San Francisco Bay Area Family Photographer

Unposed, artful family photography capturing your wild and wonderful story.

Meet Your Photographer

You want photos that are
real.

There is nothing wrong with a posed photo, but you want something more.

You want photos that find beauty in truth..

My goal with every session is to make everyone feel completely at ease so that your photos are filled with tear-jerking authenticity.

An Award Winning Portfolio

More than photos — this is your family, your love, and your beautiful chaos turned into art.

  • Emotional moment with dad holding son to chest, eyes closed, and kissing mom on the forehead.
  • Toddler standing on sand with blue ocean behind smiling as seagulls flock around her.
  • Pregnant woman sunset silhouette and reflection in pool
  • Dad holding daughter as they laugh hysterically together.
  • Brother and sister standing in the forest with hands over their mouths laughing and looking at each other.
  • Mom tenderly kisses newborn's head while standing in a foggy forest.
  • Family of four hold hands and walk away from a golden sunset.
  • Grainy black and white of dad tenderly holding infant and closing his eyes.
Full Session Galleries

“We were free just to be us…”

– Adrienne F
Cole Valley Mom

Meet the Artist

Hi, I’m David (he, him).

I believe family photos should be more than moments — they should hold the heart of this season in your life.

In ten years, they should feel how it felt.

As a work-from-home dad, I know how hard it is to slow down and be present. I also know what it’s like to be behind the camera but never in the photo.

I create timeless art for your family — preserved in every image and the handcrafted frames I build to hold them.

More about me.

Man squeezes baby to cheek in front of sunset and rocky beach.
photo by Ashley Kaplan

SF Bay Area
Photography Offerings

Click for details & pricing

Family of four hold hands and walk away from a golden sunset.
Family
Woman closes her eyes, holds pregnant belly with sunset and Point Lobos rocks behind her.
Maternity
Newborn feet close up with mom holding.
Newborn
Grainy black and white of dad tenderly holding infant and closing his eyes.
Film/Documentary

Family Photography:
What You Need to Know

For Marin sessions, click here.

Here’s what to expect when you book a Bay Area family session.

No stress. No stiff poses. Just candid, natural moments that feel like you.


Return clients 15% off

Includes

90 minute photo session

50+ images (digital)

25+ images (film)

Consult call

Marin & San Francisco locations

20% print store discount (including handcrafted frames)

*Weekends +$200

Quiet Season

(Jan–Aug)

$1275

Peak Season

(Sept–Dec)

$1475

Mom closes eyes as son holds tight and puts head on her shoulder.

How it works

1. Get in touch

It takes 2 minutes (actually) to get a date on the calendar.

2. Guided planning

A phone consult, a questionnaire, and my professional guidance on location, timing, and how to prepare.

3. The space to be present

An easygoing session that will leave your kids asking when we get to hang out again.

4. Build something memorable

Download, print, and frame your favorite moments. I’m here to help.

Family at iconic Wood Line by Andy Goldsworthy with parents helping baby learn to walk.
Schedule your session today

“…the session just felt really easy, like we were working with a long-time friend.”

– Khevna
Dogpatch mom

A Love Note

“Hi David!”

“We are swooning over our photos!!! You’ve captured the essence of our girls and family in such a beautiful way. We are so impressed with all that you were able to capture in the midst of all the chaos!

“You know the saying ‘The days are long but the years are short’? I often worry that I am not enjoying the days enough because they can feel so long with young kids. At the same time I find myself watching my kids and whispering to myself, “You’re growing up so fast—please slow down.

“It can feel like time (and their childhood) is slipping away. With these photos you’ve given us a tangible way to hold onto and treasure our kids’ baby/childhood. Thank you!

“It’s clear that you pour your heart into your craft, and we are so grateful for the time and effort you dedicated to our session. Your professionalism, creativity, and skill have made this such a great experience for us, and we look forward to working with you again in the future.”

– Michelle, Oakland Mom

Parents hold infant in redwood forest while toddler and sister dance in the sunlight.
Mom holds baby close as both smile.
Three sisters, including one infant, lay on their bellies in the grass.
Toddler sprays water fountain as older sister tries to drink and laughs.
Toddler sister tries to climb split rail fence in the forest as older sister sits on top.
Dad holds baby as mom plays with baby's feet and they all laugh.
Mom tenderly holds infant to forehead as baby looks at the camera.

Be part of the story and book your family session today.

Get on the calendar

Don’t let these wild, wonderful years slip by. Get on the calendar and let me help you create something timeless.

Get in touch

Summer, Fall, and weekends in the San Francisco Bay Area often book at least six weeks in advance. Get in touch and I’ll send you my schedule today.

FAQs

The way I photograph and edit the images from a session depends on how I feel after my time with your family. Was it a moody evening in the forest, quietly exploring with your toddler? Was it a sun-soaked morning at the beach with two wild pre-schoolers? I would edit these galleries completely differently. What matters to me is that the feeling of your gallery fits the experience.

Easygoing, unposed, interactive. During most of my sessions, we chat a lot. I ask questions about your family and I share details about mine. If you have kids with you, I spend a lot of time connecting with them and building trust. 

I will direct you towards beautiful light. I might ask you to repeat a loving gesture. If I see that your hair or clothing is askew, I’ll tell you. But I do not “pose” in the traditional sense, so expect candid photos that are beautifully un-polished.

Within 4 weeks of your session (6 weeks for film photos). Rush processing is available for an additional fee. 

Why so long? My stepwise process is part of my artistic signature, and it takes time. I do my best work when I come back to a session day after day, for weeks. A lot of energy goes into selecting and editing the best images for your gallery.

The weather in San Francisco can be great all year long, so it is not worth waiting for a particular season. Winter is more variable but offers incredible moments before and after the storms. My schedule is also more flexible in Winter. Spring is windy and great for raw and wild moments. Summer is warm and sunny or beautifully foggy depending on location and timing. Fall is considered our “best season,” but note that locations are busier and wildfire smoke can be an issue.

TLDR – don’t stress about the season.

Yes, but only when I think my style and skillset will serve you well. Think tiny weddings, elopements, intimate family events, and documentary-style images.

I don’t do studio photography. My photo sessions take place outside or in your home.

Some of my all-time favorite images have come from foggy sessions. If you are adamant about sunshine, let’s talk about locations that are less likely to be foggy. I do not reschedule for clouds or fog.

If the forecast 48 hours before your session shows rain, I am happy to reschedule. That said, I LOVE a family that gets out in the rain. Kids with cute umbrellas splashing around in rain boots make for some iconic San Francisco moments! I even have two clear bubble umbrellas that you can borrow!

Why I Became a Photographer in San Francisco

When I moved to the Outer Sunset I was blown away by the natural spaces. Bike rides through Golden Gate Park, sunsets reflected in the pools of Sutro Baths, morning hikes from Lands End. And the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands just a low-key background for all of it. 

A lot of San Francisco families have a natural connection to their surroundings. I saw this immediately and it reminded me of my upbringing. I use my camera to tell that story.

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Leave no trace environmental logo

Website created by me, your photographer, because I want it to be an extension of myself. Forgive the imperfections and enjoy the heart and soul.