It was cold and choppy but I did see a whale!

Kieva and Charles met me at the studio and it was so lovely to meet them.  Only later did we find out we’d lived about 1/2 block from each other for years!  The wedding was the Outdoor Art Club in Mill Valley and the day couldn’t have been better.  Their families came from absolutely everywhere…Michigan, Florida and even Russia!  I wish you both all the best and see you around the neighborhood!

I met Angel and his family back in February to do family portraits.  Mom had him dressed just like a little man!  He’s the sweetest little boy and takes everything in stride quite well considering most of his time is spent in hospital.  This session was set up by Moment by Moment and I’m happy to be a part of the group.  Mom asked me back recently and it was great to see how much he’d grown.  Once again he was looking quite dapper!  All the best to little Angel and his family.

I met Michelle years ago when she asked me to photograph and birthday party.  Well, I had the total pleasure of photographing her wedding recently at Estancia in La Jolla. It was wonderful to see her and her family again AND to meet the man!  It was a wonderful weekend and thankful they asked me to share it with them.  I look forward to more events in their lives.

Amy is the sweetest person ever.  Her laugh is infectious and it’s surely obviously why Craig loves her.  You can see how delightful she is in the images and how easy they are together.  It was a beautiful day at Arista Winery with Park Avenue Catering and Dragonfly Florals.  It was beyond lovely and I wish them just the best.

Last night I got to listen to Joe Buissink speak for a local group of photographers and once again he inspired me.   I met Joe many years ago at a class he was teaching. I’m sure you know how sometimes you can meet a stranger and there is just an instant bond?  That is how I felt with Joe.  He just puts you at ease and when he smiles it’s the kind that comes from deep in his soul.  I only get to see him once in a while but when I do he always picks me up.  I shoot a lot like Joe and when I first met him and he said he was shooting film and the same films I shot with I was thrilled!  Everyone even back then was saying why would you when digital is so much better?  Well, it has its ups and also its downs but this is not a conversation about that.  This is about doing what you are passionate about, giving back to the world and being true to yourself.

Photography is how I make a living to be sure but when I photograph a couple at a wedding, a newborn baby, a huge family reunion or your dog it’s about connecting with these people (or pets) and making a memory for them that I love most.  Making someone happy and sharing what I do with a captured smile, the simple essence of a child’s laugh or the look of admiration and adoration is really what my photography is all about.  I can go through my stacks of albums and remember my grandma’s touch and smile, my mom’s soft glance and smell and the story around the belly laugh of a good friend.  This is what photography brings to the world and what it should feel like in your soul.

Love you Joe!

What a great time I had on a lovely sunny afternoon with Lily and Brandon.  We hit the Legion of Honor and Baker Beach and got some great shots.  They live in NYC and Toronto so flew in to take care of some details and do our shoot.  They are so lovely together and I had a great time getting to know them.  I can’t wait for the wedding in November!

I heart Misti Layne. She is stellar; her photographs speak for themselves; they make you stop and think. Take a look at her website. My words would not adequately describe what I feel about her work.

She was the last of three photographers we interviewed, and as soon as we met her, we knew she was the one. Misti has a warm, fun, friendly, open personality that we connect with, and that at the end of the day we would have gorgeous pictures.

She offers professional, high touch client oriented service, including being responsive by e-mail and phone, taking both digital and film pictures (she has a Holga; major points!!), and of course doing both color and black and white pictures. If you like, and I do recommend this, she will select the pictures for your album with your input and edits, of course. I tried selecting pictures myself and it was challenging given the number of great pictures. Another plus is that in her 2010 packages she offers 3×5 prints (high quality) of every picture that she and her assistant takes.

Our wedding pictures are nothing short of stunning. Looking at my pictures is like reliving my wedding day over again. I cry and laugh looking at them, and am so amazed at what she was able to capture. She captured our wedding.

I could not get over how people who are normally not that photogenic looked just radiant. AND she got candids of our folks, which is pretty much a miracle because they can spot a camera from a mile away and immediately pose. My mom loves her, and she’s difficult to please. Our family and friends are raving about the pictures too.

Misti advertises herself as your photographer for life. I would hire her again for our next life event, if she’ll have us! And of course I recommended her to friends.

Hire her! You’ll be just as thrilled.

Thank you Nirmala and TS!  You gave me a lot to work with and you guys are just too cute!

Photographing kids is fun.  I’ve never been the posing photographer type.  I like to let them run, discover, play and just be kids.  This way the expressions are natural and spontaneous.

Some points to photographing children?

1. Get down to their level.  Photographing children’s portraits doesn’t have to be Sears style.  In fact getting a little dirty makes it fun for you too instead of frustrating at not getting the right smile.  Let’s be honest as sometimes a good cry can be a good photograph!
2. Keep it quick.  This is obvious.  When the restlessness or nap time sets in.  Let it go.  If you are a parent you have great access at any time.  So not fair to the professionals!
3. Schedule the right time.  Like point #2, if it is nap time, it just won’t go well.
4. Some props can be fun but don’t let them overwhelm the subject.  A wonderful smirk can be so much more than trees, benches, bunnies and a costume in one photograph.  Keep it simple.
5. Natural light is my favorite.  If I  can avoid the flash I will at all costs.  Photographing your child with a flash can make them sensitive, squint and not look at you.  Light from a window or outside in a park is fantastic. Stay out of the sun unless that is part of the point.
6. Blur your background.  Now this is different settings on different cameras that you’ll have to look into.  However with a blurred background your child becomes the focus rather than blending in.
7. Hang the photos up!!  This may seem obvious but don’t let your photos just stay on your computer.  Get them up and seen and be sure to send them to your families.

I had a great time photographing Toni and Christian recently.  They are having their first baby and their excitement is palpable!  We shot simply in their flat in San Francisco and the natural light was fantastic.  The time will come soon and I’ll be putting up baby photos as well!  All the best!