Cinematography: Super Duper

Lizzy + Dan Wedding, Super 8 mm from Kevin Chin Photography + Cinema on Vimeo.

We thank Kevin Chin Photography + Cinema for this short but lovely Super 8 clip. We learned that many videos are edited in post production to have this wonderful vintage effect but we actually got first hand knowledge from Kevin Chin that this was shot entirely from original Super 8 film. Now, that's authentic. Love.

Photography & Videography: Teaser

We've never done a video so we thought it might be a little fun to try something new.  Here is a teaser video of a beautiful wedding from  Kevin Chin Photography on Vimeo.  It features a beautiful and classic City Soiree wedding that took place at the Bentley Reserve in San Francisco.

Photography: I left my heart...

This image caught out attention and we had to share it with you.  San Francisco has been long known to be a romantic city and it truly is a place where you will leave your "heart".  This couple certainly did.  

If you are curious, these iconic hearts from the "Hearts in SF Project" have been placed throughout San Francisco since 2004.  This is one of our favorites which is located in Union Square.  There have been 130 different ones placed throughout the City by the Bay.

Thank you Kevin Chin for sharing this image with us.

Decor: Lamp posts

One of the motifs that we are loving right now are lamp posts. Perhaps it's because they beckon to an era gone by or maybe it's because on every European street corner, they gracefully stand without notice. We love lamp posts and this moody image from Kevin Chin really shows that this is going to be a wonderful design motif going forward.

{Photography: Urban eSessions}

Looks like eSessions(engagement sessions) are becoming more popular than ever. With eSessions - couples are expressing their true nature. These informal photo sessions tend to bring out a couple's personality through their favorite spots, their mutual interests, and even their wardrobe. This recent eSession photographed by our very own, Kevin Chin, explores a couple's quirky, lovable, and vibrant personality.

We're sure you've seen a few of these images as they were featured recently in Style Me Pretty but we thought they were so fun and captivating that it was worth a second look.

{The List #16: Summer Groom's Attire)

Dapper wedding photographer, Kevin Chin, may be well known for his wedding imagery but many in the know often taut him to be one well-dressed man. So we sat with Kevin and asked him to help us pick great summer attire for groom's getting married in the summer time. Here is his fabulous(and fashionable) suggestions:


Outdoor: Khaki Suit, white cotton shirt with light knit ties
Beach: Linen Suit with crisp white open collar shirt and no tie(sandals only)
Informal or Day Time Chic: Light Grey Suits with white collared shirt and tie
Traditional: Slim cut black suit with pale color tie
Country Club: White Dinner jacket with black pants and bowtie
Backyard: Seersucker suit with white shirt and tie
Yacht Club: Navy blazer, oxford shirt with REP tie, loafers(no socks)
Art Gallery: Black peak label suits with white shirt and slim black tie
Vintage: Slim cut suit with plaid shirt and old school Converse(add a vintage cap - no, not a baseball cap, silly!)
Destination Tropical: Long knee length shorts, Aloha shirt with fresh garland or lei from the local florist

Photography by Kevin Chin

{The List #14: Photo Tips by Kevin Chin}

Our list this week comes from Pink Blossom List Photographer, Kevin Chin. We asked him for a list of photo related tips for brides and grooms on their wedding day. Here is his very wise advice.


Do attend the cocktail hour, makes for great candids.

Assign a family member to corral VIP's during the family photo session, help & save time since your photographer may not know who Aunt so and so is.

If you think something will take 30 minutes, buffer 45 minutes.

Point out meaningful details or special guests that you would like the photographer to document. Remember, he/she may not that the fabric for your favors were flown in from the Orient and that the box contains Asian spices(see image on the right).

Meet with your photographer ahead of time to discuss the day's events so that there are no surprises the day of the wedding.

Though hard to do, limit your wedding party, the more bridesmaids/groomsmen you have, the more you have to organize and manage.

Book an engagement session with your photographer so that you can develop a rapport. You'll be more prepared the day of your wedding. And certainly more relaxed.

Great lighting makes an impact especially for an indoor evening events or a space that's not well lit. (See the Chinese strung lanterns - makes for a great backdrop and lights a dark area)

Start out with the most picturesque venue that you can find in your budget. It sets the tone.


Image by Kevin Chin

{Real weddings: Summer Bash Part Three}

Orchids attached to branches accented with hot pink table linens with orange napkins complete this Summer Bash. We love the image of the bride dancing with her bridal party and friends. Isn't that what a wedding should be about - unapologetic fun! Thanks Kevin Chin for sharing this with the Pink Blossom List.

{Real Weddings: Summer Bash Part Two}

More wonderful images from the wedding of Nazy to Sirious captured by Kevin Chin. We love the bouquet with orchids and peonies with crystal details.

{Real Weddings: Summer Bash Part One}

Summer to us is about color. And you can't deny that "wow" factor when you have a wedding that combines, orchid pink, hot fuschia, magnenta with mango and tangerine accents. Combine roses, orchids, peonies, branches, and mini callas and you've got yourself perfection. Though known for his black and white film images, we were so delighted that Kevin Chin brought us this stunning, sulty, summer bash.

The bride and groom are a modern couple who choose the Westin St. Francis for their city wedding planned by Cindy Danbom of Belle Notte Events. Flowers are wonderfully created by our good friend at Waterlily Pond. Enjoy this gorgeously glam city affair.

{Photography: Sitting Down with Kevin Chin}

Our PBL contributor, Nancy Liu Chin had such a great time talking with photographer Sabine Scherer last week, so we asked her to talk to another wedding pro. Since Nancy's schedule was a bit full, she sat down over brunch with her husband, Kevin Chin for this quick conversation.

Shall we get to know Kevin Chin who was recently named by The Knot as one of the best photographers in the Bay Area?

NLC: Given what you know now, what one thing would you change about your wedding(I mean our wedding)?

KC: My dream wedding would be to have a beach wedding on a warm tropical island. My bride (that would be you) and I would be barefoot on the beach saying our vows as the sun sets. And of course the dinner reception would be alfresco on the beach under the stars.

NLC: Aww. That's so sweet. I like that.

NLC: What's your top five Guilty Pleasures?

KC: US Weekly, TMZ and anything tabloidish. 2) All types of magazines. Of course you know that we subscribe to about a dozen of them. 3) My Cuban cigars. 4) Clothing and shopping. I take up more closet space! 5) Entourage. I secretly want to have my own entourage. Do you think anybody would want to start an entourage with me?

NLC: If you could attend any celebrity wedding, who's wedding would you like to attend?

KC: I would have loved to attend Madonna & Sean Penn's wedding back in the day. They are meant each other and I predict they will end up back with each other. I am waiting for US magazine or TMZ to make the official announcement.

NLC: Can I be your mystery date?

NLC: Given the current situation with brides and grooms, what is the one thing that you would suggest that they reevaluate when planning their wedding.

KC: I think cutting down the guest list has the biggest impact on the cost of a wedding.

NLC: What is one thing about being a photographer that people don't know about?

KC: As a photographer, we may not be curing cancer but I feel our job is very important in preserving important moments and memories. I love it when I show up at a the bride's parent's house and displayed are old photos of their parents and grandparents. It reminds me that the photos that I am capturing today will be shared with future generations long after I am gone.

Random Final Notes: Kevin is a self taught photographer who has been shooting weddings for nearly two decades. Though located in San Francisco, some of his wedding projects have taken him to France, Italy, Thailand, Philippines, Holland, and Peru. His wedding work has been published in Elegant Bride,Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, The Knot, and Bride & Bloom magazines. You can also find some of his work in the 2008 coffee table wedding book called Style Your Dream Wedding by Susie Coehlo. A recent educator at The Wedding University and member of SF's Short List, Kevin Chin continues to use film in a world of digital photographers and has plans to do small workshops later this year for amateur photographers. It's great to see that this medium is making a bit of a comeback.

Thanks, Kevin!