Learning Lighting and Directing from a 3 year Old
Lucius and I ventured out into the backyard to work in the garden and play a bit with my lighting. I’ve been working on learning the art of off camera flash so that I can use them with my family, engagement and wedding clients. San Francisco is blessed with an abundance of great light but it never hurts to have alternatives just in case things don’t go as planned. I set up my flash and stand and photographed Lucius playing with his tools. But after a bit, Lucius asked if he could use the camera. This was definitely a lesson in directing. As I tried to point out more serious tips about where I should stand and how I should look, Lucius said “no, no, no – do this” and preceded to make some sort of silly face. I followed his direction and we had a great time and got some fun photographs. Definitely a great way to learn the nuances of lighting and to access my inner-child. Plus Lucius might have a career as a photographer some day.
Lucius’s 3rd 3rd Birthday Party
Lucius’s birthday is actually at the beginning of the month. But with our social calendar filled with trips and other parties, celebrating his birthday with his San Francisco friends wasn’t an option until this weekend. Good news for him since this was actually his 3rd 3rd birthday party. Tough precedent to set since he has been receiving presents the entire month.
Sue arranged for a fabulous party at the Bay Area Discovery Museum with 30 or so of our closest friends. Pretty amazing how everyone has kids now and how big they are. I don’t know how Sue came up with the idea but she brought all the fixins for painted plotted pants and it was great to see everyone go to town with the pots, the paint and the dirt. Curious to see how many plants actually sprout in the upcoming months.
If you haven’t been, the BADM is a great place for families and children (they even have hool-a-hoops for moms). We were in their playroom for two hours and just as the cupcakes started playing havoc with the kids, we went out to their huge play/learning area. So great to see all the little ones explore. And now they have a taco truck. This replaces a shockingly bad cafe and makes for a perfect afternoon snack.
All in all a very good time. Thanks to everyone that came. And apologies in advance because I wasn’t able to get pictures of everyone. Should have hired a photographer.
Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1730
Trip to Northstar
Put the photo business on hold for a day last week and went skiing at Northstar with my Aunt Kelly and my cousins – Kaitlyn and TJ. Leaving San Francisco at 4 am made for a long day but it was worth it. We went up as part of a school trip. Kaitlyn and TJ took lessons in the morning and then we all skied together in the afternoon. They did great considering they have only skied/boarded a few times.
On a side note – snow photography is tough. Have to juggle the angles, the light and the colors to get a good photo. I may have to plan a few more trips this winter so I can practice. I’m sure that will go over with Sue.
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Snowy Tahoe Weekend at Anne’s
Our good friend Anne organized an amazing weekend at her place up in Tahoe. There were fours families, loads of great food, and lots of wonderful food. A snow storm kept us their for a couple extra days and we had a blast making snowmen and igloos. The kids and dogs supplied us with a constant supply of giggles and laughter. Lucius loved being up in there and we really need to figure out a way to get him out of San Francisco and up to Tahoe. Anne – thank you so very much!!
Complete Gallery here.
Grandma Mary’s Funeral Weekend
My Grandmother – Mary Chandler – passed away last week from complications resulting from a stroke she suffered about 10 years ago. Till the end she was a fighter and lived with all the dignity she could muster. She was a long time fighter for civil, worker and human rights. “Everything is political” she once told me. The thing that impressed me the most about my grandmother was how many people she impacted over the years. People from all walks of life talked about how she stood by her principles with a ferocity and dignity that challenged and inspired them. One gentleman described how she was the one adult that he looked up to during the drug crazed 70′s. He remembered thinking “I hope I am as cools as she is when I’m her age.”
For me, I will always remember my Grandmother as the woman that could make meals out of nothing (depression era cooking), that would chop wood all day long because “it needed to be done”, and would hike all day by herself in the Sierras. I can’t say that I always understood or accepted my grandmother’s politics and beliefs. But I never doubted here spirit and gumption.
But I think my dad summed it up best when he said “I don’t know what is on the the other side. But whatever it is, there better be justice for all because if there isn’t Mom/Grandma will start organizing for sure.”
We had an amazing weekend celebrating her life and coming together as family. A few photos from the weekend are below. All photos are here.
Lucius and Bern at the Bay Area Discovery Musem
Spent the afternoon at the Bay Area Discovery Museum with Lucius and his good friend Bern. What a great place – lots of rooms, trees, and mazes to explore. The various educational rooms are awesome, but Lucius loves the outdoor area in the back. He and Bern spent a good couple hours rolling the trucks, climbing the stump stairs, and exploring the maze. Definitely worth a trip whenever possible.
Photographically speaking, the shadows, the reflections and high octane children make for a challenging place to shoot. But definitely worth it. There are so many opportunities to catch a great smile or expression as the little ones run, jump and explore.
Not really a place for a family shoot but ideal for a play group, a couple of friends or siblings.
A few samples below and all photos are here.
Isis Oasis Weekend
We spent the weekend in Geyserville at the Isis Oasis Retreat House. Definitely an interesting place with a collection of parrots, Peacocks, spooky black swans, ocelots and a slew of other animals. Plus there is an Egyptian temple and all of the rooms where we stayed had an Egyptian theme. Had some amazing wine for from the local wineries and generally spent the weekend stuffing our faces.
Katy and Kyle send off weekend
My sister and her boys (Kyle, Liam and Whylie) are embarking on a cross country journey. They are visiting friends and family while searching for a place to call home. Should be quite the journey. Sue, Lucius and I met them at our Aunt Kelly’s house in Auburn for a send off weekend. I loved seeing how much Lucius explored and played in their huge yard. Definitely makes me think we need more outdoor space for the little one.
All photos are here.
Scouting Ft Mason
Next week I have a photo shoot with a family that lives across the street from Ft. Mason. Lucius and I took a trip this week to scout out the area. Not necessarily a playground but plenty of room for the little ones to roam. Lucius found the statue of Phillip Burton, spent a good amount of time sweeping the dirt with his lacrosse stick, and jumping off the stairs.
Good news is that the bridge and the grass will make nice backgrounds for the shoot. Plus there is great old downed tree in on the north east side that will make a nice to set up a family shot. All that we need now is good light. And since we are in San Francisco, that won’t be decided until we meet.