Andre Niesing PhotoBlog

Joe Chally's awesome red shoe proposal

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:54:24 -0800

I love covert ops. I was thrilled to shoot this proposal because A) Joe is one of my best friends and it was a huge blessing to see him get engaged B) I got to pull out my ninja spy skills to capture him proposing!

It was a beautiful day, thankfully the rain subsided, on the beach down at Crystal Cove. Joe took Katie to breakfast at the Beachcomber while i covertly waited up the hill. I had to run and duck in one of the houses when Katie decided to use the restroom up the canyon. Luckily my molester hoody and shades i had on hid my identity. I followed them onto the rocks and captured everything. I have to admit I actually got a little teary eyed...Joe, i love you man, CONGRATS!

Janet and Keith - The Bird Shoot.

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:21:24 -0800

I usually don't like props in photo shoots. I am more of a photojournalist. But I couldn't help but capture as many seagulls and sandcastles in this shoot as possible! I met up with Janet and Keith at Brussels Bistro for some Belgian Beer and Fries before shooting. A few Chimays later we walked all around downtown Laguna Beach and shot in some cool locations. Since i have shot here several times, I tried to capture it in a new way, with some different angles and colors. We had a super fun time that night. The funnest thing for me was probably trying to figure out Janet's mysterious "midwest accent"...even though she ethnically Egyptian and from California! I'll have to get to the bottom of this before the wedding! HA!

Carley and Matt in North Shore, Lake Tahoe

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:03:23 -0800

I haven't done too many shoots in the snow, a handful in my career, so when I suggested Lake Tahoe for Carley and Matt's engagement sesh, and they agreed, i was stoked! It was actually quite a pleasant day, right before the torrential storm that hit all of California. We met at the Lone Eagle which I actually have a wedding at coming up this year. The water was perfectly still, and the beach was clean and clear. The snow covered mountains were gorgeous in the background. We started on the pier, then walked around the beach, and then ended up on the rocks a few miles down. It was an awesome shoot. We even skipped rocks for a while. Matt had the record with like 15 skips. My excuse was that it was hard with a 8 pound camera in one hand! I shot Carley's sisters wedding, Courtney, a few years back and just photographed their baby two months ago. I can't wait for the wedding to hang with the Consoli fam again!

New York Vol. 2 -Concrete Jungle where dreams are made of.

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:50:59 -0800

I listened to that song every day to prepare for our last trip to NY over Christmas/New Years. Just when I thought another trip to New York couldn't top that last one or be as Euphoric, i discovered new amazing niches and places to photograph. Espresso bars, Cigars on rooftops, and martinis at The Plaza. I focused a lot more on the park this time, since we stayed on the Upper West Side. It really is breath taking to stroll through Central Park in the morning. We walked about 35 blocks and I snapped some great moods iI discovered in the Park. I also got some fun new perspectives of Brooklyn Bridge. My goal for the next trip is to capture more people. I am still a little scared of what NY natives will do when i snap shots of them. Perhaps on the next trip, I won't apper such a foreigner.

Jessica and Matt in San Francisco

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:40:22 -0800

I met Jessica through my friend Robin, whose wedding I shot about 4 years ago. Robin and her husband Kyle have helped me book almost a dozen weddings! I LOVE them, and any friend of theirs HAS to be quality. Jessica and Matt are super fun, and their pooch was a blast to hang out with while walking around SF. It was about 42 degrees that afternoon in the city, and it felt like 20 with the arctic wind blowing in our faces! Luckily we warmed up with Irish Coffees at Buena Vista before we started shooting.

We started around Ghirardelli, and then moved to the aquatic center, and THEN they introduced me to Fort Mason, where i will definitely be shooting at again soon. Can't wait for the wedding you guys!

The Murphy Fam's Awesome Christmas Shoot

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:07:10 -0800

Here is the Murphy Fam again. I LOVE the Murphys. I was out in Green Bay shooting some more for the Packers, and I got a quick chance to do a family shoot for Troy, Trish and his four beautiful girls! We used an abandoned barn, easy to find in the country out in Green Bay. I asked the night before at sushi, "Troy, do you have a black suit?" Thus cometh the 2009 Murphy Christmas Card. Despite how hard core and tough they look, they really are one of the sweetest and most loving families I have ever been around. Right before my wife told me she was pregnant with Gavin, I spent 4 days with the Murphys, and I really think it prepared me to be a father. Troy is an inspiration. I even had a chance to snap some killer ones of just Troy and Trish for his office. I did some senior pics for his oldest daughter Lauren a few months back, and i can't wait to shoot them again! DANG, they are photogenic!

Addison, Adam and Courtney at the Fischer Ranch

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:31:43 -0800

It was cold that day. FREEZING cold. I think the high was 42!! And this is San Jose. Other than the arctic temperatures, this was a fun shot, and a marathon one at that. We started at 10 in the morning, then Adam and I took a three hour golf break and finished later that afternoon. I had the pleasure of shooting Adam and Courtney's Wedding about 3 years ago, and then the newborn shots of Addison about 6 months ago. She is cute as a bug now, and probably one of the most well behaved babies i have ever worked with! Although we had to change outfits several times because she is a spit up machine, just like MY son!

I can't wait to see you guys again for the 1 year shots, if not before. Merry Christmas!

Nicole, Kevin and the Sea Dragon Wooden Ship!!!

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:40:02 -0800

This was an AMAZING wedding with amazing details and even more amazing fun places to shoot. I met Nicole and Kevin through Kevin's family, about three years when i shot his sister Megan's wedding. I knew i would be in for a wild ride at this wedding. Literally. We all, well not I, went on the crazy Sea Dragon ride at the Santa Monica pier, after downing corn dogs and funnel cakes. One of the main reasons this was so awesome is because this 'carnival' setting contrasted perfectly with the tuxedos and very elegant reception that followed. Nicole looked stunning in her dress and killer heels. The 24 people, yes, TEWNTY FOUR people in the wedding party, made for a wild party all day long. I thought they would be too wild, but the fact that they were all so beautiful made my job a whole lot easier. This was a killer wedding guys, thanks!

The Birth of Emery Madison Dever

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:58:26 -0800

The Birth of Emery Madison Dever from Andre Niesing on Vimeo.

Alisha and Dan - My Most Anticipated Wedding of the Year!

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:11:25 -0800

Alisha and Dan. Married. People have been looking forward to this day for year! Dan is one of my best friends, he was a groomsmen in my wedding, and Alisha the same to my wife, also in our wedding. We LOVE them, and it was completely AWESOME to see them get married. I wouldn't have expected other, but they picked the coolest spot in Laguna to get marred. The 7 FORTY 1 hotel, or is it SEVEN 40 ONE, i forget. Either way, its the hippest new hotel in town. And the Silver Oak Cabernet helped a little too.

We took pics with Josh, Dan's brother and Heather, Alisha's sister all around downtown Laguna. Had a blast, then returned back to the hotel for the ceremony and epic reception. I love you guys, and I can't wait to spend time with you as a married couple!

Danielle and Matt in Livermore

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:06:24 -0800

As soon as Danielle showed up to her ceremony site, I knew from her Glow that it was going to be a fun and amazing day. She was one of the most happy and positive brides I have ever worked with. I already had an idea her and Matt would be fun to work with after our engagement sesh in Laguna a few months back. (We all had a couple of margaritas on the beach before we started shooting!) She had a gorgeous wedding party and the old doors, fun buildings and sunsets in the vineyard made for an awesome backdrop for photos.

The Birth of Brenton Rottschafer

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:32:45 -0800

The Birth of Brenton Rottschafer from Andre Niesing on Vimeo.

Amazingly Stunning Wedding! Raquel and Scott in Sonoma.

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:55:23 -0800

This wedding is easily Top 5 for me. (I say that a lot, so maybe my Top 5 list is actually Top 50!). Everything down to the last detail and every minute of this day was special and amazing. When I showed up to shoot Raquel putting her dress on, I was pleasantly surprised at her Silver/Gray dress. It was such a fresh change from the norm and with her hair and makeup, she was breath taking. Raquel is a designer, so she spared no expense or effort in making this wedding extremely unique. The wedding was at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma, which is pretty much an outdoor museum with little nooks, or cubicles in which artists design a space. It was a photographers dream. The food and drinks were top notch, the Sprinkles cupcakes decadent, and every else just plain awesome. Thanks for a very special wedding!

Theresa and Justin at the Vintage Inn, Napa Valley

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:06:50 -0800

Theresa and Justin, who both live in Boston did a wonderful thing by having their destination wedding in Napa. If you have never been to the Vintage Inn, GO. It's breath taking, and one of my favorite chefs, Michael Chiarello has a restaurant there. They used all of the grounds for their wedding, the lawn, the hotel suites, the verandas, and most awesome, the Vintage Brick Barrel room for their reception. The food was stellar, and all of the details and touches that Theresa and Jenne Hohn, (her killer coordinator, one of my favorites) put together made for a gorgeous wedding.

Jen and John at Indian Wells Country Club

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:39 -0800

This is one of my favorite couples, not only because they are so cool and fun to be around, but because they gave me the opportunity to shoot their engagement pics in New York last April. Ever since then, we were looking forward to seeing them again at their wedding. Jen looked positively stunning as a bride, and I must say, totally ripped! I loved taking shots of her backless dress with her super-toned back. Indian Wells is also one my favorite places to shoot, Nicole the coordinator is an absolute joy to work with.

This was an amazing wedding, with great food, hand made doughnuts, good drinks, the whole nine. Thanks you two, can't wait to see you in NY next time we come out!