Mar 202012
 
Intense and pretty Korean child in face paint at a party

This photo was taken at a child’s birthday party. There was a tea party (back when that meant a party where you drink tea and not a political movement) and a treasure hunt and face painting.

The girl in the photo is obviously of Asian descent. I think her heritage is Korean, but I am not sure.

For me the thing that sells this photo is her unblinking intensity. She’s a pretty little girl, and she is staring into your soul, perhaps finding it wanting.

Intense and pretty Korean child in face paint at a party

Photo © Alex Schoenfeldt 2007
Alex Schoenfeldt Photography
San Francisco Bay Area Event Photography

Mar 092012
 
Boy reading from Torah jewish temple oakland california bar mitzvah photography

There are a few of my favorite shots from a recent Bar Mitzvah. The Bar Mitzvah ceremony itself happens on the Sabbath, so I am not allowed to photograph the ceremony at this Temple. During the rehearsal I had free reign, and after the rehearsal we got some shots in the temple and we wend down the street for some shots at a rose garden. Sometimes I do shoot the reception after the ceremony, but this time I did not.

I love all 4 of these photos, but I really love the last one. I find the poses and placement of the kids in the frame to be visually dynamic and exciting.

Boy reading from Torah Jewish temple Oakland California bar mitzvah photography

Boy with Torah Jewish Temple in Oakland

Children with the Torah at a Jewish Temple in Oakland. Bar Mitzvah photography

Oakland Bar Mitzvah photography

All photos © Alex Schoenfeldt 2012. All rights reserved.
San Francisco Bay Area Event Photography

Feb 042012
 
Pretty little girl mugging for the camera in a park in Oakland

I was doing a family portrait session. Mom, dad, two great dogs and one cute and happy little girl. She was one of those bubbly charming kids that make people without kids think “we should have kids.”

She got a little bored or posing with her mom and dad in a look at the camera way, but she didn’t mind “mugging” for the camera. Her mom put her on the table and let her just go while I snapped a few dozen photos. There are plenty of great shots from this session, but this one is just so fun. It’s just so sassy! The lines work really well, and the red offers such an interesting contrast to the greens and browns. Oh, I also like the textures in the photo.

Pretty little girl mugging for the camera in a park in Oakland

Photo © Alex Schoenfeldt 2011
All rights reserved
San Francisco Photographer

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.

Proud and happy young african american girl in Oakland California

Healthy and happy school boy

Healthy and alert young man

Student and teacher hug and smile

Kind with a really big smile, after school program West Oakland

Serious kid, Oakland aferschool program

8 year old boy, gap-toothed smile

Kid in a school uniform with a big smile

Young black boy with a big smile.

Shy yet happy smile

Proud teen in Oakland, CA

Happy boy in afternoon sun

Plump black boy

Smiling boy afterschol

Oh, pick me

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

Moody portrait of a black school boy.

Mar 112011
 
environmental portrat of an African American boy, Oakland, CA

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.

environmental portrat of an African American boy, Oakland, CA

Photo © Alex Schoenfeldt 2010. All rights reserved.
San Francisco Photographer