rizzarizphotography » san francisco wedding + portrait photographer

Call me sentimental, but there are certain things from my past (especially from childhood) I can’t seem to let go of. If you can imagine, I still have my very first Hello Kitty pencil case, complete with eraser dispenser and calendar. It was the year I had the best Christmas. Ever. When I met Sabrina for the first time, I noticed a swing set in the backyard. When she told me she’d had the swing set since she could learn to walk, I completely understood. Whatever her reasons were they were good enough to keep her swing set around for a few, good long years.

As Sabrina and I continued through our session, I couldn’t help but reflect on what I was doing when I was her age. I remembered making the bold decision to graduate early from my class and pack my bags to move to San Francisco. Looking at my life now, I wouldn’t change a thing and I don’t regret any of the decisions I made. They would never have brought me to where I am now. In a couple of weeks Sabrina will undergo a ceremonious transformation known as a cotillion. Beyond that is the path of an exciting new beginning and big dreams. She will continue on and do so many wonderful things and undoubtedly will go far in her life. My hope is that she will live her adult life with much happiness and can one day look back at it with no regrets.

Sabrina, you are an absolute joy to work with! Good luck at UCR and have SO much fun!

For now, a few of my faves:

**hang tight – the story you are about to read is quite long, but cute**

There we were, Freshman year band nerds, searching through a sea of sexy poly-blend band uniforms a la 1970′s black ruffles, stripes and forest green to boot. I remember someone introducing us once but I forgot her name. I finally made one more attempt to introduce myself to her and so her name finally stuck. “I’m Inez,” she said. “I play the tuba. What’s your name?”  ”I’m Rizza. I play the flute.”

It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. We had our own set of friends yet we still managed to pass notes in between classes and spent the better part of three hours goofing around in study hall. I could always count on Inez to really just sit there and listen to whatever life problems consumed me. And while I was consumed by myriad teenage roller coaster emotions (i.e., rage, anger, confusion) Inez was the contrary. She gave the best darned advice, got along famously with everyone and always managed to find the positive in any one person she encountered which was true even for band nerds like me.

One day Inez confessed she’d had her eye on some guy. Yep, he was a band nerd too, except he played the drums and by default was five notches cooler than any old flute or tuba player. I knew Richard through a few other people and so I obliged to play matchmaker. I strategically planned and figured I would in some subtle fashion, find out if he had a steady. Luckily for Inez he didn’t have a steady girlfriend and as it turned out this girlfriend (aka, ‘yours truly’) had a big mouth and wasn’t exactly subtle about explaining Inez’s feelings about the guy. Luckily for me, Richard had his eye on her as well and before you could say 1st period homeroom they were an item.

And, I’m proud to say they’re still quite the item. From their big day a few of their pics…but before then I want to wish Richard and Inez happiness, love, butterflies and endless days of much anticipated kisses after work. Cheers to finding the love of your life! Rr.

The first look. Richard looks so handsome and Inez looks so classy and stunning!


My heart was set on getting Inez in front of a classic car. There weren’t any that were quite as classic, but I think the blue truck pulled it off as well.


Just smashing and radiant!

I just love the flirty nature of this one…

Finally married!

Needless to say this year has been so good to me. I’ve witnessed and documented my sister’s wedding earlier this year, and now my friends of many, many years, Inez + Richard. Here’s a sneak peek of their wedding up in Reno this weekend.

More to come so stay tuned!

They are yet another story of boy meets girl but often in these stories you never hear what happens in the next few months or even ten years down the line. She wore baggy jeans (because that’s what was in style) and he was just a normal guy. They exchanged letters during class and according to Darlene she even went as far as getting crafty with her hand-written love notes which were often intricately folded into chaotic happiness. In this story of boy meets girl- ahem, John + Darlene- hasn’t ended: its only just begun.

It was the short, intimate glances they shared between moments that really moved me, and I’m sure everyone who witness their special day would agree. Oh, and speaking of their special day….

Yet another fabulous wedding working with a fabulous couple. John + Darlene were such a breathe of fresh air and a delight to work with. For now a prelude into their special day. More forthcoming!

So, I’ll share a piece about myself that most people don’t know and that is: I’m a big fan of boxing, including MMA. When Manny Pacquiao headlines you won’t see me anywhere but in front of the tube yelling and cheering for a victorious second round knockout. My enthusiasm and love for contact sports roots back to my memories as a child watching handout headliners days after because it was either eating or costly Pay-Per-View.

Nowadays I can afford PPV and maybe my dreams and hopes of actually attending a live fight might not be far. Meet Richard D’Ocio [below, left], co-owner of Fifth Round Fightwear. The rumor is Fifth Round has some exciting stuff brewing for the very near future. Fight promotions perhaps? In the meantime check out their site and if you’re interested in purchasing gear you can do so here.

It is spring (or as spring can be  in San Francisco). And they say that with spring ‘love is in the air’. Love indeed was in the air and in the Haight no less which is where my session with Dijonne + Russell took place this afternoon.

One day the brilliant universe decided that a young, beautiful and hopeful Dijonne and a young, ruggedly handsome Russell would cross paths. They had previously met in passing through friends but it would only be a matter of time before they’d be forced to share some heavy duty time together, in the dugout. Not an actual dugout, but the SF Giants Dugout store where you’re likely to come across Tim Lincecum bobbleheads and jerseys and not Tim Lincecum himself.

When I learned that I would be working with Dijonne + Russell I was beyond thrilled! Being around Dijonne + Russ really gives you some perspective on love and life. The connection they share is astounding and the love they have for one another is paramount. This September Dijonne + Russ will exchange their vows and I am more than honored – I am humbled to document their day.

Until that day, a few of my faves from this day:







After a day of play in The Haight, Russ + Dijonne say ‘peace’….

Oooh! So sexy it hurts!