P o r t i a S o d e r b e r g P h o t o g r a p h y | B L O G

{Holiday} Jolley Family | San Ramon California Family Portraits

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:39:05 +0000

Yesterday, I did a short and sweet photoshoot for the Jolley Family in San Ramon. What a FUN bunch! Dominique, I hope this works for what you’re looking for! Happy Holidays!

{Events} Salinas Kennel Club Dog Show | Vallejo, CA

admin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:47:19 +0000

Today marks another milestone for my photography as I got the fun chance to cover my first dog show event. I drove up with my fam to Vallejo where my good friend Marrianne is showing her whippet Thomas at the Salinas Kennel Club Dog Show. I ♥ dogs – I mean I TRULY love them, so when Marrianne asked me to do this event for her, I was both excited and worried at the same time. I feared that it would be one of those events where I’d lose track of the task at hand and cheer like a toddler for Thomas. Fortunately, I was able to control myself and reserved the cheering later on when Thomas won his class.

Thomas anxiously waiting in his crate

Showtime!

Marrianne, thank you for this wonderful opportunity to be part of this fun event with you and Thomas! I hope to do more for you and your other ‘babies’!

Dave + Kim = Wyatt + Lila | Berkeley California Family Portraits {Part I}

admin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 07:26:47 +0000

Being around Dave and Kim brings so many fond memories. I had the amazing opportunity to meet these two (and got to know a lot better) the day they got married. I had just started dating my now husband E when he took me to Kim and Dave’s wedding in Idaho back in 2003. Reminiscing about that wonderful union makes me giddy. You know what I think it is? It was the love that was so natural, carefree and so instinctively expressed between them that made(makes) everybody around so happy. Their wedding was the first leg of our 2 week trip but I tell you, the happiness we felt from the beginning carried through our entire 2-week camping trip to Sawtooth Mountains, Tetons and Yellowstone.

Eight years and an hour or so of shooting later, I was brought back to one of my happy places (yet again). Their love remains – exponentially stronger and deeper, now shared with their two amazing children – Wyatt and Lila. It’s amazing how some people are blessed with the gift to make people smile – and the best of it all? They probably don’t even know it!

First born Wy is truly Dave Jr Super active, a fearless explorer and a daredevil. He has so many expressions it was such a treat interacting with him!

Lovely Lila is miss independent just like mommy. She loves grandma and her favorite is being tossed up high in the air by daddy.

Stay tuned for the conlusion of this two part session blog!

{Teaser} Dave + Kim = Wyatt + Lila | Berkeley California Family Portraits

admin — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:08:35 +0000

Had a grand time shooting the Fortners tonight. A teaser shot of this fun and fab family for you all. Stay tuned for the full blog post.

Theo + Katie = Ella + Hugo + Lola | Piedmont California Family Portraits {Concluded}

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:58:59 +0000

Before the shoot, I had planned to take classic individual portaits of each kid where I’d have each one pose against similar background and take them all in the same angle. But then minutes after I started snapping away it dawned on me, of course! they are indeed little individuals – each having his/her own distinct quirk and charm. So instead I shot each one doing what they *liked* to do and in the process it gave me an opportunity to get to know these precious individuals a bit more …

Lola is the explorer! She likes to look for bugs and without hesitating, picked up this snail that was on the ground and proudly showed it to me. I pressed the shutter and smiled – deep inside though I was cringing

Hugo is the energizer bunny! There was almost no way for me to get him to stand still. He was always on the go, running, skipping, hopping. He enjoyed making funny and cute faces …

Oh, but you know what, he did stop for a quick minute to show me his moves and his pumped up kicks
He’s all boy, and stylish at that!

Ella is the daredevil! I had just finished taking some pictures of twins on this really cool tree and turned around to ask Ella to pose next. Lo and behold, she’s up, way up on one branch, giggling and smiling. I think Katie noticed I tensed up and assured me almost immediately “she’s fine, she likes to climb and is good at it – she does gymnastics” … note to self, need to enroll the kids to that class.

Together, these kids are a hoot!

At one point during the shoot, Theo asked me to take photos of Katie with each of the kids. I could tell from his voice how proud he is of his family, rightfully so!

Towards the end, I had to persuade (read: beg) Katie and Theo to indulge me in getting a shot of just the two of them. Amazingly beautiful as individuals, as a couple and as parents – you should’ve seen them handle three incredibly active (albeit tired) kids – they’re fantastic!

Katie and Theo, thank you for this wonderful opportunity to spend time with your beautiful family. My pictures only speak softly of the fun and the love you all have been blessed with. Take care!

Theo+Katie = Ella+Hugo+Lola | Piedmont California Family Portraits (Part I)

admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:28:29 +0000

Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of photographing the gorgeous Rassas-Maniatis family. I’m only a third of the way through the images, but yes, I found myself needing to post some of my early favorites. I met Theo and Katie a few years back as my husband E played in several soccer leagues with Theo. Fast forward 8 years or so later, three beautiful kids blessed this wonderful couple.

These kids are the most stylish bunch I’ve ever met, seriously.

First born Ella – she’s a replica of her beautiful mom!

The 4 year old twins Hugo and Lola – adorable!

It was already early evening when I met up with them and the kids already had a tiring albeit fun filled day, but they were a trio of troopers! With a little encouragement from mom and dad, they rallied, smiled and shouted back ‘jelly beans’, ‘buzz lightyear’, ‘gummy bears’ to my camera

So this ends part one of my session blog for this lovely family. Stay tuned for more!

{Teaser} Lola, Hugo and Ella | Piedmont California Children Portraits

admin — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:57:49 +0000

Just got back from a family session at Piedmont Park. How gorgeous are these kids?! Just wait ’til you see their parents More to come, stay tuned.

Richmond California Newborn Portrait | Isaac Edward {Part 1}

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:19:05 +0000

Last Sunday, I escaped the chaotic task of unpacking the boxes of our lives at the new house and headed out to Richmond to photograph the newest bundle of Harwood love and joy. I didn’t have any of the gear and accessories I needed to do a full session (I wonder which box they went to … ) but I couldn’t possibly bear to re-schedule again.

Baby Isaac is almost 10 weeks and was pretty active when I got there. It was a challenge to get him to lay still, but mom’s soothing voice and dad’s gentle sssh-ing calmed him down. He’s long, lean and has incredible steel blue eyes. Isaac is perfect in every way. What a blessing!

Carolyn and Chris, it was so GREAT finally meeting Isaac and meeting up with the rest of your family. Look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Richmond California Newborn Portrait | Isaac Edward {Teaser}

admin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:32:21 +0000

I had the incredible pleasure of meeting the newest addition to the Harwood Family.
Here’s a teaser of the newborn shoot I had this morning. Stay tuned for more!

Los Gatos California Family Portraits | Tina + Peter = Leyla (Part II)

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 07:12:25 +0000

The challenge I usually face when photographing children is trying to make them feel comfortable. I was never really blessed with the gift of being able to make babies/kids giggle until they pee. Quite ironic since most of the shoots I’ve done are with kids. Truth be told, I’ve been known to make children cry just by looking at them *before I became a mom*. But after having tots of my own, I think my personality ‘softened’ up a bit. Now I don’t have to work as hard to get them to lighten up

I haven’t met Leyla prior to this engagement so I came with the expectation that I’d do my usual dance, sing, baby talk and cooing to get her to just pay me any attention. Much to my relief (and perhaps Tina and Peter’s) I didn’t have to do any of these because Leyla was the happiest, most smiley baby I’ve ever photographed. Her big greenish/brown eyes just lit up when Tina or Peter (and yes, even I) would call her and have her look at the camera. What a total sweetheart. But wait, in no way am I saying that it was a walk in the park capturing all her beautiful expressions. I had another thing I had to work around with her while I snapped away: our beautiful Leyla is a BIG grass eater. Tina described it perfectly – we really needed a full time assistant to keep an eye on her and make sure she’s not picking and chewing away in between shutter presses – yes she is THAT fast. At times we found grass inside her clenched fists and would manage to sneak in a bite or two while we’re not looking, like she’s timing it. How precocious!

Tina and Peter, what a pleasure it has been spending that lovely morning with you and Leyla. The rest of the images are in a gallery in my website, check it out. Thanks and I look forward to meeting up with you all again soon!

Look what I have mommy!

To distract her from the yummy grass, we gave Leyla my lens cap

Despite having a distraction, Leyla still longingly, err, I mean lovingly looked down at those green goodness

The beautiful family of Tina, Peter and Leyla

A candid moment when Tina gently stroked Leyla’s hair/head – I love it!

Adorable Leyla!

big smile

Gorgeous like mommy

Such a happy girl!