Q: Do you have a studio?
A: I work exclusively on location at this time. I use natural light 100% of the time. Sunlight is my light source and I’m very skilled at finding the best light in all situations. Sometimes this means we stay in the shade for soft, even light. Sometimes it means we venture out into the bright sun and try some back lit, sun-filled photographs.
All sessions are planned and customized to show the uniqueness of your family. For some families, being in the home is the truest representation of who they are. For other families it might be the beach, funky murals in the Mission (and ice cream at Bi-Rite), or an afternoon wandering trails in the Presidio or Glen Canyon.
Q: Where are you located?
A: I’m based in San Francisco but frequently travel around the Bay Area, including Marin, Berkeley, Oakland, San Mateo, Palo Alto.
Q: What’s a session like?
A: It’s tons of fun and then some! We’ll play and chat and laugh. And there will be lots of clicking sounds (that’s my camera) and “oohs” and “ahhs” coming from me because I never get over how adorable little ones are. Sometimes I might tell you to do things but most of the time we just hang out and follow your little one’s lead. I often hear afterwards that it was a fun family activity — not uncomfortable or stuffy!
Q: Can I buy a disc of all the photos? How much does this cost?
A: I offer DVDs of all the images from your final proofing gallery (30-40 fully retouched photographs) as high resolution files. I have 4 different digital packages available so please email me for complete details. On average, my clients spend $800 – $1400.
Q: When is the best time to have professional pictures taken?
A: Many people choose to have portraits of their baby done around 6 to 7 months of age. This is a nice time because babies are sitting up but not yet crawling and are very attentive and smiley to the people around them. However, every age offers a unique perspective on your child. A 4 month old is at the perfect stage for some classic tummy time photos. A 10 month old is an active crawler and we can capture what the world looks like from his point of view. A 15 month old is an explorer of his world and seeks out new experiences but always comes back to mama and daddy’s arms for security. So every stage holds a different set of experiences and relationships to photograph.
Q: I’d like some family portraits. Do you do that too?
A: Of course! I love photographing the little ones AND the big people. That said, my style is not traditional. You won’t see many photos from me of a family nicely posed for the camera. I tend towards capturing moments and relationships. I feel the most beautiful portraits of a family are taken in the small moments when they are truly being themselves, like when crouching down to explain something to a toddler or scooping a fussy baby in the air to distract them from their mood. Or when mama and her little one are nuzzled up for a hug. Take a look at galleries 5 and 6 {being loved} for lots of samples.
Q: what if it’s rainy or foggy or snowing on the day of our shoot?
A: Fog is fine. It gives nice soft light, though it might mean we need to layer your little one in a sweater and cozy hat to stay warm. If it’s raining, we’ll most likely reschedule unless we brainstorm up an idea to go out and puddle jump with a fun umbrella and rain coat and rubber boats.
Q: what do I do with all these photos? how do I decide how to print them and where to hang them?
A: All digital collections come with my Inspire and Create Guide which is full of recommendations for printing and creating fun wall displays.
Q: Do you do wedding photography?
A: Not at this time but I’m happy to provide recommendations.