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A Country Chic Shoot

6/28/2018

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"What do you think about this one?" Morgan texted.  She attached an image of this gorgeous white off the shoulder dress.  Um....YES!  Luckily, she happens to work at the Ella J. boutique in Danville where they sell it and was able to put a size small on hold for herself, stat.

This turned out to be incredibly fortunate because, as Morgan's mom Deanna explained, they had just redecorated their house in a farm house style and needed artwork for the walls.  

This dress, in this spot, just called out for a canvas...
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But it was hard to pick...
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San Ramon Valley High School Senior Portrait at Alviso Adobe in Pleasanton Ca
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San Ramon Valley High School Senior Portrait at Alviso Adobe in Pleasanton Ca
Anyways, Morgan won't be there at the farm house for much longer because she's headed off to UW in the fall. 
San Ramon Valley High School Senior Portrait at Alviso Adobe in Pleasanton Ca
San Ramon Valley High School Senior Portrait at Alviso Adobe in Pleasanton Ca
 In high school she got an AP scholar award, scholar athlete award, and academic awards each year on top of being cheer captain and working as a swim coach senior year.  Maybe UW will actually be a break for Morgan!
San Ramon Valley High School Senior Portrait at the Marilyn Murphy Kane Trail in Pleasanton Ca
San Ramon Valley High School Senior Portrait at the Marilyn Murphy Kane Trail in Pleasanton Ca
San Ramon Valley High School Senior Portrait at the Marilyn Murphy Kane Trail in Pleasanton Ca
San Ramon Valley High School Senior Portrait at the Marilyn Murphy Kane Trail in Pleasanton Ca
Speaking of break, after graduation Morgan was heading off to Newport beach where she was renting a beach house with 8 other girls from San Ramon Valley High. ​​​
San Ramon Valley High School Senior Portrait at the Marilyn Murphy Kane Trail in Pleasanton Ca
San Ramon Valley High School Senior Portrait at Alviso Adobe  in Pleasanton Ca

Sounds like the perfect way to kick off senior summer!
San Ramon Valley High School Senior Portrait at the Marilyn Murphy Kane Trail in Pleasanton Ca
San Ramon Valley High School Senior Portrait at the Marilyn Murphy Kane Trail in Pleasanton Ca
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Mother's Day Minis with Team 19!

6/9/2018

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When you leave for college it can be both a really exciting time but also a time that can cause pretty intense homesickness.  Especially at first.  And even though I'm sure that most of my Team 19 isn't really thinking about this yet, I am.  When that time comes, they will have something that I hope will help-- a really lovely photo of them with their mom, right there in their dorm room.  So this shoot was definitely a Mother's Day shoot, but I think it will grow in importance over time.  And without further adieu...some moms and daughters of Team 19!
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The Secret Garden Photoshoot

6/7/2018

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Stylized senior portrait in a garden in North Berkeley.
The very first moment I met Abby I knew that I wanted to photograph her in this emerald maxi dress!
There's this location that had been bugging me.  I had seen images of it pop up on my Instagram feed from time to time and whenever it did I'd get a renewed enthusiasm for figuring out where it was.  After quite a lot of digging, I finally nailed it down.  And it was even more fantastic than what I expected...  
A few things that I love about this location:
1.  So many spiky plants!  And beautiful colors.  We were there in early April and the tulips were blooming...gorgeous.
2.  There's a mansion on the premises, not to mention a reflecting pool, stone stairways, sculptures...
3.  They have a bathroom so you can change outfits.
4.  Now for a couple of limitations - this venue is only open Mon-Fri and only until 4pm.
Amador High School senior at a stylized photoshoot in North Berkeley
A huge shout out to Elise at Status Salon for her beautiful makeup and hair work. Elise, you completely nailed it on my vision, thank you!
If you are a senior portrait client and are interested in a Secret Garden photoshoot, get in touch!  This location adds a little bit of complication to the process but is entirely worth it.
I want a Secret Garden Shoot!
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Viviana's Editorial/Portrait Senior Portrait Shoot

6/5/2018

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From the get go Viviana wanted something different for her senior portrait shoot.  She's very into fashion (she is Foothill High's "Best Dressed" for the class of 2018, after all) and was interested in a fashion/editorial style senior shoot.  When she showed up for her session and stepped out of the car in her first outfit I pretty much squealed with excitement...
Senior portrait session in Niles, Fremont CA
"I have a pair of pants that's an even brighter shade of yellow," she explained.  Her mom, Monica, had told me that she still wanted some traditional portrait-style pictures taken, so I spent the session going back and forth between editorial style (like above), and portrait style (see below).  
Senior portrait photoshoot with Foothill high school senior
That olive branch necklace she got at Tiffany's in New York. "Instead of a quinceanera, I went on a trip," she explained. And now, instead of a grad party, she's headed to Tahiti. She's a traveler.
So what's the difference between the two?  Well I like to start off by saying that there's no *one* thing that shifts a traditional portrait over, but editorial style pictures are more like what you would see in a magazine.  Take, for example, this next outfit with the red blazer.  Here is a traditional style portrait.  I shot this with a lens that is specifically designed for portraits because it doesn't cause any distortion.  I'm also shooting from an angle that is pretty straight on.  I blurred out the background because, well, I nearly always do that with portraits so that the focus is on YOU.
Foothill high school senior standing at the Niles train station in Fremont CA
Normal, everyday school outfit for Viviana. NBD.
And here is that same look shot in an editorial style:  
Editorial style senior portrait session in Niles, Fremont
It has a very different look and feel to it, right?  For one thing, you see her in the context of her surroundings-- I'm not blurring anything out.  She isn't posed in an absolutely classic position designed to be ultimately flattering-- it's more spur of the moment.  I'm also shooting from a lower angle.  Finally, this was shot with a wide angle lens, rather than a portrait lens. It distorts around the edges of the frame...but in a fun way.  Here's some more back and forth...
Senior portrait photoshoot in Niles, Fremont CA
Senior portrait on the sidewalk in Niles, Fremont CA
"So, I brought along these glasses..." she mentioned off hand. "OMG: Put. Them. On." I exclaimed.
Fashion inspired senior portrait session with Foothill high school senior.
My thing for spiky plants was satisfied. Anybody know what these crazy red balls are???
Editorial style senior portrait photoshoot for Foothill High School senior.
We wrapped up the session at sunset down by the river.  At this point I switched entirely to portrait mode.  The reason was that when we got there, and Viviana put on this dress, the entire scene looked to me like a classical oil panting.  I could have shot editorial here, but I wouldn't chose to do so with this soft golden lighting. 
Senior portrait at the river for Foothill High School senior.
What are your thoughts on editorial style shooting?  Does this suit your personality or would you like a traditional portrait style shoot? 
I'd love to know!
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Congratulations Class of 2018!

6/2/2018

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It has been an honor and a privilege to get to know you, class of 2018. So many talented athletes, scholars, musicians, passionate cause fighters. I'm so excited to be able to say that I knew you back when!  Go out and do great things!  
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    Samantha

    I am a high school senior portrait photographer in the SF east bay area.

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