Redwood City Family Photographer: How did all this time go by?
I don’t feel old. I just don’t. If you ask me how old I am, my instinct is to say 26. When I chat with High School students, I feel like I just finished college and I’m still so close to their age. Ha! I tend to feel my body after a full day photographing mini sessions and not being able to stay up till the wee hours of the morning editing, and I get the not-so-awesome reminder that the date in my mind vs my carbon date are quite a bit out of sync.
I just feel like time has gone by so fast. And it’s the most apparent when I hang out with guys like these as their family photographer. G and my littlest met in daycare. They were months old. I’ve known him since he was transported to and fro vehicles in a bucket seat. And now look at him! He is tall, and handsome and with that hair comb to the side just looks WAY too mature. Since my kids change so gradually in front of my eyes, I just don’t notice it. It’s only in moments like this that I get a shock to my system, because if HE is that much older, it means that *I* am older too. And I’m not ready!!! Maybe, subconsciously that’s one of the reasons I enjoy photography so much: I get to freeze time, I get to hang out with kids and just forget that whole back pain thing after a 6 mile walk.
His little sis, C, was a little too serious for me that day. Of course she warmed up just around the time for us to wrap up, but I did a few grins from her in a few of her solo shots.
Thank you for coming back another year guys! Always great to see you!
Belmont Family Portraits: Sweet and bitter
A few years back I was incredibly fortunate to photograph this family. To this day, that family’s portrait session is one of my favorites. I was a young photographer, with lots left to learn (though in honesty my learning journey is still at its start), but I look back on that session because it reminds me of the kind of photographer I aspire to be and the kind of family portraits I want to be able to capture: fun, honest and emotional.
At that time I wrote about how much awe I had of S for fight with her cancer. For awhile after this session we thought she beat it. Alas, we were not so lucky. She fought so hard, but S passed away early this year. Now I look at my most recent portrait of this family and it’s bittersweet to me. They are each awesome: funny (dry in G’s case), and kind… but I miss S. I know exactly where I’d be putting her in each picture. I know they do too.
S participated in a book project: The Day My Nipple Fell Off and Other Stories of Survival, Solidarity, and Sass: A BAYS Anthology. Her writing is remarkable — it gives you all the feels, and she makes you laugh through your tears. I bring up her writing, because her essay on “And” has made an impression on me in a very big way. She wrote of her affinity for “and” because it was a word that allowed you to be multiple things at the same time. You could be happy AND sad at the same time. And it was Ok. It touched not only me, but my husband’s too, because just a week ago we used the end of our date night to make a Michael’s trip, at his behest, so we can get an ampersand sign for our home. This was because of her. I am happy to have known her, and sad that she’s not here to light up our faces some more. This session is bitter and sweet.
Since photographs were important to S, I told G that for as long as I could hold a camera, I’ll be here to document his family… for as long as he wants me. I’m glad he took me up on it.
You Caring is hosting an educational fund fundraiser for their wee-ones. If you are able to contribute, I know it would be welcome.
Belmont Family Photographer: A bit of personality
Have you had anyone walk into your life, that you pair up with so well, that the idea of them not being there starts feeling weird? That’s a bit how I feel about these guys. We met through our youngest sons’ pre-school, only to discover we are neighbors. We each have two pairs of boys, same ages. Our kids get along well (they’re kind of each other’s BFFs), and my husband and I get along really with their parents. They’re great cooks, have an awesome taste in wine (let’s be clear — I’m talking about the parents here) and sense of humor. Hanging out with them has been some of the best way to spend week-end evenings. Our oldest sons share sports together, an affinity for Minecraft and Pokemon. Our littlest spend so much time together they have a sibling relationship with one another. I seriously couldn’t be happier.
They joined me in a mini session event, at a local business park I’ve had my eye on for a little while. I seriously interviewed for a job there, in part because of the cool architecture. I love the colors, and the textures, down to the orange patio chairs. The only unfortunate feature was the stinky garbage smell creeping our way. This was amusing to me because just a few weeks prior I had photographed G for some professional portraits for her. It was an awesome space, with the perfect background, but since the light was best by a set of garbage cans, we spent our time trying to look pretty while holding our breath. So clearly, when I’m with these guys “smelly trash” is the theme. It’s all good — apparently it’s our good luck charm for family photos and I’ll take it.
Hope you enjoy their photos — too bad the kids have so little personality ;p
Cupertino Mini Session Photographer: They’re back
A few months after my last session with these guys they moved away. They called Utah home for a few years, and while they were closed to family California kept calling back and they returned. I’m so happy! Not only because they’re awesome to photograph (clearly), but because they are really cool people and friends.
Little S was just a wee bit the last time I saw them. We had such a great time together, and she was super cute and cooperative with me: not really something I ever expect with a 4 yr old. I think I might have made a little fan from little S day, because seeing her since their mini session she’s been extra talkative with me. I love it!
For one of her photos she asked if I can take a picture of her twirling. One thing I have learned from this time as a photographer is that when a kid asks you to take a picture, you just do it. They’re engaged, they’re comfortable, it’s their idea and it’s about them. Of course, not to be out-done by his little sis, A asked to twirl too. Side by side comparison? As if I’d ever say “No!” 🙂
Thanx for coming back, guys! In more ways than just returning to the Bay Area!
Cupertino Family Photographer: Communicate
You know what makes photographers successful? Communication. You have a vision and you need to make it happen. When you deal with anything other than inanimate objects you have to communicate what you want so that you can get the shot you’re after. This is definitely true of lifestyle and portrait photography. While yes, we’re after candid shots, no person in the world knows responds well when asked to “act natural”. “Act natural” makes people think, thinking makes them feel self conscious, and feeling self conscious makes them freeze up. Either way “act natural” does not lead to good family photography. This is why lifestyle photography is staged (ssshhhhh!) — trying to get the real you while giving you a scenario to recreate that is, hopefully, a common happening in your life: hugging mom… tickling dad.
Why am I telling you all this? Well, sometimes even with all my well meaning, sometimes communication isn’t quite clear… or I get especially funny clients that give me something like this, when I say “Everyone on the wall!”
Ha!Ha! I was getting ready to do a family portrait with them in that space, and they took me up on my ask quite literally. I guess it helps to provide a bit more information, which trust me I later did, but not before snapping that first shot. I love these guys. They were the very, very first family I photographed in my quest to see if I could give this photography thing a go. Their sense of humor is great, and they make my job easy and time with them fun.
Oh yeah, and THIS image? This is also a result of communication. Well, more like secret plotting on me and M’s part. This was taken moments after the lovey-dovey photo I took of Mom and Dad above. I told her to get ready because when I counted to three I needed her to make it rain leaves over them. I mean c’mon — you can’t get those expressions free any other time 🙂
