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  • Welcome to my blog!

    I am Kimberly Sayre, and I have been a professional photographer since 2002. I photograph weddings, maternity, newborns, families and high school seniors in the Grass Valley and San Francisco Bay Areas. My photography is from my heart and my soul, and I can't wait to share some special memories with you! Studio sessions are by appointment in my Grass Valley Studio, and consultations on portraits and weddings will give you all the information you need! Let's make some beautiful images together!

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August 6, 2009

Custom Album Design – New Products for Portraits and Weddings!!

The Custom Album Package!

The Custom Album Package!

Completely gorgeous and "green" package details

Completely gorgeous and "green" package details

Handmade paper and leaves

Handmade paper and leaves

My favorite page of the Maternity Album

My favorite page of the Maternity Album

Two tone leather cover...

Two tone leather cover...

Mill Cottage Photography Studio imprinting

Mill Cottage Photography Studio imprinting

You may remember a couple of months ago I won a contest with my new album company for presenting a creative “Death of an Album” to exemplify the changing times in both album design and presentation. I thought it was really cool that they sponsored this contest, and was thrilled to hear that they loved my project! Well, my first sample album just arrived from them (what a cool early birthday present!!) and I was like a kid! I wanted to document and savor the experience! I am so excited to offer this amazing product for my clients, and know that you will love seeing your images showcased in such a luxurious and beautiful manner! Here’s the UnVeiling, and the pages of a custom maternity and newborn album design inside will be coming up in a slideshow in a future post, as the photographs of that just don’t do it justice! Avi & Clarence, you will be so thrilled to have made an investment in this family heirloom! Yours will be here soon, and I know you can’t wait!

Posted in Album Design, baby portraits, custom design, maternity photography, mill cottage kids, products
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August 1, 2009

San Francisco Downtown Wedding – Serena & Tim (with AC Image)

View of California Street and Kearny from the Carnelian Room

View of California Street and Kearny from the Carnelian Room

I Left My Heart.... in San Francisco

I Left My Heart.... in San Francisco

The Perfect Pair Wedding Program
The Perfect Pair Wedding Program
Carnelian Room Wedding Couple, Mr. & Mrs. Jones!!

Carnelian Room Wedding Couple, Mr. & Mrs. Jones!!

Carnelian Room Wedding Details
Carnelian Room Wedding Details

Can’t believe I am getting a blog post up so quickly, but we were done early, and these favorites totally stood out!! Photographed Serena & Tim’s swanky downtown San Francisco wedding with my friend, Alexis, of AC Image.  This lovely couple was a “perfect pair” and beautiful orchids and pears were themed throughout their beautiful day. So amazing to be back at the Carnelian Room which has the best view of my City by the Bay, the magic place I call home, San Francisco!! 52 floors up on a clear day, and I did think I could see forever! Sweeping views of the Transamerica Pyramid, Coit Tower, Alcatraz, Sts. Peter and Paul – I never get tired of seeing these picture-postcards! Congratulations to Serena & Tim, and many happy years together!

Blessings, Kim

The ghost-like figures on the top of the building in the yellow taxi image are often referred to as “the goddesses” or the “Corporate Goddesses,” and are the work of the very interesting sculptor Muriel Castanis. A few weeks ago while celebrating a friend’s birthday in San Francisco, we saw this building from the other side, and wondered what the story was with these ethereal figures… There are several of them that go all around the building, and I am glad I now know more about the story.

Posted in antique cars, romantic portraits, San Francisco, Wedding, wedding photography
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Lucie Silveira - August 6, 2009 - 2:01 pm

Kim, Your new blog rocks! I love it!!! It makes your images even more beautiful!

Mike - August 6, 2009 - 2:37 pm

Hey Kim! Love your new blog! The images look beautiful and the clean design is really appealing. Way to go!

July 26, 2009

Four Seasons Silicon Valley Wedding – Jesse & Rachel Get Married!!

Rachel at the Four Seasons

Rachel at the Four Seasons

 

Jesse Mayberry & the Guys and Dessert!

Jesse Mayberry & the Guys and Dessert!

Jesse & Rachel Mayberry at The Four Seasons

Jesse & Rachel Mayberry at The Four Seasons

Oh, the beautiful perfect weather… the wonderful couple, and the elegance that IS the Four Seasons Hotel… We had a great day yesterday! Special thanks to my associate photographers, Shannon Stellmacher and Amy Shat! It was a pleasure to have you along with me to capture Rachel & Jesse’s day! Jesse wins with the coolest ever location for the groom and groomsmen photos! This couch sculpture was so cool, and it was good that the guys were all avid rock climbers as it was HIGH! The Four Seasons lived up to their reputation, delivering an amazing location, and a fabulous dessert bar! Thanks to Rachel & Jesse for choosing me to capture your wedding memories! Can’t wait to see you again! Enjoy your sneak peeks!

Posted in Four Seasons Hotel Wedding, Silicon Valley Wedding
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Mill Cottage Photography Love Stories » Four Seasons Silicon Valley Wedding – Rachel & Jesse’s Love Story Book - December 14, 2009 - 5:25 pm

[...] Designing a Love Story Book is one of the most exhilarating parts of working with my wedding clients! Here is where we see a group of images come together to tell the story of their wedding day. Bits and pieces that they want to etch in their memories forever, and share with the people who weren’t able to be there in person (including their future family!) Be sure to check out the original blog post for more images from Rachel & Jesse’s Four Seasons Silicon Valley Wedding! [...]

July 17, 2009

San Francisco Fashion Photography – Hitting the Streets with Fedora

More Fedora Shots from San Francisco by Mill Cottage Photography

More Fedora Shots from San Francisco by Mill Cottage Photography

I met photographer Billy Jarrell through my friend Amy via Facebook, and was so stoked when he made plans to visit San Francisco for several days of shooting and a lecture with Amy Dresser, Los Angeles retoucher extrordinaire… Billy was so kind to let us tag along on a shoot yesterday, and rented some equipment (and now I hate him because I really want to buy it…) Fedora was our model, and she rocked the latex dress in the gritty streets of the Mission… and later a really great swimsuit at Ocean Beach. This is definitely different than my work you’re used to seeing on the blog, but it is good to step outside my comfort zone every once in a while to try something completely different. I loved her boots…

Fedora

Fedora's Boots by Mill Cottage Photography

Fedora in the Mission by Mill Cottage Photography

Fedora in the Mission by Mill Cottage Photography

Fedora in designer Jeff Taplin

Fedora in designer Jeff Taplin's SB Rock Star Swimsuit

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July 15, 2009

San Carlos Studio Baby Portraits – “A” is for Adorable Audrey!!

Audrey

Audrey's Baby Portraits by Mill Cottage Photography

It’s so hard to believe that I photographed Michelle & Patrick’s wedding almost 4 years ago… and I was thrilled to hear from Michelle that they had a baby girl back in October! Today was the day I got to see Michelle and meet Audrey, and she couldn’t be cuter! She’s got her mommy’s grace (and that of her namesake, Audrey Hepburn!) and she looks so much like her daddy too! Here are just a couple of teasers for you guys!! Really looking forward to sharing them all with you soon!!

Posted in babies, baby portraits, children's portraits, high key, mill cottage kids, Studio Portraits
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July 13, 2009

Hans Fahden Weddings in Calistoga – Kit & Ginny’s Amazing Wedding!!

wedding dress by Paloma Blanca, photo by Kimberly Sayre

wedding dress by Paloma Blanca, photo by Kimberly Sayre

Wow, as I download and look at the images from Kit & Ginny’s wedding at Hans Fahden Winery in Calistoga (a favorite place for weddings!), I almost have to pinch myself… Was it a dream?? All the ingredients were there… Sweet couple absolutely enraptured by each other, crazy gorgeous location, impeccable details, rich vibrant colors of jewel toned purples and blues, and a whole lotta love! Ginny’s Paloma Blanca wedding gown fit her perfectly and she was every bit the elegant, adorable bride!!

Hans Fahden Wine Cave - photo by Mill Cottage Photography

Hans Fahden Wine Cave - photo by Mill Cottage Photography

Kit & Ginny

Kit & Ginny's Hans Fahden Wedding

It was a huge pleasure to work with Chris Flitter of Events by Twist for the first time (and I am sure not the last!!), and the staff at Hans Fahden are impeccable. The catering from Wine Valley Catering was delicious, and Paige and the crew from Passiflora Designs made this wedding a perfect jewel!

Paloma Blanca Wedding Gown Detail

Paloma Blanca Wedding Gown Detail

Of course we had cake… Laurie Lucov Wedding Cakes heavenly confection was not only gorgeous, but melt in your mouth-make you want more GOOD! DJ Abe was in da house… and spinning all our favorites, and Kit & Ginny’s first dance was INCREDIBLE!!!!!

Kit & Ginny

Kit & Ginny's Wedding First Dance

My associate photographer for the day was the wonderful Shannon Stellmacher, and we chattered all the way home about how great lucky I am to have the wonderful clients I have! It was so wonderful to see former (and future…hopefully!) clients as Ginny & Kit were referred by Valerie & Drew whose beautiful wedding I photographed 3 years ago! Kit & Ginny, I am so glad you shared your wedding day with me!! Happiness always!

Posted in Uncategorized, Wine Country Weddings
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chyna - August 17, 2009 - 6:20 pm

You rock! Love the dancing shot!

Mill Cottage Photography Love Stories » Hans Fahden Wedding Album Design – Kit & Ginny’s Love Story Book… - December 14, 2009 - 5:01 pm

[...] know we’ll make an amazing book!! Also, don’t miss the original blog post of beautiful Hans Fahden Wedding Images. Comments [...]

Extreme Weddings | Photography 1827 - October 5, 2011 - 7:12 am

[...] Photography Credit/Source: Top Right – Exciting Weddings, Bottom Right – Mill Cottage Photography [...]

July 11, 2009

Calistoga Wine Country Weddings – Ginny & Kit get married today!!!

So excited that 7/11 has finally arrived! Kit & Ginny, and their wedding coordinator, Chris Flitter have been a dream to work with from the very beginning! In a couple of hours I’ll be headed up to Calistoga to the beautiful Hans Fahden Vineyards! Here’s a spread from their really cool guest book I designed for them with their engagement pictures! Sure to be a hit!! Of course, check back for more images from the wedding in their “sneak peek!!”

Engagement photos in a guest book

Engagement photos in a guest book

Posted in Engagement, Environmental, guest book, Wine Country Weddings
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July 6, 2009

Lifestyle Images – The Sayres hit the Marin County Fair!!

Our good friend Mitch suggested we head out to the fair today for all things fried, and we had a blast! It’s been a long time since I have been to a carnival… at least 15 years, but thankfully some things remain the same… thrills, chills, “prizes” you can “win” if you have enough cash, aforementioned fried things, and smiling children covered in ice cream. For my non-California blog readers, the last two are how you can tell you’re in Marin County… cracked me up…
Posted in Josh, lifestyle, personal
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Shannon - July 6, 2009 - 4:13 pm

Josh looks like he is having a blast! Great images!

July 5, 2009

San Francisco East Bay Weddings – Anne & Ron's Backyard Wedding

Well, it sure looked like it went off without a hitch… They were married in their new backyard on Friday with warm friends and family all around them, and it was beautiful! From my photographer point of view, having just seen the incredible-after-all-these-years Denis Reggie last week, I made a vow to myself to try to capture images with as little camera awareness as possible, and really utilize my amazing fast lenses to really isolate moments!

Here are some of my favorites… Anne & Ron, congratulations, and I can’t wait to show you the rest!!!
Posted in East Bay Weddings, intimate wedding coverage
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July 5, 2009

San Francisco East Bay Weddings – Anne & Ron's Backyard Wedding

When I spoke to Anne on the phone about her wedding photography, I knew immediately that we were a great match. I loved her personality, and couldn’t wait to meet her (and the love of her life, Ron!) Imagine the stress of selling, and buying houses, planning a wedding and knowing you wanted to be married in a lovely backyard setting, but not knowing where that backyard would be!!!
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June 29, 2009

St. Mary's Moraga Weddings – Carrie & Ryan Part 5

Whew!! Still with me? Sorry, I just had too many favorites from the day! Last, but not least some of my favorites of Carrie & Ryan – smooching, working it for the camera, dancing with loved ones, and finally… one of my favorite favorites… sitting on top of the grand piano in the Claremont Resort’s lobby! Happiness always you guys!! and for my wonderful blog readers, thanks for reading 5 posts about one wonderful wedding!!

Posted in Claremont Weddings, East Bay Weddings, Rhee Bevere, St. Mary's Weddings
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June 29, 2009

St. Mary's Moraga Weddings – Carrie & Ryan Part 3

The ceremony was held at the beautiful chapel at St. Mary’s College in Moraga (where the temperature actually rose to 114 degrees!!) The priest was WONDERFUL, and even paid us the best compliment… he said that in his 40 years of doing weddings, we were some of the least obtrusive photographers he had ever worked with, and it was so wonderful to hear that as we are always doing our best to capture this important ritual while being respectful of the guests, the sanctity of the church, and the wishes of the clergy!!
Posted in Claremont Weddings, East Bay Weddings, Rhee Bevere, St. Mary's Weddings
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June 29, 2009

St. Mary's Moraga Weddings – Carrie & Ryan

You know when I meet with my couples, and talk about my network of colleagues, and how we all love to shoot together, so we often trade off with each other and come and second shoot for each other on open weekends, and the lucky couple gets the chops of both amazing photographers, and the best wedding images on the planet! Well, yesterday was one of those days where all the stars aligned… I happened to be free for the day, and my good friend Rhee Bevere happened to need a second shooter to work with her (along with the fabulous Jennifer Giles), so I charged up, packed up and drove out.

I was to start with the boys at the groom’s parents’ home – such a great group of friends and brothers, and I knew we were going to have a great day from the moment I met them! Ryan had given all his guys watches as his thank you gift, and each one was different to match the style of the receiver. Pretty cool! The guys humored me, and stepped out into the 110 degree weather in full tux, and gave me their best action shots…

Posted in Claremont Weddings, East Bay Weddings, Rhee Bevere, St. Mary's Weddings
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June 23, 2009

San Carlos Children's and Family Portraits – Rachel sneaks in between the babies!!!

Ahhh… the beautiful Rachel. Can you believe the eyes on this girl??? She is so gorgeous, and I am so glad every time her mommy brings her in to see me!! Thanks also for bringing the yummy dim sum! It was a life saver! Love you Martha!! (I am still holding out hope that Josh and Rachel will marry some day… I know he’ll have to fight his way through her suitors!!)
Posted in children's portraits, Studio Portraits
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June 23, 2009

Newborn Baby Portraits – Jonathan is in the house!!!

The kind and wonderful folks at where Jonathan’s Daddy Paul works gave the perfect baby shower gift…. (especially perfect so I can get my snuggles with another adorable baby) – a baby portrait session! So wonderful to see the new mommy and daddy and their pride and joy! Here is the little man!! I’ll let you guys know as soon as they are ready, and we’ll get together again!
Posted in newborn portraits, Studio Portraits
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June 22, 2009

Newborn Baby Portraits – Aiden's first photo session!!

So excited to meet Aiden, who was born May 6, 2009 to wonderful parents, Clarence and Avigail!!! He was so good, and there are so many adorable images! Very excited to show all of them to you guys as soon as I can! Thanks to Avi for not killing me when I told her she had to wait to see the maternity images with Aiden’s images… I know, I am a big meanie… :^) love you guys!!

PS… happy first father’s day Clarence!!
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Posted in newborn portraits, Studio Portraits
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