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making memories with storybook albums

I just got these beauties in recently and thought I would share some photographs that I took of them. I am not quite the product photographer but thought I’d recruit my new adored chairs as props. Not sure what, but something made me reflect back on my old advertising days as I took pictures of the Family Storybook Album. I thought about the various commercial photographers I had an opportunity to work with in my former life as an art director. Farrok Chotia is one of them and an amazing fashion photographer based in Mumbai. And one of the most influential individuals I worked with for a short but memorable period was Elsie Nanji at Ambience Advertising. I had been hired as a junior art director by her and had an opportunity to come to the US for my Masters. I ended up coming to the US but sometimes wonder what path my life would have taken had I stayed there. Nonetheless, I feel fortunate about my advertising background which has helped me provide a unique end product for my portraiture clients.

On a recent flight back from Chicago, I was reading the Delta in flight magazine which featured various advertising agencies and also a write up about the Emmy nominated show “Mad Men.” If you haven’t watched it, tune in and check it out. I am so hooked to that show! One of the articles in the magazine featured an interview with Lynn Power, the President of Arnold NYC. When asked how do successful brands stand out, she says, “Don’t try to manufacture coolness or try to be hip; consumers can see through that. Just try to be true to who you are, understand your DNA and make it relevant to people today.” I so love that. I hope to continue doing what I do and stay true to what I do as I build my brand and grow my business. My wonderful clients inspire me in every way possible so this is an ode to all of you… you know who you are!

Family Storybook Album with an assortment of images from a session

… and a lovely Storybox with digital files and prints

slice of summer | san francisco kids photographer

Alright, it has been much of a summer yet in the bay area. So we have to enjoy every little bit of warmth we can get. With some persuasion (and bribery), I had an opportunity to take a few photos of my little man on one of my fabulous Herman Miller chairs. When the holidays started I couldn’t imagine how we would get through the whole summer but with the end in sight I can’t help but feel a bit sad. We are hoping to enjoy the next two weeks at the fullest with a trip to Legoland and San Diego. Hope you are having a wonderful summer.

Again, I will be out of town from August 15-22nd so emails, call will be returned on my return.

sarah wheeler - these are so cute :) enjoy the rest of your summer, and have fun at legoland!

Corin Jones - Wow...those eyes and that watermelon make for a stunning contrast. Just gorgeous!

fly away with me | san francisco family photographer

This little guy was super duper sleepy through the first half of the session. A short little nap was all he needed to freshen up after which he was full of laughter and giggles. His mommy commissioned me to capture portraits of him at about a year as well as family portraits. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to capture this beautiful family of three. Here is a teeny sneak peek for the D family.

On an official note, I will be out of the office next week from 16-22nd August and only available on a limited basis via email. Sessions will be scheduled upon my return.

Christina - Alpana you are such a joy to work with. I stumbled across your website after reading rave reviews on yelp and fell in love with your portfolios. The great reviews did not lie. You were very patient with my sleepy and curious boy. You made us all feel so comfy and relaxed. You jus know how to capture that moment and turn it into a work of art. We are so excited to see more. We're jus so happy we found you!! If anyone wants to book a session with alpana you won't regret it!! You'll be so happy u did!! We hope to work with you again in the future!

Michelle Patricio - Great photos above! Can't wait to see the rest of the pictures. I like how the photographer captured Jacob's happy face. I know how he can get when Jacob's sleepy or hungry. Look like you guys had a lot of fun too. Jacob can model for Baby Gap! hehe

Emily Yeung-Yuen - awwwwwwww... i love these photos!!! yes, i also love how the photographer had captured Jacob's happy face and I love the way she edits the color on the photos. You have to be really patient to take baby photos. She did a great job! i really can't wait to see the rest of the pictures!

Trisha deVera - Kudos to the photographer! These pictures are wonderful. Maybe we can do our own family photo. That would be wonderful since my girls are so grown up now. Jacob looks so cute. I am a proud auntie. Looking forward to seeing more photos.

Vivian de Vera - Amazing! You were able to take great happy pictures of a baby who just woke up? Usually a baby is cranky and hungry. You must have a magic touch and probably babies just like. Great shots! I will surely highly recommend you to friends and relatives - such work of art.

Jessica de Vera - Adorable! I can't wait to see more!

Milisa Ortanez - I love these photos of Jacob! The photographer did a great job and I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures! Thanks to the wonderful pictures, now I know where to get my next family photos!

Jerrilyn Wong - A baby's smile is priceless, period. What a wonderful job you did captivating the essence of Jacob's innocence, happiness and pure joy. Photos represent photographers, where the outsiders can take a stroll with the story that pictures reveal, through your eyes. Not only did we see an incredibly adorable baby boy, but you also allowed us to witness just how must LOVE is in the air with the Domingo and Christina as well. Thanks for making my day. Looking forward to viewing more of your masterpieces!

Timmy Huynh - Incredible pictures! It's amazing what you can do with a camera. When I look into a camera an shoot a picture. I get a picture. When amazing people like yourself clicks that button. You capture all the essence of life and all it's inspiration!

Corporate photographer London - Love the lens flare- great shots- Grant

Alice Lui - great photos. These photos have captured the little angel and the parents' joyous moments.A good photographer sure knows the right timing and angle to "click" !

David Anthony - Great Job! Amazing!

connie ortanez - Thank you for the awesome pictures of them! Truely professional. They, too, look like professional models. Loved how you captured the joy & happiness in them!! It is a beautiful thing to see. I love all the pictures! I see a modeling future for our Jacob ;-p

MELIKA ORTANEZ-ORTANEZ - AAWWW... MY JACOB IS SOOO CUTE! I JUST WANT TO KISS HIM RIGHT NOW!!! HI, AUNTIE CHRISTINA & UNCLE NONO. I MISS YOU GUYS. CAN I HAVE A PICTURE PLEASE & THANK YOU.

Tinney Leong Sheehan - A picture can tell a story of contentment and the bond shared between all. Your ability to capture priceless expressions is amazing and most important of all it MAKES EVERY PHOTO memorable in so many ways. Great job and continue taking amazing photos.

Peter - WOW! I really like the way you presented these photos and the color contrasts are inviting to the eyes!!

Ernie Tsuchiya - Beautiful pictures. Of course the when the subject is such a beautiful baby it must make it a bit easier. None the less the colors as well as the theme are also impressive.

Denise - Great pics of Jacob and of the Ortanez family! I can't wait to see the rest of the other pictures.

Nghi Quan - Very natural shots of the baby with a great smile.

Helen MA - wow, what cute pics!!! Love all the smiley pictures that photographer captured, "million dollar" smiles :-). Seems like the whole family had fun in the picture taking process, not just little Jacob! Can't wait to see the whoel albumn.

Beatrice Samudio - The photos are beautiful! They capture Jacob's personality. We can't wait to see more. We may contact the photographer for our family photos :)

AJ - Awwww...so cute my baby cousin Jacob!!

Karen - omg those photos are soooooo cute! i love all the colors!

Brandon - these are great photos of baby jacob and the parents. the photographer did a great job!!

Joanne Ramos - Jacob is soo CUTE! All Smiles;) Great Family photo as well.

Satish - as the saying goes… “Picture speaks louder than words”…

Lorna Quitoriano - Very cute pics!!! I love the way the photographer captured Jacob's smiles...natural. =) Can't wait to see more!!!

Evelyn Gan - The pictures are great! I loved the family picture with the natural light behind it, that was awesome!!!

Chicago senior

The summer is going by quickly with not enough hours to get to blogging sessions. Here are a few from an evening in a Chicago suburban field with a lovely senior. While driving around we stumbled upon this lovely field where we stopped for a few pictures. It was was a nice change of pace for me from chasing little ones.

teen girl photo session wearing boots with flowers

two boys, ugly icebat and ox

If you had asked me a couple years back, I was pretty clueless about Ugly Dolls. They were somewhat of a craze at my son’s school and we ended up getting a few. I wasn’t quite sure about the “Ugly” in the name but found out that it meant unique. Soon, I discovered that the Ugly universe was made up of the adorable plush toys, each with a distinctive personality and a story. The kids loved them and enjoyed having interactions through their dolls. So much better than electronic interactions, don’t you think?

One of the boys is my son’s buddy and I asked his mom to bring their dolls for the shoot. You can see how much fun we had! That’s about it for the sneak peek! But there will be several others without the dolls in your gallery.

heather ++ - so fun! so boy! love!

Corey Sewell - These are too cute!

away

I will be away from office from July 7-13th and returning emails/phone calls on my return. Happy summer! If you are interested in the Short Story Summer Mini’s please drop me a line. You can read more about them here.

Since I can’t have a blog post without pictures, here are a couple from a recent session. This was a rather spontaneous shoot for me but I loved the way it turned out. Beautiful light, beautiful baby girl + parents with some water play. What could be better than that? Since it was the couple’s anniversary, it made it an extra special day to capture these memories of their sweet little family.

if wishes were fishes…

…I could photograph this little guy all day long. Besides being adorable, he is such a happy little guy. I loved every minute of being with him and his gorgeous mama. This is our third photo session together at almost two years old. I met him and his gorgeous family as a wee little newborn and have loved documenting him since. Mommy brought along some fabulous props including the gorgeous vintage high chair that used to hers as a child. Here is a sneak peek for the B family!

Rhonda Stark - i so adore your work!! love that first image .. and his expression in the last!

Corporate photographer London - They are really good shots- love the fact that the edges have been burned in a little like we used to do with wet printing- plus the garden looks like mine! Grant

seven | san francisco kids photographer

my birthday boy.

There are lives I can imagine without children but none of them have the same laughter & noise.
- storypeople

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Anu - He is beautiful. I love "dipping his bread in tea"...must remember to pass that on to my kid. I know I loved doing that as a kid growing up in India.

ChelleL - Happy Birthday! He's such a handsome young man. I could have written that same list for my 7 year old boy -- they love the same things.

Julie - What a gorgeous guy you have there! Love this portrait! Happy birthday to him!

Jane Eaton Hamilton - That is such a perfect image! Just beautiful. I love the likes, too.

alpana - aw, thanks for the comments and the wishes Anu, Michelle, Julie and Jane! Anu, Nothing like toast with chai and dipping your bread in it!