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Sofia and Jonathan’s North Beath Engagement Pictures

September 2, 2010 By Joey 1 Comment

I always love it when something unexpected happens that sends a photography session to a whole new level.  Sometimes its when the light gets just perfect or when you discover the perfect San Francisco view.  This time it was a moped.  Sophia, Jonathan and I were having a time making their engagement photos in North Beach.  They were clearly in love and the light was beautiful.  We could have ended it right there and gone home happy.  But then I asked “what is the one thing you really want with your engagement photos?”  Almost without hesitation, Sofia mentioned their moped.  Not what I expected but definitely interesting.  Since their house was just a few blocks away, we decided to pull it out and the real fun began.  They started hamming it up and looked so good that traffic actually stopped.  Such a good time.  Definitely makes me thing that their wedding will be one very fun ho-down.

Thanks Sofia and Jonathan – this was a shoot that I won’t forget anytime soon.  Best of luck with the wedding and hitting the road with the moped.

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Blog link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/3174

Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: , , , , ,

Anne and Tobias’s Honeymoon Photographs in San Francisco

September 1, 2010 By Joey 11 Comments

Anne and Tobias are honeymooning in San Francisco and Tobias’s cousin hired me for a photo session as a wedding present (such a great idea BTW).  Little did I know this would turn into an adventure.  I met them at their hotel and we talked about the various San Francisco options.  Turns out they wanted to do an engagement style session so they were dressed up and looking good.  The sun was just breaking through the morning fog so we decided to head out to Crissy Field and the Golden Gate Bridge.  We stopped about half way down Crissy Field when we say the bridge just peaking through the fog. We got a couple nice shots and then headed back to the car to move closer to the bridge.  But Arg!! I left the hazard lights on and the battery died.  Plus it died so much that the car wouldn’t even start when we hailed down someone for a jump.  I was freaking out of course but they were super cool about it all and and we did all we could do – walk to the bridge and take more photos.  And in another twist of fate, we ended up getting access to a pier and a building along the bay that I’ve never seen open.  We had fun and Tobias and Anne were just the awesome couple. They were even smiling when they were getting on a bus to go back to the hotel (and yes I did offer to pay for a cab but they wanted to ride the bus).

Anne and Tobias – my apologies for letting the car die but in the end I think it work out way better than expected. Best wishes with your new life together and have a great honeymoon.

P.S  in the strangest of all – I walked back to my car and it started on the first try.  Very spooky.

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Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: , , , , ,

Joanna and Christian’s amazing engagement session at the Exploritorium and Sutro baths

August 31, 2010 By Joey 7 Comments

Hands down this was one of the most energizing and rejuvenating photo sessions I have ever done.  Christian and Joanna were in from Texas and wanted photographs to announce their engagement and upcoming wedding.  Turns out that Christian had worked at the Exploratorium and suggested that we do part of the session there.  I whole-heatedly agreed and added that we should do the second half out at Sutro Baths for the contrast.  I had no idea these would be so much fun.  First the Exploratorium was amazing and reminded me why it is one of the true must-see’s in San Francisco (especially if you area a family or have children visiting).  There were so many deep shadows, interesting shapes and bright colors that it felt like a Club in New Orleans or Chicago or something of the like.  Joanna and Christian totally got into the mood and we made some really nice photos. I’ve never used writing before in my photos but the “Making Life” and “Magnetic Field” signs were too much to pass up.  We met at the Sutro Baths the following day and it was one seriously cold San Francisco summer afternoon.  Joanna was the trooper and looked great even while being cold.  We played with the light along the water and the caves and just had a great time.  Of course we ended up with a few photographs of Christian carrying Joanna in the cold ocean water. I don’t think he was so happy but Joanna had a great big smile on her face.  Definitely a great engagement session that left me excited about trying out new and different places.  Thanks Joanna and Christian and good luck with the move and the wedding.

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Blog Link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/3114

Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: , , , ,

Betsy and Nat’s Beautiful Japanese Tea Garden Engagement Photographs

August 30, 2010 By Joey 11 Comments

I absolutely love it when clients show me something new about San Francisco.  Especially clients that are from out of town.  A few months back Betsy called me up to scheduled an engagement session.  She and Nat we visiting San Francisco and wanted to do something special.  We met at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park and had an absolutely fabulous time.  We slipped in right before it closed  and within a few minutes we had it all to our selves.  So much fun to see a couple work though the nervousness and then grow close in each other’s arms.  Of course it didn’t hurt that it was a bone chilly San Francisco summer evening so they had to snuggle just to keep warm.  But in then end their love comes through the photos so it was all for the best.

Thanks Betsy and Nate.  I had a great time and can’t wait for the wedding.

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Blog link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/3094

Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: , , ,

SmugMug Help Portrait Event – Huge success and bigger smiles

August 9, 2010 By Joey 3 Comments

Last Wednesday was definitely one of the more amazing days of my life. I, along with Shelly Waldman, the amazing team from the Salvation Army and a seriously dedicated crew of photographers from the San Francisco Smugmug User Group, conducted a “Help Portrait” session with 120+ families and individuals that were in an addiction recovery program. This was inspired by the help-portrait movement and was a great example of how precious a good photograph can be and what can be accomplished by a dedicated group of people. The clients were treated to hair and make up from the amazing team from Image Provocateur, then did a 20 minute portrait session at one of 6 stations and afterwards received two 5×7 prints (delivered by Mr. K and Big Mike). Everyone, clients, volunteers and photographers alike, had huge smiles. It was pretty amazing.

Summed up well by the program director:

“I would like to thank all of you for the amazing event yesterday at Harbor Light. The clients and staff feel that this a fantastic experience and we are so glad to have been a part of it. The clients loved their photos and are carrying them around still and sharing the…m with each other. Not only was this a great self-esteem builder for our clients but it also was a great bonding experience for them as well. One client mentioned to me this morning that this event brought him together with other clients he had never really interacted with.”

You can see lots of photos of clients here.

Note: These photos are a collection from other photographers

This list of participants was compiled by Rendy Lai (and definitely doesn’t include everyone that helped)

The eyes:

The Powder:

Reeling Tape:

Print Master:

Brooke and Mike at Help Portrait Event

Filed Under: Events/Parties

A Neighborhood Stroll with the Beautiful Bryand Family

August 4, 2010 By Joey Leave a Comment

Brooke Bryand is an awesome child and family photographer here in San Francisco so I was really excited when she asked me to photograph her with her husband Dave and Cal, their beautiful baby boy.  We decided on taking a stroll around their old haunts in the Marina district.  It was a blast.  We got coffee, had doughnuts, shopped for Ipads at the Apple store and they even found time for a few romantic moments in the neighborhood garage.   They are one good looking couple and Cal is a super cutie.  Best part of the day (besides spending time with them), was when we sat down outside of a restaurant and a young couple sat down inside.  It looked liked they were dressed up and going somewhere.  Seeing their faces was priceless as Brooke and Dave played with Cal.  I think we scared them with that possible future.

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Blog link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/2860

Filed Under: Chestnut Street, Children/Families, San Francisco Photographer Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Carl raises the engagement bar wayyyy high

July 14, 2010 By Joey 2 Comments

Carl is either a man among men or a glutton for punishment.  I have never hear of a man do what he did before she said yes.  He hired Devoted Catering to set up an amazing Bedouin tent on Crissy field and serve a fabulous multi-course meal complete with drinks, wine and champagne.  The tent literally looked like a palace on the hill.  The sky was the standard San Francisco Summer Gray and it was cold but no matter.  They had a near perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge and because it was so cold there was no one on Crissy Field so they must have felt like the only two people in San Francisco.

Carl set all this up prior to asking Michelle to marry him.  That is living on the edge.  I wasn’t there but the story goes that he proposed to her under the Golden Gate Bridge and they walked back to this amazing dining experience.  It was incredible and my hat goes off to him.  Of course, if that is the starting point, I can’t imagine what he will have to do going forward.

Great job Carl – you the man.  And Congrats to you Michelle – seams like you will have a very fun wedding.

P.S.  How I came to this story is rather interesting.  I wrote about it here.

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Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Heidi and Gucci’s Baker Beach Portraits

July 14, 2010 By Joey 3 Comments

I met Heidi and her fabulous little dog Gucci out at Baker Beach on a rather cold and foggy summer afternoon in San Francisco.  I wasn’t worried about the gray, flat light  (that actually works really well for portraits) but I couldn’t help feeling worried about little Gucci.  Heidi said his shaking was because he was nervous but I figured it was because his little body just couldn’t generate enough heat.  Gucci was shaking so much that I had increase my shutter speed just to get him in focus.   Heidi wasn’t worried so we just kept going.  Heidi wanted photos to celebrate her birthday and to share with her family.  Once we got past the initial nervousness Heidi just settled in and we got some really nice photographs.  I especially like the ones in the Baker Beach trees.  Those trees are quickly becoming one of my favorite places to shoot.  They are just so strong, twisted and hobbit-like (if that is word).  I think Heidi looks very cool in them.

Thanks Heidi.  I had a great time and send my love to Gucci.

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Blog Link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/2819

Filed Under: Portraits Tagged With: , , ,

Pier 7 Photographs with the Stupendous Stein Family

July 14, 2010 By Joey 1 Comment

To be honest there are times when I have to generate the energy in the shoot.  For what ever reason the family just isn’t feeling it and all they want to do is smile their fake smiles and go home.  This is just a fact of life as a family photographer so I take it in stride and do what it takes to loosen up everyone.  This was entirely the other way around.  The Stein family came energized and ready to rock.  We at Pier 7 along the Embarcadaro in San Francisco just as the sun was going down and the fog was rolling int.   I suggested a few poses and they went right past those and started doing all sorts of dances moves and outrageous faces.  And not just the children (which is usually the case).  Mom and dad totally got into it and kept me laughing.  Absolutely one of the most fun shoots I have ever done.  I have to imagine that parties at their house are a rockin’ good time.

Thank you Stein family – you completely raised the bar in terms of how fun a family portrait sessions can be.

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Blog Link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/2802

Filed Under: Children/Families Tagged With: , , , , ,

Kruse Family Portraits

July 14, 2010 By Joey Leave a Comment

I last photographed the Kruse family about a year ago. Pretty amazing to see how much Lili and Gracon have grown in that time. Gracon is now walking and starting to talk and Lili is a big girl rather than a toddler. Of course certain things haven’t changed – Lili still loves posing for the camera and
Gracon has the same inquisitive look he did as a baby. We photographed in their inner Richmond home and at mountain lake park. I think my favorite photograph is Michael in his “command” chair. Every dad needs a spot he can relax (and yes moms I know that dads wouldn’t relax at all if they truly understood how much you do).

Thanks Kruse family. Another great session and I look forward to seeing you again.

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Blog Link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/2780

Filed Under: Children/Families Tagged With: , , , ,