Nopa Little Ones and Music Together

March 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sunday was the monthly playgroup for the Nopa Little Ones.  How these parents find time to organize such amazing events, I’ll never know.  This time we were at the Brahma Kumaris Center for Music Together classes.  There must have 50 children plus their families all singing, dancing, pounding on drums and shaking bells.  Lucius and I stayed there for both sessions and it was really nice to see him go from nervous observer (he literally sat in the hall way most of the 1st session) to participant in the second.  If you live in San Francisco, I would definitely recommend checking out the Music Together folks – especially if you are a rhythmically challenged parent like myself.

These photographs were all taken from one place and mostly from the hip.  Apologies in advance for all the children I missed.

A few samples below and the rest are here (password required – you can get it from the nopa list serve).

click here if there is no slide show above.

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blog link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/1181

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Cheryl, Vijay and Baby-to-be in Alamo Square

March 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Cheryl and Vijay are something like eight and half months pregnant and I have to say they are doing extremely well – happy, relaxed (for the most part), and clearly working together.  I really enjoy seeing a couple that is so connected as they are.  Not only does it make a make a maternity portrait session a joy but you just know that the little child will be well cared for and loved.   Serious congrats to them for not only their new baby (almost) but also for their new house.  They definitely have it going on and I can’t wait see them they are officially a family.

We met at Alamo Square.  If you are familiar with San Francisco or have read any of my previous Alamo Square posts (I have a lot of family photo shoots there), then you know this is the home of famous Painted Ladies.  It’s also windy and on this day gray and cold.  Cheryl and Vijay didn’t let that slow them down and we got some really nice photographs.  Best part was seeing how playful they are together.  Vijay channeled his inner diva and came up with all sorts of posing ideas.  Apparently he had been thinking about this day for sometime.  Cheryl showed a level of grace and elegance that was a pleasure to work with – and that is saying something given how pregnant she is.

Cheryl and Vijay – thank you for letting me be apart of the this time in your lives.  Best wishes with the delivery and in the weeks until I see you again.

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

Click here if you do see a slide show above.

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Blog Link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1170

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Weekly Workshop 1 – Reflections in the Panhandle

March 4, 2010 By 1 Comment

I wanted to keep track of what I learned in my Weekly Workshop so I figured I would just blog about.

Yesterday, as has been common place this year in San Francisco, there was crazy rain up until 4pm.  Rain was so heavy in fact that I had tentatively canceled the practice session.  But the sun popped out so I ran down to meet Annika, Loden and baby brother Shael in the Golden Gate Panhandle.  I was there to practice reflection shots but Loden was there to fish.   Cutest thing – he kept handing me a stick and asking “do you want to fish with me?”

I was inspired to try reflections after seeing the work of FC Wong (http://www.fcwongweddings.com/).  His work is awesome and so original that I wanted to give them a go.

What I learned:

*  colors look great after a rain storm

*  Reflections for reflections sake don’t work – entire image still needs to have artistic quality

*  With a reflection, I need to clarify what is the main focus – the reflection or the real item/person.  If it isn’t identified, then the observer has the unsettling experience of going back and forth between the two.

*  Make sure that that the reflection contains everything – I have one shot below would have been the money shot of the shoot if I hadn’t cut his head off in the reflection.

*  in a flat reflection like a puddle, you can turn the image upside down for an interesting effect.

Great first practice session – that you Ehrlich family.

Gallery is here.

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Blog Link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/1135

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Myles in the Mission – Classic San Francisco Portrait Session

February 28, 2010 By 8 Comments

This portrait session goes down as one of the great lessons learned – always be ready and never give up.

Saturday started off as crazy rainy day in San Francisco.  Dark, blustery and definitely not a day for a family portrait session.  The Laffan Family lives right in the middle of the Mission – one the hippest neighborhoods in San Francisco.  Angela wanted a few photographs of little Miles as a child with the murals that decorate numerous buildings and alley ways in that part of town.

We talked at 2 that afternoon when it was raining cats and dogs and decided to postpone the shoot.  By 3pm, the sun was breaking through the clouds and city was looking incredibly beautiful.   I wasn’t entirely comfortable calling back Angela but the light was so amazing that I thought it was worth another call.  Turns out Angela was thinking the same thing so we agreed to meet at 4.  I threw my camera bag in the car and headed to her house.

The portrait session turned out amazing.  We got shots that wouldn’t have happened had it all gone as planned.  Light was reflecting off the water and walls which lit up little Miles’s eyes and great smile.  Plus it gave him numerous puddles to play in.  And when he got hungry, we just rolled with it and got food at a taqueria.  That made for candids that honestly I never would have suggested. Angela was great the entire time and made for a fun and relaxed experience.

Thanks Angela for not letting the weather stop you and Miles.  I really enjoyed meeting you and learned a lot from this session.  I hope you enjoy the photographs.

A few samples below and the Full Gallery here (password required)

If no slide show above, click here.

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Blog Link:  http://jchandlerphotography.com/1110

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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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Siemers Family Session

November 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

On Saturday I had the opportunity to work with a new family – Molly, Noah and Adele Siemers.  Super nice people that I had met a while back at a party for another two year old.  We met at Rossi park and from the beginning little Adele ran from the slide to the swings to the play structure to the tree and back again.  Turns out her preschool is right across the street and she was way more interested in playing than setting up any shots that us adults had in mind.

No time for poses when there is playing to be done.  Of course that only makes the shoot all the more interesting.

Thanks to Molly and Noah and I hope you enjoy the pictures.

A few samples below.  To see the complete set and to order pictures go here (password required).

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Going away picnic for Rebecca, Ari and Jonah

June 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Made it back from the AIDS Life Cycle just in time to attend Rebecca, Ari and Jonah’s going away party.  Didn’t really intend to take pictures (the mind and body were mucho tired-o) but the kids were cute so I snapped a few.  The playground in Golden Gate Park (19th and MLK) was nice.  Will have to plan a few portrait sessions there in the future.

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More photos here.

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Franklin Square Playground Opening

May 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Great community story.  A few years ago, Franklin Square was a run down park in the heart of the mission.  But now, after years of hard work and a $1.2 million grant from the city, the park looks fabulous.  So glad to see children playing.  Complete photos here.

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