Engagement/Couples

Shadow fun in San Franisco

January 28, 2012 By Joey Leave a Comment

Follow any of my family or engagement photography and you know that I love playing with shadows. My shadow proposal photo remains perhaps my most talked about photo. So I get a lot of requests for different shadow shots. But for anyone that has tried these types of shots, you know they aren’t easy. To get something that works, you have to have the right lighting, the right background and most importantly, the right people. And honestly, I’ve had little success trying to recreate that moment.

But light and shadows are always on my mind so I’m not surprised that I yelled “pull over quick” (almost causing an accident) while driving between locations while on an engagement session in San Francisco’s Mission district. Matthew and Emily looked at me with a little concern of course but they are a totally fun loving couple so they agreed without too much explanation. We ran over too the loading dock I had seen and played with the shadows that were there. Once they saw the light (pun intended), Matthew and Emily were the perfect subjects as we played with different positions and placements. Pretty happy with these shots especially with this first one. You can see how much fun they have together the love shows through even in black and white.

Have to love moments like that.

Shadow of man proposing to his girlfriend in San Francisco

Shadow of couple kissing in San Francisco

Surprise Engagement Photographs on the San Francisco to Sausalito Ferry

October 26, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

“Yes! Yes! Yes!”

Those words were said twice in the past week. The first time when Creighton called me to see if I would be interested in photographing him as he proposes to his girlfriend. I responded with the multiple “Yes’s” since this was something that I have been wanting to do for several years. I’ve done lots of engagement sessions in San Francisco but never an actual, in the moment, engagement session. Creighton’s plan was perfect. He told Julia that they were going on a hot date complete with a ferry ride from San Francisco to Sausalito and dinner at Caballa point. (Take note if you are ever planning to do a surprise photography session for a girlfriend or wife. Make sure you give her a reason to dress up – this was very smart on Creighton’s part.) Just as we were pulling out, I approached them as planned and pretended to be a boat photographer. I took their photo and as Julia started to pull away and walk towards the warmth of the cabin, Creighton pulled her in close and whispered something. I kept shooting as she went through a slew of emotions – confusion, surprise, excitement, glee – as Creighton talked to her and then got down on one knee. The boat crowd cheered as he slipped the ring on her finger and she said her “Yes’s”. So much fun. They called their family from the ferry and once we landed in Sausalito we walked around for a few more photos. All in all a very well executed plan and a great way to start their life together.

Well done Creighton and Congrats Julia. Can’t wait to see what plans you cook up for the wedding.

Couple on deck of a San Francisco ferry. He is leaning in to whisper something in her ear. The Ferry Building is behind them.

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Man on one knee on the deck of a San Francisco ferry boat with a ring in his hand, looking up at a woman who has a look of surprise and excitement on her face.

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San Francisco skyline in the background as, on the deck of a ferry boat, a man on bended knee is placing a ring on his fiancee's finger.

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With the ocean as a backdrop and her hair blowing in the wind, a woman kisses her fiance.

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Sitting on a metal bench on a ferry deck, a woman makes a call on her cell phone as her fiance looks on.

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Woman laughs as she talks on the phone on the deck of a ferry boat, while her fiance looks on.

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Walking down the gangplank of a ferry boat, a newly-engaged woman raises her arms in celebration with a look of excitement on her face, as her fiance looks on.

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With the San Francisco bay as a backdrop, a newly engaged couple hugs.

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Black and white photo of a newly engaged couple sitting on cement steps- she is sitting on his knee and he is lookking at her and smiling adoringly.

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Newly engaged woman stretches her arm out and extends her fingers to admire her engagement ring with a smile. Her fiance watches.

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In a narrow alley, a recently engaged couple kisses in celebration.

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Black and white photo of a recently engaged couple- he is smiling and she is leaning her head thoughfully on his shoulder. Their image is reflected by a metal surface opposite.

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In romantic lighting at night outside, a woman leans back and smiles as her fiance touches his forehead against hers.

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I love photographing people with interesting ideas. If that is you and you need an engagement or wedding photographer, please contact me. I would love to talk with you.

Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: San Francisco Engagement Photographer, San Francisco Photographer, San Francisco Portrait Photographer, san francisco wedding Photographer

Date Night Photography with Jocelyn and Glenn

October 26, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

Photography sessions in San Francisco always have a unique feel depending on the couple’s personality, where we are at, and of course the always interesting variable of the San Francisco weather. This session ended up being special because the location was great (Yerba Buena Gardens) and the fall sunshine made for perfect weather. The last aspect of the personality was determined by who was and wasn’t there. Jocelyn and Glenn have been married for 14 years and it was great to see the love and the playfulness between the two of them. And what made this session all the more was who wasn’t there – namely their two beautiful children. This was a Date Night Photosession and we were out on the town for a few photos before their reservations and a local steak house. But even after the 14 year span since their wedding, a doubling in size of their family, and a whole lot of pre-session gitters, they did awesome and we had a great time. I’ve always said photography sessions make for great dates (especially for parents) and this was proven true again. There were a few nervous laughs but we explored around the Contemporary Jewish Museum and started having fun. By the time we crossed Mission and went to the Yerba Buena Gardens they were holding hands a bit more tightly and I could see the romance through the camera (always love that). All in all it was a wonderful afternoon. The photos turned out wonderful and from what I hear the steak dinner was equally fabulous so all in all they had a very good date. Congrats Jocelyn and Glenn on not letting the day to day get in the way of having a great date.

Against a brick and cement wall, a couple smiles at each other from some distance apart, flirtingly.

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Couple smiling playfully as their bodies press agians each other.

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Witha tall building in the background leading up to blue sky and patchy clouds, a well-dressed couple looks at each other in a playful and loving way.

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In the imosing entrance of the brick facade of San Francisco's Jewish Museum, a well-dressed couple flirts.

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With a fountain behind them and leaning on a railing, a couple looks at each other with passion.

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Black and white close-up image of a husband and wife holding hands. She is wearing jewelry and a white jacket.

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With a big tree behind them, a couple sits on a park bench slightly apart, not looking at each other.

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Sitting on a park bench, a woman looks over at the man sitting beside her- he seems not to be responding.

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Well-dressed couple walks arm-in-arm through an arboretum. She is smiling and he is lookng at her adoringly.

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A woman smiles at the camera, arms out-stretched, as her husband looks at her from close behind, mimicking her position.

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A black and white photo of a man and woman from the waist down leaning against a wall. He elans into her as she lifts her high-heel slightly.

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If you want a date that goes beyond dinner and a movie, call me to set up a Date Night Session.

Filed Under: Children/Families, Engagement/Couples Tagged With: San Francisco Family Photographer, San Francisco Photographer, San Francisco Portrait Photographer

Engagement Photography – perfect for visiting San Francisco

October 3, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

This session combined two of my favorite topics – people getting engaged and people visiting San Francisco. Marc and Leng were visiting from Singapore and want some engagement photographs in our fair city. I love working with people visiting San Francisco because it reminds me how amazing our city really is. I’ve said this more then once but people will save up their life savings to visit San Francisco for a week and it will be the trip they talk about for the rest of their lives. And while they are here visiting and having the time of their lives, most of us are pissed off about something like a bad cup of coffee, a crowded muni bus or someone cutting us off on the Golden Gate Bridge. Guess it’s all a matter of perspective.

Marc and Leng and I spent time walking in Union Square, chasing Cable cars and shivering in the fog at Baker Beach. They were great and totally up for anything. Most memorable moment was putting them on a cable car and chasing them up the hill with two cameras and a backpack. I took a few photos and then started laughing when I heard another passenger say “Run, Forest. Run!”

Congrats Marc and Leng. Best of luck with the wedding and I hope to see you again.

Engaged couple in San Francisco's Union Square

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Engagement photos in San Francisco's Union Square

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Engaged Couple kissing in from of a mirror storefront in San Francisco

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Engaged couple standing in from of a San Francisco Heart in Union Square.

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An engaged couple standing below a tree in San Francisco

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Engaged couple watching San Francisco chef throw pizza dough.

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Couple hugging after engagement photographs in San Francisco

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An engaged couple sitting in a San Francisco Cable Car

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A San Francisco Cable Car Kiss - San Francisco Engagement Photographs

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a San Francisco cable car moment - San Francisco Engagement Photographs

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Engagement photos on a cable car in San Francisco

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Engaged couple hanging off a San Francisco Cable Car

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a foggy embrace on Baker Beach San Francisco Engagement Photographs

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A baker beach kiss for San Francisco Engagement Photographs

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Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: San Francisco Engagement Photographer, San Francisco Photographer, san francisco wedding Photographer

San Francisco Engagement Photographs – Erica and Nate

June 4, 2011 By Joey 1 Comment

Love, love, love photographing people who are visiting San Francisco from some other place. Just gives a great feel to the entire day. Erica and Nate are moving out to the Bay Area from Pennsylvania this summer and were out looking at places (can you say “sticker shock”?). Their wedding is back home but they wanted to have a few engagement photographs from San Francisco. Both Erica and Nate love the outdoors so we started at the the Presidio woods and then finished at the iconic Baker Beach for a few photographs with the Golden Gate Bridge. As always the Presidio was beautiful. The light was gorgeous and with all the spring rain everything was super lush. A friend of their’s gave them Erich Segal’s “Love Story” as a memento. Spend just a few moments with Erica and Nate and you’ll realize that this was a perfect addition to their photographs. So we strolled around the presidio looking for light coming through the trees. Showing them this place that is really special to me was a lot of fun and the photographs game out great. We then drove over to Baker Beach. As we were going past the World War II Memorial in the Presidio, the sun was setting so we pulled over to get a few photographs of them walking in the trees. I’ve only ever driven by there and I was really happy to get a chance to photograph there. Another lesser known beautiful place in San Francisco. After a few shots there we ended up at Baker Beach. Great fun but I have to say that I had never seen the water so high. You probably can tell that Nate is definitely not the smallest man you’ll meet so it was fun to see him showing off his hops.

Congrats Erica and Nate with the engagement and wedding and I hope to see you again when you move here.

These are a few my favorites. Take a moment to vote and I’ll send them an extra print of the most popular.

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I grow my business almost entirely by word of mouth. If you know someone that maybe interested in my wedding or engagement photography please let me know. I will treat them great and give you a nice thank you present.

Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/5597

Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: San Francisco Enagagement Photography, San Francisco Photographer, san francisco wedding photography

Engagement Photography with a helping hand

April 7, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

Leigh Anne and John’s session for their engagement photographs was yet another example of the universe putting up a road block to steer you where you should be going. We decided to meet at the Legion of honor so needless to say we were a bit worried when we showed up and saw the gate closed. I have to remember that San Francisco museums are often closed on Monday’s. We talked about various options but nothing really clicked. Since the sun was still rather high in the afternoon sky, I suggested that we just walk up to the gate to the Legion’s court yard and see if we could find something interesting. Once we gave it a go, the photo session began to fall into place. We got a few shots among the front pillars and then created a couple fun shadow shots (something I always love). Then, since the court yard wasn’t available we explored the grounds and those turned out to be just beautiful. I’ve been there dozens of times I don’t think I’ve ever really looked at the grass, trees and structures around the Legion of Honor. They are fabulous and the best part was that Leigh Anne and John were up for my ideas of laying in the grass and climbing the trees. But I think the best part of that area were the Cherry Trees that were in full bloom and heightened the romance of the photographs. Again something that I probably wouldn’t have seen had we had access to the court yard as planned.

After all of that, the session was on a roll. We walked down one of my favorite paths from the Legion of Honor to the Labyrinth. Again the universe showed us the way, by having a series of couples stand in places that looked amazing for photographs. It was like someone was saying “these would be great places for photos and if you don’t believe me, let me put in a couple stunt couples just to prove the point.” So with the divine intervention we got these amazing shots with the beautiful San Francisco Bay, the jagged coast line, and the lush greenery as backgrounds. I definitely recommend the labyrinth to anyone that wants to see an interesting side of San Francisco. Then after a few more stops along the coast and a long walk back up the hill to our cars, we were rewarded with an amazing Cypress tree just glowing in the setting sun. Leigh Anne and John were a bit tired but they were game when I asked about one more photograph and those shots I really love.

All in all a most wonderful day for engagement photographs in San Francisco and I’m so glad that nothing went as planned.

Thanks Leigh Anne and John. I can’t wait for your wedding this summer. If its anything like the day we had it will be most amazing in all sorts of unexpected ways.

Please vote on your favorite image. I give them a print of the one with the most votes.

Shadow of a couple embracing at the Legion of Honor - San Francisco Engagement Photography

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A couple hugging in cherry tree blossoms -San Francisco Engagement Photography

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Couple embracing behind a cherry tree blossom-San Francisco Engagement Photography

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Couple hugging along San Francisco coast - San Francisco Engagement Photography

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Engaged couple hugging along the blue San Francisco Bay - San Francisco Engagement Photography

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Engaged couple sitting along the edge of the San Francisco Labyrinth - San Francisco Engagement Photography

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Engaged couple standing in the middle of the San Francisco Labryrinth

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Kissing couple on a side of a lush green hill in San Francisco - San Francisco Engagement Photography

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Engaged Couple sitting among rocks along San Francisco coast -San Francisco Engagement Photography

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Couple hugging at the base of large Monterey Cypress tree at Sunset - San Francisco Engagement Photography

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Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/5276

If you know anyone that is getting married and you think they will like my photography, please point them in my direction. I offer cash rewards for referrals for engagement session and full weddings. I can be reached here if you or they have any questions. Just make sure they mention your name so you can get paid.

Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: Labyrinth, Legion of Honor, San Francisco Engagement Photographer, San Francisco Photographer, san francisco wedding Photographer

Melissa and Cappy’s San Francisco Engagement Photographs

April 4, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

During this most enjoyable engagement photography session all around San Francisco, Melissa and I had one of those “how long have we known each other?” We ran in similar circles when we were in our “foot loose and fancy free” times after moving to San Francisco out of college (I’ll spare the details on when that exactly was to protect the innocent). We saw each other here and there over the past few years mostly when I was managing a sports store and she was training for a triathlon or two. I was glad to hear that she was engaged and then I was extremely honored when she and Cappy (her super hot, fire-fighter guy) wanted to talk about photographing their wedding. We met at the San Francisco Ferry Building, talked about their sure-to-be gorgeous wedding at the Marin Center for the Arts in the Marin Headlands. We all clicked, worked out a few details and planned a date for their engagement photographs.

Last Thursday afternoon we met for that session and had a great time. The day began at the Lion’s Pub – an easily missed, but definitely a not-to-be-missed pub in lower pac heights. This was their first date so we had fun reenacting that fateful day. The lighting in side made for a few steamy moments which I don’t think they did on that first date (even in they were thinking it). Then we went to the Lyon Street stairs where the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and the grass was green, green, green. Crissy field is one of their favorite hangouts with their beautiful dog Teddy so that was our next stop. It was an absolutely wonderful San Francisco afternoon and I love the silhouette shots we got of them playing with Teddy with the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge in the background. The day ended at Baker Beach. The beach was just packed with people enjoying the sunshine so in hopes that the crowd would thin out bit, we took some “family” photographs of them and Teddy in their truck. I think those came out great – Just love Teddy’s expression. After a few shots of them playing in the water, we were treated to a beautiful sunset which made for a perfect way to end the day.

Thanks Melissa and Cappy – I had a great and I am so looking forward to seeing you again in a few weeks for your wedding.

Here is a sampling of the day. Please vote on your favorite – I give them a print of the photo that gets the most votes.

Couple Smiling in San Francisco - San Francisco engagement and wedding photographer Joey Chandler

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Shadow of a kissing couple on a San Francisco Street - San Francisco engagement and wedding photographer Joey Chandler

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Couple hugging in the Lion's Pub in San Francisco - San Francisco engagement and wedding photographer Joey Chandler

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Couple kissing in San Francisco's Lion Pun - San Francisco engagement and wedding photographer Joey Chandler

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Couple sitting on the Lion at Lion's Pub in San Francisco- San Francisco engagement and wedding photographer Joey Chandler

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Couple kissing passionately under a cherry tree near the Lyon St Stairs- San Francisco engagement and wedding photographer Joey Chandler

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Man kissing his fiance in woods near the Lyon St Stairs - San Francisco engagement and wedding photographer Joey Chandler

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Couple kissing near the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco engagement and wedding photographer Joey Chandler

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Couple playing with their dog at San Francisco's Crissy Field near the Golden Gate Bridge- San Francisco engagement and wedding photographer Joey Chandler

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Dog waiting for couple to stop kissing at San Francisco's Baker Beach - San Francisco engagement and wedding photographer Joey Chandler

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Couple kissing at sunset at San Francisco's Baker Beach - San Francisco engagement and wedding photographer Joey Chandler

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Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/5012

Filed Under: Engagement/Couples Tagged With: San Francisco Engagement Photographer, San Francisco Photographer, San Francisco Wedding, san francisco wedding photography

San Francisco Engagement Photographs with Pooja and Ryan

March 6, 2011 By Joey 2 Comments

I just love it when a session comes together. Ryan called me on Monday to set up an engagement session for him and his fiance Pooja on Friday. Fortunately I was free and we ended up with a most excellent day. Ryan and Pooja are new transplants to San Francisco so we went their favorite places – the Ferry Building, The Palace of Fine Arts and Baker Beach. All classic San Francisco icons of course. But like most places in our fabulous city, its the people that make San Francisco Special. And rather then trying to avoid them, we just incorporated the crowds into the photos. We recruited a skateboarder to help them “take the leap” in front of the Ferry Building for a most wonderful shot and then we convinced a band that was filming a video at the Palace of Fine Arts to serenade them during. All in all, it was a great day.

Thanks Pooja and Ryan. I had a wonderful time with you and I wish you the very best.

Please vote for the photo you like the most.

Couple kissing at the San Francisco Ferry Building - San Francisco Engagement Photographer Joey Chandler

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Skateboard jumping over kissing couple at Ferry Building- San Francisco Engagement Photographer Joey Chandler

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Engaged Couple hugging at Palace of Fine Arts- San Francisco Engagement Photographer Joey Chandler

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The shadow of an engaged couple kissing at the Palace of Fine Arts- San Francisco Engagement Photographer Joey Chandler

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Happy couple hugging at Palace of Fine Arts- San Francisco Engagement Photographer Joey Chandler

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Couple standing in flowers with the Golden Gate Bridge- San Francisco Engagement Photographer Joey Chandler

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Man kissing woman's neck at Baker Beach - San Francisco Engagement Photographer Joey Chandler

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Man carring his fiance in the water at Baker Beach - San Francisco Engagement Photographer Joey Chandler

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Filed Under: Engagement/Couples

Palace of Fine Arts at Sunrise

March 5, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

The Palace of Fine Arts is a frequent stop for San Francisco Engagement Photography tour. With amazing towers, beautiful lake and golden colors, the palace is an absolutely gorgeous place for photographs. This morning I went out for a sunrise session there. My almost 4 year old, Lucius, has been asking to join me for a sunrise photo session, so I pulled him out of bed and headed out. Getting a sleepy boy dressed took some time so we were too late for my intended stop of the Golden Gate Bridge. Driving through the Presidio, I saw the golden towers of the Palace shining in the early morning light and I decided to go there. The Palace has opened recently after a multi-year, many million dollar renovation and it looks amazing. Highly recommend checking it out if you haven’t done so already. I love the early morning colors and I was doubly please by combining them with the energy of a little boy (who woke up once we started playing chase around the pillars). I think this would make a great place for family photography and engagement photographs. Would require getting up early of course but I think it would be worth it.

Contact me if you are willing able to make a sunrise shoot happen.

San Francisco's Beautiful Palace of Fine Arts at Sunrise - San Francisco Photographer Joey Chandler

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Small Boy in the Grandeur of the Palace of Fine Arts - San Francisco Photographer Joey Chandler

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Boy Jumping for Joy at the Palace of Fine Arts - San Francisco Photographer Joey Chandler

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Boy Jumping at the Palace of Fine Arts at Sunrise - Palace of Fine Arts at Sunrise - San Francisco Photographer Joey Chandler

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Palace of Fine Arts at Sunrise - San Francisco Photographer Joey Chandler

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Filed Under: Children/Families, Engagement/Couples, Photo Thoughts Tagged With: San Francisco Child Photographer, San Francisco engagement photograp, San Francisco Photographer, san francisco wedding Photographer

A Perfect San Francisco Engagement Session

February 15, 2011 By Joey Leave a Comment

I wrote yesterday about almost causing an accident to capture a beautiful photograph for Alysse and Cody’s Engagement session. That was a special shot but by no means the only one for the session. We visited Russian Hill, the Presidio and Baker Beach. The weather was perfect and Alysee and Cody looked better and better at each stop. Hard to believe that it’s February. If their wedding turns out anything like their engagement session it is going to be one amazing wedding. I really can’t wait. Fortunately its only a few months away.

These are my favorites and let me know which one are your favorites. After a week and once 25 people have voted, I’ll give them an extra print of the winner. So please vote and share this with others so Alysse and Cody can get their extra engagement photograph.

Photograph of an Engaged Couple kissing in San Francisco with the Golden Gate Bridge

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Photograph of a woman jumping for joy in San Francisco's Presidio

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Photograph of an engaged couple sitting together in San Francisco's Presidio

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Photograph of an engaged couple kissing in San Francisco's Presidio

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Black and White Photograph of couple walking in in the Presidio in San Francisco

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Photograph of couple kissing and walking in beautiful golden light in the Presidio

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Engaged couple walking arm and arm in the Presidio in San Francisco

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Engaged Couple walking in the surf at Baker Beach with the Golden Gate Bridge

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A young woman leaning in for a kiss at Baker Beach

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Couple at baker beach in San Francisco looking at the Sunset

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Young engaged couple sitting at Baker Beach with the Golden Gate Bridge

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Engaged Couple sitting against fence at Baker Beach in San Francisco

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Thanks for voting!!

If you are a fun loving couple that loves the outdoors and you are in the market for engagement or wedding photography then I would love to talk with you. Please contact me to set up a free consultation.

Filed Under: Engagement/Couples, Vote Tagged With: San Francisco Engagement Photographer, San Francisco Photographer