The Heart Behind My Approach

As a Bay Area family photographer serving San Francisco, the Peninsula, and the East Bay, I focus on capturing genuine moments by incorporating play and connection into every family session. 

Play naturally brings out children’s joy and energy, making it the perfect foundation for creating authentic family portraits that tell your unique story. When children play, they reveal their truest selves, creating opportunities to document real, connected moments that define your family.

My Background in Play-Based Photography

My journey to family photography is rooted in over 15 years of experience as an early childhood special educator, where I specialized in play and relationship-based approaches.

This background taught me the invaluable skills of slowing down, following a child’s lead, and recognizing what brings them true joy. When children are happy, parents naturally follow suit, creating those fleeting, precious moments that are often hard to capture on your own but become treasured pieces of your family’s story.

Why Play Matters

Play is essential for young children—it helps them explore the world and build relationships. Each stage of your child’s development, from their favorite toys to the ways they interact, shows who they are at that moment. Documenting these milestones creates a living history for your family and brings joyful memories into focus.

Capturing Everyday Moments

Home is where your family feels most comfortable, making it an ideal setting to capture those special everyday moments.

Whether it’s reading a favorite book together, baking Sunday morning cookies, or playing in the backyard, these familiar activities create beautiful, authentic memories worth preserving. Home sessions allow your family’s genuine personality to shine through in a space where everyone feels most like themselves.

Family Adventures in the Bay Area

The Bay Area offers endless opportunities for fun family adventures that can tell your unique story.

From the foggy shores of Baker Beach to the golden hills of Tilden Regional Park, or even a simple trip to your favorite local playground, these outings provide the perfect backdrop for meaningful moments.

Each season brings its own magic—spring wildflowers, summer beach days, fall color, and cozy winter moments—offering unique opportunities to document your family throughout the year. Think about what makes your family happiest, and let’s build your session around that.

What to Expect: A Playful Photography Experience

Every photo session is an adventure in play and connection. As your photographer, I create a relaxed environment where your family can be themselves.

Drawing from my background in early childhood education, I understand that genuine moments happen when children feel free to explore, play, and express themselves.

A Typical Play-Based Session

We’ll start by following your child’s natural curiosity. Whether they’re excited to show me their favorite toys at home, eager to run along the beach, or interested in collecting leaves at the park, we’ll use their interests to guide our time together.

Sessions typically last 1.5-2 hours, allowing plenty of time for:

• Spontaneous play and exploration
• Comfortable transitions between activities
• Natural breaks when needed
• Both active play and quieter moments of connection

How We Create Magic Together

Supporting Natural Play and Engagement

Children thrive when they’re free to play and explore. My sessions are thoughtfully structured to let kids be kids while creating opportunities for genuine family connection.

By participating in activities that bring them joy, children remain naturally engaged, allowing us to capture a full range of authentic emotions—from pure joy to quiet curiosity.

Following Your Child’s Lead

Every child is unique, and I honor that in every session:

• Some children bubble with endless energy, while others take time to warm up. My goal is to help your children feel completely at ease, whether that means taking breaks or channeling their energy into fun, creative moments.
• While we’ll have a loose plan for our time together, I always follow your child’s lead. This flexibility allows us to capture those spontaneous, authentic moments that make your family special.
• Your playfulness sets the tone. When parents embrace silly moments and natural play, children feel free to be themselves, leading to genuinely connected family moments.

Common Questions About Play-Based Sessions

“What if my child just wants to play and won’t look at the camera?”
That’s completely okay! My style is all about capturing real, connected moments rather than stiff poses. When children are absorbed in play, their genuine personalities shine through, which makes for the most meaningful images. I always prioritize natural, candid interactions, but I’ll take a couple of more traditional portraits during the session—and if you’d like a few extra, just let me know!

“My child takes time to warm up to new people. How do you handle this?”
We’ll move at your child’s pace, starting with activities they enjoy. Sometimes this means reading a book together or watching them show me their favorite toy. There’s no rush—the best photos come when children feel comfortable.

“We’re not sure how to play together in front of the camera…”
I’ll guide you with simple, fun activities that encourage natural interaction. Whether it’s a family dance party, a game of chase, or cuddling up for a story, these moments create authentic connections worth capturing.

Ready to Document Your Family’s Story?

Every session is an opportunity to create lasting memories that capture the true essence of your family through play and connection.

Whether at home or exploring the beautiful Bay Area, let’s create a session that’s uniquely yours—filled with laughter, play, and those special connections that make your story one-of-a-kind.

I’d love to help you preserve these precious moments to cherish for years to come.

Book Your Play-Based Session