Joey Chandler Photography

And he’s off!!!! Family portraits with Charlie, Cara and Scott

Joey — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:25:58 +0000

When Cara told me that Charlie loved to run from the Ferry Building to the Ball Park, I thought she was exaggerating a bit like all parents do (myself included). All children run and play right? Boy was I wrong.

Charlie runs and I mean he runs everywhere. In the Ferry Building, down the piers, along the Embarcadaro, and up and over cement blocks – he ran and ran and ran. Literally he was a streak of arms, legs and a great big smile.

It was awesome to see and his energy made for a great family portrait session. I definitely have to give props to Cara and Scott – they have such a great attitude and just kept up with him where every he went. And they definitely know how to be flexible. When we lost the sun at the Ferry Building, they suggested going up to their home in Potrero Hill which turned out fabulous. If you don’t know, Potrero Hill has amazing views of San Francisco and great afternoon light.

Of course, that gave us more time to photograph Charlie running.

Thanks Cara and Scott and good luck keeping up with Charlie. If I were you, I might consider stock in a running shoe company. I think you might need a few pairs in the years to come.

A few sample photos below and the rest are on the way.

Click here if no slide show above.

Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1186

Nopa Little Ones and Music Together

Joey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:38:34 +0000

Sunday was the monthly playgroup for the Nopa Little Ones. How these parents find time to organize such amazing events, I’ll never know. This time we were at the Brahma Kumaris Center for Music Together classes. There must have 50 children plus their families all singing, dancing, pounding on drums and shaking bells. Lucius and I stayed there for both sessions and it was really nice to see him go from nervous observer (he literally sat in the hall way most of the 1st session) to participant in the second. If you live in San Francisco, I would definitely recommend checking out the Music Together folks – especially if you are a rhythmically challenged parent like myself.

These photographs were all taken from one place and mostly from the hip. Apologies in advance for all the children I missed.

A few samples below and the rest are here (password required – you can get it from the nopa list serve).

click here if there is no slide show above.

blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1181

Amanda and Jeff’s Engagement Session at Baker Beach

Joey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:52:35 +0000

One of my favorite parts about being a photographer is seeing people go from nervous to comfortable to actually excited about being in front of the camera. Its just cool to see and feel a person (or couple) let go of their concerns and really get into the moment. That’s when the magic starts to happen (at least for me) and the photographs turn out really nice.

That’s exactly what happened with Amanda and Jeff for their engagement portrait session at Baker Beach this weekend. They started out nervous and made all requisite claims about not being photogenic and how they have never done this before. But anyone who spends more than a second with them will tell you that they are as “cute as a bugs ear” (does anyone really understand that expression?) and will do just fine in front of a camera. Plus it was an absolutely perfect San Francisco afternoon. With the sun and the Golden Gate bridge, its easy to see why Baker Beach is such an ideal spot for engagement shoots (I counted 7 couples being photographed there that day and that doesn’t include the naked shoot that we saw).

All I did was to keep asking them “what would you do on the beach if I wasn’t here?” After a few “I don’t know”s” they started to walk, hold hands, play, and just be with each. I kept the camera going and we had a great time. Amanda looked fairly like in her white dress against the dark skys and blue ocean while Jeff looked was the “man” – especially in some of the silhouettes. Towards the end, I really had to go, but I kept saying “oh, oh, oh – that’s too good to pass up – go walk over there.” Of course by this time, there were more than happy to oblige the photographer and kept playing in the sunset.

Amanda and Jeff – thanks so much for giving me this opportunity. I really enjoyed meeting you and have fun at your wedding.

A few samples below and the full gallery is on the way.

Click here is there is no slide show

Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1176

Cheryl, Vijay and Baby-to-be in Alamo Square

Joey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:02:18 +0000

Cheryl and Vijay are something like eight and half months pregnant and I have to say they are doing extremely well – happy, relaxed (for the most part), and clearly working together. I really enjoy seeing a couple that is so connected as they are. Not only does it make a make a maternity portrait session a joy but you just know that the little child will be well cared for and loved. Serious congrats to them for not only their new baby (almost) but also for their new house. They definitely have it going on and I can’t wait see them they are officially a family.

We met at Alamo Square. If you are familiar with San Francisco or have read any of my previous Alamo Square posts (I have a lot of family photo shoots there), then you know this is the home of famous Painted Ladies. It’s also windy and on this day gray and cold. Cheryl and Vijay didn’t let that slow them down and we got some really nice photographs. Best part was seeing how playful they are together. Vijay channeled his inner diva and came up with all sorts of posing ideas. Apparently he had been thinking about this day for sometime. Cheryl showed a level of grace and elegance that was a pleasure to work with – and that is saying something given how pregnant she is.

Cheryl and Vijay – thank you for letting me be apart of the this time in your lives. Best wishes with the delivery and in the weeks until I see you again.

A few samples below and the complete gallery here (password required).

Click here if you do see a slide show above.

Blog Link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1170

I’m taking back Joey Chandler from Joey and Chandler

Joey — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:29:16 +0000

Now I know most get excited when you see something familiar on t.v. Or on the movies. I love seeing San Francisco on film and I’m had roommates that herald from Georgetown who raved about the chase scenes accross d.c in “No Way Out.” I think its only natural.

But I’ve been dealing with something a bit too close to home for the better part of 15 years. In that time, I’ve fielded thousands of questions along the lines of “do you know you are two of the guys in friends” and “is your middle name Ross?”

It was a bit annoying at first but I just laughed it off. I enjoyed tracking the show’s popularity by the number of questions I got. Quite a few in the mid 90’s, not so much in the late 90’s and then a big jump as the show wrapped up in the 2000’s. Now that the show has been in syndication for a good number of years, the recurrence has slowed to just a trickle.

But they are still running rough shot over my name. At this point if you google “Joey Chandler”, my facebook page, my linkedin page, and my photography business all appear below fan pages, photographs and wikipedia entries of said show.

Yes the show was friendly and it did make for a many good laughs but enough is enough.

I’m taking back my name – not only for myself but for all the other Joey Chandler’s out there and for anyone else whose name was hijacked by pop culture.

My understanding of the google system, is that my ranking is almost entirely based on the number of real sites that reference me, my photography business or this post and point towards my website (www.jchandlerphography.com). This isn’t 100% accurate but the general premise is close enough.

If you want take a stand for the common man against pop culture or to simply see something else besides two guys when Google-ing Joey Chandler, please link to this post, reference Joey Chandler Photography in your blog or include my info somewhere in your online activity. Even one link with a reference to this or any of my posts will make a difference.

Besides postings about my shoots I also have postings about other subjects – mostly photography related but not all. Referencing any of these would support this endeavor.

And I’m adding more - Use them as content or write how I am right on or way off in any of my opinions. Just include my name and point back at my site.

Additionally, there are a lot of potential blog topics that I could contribute to but probably won’t get around to writing. If you or someone you know is blogging about any of these topics let me know and I’ll contribute in any way I can:

What you need to make a groupon deal successful?
Is your marriage ready for a home business?
How to turn detriments into wins in the seo game.
How to connect with photographers in your area.
What do photographs say about the photographer?
Tools to help the unorganized person succeed in business?
What to do if you are having those “if not now when?” thoughts?

Thanks in advance for reading this far. If you have no blog to post to simply forward/re-tweet this post on to someone who can.

Sincerely,

Joey Chandler (since 1970)

Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1152

No related posts.

Heather and Patty in the Park

Joey — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:58:23 +0000

Normally my mom and daughter portrait shoots involve babies, dollies, and bellies. This was different. There were still lots of laughs and a few of those “how do we stand” awkward moments but this was two grown women with a clear love and respect for each other. That was very cool to see. Now Patty is still the mom and Heather is still the daughter, but they clearly have reached a point in their relationship where they can enjoy each others company as adults. Family photographers don’t always get to see that that so it was a refreshing change. We met at Alamo Square park, the home of the painted ladies and some great views of San Francisco. It’s also home to a fairly strong afternoon wind which made for some challenges. But Heather and Patty were troopers and we had a great time.

Heather and Patty – thanks for letting me be apart of mother/daughter day. Hope you enjoy the those.

A few samples below and the complete gallery here (password required).

If no slideshow above, click here.

blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1145

Practice Sesson #1 – Reflections in the Panhandle

Joey — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:06:55 +0000

I wanted to keep track of what I learned in my practice sessions so I figured I would just blog about.

Yesterday, as has been common place this year in San Francisco, there was crazy rain up until 4pm. Rain was so heavy in fact that I had tentatively canceled the practice session. But the sun popped out so I ran down to meet Annika, Loden and baby brother Shael in the Golden Gate Panhandle. I was there to practice reflection shots but Loden was there to fish. Cutest thing – he kept handing me a stick and asking “do you want to fish with me?”

I was inspired to try reflections after seeing the work of FC Wong (http://www.fcwongweddings.com/). His work is awesome and so original that I wanted to give them a go.

What I learned:

* colors look great after a rain storm

* Reflections for reflections sake don’t work – entire image still needs to have artistic quality

* With a reflection, I need to clarify what is the main focus – the reflection or the real item/person. If it isn’t identified, then the observer has the unsettling experience of going back and forth between the two.

* Make sure that that the reflection contains everything – I have one shot below would have been the money shot of the shoot if I hadn’t cut his head off in the reflection.

* in a flat reflection like a puddle, you can turn the image upside down for an interesting effect.

Great first practice session – that you Ehrlich family.

Gallery is here.

Blog Link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1135

Tamar’s Birthday Party

Joey — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:37:21 +0000

On Saturday, Tamar had her second birthday party at Ruby’s Tumbling in Alameda. Tamar is the daughter of our good friends Tora and Shi. There were about 20 kids and their families there and everyone seemed to have a great time. Ruby’s is a perfect spot for parties for children. Lucius loved the rope swing and all the padded blocks and balance beams. Yet another reason why leaving San Francisco is actually an OK thing to do.

Thanks Tora and Shai. Happy Birthday again Tamar.

Gallery here (password required).

Looking for Practice session families and coupled

Joey — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:27:15 +0000

Hello –

Hope you are well and staying dry. As many of you know I’ve been doing kids photography for the past few months. I’m fortunate to have a good supply of the work (a good thing of course). But the sessions have cut into my ability to just practice without the pressure of making clients happy. So in following the mantra of “if it isn’t scheduled it doesn’t happen”, I’m setting up Wednesday Afternoons as my practice days. I’ll be trying out different things in different places and somedays it would be nice to have test families or couples.

Practice sessions would only be for an hour or so and I’ll give you copies of any good shots that come out (no promises though since it is practice).

Lots of different things would influence the when and where’s for this so I imagine I’ll just sent out an email on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning saying “Hey I want to shoot in XYZ neighborhood – who is interested?”

If you are interested in receiving such an email, just let me know (Joey@jchandlerphotography.com).

Have a good one,

Joey

Miles in the Mission – Classic San Francisco Portrait Session

Joey — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:38:23 +0000

This portrait session goes down as one of the great lessons learned – always be ready and never give up.

Saturday started off as crazy rainy day in San Francisco. Dark, blustery and definitely not a day for a family portrait session. The Laffan Family lives right in the middle of the Mission – one the hippest neighborhoods in San Francisco. Angela wanted a few photographs of little Miles as a child with the murals that decorate numerous buildings and alley ways in that part of town.

We talked at 2 that afternoon when it was raining cats and dogs and decided to postpone the shoot. By 3pm, the sun was breaking through the clouds and city was looking incredibly beautiful. I wasn’t entirely comfortable calling back Angela but the light was so amazing that I thought it was worth another call. Turns out Angela was thinking the same thing so we agreed to meet at 4. I threw my camera bag in the car and headed to her house.

The portrait session turned out amazing. We got shots that wouldn’t have happened had it all gone as planned. Light was reflecting off the water and walls which lit up little Miles’s eyes and great smile. Plus it gave him numerous puddles to play in. And when he got hungry, we just rolled with it and got food at a taqueria. That made for candids that honestly I never would have suggested. Angela was great the entire time and made for a fun and relaxed experience.

Thanks Angela for not letting the weather stop you and Miles. I really enjoyed meeting you and learned a lot from this session. I hope you enjoy the photographs.

A few samples below and more on the way.

If no slide show above, click here.

Blog Link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1110