It was this San Francisco Grandma’s 70th birthday, and her family gifted her two deeply meaningful things — a visit from her granddaughters, and a photo session to capture what that meant to her.
She lives in the Presidio of San Francisco, where walking through Andy Goldsworthy’s famed Wood Line along Lover’s Lane is part of her daily rhythm when the girls are in town. My goal was to photograph that ritual exactly as it is — to reflect it back to their family in a way that felt honest and timeless.
Sessions like this are about balance — between interaction and space, direction and freedom. In the deep eucalyptus forest, I sought out pockets of light and gently guided the group toward them. I kept aware of the pairings and compositions that naturally formed, thinking always about depth and connection. I offered a few prompts, but mostly, I waited — letting the genuine moments emerge on their own.
Afterward, Grandma drove us back to her classic, Victorian San Francisco home, where a small celebration (and a large selection of chocolate pastries from Arsicault Bakery) awaited. I don’t think she could have been happier. And between the warmth of that family and the chocolate croissant I ate on the drive home, I couldn’t have been either.
This Is Why
This is why I photograph families – because want you to remember how it felt.
If you see beauty in the chaos, if you want to remember the whole rollercoaster that is childhood + parenthood, I hear you.
Want to chat? Drop me a note.
