uplifting – San Francisco Wedding and Event Photography

Portraits of Children at the Campfire after school program

African American, non-profit, oakland, photojournalism, photojournalistic, Photos, portrait, pro bono, street photography, Sunset, uplifting 4 Responses »

Jan 102012

Proud and happy young african american girl in Oakland California

Last year I volunteered regularly at the Campfire after school program in West Oakland. The program gives affordable and enriching education and care to a great group of kids in a low income part of Oakland. They do a really good job with the kids. They help them with their homework (and see that it gets done!), feed the kids healthy snacks, play games (kickball, FTW) and give them a supportive and accountable environment. I was proud to be a part of what they were doing.

One of my duties included portrait photography of the students. Here are some of my favorite portraits of the students.

This first shot, this girl (or teen, or young woman) she was a spunky kid. Strong willed, smart and tough. I love to see her so fiercely happy here.

This last one is one of my favorites. I love how moody and unposed this is.

Art Photography. Easter 2009 Camping Trips. Photos from the Wild.

art, Big Sur, Children, Photos, uplifting No Responses »

Mar 182010

Girl Running Up Hill, Clouds and Tall Oak

Every year I go with my daughter and some friends on a camping trip. We go to a wild campground in the Los Padres National Forest.

It is a great way to mark the arrival of spring, and for the kids there is an Easter Egg hunt!

: Girl Running Up Hill, Clouds and Tall Oak

: Girl in Wild Grass Meadow. Lens Flare.

: Girl Against Oak Trunk In Meadow

: Girl Looks Down Fox Hole. Lens Flare.

: Road in Wild with Girl. Las Padres National Forest.

: Shooting into the Sun at the River with Girl 1

: Shooting into the Sun at the River with Girl 2

: Shooting into the Sun at the River with Girl 3

: Shooting into the Sun at the River

: Girl on Rock Looks at River

: Road in Las Padres National Forest

: Game of Tag In the Dark. Kids with Glow Sticks Long Exposure 1

: Game of Tag In the Dark. Kids with Glow Sticks Long Exposure 2

: Friends sit at Campfire. Night Shot, Long Exposure

: Kids Play With Glow Sticks for Camera. Night Shot. Long Exposure. 1

: Kids Play With Glow Sticks for Camera. Night Shot. Long Exposure. 2

For Information, or to buy prints, visit my website here: San Francisco Photographer or call

888 316 2539

Elk River Mayor calls for 1,000 Acts of Random Kindness

funny, uplifting No Responses »

Mar 052010

Elk River Mayor calls for

1,000 Acts of Random Kindness

via Acts of Kindness | www.loveelkriver.org.

The mayor of Elk River, Minnesota, challenged its residents to perform 1,000 acts of kindness. They responded.

At Christmas time, Klinzing saw a YouTube video about a restaurant in Philadelphia where people kept paying for other diners’ meals. “I got the sense that if we did a similar thing through the entire city, something would change. It would be kind of a climate change. That basically is what happened.”

… even doing little things, like putting a nice note on a student’s locker, can have an effect. “People pay it forward. It makes your day and you are happy because you have such a positive effect on someone. And once you’ve done that, you want to do it more.”

The acts of kindness are posted online. The mayor has challenged other cities to match this accomplishment.

Photos from the Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournament in Berkeley

Children, Photos, uplifting No Responses »

Mar 042010

Early last month I got this email from my friend Cecilie:

> Forget superbowl weekend – try
> wheelchair basketball instead! This is a
> fast and fabulous sport to watch! It’s also great for
> kids and teens who
> are into sports.

Who could resist?

I’m pretty happy with these shots. I think the kids look great. I got to play with motion blur.

While I was there I was chatting with another photographer. He said “Have you seen #15? He would have been a great athlete.”

And I thought, would have been?