San Francisco Portrait & Wedding Photographer - Joey Chandler

Abisia Family at Perry Farms

rebeca — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:14:12 +0000

I met the Abisia family a few months back at Perry Farms in Hayward (about 30 miles south of San Francisco) and we had a great time. Perry farms is an awesome place for picking pumpkins, learning about frontier living and generally having a great time. In fact, my family is still enjoying the popcorn corn that we picked then. Pretty awesome to put the whole cob in the microwave and watch it pop. But we were there to take photos and it was great spot. Pumpkins, hay bales, trees and wagons made for a great session. Of course the Abisia’s were nothing but smiles and the photos came out great. Loved how playful everyone was and that energy came through in the photographs.

We ended up printing several large canvas’s for their home and those look awesome. Really love when my work makes a contribution to a family’s home.

Thanks again Abisia Family and I look forward to seeing you again.

Family Portrait – San Francisco – Weber Family For the longest time, I have said that photography is...
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Shadow fun in San Franisco

Joey — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:58:07 +0000

Follow any of my family or engagement photography and you know that I love playing with shadows. My shadow proposal photo remains perhaps my most talked about photo. So I get a lot of requests for different shadow shots. But for anyone that has tried these types of shots, you know they aren’t easy. To get something that works, you have to have the right lighting, the right background and most importantly, the right people. And honestly, I’ve had little success trying to recreate that moment.

But light and shadows are always on my mind so I’m not surprised that I yelled “pull over quick” (almost causing an accident) while driving between locations while on an engagement session in San Francisco’s Mission district. Matthew and Emily looked at me with a little concern of course but they are a totally fun loving couple so they agreed without too much explanation. We ran over too the loading dock I had seen and played with the shadows that were there. Once they saw the light (pun intended), Matthew and Emily were the perfect subjects as we played with different positions and placements. Pretty happy with these shots especially with this first one. You can see how much fun they have together the love shows through even in black and white.

Have to love moments like that.

Light and shadow portraits with Ms. G in the Marina Ms. G asked me to photograph her at her house...
Engagement Photography with a helping hand Leigh Anne and John’s session for their engagement photographs was...

San Francisco Smugmug User Group Call for Presentations in 2012

Joey — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:49:36 +0000

The San Francisco Smugmug User Group is putting out a call for speakers for our 2012 monthly speakers series:

The general topic for 2012 is Creativity and all that it encompasses. Possible topics include:

Expanding creativity through lighting, posing and personal projects
Building a business foundation that supports one’s creativity
Finding inspiration for creativity after being in business for a while
Collaborating with others photographers and vendors.
What are newbies missing about creativity and what are the old dogs missing about creativity?
Finding your own creativity without chasing every new fad

We are looking for people that can address these topics and other in an educational and entertaining way.

About the San Francisco Smugmug User Group

SF SMUG is a place for professional and amateur photographers to meet other photographers and hear talks from industry leaders. Currently the group has about a 1000 members and averages about 70-80 attendees at our monthly meetings. About 50% of the attendees are photographers that have both a photography business and a full or part-time job. The other half incudes full time professionals and amateurs. That ratio fluctuates depending on the speaker. Over all we are one of the most active photography groups in San Francisco and the Bay Area outside of the industry associations (and even with those we are getting close).

Our speaker series runs from January to October with the meetings always being held on the last Tuesday of the month in San Francisco. Meetings last from 6-9 with the speakers going from 7:05-8:30. Topics range from using flash and natural night, working with brides and clients, and creating strong business practices. About half of the speakers are wedding and portrait focused with the other half being a mixture of landscape, sports and fashion photography. We also bring in business experts to discuss marketing, contracts and search engine optimization. Past speakers have included Bambi Cantrell, Ed Pignol, Anna Kuperberg, Scott Robert Lim, Zach Prez and Brook Todd. The group has a 4.5 star rating on meetup.com and you can see our reviews here.

If you are interested in speaking, please send a short bio and course description and let us know why you would be great for our group. We really want people with something interesting to say so let us know why at this you. These presentations are not sales-oriented so while you are more then welcome to mention products and workshops at the end, the bulk of the presentation should be on the chosen topic. This is a great opportunity for anyone to get in front of a large, active group of photographers.

To submit your presentation or if you have questions, please email Joey Chandler at joey@jchandlerphotography.com. We are already a quarter booked for the year so don’t delay. All submissions will be kept on file and we’ll contact you if we choose your presentation. At this point we have no budget for travel so speakers have to cover those costs.

P.S. If you are wondering why this is posted here, I’ve been running the group fro the past two years – Joey

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We want to help your business – Ace Networking

Joey — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:37:23 +0000

Our BNI networking group - ACE Networking in San Francisco – is growing. We are over the 30 member mark and are on track to reach a million dollars in referred business this year. We are looking for professionals that really get the “giver’s gain” philosophy and want to be part of an active business networking group. If that is you, then Please consider visiting our chapter:

Thursday’s 7-9am
Serrano Hotel
405 Taylor St. (Near O’Farrell St)
San Francisco, CA, 94102
$5 for parking

Our goal is help each other grow our businesses through mutual referrals. I’ve more then paid for the chapter dues already in my first 6 months. And now I have a team of people behind me that not only sends business my way but also is trusted resource if a friend, myself or one on my clients is looking for help in a variety of areas – accounting, book keeping, graphic design, family law, wills/estates, real estate and many more. For a solo creative person, these meetings have proven to be an invaluable resource and support for my business.

A few of the professions we are looking for:

Finance And Business Services

Business Broker
Business Coach
Promotional Products
Bankruptcy Attorney

Residential & Commercial Services

Electrician
Junk Removal Provider
Landscaper Architect
Master Gardener
Plasterer
Plumbing / HVAC Contractor
Roofer
Auto repair
Body shop
Auto detail

Health & Wellness Services

Physical Therapist
Personal Trainer
Pilates Instructor
Yoga Instructor
Nutritionist
Aestheticians

Events/Weddings

Caterer
Florists
Hair stylists
Make up artists
Baker
Event Planner
Videographer

To attend, just contact me so I can get you on the list. Let me know if you have any questions and hope to see you there.

San Francisco BNI ACE Networking Chapter BBQ – Networking at its finest Have to love a business group that not only meets...
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Surprise Engagement Photographs on the San Francisco to Sausalito Ferry

Joey — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:30:56 +0000

“Yes! Yes! Yes!”

Those words were said twice in the past week. The first time when Creighton called me to see if I would be interested in photographing him as he proposes to his girlfriend. I responded with the multiple “Yes’s” since this was something that I have been wanting to do for several years. I’ve done lots of engagement sessions in San Francisco but never an actual, in the moment, engagement session. Creighton’s plan was perfect. He told Julia that they were going on a hot date complete with a ferry ride from San Francisco to Sausalito and dinner at Caballa point. (Take note if you are ever planning to do a surprise photography session for a girlfriend or wife. Make sure you give her a reason to dress up – this was very smart on Creighton’s part.) Just as we were pulling out, I approached them as planned and pretended to be a boat photographer. I took their photo and as Julia started to pull away and walk towards the warmth of the cabin, Creighton pulled her in close and whispered something. I kept shooting as she went through a slew of emotions – confusion, surprise, excitement, glee – as Creighton talked to her and then got down on one knee. The boat crowd cheered as he slipped the ring on her finger and she said her “Yes’s”. So much fun. They called their family from the ferry and once we landed in Sausalito we walked around for a few more photos. All in all a very well executed plan and a great way to start their life together.

Well done Creighton and Congrats Julia. Can’t wait to see what plans you cook up for the wedding.

I love photographing people with interesting ideas. If that is you and you need an engagement or wedding photographer, please contact me. I would love to talk with you.

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Date Night Photography with Jocelyn and Glenn

Joey — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:55:37 +0000

Photography sessions in San Francisco always have a unique feel depending on the couple’s personality, where we are at, and of course the always interesting variable of the San Francisco weather. This session ended up being special because the location was great (Yerba Buena Gardens) and the fall sunshine made for perfect weather. The last aspect of the personality was determined by who was and wasn’t there. Jocelyn and Glenn have been married for 14 years and it was great to see the love and the playfulness between the two of them. And what made this session all the more was who wasn’t there – namely their two beautiful children. This was a Date Night Photosession and we were out on the town for a few photos before their reservations and a local steak house. But even after the 14 year span since their wedding, a doubling in size of their family, and a whole lot of pre-session gitters, they did awesome and we had a great time. I’ve always said photography sessions make for great dates (especially for parents) and this was proven true again. There were a few nervous laughs but we explored around the Contemporary Jewish Museum and started having fun. By the time we crossed Mission and went to the Yerba Buena Gardens they were holding hands a bit more tightly and I could see the romance through the camera (always love that). All in all it was a wonderful afternoon. The photos turned out wonderful and from what I hear the steak dinner was equally fabulous so all in all they had a very good date. Congrats Jocelyn and Glenn on not letting the day to day get in the way of having a great date.

If you want a date that goes beyond dinner and a movie, call me to set up a Date Night Session.

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Photos for a New San Francisco Family

Joey — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:11:53 +0000

I met the Mayer Family at their San Francisco home for a session with their newborn son. He was (and is) super cute and we had a great time. The little one didn’t fuss at all and even took a nap just about the time we needed him to. Best part was that they had done a wonderful job of decorating the baby’s room and it made a great backdrop for the photographs. By far my favorite shots of these is the three of them just sitting on the couch and holding each other. You absolutely can see the warmth and the love jumping out of the pictures. Felt a bit like movie stars being photographed in their exclusive New York apartment. Fortunately you don’t have to be famous to be loving parents or create beautiful family photographs.

Congrats Mayer Family and good luck as he gets bigger and bigger.

Want moments like these for you home or holiday cards? Contact me today to set up a session.

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The Wedding Moment I love (and why pre-ceremony photographs are so great)

Joey — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:39:32 +0000

I thought I would share this moment I’ve seen happen at my recent weddings. It’s totally cool, totally fun and a perfect way to send the couple down the isle. No real way to plan for it but I think its a moment that every bride and groom would remember as one of the hight points of the day. This happens when the formal photos are done and the bridal party is gathered in what every room they got ready in. The energy in the room is great, everyone is relaxed and excited and the bride and groom feel so supported. Just naturally some form of group huddle takes place. This is a perfect time for a toast, like what happened here:

And if there are no drinks handy, then the spontaneity still takes over:

Point is, that these are awesome moments that I wish every bride and groom could experience. Interesting thing is that I’ve only seen these happen when the first look and the formal photographs are done before the ceremony. Something about being together and taking the photos breaks the nervous energy of the day, allowing people to connect and really be with each other. This is one of the reasons that I suggest doing the formal wedding photographs before the ceremony. It just sets up the day for an even greater number of amazing moments.

I know this doesn’t go over with everyone so let me know what you think in the comments below.

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Engagement Photography – perfect for visiting San Francisco

Joey — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:41:13 +0000

This session combined two of my favorite topics – people getting engaged and people visiting San Francisco. Marc and Leng were visiting from Singapore and want some engagement photographs in our fair city. I love working with people visiting San Francisco because it reminds me how amazing our city really is. I’ve said this more then once but people will save up their life savings to visit San Francisco for a week and it will be the trip they talk about for the rest of their lives. And while they are here visiting and having the time of their lives, most of us are pissed off about something like a bad cup of coffee, a crowded muni bus or someone cutting us off on the Golden Gate Bridge. Guess it’s all a matter of perspective.

Marc and Leng and I spent time walking in Union Square, chasing Cable cars and shivering in the fog at Baker Beach. They were great and totally up for anything. Most memorable moment was putting them on a cable car and chasing them up the hill with two cameras and a backpack. I took a few photos and then started laughing when I heard another passenger say “Run, Forest. Run!”

Congrats Marc and Leng. Best of luck with the wedding and I hope to see you again.

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Dudley Family Photographs in Golden Gate Park

Joey — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:19:42 +0000

I’ve known the Dudley family for three or four years. They lived a few blocks away in San Francisco’s NOPA district and we would see each other from time to time at the various neighborhood events put on by the NOPA Parents group. Their kids are beautiful and they were always super nice. So I was excited when they asked me over for a family photo sessions but then I was a bit bummed when I learned that this was bon voyage event as they were leaving San francisco for a job in Texas the next week. I was honored of course to be part of their list of “things we have to do before leaving San Francisco” but I was sad to leave them leave. We took a few photos at their home and then moved down to Golden Gate Park (or at least the Pan Handle section). The kids were so cute and made great pictures at their home and their park. Always love photo sessions where the children start of a bit nervous and then quickly take to being photographed.

Best luck of Dudley Family. Have fun and Texas and hope to see you again soon.

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