I like the simplicity and moodiness of this environmental portrait of an African American boy. There was also nice soft spring afternoon light. Taken in West Oakland, CA.
Photo © Alex Schoenfeldt 2010. All rights reserved.
San Francisco Photographer
The best way to get a shot like this with kids is to be friendly and fun. Kids won’t be rushed, and they look much less happy and relaxed if you are trying to boss them around. It takes longer, but it is worth the effort.
If you are taking pictures of your own kids, be prepared for the first hour to not be nearly as good as the second hour.
Photo © Alex Schoenfeldt, 2011
San Francisco Bay Area Photographer
Every year to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. children participate in an Oratorical.
Montclair Elementary in Oakland California asked me to take portraits of the participants with their certificates.
The full gallery of all of the shots can be seen here:
http://schoenfeldt.com/2011_Oratorical/
Here are some of my favorites.
All photos © Alex Schoenfeldt 2011. All rights reserved.
San Francisco Event Photography
Ethan and Allison just sent me a very nice letter or recommendation. I was their wedding photographer for a summer wedding in the Tilden park Botanical Gardens in Berkeley California.
I’ll start with the letter, then I’ll post some of the pictures that them mention specifically.
Dec. 27, 2010
Dear Alex,
We wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you did photographing our wedding. We are thrilled with the pictures and it was wonderful working with you. We’re happy to recommend you as a terrific wedding photographer.
During the ceremony you obviously moved around to take pictures from various vantage points, but you were so discreet we didn’t even realize you were moving. Neither one of us had any idea you were so active until we saw the wonderful pictures. They captured the whole ceremony, even the unexpected moments like the trouble Ellie had breaking the glass.
And we were especially happy with the way you handled the formal shots afterwords. We loved your suggestion that we take a few of everybody who attended the wedding, especially the one where everybody is waiving. It’s one of our favorite shots! And then when it was just the two of us, you did a really great job of taking advantage of the setting. There were lots of wonderful pictures using the garden as a backdrop, whether it was giant Sequoia trees, flowers, or the footbridge over the stream. The black-and-white shots you took with your infrared camera are just amazing! And you worked quickly so we could get to the reception and enjoy the party!
You also did a great job of getting wonderful pictures of the kids, including Ellie as the flower girl. It was important to us to have great pictures of the kids at the reception, and you really did a fantastic job. The picture of Ellie crossing her eyes is one of our favorites!
On a stressful day, you made the photography something we didn’t have to worry about. You put everyone at ease and were always calm, friendly, and professional. In short, we were very happy with your work, and we’re happy to recommend you to others as a great wedding photographer. Thank you for doing such a great job and creating such a wonderful record of our wedding.
Sincerely,
Ethan Rarick and Allison Ellman
All photos © Alex Schoenfeldt, 2010. All rights reserved.
Alex Schoenfeldt Photography
Christina and Andy got married at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont California in 2007.
The bride got ready in Patterson Mansion, and then the ceremony was in the gazebo.
All Photos © Alex Schoenfeldt 2007
All Rights Reserved.
San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Photographer
Bride and groom first kiss wedding photo in front of Gazebo Ardenwood Historic Farm Fremont CA