Snapshots of a Photographer's Life in The Bay Area
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Winner-Winner Chicken Dinner
Top 10 Badass Wedding Commissioners @ the San Francisco City Hall
Rachel + Rob: Lucky
Musee Mecanique
Servino + Lime & Black

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Snapshots of a Photographer's Life in The Bay Area

San Francisco Places To Visit

Winner-Winner Chicken Dinner

Marge Maghoney: Posted on Wednesday, November 07, 2012 5:47 PM
ALL my main men have fucking WON. (dancing to


































October 28...The Giants.


October 31...Greg Merson (WSOP)



























































November 6...Barack OH-BEE!



In a span of ten BEAUTIFUL days, I've been on the edge of my seat one minute, in tears the next and cheering my ass off with my homemade routines ala-Mary Katherine Gallagher in front of my husband who can't decide whether to join me or slap me back to reality.






























What the FUCK is up? I am SO loving all this crazy energy!



Ok, I'm back from watching Oh-Bee's speech. That man gives me goosebumps each time he opens his mouth.



















I was SO proud to be from The Bay watching the Giants win four fucking games in a row. FOUR. BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK.
I was PROUDER watching a sea of orange towels twirled around like there's no tomorrow by SF natives amidst the LOUDEST, most in unison cheering I have EVER heard. And they did this not just during home runs but ALL THROUGHOUT THE FUCKING GAME.





I felt proud simply being a human being watching 24 year old Greg Merson, a college dropout who’d overcome drug addiction and parental doubts, raise his second World Championship bracelet standing beside his pile of $8M. CASH.




I watched the first of two final table sessions for six straight hours as they reduced the players from 9 to 3.



You think that's lame?



Fuck you.


You'd think men (and a few women) sitting around a table, looking at cards, saying nothing (unless you're a trash talking poker asshole) and purposely trying not to move or convey any expression would be the MOST BORING game ever but it's SO not.




It is SUPER exciting! Maybe 'cause going balls out with your mind and intuition and ability to read people AND factor in the element of luck makes the game so absolutely fucking addicting.




Me and Johnny ended up in shifts the following night 'cause Balsiger, Merson and Sylvia battled for twelve freakin hours, leaving even the most battle-tested audience (moi) weary and blurry-eyed.








I am proud to be part of this country watching Oh-Bee's speech. With a suitcase with some clothes and just a handful of mooh-lah four years ago, a lack of excuses and a heartful of dreams can take you farther than you think.
Categories: Personal, San Francisco Places To Visit
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Rachel + Rob: Lucky

Marge Maghoney: Posted on Sunday, October 21, 2012 3:15 PM
I love Rachel.




Just wanted to get that out of the way.
She's in the first photo you see on the website.


(Actually, it's the bottom half of her bridal party behind the second love of her life, the star who REALLY stole the show.)
She's incredibly sweet, unpretentious, real.
She's one of those refreshing people you come across and instantly feel as if you've been pals for years.





She reminds me of Marisa Tomei when she was starting out. Carefree, bubbly and super friendly.



She and Rob got married on a perfect Saturday morning in the middle the redwoods at beautiful Roberts Park in the Oakland Hills.




I've never met her before the day of the wedding. Here she was in a simple elegant one-shoulder white gown walking in between beautiful old trees the sun beaming on her equally radiant smile in between.





I look at Rob and see nothing but love and a look of disbelief having been so lucky.

Rachel, with that gorgeous smile not leaving her face, takes her position in front of her man and immediately compliments him for looking so good.



Rob, with this hands clasped in front of him, gives an obvious nervous chuckle and thanks her. Without missing a beat, Rachel moves toward him and reaches out for his hand.



She immediately breaks the ice, lets go of all formality and put Rob at ease.

That's the moment I decided I liked her. Weddings are very often thought of as a stressful event. You prepare for it for months. Get every little detail from the song for the first dance to the wedding favors you'll be handing out to your guests. It's a million and one things on your to-do list so everything will be PERFECT.





But here's the thing,

It doesn't have to be.


Why? Because with weddings, as well as careers, family, relationships,

There is no such thing as PERFECT.


What's important is that we ENJOY each and every moment. We may or may not remember the kind of flowers set on each table, the gift we received from Aunt Marie, even the toast given by your god father.




But it's those precious moments in between. The way your bride reaches for your hands to put you at ease. Or your husband whispering in your ear how he can't wait to devour you after the party (or maybe sometime in between), the hug from your father that lasts longer than usual him not wanting to let you go.




Rachel seemed to have embraced this truth. I know because as I went through my day's work, I noticed her smile never changed from beginning to end. And I realized why.

she was relishing EACH and EVERY fucking moment.


To Rachel and Rob, thank you SO much for allowing me to document your most precious day. You two are are such a fine and funny (I mean that in the best possible way) couple. Which is great 'cause when you think of it, marriage is a beautiful combo of constant work and a sense of humor.







To view Rachel + Rob's photo storybook video, click here.
Categories: Snapshots of Life + Love, San Francisco Places To Visit
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Musee Mecanique

Marge Maghoney: Posted on Saturday, June 02, 2012 12:01 PM
I always ALWAYS enjoy working at a new location for a photo shoot. Be it a park, an alley, a store, a building, whatever it is. Anything new is always a challenge and really keep the creative juices flowing.







I love that.



So when I was on my way to Musee Mecanique for Zach & Ralu's engagement shoot, I was totally psyched. I had this idea I was toying with in my head. I thought it would be tight to set this young couple against a backdrop of old ass mechanically operated musical instruments and antique arcade machines. Then I'll balance it out by taking them to fun and colorful Pier 39. Though seeing how gloomy and windy it was (AND it started to drizzle), I was verging on half excited half worried. So I passed the time (ok I made time) at La Boulange and got me some yumdiliyumcious macarons (the chocolate hazelnuts are the bomb!). It started to stop drizzling so I made my way to the museum. I meet Zach and Ralu. They're so young and cute and their love was so raw it translated onto their images. Thanks to Photoshop (I love you Adobe!) I was able to make it look like they were hanging out by the Pier in 80 degree weather. The wind turned out to be a good thing (except for when they were trying to hold down the banner of their wedding date). I actually liked most of the photos with a few strands of Ralu's hair brushing on her face.






































They looked young, raw and lost in their own world (in a good way). Zach and Ralu, you were great at our shoot. I loved how the energy between you two effortlessly showed on the images. I am so looking forward to your wedding in August. Ciao!










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Categories: Snapshots of Life + Love, San Francisco Places To Visit
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Servino + Lime & Black

Marge Maghoney: Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 9:02 PM
I just got done pinning a few photos from Anna and Michael's wedding on my Pinterest board. The first time Anna told me where the ceremony and reception will be held (a restaurant) I thought okay, a relaxed wedding, real simple, a chill family gathering kind of thing, nothing fancy. So wedding day arrives, I get my butt ready and the hubby and I go for a ride to Tiburon. The day couldn't be more perfect and I wish we had put the top down before we left. It was a good ol' California summer day and upon reaching Marin County I knew I was in for something I didn't quite expect. It was held at Servino in Tiburon, a beautiful quaint uppity little town north of San Francisco. I head to Lodge at Tiburon where Anna was preparing and took care of bridal prep shots (her wedding gown looked surreal hanging against the white shutters). Anna's got a vibrant personality. Down to earth, real, straight-up, no fluff. I like her.
































Servino was just around the corner. As I walked up the second floor to the Bellavista Room, I was delighted to see a beautiful and charming space. I'm guessing it could comfortably accommodate about 100-150 guests. It had its own bar and a magazine worthy lounge area. The color scheme was white, lime and black and I luuurved it. It was clean, crisp, elegant. They paid close attention to details and I made sure to capture each one. I loved how they stacked the cupcakes into a mini wittle tower. So cute!












The coolest part is the waterfront deck overlooking the bay. And THAT'S where they held their killer ceremony. It couldn't be more perfect. Just gorgeous. To Anna and Michael, you two are one hot couple. I love how cool and relaxed you are, just like best friends getting married. I enjoyed covering your special day and meeting your equally awesome friends and family. Mwah!








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Categories: Snapshots of Life + Love, San Francisco Places To Visit
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Redwood Grove Ampitheater

Marge Maghoney: Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 6:28 PM
Daaang...look at Marge Maghoney blowin' it up with blog posts on the daily.



Don't get used to it. To my consistency. AND referring to myself in the third person.









Yes, I'm a bonafide weirdo.

At some point I will definitely go back to 3-4 posts a month -- probably once I get skinny again and bumming all day at the beach is actually an option. So I'm doing this wedding in June in Berkeley at the UC Botanical Garden.






Yeah, that's right. No segue. Goin' straight to the good stuff.

I'm totally psyched not just cause these two sweeties are such awesome people but the venue they picked for their ceremony and reception are absolutely beautiful! The ceremony will be held at the Redwood Grove and Amphitheater:






And the reception at the Mikov Room at the UC Botanical Garden:

I. Am Absolutely. Stoked!


I thoroughly enjoyed myself during our engagement shoot, sick and all. We started off at the garden then headed to the amphitheater so I could have a feel for the place and more or less get an idea of where to position myself during the ceremony. I was so enamored with all the tall old redwoods that surrounded me I spent a good time there by myself after the shoot was over, just chillin' and absorbing the quiet and beauty around me. It was a weekday, a Monday I believe, and after they left I was the only one there. No visitors, no tourists, nada. Just me, a couple of crickets and the morning sunlight trying to peak through the branches towering over me. It was one of the most peaceful moments I've had recently. I felt so good I shot my first live stream out of the blue. (Go to ustream.tv and look for mmaghoney -- Jessica & Luis' Berkeley engagement shoot). To Luis and Jessica, I am so looking forward to joining you guys again in a couple of weeks. You're such a beautiful pair, in and out. I truly mean that. Check out their engagement shoot below:






























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Categories: Snapshots of Life + Love, San Francisco Places To Visit
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