Alex, Rachel and Baby Clementine – Alameda’s Newest Family

March 20, 2010 By 14 Comments

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of photographing Alex and Rachel for a maternity session when Rachel was 8+ months pregnant.   They were fabulous – super relaxed, clearly in love and looking forward to the arrival of Clementine.  We had a great time and you can see the those results here.

We talked about the benefits of doing the post baby-shoot sooner than later.  Of course no one knows how life changes after a newborn comes home so I was surprised when I got the “Clementine was born!!” call just 4 days after the birth.  Even more amazing was that Rachel was in labor for two days.  How she and Alex looked so amazing and together just 5 days after that experience is beyond me.

They were happy, enjoying themselves and bonding the little with one.  Clementine is adorable of course and eating well which anyone with kids knows is also no easy task.  I have to say they are doing great.  I’m sure it also helps to have their family around.  Rachel’s mom and dad were in from Chicago and Alex’s family is local so they are very well supported.

Rachel and Alex – congrats on your beautiful new family.   Best of luck in the many semi-sleepless nights to come (Clementine is still after all a baby).  And I feel obligated to pass on the advice that my good friend Arthur gave me when Lucius was just a few months old:  “Always remember, they will never be this small again.”   That really helped me when things got tough so I pass it on to you.

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

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Blog Link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/1412

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Rachel and Alex Maternity Session

February 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I am really starting to love maternity sessions.   I love the excitement and nervous energy that everyone (myself included) is feeling.  It’s just all so crazy.  But what I see in amid all that uncertainty is the love and tenderness from and for everyone involved.  There is just nothing like seeing a mom-to-be looking at her belly with such unconditional love.

All of this was on display when I met Rachel and Alex to take their “baby on the way” photographs at their Alameda home.  They are a nice, welcoming couple with a great little home just a few blocks from the beach.  Rachel is looking fabulous with only a month or so to go and Alex has his “bob the builder” hat on in preparation for the arrival of their daughter.  We spent time at their house and then went down to the marina area for for a fabulous sunset with San Francisco in the background.  They are such a loving couple with a great sense of humor and goofiness.  I think that really shows in these photographs and I’m sure they are going to make a great family.

Thank you Rachel and Alex for letting me take these photos of you.  I can’t wait to meet your daughter and to see you as parents.

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

Click here if no slideshow above.

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Blog link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/993

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The Beauty of Crying Babies

February 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Inevitably in any family portrait session, the little ones will start crying.  The children will either get tired, stub a toe or just not get their way.  Most of the time, the parents get anxious or nervous and try to sooth the baby.  Usually, there is a “I can’t believe he/she is acting this way.”  That’s natural of course.  But as a photographer, I think those are some of the best opportunities for memorable photographs.  There is something so real, so gut wrenching about seeing a photo of a baby crying.  I don’t know about you, but when I look at these pictures, I can almost hear the cries and taste the tears.  I just react in a way I don’t normally do with your regular, amazingly beautiful photograph.  Maybe its because I’m a dad but I don’t think so.  I think there is something hardwired into our human nature that just compels us react to a crying baby.

With this in mind, I thought I would start a collection of crying babies.  Here are the few that I have so far.  I’m sure more will follow.

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Harris Family Session

December 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

On Sunday, I met with Jamie, Chris and Caden – their most adorable 6 month old.  Caden has long black hair and a great big smile that looks just like his dad’s.  The temperature dropped about 20 degrees that day so we cut the park shoot short to keep the little guy warm.  But I have to say, I’m almost glad that happened because it forced us inside where their love for the baby and each other came bubbling out.

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NOPA Gingerbread House Party

December 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Today I played staff photographer for the NOPA Little Ones’s Second Annual Gingerbread House Party.  The event was funded by donations from local businesses and a First5 grant.  I can tell you from all of the smiles and pretty fabulous gingerbread houses that this was money well spent.  As you’ll see in the pictures the kids had a great time but I’m pretty sure they were more interested in the candy and frosting than the structural stability of the houses.  However there there some parents that were putting their design, engineering and architecture skills to the test.  I haven’t seen that level of determination in quite a while.

Thanks to everyone that organized and attended the event.

A few sample shots below and the full gallery is here (you’ll need to visit the NOPA Parent’s yahoo page for the password).

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Double the Smiles – Riley and Leah session

December 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Yesterday, I had the opportunity for my first session with twins.  Kathy and David have darling 14 month old twin girls – Riley (in red and white stripes) and Leah (in the brown polka dots).  We met at Walter Haas Park in Diamond heights – an absolutely gorgeous park with a huge view of the city sky line.  The girls were great – full of energy and determination.  But they were much more interested in their bottles and cheerios then taking pictures so the photos took a little finagling.  Kathy and David have the patience of saints so in the end everything worked out.  I definitely have a new appreciation for parents of multiples.  Much love and support goes out to them.

A few sample shots below and the complete gallery is here.

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The House of M (aka the Linberg Family)

December 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Yesterday I met a wonderful new family for a holiday card session.  Mandy and Mike have a beautiful 3 month old daughter Mckenna.  And to keep everyone safe and sound, there is Murphy the yellow lab that I’m pretty sure would stop any intruder with his big brown eyes.  We had a great time in their beautiful Glen Park home.  We got some nice family shots but in the end Murphy and Mckenna stole the show.  The little one clearly si surrounded by people (and dog) that love her.

A few samples below and the entire gallery here.

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Gift ideas from a photographer and for a photographer

December 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment
For anyone looking for photo gifts there are the basics:
  • Standard Family Photo Products – Prints, books, calendars
  • Less than standard photo products – mugs, t-shirts, mouse pads, magnets

But if you want to get creative, this out side of the box:

  • A year in photos – hire a family photographer to meet you multuple times throughout the year.  Best way to create albums and calendars for gifts and keepsakes
  • Grand Parents photo session – instead of just giving pictures to them, have the grandparents be part of the photographs.
  • Photography lesson – lots of great online places or you can ask a photographer for a private lesson (I charge $175 for three hours).  Great idea for the parent with a new camera
  • Large Canvas print – really want to blow your inlaw’s mind?  Get them a +24″ canvas print.  They will not stop talking about it.
  • Card player in the family? Get a customized deck of cards
  • Photo Apron – for the cook in the family
  • Personal Paparazzi – set up a night complete with dinner and elegance.  Have a photographer follow you around to capture your version of celebrity.
  • Guided Photo tours – part photo lesson and part tour of your area.  Learn where local pros get their shots.
  • Boudoir session – not my specialty but there are a good number of photographers that can help you capture that special look for someone special

(Then there is the Bordeaux session – where we drink a lot of wine and take pictures that range from elegant to buzzed to silly.  That I can do.)

Happy Holidays

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The Best Photo Gift Ever

November 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I want to share with you the single best photographic gift I have ever given: the family calendar. Sounds cliche and a bit old school in the age of the smartphone but it works wonders. I make a version for my family and my wife’s family and then give as presents to every family member (1 per household). What started out as a simple gift is now actually anticipated by relatives. More than once this year I’ve heard “I’m so glad you are doing this again” and “it has a special place in our house.”

You can see a draft version of my family’s 2010 calendar here.

Putting these together is not as easy as you might think. The calendar should be of a certain photographic quality and be interesting to everyone in the family. The east coast family doesn’t want to see month after month of the west coast family no matter how good the pictures are and a simple collection of snap shots doesn’t attract anyone’s attention.

This all takes time and energy – two things that not everyone has this time of year.

Since I believe people will love this like my family has, I’m offering a calendar service.

I will:

* Collect birthday and anniversary dates
* Collect photos via secure email system
* Arrange monthly collages (more than just throwing pictures together)
* Set up an online review system
* Order and ship the calendars to whomever you like

You give me the emails of people that you would like included in the calendar and I will do the rest.

Price is $150 for the set up + $25 per calendar (11×17).

Typically these take about 15 business days to complete and deliver. (5 for assembly/proof, 5 for processing and 5 for shipping). Expiated shipping and processing is also available for additional fees.

The last day to order these is Dec 5th for standard rates and Dec 10th for the expiated processing.

If you have any questions or would like to place an order, please call me at 415-948-3959.

Happy Holidays,

Joey

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Abramowitz Family Part Deux

November 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

On Sunday I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation by the Abramowitz family (Stephanie, Mark, Parker and little Reid) for a second session.  Reid is three months old and just full of personality.  Parker is growing up and learning all there is to know about being a big brother. Stephanie and Marc are going through the joys of a second little one. And even though it can’t be easy, they still look amazing.

All that excitement made for a great shoot.

A few samples below.  The rest are here.

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