San Mateo Maternity Photographer: Burning the fog with smiles
As I approached the San Mateo Coyote Point Yacht Club, on this October morning, the fog was still thick. You could tell the sun was ready to come through, but it would take it’s time. I don’t mind! While I love the beautiful halos back-lit images afford me, what the foggy morning gives me is freedom. Freedom to use any part of the Bay Trails. It’s a big ole’ soft-box.
The first time I met this family was for a Mother’s Day mini shoot a year and a half ago. In their family portrait sessions since, they’ve always brought B’s current favorite toy. This day was another bear, and it was super sweet to watch B give him big, big snuggles and whisper in his ear. I actually feel kind of bad I don’t remember the bear’s name. Sorry, B!
M, meanwhile is rockin’ a beautiful baby belly this time around. She looks fantastic! I couldn’t NOT spend some time giving her belly some love, by dedicating at least a portion of our time to take some maternity photos. I find it amusing that for all the time you ask little kids to participate in a family picture they (usually) don’t want much to do with it. But when you ask them to hang back so mom and dad can have a little bit of time alone, ALL they want to do is be part of their photos. Little B was no exception. It’s how we ended up with the last photo in this set. I actually kind of love it. Reverse psychology is my tool of choice in photographing my oldest, and it doesn’t surprise me that it works on other kids as well. In a way, I love those photos even more because of it, since the smiles of the kids [thinking they’re doing something sneaky] are priceless.
Enjoy their photos. I’m excited to meet their new member next year too.
Belmont Family Photographer: Adding to the family
As part of reserving a portrait session with me, I ask all of my clients to sign a contract. As part of this contract form, I ask who the children that will be attending the session will be. Legality aside, it helps me prepare for meeting new families and making sure I have their names properly spelled for thank you notes, and the like. It’s so hard to be sure when you hear it once, and so embarrassing to me if I then say it wrong. Interesting, this form also turning out to be a source of “Congratulations!” as well, because through booking this family I learned that THIS year I’ll be photographing 4 of them… instead of 3 🙂 That’s right, Y & R added a second baby girl to their family.
I first met R & Y by photographing their maternity session. We had such a great time! We followed up when G was born with a really sweet newborn shoot at their home. I’m super glad to now get to meet baby F. As a side note, I gotta tell you, that this family comes up with THE coolest kid names. Yes, I know I don’t disclose names for the general public, so you’ll just have to trust me 🙂
We met on the campus of NDNU. This is another session that I’ve eager to share with you to show you one of my newest favorite places. It’s just so versatile. When they arrived, G had fallen asleep in the car. While she was waking up, I took the opportunity to grab some sweet images of Y snuggling with her baby girl. Meanwhile, G is growing p to be a very serious and determined little girl. She wasn’t quite in a smiling mood that day, so instead of goofing out Mom and Dad, we captured her playing with her Minnie. Yep — Pez dispensers are fun beyond the candy.
Thanx for coming back guys! Congratulations, to you all again!
Belmont, CA Child Photographer: Growing up before my eyes
Although I know it shouldn’t surprise me, I am always blown away by how much children change in the span in a short period of time. In six months you have almost an entirely different person.
My life is an adult isn’t that different over that time but for a newborn? The last time I photographed these guys they were snuggling brand new Miss E in her nursery. Today, she is smiling, and just about sitting up all on her own. Incredible! Big brother Q is so much more talkative now too: he’s growing up tons too. He talks about his pre-school and is becoming such a big boy.
We photographed our mini session at the entrance-way of Belmont’s NDNU. I love how versatile the little area around the small theater is. The Taub Center itself is so remarkably pretty: I love the symmetry, colors, and classic details. Q got a kick of counting all the bird carvings decorating the front archway. You’ll see more views of this location over the coming weeks — and I’ve been really enjoying this spot.
San Mateo, CA Family Photographer: Change of pace
One of my favorite lifestyle sessions this year was with photographing this family. We had a great time, at their home. E was just a little shy of being 1, and a crawling machine we worked hard to keep on the bed.
E is now a year and a half. We met for a mini session on the Bay Trails of San Mateo and a little change of pace. We’ve had a pretty dry year here in California, and I feel like our version of fall foliage is a ways off, if it even happens this year. In lieu of golden leaves, we get some golden grass fields. I don’t mind. That earthy look works perfectly.
E was joined by her older furry sister, Belle. I’ve photographed a few pooches this fall season and have been striving to get a puppy portrait too. Between the birds, other dogs and even jack rabbit that crossed our path the morning we met, there was no way we could let the leash go even for a second with this pup.
Belmont, CA Child Photographer: Those eyes
Look at these ladies growing up. A year ago, little M was just a year old. We celebrated her first birthday with a fluffy, big tutu and balloons. This year I have two lovely and lively girls with eye-lashes that go on forever. I mean…. look at these eyes. Not one, but both of these sisters played the “born with it” lottery and scored big time. Next time I photograph these two, I’m envisioning lots of mega close-ups.
I want to give myself a little pat on the back for this session. it had been a little while since I’d photographed this family, and with an afternoon session E was not quite up for it. Understandable: a stranger points a big ole lens in your direction when you just want to go back to your toys…. I wouldn’t be up for it either. So think opposite of “camera hog” 🙂 But you know what? Being patient with her, being silly for her and letting her come out of her shell and play on her own time paid off.
I’m also going to give kudos to Mom and Dad for not getting frustrated and instead letting things take their natural progression. I know with a mini session that is tough: it feels like there’s not enough time to let kiddos come around, but really no-one wants to be forced to do anything. This is true for kids and adults, so being patient and letting things come as they will is the best approach. I ask my parents to be ready to be silly for their kiddos (and me), but also to be patient with them. Kids have their own minds, and needs, and moods. If we could control all of these things, life wouldn’t be as exciting. You don’t need to impress me with your parenting skills. I have my own two will-full monkeys. I get it 🙂 Photo sessions with toddlers can be exhausting. But you know what? It also produces some incredible portraits too of kids just being themselves. So be patient, and have fun… even if it’s fun without them. That’s when they’ll want to join.
Oh — my winning image for my session with these guys? The sister hug. It was all worth-while for this.
