Family Portrait – San Francisco – Weber Family

For the longest time, I have said that photography is absolutely one of the best presents to give someone for their birthday, Christmas or the appropriate father or mother’s Day.  Not only do you have a wonderful few hours together as family, but you then have something that will literally last a lifetime.  So I got super excited when I heard this family session was a birthday gift for dad.  The Weber’s have spent the last year in San Francisco and are gearing up for a move back to Vancouver in a month or so.  We chose to do the session in Golden Gate Park and picked two great locations – the AIDS Memorial Grove and the Carousel at the Children’s Playground.  The children were awesome – so full and energy with great big smiles.  Loved seeing the little one work so hard to keep up with his big sister.  And since this was a birthday gift for dad, I focused on getting a few shots of him and the kids.  The shots of them kissing him are just precious ad I hope will bring smiles for many years to come.

Thanks Weber Family and good luck in your move.

San Francisco City Hall Wedding – Kazuyo & Chris

Last month I had the opportunity to photograph Kazuyo and Chris at their fabulously sweet City Hall wedding.  As always, San Francisco City Hall didn’t disappoint and was beautiful throughout out the day.  Kazuyo is from Japan so her family wasn’t there but Chris’ side showered her with love and there was more than enough to go around.  For me the moment of the day was catching Kazuyo explaining to Chris which finger the ring goes.  Just a super wonderful moment.  The ceremony was short and sweet and we spent an hour or so exploring the beautiful light at City Hall.  Then we all went out to the Palace of Fine Arts and the Golden Gate Bridge. The day in front of Grace Cathedral and like many sessions, the best shots came right at the end as they were walking across the street.  She looks so happy and he looks so proud.  Another fine example of how bigger doesn’t always mean better.

 

San Francisco Family Portrait – Sewell Family

This was an absolutely beautiful portrait session with a wonderful San Francisco family.  Best part was that it was along a path in the Presidio that I had never seen eventhough I have driven by it literally thousands of time.  I met the Sewell Family just inside the Presidio Gate with the intention of photographing them along Lover’s Lane.  We talked a bit and they asked me if I had seen “Wood Line” – one of the environment structures done by Andy Goldsworthy in the Presidio.  I had heard of it but had never seen it.  Woodline is a log snake meanders along a path nestled in the tall Eucalyptus and is a perfect place  place for children to play.  Plus the way the light falls through the tall trees gives the place a magical feeling.  It would make an ideal place for anyone needing to get away from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco or something a little more romantic like a walk with a special person or maybe a place to get engaged.  I’ve seen lots of amazing places in San Francisco while doing family photographs  but I have to say that this was one of the most special.  It’s just a great place and definitely worth a visit.

The Sewell Family are great with three beautiful and rambunctious children.  After a few family photographs, they started asking “Can we run?  Can we play?”  The amazing trees, the great San Francisco light, and the Sewell’s wonderful energy made for a great family session.

Here are a few samples.  Please vote on your favorite as I give away an extra print for the most popular.

Three beautiful children hugging in San Francisco's Presidio - San Francisco Child Photographer Joey Chandler

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8 votes

Mom, Dad and three children in San Francisco's Presidio - San Francisco Child Photographer Joey Chandler

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10 votes

young girl wearing read shoes balancing on a log in San Francisco's Presidio

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14 votes

Brother and sister playing on logs in San Francisco's Presidio

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4 votes

A family walking on a wooded path in San Francisco's Presidio

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19 votes

A family walking on a green wooded path in San Francisco's Presidio

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15 votes

A brother and sister hugging in San Francisco's Presidio

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5 votes

A father looking at his baby daughter in San Francisco's Presidio

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3 votes

A father and his children running at Lover's Lane in San Francisco

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5 votes

A mother hugging her two children in San Francisco's Presidio

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11 votes

 

If you know anyone that is looking for family photographs, please send them my way.  Photos make for great presents especially with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day right around the corner plus I offer cash rewards for referrals.  Contact me to schedule a session or if you have any questions.

Blog link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/5337

 

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Engagement Photography with a helping hand

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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6 votes

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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2 votes

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

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1 vote

 

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.

 

 

The Beautiful Wasim Family

I met the Wasim family last year when our children started pre-school together.  Little Ayza is just about the cutest little girl you will ever meet.  She has an adorable bubbly smile and beautiful eyes.  I was super excited when they asked me to photograph her and her new twin baby sisters.   We met at their home in downtown San Francisco and explored their house and courtyard.  Ayza was full of energy so we spent a good amount of time watching her run, play and dance.  And when she wasn’t running around, she was playing big sister which was a lot of fun to see.

Thanks Wasim Family for inviting me into your home and I’m really glad that our families are getting to know each other.  And special thanks to Kathleen Louvegny for assisting me on this session.

Please vote on your favorite photograph.  I give them a print of the most popular.

Girl hugging her twin baby sisters - San Francisco Child Photography

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2 votes

Girl smiling in San Francisco home - San Francisco Child Photography

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4 votes

Smiling Girl standing in a brick court yard - San Francisco Child Photography

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Family of parents, grandmother and three daughters - San Francisco Child Photography

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Grandmother and Granddaughter - San Francisco Child Photography

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Mom and Dad hugging - San Francisco Child Photography

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A San Francisco Family laughing- San Francisco Child Photography

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Girl peeking through a steel fence- San Francisco Child Photography

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2 votes

Baby twin sisters on a rug - San Francisco Child Photography

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1 vote

Peekaboo- San Francisco Child Photography

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2 votes

 

Blog link:   http://jchandlerphotography.com/5271

If you know anyone that is looking for family photographs, please send them my way.  Photos make for great presents especially with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day right around the corner plus I offer cash rewards for referrals.  Contact me to schedule a session or if you have any questions.

 

 

Melissa and Cappy’s San Francisco Engagement Photographs

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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19 votes

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

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7 votes

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

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10 votes

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

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2 votes

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

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1 vote

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

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3 votes

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

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6 votes

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

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7 votes

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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12 votes

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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14 votes

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

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37 votes

 

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

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.

Presidio Woods – perfect place for San Francisco child, family and engagement photography

San Francisco’s Presidio National Park is an absolute gem.  With Crissy Field and its numerous recently renovated paths and trails, it is literally the playground for a San Francisco’s families and outdoor types.  Most people will know Crissy Field and Baker Beach with their fabulous views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay.  And while those places make for beautiful photography, I am drawn to the more secluded wooded paths and trails that run through out the Presidio.  This lush area are perfect places to explore and make for wonderful photographs through the day and throughout the year.  You can often find the sun streaming through the eucalyptus, cypress, and pine trees and when the fog and rain do roll in, the wooded groves make for great coverage and beautiful green back grounds.  So if you are an engaged couple looking for a secluded and romantic spot in the middle of San Francisco or a family looking for a place for your children to explore, the Presidio and it’s amazing wooded areas is an ideal location.

A few places I like:

  • Rob Hill Campground
  • The Path that runs between Washington Ave and the golf course
  • Lovers Lane
  • The woods between Lyon st and the Presidio Gate

Contact me if would like to set up a session in this most beautiful area.

 


Palace of Fine Arts at Sunrise

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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Sutro Heights Park

Sutro Heights is a little known park just south of Geary at Land’s End.  This beautiful gem sits on the bluffs above the more well known Cliff House and the Sutro Baths.  And while ocean beach, Lands End and Sutro Baths get more traffic, Sutro Heights with its long paths, lush grass and stunning trees make it an ideal place for family and wedding photography.  The two main features of the park are a cute little white gazebo and a buttress over looking ocean beach and the Cliff House.  The gazebo is perfect for wedding ceremonies and family group shots and the buttress is simply a great place to stand and look at the beauty of the Pacific Ocean.  The combination of trees, wide paths and coastal fog creates wonderfully soft light throughout the day and that makes Sutro Heights one of the best places for in San Francisco for mid-day and afternoon photography sessions.  I definitely would suggest this park for anyone looking for a small wedding location or a place for  family photos.

 

If you are interested wedding photography or family photography here or any place in San Francisco, please contact me.