Bay Area Vacation Photographer: Our Nation’s Capital
While I certainly have more family portrait sessions coming at you soon, it’s been awhile since I’ve shared some personal life with you.
It’s the 4th of July today, and I couldn’t really think of a better day to share my vacation photos of my trip to our Nation’s Capital than today.
While my time there was brief, it was inspiring. So many people in our history have put their own lives and comfort aside to stand up for something bigger than themselves. Their acts were grand and DC’s monuments communicate that so well!
My primary reason for visiting DC was actually work related: I was attending the DIA (Drug Information Association) conference. However I had an afternoon on the day I landed to get my sight seeing on. It was humid (which I’m NOT used to!). I walked a ton. And it was wonderful! I spent a lot of time at the Lincoln Memorial. That monument is my all time favorite and I feel so humbled there.
One thing that impresses me about being there is that even with the massive crowds around me, I still felt that it still offered me an intimate experience. I don’t know if the giant transcript of the The Gettysburg Address on the wall, or the determined gaze of President Lincoln. It’s just a powerful feeling in there.
I arrived close to sunset, and it was incredible to see the sun reflect off the walls of the memorial. The magnolia trees also smelled so lovely — it was seriously a beautiful afternoon!
The rest of my visit was all about work. I spent time with my coworkers, which is great. You just get to know people differently when you travel. One of my colleagues went to school there, and was a great guide to have around. The man also knows his way around food, and I can comfortably say I had some of the best dining experiences of my life over this visit. Seriously, amazing! We also got caught out in the rain together. Running a mile in the rain, brought on a whole other level of bonding too.
Lastly, I thought I’d drop one of these over here. If you think you see Snoop Dogg, your eyes are NOT deceiving you. He was very much a surprise guest at one of the conference evening events. I think Mr. Dogg might have misunderstood the “Drug” part of the DIA conference title, but it was a great performance none-the-less. Never thought I’d see him in concert with people from work, with my CEO standing right behind me, but that’s I guess how we roll. I did NOT bring my DSLR camera out that night (honestly I don’t, unless I plan to photograph something), and I kind of regretted it.
So that’s my DC trip in a nut-shell. Stay tuned, there’s more vacation photos from another trip coming at you in a few weeks. I’ll give you some teasers though: beaches, coconuts, and sharks.
Los Altos Family Photographer: A gift for dad
I may have said it before, but I find the photography community to be remarkably supportive. I participate in a couple of online forums where we exchange ideas, learn from one another and generally help each other grow. I’m joined by professional and hobbyist photographers from across the Bay Area and the world at large. You’d think competition would be a factor (at least at the local level), but instead of tearing each other down, I am thrilled to see our groups stand each other up! One way we help each other out is filling in for one another when a prospective client asks for a portrait session and we’re not able to do it. Maybe you’ve experienced this looking to book an appointment with me? When I’m unavailable I refer requests: the least I could do is help you find another photographer.
On this day, I was on the receiving end of a referral for a photography session with an awesome family in their beautiful Los Altos home.
Y’s father lives in Japan. He had come out to celebrate his 80th birthday with Y, her husband and their children. Y wanted to commemorate this visit and milestone birthday with a family photography session. Isn’t that awesome? As I chatted with Y on the phone, I was getting more and more excited to meet and photograph them – she wanted some candid moments of her dad and kids because she, herself, gravitated to lifestyle photography. Yet she also wanted something to appeal to her dad who wanted a more traditional set of portraits for his end of year holiday cards. I hope we made everyone happy!
Since her father wasn’t as comfortable with lifestyle photography, I suggested we go with something natural already and having grandpa read to his grandkids. A whole brood listening to a favorite Japanese story. Some of my favorite photos are of my parents just playing with our boys. I get to capture expressions you never see on camera otherwise from the adult crowd… and I get to see my parents reconnect with their ‘child’ selves too.
Hopefully these images of Y’s kids and their grandfather is something she will fondly look back on the same way I do with mine.
Enjoy! And Happy Father’s Day today!
Palo Alto Child Photographer: Before and After
It’s been a long time since I’ve visited Gamble Gardens! As a matter of fact, my last photography session there was just about exactly two years ago. In going back, it was interesting to see how Gamble Gardens has changed. Throughout the year, the blooming flowers, of course, change. I love the diversity the grounds offer in the span of a few months. Yet, time of year aside, as I did my regular walk around the location, I noticed that the willow trees at the back of the property had also gone away. It excites me to see Gamble evolve, but also a little nostalgic for all the families, scenes and memories we’ve captured in that space.
E and C asked for this location specifically. When Q was a littler, little guy, we held his (almost) 1yr old photoshoot there. They wanted to have a visit now with little E. The child photographer in me was happy to oblige, because as much as well manicured gardens and kids sound like a scary combination, this spot has always been kid-friendly and beautiful for family portraits. Plus I love doing this type of “before and after” shoots.
Speaking of “before and after”, I’ll be honest — I’m almost a little uncomfortable to link to their last portrait session at this location. I’ve grown so much as a photographer. My editing style has certainly evolved. I can look back on these older of sessions, though, and reflect on aspects I am really proud of: the way I’ve connected with families and captured how they connect with one another — that’s something I’m glad I had figured out then. Also, to some degree, I took more risks then too. I tried more things… tried different things. I’d like to reconnect with that part of origins. However, I’m more secure in myself now. I’m also more comfortable directing. I don’t feel as rushed. I’m more comfortable editing, and I find that the natural images, skin tones and exposure are what I return to, no matter what direction I try to explore in Lightroom and Photoshop. Now, I wonder what the me of two years from now will have to say.
Until then, enjoy Q and E’s photos!
Los Altos Family Photography: How did their lifestyle change?
April ended with a fantastic family photography session celebrating these twin boys’ 1st year. I photographed their last few weeks in residence of M’s maternity session; I had the privilege of being one of the first to bid them welcome to our world, and you saw their newborn session.
As part of their post-natal care they were asked answer a questionnaire, including the question “How will your lifestyle change?” As a family friend, and having the opportunity to observe it, I can tell you the changes have been big. There’s so much that goes on with twins (from figuring sleep out with two babies, managing child-care help and tracking milestones) but these guys have done such, SUCH an amazing job.
I only get a small taste of their lives in trying to photograph all three of their kiddos in the same frame. Heck, getting two in the same frame was a big deal: the boys are crawling now (actually A is walking!), and they go fast…. aaaaaand in opposite directions. Yeah! The only way to get them together was through the use of a baby magnet: you know… Cheerios! Even then, though, it wasn’t easy.
This past session took place on the campus of Foothill College. I’m still continuing to explore all the amazing scenery it has to offer. A year ago I walked around this campus, and discovered a hidden little nook with a bamboo garden in the middle. I’ve been so eager to give it a try. For better or worse, it was set to rain the morning we planned to meet. I recommended Foothill, because I thought cement stood a better chance of drying up by the afternoon than grass in a park. Plus it offered a bit of rain cover in case the rain extended into our time. In this drought we’re having I can’t do the “no rain dance” in good conscience, so I’ll work with and around any water coming from our skies. Come the afternoon, the weather was gorgeous, the location was perfect, and I couldn’t have asked for better styling from these guys.
As a special treat, what I thought was a small bamboo patch, turned out to be an intro the a whole bamboo garden on the campus grounds. To say I was giddy is an understatement! Though we spent the majority of our session on the flat, paved areas, to account for unsteady little rug-rat feet. However, I got a chance to spend some one on one time with their big sister, who got to be a ham for me and my lens. The light was perfect. The bamboo was perfect. She was perfect. I drove off super happy with the images we captured, and was thrilled to deliver them just in time for their first birthday.
Happy first you guys!!! You made it/survived the first year of what I hope will be many, many, many more.
Foster City Family Photographer: The right family
The Bay Trail starting up around Coyote Point in San Mateo, and extending down through Redwood Shores is one of my favorite places for a week-end walk. Last year, if you were walking those paths on a week-end morning, chances are, you walked by me. I love it for it’s serenity: being by the water is so soothing for me; and for it’s interest: there are just SO many cool things to see along this path. I usually park close to the Gilhead Sciences building on these walks. It was how I got to know it, and quite frankly “lust” after it.
I’ve admired this building every time I’d start a walk there, and I’ve been itching to photograph a family in it’s courtyard. I love the modern architecture, it’s rolling hills, and just the cool landscaping. Circling around the structure presents such a diversity of scenes. I just had to find the right family, and the right family came!
I’m so thrilled to be photographing, N, A and their boys for a 3rd year in a row! Little R is a year old now, and this meeting was a way to celebrate that.
We met right after the clocks moved forward, and while I was excited about how the light would play into our plan, R wasn’t quite feeling the early wake-up. Poor kid fell asleep as soon as we were done. He wanted his nap in the worst way, and the sleep faerie wasn’t doing me any favors. He’s still a cutie though, and we got a smile out of him before we left. Big brother N had all the energy in the world, though, and we had a bunch of fun smelling flowers, playing airplane while my camera shutter clicked away.
It was a great morning, and I am one happy family photographer.
Meanwhile, I have some new hikes planned over the coming weeks. I wonder what new spots I’ll find then?
