Sessions

Scheduling

I am currently accepting bookings for the San Francisco Bay Area starting from June. Please contact me to inquire about further details and pricing. I do book rather far in advance, so please call ahead if you have a specific date or event that you would like to schedule your session for.

What to expect from a session

A typical session takes about one-to-two hours to complete. Please make sure all family members are aware of the length of time a session will take, and have them clear their schedule for two hours, in case it runs the full length.

What about newborn photography?

Because we need newborns to be deeply sleeping for many of the images, your baby’s photos usually takes  longer than a standard session. The newborn session will consist of a more relaxed flow, incorporating time enough to feed and soothe your baby to sleep.

When will I get my images?

Several weeks after your session, you will receive a CD of edited photos saved in two versions – high resolution for print, and low resolution for sharing on the Web/Facebook. I generally provide a minimum of  20-30 images per each hour of shooting. Each photo is carefully edited by me in Lightroom and Photoshop.

My preferred style

Lifestyle, documentary, editorial – these are a few names for the modern style of portraiture that emphasizes natural posing and strives to capture the heart of you. I want to photograph you and your loved ones in beautiful natural light, interacting as you really are – not with fake smiles or stiff poses. Your experience during the photo shoot should be one of fun. Don’t stress about making your child sit perfectly still or telling her to smile for the camera. We will engage in playful poses that will hopefully have you all smiling in a relaxed, natural way.

What type of session do you want and when? 

Garden or field -  There are several locations that I love to shoot in a lush, green setting. Late afternoon light is ideal. I also have a few options for those who can only schedule in mid-morning. These are perfect for families with young children.

At the beach - Beach sessions are generally scheduled at Le Morne an hour and a half before sunset. This session is ideal for couples portraits, as well as families. If you are an early riser, sunrise can be lovely as well.

Your home - One of the most popular types of portraiture now is the lifestye session taken in your home. If your home is truly where your heart is, why not make it the backdrop for your newborn or family photos? You and your baby will be in comfortable surroundings while preserving memories to last a lifetime.

What shall I wear?

What you wear and the way we style the photos is extremely important if you want these images to be lasting ones you will cherish. I suggest that you take the same care in dressing and getting ready for a photo shoot as you would for a big night out. For some, that may mean getting styled hair and carefully applied make-up. Others may prefer a more natural look.

Most of all, you and your family should be comfortable and feel as if the images reflect the real you. If you are a family who feels most comfortable in jeans and bare feet, then dress in a casually stylish way. If you and your loved ones appreciate getting dressed up, then come in your “Sunday best.” Think about it. Have fun with it!

Here are a few additional guidelines:

-Families should coordinate well together, but don’t have to match exactly or be all in the same color.

-You may want to bring a choice of outfits and accessories for you and your children so you get a variety of looks. Encourage your daughter to play dress up, your athlete son to bring his skateboard, and you don’t have to leave behind your toddler’s beloved teddy. It will add to their experience of the photo shoot – and to the pictures!

-Cream, red, blues, greens, earth tones, and soft spring colors often work well with the camera, though you are  not restricted to those. Especially brilliant or neon colors can cause strong color casts. Extremely pale pastels don’t work if you or your child have very pale skin or platinum hair.

-I have a few props, but if you have any accessories or ideas, feel free to bring them or let me know ahead of time.