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Best San Francisco Family Photo Locations

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January 2, 2020Baker Beach, Palace of Fine Arts, Lovers’ Lane, Lands End, Crissy Field, Pier 7, Battery Spencer, San Francisco City Hall Here are some of the Best San Francisco Family Shoot Locations that offer a variety of Northern California’s scenic locations and iconic views.     1. Baker Beach Baker Beach is the most common location I photograph for engagement sessions in San Francisco. Free and plentiful parking, unparalleled views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and a diverse setting around the area help make this a perfect spot for many. Beaches aren’t just seen during the day! I especially love photographing at Baker Beach at dusk, where the Bridge lights up and illuminates the blue sky as well!  If you plan it right, the Golden Gate Bridge reflects in the water at low tide and you can take your photographs to a whole new level! On a side note – closer to the Bridge is clothing optional and it is not uncommon to see a nude body on a sunny day (did you see it in this photo hehe)!  2. The Palace of Fine Arts The Palace of Fine Arts is the second most common location I shoot at and offers a more elegant look for those who prefer the more formal setting. Its ornate architecture and photographic dome attracts locals and tourists alike, making it also one of the busiest locations on this list. Opposite the lake facing the dome allows for panoramic views of the entire location, and shooting under the dome allows you to fully appreciate the art deco close up.  This is one of my favorite places to shoot on a sunny day because the shadows and light that filter through the columns offer so many unique opportunities to play!  3. Lovers Lane With the snake-like trail of logs, Lovers’ Lane provides the perfect outdoor setting for those who love nature and earth tones. Lovers’ Lane is a gorgeous hidden trail many people ignore, since it is nestled at the edge of the Presidio and is often overlooked as you manage the winding roads of adjacent Presidio Blvd.  4. Lands End To narrow down locations for the 3.4 miles of Lands End, I’m going to separate it into two places – Sutro Baths and Point Lobos.  Both of these locations provide a stunning view of the ocean and offer especially magical light at sunset.     5. Crissy Field The pier on the western end of Crissy Field is called Torpedo Wharf, offering one of the closet views of the Bridge in SF Crissy Field is a good choice because it has unobscured views of the Golden Gate Bridge as well as a variety of settings to photograph, all within a short walk or drive from each other 6. Pier 7     7. Battery Spencer   8. San Francisco City Hall 9. Stow Lake Golden Gate Park offers many locations for an engagement shoot, but the most common ones are Stow Lake and the Japanese Tea Garden. Stow Lake is known for its mini waterfall and stone bridges that are popular backdrops for photos. The Japanese Tea Garden requires an entrance fee ($5-$7/person) but has a unique wheel bridge (and a secret grove of bamboo) that everyone loves! 10. Japanese Tea Garden The Japanese Tea Garden is a very picturesque backdrop, offering numerous settings for your engagement shoot. Full of nature, it is hard not to get carried away at this small yet impressive garden And one more for good luck 😀 11.    Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

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Palace of Fine Arts Maternity Shoot

Maternity

Palace of Fine Arts Maternity Shoot Kurtis gifted his girlfriend, Jenna, a full session package with makeup, hair, and a Palace of Fine Arts maternity shoot as his Christmas gift to her. This was their first shoot and child together, so Kurtis wanted to go all out to properly document this significant occasion for them. They expertly coordinated business casual clothing, with Kurtis actually wearing a tie, which he says he dislikes. They were in such good spirits, being together to celebrate their upcoming child with no regard for the camera and open to laughing out loud and enjoying the moment. For me, maternity shoots are the same as any couples portraits shoots with just a little more focus on the belly, so I was happy to add in some solo portraits of the glowing mother-to-be to help further commemorate this great time in her life. We spent a majority of the time near the Dome, then proceeded to the other end to do more landscape photos and show off the beauty of the Palace of Fine Arts. Palace of Fine Arts for your maternity shoot is a great location for its variety in backgrounds as well as the architecture to add to your images. Jenna added to the elegant look of the location by adding in a stylish hat, which I was immediately drawn to. For some reason, whenever I see someone with a hat, I always want to have playful images of them tossing it, either towards the camera or to each other like hot potato, which they happily obliged with 🙂 Though perhaps unorthodox for a maternity shoot, I tell my Clients it is not about the action but rather the reaction and the huge smiles and body language. Hopefully, as you will see on their huge smiles from ear to ear, it proved my point! Congratulations Kurtis and Jenna on your upcoming first born and it was an honor being able to document such an important milestone for you two with this Palace of Fine Arts maternity shoot!  If you’d like to have a maternity shoot please CONTACT ME to discuss details! Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

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DeTurk Round Barn Wedding

Wedding

DeTurk Round Barn Wedding Jenna and Eric stayed in their hometown of Santa Rosa for their DeTurk Round Barn wedding, first having their wedding ceremony at First United Methodist Church then going to a different location for their reception. Church ceremonies are always a little more difficult to photograph in since they are generally darker than most wedding venues, but fortunately at this particular church the stained glass windows provided soft lighting to capture the ceremony but are also a little more strict in terms of where photographers can walk. Fortunately, the First United Methodist Church is large enough for me to move around more discreetly and allowed me to move around more freely to focus on moments. As a country music fan, I loved the fact that Jenna and her bridesmaids were wearing leather boots and I was more than happy to capture the fun. Upon arriving for the DeTurk Round Barn wedding reception, we continued the group fun outside, allowing guests to enjoy the unique setting and dĂ©cor of the venue. After some lovingly embarrassing speeches, Jenna and Erik shared their parent dances and you can see the pride and joy in their eyes as they danced with their respective children. It was touching to see Erik’s mom embrace him as they danced and him wearing his uniform only gave her more of a reason to be so pride of him. Once the music started the guests were eager to hit the dance floor and had so much energy. Surprisingly, amongst the mix of rap, country, and hip hop music, the most popular song that filled the dance floor was the dance crazy of the 90s – the Macarena! I specifically remember Jenna forcing a reluctant Erik to join her to dance this song, and the photo of her encouraging him on the dance floor is one of my favorites from the day. Congratulations Jenna and Erik! Thank you for allowing me to photograph your Deturk Round Barn wedding and for teaching me that the Macarena will be forever loved. Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

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Marin Art and Garden Center Family Shoot

Family

Marin Art and Garden Center Family Shoot The Morell Family’s Marin and Art Garden Center family shoot in Ross, California, was held on a beautiful sunny day in typical North Bay weather. Believe it or not, this was their first family shoot ever! With two little girls, ages three and five, they obviously held off on taking family photos…but as I tell people…there is never a bad time to take family photos! In retrospect, Kristin never did maternity photos or had newborn photos either, so this being their first family shoot ever was a pretty big deal! And I definitely was honored that she chose me! 😀 With the daughters at more “photo friendly ages,” it made the process a lot easier for them as well, and the girls absolutely loved being in front of the camera! Looking like seasoned photoshoot parents, they even knew the secret technique of jelly bean bribery / rewards (depending on how you look at it haha). The Marin Art and Garden Center is a popular location for weddings and elopements, but is also a great park to walk around and photograph by itself with its wide variety of themed areas. Providing so many different backdrops for these family photos, it made the shoot a lot easier to go from one area to the next quickly (thus maintaining their attention without much walking around), and I think we did a pretty good job of getting a variety of looks in just an hour! One of my favorite sequences of the shoot involved the red leaves, and I loved that the color added to the floral dresses perfectly. It was an honor to help document this family for their first shoot together with this Marin and Art Garden Center family shoot, and I hope I made the experience for everyone involved a memorable one! This family is so photogenic and so happy, I am bewildered as to why it took them so long to document those smiles! Check this out if you’d like to see my Family portfolio. Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

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Pearson Arastradero Preserve Engagement

Engagements

Pearson Arastradero Preserve Engagement Photos Eric and Julie had gorgeous light for their sunset Pearson Arastradero Preserve engagement shoot in Palo Alto, a location they discovered on Instagram when they started researching locations with the dead grass look. Being that we shot in the summer, the openness of Pearson – Arastradero Preserve allowed for a seemingly endless supply of dead grass! It was so fun shooting here as it was the first time coming to this location for me, let alone shooting in it. At the same time, most people like the nature look and the appearance of life in the scene, so getting to shoot in a somewhat opposite setting was a nice change of pace for me. With such an open space, I can imagine it normally being pretty hot in the summer, but fortunately it was a mild summer day in Palo Alto with a slight breeze. Pearson – Arastradero Preserve is pretty consistent in terms of view, so it was a fun challenge to shoot something different than what they anticipated in their research online. With gorgeous light throughout the shoot,  it was pretty hard not to take some awesome photos no matter what direction we turned! With the slight breeze, I noticed tall stalks of grass in the distance that reminded me of a corn field, which provided a unique view at this seemingly static location. The dead grass blowing in the wind also created some amazing reflections of the sunset light and I was immediately drawn to the golden light that reflected off of it. I feel we made some awesome silhouette photos with this scenery…I definitely got overly excited! I can see why they chose this dead grass look for their engagement session. The yellows and oranges of the dead grass with the gorgeous unfiltered sunset provided great photo opportunities during this Pearson Arastradero Preserve engagement .  If Palo Alto isn’t your thing, check out these location ideas around San Francisco. Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

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Palo Alto Engagement Shoot

Engagements

This was the first time photographing a Palo Alto engagement shoot, and I could not have been more excited to spend it with Johnny and Tram! Johnny and Tram allowed me to pick the location because we mutually agreed that we all wanted to go against the norm, and attempt new ideas, concepts, and environments for their engagement shoot. I proposed to shoot more contrasty images, but also to shoot ideas and poses I would not normally think of! It was definitely a challenge doing completely new ideas, but fortunately both Johnny and Tram appreciated artistry and were open to experimenting with me and were totally down for any and every idea I could think of during our photowalk through random streets. My newest engagement shoot concept includes going against the grain and shooting at times other photographers avoid – in harsh midday sun! I think it is normal to become complacent and become dependent on the setting around you, so with this shoot I wanted to put more focus on the connection between them, as well as focusing on light, instead of setting. Those reasons are why I love these midday, random city walkabouts, since there is no pre-planned setting for the shoot – it is us, walking around, looking for light in the most random situations (such as behind garbage bins in a small alleyway). Fortunately, downtown Palo Alto does provide some interesting backdrops for photos, including white columns around a coffee shop as well as a visually geometric City Hall building. One of my favorite photos of the day has nothing to do with the city of Palo Alto, in fact, and can be taken most anywhere! The series of silhouette photos of Johnny and Tram amongst the trees and sky are amongst my favorite, particularly because I noticed how the light was hitting the leaves and thought the highlights would provide very interesting patterns and shapes. This shoot was so fun for me and was the perfect practice into looking for light no matter the location or time of day. Johnny and Tram’s playful nature made it so easy to connect them, and midday shoots, like this Palo Alto engagement shoot, are becoming my new favorite engagement shoot ideas! If you’re interested in other locations for your engagement shoot check out these San Francisco locations. Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

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mongolian wedding

University Club Palo Alto Wedding

Wedding

University Club Palo Alto Wedding Udval and John held an American and Mongolian University Club Palo Alto wedding, bringing together two very different cultures and reflecting on their unique love story that originated in Mongolia several years ago. John traveled to Mongolia initially for Peace Corps and ended up extending his stay in Mongolia for 13 more years, first falling in love with the culture and people and then eventually this mesmerizing woman with the kindest of hearts. Having met Udval in her native country, they developed a love for each other that might have seemed improbable given their backgrounds and distance apart, and it was so great to see both families come together from opposite ends of the world for such a joyous occasion. When speaking to Udval about her wedding day, I was excited to hear that they would be incorporating both cultures into their wedding ceremony, having very little exposure to Mongolian culture, let alone a wedding, before. Udval explained to me that in Mongolian weddings, an important aspect of the Ceremony is the inclusion of a blue silk scarf called a hadag, which symbolizes well being and peace, and the lighting of a unity candle and offering of milk. A longer ceremony at around 30 minutes, the solemnity and traditions of this wedding made it one of the most memorable ceremonies I have ever witnessed, and I absolutely loved experiencing this melting pot of cultures and hope to shoot more in the future! Udval revealed to me that it was the first time her parents ever left Mongolia, so it was that much more important to document their reactions and presence throughout the day. For the wedding reception itself, it remained a typical American reception with some speeches and first dances, but it was touching surprise when all of their Mongolian friends and family stood up in front of everyone and sang a popular Mongolian song to the newly weds as they swayed left and right to the song with appreciation. It was a great celebration being exposed to such a wonderful culture and even better people. Being able to explore the world through my lens is one of the best advantages of being a wedding photographer, and the emotions and love felt throughout the day help remind me why I am blessed to do what I do. If you are interested in finding out more about this University Club Palo Alto wedding, check out my walkthrough of The University Club of Palo Alto venue.  Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118 Related Posts on the Blog

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How to Plan The Old Homestead Wedding

Wedding

How to Plan The Old Homestead Wedding Ultimate Guide to Planning The Old Homestead Wedding (with pricing and photos) The Old Homestead Crockett 995 Loring Avenue Crockett, CA 94525 (510) 660-5174 TOHQuestions@gmail.com Founded in 1867, The Old Homestead Crockett is a beautiful and historic wedding venue with years of experience in event hosting. It features a secluded garden, a charming home, and majestic redwoods.  The venue has a large lawn and can hold a ceremony of up to 200 people. All these fuse together to form a picturesque setting where one can host intimate wedding receptions and ceremonies, and become a part of the garden’s cherished tradition. The venue is inclusive of : Parking and wheelchair access Outside vendors Chairs and tables set up and tear down Designated area for food trucks and barbecue A large kitchen  Large parking lot Chairs and tables Apart from being an excellent choice for a wedding venue, The Old Homestead Crockett is also ideal for private parties and other wedding-related events such as wedding rehearsals, bridal showers and engagement parties. If you are looking for other outdoor locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, see my extensive list for The Best Venues for Weddings in San Francisco The Old Homestead Wedding Photos Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

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rainbow gay wedding

Anderson Hall Wedding

Wedding / ,

Anderson Hall Wedding Robert and Ricky had a slight change of plans for their Anderson Hall wedding, but that didn’t stop them having the best day ever! Anderson Hall, in Camp Meeker, is a hidden gem amongst the redwood trees and creeks in Sonoma County that add to the perfect setting for an outdoor wedding. Having an outdoor ceremony to take advantage of the gorgeous redwoods was the plan up until 2 hours before the Ceremony start time. Unfortunately, their wedding date coincided with one of the (few) bigger storms Northern California had had in years! The heavy rain made an outdoor ceremony uncomfortable so they instead had it done indoors at the reception hall, squeezing in amongst the dining tables and chairs. This setup, however tight, only made the gathering more intimate as the emotions of the moment quickly came over the Grooms almost immediately once they started…and all the worry of the weather quickly went away. Fortunately, the rain only lasted an hour at the start of the day, so the rest of the evening went as planned outdoors with dancing and many smiles. Family group portraits in the rain might be my new favorite thing to shoot, however! Going over images of grumpy kids with wet clothes and the adults embracing the wet weather with huge smiles made getting soaked photographing this Andersen Hall wedding totally worth it. Venue : Anderson Hall Wedding Coordinator : JL EventsDessert : Love + Flour BakeshopCatering : El Roy’s Mexican GrillDJ : Caliber DJs Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

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La-Costanera-Wedding

La Costanera Wedding

Wedding

La Costanera Wedding Michelle and Joseph held their La Costanera wedding in Montara, California, a popular Peruvian restaurant situated by the ocean that is well known amongst the locals for its food and easy beach access. In front of about 120 of their closest friends and family, they said their vows and I Do’s on an overcast day, surprising everyone who expected a sunny day that occurred just the day before around the same time. With an outdoor ceremony offering plenty of open sky, the weather provided a clean white backdrop and a blank canvas for their ceremony photos, allowing everyone to focus on the Bride and Groom and not be distracted by the beach and waves just out of sight. For photography, the even lighting is ideal for portraits, and it was for me a blessing in disguise. For the happy Couple, though they preferred it to be a clear and sunny day, the unexpected weather would have little to no effect on how ecstatic they were this day to have their La Costanera wedding. Michelle and Joseph, both very animated and carefree individuals, provided some awesome photo opportunities with their expressive personalities throughout the day. From the loud screams right after getting married, to the goofy cake cutting shenanigans, you could tell exactly why there are a perfect match for each other! One of the most memorable moments for me came when they made their grand entrance, donning gold chains and joining in the verbal ruckus that their friends and family provided. It was pure joy, and they quickly had their parents join in on their dancing celebration, sandwiching them and making it very unforgettable. The smiles on everyone’s faces just made me so happy to be present in this moment. Speaking of smiles, throughout the evening I would always see a smile or laugh on Michelle’s face, whether it was reacting to Joseph’s antics, or simply enjoying the big day with all her friends and family. Despite La Costanera being a smaller venue for a wedding, the intimate atmosphere was the perfect complement to everyone’s energy, helping to make this evening a grand celebration. With a shorter day to photograph at 5 hours, it was great that I was able to be present for the most important parts of the Couple’s La Costanera wedding, photographing the ceremony and reception and leaving right at the start of the dance party! And something tells me that the dance floor kept going off up until closing time! 😀 Venue : La CostaneraDJ : Colors and Music ProductionsFlorist : Florals by FlorMakeup : Brett BlackburnHair : Linda LealaoPlanner : Maria Arellano-Chan Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

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