san francisco bay area maternity, child and family photographer »

Masthead header

We have a contest winner!

Monday, March 2, 2009
Fb-Button

Thank you so much for being good sports and voting in the contest. There were over a hundred comments on the photos and a good number were for no. 11,  Superman. I also want to thank all the other contestants as I loved each and every one of the photos. I have been a bit under the weather with a fever. It was also a bit of a crazy day as I did a bunch of photos of the kid’s at my son’s school wondering why I didn’t feel like myself. So I am going to take a couple days off and  will announce the winner of the gift card in a few days. Meanwhile, Superman’s mommy please feel free to get in touch with me about your prize.

CHILDREN,CONTESTS,STORYBOX ART

Have your cake and eat it too?

Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Fb-Button

Sometimes… just sometimes, bribes work so very well to get what I want. Oh, who am I kidding? It is is more than sometimes. So here we are at the little irani cafe in Mumbai with Mr. R enjoying every little bite of his Black Forest cake. The waiting, the anticipation all worth the few frames I got below. And I got to enjoy my chai with mawa cake in between my shots.

When we visit India, I like to do at least one photo session of some pictures of R in a setting that has some sort of history. On our last trip, I photographed R in a little roadside tea shop near the registrar’s office after my brothers wedding. Sadly, that little shop is gone. 🙁 If you want to take a peek at the photos they are on my website under Chronicles. On this trip, I decided to take the photos at an Irani Cafe that I used to frequent when I went to art school in India. Don’t get me wrong, I love me a cappuccino but it is sad to see the older cafes becoming a dying breed and ultimately a fading memory. Though, did I say my favorite drink is a good cup of chai?

CHILDREN,PERSONAL,STORYBOX ART,TRAVEL,URBAN

Vote for your favorite photo! A win-win for you and the entries.

Friday, February 20, 2009
Fb-Button

Oops…realized that I didn’t have a contest end date. The contest will end on Feb 27th. Please be sure to have your votes in. 🙂

It’s that time again. I try to do a blog contest every year with a few of my favorite photos from the year. Last year, I was out of the country so this is last year’s contest 🙂 I have too many favorites but I had to limit the entries to make this work.

The rules are simple!

1. In the comment section, vote for your favorite photo using the number. It might take a day or so for the comment to show up.

2. Anyone can vote- whether your photo is in the contest or not.

3. To keep it fair only one vote per family- so no extras votes for each of your kids, cats or dogs if the photo is yours (or not). By all means, send it to aunts, cousins and friends and have them vote for your picture.

4. The winning photo gets a complimentary 11 x 14″ print.

5. For multiple votes on the winning pictures I will be in touch with you. If you are local, you will be eligible for a 15 minute photo session with me (products are NOT included and you need to be able to travel to me). All you have to do is tell me why I should pick you and the best story will win- I will pick one winner. If you aren’t local or don’t want a session, the winner get a complimentary $25 Target card. Please be sure to include your email address with your vote to get in touch with you.

The photos are not listed in any particular order. Please note that the numbers are UNDER the image.

13.

12.

11.

10.

9.

8.

7.

6.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

CONTESTS,STORYBOX ART

by alpana

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend

Lisa San Jose - We vote for picture #1.
However, they are extraordinary. Alpana, you do beautiful work.

Pamela - 1.

Barb - #1 is #1, but I love them all! Your son is a wonderful subject.

Puja Abid - I vote for #12! It’s such a great expression!

Rose - They are all great, you are so talented!

I love the feet, I love superman and the balloons, that delicious newborn…and my official vote is for #12.

All the Best,
RG

Jeeun - #2
That is my favorite photo. It is beautiful!!

smith - #1 is the best, and the others are wonderful!

Cindy Barclay - #1 is my favorite. What a fun photo!

Carol - My vote is for photo #1

Rebecca Day-Rodriguez - #7 Absolutely beautiful.

Rachel - #1
Love the feet…

Kristan - This was hard but I think my favorite is number 2 and if I could vote for two the next would be number 5.
Alpana you are very talented
~K~

Rhasaan - My vote is number 11

Melissa - I vote for #2.

It truly captures a wonderful and sweet moment!

Great job!!!

Julie C. - We vote for #1. THE FEET, because it reminds us of the joys of childhood and the love of family.

Deirdre - #2!

Deirdre - I wanted to add that they are all beautiful. You are such a talented artist.

Steve - #2 all the way

Amber - Photo #2 is so real.

tia - #2

cathy - #1 is a winner 🙂

Athena - I vote for #7. Beautiful expressions.

Conny - That is really tough – they are just all so beautiful … I go for #2

Big hug,
Conny

Phoebe - #11!

Yeliana - I love the serenity of #2.
Eternal Love…

Kerrie - Voting for #11 – adorable!!
All your photos are amazing Alpana.

Vanessa - #11 – I just love that little Superman.

Christy - I love #11!!!

Ed and Julie - We vote for #11.

Mary - #11
Iconic.

George - my vote is for #2 love the scene and the fathers love.

Tracy - #11 gets my vote

Kirsten - 11!

They are all beautiful!

Harly - # 11.

Kate - #11—that face!

Kim - #11!!!

Vaughan - #11!

Lisa - We could all use a Super Hero now and then – I vote for #11

Jeanne - I vote for #11. He’s my hero!

Martha - I vote for no. 11 – Superman is the cutest! Great photo!!

Charlotte - # 11 ! Superman rules!

Erin - SOOOOOOOO hard to choose! I have a personal affection for #6 – 🙂 BUT I MUST VOTE FOR #10 – it just stirs emotions for me and I don’t’ even know those people!!

Tricia - Love #11. Very cute! Great work all around Alpana!!

Kate - I vote for #11. What a perfect Superman! I bet he makes a great Clark Kent as well.

Melinna - My vote is for #4…such a cute girl, inside & out.

Jennifer Sipes - I love number 12. What a great expression.

Briget - #11

Lynn - 11

Eva - These happy feet belong to happy children…I love this photo

Isha - i vote for #12. such a cute baby!!!!

Ellen - I vote for number 6! Beautiful girl!

M L-F - Tough choice… they are all incredible photos. My vote is for #5, a timeless classic.

Nancy - love #7! 🙂 beautiful work alpana!

Supriya - #7. Loved it from the start. Of course, it’s so hard to pick just one!!!!!

hyde Loupassi - I vote for the handsome superman in #11!

Mary Bearden - Number 11 is the best!!

Shannon - #11 – so tough….grrr.

Lucas - #2 is my favorite for sure!

Elizabeth Edmunds - Number 11! Love it!! 🙂

meg - #11 is adorable! vote #11!!

Angie - #11

Danielle - number 11 is my favorite

Lisa - #11
you are very talented Alpana!

Suzanne Bhat - I love #5

Anika - I vote for #2!!

fil - #1 hands down! 😀

j l fowlkes - #11

Bob Boyd - I vote for #11. He looks like my Superhero.

RICK & JESSIE - THAT #11, HE’S JUST SUPER!

Katie - #11!

D Bearden - Number 11 is a beautiful child!

Dawn - #11 gets my vote. you go superman!!!!!

August - #11

Catherine - Superman Saves the Day!! #11!

Amie - We vote for #11 – super kid smile!

Wing - #11 is my vote!

Anna King - I vote for #11

Kim N. - #2 is my favorite.

Andrea - #1! I love the feet photo! Pure joy.

Patricia - Love #11

Pascal - #2 ! ! !

J. Arnold - I’d like to vote for #1. I love the feet.

Katie Doughty - #1 way cute and artistic!

Stephanie - #11

Ximena - #7

heidi - My vote is for the feet (#1)! You have beautiful photos!

Courtney Thompson - #11!!!! Way too cute SUPERMAN!!!!! 🙂

Lisa B - I vote for #6. Beautiful work!

Ashly - I LOVE number 5 (baby on moms belly). I would love to have a shot like that of my son when he was a newborn!

Bonnie - .5
Took my breath away, so cute.

sandy - #11

Allison - I love #1…Its unique and creative. I also love that its in black and white…

Rashmi Tabada - Although I like the feet picture (it is a fun picture), my favorite is #5… the innocence of the baby and all the cute bulges are captured so well.

Yvonne - I love #2, the scenery, the colors, and the family look so perfect!

Lisa Deaver - #11 hands down!! Awesome!

Kathy - I vote for #1 but #10 is my second

aussy - #2 of course, love it!

Trina - number 1!!

JoAnna - #7 for sure, but they are all amazing!

Lacey - # 11!!!

smita - Alpana, picking one is awfully hard. They are all so beautiful. I vote for #7. Awesome picture…also loved #5, #6, #2 and ofcourse #1.

Kate - #6. Stunning!

Alex - #11!

What a pic!

Pat - #11 Too cute.

Zach - #11

Angela - #11 super hero, super cute!!

christiane - #11 for sure!

alpana - Thanks everyone for taking the time to vote! The voting is now closed.

Rain, rain, go away… | San Francisco bay area kids photographer

Sunday, February 8, 2009
Fb-Button

While it is nice to have that spot of sunshine and warm weather, it has been great to have that much needed rain out here. It was a light sprinkle and we got some great shots with this little one and her grandma playing in puddles and running around. It was pretty cold so we went back home to finish the rest of the session.

Make-up with grandma

CHILDREN,FAMILIES,sneak peek,STORYBOX ART

by alpana

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend

Amber - I love these. Your post processing is beautiful and I love all your angles!

Melinna - Amazing photos. Love the one of the girl & her grandmother. Wish we all had pictures like that.

neeta.s - Wow! alpana, they are great.

Desi girl | san francisco bay area kids photographer

Monday, January 26, 2009
Fb-Button

I have this song stuck in my head ever since I saw the movie Dostana last year. Typically, I don’t watch a ton of Bollywood films but this one was hilarious. I don’t think I have laughed as hard watching a Bollywood movie for a long time so if you have a chance be sure to check it out. I have been on a film watching spree and have a few moe on my list that I’d like to watch including Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and the Revolutionary Road. We tried to watch Slumdog but it was sold out with its nomination for the Golden Globe awards. One of these days…

This session was a quick one with my kindergarten friend Aparna’s family while visiting Mumbai. Her little one Tara is close to my son Rowan’s age and they had an amazing time playing together as well. I could have photographed this adorable desi girl all day.

And one off R and T together…

CHILDREN,FAMILIES,STORYBOX ART,TRAVEL,URBAN

by alpana

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend

stephanie beaty - wow alpana!! these images are incredible. you better put them on your web site for sure!

Amanda - Gorgeous…I simply love your colors. Amazing.

Meera Agrawal - I absolutely adore this one, so candid and beautiful.

Meera

It is good to be back

Thursday, January 22, 2009
Fb-Button

A quick post to say that I am am alive and well 🙂 However, I am still recovering from our trip with a cough + cold and slowly getting back to the routine. Time flew by visiting family and friends. The great thing about going back and meeting old friends is that you can pick up where you left off years back. I met some of my kindergarten friends (some visiting back at the same time) and my old art college friends. It was great to see how well everyone is doing in their respective careers. Mr R. had a great time and has promised to go back and let me take some more pictures. Heh…he is starting to get interested in taking pictures. I didn’t get as many pictures as I hoped and most were rushed snapshots but such is life in the bustling city of Mumbai. It was good to see that things were back to normal after the terror attacks in December. I didn’t get to visit any of the sites and take pictures as I hoped to but we did go to one old cafe where I bribed R with a chocolate cake so I could do a quick session.

To those clients that have been patiently waiting for proofs, I will be in touch soon. I will be booking limited sessions starting February so please email me if you are interested. My email has ben down off and on so if you don’t get a response in 24 hours please call me or send an email through the contact us section on my website that gets routed to a different address.

Happy New Year!

PERSONAL,STORYBOX ART

by alpana

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend

neeta.s - my favourite boy- so cute and always so expressive !

Colors of India

Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Fb-Button

This was supposed to be my quick post before I left for India. In my last minute rush, it didn’t quite get published but I wanted to still post it to share the photos of my family from our last trip. The holidays are so much about seeing family and spending that quality time with them. I was excited as this would be the first time we would be in India for Christmas in so many years and looking forward to celebrating the holiday with my sister-in-law that celebrates it. Rowan sent his list to Santa and on his list were several Star Wars toys….lucky for him they were rerouted to Mumbai. 🙂 Oops, Santa did do an early delivery with a few goodies out here too!

The photos were taken at the Mangeshi temple in Goa with my parents. Heh, they don’t necessarily like their photos taken but there is no getting away from me 🙂

PERSONAL,STORYBOX ART

by alpana

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend

Paula - Welcome back Alpana, Happy New Year! You may not have gotten a smile in these photos but the one of Rowan in the paarables section of your website is positively beautiful.