I recently had the absolute pleasure of photographing little Angel this week.  He’s a total charmer!  He’s a patient at UCSF unfortunately but they are taking great care of him.  His older brother and mom visit him every day and the nurses just love and pamper him like crazy.  He has the most amazing temperament being confined in a hospital.  I’ve been working with Moment by Moment for years and so highly recommend them and the idea of giving families a chance to photograph their kids in sometimes very difficult situations.  I wish all the best to this wonderful family.  Please visit www.momentbymoment.org and your support is greatly appreciated.

Lily did a great doing her first head shots.  She’s applying at NYU Tisch (been there myself!) and in LA.  Best of luck Lily I’ll look for your name in lights!

It was a girl for this couple and just days after these photos were taken!  Pregnancy portraits can be fun and awkward all at the same time but Priscilla really hung in there and made it happen. Congrats on Makayla! If you think you want to do pregnancy photos I have some recommendations:

1. Don’t wait too long!  I find the best time is in the 8th month.  You are obviously pregnant but it isn’t too uncomfortable yet.
2. Feel sexy!  You are beautiful and while it is a new stage in life you are beautiful and it is great to do some sexy shots too.  See Karen’s photos from my post last month!
3. One of my favorite things is to where your husbands clothes. Maybe his shirt, boxers etc.  It’s a way of integrating him into the image even if it is just your belly.

Chester stole the show this morning to be sure.  I love photographing pets of any kind.   This lively pup was hard to follow so what to do?  Three things:

• Let him do his thing of course!  It was us following Chester’s lead to be sure.  But this keeps him happy and gives great opportunity
• Treats!  Crucial for the obvious reasons!
• Work fast!  The attention span of most pets is pretty limited.  You can tire them out for a more portrait shot after getting the action shots when they are excited and playing.

I’m a total animal person.  Love them all.  So when I get a new toy yes, my ahem kids become my subject.  You have a great opportunity at home to photograph your pets.  They know you and trust you and that makes for the best access.  So some tips to get great portraits:

1. Instead of shooting from afar and on your feet get on your knees or sit down with them.   Get up close and personal.
2. Look at how they see the world when you look at them.  A lot of times I’m actually lying on the ground to get portraits.  It makes for much more interesting shots!
3. Take close-ups.   A nose, ear, whiskers are all bits and pieces that make for cute little details in an album or a series of portraits.
4. Make it easy and fun for them and for you.

I photographed the wedding of Karen and Eric about 7 years ago.  This still amazes me!  Now they live in NYC and are expecting their first baby.  Karen is close to due but was a very willing and able subject as we used different places in their apartment on the West Side.  Karen is a shy type and was nervous but even dared to get just a little racy and looks beautiful!  Of course the feline kids got in on the action but what are you going to do…they are part of the family! Congrats guys!!

Some hints for pregnancy portraits:

• Do it around the eighth month.  You are large enough to show but not so large that it’s uncomfortable.
• Include the whole family!  The dad, other children and the pets.
• Dress in the dad’s shirt or shorts.  It’s a way of incorporating him in the portrait that may just be belly.
• Hands on the belly are so simple but say so much.

Michelle and Sam certainly brought their New York flair, humor and love to our part of the world and it was fantastic!  The reception was at the Mark Hopkins atop Nob Hill and the ceremony at St Peter and Paul.

Tram and Howie had the most amazing day at War Memorial Green Room.  It started in the most traditional Korean way with honoring the bride’s family with an amazing array of foods and gifts.  Then it was off to War Memorial.  Eric Yee of Spintronix and Geri did the most amazing job with design.   There were special gobo’s to celebrate Howie and Tram and Eric set up hot pink lights on the columns for the most amazing affect.  It was truly beautiful and Tram and Howie are just the best.

Photographing children is a challenge but tons of fun too.  Parents have a lot of great opportunities to photograph their kids.  Coming from the outside you have to build the trust kids need to be comfortable with you.   What to do?

• This day Asher was quite shy and first and I pretty much let him come to me first.  At the end of the day he was climbing all over me.
• When kids are themselves it lends itself to great photo opportunities.  Letting Asher just “read” to me was hilarious as he made his scary face and explained.
• Parents stop having your kids smile at the camera!  The best images are when they aren’t paying any attention to the camera at all.  See for yourself!