Jody Holman
Bio
Wanderluster, wine drinker, pro photographer and travel designer. NorCal boutique studio for weddings and portraits, but I love to discover new corners to write about, shoot, and share through creation of unique itineraries.
Stories (23)
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California Gold Country Road Trip
It is rare to have one day to oneself, not to mention four. So I set out to find the best 3 day roadtrip getaway that would be part adventure, part leisure, within a 300 mile radius of home. With 15 pages of printouts from every source I could find on the Sierras, I determined my route in part by room availability. Given the mileage I was aiming for, and the intent NOT to spend every day, all day in the car, I decided to leave the Southern Tahoe, Carson City area to another trip. But the Eastern Sierras and Highway 395, touted as an area not to miss, were beckoning me.
By Jody Holman6 years ago in Wander
Bodie to Mono Lake A Road Trip of History and Beauty
I set out with 15 pages of printouts from every source I could find on the Sierras. My route was somewhat structured by available rooms, since I waited until the last minute to book. And given the mileage I was aiming for, and the intent NOT to spend every day, all day in the car, I decided to leave the Southern Tahoe, Carson City area to another trip. But the Eastern Sierras and Highway 395, touted as an area not to miss, were beckoning me.
By Jody Holman6 years ago in Wander
NorCal Coast
If you are planning a trip to California, and have time to rent a car, put the top down and enjoy the curves, take a drive down Highway 1 from San Francisco. At the first stop light, you will be in Pacifica, a small, if somewhat sprawling town that offers raw beauty that is not to miss. Below are are some of my discoveries, reviews, and beautiful places to stop- either for photos, or food, or just to take it all in.
By Jody Holman6 years ago in Wander
Tips for Good Photos on Your Wedding Day
While shooting candids, capturing those unplanned, fleeting moments full of genuine emotion is my personal aim for my wedding clients, most of us want to have at least a few posed photos on our Big Day. These do not have to take a long time, and can, believe it or not, be quite fun. Typically, your photographer will help you choose a good location (or several), so as not to disrupt the flow of your event, and he or she will help you pose comfortably. But following are a few quick tips to help you and your partner increase the odds of loving your posed images:
By Jody Holman6 years ago in Marriage
Advice on Choosing a Wedding Photographer
I thought what I was asking of my wedding photographer was nothing extraordinary. I wanted a mix of black and white and color (and some sepia, which I love); lots, and I mean lots of editorial pictures; no misty, “Vaseline” images; a few formals.
By Jody Holman6 years ago in Marriage
Bordeaux, France
In the attempt to have a more “off the beaten track” experience, I went to Bordeaux instead of Paris for a year during college. While there, we came to call the place “bored-o” for the lack of things to do and see, once we had exploited all we could of the area. The positive side of the experience was that we left as often as possible to see other parts of Europe, which we may not have done had we had Paris at our fingertips. Bordeaux was small, areas of it were extremely run down, and though I loved the African and Spanish influence in the food, dress, and neighborhoods, there were also places I was uncomfortable going.
By Jody Holman6 years ago in Wander
The Big Island, Hawai'i
The island of Hawai’i is called the Big Island for a reason (um, it’s big). Don’t underestimate the time it takes to drive from one end to another (there is no shortcut, you are on Hawai’ian time—the highways only go around and are often backed up), nor the number of things you may want to stop to see on the way (hikes, beaches, carvings, historical sites, shops). Because my family is spoiled and is afforded chances to visit on a regular basis, I have compiled a list of some of our favorite activities.
By Jody Holman6 years ago in Wander
6 Photo Tips for Wedding Guests
OK, so you’re not a pro. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun capturing some shots that will mean the world to you (and the bride and groom) for years to come. In fact, some of my favorite wedding pictures came from friends, not the photographer I hired… perhaps because they knew me better and could anticipate that tear. Or perhaps because they tried some of these tips…
By Jody Holman6 years ago in Photography
Weddings of the Newest Kind
When I stepped off the plane in Atlanta, Georgia after 20 years away, I was transported back to my childhood by the I’m-home-again smell of pine needles in the air—memories of fireflies and mason jars, screened porches and crab grass. I was rudely awakened from my revelries by the racist invective spray-painted on the walls downtown. In spite of Atlanta’s metamorphosis into a vibrant, modern city, there remained a palatable discomfort of the “Star-bellied Sneetch” kind between the servers and diners in my lunch-spot, the staff and guests in my hotel, and honestly, in most places I went.
By Jody Holman6 years ago in Humans
Two Days in San Francisco
As you can have probably guessed by now, I like to eat, and drink and explore new places. Our own Bay Area never ceases to amaze me with the number of unique opportunities it proffers; there are a multitude of magazines devoted solely to things to do, see, and eat in this area. Since I have been asked so often by visitors for a list of my own personal favorites of “characteristic” SF places to go and stay in this wonderful area of ours, I thought I would just put them here. (Yes, I LIKE to plan).
By Jody Holman6 years ago in Wander
10 Trendy Wedding Ideas
1. While weddings are meant to be the happiest of days, too many weddings have shadows cast by parents, friends, and relatives who do not show up because they don’t support the marriage. To this, I have just one bit of preaching to do: please rethink your absence. Whether it is an LGBT ceremony, a mixed-race wedding, or just someone who hasn’t won all the right approvals, the show will still go on. But your absence will tear at heartstrings and be the cause of much distraction and angst on an otherwise happy day.
By Jody Holman7 years ago in Marriage
