She Chose Herself

There is a certain kind of boldness that does not announce itself. It just sends the invitations.


Julia turned 35 this year, and instead of waiting for the right time, she threw herself a party, or a wedding as she called it. Not a casual dinner, not a low-key drinks thing. A full Bridgerton-themed birthday party at the White Swan Inn in San Francisco, with 60 guests in costume, custom cocktails, and flowers that made you stop mid-conversation just to look at them. She chose herself, and she did it with style.


As a photographer, I have shot a lot of events. But there is something different about a room full of people who are genuinely there to celebrate. No obligation, no half-hearted attendance. Everyone who walked through those doors that night was all in, corsets and all.

Five young women in elegant formal gowns pose together at a glamorous event, wearing pink, blue, and black dresses.
Woman in floral dress dancing under neon KBD Julia & Lynelle sign at a pink party celebration.
Group of women in elegant vintage dresses socializing at a floral wallpaper party venue.
Woman in floral dress sits on table, dancing at a lively vintage-themed party with guests celebrating around her.
Two women in off-shoulder dresses holding green dome cakes at a pink tinsel backdrop celebration.
Woman in ruffled dress posing beside Lady Julia's Birthday Ball welcome sign with floral arrangements.

The Setup

Event planner, Brooke Panian, put the whole thing together, and it showed. The White Swan Inn, already a naturally stunning venue, was transformed into something that felt pulled straight from the show. Pearl Studio filled the room with lush floral arrangements that leaned into the Regency palette, the kind of arrangements that photograph beautifully from every angle and somehow look even better in person.


Guests grazed on a charcuterie spread throughout the night from Salt and Crumb, and pizza from Del Popolo arrived in custom boxes designed by Madi Krasny, which is exactly the kind of detail that makes a party feel personal and considered without taking itself too seriously. All the signage and design work also came from Madi Krasny, tying the visual identity of the whole evening together.


The music was its own thing entirely. Violinist, Matt Major, set the tone early in the evening, giving the room that full Bridgerton immersion, and DJ LACONY kept the energy going once everyone was warmed up and on their feet. At the bar, All Knight Cocktails was turning out custom cocktails all night. A themed drink in a room full of people in Regency costume hits differently. Trust me, I watched it happen in real time.


Pink striped welcome banner for Lady Julia's Birthday Ball, adorned with chandelier graphic and pink ribbon ties.
Elegant wedding table with floral arrangement, candelabra, pink roses, and floral wallpaper backdrop in a vintage-styled venue.
Two elegant cocktails with lime garnishes on a golden tray beside a brass lamp in a moody bar setting.
Elegant gold ornate framed cocktail menu sign displaying Lady Julia's Libations at a wedding reception with floral arrangement.
Elegant dessert display featuring chocolate cocktail glasses filled with caramel mousse topped with maraschino cherries.
Guest serving himself food at an ornate party buffet table with floral arrangements in a vintage-style venue.
Bartender smiling behind a pink and white striped Lady Julia's Bar counter with floral decorations.
Elegant striped gift box for Lady Julia's 35th Birthday Ball, featuring decorative black text and illustrations on white.
Lush floral arrangement featuring blush pink roses, peonies, hydrangeas, and green foliage in an elegant wedding centerpiece.
Elegant pink striped sign for Lady Julia's Bar featuring a chandelier logo at an upscale event venue.
Elegant floral arrangement with pink orchids and anemones on a wooden table beside a decorative lamp with floral wallpaper.
A man in a black suit plays violin in an elegant room with floral wallpaper and a fireplace.
Female DJ performing at a pink tinsel backdrop party event, mixing tracks on professional equipment in elegant venue.
Freshly baked white pizza with mushrooms and herbs in an open striped delivery box held by hands.
Two colorful cocktails on a gold tray at an elegant bar with floral decor and a brass lamp.

What It Felt Like to Be There

This is exactly the kind of event a photographer dreams of. When guests are dressed up and invested, when the room is designed with intention, when everyone is actually having fun, it shows in every frame. I was there to capture candids, group shots, and portraits with Julia and her guests, and honestly, the hardest part of the job was narrowing it down afterward.


People were present. They were laughing, dancing, hamming it up for the camera and then forgetting it was there. That combination, people who want to be seen and people who forget they're being seen, makes for the best images.

Four performers in elegant Victorian costumes smile together at a formal themed event or theatrical production.
Two women in black strapless dresses smiling and posing together at a formal event.
Three adults in fancy dress costumes dancing and posing at a glamorous themed party with pink decorations.
Woman in purple corset gown with pearl neckpiece poses elegantly against white curtain backdrop.
Guests in formal attire dance and socialize at a festive party with pink tinsel backdrop and elegant decorations.
Guests celebrate with birthday cake at elegant party, woman in strapless gown holds cake while crowd cheers.
Three guests laughing and socializing at upscale party, woman in lace dress and man in embroidered jacket.
Couple posing in elegant period costumes, man in black baroque jacket, woman in pink mini dress with lace tights.
Group of friends dancing and smiling at a glamorous party with pink tinsel backdrop and formal dresses.
Large group of elegantly dressed guests posing together at a festive costume party in a decorated indoor venue.
Group of women in elegant dresses celebrating joyfully at a lively indoor party event.
Elegant couple in formal attire posing together, man in black embroidered suit, woman in red satin gown with gloves.
Three friends pose playfully at a festive party with pink tinsel backdrop, wearing costumes including a vampire outfit.
Couple in vintage Victorian costumes posing by antique dresser, woman in navy dress with white gloves, man in blue velvet coat.
Group of friends laughing and dancing together at a glamorous costume party with pink tinsel backdrop.

The Real Story

Julia did not wait for someone else to decide her 35th was worth celebrating. She made that call herself, recruited the right people to bring the vision to life, and showed up in full costume to her own party. That is not a small thing.


There is something worth saying about the way we are conditioned to wait. Wait for someone to plan it for you, wait for a milestone that feels significant enough, wait until the timing is better. Julia skipped all of that. The timing was now. The milestone was her.


If you are thinking about doing the same, the answer is yes!


Throw the damn party!


Invite your favorite people.


Hire the photographer.


Wear the costume.


The photos will outlast the hesitation every time.

Group of women dancing and celebrating at a glamorous party with pink tinsel backdrop decorations.
Joyful wedding reception with bride and groom surrounded by celebrating guests in a floral wallpapered room.

INTERESTED IN HAVING YOUR EVENT PHOTOGRAPHED? 

I am based in the Bay Area and available for private parties, celebrations, and everything in between.

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