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Saturday, April 22, 2006

Two Soccer Olympians and one Gold Metal, Grace Cathedral and The Palace Hotel









Thursday, April 20, 2006

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, Jewish Wedding SonomaMissionInnSM.jpg



The Ritz Carlton San Francisco - Lavish Indian wedding
" This lavish Indian wedding takes your breath away with it's vibrant colors and rich fabrics. Crimson red fabric draped the hallways providing the perfect backdrop to this black tie wedding where many women wore traditional custom designed dresses. Members of the San Francisco Symphony played to the guests as they arrived and admired the magnetic lotus with it's bud of roses. The ice bar was complete with ice chilled martinis and an etching of the lotus theme that glowed with white light. Belly dancers and mimes entertained the guests as they enjoyed the opulent Indian buffet. The cake was covered in over 250 white chocolate flowers and surrounded by a crystal strung Mandap. The Mandap is normally used for the Indian ceremony but in this case it was used as an ornate frame for the cake. There were 550 individual cakes served to the guests. As you enjoy these photographs you can feel the magic of the evening as it unfolds." -Karina Marie Diaz

Photographer: Karina Marie Diaz, Lifestyle Photographer
Venue: The Ritz Carlton San Francisco, Alexandra Nicandri
Coordinator: Bridal Network, Connie Kearns
Florist: Floramor, Laura Little Testimonial on Karina
Cake: Cakework, Cecile Gady
Videographer: Thomas Hughes Video Testimonial on Karina









































The Pathways Hospice Foundation 25th Anniversary Gala, Photography Donation
I am always thrilled to have the opportunity to donate my photography services to charities that are dedicated to making a difference in bettering peoples lives. I am deeply moved by this organizations dedication to such very sensitive and challenging time in ones life.

The Pathways Hospice Foundation's 25th Anniversary Gala at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco was a fabulous success, raising over $250,000 in support of Pathways Home Health, Hospice and Private Duty. 400 guests from all over the Bay Area were transported to A Hot Night in Havana complete with a 1950s colorful Havana street market, elegant ballroom for dining by candlelight, and the sizzle of a Havana nightclub. A highlight of the evening was a steamy performance by U.S. World Representatives in International Latin Ballroom Dancing, Giselle Peacock and Dan Kitsis.

"Lifestyle Photographer, Karina Marie Diaz, captured the sizzle of the evening with her unique approach to event photography. Karina was a consummate professional and a delight to work with. Each of her subjects enjoyed being photographed as she integrated photography into the spirit of the evening. -Deborah Stinchfield, Public Relations Coordinator

Pathways Home Health, Hospice & Private Duty is a community based, not-for-profit organization that helps families successfully manage their health care needs at home. Pathways Hospice Foundation engages community financial support to increase opportunities for hope, comfort and dignity in illness and at the end of life. For more information about services, volunteering or making donation, go to Pathways Health or call 888.755.7855.

Jack Concklin is quite a performer!
And he is a ton of fun to photograph. This portrait shows his somewhat innocent side. He has so many character poses that his mom, Michiko Conklin, had to order a separate album dedicated specifically to his fierce dramatic talents!


Bellagio, Las Vegas | Hsiao-Wei & Russell Ouchida
Hsiao_wei and Russell are two of the kindest people I have ever met. I loved photographing them in front of the slot machines. Shhh don't tell.. it's a no no. But the contrast was so wonderfully hilarious how could I resist? They are so NOT gamblers, but they looked so "AB FAB" with those wild slot machine lights in contrast with their elegant and formal attire. Even the security guy let us slide - the shot was too wicked to deny. Every step of the way, they were so enthusiastically open to my ideas. I wish I could photograph their wedding every year but luckily there are other wonderful couples weddings I get to photograph. Few..

Hello my dear,
      It is always a joy talking to you! You know I love, love, love my album. I love every single picture that you took of our wedding day. Always thinking fondly of you....Hsiao-Wei

“I had the honor of having Karina as my photographer for my wedding at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Having her during the planning process and on my actual wedding day was the best experience I have ever had. She was the ultimate professional and the pictures continue to take my breath away!”
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Below is a letter that Hsiao-Wei and Russell wrote to Here Comes the Guide in recommending me to them. I was required to provide them with 25 letters of recommendation from clients and vendors that I had worked with for at least a few years. I got in and was thrilled to be a part of such a unique and thorough planning resource that actually interviews it's vendors and their referrals to be listed!
Hi Jennifer,
        Both my husband and I are definitely more than happy to recommend Karina to our friends and have indeed already done so!!!
        Of course, like all brides, I wanted to find the right photographer to capture our wedding day, and so it was of great importance that no stone go unturned. We had agreed that the photographer would be one our main financial focuses in the planning of this event.
        From the moment I contacted her, Karina was (and still is) nothing but a true professional.  When my (then) fiancé and I met Karina in person, there was an instant connection.  Not only were we blown away by the artistry and beauty of her work, but we were just amazed by Karina's attention to details and most importantly her understanding of our vision and our needs.
        Karina related to the both of us in a manner that was unexpected and very re-assuring.  Neither my husband nor I enjoy being photographed.  I never doubted Karina's abilities to take beautiful photos, I just doubted our "ability" to photograph well.  But because Karina was so positive and so absolutely capable, she infused in us the belief that we would (and could) have some decent pictures of ourselves. 
        The end result was amazing and far exceeded all of our expectations.   We both actually enjoy (for the first time in our lives) looking at the beautiful images that Karina captured.  They are beyond decent, even thru our own truly critical eyes.
        We absolutely, positively love Karina.  We love her professionalism, her product, and most importantly, the great person that she is.  I doubt that anyone else would have given us the wonderful photographs or experience that Karina has.
        Karina has been an absolute joy to work with.  I only regret that our professional relationship is coming to an end.
        Please let me know if there is anything else that I may provide to you to assist Karina in the qualification process for your publication (which was one of the great tools that I used in the initial planning processes of our wedding).
        Thanks so much for giving me this opportunity.
        Hsiao-Wei
       

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