Practice #2 – Exposure in bright light
With the days getting longer, I thought it prudent to practice photographing in bright sunlight. I met Erin and her two fabulous sons Logan and Miles at the Golden Gate Park Playground in San Francisco. It was a beautiful, bright afternoon so it was perfect. I shot in manual with my 85 1.8. And to reduce the “I’ll take care of that with photoshop” thoughts, I shots jpgs instead of RAW. I worked on reading the photographs via the histogram and changing the settings with out moving the camera from my eye. All in all it was a really great shoot – Logan and Miles were perfect models and played in the grass and the trees and I think we got some nice shots.
One cool thing was seeing Miles’s face get lit up by the reflection off of Erin’s shirt. You can see it in the photograph with her laying down and him standing up. His face is ever so slightly light up by the reflection. I never realized that would happen. Might be useful next time I photograph a baby or a toddler.
Thanks Rudsenke Family. I had a great time and learned a ton.
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Blog Link: http://wp.me/pFbSK-jp
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).
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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.
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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).
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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).
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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.
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Blog Link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1110
Heather and Greg Engagement Session
Today I saw something that I don’t see everyday in San Francisco – a new view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Do enough engagement sessions on Baker Beach and Family portraits from Crissy Field and you think you have seen the bridge in all ways possible. But today I saw something new.
I was with Greg and Heather taking photographs for their engagement announcement on the Union Stairs (@Larkin). We walked around the corner at the top of the stairs and see this perfect alley-like road with an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge right above it. Couldn’t ask for a better view and light so I sent them down for a moment and snapped a few shots. Just have to love San Francisco – the beauty always amazes me no matter how long I’m here or him many photos I take.
Thanks Greg and Heather for showing me something new about the City. I had fun with you and hope you enjoy the photos.
A few samples below and the full gallery is here (password required).
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Blog Link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1105
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).
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Maternity/New Born
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Maternity Photography - Joey Chandler Photography - San Francisco Portrait Photographer
Few times in life are as exciting, amazing, wonderful and down right terrifying as when a baby is on the way or after he/she is born. Mom, Dad, Grandparents, friends, family and everyone involved will experience a wide range of emotions. That’s what makes it so exciting. My job as the photographer is to convey as many of those emotions as possible. As always, we are blessed with numerous location possibilities in San Francisco and around the bay, but honestly, I love to work with people in places that they are familiar with, like homes, parks and neighborhoods.
Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1022
