• You get a 13 page PDF as an instant download.

• There are twelve “cards” within the kit.  The first two are overview & technical info.  Each of the following 10 cards contain:
  • a sample image
  • lighting conditions
  • camera settings
  • my thinking about  how to set up and execute the picture.

• The pictures I used are pictures I’ve taken of my children in a very real environment.  No extra lights, no intense photoshopping afterwards.  I was working around laundry baskets, nap times, school schedules, and every thing else that seems to get in the way of good pictures.  These are real pictures.

• These cards are designed to let you into my thoughts when I am taking pictures.  You’ll find some of them focus on technique, some of them focus on what I think works best with kids, and some of it focuses on how to be present in the moment.  They all focus on designing and executing a strong image.

Currently, I have two sets available for purchase:

1. Guitar Hero – Images of my children creating & playing with cardboard guitars that we made at home.
2. Trim the Tree – Images of my children decorating the Christmas tree at grandma’s house.

Here’s a sample of one from the Guitar Hero set:

And here’s a sample from Trim The Tree:

Aren’t they cool?

You can purchase one set for $20 or both for $35.  Once you’ve made your purchase, It’s an immediate download.  Then you can view them on your computer monitor and/or print them as you choose.

You can buy them here! Just click the “add to cart” for the one you’d like to select first. Once the pop-up appears, you can click “continue shopping” to add the other one to your cart.

Photo Breakdown Set #1: Guitar Hero:

Photo Breakdown Set #2: Trim The Tree:

I want to empower you to take amazing images of your family!  I made these cards to support you in doing just that. Once again, I’m thankful for you all and the opportunity to take pictures.  Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving weekend!

Sara

So right now, photographing Luke & his childhood means photographing him with a truck.

So here’s Luke with his Tonka Tow Truck.  I love these pictures.  I love that he is wearing his monster pajama shirt and his “Car’s” undies (as we call them around here!)  I love that he hardly notices I have the camera out because he loves this tow truck SO much.  I love his chunky legs and his huge hands.  I love that in one image I can see everything Luke was at 2 1/2 years old.  These pictures make me happy

Luke, thanks for being 2 and a half forever on my blog

She really is that sweet and wonderful.  And sincere.  And sweet.  Did I say sweet already?  She makes me happy to be a wedding photographer.

Yoko got married in Portland, Oregon to Joji.  You’ll meet him in a minute.  Here’s Yoko getting in her fantastic wedding gown:

(Yoko – I want arms like yours )

Here’s Joji.  And yes.  He’s as  jovial and authentic and reflective as he looks.

They are both from Japan but met here in the states (Portland, Oregon to be precise) when they traveled here to learn English as exchange students.  Here’s a picture of the first time they saw each other on their wedding day.  An aside: brides and grooms to be…the FIRST LOOK is the best way to get the best portraits on your wedding day and be relaxed during your ceremony! Look how happy they are!!!

Alright, I know what you are going to say, “It’s Oregon for crying out loud!”  But it rained ALL morning on their wedding day.  Even in Portland that’s just sad!  We had elaborate (and I mean detalied, elaborate, well thought through) plans to go with family and friends to a park and down to the waterfront to take some really fabulous outdoor pictures of the group.  We were even going to walk through a farmer’s market.  But none of that happened.

But – we still had fun and got some great portraits in the lobby of the amazing Paramount Hotel in downtown Portland where the wedding party got ready.  Chris and I love to improvise and get the shot – no matter what the conditions are!

The Paramount Hotel – Portland

808 SW Taylor Street
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 223-9900

After spending some time in the Paramount Hotel lobby, we all traveled to McMenamins at Edgefield, the ceremony and reception site.  Yoko and Joji planned a really incredible affair at an venue called McMenamins.  They are well known in Oregon for taking over old venues and transforming them into cool new ones.  Chris and I were already in love with Portland.  But when we arrived at McMenamins Edgefield, we thought we might never go home.  The venue was amazing – full of character and lush landscaping (the rain helps with that ).  There were so many places to take pictures!  But we started inside of a small house that Yoko and Joji rented for their family and friends to stay.  Here’s Yoko taking one last look before the wedding started.

McMenamins Edgefield, Oregon

2126 S.W. Halsey St.
Troutdale, Oregon 97060

All of the women waited downstairs in the kitchen before walking down the isle in a tent that was set up outside on the lawn.  Doesn’t she look SO happy and excited to get married?!?!

Here’s Joji getting every last detail ready for his wedding.

I love this image of Yoko’s dad looking at her before they walk down the isle together.  He looks so proud of his little girl.

And here they are together, soaking in this wonderful moment.

I love so many things about being a wedding photographer, but here’s something I didn’t expect to experience when I started on this journey.  I never thought I would see such a range of tradition and culture.  But I HAVE.  And I love it.  At Yoko and Joji’s wedding Joji’s father performed a tea ceremony.  It was beautiful.  The setting provided by McMenamins, the tone by Yoko and Joji, and the lighting by mother nature – it all made the tea ceremony a very special part of Yoko and Joji’s wedding.

We took some time to explore McMenamins together with the amazing videographers, Scott and Amanda from Ambient Sky.  These two blew us away with the way they captured and represented Yoko and Joji’s wedding…please check them out if you are interested in a videographer (and they will gladly travel!)  They even created a 3-4 minute same day edit that Yoko and Joji played at the reception!!! Anyway, take a look at some of these portraits – we had such a great time exploring McMenamins.

I could go on and on but I’m going to leave you with this last image.  It makes me happy.

Yoko and Joji, thanks for inviting us to McMenamins at Edgefield & Portland Oregon to be a part of your wonderful day.  It was our honor.

We’d love to travel back to McMenamins, Portland, Oregon (or anywhere, for that matter!) to shoot your wedding.  If you’re interested in learning more about our wedding collections, give us a call or email us.  Thanks for reading!

Sara

I love albums in particular because it provides the perfect medium for showcasing images in different ways.  For example, some images are simply stunning and striking when showcased BIG and all by themselves.  But some strong images tell the story best when showcased in a sequence – when you can see similar images next to each other on the page.  And sometimes one image stands out when it is supported by small images off to the side.

Here are some examples:

This San Francisco wedding was no different.  I had the honor of second shooting this wedding for a photographer friend of mine.  The more I photograph weddings the more I realize that I am determined to capture the happiness and joy that brews all day long.  I love these images – I hope they make you happy too!!!

The bride and bridesmaids got ready at the W Hotel in San Francisco.  I LOVE the amazing colors and shapes – the clean and modern feel of the rooms made for some really fun pictures….

The W Hotel San Francisco

181 Third Street

San Francisco, CA 94103

Not to mention the fact that the light in the rooms was gorgeous!!!

After a few getting ready shoots we headed over to The Swedenborgian Church of San Francisco.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this church!  It’s small and quaint, and historical!!!  They had some great garden areas and lots of nooks and crannies perfect for pictures. I would love to shoot another wedding here at this church!

Swedenborgian Church of San Francisco

2107 Lyon Street

San Francisco, CA 94115

You can’t beat an old wall and some green foliage:

The inside of the church is warm and cozy.  And beautiful.  I love the rustic feel.

All in all it was beautiful!  If you are getting married anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area (or anywhere else, for that matter!) I’d love to be your wedding photographer!  Give me a call!

Thanks for reading,

Sara

Here are some photographs of my kids I took a few weeks ago on a trail in Clayton.  I’ve actually done lots of portrait sessions here – I think it’s beautiful!  I really love the Concord, Clayton – East Bay area.  I love taking pictures of kids (of all ages) in the middle of this amazing place! Sometimes I can’t believe I live in an area where such natural beauty is so close.  Yeah, yeah, San Diego has the beach.  But they can keep it .  I love this trail in Clayton.  I love Lime Ridge Open Space, I love the Eichlers (I’ll be posting some of the kids in front of those soon!!!) in my community…I just love taking pictures here!!!  It makes me happy

Did they make you as happy as they make me?

I’d love to photograph your family here!  Please be in touch with me if you want some pictures that make you happy.

Here are a few links to some sessions we’ve done here before:

Post 1 by Sara

Post 2 by Chris

Thanks for reading!

Sara

I LOVE this picture so much. It’s like there’s a beam of light emanating from her engagement ring!

Their pug, Roscoe, came along…

One of my new favorites…above and below!

If you’re looking for a photographer to take your engagement pictures, give me a call!  I’d love to work with you!

Sara