MEF Photography Blog! bio picture
  • Hello, friend! :D

    Welcome, welcome! That's me over there. < -- I'm Molly, a San Francisco Bay Area-based photographer. I adore weddings, families and portraits, but my cat, food and house get a lot of my attention, too! I'm married to my very best friend, and we sing to each other a lot. I'm a mid-century modern home dweller. I'm always working, working, working to be better at life (a never-ending battle!). I get a kick out of simplicity, tea, bright colors, ice cream, cooking, sarcasm and books -- among other things. I love me some good, authentic, giggly love. And I love making people feel lovely in the midst of their good, authentic, giggly love. And if that's your thing, too, I'd love nothing more than to give you some good, authentic, giggly love photos. :)

                   

Sarah + Mike | Married at the Peninsula Golf Club in San Mateo

I’m sure I’ve said this before, but one of my favorite parts of this job is getting to meet all of the friends and family of my clients. It never ceases to amaze me how many wonderful people there are in the world, and how beauty and kindness attract more of the same to itself. Sarah + Mike’s wedding at the Peninsula Golf Club in San Mateo was a perfect example of this. Their parents, siblings and friends were all so warm and caring, which I think is a direct reflection of Sarah + Mike. But instead of me talking about how great they are, I’ll just show you, okay? ;)

Hi, Sarah! You look like a supermodel! :D

Fabulous bridesmaids, being fabulous. :)

Meanwhile, Mike was busy trying to remember how to tie his tie. I must say, he did a great job. That’s his smiley brother in the foreground, by the way. Favorite. :)

I had to include this photo of Mike’s best man, Steve, because, a) it makes me laugh and, b) he was awesome.

Ready to gooooo! :D

Hi, happy ladies!

Hi, dapper gents!

We had to wait for pauses in the wind to take photos. I’m starting to wonder if I somehow cause windy conditions, because I seem to be dealing with them a lot lately.

To the church! Do I even have to talk about how amazing it was? No? Okay. I won’t. (But it was.)

Married! :D

I loved the reflection of the redwoods in this shot.

My fabulous second shooter, Elyse, grabbed this beauty.

Helloooooooo, handsome! Both of these are favorites.

Oh, wait, so is this one! :D

Oh, wait, so is that one on the left. ;)

I casually suggested Elyse walk outside during dinner to get an evening shot of the venue, and this is the amazingness she returned with. WHAT?! So good.

And we might as well end with a favorite. I love the look on everyone’s face in this photo. This is happiness, guys. :)

Sarah + Michael, what a joy your wedding was! It was beautiful in every way, from the locations, to the details, to every last person involved in it. I was honored to be there with you and to capture these memories. I expect nothing but greatness for your futures and I can’t wait to see where life takes you. Thank you for inviting me into your families—it was a privilege. I hope you see your love in these images as clearly as I do; I’m proud to give them to you. xo, M

 

Mary + Lenny | Engaged in the Oakland Hills

I swear I didn’t realize this when I wrote the first line of my last post, but meet Dr. Mary + Dr. Lenny! :D I have known Mary for downright forever, and I’m not sure that I have words to explain how much I love her. She is easily among the smartest, most hard-working people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. And to top it off, she’s also incredibly funny and kind. She’s met her match in Lenny, who is quite the sassy saucepot (Hi, Lenny!). Together they are a power couple. My favorite part about them is how they look at one another. And how, with a raised eyebrow, Lenny makes Mary smile with her entire body. Or maybe it was just all of my terrible jokes? ;) I have a lot of photographic evidence of this smile, so let’s take a look!

Starting with a favorite (I have a lot!). Pick a paint color! :D

Then we headed up into the hills (and, unexpectedly, into very thick fog!).

Do you see what I mean about the smiling? Love their hands in this one. Favorite. :D

Okay, so get ready for a serious weather change. We tried to brave the fog and wind and mist and cold, but we just couldn’t handle it (I couldn’t push camera buttons, and Mary couldn’t feel her fingers), so we decided to suspend our session for a sunnier day. And just about a week later, that’s exactly what we got! Love the way Lenny is looking at Mary in this one. :)

Another favorite!

I think these particular laughs were my doing and I’m taking credit! :D

Love this one.

Oh, Mare. Your insides match your outsides: pure beauty.

I had to hold the edge of the blanket down with my toe because it kept blowing over onto Lenny’s face. :D

And ending with YET ANOTHER favorite! Thanks for joining us, sunshine!

Mary + Lenny, how much do I adore thee? SO much. I don’t know how to gush over you because I’m kind of overwhelmed by it. You are fabulous and I am phenomenally honored that you asked me to photograph your wedding. I CANNOT WAIT for that day to arrive (which, coincidentally, with be quite soon). Your beauty pours out of these photos. I think they showcase the sarcasm, silliness and love of your relationship in these photos, and I hope you can see that, too. :D xo, M

Zoe + Ethan | Engaged at Land’s End San Francisco

Guys, say hello to Dr. Zoe + Dr. Ethan! I like them kind of a lot. Like, maybe too much. Why? Ill tell you why! They are both impressive and whip smart. But they are both extremely goofy and in love. And! They thought I was very funny (which always wins me over, because guys, my jokes are bad.) and were willing to trudge all around the wilderness of Land’s End with me while wearing totally inappropriate shoes for that activity. And I was the only one who complained about the wind and the cold! (But seriously, it was really windy and really cold.) Our hiking and my complaining paid off, because we got some seriously lovely photos, which I know you’re itching to see. Onward!

This was right after a GIANT hawk explosively pooped roughly 10 feet away from us. Never stand under a seated bird, that’s what I always say. ;)

Hey, Golden Gate!

This isn’t a typical photo for me, but there’s something about it I really love. I was probably talking about hawk poop at the time. :D

Warning to anyone with a crinkle-nose smile: I will showcase how adorable it is! Favorite! :D

Another favorite of the year right here. Love this one!

Hi, Zoe. You’re beautiful. :D

THIS is them in a nutshell:

When a graffito coordinates with your shoes, you take advantage of it.

ORANGE! :D

Oh, San Francisco. Even in your second winter of August, you’re beautiful.

:D

Zoe + Ethan, thank you for finding time in your absolutely insane schedules to brave the gusty winds of a misty afternoon with me. I so enjoyed getting to know you in a non-Skype format and hearing about your upcoming wedding. It will be here before we know it and guys, I’m WAY looking forward to it. Your relationship (including all of Ethan’s weird faces) is tender and silly, caring and strong, and I’m honored to showcase it. I hope you love these images as much as I am proud to have taken them. I’ll see you SOON! xo, M

Jamie + Casey | Married at Rancho Santa Margarita

Remember Jamie + Casey’s engagement session on Mt. Tam? If not, go read that blog and let its beauty prepare you for what’s ahead. I’ll wait for you. ;)

In talking to Jamie before her wedding, I knew it was going to be gorgeous. Jamie is a details person—she doesn’t let even the smallest things slip through the cracks (I imagine you couldn’t run multiple companies and train for ultra marathons otherwise). But man, even I was in awe the whole day. The setting itself was stunning, and their guests were so well cared for. I’m not sure I can put into words my love for this day, so I’ll just let the photos do the talking instead. Ready?

Even the groomsmen’s getting ready room matched their color scheme!

Thanks to my always-fabulous second shooter, Nicole, for capturing the gents! :D

Meanwhile, Jamie was busy looking crazy amazing in her dress. :)
This was seriously one of the best groups of groomsmen I’ve ever photographed. Hilarious and goofy, but they also totally listened to my instructions AND laughed at my jokes. A rarity! Thanks, guys! :D

And then I got to surround myself with this beauty. My job is so hard, right? ;) And P.S. Do I even need to mention those flowers?!

Oh, Jamie. Just quit it. Just quit being so beautiful. Love this one.

Ceremony time! :D

You know me, I love all oak trees. But wow to this specimen. What a backdrop! Favorite! By the way, that’s Jamie’s brother officiating. :)

Lots of laughter and tears during the vows. :D

MARRIED! And excited about it! :D

I love when people play along with my dumb ideas. Favorite!

Time for a couple of quick portraits before dinner. Love the smiles on the left!
Her hand on his sleeve: perfection! :D

I don’t know if I can give enough context for this in just one sentence, but… there were a lot of hobbyhorses at this wedding. :)

Rancho Santa Margarita is SUCH a stunning venue.

Oh, it’s sunset, you say? Time for more portraits, of course! Love the one on the right Nicole grabs—she always sees light so beautifully. :)

I probably said something inappropriate here. ;)

Favorite. :)

I don’t usually show dance floor photos, but man: nailed it!

Jamie + Casey, thank you so much for asking me to document your wedding day. Your love and joy, and that of all of your wonderful friends and family, filled that barn to bursting and it was a pleasure to be a part of it. You two have a keen combination of tenderness and determination, and I see nothing but great success in your futures. I look forward to following along with where life takes you, and I’m confident that no matter the destination, you’re going to enjoy the ride—and you deserve it. Thank you (really, truly) for everything. I hope you love these photos as much as I do. xo, M

Lauren, Björn + Hannah | Family

Oh, guys, do I have some terribly beautiful photos to show you today. It is this type of session that makes me so endlessly grateful for this job. To watch a couple’s lives change and grow, from their engagement, to their wedding, to the excitement of their first pregnancy, and then the arrival of their first child. So say hello once again to Lauren + Björn, but now also say hello to their most precious baby girl, Hannah. I am starting with probably my favorite photo from the whole session. This is pure love, embodied. :D

She is literal perfection.

And she made some amazing faces!

I love their apartment more and more every time I visit!

This should come as no surprise to you, Lauren, but you are such a beautiful mother.

LOOK AT THIS GIRL! :D

We decided to recreate a favorite photo from their maternity session. As I look at them side by side, I notice how different they are, but I love them both. :)

Lauren’s momma made this quilt.

Hello, family! :D

And ending with another favorite!

L, B + H, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for inviting me into your family. I don’t have the words to express to you the honor you give me in asking me to document your lives. I loved meeting your daughter and you are such doting, gentle parents—just as I expected you would be. She is lucky to have you as her mother and father, and from what I’ve seen of her sweet disposition, you are lucky to have her as your child. I cannot wait until we meet again and I have the privilege of glimpsing another page in your story. You’re a blessing to me. I hope you love these photos. xo, M