Weblog Martina Konietzny

What a unique couple Jennifer and James are! In between operating at UCSF and travelling the Caribbean on their sailboat, they made time for an engagement portrait. We chose an industrial space to compliment the organic nature of their interaction, resulting in unique images with bold design elements. 

Jennifer and James are getting married at the River Ranch Lodge in Lake Tahoe, where they will have a weekend get-away wedding. 

Kathleen and Simon got married a few years ago. I photographed their exclusive wedding in the Monterey Area. Here we were at the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco working with and around the beautiful Mario Botta architecture. Using the glass and stone building as a backdrop to highlight their growing and deepening appreciation for one another. I particularly loved the photos with the glass reflection outside the museum’s café. Next time we will all fly to New York and then probably around the world. Both of them are avid art collectors and visit the Sundance Film Festival every year. Kathleen and Simon’s favorite movie was “In the Shadow of the Moon”. Please read excerpt below and go see it if you have a chance. This couple sits at the pulse of modern times. They rock.

Ahh, Wente Vineyards a breath of fresh air provided the location as well as the food and fabulous cake made out of over 200 profiteroles. Please see my picture to get an idea. The colors of the wedding were all my favorites, i.e. greens and blues, turquoise and aqua silk, taffetta fabric were the bridesmaids dresses. They looked like mermaids out of a fable.
The flowers by Annie Sui played in the blue hues as well as magenta and flavors of bright reds. The table design was visually unusual with the greenish-blue gemlike theme almost cian. The gorgeous bride Anastasie carried a bouquet of white lilies to symbolize innocents and pure bliss. One of the groomsman showed up in a black Lamborghini , which seemed only three feet high. The last one I saw of those cars was when I lived in Europe. It was a rocketship.
By moonlight a french inspired meal was served. There must have been six courses topped with exquisite cheeses and breads and fruit of all varieties. The feast lasted past midnight.

Dancing and toasts brightened the dark night with laughter, cheers and tears.

Berkeley City Club in the heart of Berkeley a skip and a jump away from the U.C. campus you can find after driving a couple times around the block (it is a One Way) East bound you will finally check into the parking lot of this all stone building with leaded glass throughout. Crystal Meyers 510 280-1540 helped us with all our questions and showed us around. This Julia Morgan gem is a true find to form the perfect backdrop to a classic, elegant, a touch of the old-world wedding. My lovely young bride in a class of her own looked stunning in her eggshell silk chiffon dress from Casablancabridal. Her flowers by Karen Baymiller www.floralsbykaren.com (baymillers@comcast.net) gave her and bridesmaids a true glow. The groom (English heritage) and groomsmen were golden, silk, taffetta ties by Angela Bockett. Dennon and Doyle did the background and dance music and the guests got wild. Steve from L.A. was the videographer flown in by the couple. His number is 626-799-1939.

Please read what happened to me last week. A bride called me: she had heard about my work went on my web site and noticed one of her friends weddings was featured on my site. She called her friend and asked what he thought about Martina Konietzny’s work. See below if you want to find out.

Hi Martina,

My fiance and I loved meeting you today, and we are very excited to request that you be our wedding photographer. We feel so comfortable with you already, and your photos are beautiful and artistic. We will complete the contract and mail the deposit to you ASAP.

Below is the quote from Boone Spooner:

“Yes, I HIGHLY recommend Martina - she was amazing. I honestly believe that she is one of the best wedding photographers in the bay area. When Lori and I were looking for a photographer we went to an insane amount of wedding fairs and events to try and find someone, and no one came even close. She is a little expensive, but I really think that you get what you pay for in photography. Not only was she great, but her partner (who also comes to the wedding and shoots) was an amazing photographer. AND, she basically saved / ran our wedding. When things got crazy (which, i think is the nature of weddings) she was the professional and expert in charge - you know, clarity under pressure - she was funny, smart and able to control our families (i didn’t even know that anyone could do that) and get them to line up and take great photos even though we were running late, people were missing, things were going wrong etc etc. I can’t say enough good things about Martina - she is amazing. Another great thing about Martina is that she uses film, 35mm and Medium format (which i love to death) AND, she get’s the photos printed and placed in the most amazing bound book that will last forever - it’s awesome. Man, I feel like I should write a testimonial!

Cheers,
Mary and Darren
2/22/2007

Alexandra, a classic beauty who knows not only what she wants yet was willing and able to walk the extra mile to her amazing wedding at the Julia Morgan Ballroom Merchants Exchange. Linda Hylen the sweetest director of any event place in a 50 mile radius helps every couple to achieve their dreams. Please write to her directly with your visions lindahylen@clintonreilly.com or visit her website through byrecommendationonly.com. The room looked like a medieval italian aristocratic wedding feast which was flawlessly, exquisitely and deliciously prepared by Terry of La Bocca Fina. Flowers in warm hues of orange-magenta designed by Leigsha of Branch Out and John and Megan Wood of Soundsation created the spectacular light and sound of music. I can still taste the scent of the room, lit by a gorgeous fireplace. Her dress by marinamorrison and her sling shoes blahnikshoes suited her fine taste and I think Robert gazed at her a couple of times in true amazement.
There was dancing until deep into the night. Fondly, Martina

Thank you Courtney and Matthew you succeded in designing a cinderalla wedding. The flowers by Kamran of were of the finest and the music by Mix Company (call Joannie - joennielissevents for them) kept everybody until the vee hours on the dance floor. Lighting by Northern Lights and Lee Tompkins kept the sound at bay, awesomesound.com.
Darren Chestnut and partner of Thomas Huges video productions put everything into motion picture.
Your dress Courtney highlighted the sweet you. Thank you to atelierdesmodiste.com. The cakes were devine by Gerhard Michaeler and Ukranian Aunt.
I will mention more and write in greater detail when I get back next week. Have a happy Thanksgiving. Fondly, Martina

Thank you Joannie for a fabulous reception, joannielissevents.com

Dana & Jennifer Sulprizio The Olema Inn restored a 1876 gathering place for loggers, ranchers and farmers to an absolute gem. With not much cell phone connection you can kick back in their Inn which was restored to it’s original beauty in 1998. The warm colors and airy design are elegant. The rooms are uncluttered and fresh in their “old fashioned” lace and victorian styles. The food by Mr. Edward Vigil was not only organic and environmentally sustainable it was deliciously divine. I munched on the Paradise Valley Mixed Green Salad with Pistacios and the grilled Ahi Tuna, Prawns, Crab and Lobster Pot Stickers with an assortment of delicious beans. The staff  (Daniel, assistant to manager) and everyone who worked that night was utmostly curteous and 100% attentive.

Christine, the bride and coordinator looked beautiful in her Unique Bride dress. The weather was gorgeous and made the trip to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church easier.

The feeling of the wedding, the party, the music, Leland Thunes A Classy Affair the spirit worked from the inside out, it flowed it moved , it rocked hard. It seemed that everyone was dancing up a storm and when Mitchell’s Ice Cream was cut everyone got relieve from the heat which was exuding out to the front porch.