Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer | Portrait and Lifestyle Photography

The Best Worst Wedding Ever | Anna and Ethan

Bernd Zeugswetter — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:28:53 +0000

The title is from Ethan’s story for the Santa Barbara Independent. “It was in the darkness of the third power outage, a river of mud forming fast at the west end of the tent, that I realized I was living the wedding of my dreams.” ~ Ethan Stewart

It rained a lot on Anna and Ethan’s wedding day at El Capitan Beach State Park. The days before and after 11.11.11 were dry. But on Anna and Ethan’s wedding day, Pacific rain showered on everyone for their sea-side ceremony and poured into the night of their tented reception. By the end of the night, there wasn’t a dress or table cloth or shoe that wasn’t caked or splattered in mud. And there wasn’t a face that wasn’t smiling. Everyone just went with it, and it really was one of the most exuberant celebrations I’ve ever had the fortune to be present for!

If you haven’t had a chance to read Ethan’s story of their wedding, you really need to! It’s guaranteed to make you smile and it’s a great reminder to keep your spirits high even when your best laid plans get washed to sea! Thank you Anna and Ethan for that triumphant day!

Equine and Portraits | Niki with horses

Bernd Zeugswetter — Fri, 04 May 2012 06:42:18 +0000

Our friend, Niki, moved to San Diego last summer. A few days before she moved one of her horses down the coast, too, we met in the Santa Ynez Valley to get pictures with both of her horses. Very recently, Niki’s beautiful mare, Tiara, passed away after having been with Niki for 18 years. Tiara was a great horse and we have happy memories of her, too. We know you will miss her, Niki. Much love to you.
Below are a few of the pictures from last summer of Niki with thoroughbred, Tiara, and quarter horse, Little Man.

Eastern Sierra Engagement Portraits | Kristin and Joe

Bernd Zeugswetter — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:57:32 +0000

Kristin and Joe and I had an especially pretty evening hiking all the way around Convict Lake on the Fall Equinox. I really enjoyed being with Kristin and Joe, who both love being outside as much as I do. Kristin is studying to be a midwife, which I think is really awesome! They are both climbers, too, hence the name of their happy yellow lab, Boulder. Here are some of the pictures we got on our walk.

Published: Santa Barbara Independent Wedding Issue Cover

Bernd Zeugswetter — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:08:31 +0000

A few weeks ago, the Santa Barbara Independent ran its 25th Annual Wedding Issue. I was very happy and completely surprised to see Anna and Ethan on the cover in a picture I took at their wedding last Fall! With a circulation of 40,000, the Santa Barbara Independent is the largest circulated and well-loved newspaper of Santa Barbara County.

Here is a link to Ethan’s wonderful story of their wedding day accompanied by some of my pictures and the cover below!

I’ll be working on a blog post with more pictures from Anna and Ethan’s great stormy wedding day soon.

Wedding at the Museum of Natural History | Jen and Chad (part 3)

Bernd Zeugswetter — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:38:00 +0000

One more post from Jen and Chad’s wedding. I did something I don’t usually do, and took the film camera along to their wedding. Here are a couple of the images. Ilford Delta 400 Film.

Korean Tea Ceremony | Jen and Chad (part 2)

Bernd Zeugswetter — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:02:28 +0000

This is part two of Jen and Chad’s wedding at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. The images are from the Korean tea ceremony and the reception. If you haven’t seen part one, click here.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History | Jen and Chad

Bernd Zeugswetter — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:30:39 +0000

Jen and Chad were married last Fall at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. They had two beautiful ceremonies. The first ceremony was held under the oaks and sycamores near the creek bed, followed by hors d’oeuvres in the museum’s garden. Everyone then gathered in the courtyard for the traditional Korean tea ceremony in bright, beautiful colors.

Jen and Chad met during their studies. Keeping with their interest in marine biology, they did an amazing job making all the decorations themselves in a biology theme. A card catalog held the guest cards that assigned each guest to their table by taxonomy. Bottles of wine with custom labels and cards with drawings of marine life forms decorated each table. The result, especially in the Museum setting, was genius and very classy.

My wife and I so much enjoyed photographing Jen and Chad’s wedding! And I have to say that the Korean tea ceremony was a definite highlight for me.

Thank you Jen and Chad!

This post is part one of their wedding. Part two will be of the Korean tea ceremony and reception.

Coal Oil Point Family Portraits

Bernd Zeugswetter — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:38:19 +0000

Nadia’s family chose Santa Barbara for their family reunion last summer. Shortly before they all met here from various parts of the country, she wrote to me. With everyone united, they hoped to take the opportunity to get pictures together. We met at Coal Oil Point at the end of a foggy day and the sun came out. Even the century plants were in bloom! Thank you, it was a fun evening and I enjoyed meeting you all!

Santa Barbara’s Historic El Presidio + Granada Theater | Vanessa + Joerg

Bernd Zeugswetter — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:11:39 +0000

Live music and laughter, lots of both. That’s what characterized Vanessa and Joerg’s wedding day. Joerg owns a record studio, JSM Records Music Production. He was playing music at his own reception party, as were many of their friends and family.

Vanessa and Joerg’s wedding ceremony was held at Santa Barbara’s Historic El Presidio Chapel. A grand party followed at another Santa Barbara landmark, the Granada Theater. Live, spontaneous music of this caliber was something rare to behold.

Congratulations, Vanessa and Joerg! Thank you!

Published: Montecito Journal features Charlotte and Daniel’s Wedding

Bernd Zeugswetter — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:32:54 +0000

Picked up a copy of the Montecito Journal’s special glossy edition! So pleased to see Charlotte and Daniel’s wedding featured in it!

Thank you Charlotte and Daniel and a huge thanks also to Lindesy Hartsough of Magnolia Event Design. Lindsey did an amazing job organizing their beautiful wedding day at the Montecito Country Club!