Tattoos and Rings at Baker Beach

June 30, 2010 By 5 Comments

This was a great engagement session. I was driving up to Baker Beach thinking I would love to meet a couple interested in photos in places other than the beach with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Baker Beach is amazing in a million different ways but I’ve been thinking there must be other shots than that classic shot. When Hayley, Lake and I met in the parking lot there had to be several hundred people on the beach along with 6 or 8 photographers and their engagement/wedding couples. Hayley and Lake didn’t bat an eye when I suggested we walk through the woods and let the crowds clear out. They were awesome and we got some amazing shots. And that was even before Lake took his shirt off for a few ring shots. I’m sure they are going to be one seriously good looking couple on their wedding day and day will be one memorable hooten-any(sp?).

Thanks Hayley and Lake. I had a great time and wish you the very best with the wedding. If you need someone to take a few photos in New Zealand let me know so I can get a baby sitter.

A few photos below and the complete gallery here.

Lake and Hayley Enagement Session at Baker Beach-1

Vote For Image
0 votes

Lake and Hayley Enagement Session at Baker Beach-2

Vote For Image
0 votes

Lake and Hayley Enagement Session at Baker Beach-3

Vote For Image
0 votes

Lake and Hayley Enagement Session at Baker Beach-5

Vote For Image
0 votes

Lake and Hayley Enagement Session at Baker Beach-6

Vote For Image
0 votes

Lake and Hayley Enagement Session at Baker Beach-7

Vote For Image
0 votes

Lake and Hayley Enagement Session at Baker Beach-8

Vote For Image
0 votes

Lake and Hayley Enagement Session at Baker Beach-9

Vote For Image
0 votes

Lake and Hayley Enagement Session at Baker Beach-10

Vote For Image
0 votes

Lake and Hayley Enagement Session at Baker Beach-11

Vote For Image
0 votes

Blog Link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/2556

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

Amanda and Jeff’s Engagement Session at Baker Beach

March 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

One of my favorite parts about being a photographer is seeing people go from nervous to comfortable to actually excited about being in front of the camera.  Its just cool to see and feel a person (or couple) let go of their concerns and really get into the moment.  That’s when the magic starts to happen (at least for me) and the photographs turn out really nice.

That’s exactly what happened with Amanda and Jeff for their engagement portrait session at Baker Beach this weekend.   They started out nervous and made all requisite claims about not being photogenic and how they have never done this before.  But anyone who spends more than a second with them will tell you that they are as “cute as a bugs ear” (does anyone really understand that expression?) and will do just fine in front of a camera.  Plus it was an absolutely perfect San Francisco afternoon.  With the sun and the Golden Gate bridge, its easy to see why Baker Beach is such an ideal spot for engagement shoots (I counted 7 couples being photographed there that day and that doesn’t include the naked shoot that we saw).

All I did was to keep asking them “what would you do on the beach if I wasn’t here?”  After a few “I don’t know”s” they started to walk, hold hands, play, and just be with each.  I kept the camera going and we had a great time.  Amanda looked fairly like in her white dress against the dark skys and blue ocean while Jeff looked was the “man” – especially in some of the silhouettes.   Towards the end, I really had to go, but I kept saying “oh, oh, oh – that’s too good to pass up – go walk over there.”   Of course by this time, there were more than happy to oblige the photographer and kept playing in the sunset.

Amanda and Jeff – thanks so much for giving me this opportunity.  I really enjoyed meeting you and have fun at your wedding.

A few samples below and the full gallery is here (password required).

Click here if there is no slide show

Vote For Image
0 votes

Blog link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/1176

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

Heather and Greg’s San Francisco Engagement Photographs

February 27, 2010 By 4 Comments

Today I saw something that I don’t see everyday in San Francisco – a new view of the Golden Gate Bridge.   Do enough engagement sessions on Baker Beach and Family portraits from Crissy Field and you think you have seen the bridge in all ways possible.   But today I saw something new.

I was with Greg and Heather taking photographs for their engagement announcement on the Union Stairs (@Larkin).  We walked around the corner at the top of the stairs and see this perfect alley-like road with an amazing view of the  Golden Gate Bridge right above it.  Couldn’t ask for a better view and light so I sent them down for a moment and snapped a few shots.  Just have to love San Francisco – the beauty always amazes me no matter how long I’m here or him many photos I take.

Thanks Greg and Heather for showing me something new about the City.  I had fun with you and hope you enjoy the photos.

A few samples below and the full gallery is here (password required).

Click here if no slide show above.

Vote For Image
0 votes

Blog Link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/1105

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

Sam and Mike’s Engagement Photo Shoot

February 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Well if rain on your wedding day means good luck, I’m going to assume that rain during your engagement photo session means extremely good luck.  And if normal rain means extremely good luck, then Sam and Mike have set themselves up for a freaking fabulous marriage because it was down pore on Sunday.  But Sam and Mike said “let’s go for it” and we had a great time.  We met at the Ferry Building in San Francisco.  Turns out that the Mike proposed to Sam just one pier down so the location had an extra special meaning.  They were open to most anything including standing still for a slow shutter speed shot to get light streaks in the background.

Of course they were kissing for a seconds at a time so they didn’t seem to mind to much.

Thanks Sam and Mike for not letting a little thing like rain slow you down.  I had a great time and hope you enjoy the photos.

A few samples below and the complete gallery here (password required).

No slide show above? Click here.

Vote For Image
0 votes

Blog Post:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/1092

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

Suzanne and Matt at Sutro Baths

February 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I can only imagine their conversation on the way to meet me.

Suzanne – “I have a surprise for you”
Matt – “Cool”
Suzanne – “You’re going to like it”
Matt – “Great” (now getting worried)
Suzanne – “we are going to San Francisco to get photo’s taken of us”
Matt – [silence]
Suzanne – “It’s going to be great. We are meeting at Sutro Baths by the Cliff House.”
Matt – [silence]
Suzanne – “What do you think?”
Matt – [pause]…”Yeah. That’s not really me”

Long pause as both try to figure out what is going to happen next.

But of course, Matt, like many people who are nervous about photo shoots, ended up having a good time. He wasn’t jumping up and down at the end but he definitely was hamming it up a bit. Suzanne was great of course and they ended up with some nice photos.

Suzanne and Matt – Good luck to both of you with your endeavors and hope you like the photos.

A few samples below and the complete gallery here (password required).

Click here if you don’t see a slide show above.

Vote For Image
0 votes

Blog link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/1077

Filed Under: Portraits Tagged With: , , , , ,

Liana and Ethan’s Engagement Session at the Ferry Building

February 25, 2010 By 9 Comments

I met Ethan and Liana on a grey cold day in San Francisco for their engagement session.  A lesser couple may have thrown in the towel but they went for it.  Have to love seeing people that are willing to go forward when there are many good reasons not to.  Have to believe that gumption is a good sign for their wedding and their life after the “I do’s”. We were at the Ferry Building downtown an except for some cold rain we had a great time and got some really nice photographs.  I especially like the shots of them together with the tourists walking by.

Ethan and Liana – Thanks for letting be apart of your engagement and hope you enjoy the photos.

A few samples below and the complete gallery here (password required).

If no slideshow above, click here.

Vote For Image
0 votes

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

Loads of Laughs in Laura and Cameron’s Engagement Photos

February 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

As the photographer, I get to see the many, many out outtakes that don’t make the cut from any engagement or portrait session. Generally I’ll take 300-500 pictures then deliver 25-40 to the family/couple. But even if a picture is off for some reason (out of focus, something distracting in the background, eyes are closed. etc.) I can still see the overall emotion and general demeanor of the the people I”m photographing.

While going through all of Laura and Cameron’s photos from their engagement session at Baker Beach, I was struck by how much laughter was apart of their relationship. I know they were a bit nervous, but that alone wouldn’t be enough to explain all the laughs and smiles. In photo after photo and pose after pose, they were laughing and having a good time. I love seeing couples that are so relaxed together and I”m sure their wedding in Idaho will be a very enjoyable event.

The afternoon of their session was a perfect San Francisco day – warm, sunny and ideal for outdoor portraits. And the Golden Gate Bridge wasn’t the only thing shining on the beach. We saw an early season appearance of an animal that lives on the north end of the beach. Known by many names, its scientific name is “old-man-naked-tushis.” This creature appears when the sun comes out and can be found strolling on beach. He loves to bathe its usual pinkish skin in the sunshine. We lucked out and captured a few of these creatures on film. I’m sure its something that Laura and Cameron will remember for some time.

Thanks Laura and Cameron. I had a great time and hope you enjoy the photos. A few samples below and full gallery here (password required).

(If no slide show below, click here.)

Thanks to Laura and Cameron (even if he got my name wrong)

Vote For Image
0 votes

Link to blog post:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/979

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

J and J Valentine’s Day Portait Session

February 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Take one part surprise, one part beautiful San Francisco evening at Ocean Beach, one part fun, energetic and wonderfully photogenic couple and you have the makings for a very fun and productive Valentine’s Day photography session. J surprised her boyfriend J with sunset portrait session and I have to say he did a great job just going for it. We explored the sand dunes where Lincoln hits the beach and were fortunate enough to see a very beautiful sunset.

Thanks J and J for the letting me join you on Valentine’s day. Here are a few samples and and the complete gallery is here (password required).

Filed Under: Portraits Tagged With: , , , , ,

Caroline and Paul Engagement Session

February 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Truth be told, this was not the best day.  Cloudy with drizzling rain at Baker beach and clients that were tired from being stuck in Friday night San Francisco traffic and literally sick.  Caroline and Paul were troopers and gave it a go but sometimes as the great Kenny Rogers said “you got to know when to fold’em.”  We took a few photographs before calling the session.  And even with the troubles, I think their love still shines through.

Samples below and full gallery here (password required).

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

Wedding tip – Easy way to write great vows

February 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Vote For Image
0 votes

This is for all the couples struggling to write your vows. Sue and my difficulty with this was almost comical. Hate may be slightly too strong a word, but suffice to say we were not too fond of each other’s opinions regarding the vows.  We struggled for a while for sure.

But somewhere between the thoughts of “I can’t believe he/she wants me to say that” and “could I be any cheesier?”, we came up with the following approach. I share this because our vows ended up so special, that they are mentioned on a fairly regular basis by friends and family.

Our secret was to turn the process around. Rather than writing what we wanted to say, we wrote what we wanted to hear the other person say. A huge weight came off our shoulders, and we were free to write what we wanted to hear rather than what we thought the other person would like to hear.

Then we combined the two versions and pulled out the very best of both. I think the whole process took us less than an hour and had us both feeling excited about the wedding and each other.

Hope this helps.

Blog link:  http://wp.me/pFbSK-fq

Filed Under: Photo Thoughts Tagged With: , , , ,