Michelle Feileacan Sonoma County Portrait and Wedding Photography

Modern Tintypes : A new offering

mfphoto — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:15:24 +0000

I am so, so excited to finally unveil the project I’ve been working on. The Modern Tintype. Tintypes are a photographic process dating to the mid 1800′s and were one of the first quick and relatively easy photographic portrait processes. I’ve taken this process and adapted it to the contemporary portrait using a combination of modern digital negatives and vintage darkroom techniques.

My tintypes are hand coated with a photographic emulsion onto a prepared small, thin metal plate and exposed in the darkroom. Every emulsion is different creating unexpected and diverse results. The imperfections and variations are part of the beauty of the process and make every image a one-of-a-kind work of art. I then hand make and finish a block frame (this is in a piece of reclaimed walnut) that can be set on a table top or hung on a wall.

These are a labor of love, as each image can take many hours to create the final product. I owe a great deal of thanks to my close friend Brian Gaberman for helping me navigate the darkroom again and for sharing his tips on these alternative photographic techniques. (go look at his personal work for some of his ambrotypes)

I think these are a truly unique offering and are really well suited for weddings and children’s portraits. These will be available as an add-on to every wedding package and portrait package and also available as a stand-alone session. I can even create a tintype for you from a past session if the images are appropriate for the medium. If you are curious about them or want to add one to your wedding or portrait package, please contact me for pricing and availability.

I’ll also be printing some larger fine art pieces in the near future, so if these interest you please keep an eye out for those as well.

Family Day: What a sunday morning looks like.

mfphoto — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:03:59 +0000

I’m not terribly good about sharing things on this here blog. I like to share my sessions and things I find interesting but never actually find the time to write too much. I’m not much of a “words” person, I suppose, but mostly I think that it’s because I’m really *busy* living my life. I used to be so tense, trying to cram all the things in, working non-stop, answering emails at all hours of the night… But lately I’ve been slowing down. Call it age or necessity, it’s certainly been a blessing. I rarely work on a Sunday because that’s my family day. We make breakfast, maybe go for a bike ride, have tea in the afternoon and bake or prep for the upcoming week. It’s a little bit chaotic (as life with two boys tends to be) but it’s filled with giggles and naked babies and funny dances. I hope you enjoy this little peek into my family.

Contest!

mfphoto — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:23:49 +0000

I’m starting to make some new sample albums from my 2011 weddings, and I’m having such a hard time choosing which weddings to use. Every single wedding this year had such beautiful details, lovely venues and adorable couples that I decided to come straight to the source. Which weddings do YOU want to see as an album sample? After I tally all the votes, I’m going to randomly choose from the top couples.

The best part? The couple will get a small copy of the sample album and one lucky voter (that’s you!) can win either a leather photo cuff or a sterling photo keychain! You can use ANY photo of your choosing – yours, mine or even a vintage photo!

Look at these beautiful albums – Someone is going to love getting their hands on one of these! And how cute is the photo cuff and keychain? Totally cute.

Two ways to register your vote:

1) Visit my Facebook page and leave the link to the couple’s blog post.

2) Comment on their wedding blog post.

Be sure to tell me what you liked the best about their wedding or the photos!

So scoot along and tell your friends! You have until Friday December 16th!!

Here are the weddings that I’m considering “immortalizing”

Jennifer & Michael – Rancho Wikiup, Wine Country Wedding

mfphoto — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:18:55 +0000

This was my most anticipated wedding of the season. When Jennifer and Michael and I met up, we just clicked. Something told me that their wedding was just going to be one of those events that I would be so honored to be a part of. It was a chilly November evening, with scattered rain. But the clouds didn’t dampen everyone’s excitement.

Jennifer basically had this expression all day – She just kept saying “i can’t believe it’s happening!”The ceremony was moved indoors since the rain was coming down. But everyone agreed that the “alternate” location was meant to be – surrounded (literally) by friends and family the couple was entered into marriage. I’m not gonna lie – this wedding had me shedding a few tears. Jennifer and Michael whispered their vows to each other. So sweet. Their little baby Harmony was their ring-bearer. Can you tell they were happy?

I love this location – This is the 2nd wedding I’ve shot here and I just adore it!Seriously, they were so much fun, too. pretty willing to do anything we asked!Rancho Wikiup are lovely old stables converted into guest houses and an even space. The rich old wood and protected courtyard make for a very lovely setting.This was one of the details that moved me – one of the little “themes” for their wedding was YUM and it stood for You, Us, Me – Their formula for a relationship. Always remembering the individuals and the couple that make up a marriage. We went outside once the rain stopped for a dance through some sparklers.Inside, for some yummy Sift cupcakes…and how cute is the little woodland scene for the cupcakes?And then some dancing with glowsticks and feather boas. Why not, right?Such a wonderful evening. Thank you again for having me be a part of your special day.

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Wedding Planner: Marisa Manna, So-Eventful

Catering: Vintage Valley Catering

Cupcakes: Sift Cupcakes

Venue: Rancho Wikiup

DJ:http: 123djs.com

Hair: Ashley Allred, Muse Salon

Yosemite Wedding

mfphoto — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:33:23 +0000

Sigh, I really want to go back! I so enjoyed Sam and Angela’s beautiful, intimate Yosemite wedding. Not only were the couple and their friends just the greatest group to spend the day with, it was an phenomenally beautiful weekend. Really. It was nothing but blue skies and chirpy birds and gold sunlight. (seriously, sighhhh)

Award Winning Wedding Photography!

mfphoto — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:35:08 +0000

I can say that proudly, because once again I’ve placed in the IPPN Image Competition! This time the winners are a bridal portrait of the beautiful Chloe and a wedding portrait of the ever adorable Caroline & Al.

To see the full list of winners, you can visit http://www.ippn.co.uk/

Thanks again to all my colleagues who judged the competition, and to my AWESOME clients. xoxo

Chloe & Jonathan – Geyserville Wedding

mfphoto — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:53:16 +0000

Here I go again! Just posting a “few” sneak images, just my select “favorites” Well, when I start oohing and aahing as I’m downloading the images, you know it’s going to be an image heavy preview! So, check out this beautiful, beautiful wedding from last weekend. Chloe and Jonathan were married up at the Vineyard Club in Geyserville, surrounded by their friends and family on a beautiful crisp fall evening. The couple put so much heart and soul into their celebration and created an elegant and intimate celebration.

Baby O – Santa Rosa Newborn Photography

mfphoto — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:23:30 +0000

I think one of my favorite things about my jobs is that I get to meet so many wonderful people and watch their families grow and change. This couple was one of my favorite weddings, way back in 2009. Well last month the welcomed a beautiful baby girl into their family. I was just chomping at the bit to get a chance to photograph her!She was such a little sweetie – I don’t think I heard a peep out of her, save for the one time she got hungry. Congratulations again, you guys – she’s a sweetheart!

Juliana & Phil – Novato Wedding Photography

mfphoto — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 06:25:26 +0000

Beautiful Juliana and her beau Phil were married in their waterside backyard surrounded by their friends and family. The beach theme was perfect for the lovely warm late summer evening, and fits perfectly Juliana’s sunny disposition and Phil’s outdoorsy personality. The bride and her mom made all of the table decorations – look at the adorable fishies swimming in there! It was a wonderful night, surrounded by laughter and a few tears of joy at these two finding each other and creating a union they both so richly deserve.

You deserve all the happiness in the world, my dear!

Santa Rosa Newborn Photography – Baby A

mfphoto — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:45:07 +0000

I had the sweetest little nugget to photograph last week. Baby A was just two weeks old and the perfect gentleman. He snoozed soundly while I shot away and only mussed up my backdrops one time! Loot at that fuzzy head! My babies were all bald, so it’s so novel for me to see a baby with such a thick head of hair. and look at those eyelashes! and little toes! and squishy little lips! Can’t you almost smell the sweet newborn smell?

Thanks for having me into your home and letting me snuggle your little guy. Enjoy!