Sarah Mahen Photographers

It never fails that pretty much every time Dustin and I have a shoot we end up taking pictures of each other being our totally awesome selves all in wacky photog mode. Usually this means a handful of images of us making faces at each other gets put into a file I’ve names “Shootout” That is where everything that is us gets dumped, and this year I’ve decided to share. I went about this whole year carefully keeping track of these images that really, are pretty silly when you think about it. But really, it’s human nature isn’t it? What else can you do when your job is to carry a camera all day? How could you not turn it on each other and even on yourself? The great thing about so many of these images is that I remember exactly what we were doing when we took it… if it was during dinner (who wants pictures of people eating?) or during a ceremony (hearing people promise forever to each other often prompts me to look for the person I promised forever to) I love being able to look back on the experience we shared as a family watching another family start.

The other great thing about this year is all the cool photographers I’ve had shoot for me. We’ve gotten some great images from people who are our really great friends, and who we both admire tremendously. So, thank you to Rachel Hadishar of Merge Weddings who shot my first two weddings of the year with me, and Desiree Hayes of Desiree Hayes Photography who shot a So Cal wedding with me, and Amanda Carson who assisted that shoot as well. Thanks to Zach Anderson of Zach Anderson Photography who came up from the Bay Area to shoot with me and a HUGE thank you to my beloved Beth Baugher of True Love Photo. Seriously! I am so blessed to know and love so many amazing photographers! Thanks for making 08 crazy awesome you guys!

But the person I need to thank the most for making this year more than I could even imagine is my best friend, my rock and the coolest geek I know – my sweet husband Dustin. I know I’ve said it before, but seriously, I will die saying it DUSTIN IS THE BEST! I would not be who I am without him. He took the time to see the things in my I couldn’t see in myself and for that there will never be enough way to say how thankful I am for him. He has grown so much as a photographer over this past year, and has helped our business become something so much greater than I ever imagined. I love that he is never afraid to think big! He thinks so big that I often tell him I can’t wrap my head around what he’s saying, but he just smiles and says, “Sarah, that’s why you have me. To get you what you need.” And he does that and so much more. Dustin, thank you for a wonderful life, a wonderful job and more happiness than I ever imagined!

Thanks also to our AMAZING clients! Where would we be without you guys bringing the radness at every turn. Thank you for letting us share in your lives! From weddings to maternity to birth and family portriats we have had a blast working with all of you. Thank you for letting us capture a vision of your family, of you at this particular place in your lives. It has been a joy to dance, sing, laugh and cry with you all. We can’t tell you how much you mean to us!

Please enjoy a slideshow of some of our shootout 08 pictures! We had a blast making them, and we hope you enjoy seeing us being… well… us! I’ve set this slideshow to my “Dance In My Office For Inspiration” song. I hope you all enjoy it! Happy Holidays to all of you! We wish you peace, joy and love wherever you are.

Just as an FYI we are closing up the office so we can get some holiday cheer going, and get some much needed rest as we’re going on week three of me being ridiculously sick. Print and album ordering will resume on January 5. I will continue blogging some sessions I have backlogged, but email and phone calls will be returned on a need basis. Thanks guys and happy holidays!

Victoria and Dave were our last wedding of 2008, and we so went out with a bang thanks to these two awesome people!! It was such a pleasure to be a part of their beautiful wedding at Wedgewood Lodge at the Crystal Springs Golf Club in Burlingame, California. It was absolutely a beautiful day for some I Do’s! Dustin and I were so pleased that the weather was so cooperative in the Bay Area in late November. We were really excited to share such a special day with such cool people.

I started off with the ladies, and seriously, they were so fun! Victoria has so many people who care so much for her. It was a joy to watch them honor her on her wedding day. Her bridesmaids were super prepared, but even better, they were super fun! The whole time the girls were getting ready there was no stress, just a whole lot of joy and excitement. It made the time so enjoyable, the the attitude of excitement was positively infectious!

Dustin had a great time hanging out with Dave and his groomsmen. I love these pictures! Below Dave is helping his son (and best man) with his tie, then he’s showing us Victoria’s ring as her brother (and a groomsman) looks on. Have I mentioned the pride I have for Dustin’s awesome shooting skills lately? Because really, there is a bursting amount of pride people, BURSTING!

And then we were off to the club for their beautiful wedding! They had their ceremony on the lovliest vista! It was overlooking a river, and was just breathtaking. I love it when we get to shoot at places that are just so dang beautiful! And having a couple that is super amazing doesn’t hurt either! I love this first shot that Dustin got of Victoria and she walked down the aisle.

Then it was time to rock out some portraits. We had SUCH fun with not only our super cute Victoria and Dave, but with their bridal party as well. I mean, seriously, could you ask for a cooler place to shoot than this?

And then it was party time! Victoria and Dave had a wonderful celebration of their marriage with their family and freinds who are all really excited for them. The reception was a little bittersweet as well. Victoria moved to Pennsylvania with her new husband, so many of her family and friends were wishing her bon voyage as well. Luckily she has Dave, and by the way he looked at her I can tell he’ll take good care of her.

Victoria and Dave thank you so much for being so wonderful! Dustin and I so enjoyed your wedding! It was the perfect way to end our wedding season and we are so happy we got to be a small part of your big day! We wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness! Check out their slideshow HERE or below for more images from their perfect day.

I just wanted to quickly blog a couple of pictures from the blessed birth of beautiful Keegan Andrew. Keegan made his debut at 3:43am on Sunday, December 21, 2008. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce and is 21 inches long. He is beautiful and amazing, and I can’t thank his parents, Whitney and Phil, enough for letting me be there with them to witness this incredible event. I will be blogging a full post and slideshow soon, but just wanted to share a couple pictures on his birthday.

And here they are… one happy family. This picture made me sob when I pulled it up on my computer this afternoon. There is nothing like a family… nothing.

Congratulations Whitney, Phil and Keegan!