San Francisco Family Photographer: Plan B
Remember how this family photographer was just saying that I was surprised how long it’s been since she’d photographed a family session on the beach? Well, I had not one, but actually two planned back. My second family shoot was to be in the city at Crissy Field, with the Golden Gate Bridge being a symbolic background.
I drove to the spot we were to meet earlier in the week (since I hadn’t been there in years, I wanted to get re-acquainted with what I had to work with). It seemed like a fun place and I was excited to do it. And then our session day came, and clearly the wind had very different plans for us. You see, while the sky was perfectly clear and a beautiful sunset was brewing, the wind was so strong, that the sand was blowing so hard it was exfoliating my face. I could not hear or shout past it. It would’ve been miserable for a family photo session, especially for a little kiddo. So, thinking on the fly, appreciating the proximity to the Palace Academy of Art, we quickly got in a car and changed venues. Plan B. I’d never shot at Palace of Fine Arts before…. unless you count the time I took a photo of my cousin 11 years ago when she was visiting with my point and shoot camera. Yet, there we were, me thinking on my feet on where to go so we can have the illusion of some privacy amidst what felt like 200 people that were hanging out there that afternoon. At least, the wind was no longer a factor. Also, I am super thankful to have clients that are super flexible and understanding that no matter how much we plan, having a plan B [for the same day] is a great idea.
I gotta tell you — working with these guys was a blast. They’re funny! When we talked over the phone, planning out their family photos I knew it would be a fun time. I am a bit disappointed there were no matching onesies for the whole family — after all, we did discuss this as possible outfits for this day. It would’ve been great! I was even willing to don on one (had they brought me one my size).
I setup my camera while I wait for my families to arrive. Here is the background we planned to have.
And here is the set we ended up with. Not too shabby, don’t you think?
Peninsula Family Photos: Sand in my pockets
Do you remember the super warm and beautiful day we had three weeks back? It was our first day in the 80s and it almost felt like spring slipped into summer a little quick. It was the day that everyone headed to the beach…. and I was in the line of cars heading there too.
When H reached out to me, she asked that we try and do their family photos at Montara Beach. Her family was moving away from California in a few months, and they spent time at this beach so it meant a lot to them. I was happy to oblige. I’m almost a little surprised how few family portrait sessions I’ve done at the beach. Come to think of it, I think there have only been two. Granted, the beach is not all that close, but still — a far cry from an hour drive. I’m hoping that this might be the year that statistic turns around a bit more.
I left an hour early to arrive on time… because clearly half of the Bay Area was heading to the beach that day too. I was hoping that our evening session would leave the beach a bit more private, and even though many cars had been pulling away, private was far from our experience, but we still had fun.
It was too late to head home for dinner after our session, so I hit up tapas at La Costanera, a restaurant right at the Montara Beach parking lot. It was super yummy, and I got to watch the sun set over the water and fire-pits at their outdoor patio. Having dinner alone at places like this always feels a little awkward to me, but it’s also a nice way to reset before an evening of photo back-up and post-processing.
As I was walking to the car after dinner I reached in my back pocket for my car keys. Guess what I found? Literally an inch of sand in there. No amount of scooping was about to get those sand-grains out. Yet again, it goes to show me how all over the place I am when I shoot: I’m on my belly, I’m on my back, and clearly digging into the sand. Clearly the beach didn’t want to let me go without a souvenir 🙂
Belmont Baptism Photographer: Telling stories
I drive by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross in Belmont almost every week-day on my way to drop off your youngest at his pre-school. It’s an incredible building on the outside. The doors alone are remarkable, and I’ve had fantasies of being able to photograph in this space for such a long time. My family goes to the Greek Festival held by their community every year: (frankly it’s one of the few chances I have to get a taste of the sweets I grew up with this side of the Atlantic). But I had never before been inside.
Earlier in the week I received a call asking if I would be available to photograph a Belmont Baptism. It’s not something I get to do very often, and after talking to G (the God-father), it turned out I was available, the timing was perfect, and the location happened to be just this church. When the stars align, how can you not do it?
I won’t lie — photographing religious celebrations makes me so nervous!!! I am constantly in fear of doing something to accidentally offend or do wrong by that faith. I called a friend earlier in the week, who was raised into the Greek Orthodox Church to ask about the baptism celebration. I spoke with Father Peter, from Church of the Holy Cross, as well, so he can tell me what was OK in his place of worship. Still, I was researching online, and had butterflies in my stomach like you wouldn’t believe. I still hope I did OK.
Now, let’s take a moment and talk about the inside of Church of the Holy Cross. It’s gorgeous! The floor to ceiling mosaics just take my breath away. Take a look! Everything but the icons by the altar is a mosaic: small pieces of colorful stone assembling these masterpieces. My mother is a restorer by profession. She also specialized in iconography. She’s handled ancient religious artifacts to bring them back to life, and watching her do it while I was growing up gave me a great appreciation for how images like this last, and the level of effort and artistry that brings it together.
Little E’s baptism was a very intimate affair. Just the immediate family and a few close friends. My heart was so warmed that they treated ME like family. E’s mom pinned a witness martirika on me as we entered the church. It was lovely! E cried as soon as she was immersed in water: she was cold. I cried too: it was beautiful!
Event photography holds a special place in my heart. In my last blog post I talked about how much I loved doing family portrait sessions at-home because of having to think on my feet. Event photography is that way too, but I get to fall back a little bit and try to frame a story already unfolding before me… without any influence. I really, really love story-telling through photos. Events like E’s baptism, Jennifer’s radiation therapy are stories I get to re-live and remember what it felt like, what it smelled like. I hope that my clients and families receive the same feelings looking back too.
Storytelling is also why I just can’t limit the images I’m showing you tonight. While I’d love to reduce it to the 12ish I normally show in each blog post, you’ll have to forgive me — I cannot make this story any shorter 🙂
I go to bed today enriched by this experience. It’s a gift the world of photography gives me — and I’m so eager to find out the next new thing I’ll discover through it.
San Mateo Lifestyle Family Photos: At home
The reason I like lifestyle family photos at home is simply how different each session turns out. Each home is like a fingerprint — every family makes it uniquely their own. Even if I was to walk into the same layout of a house, every piece of furniture, every comfort accommodation each family does makes their home special to them. That variation, and unexpectedness keeps me on my photographer toes in such a good way. I love family portraits at home just for that reason!
Outdoors, I’m antsy to know my surroundings. I need to know where the light comes in, where it falls, how I can make it work with my photo (or at least not against it). I will scout out locations that my clients request trying to get as close to the time of day, even if that means driving an hour, so that I know what I’m getting into. Yet, going into a family home I don’t have that urge for control. All I can hope for is decent-enough window light (though I bring a little video light just in case), and room for me to work in. I’ve crammed myself up into closets, stood on top of beds and tables all to get the shot and it’s been great. I love the challenge! I love having to think on my feet! I love getting a chance to incorporate those home elements into shots.
I’ve been fortunate that so many of my sessions this year have given me this chance to shoot indoors. Partly due to rain, but also because my families requested it.
When I walked into G’s home, her husband was still getting ready (another bonus to family sessions — a little behind on one person isn’t as big a deal!), so I took the opportunity to get a tour of the place and do some snuggle shots of Mommy and her little girl. In J’s nursery there was this awesome bed. See: this Mom and Dad were smart — they realized that if you’re going to be making the trek to the nursery and hang with a sleepless kiddo, doing in in the comfort of a cozy full size bed IN the nursery is the way to go. I can’t tell you how many nights I stood over our sons’ crib, or tried to sleep in a rocker next to them WISHING I could get a bed in that room. And they did it! Brilliant, I tell you!
Do you dig the painting by Nancy Eckels? G saw it on display at work, and purchased it from the artist. As soon as I walked into the front door and saw it, I knew I wanted to integrate it into our session. So happy R & G were OK with clearing out to shelf and letting little J up there. Hopefully she hasn’t tried to make a climb for it since.
It’s elements like this that tells you what I mean about each home being unique and different. I love being able to incorporate these elements in family photos.
Belmont Baby Photos: The best time
Newborn photos are great! I love photographing a fresh infant in their first few weeks of life. There’s all the new-found love from parents, and the marvel at how tiny this new person is. But you know what’s even more fun? Baby photos!!! Yep — I’m talking 6-9 months of pure baby giggles. It’s when Mom & Dad gets their feet back from under them; those sleeplessness nights have either improved, or parents have resolved to the reality and now time is just fun. Babies are smiling (for more reasons than gas!), vocalizing, blowing raspberry ‘cuz it’s awesome, sitting up and playing with their feet. How is this not awesome?
It’s also I would never turn away a session in this age group… especially if we can do it at home, so your kid can roll around in their diaper and show off their flexibility to me.
When E reached out to me earlier in the year and we got into planning their family photography session, I was progressively getting more and more excited! Again — fun kiddo age group, at home. Perfect combo!
Doing photos at home can be a little tricky, though. While I wish every home had floor to ceiling windows with amazing natural light, that’s just not how the world works. Homes, like families, come in all shapes and sizes: some not with the best windows. Makes for great sleeping arrangements, but not necessarily photo opportunities [speaking of which, if you’re an architect — let’s talk about my wish-list ;p]. Even IF you have a great window set-up, a dark, cloudy day can spoil up the arrangement too. It’s why I bring a small video light with me (with extra batteries) to bring more brightness into our space and we can have more flexibility in where we shoot. My favorite spots? Your bedroom, nursery and living room. It’s where you cuddle and spend most of your time together, and it’s what I want to capture for you. It’s where you can show me your favorite book, and best kid rocking position. You can show off your mad baby-changing skills. Your life: your pictures 🙂
Little K can’t quite sit-up on her own fully comfortably yet. But you know what? We faked it! I put her on the coffee table in the living room, and asked mom to duck behind with her hands over her hips, providing extra balance. All while K’s dress was over mom’s hands. Can’t tell, can ya’? Yeah, bonus points for my ingenuity over here, and yet another reason how family photos at home allow us to do things we simply can’t outdoors.
Now enjoy little K’s baby photos! Don’t skimp — her expression at the end can’t be missed!
