And he’s off!!!! Family portraits with Charlie, Cara and Scott
When Cara told me that Charlie loved to run from the Ferry Building to the Ball Park, I thought she was exaggerating a bit like all parents do (myself included). All children run and play right? Boy was I wrong.
Charlie runs and I mean he runs everywhere. In the Ferry Building, down the piers, along the Embarcadaro, and up and over cement blocks – he ran and ran and ran. Literally he was a streak of arms, legs and a great big smile.
It was awesome to see and his energy made for a great family portrait session. I definitely have to give props to Cara and Scott – they have such a great attitude and just kept up with him where every he went. And they definitely know how to be flexible. When we lost the sun at the Ferry Building, they suggested going up to their home in Potrero Hill which turned out fabulous. If you don’t know, Potrero Hill has amazing views of San Francisco and great afternoon light.
Of course, that gave us more time to photograph Charlie running.
Thanks Cara and Scott and good luck keeping up with Charlie. If I were you, I might consider stock in a running shoe company. I think you might need a few pairs in the years to come.
A few sample photos below and the rest are on the way.
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A little video from after the shoot. We had to get close because the wind picked up.
Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1186
Nopa Little Ones and Music Together
Sunday was the monthly playgroup for the Nopa Little Ones. How these parents find time to organize such amazing events, I’ll never know. This time we were at the Brahma Kumaris Center for Music Together classes. There must have 50 children plus their families all singing, dancing, pounding on drums and shaking bells. Lucius and I stayed there for both sessions and it was really nice to see him go from nervous observer (he literally sat in the hall way most of the 1st session) to participant in the second. If you live in San Francisco, I would definitely recommend checking out the Music Together folks – especially if you are a rhythmically challenged parent like myself.
These photographs were all taken from one place and mostly from the hip. Apologies in advance for all the children I missed.
A few samples below and the rest are here (password required – you can get it from the nopa list serve).
click here if there is no slide show above.
blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1181
Amanda and Jeff’s Engagement Session at Baker Beach
One of my favorite parts about being a photographer is seeing people go from nervous to comfortable to actually excited about being in front of the camera. Its just cool to see and feel a person (or couple) let go of their concerns and really get into the moment. That’s when the magic starts to happen (at least for me) and the photographs turn out really nice.
That’s exactly what happened with Amanda and Jeff for their engagement portrait session at Baker Beach this weekend. They started out nervous and made all requisite claims about not being photogenic and how they have never done this before. But anyone who spends more than a second with them will tell you that they are as “cute as a bugs ear” (does anyone really understand that expression?) and will do just fine in front of a camera. Plus it was an absolutely perfect San Francisco afternoon. With the sun and the Golden Gate bridge, its easy to see why Baker Beach is such an ideal spot for engagement shoots (I counted 7 couples being photographed there that day and that doesn’t include the naked shoot that we saw).
All I did was to keep asking them “what would you do on the beach if I wasn’t here?” After a few “I don’t know”s” they started to walk, hold hands, play, and just be with each. I kept the camera going and we had a great time. Amanda looked fairly like in her white dress against the dark skys and blue ocean while Jeff looked was the “man” – especially in some of the silhouettes. Towards the end, I really had to go, but I kept saying “oh, oh, oh – that’s too good to pass up – go walk over there.” Of course by this time, there were more than happy to oblige the photographer and kept playing in the sunset.
Amanda and Jeff – thanks so much for giving me this opportunity. I really enjoyed meeting you and have fun at your wedding.
A few samples below and the full gallery is on the way.
Click here is there is no slide show
Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1176
Cheryl, Vijay and Baby-to-be in Alamo Square
Cheryl and Vijay are something like eight and half months pregnant and I have to say they are doing extremely well – happy, relaxed (for the most part), and clearly working together. I really enjoy seeing a couple that is so connected as they are. Not only does it make a make a maternity portrait session a joy but you just know that the little child will be well cared for and loved. Serious congrats to them for not only their new baby (almost) but also for their new house. They definitely have it going on and I can’t wait see them they are officially a family.
We met at Alamo Square. If you are familiar with San Francisco or have read any of my previous Alamo Square posts (I have a lot of family photo shoots there), then you know this is the home of famous Painted Ladies. It’s also windy and on this day gray and cold. Cheryl and Vijay didn’t let that slow them down and we got some really nice photographs. Best part was seeing how playful they are together. Vijay channeled his inner diva and came up with all sorts of posing ideas. Apparently he had been thinking about this day for sometime. Cheryl showed a level of grace and elegance that was a pleasure to work with – and that is saying something given how pregnant she is.
Cheryl and Vijay – thank you for letting me be apart of the this time in your lives. Best wishes with the delivery and in the weeks until I see you again.
A few samples below and the complete gallery here (password required).
Click here if you do see a slide show above.
Blog Link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1170
Heather and Patty in the Park
Normally my mom and daughter portrait shoots involve babies, dollies, and bellies. This was different. There were still lots of laughs and a few of those “how do we stand” awkward moments but this was two grown women with a clear love and respect for each other. That was very cool to see. Now Patty is still the mom and Heather is still the daughter, but they clearly have reached a point in their relationship where they can enjoy each others company as adults. Family photographers don’t always get to see that that so it was a refreshing change. We met at Alamo Square park, the home of the painted ladies and some great views of San Francisco. It’s also home to a fairly strong afternoon wind which made for some challenges. But Heather and Patty were troopers and we had a great time.
Heather and Patty – thanks for letting me be apart of mother/daughter day. Hope you enjoy the those.
A few samples below and the complete gallery here (password required).
If no slideshow above, click here.
blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1145
Miles in the Mission – Classic San Francisco Portrait Session
This portrait session goes down as one of the great lessons learned – always be ready and never give up.
Saturday started off as crazy rainy day in San Francisco. Dark, blustery and definitely not a day for a family portrait session. The Laffan Family lives right in the middle of the Mission – one the hippest neighborhoods in San Francisco. Angela wanted a few photographs of little Miles as a child with the murals that decorate numerous buildings and alley ways in that part of town.
We talked at 2 that afternoon when it was raining cats and dogs and decided to postpone the shoot. By 3pm, the sun was breaking through the clouds and city was looking incredibly beautiful. I wasn’t entirely comfortable calling back Angela but the light was so amazing that I thought it was worth another call. Turns out Angela was thinking the same thing so we agreed to meet at 4. I threw my camera bag in the car and headed to her house.
The portrait session turned out amazing. We got shots that wouldn’t have happened had it all gone as planned. Light was reflecting off the water and walls which lit up little Miles’s eyes and great smile. Plus it gave him numerous puddles to play in. And when he got hungry, we just rolled with it and got food at a taqueria. That made for candids that honestly I never would have suggested. Angela was great the entire time and made for a fun and relaxed experience.
Thanks Angela for not letting the weather stop you and Miles. I really enjoyed meeting you and learned a lot from this session. I hope you enjoy the photographs.
A few samples below and more on the way.
If no slide show above, click here.
Blog Link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1110
Suzanne and Matt at Sutro Baths
I can only imagine their conversation on the way to meet me.
Suzanne – “I have a surprise for you”
Matt – “Cool”
Suzanne – “You’re going to like it”
Matt – “Great” (now getting worried)
Suzanne – “we are going to San Francisco to get photo’s taken of us”
Matt – [silence]
Suzanne – “It’s going to be great. We are meeting at Sutro Baths by the Cliff House.”
Matt – [silence]
Suzanne – “What do you think?”
Matt – [pause]…”Yeah. That’s not really me”
Long pause as both try to figure out what is going to happen next.
But of course, Matt, like many people who are nervous about photo shoots, ended up having a good time. He wasn’t jumping up and down at the end but he definitely was hamming it up a bit. Suzanne was great of course and they ended up with some nice photos.
Suzanne and Matt – Good luck to both of you with your endeavors and hope you like the photos.
A few samples below and the complete gallery here (password required).
Click here if you don’t see a slide show above.
Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1077
Liana and Ethan’s Engagement Session at the Ferry Building
I met Ethan and Liana on a grey cold day in San Francisco for their engagement session. A lesser couple may have thrown in the towel but they went for it. Have to love seeing people that are willing to go forward when there are many good reasons not to. Have to believe that gumption is a good sign for their wedding and their life after the “I do’s”. We were at the Ferry Building downtown an except for some cold rain we had a great time and got some really nice photographs. I especially like the shots of them together with the tourists walking by.
Ethan and Liana – Thanks for letting be apart of your engagement and hope you enjoy the photos.
A few samples below and the complete gallery here (password required).
If no slideshow above, click here.
Rachel and Alex Maternity Session
I am really starting to love maternity sessions. I love the excitement and nervous energy that everyone (myself included) is feeling. It’s just all so crazy. But what I see in amid all that uncertainty is the love and tenderness from and for everyone involved. There is just nothing like seeing a mom-to-be looking at her belly with such unconditional love.
All of this was on display when I met Rachel and Alex to take their “baby on the way” photographs at their Alameda home. They are a nice, welcoming couple with a great little home just a few blocks from the beach. Rachel is looking fabulous with only a month or so to go and Alex has his “bob the builder” hat on in preparation for the arrival of their daughter. We spent time at their house and then went down to the marina area for for a fabulous sunset with San Francisco in the background. They are such a loving couple with a great sense of humor and goofiness. I think that really shows in these photographs and I’m sure they are going to make a great family.
Thank you Rachel and Alex for letting me take these photos of you. I can’t wait to meet your daughter and to see you as parents.
A few samples below and the complete gallery here (password required).
Click here if no slideshow above.
Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/993
Loads of Laughs in Laura and Cameron’s Engagement Photos
As the photographer, I get to see the many, many out outtakes that don’t make the cut from any engagement or portrait session. Generally I’ll take 300-500 pictures then deliver 25-40 to the family/couple. But even if a picture is off for some reason (out of focus, something distracting in the background, eyes are closed. etc.) I can still see the overall emotion and general demeanor of the the people I”m photographing.
While going through all of Laura and Cameron’s photos from their engagement session at Baker Beach, I was struck by how much laughter was apart of their relationship. I know they were a bit nervous, but that alone wouldn’t be enough to explain all the laughs and smiles. In photo after photo and pose after pose, they were laughing and having a good time. I love seeing couples that are so relaxed together and I”m sure their wedding in Idaho will be a very enjoyable event.
The afternoon of their session was a perfect San Francisco day – warm, sunny and ideal for outdoor portraits. And the Golden Gate Bridge wasn’t the only thing shining on the beach. We saw an early season appearance of an animal that lives on the north end of the beach. Known by many names, its scientific name is “old-man-naked-tushis.” This creature appears when the sun comes out and can be found strolling on beach. He loves to bathe its usual pinkish skin in the sunshine. We lucked out and captured a few of these creatures on film. I’m sure its something that Laura and Cameron will remember for some time.
Thanks Laura and Cameron. I had a great time and hope you enjoy the photos. A few samples below and full gallery here (password required).
(If no slide show below, click here.)
Thanks to Laura and Cameron (even if he got my name wrong)
Link to blog post: http://jchandlerphotography.com/979
