (dude wanted $175 to let us shoot for 30 minutes… no, thank you!), we started off at Betzi’s recommended location – MOCA… but when we got there, we realized that none of us had been there previously and the exterior wasn’t exactly what we were thinking it’d be (uh, whoops… hehehe). We meandered across the street to the Walt Disney Concert Hall (I’d shot there once a few years ago), and goofed off around the building – WAY better than we’d hoped it’d be. :) After, we drove a few blocks over to the Art District to take in the various wall art, even finding graffiti that matched their wedding colors. We rounded out the shoot at the Griffith Observatory, where we got to walk around the building a few times until we realized there wouldn’t be any chance of us shooting from the roof unless we broke in… which just didn’t seem appealing at the time. But whatever – we got some good stuff, anyway. :)

I had a super fun time, you two… and I am beyond stoked to shoot your wedding in January!! See you then!!

Hahaha… started things off with a serious pose. Betzi got it right away… Ryan, however…

TOO cute. I kinda want to throw up.

Less romantic, more dorky. I love it.

I’m sure I should feel a little bad for posting this one, but it made me giggle too much.

Jeebus, I’ve forgotten how many takes this took… freaking Betzi – JUST JUMP. hahahahaha!

I’ll spare y’all Ryan’s straight-on Crotch Shot and give you this one, instead. Trust me, this is MUCH cuter.

Posted in E-Sessions Tags: Art District, Betzi, downtown, graffiti, Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, MOCA, Ryan, wall art, Walt Disney Concert Hall

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Nov 06 2011

Cherrylyn & Ian’s San Diego E-Session

Posted in E-Sessions

I’d like to start this post off by saying that I LOVE these two…! Even a quick glance through their images will give you an idea of how much fun they were to kick it with for the day. :)

During my trip down to Southern CA for Ria and Scott’s wedding, I took a drive down the day after to San Diego to spend the afternoon with Cherrylyn & Ian. Totally laid back, these two were not only stress-free throughout the shoot – they spent the entire time cracking each other up and gettin’ all up in each other’s bubble… which made my job effortless! We started along the beach where Ian goes surfing, then found some random street to shoot on so that Cherrylyn could brave his carving skills (no joke, I freaked out every time we ran this – maybe 5-6 times – because she couldn’t see how close he was getting behind her… I was scared for her achilles! haha!). We made a quick pit stop at their place to switch up cars and get a shot of Ian with the loves of his life (at least Cherrylyn was in his arms for the shot), then made our way down to the waterfront for a couple of post-sunset shots.

I had so much fun with you guys – I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am for the wedding in January!! Enjoy! :D

Hella cute, huh?!