Berkeley
So Micaela actually “graduated” last year, but I had to make her grad photo dreams come true. Under the guise of a catch up dinner, and with the co-conspiring of Javi and Fernando, I was able to surprise Micaela with the grad photos she never got to take. This was also my first session with my new lens filter, and I don’t think I can ever go back. The colors! The creaminess! The glow! I can’t wait to see how this weekend’s sessions turn out.
Idrian was one of the first people to book a grad session this year and he had one request–Lake Merritt. Obviously, we made it happen. The best part this session was Idrian’s total trust in me. You know? The I-know-this-is-going-to-feel-really-awkward-but-I-swear-it-will-look-great. The creamy colors in the photos in front of the quote and all of the backlighting are on point. And how about that smile?!
This session with Hannah was a great way to get in the graduation season groove. I had so much fun, I almost forgot that I was “working.” Hannah’s bubbly, fun personality shines through these photos. And anytime someone is down to pose on a lounge chair for graduation photos, you know it’s going to be a good time.
One of my favorite Berkeley Law people moved away from the Bay last month. This part of the year is always really sad. But, besides leaving me with many great memories and friendship, she also left me with these adorable photos of her and her little family.
This was also my first morning grad session and I have to say, I might be a morning session convert because this lighting was glorious.
Grateful to have captured this special time for these special people and I’m ready to get the ball rolling on the rest of these grad photos!
Fernando is notoriously camera shy, but he graced me with his presence in front of the camera because after months of bar studying I was itching to take some portraits. We headed to Indian Rock Park in Berkeley to get the rocky, bright light backdrop I was looking for. We also found some beautiful plants near by so we had to take advantage of those, too.
My best friend left for New York last week and I’m already having withdrawals. Here are some of her graduation portraits that I took last month for you to enjoy and for me to reminisce on.
Liv and I served as Co-Presidents of our graduating class this year, but our story didn’t start there. We were introduced to each other early on in law school when it came to our attention that we were both from Oakland (there are surprisingly few of us at Berkeley Law). I have to say that Liv’s session is one of my all-time favorites, especially our shots in front of Sather Gate. Liv was so down to try all of the uncomfortable, awkward poses that I asked her to do. And I’m glad she was because look at these!! I am so honored to have been a part of Liv’s law school journey and to have captured this moment for her. Write down her name because she is absolutely going to change the world.
In law school I was lucky enough to find Fernando. We met in our first year as members of the La Raza Law Students Association and after a class together and a summer working in the same building, we started dating in our second year. Since then, Fernando has been my support system throughout all of the stresses of law school and my #1 cheerleader for all of my successes.
He promised me in the beginning of our third year that I could take his graduation photos and when the time came, I was so ready to thank him for his love and care by creating some enduring memories for him. He tends to be camera-shy and that was only exacerbated by his rather grown out mane, but we made it work.
I am a sucker for including nature in my portraits so obviously the two photos with flowers and leaves are my favorites, but they all look so good. I am glad I got to capture his typical serious look, but also some smiles and laughs along the way. Thank you for everything, Fernando!
I love all of the photos that I share, but can we talk about those pink flowers! I had the pleasure of getting to know Alex in my last year at Berkeley and I am so grateful that our paths crossed. When people say someone lights up a room, they’re probably exaggerating a little bit. But when I say Alexa lights up a room, she lights. up. a. room. From her honest and hilarious cold-call responses to bringing me a bouquet of flowers on my birthday, Alexa had my last year of law school so fun and special. I am so happy I got to capture these photos for her!
When Sarah asked me to take her photos I was honored. She is objectively one of the kindest, most compassionate people I’ve ever met. Her warm heart comes through in these photos through her sweet smile! Sarah was excited to try anything I suggested, so we took advantage of the fully blooming nature around us. And, of course, how could I take evening photos without taking full advantage of some back lighting!
Niki was the last session I was able to squeeze in before going to So Cal. Because of a rain warning at our original time, we had to reschedule, but we made it. Niki, a photographer herself, came prepared. She had tons of reference photos, location ideas, and poses at the ready. I love how these came out all blue skies and big smiles!
Sylvia was one of the first people I met at Berkeley Law, so taking her graduation photos feels like my law school experience is coming full circle. I was a little bit nervous about potential harsh sun since we were taking these photos earlier in the day, but we got lucky. I mean, look at her glow! Sylvia has always been a presence but she certainly knew how she wanted her photos to look and brought that energy to the table. The colors in this set are so vibrant and crisp, exactly my style.
Sabrina is a familiar face on blog (remember the haircutting video and Bay Street portraits?). She is one of my best friends from law school, so this is one of the sessions I was most looking forward to. Sabrina had recently visited her parents for a socially distant Mother’s Day, and her mom gave her graduation cap from undergrad; after seeing the “Notorious STM” we had to use it in her photos. I am so honored to have captured these moments for such a special person to share with her loved ones! Congrats, Sabrina!
Ariel went home to Davis during the school closures and made the hour-long trek back to campus to take these photos. All morning it was drizzling in Berkeley and about thirty minutes before our schedule time it started raining. I was worried that we would have to reschedule, but as soon as Ariel got to campus, the rain stopped. Can you say kismet? We got these beautiful photos with the holy grail overcast light and nothing says Berkeley like the changing blue and grey skies in the background.
Miranda and Dan both graduated this year, from law school and a physics PhD program, respectively. They scheduled these photos to commemorate their milestones. I have photographed many couples over the years, but Miranda and Dan had a comfort with each other and in front of the camera that made my job so easy! Congratulations to you, both!
Alex emailed me about a week before graduation asking to schedule a session because his mom was devastated that he would not get graduation photos; he decided to surprise her. Alex was a pleasure to photograph. He was friendly, amenable, and look at that smile! We also got lucky with some beautiful golden hour sun (the cherry on top). I love the warm glow and smooth colors in these!
After waiting for the current ~global pandemic~ to subside, Sam made the call to move back home, but she couldn’t leave without snagging a few shots in a cap and gown first. We made sure to keep the shoot socially distanced, but most of mine are anyway because I love my 50mm. Sam brought her filipiniana sleeves and her stole with the Filipino flag, and we took some beautiful shots incorporating them into the grad photos.
It was sad to see Sam go, and to see so many of our classmates celebrating their massive accomplishments with little fanfare, but I hope that these memories that we captured will last a lifetime!
Kiki was my last session before the shelter-in-place orders went into effect in March. They left for Seattle a few days after these photos. My heart has a hole in it, but these photos help. I mean, look at that smile!! So proud of you, Keeks!
My first graduating couple! Just one week before shelter-in-place was announced I photographed Bonifacio and Amanda celebrating their law school graduation. They were so fun and creative! Amanda came ready with photo ideas like sitting on the bookshelves in reading room and holding the textbook she helped to edit. They were all around great pair of subjects and can we talk about how cute they are?!
My favorite shots from my first grad session of the season! When Sara emailed that she had been waiting to book since she saw my photos I was flattered (and a little bit anxious to perform). I am so glad that she enjoyed her photos! Now that “Boalt Hall” has been removed from the school’s walls, I foresee my favorite location being that graphic corner or Heyman Terrace.
Thank you, Sara, for being so open and flexible to all of my ideas! And thank you to Sara’s partner and pupperoni for being the cherries on top of this gorgeous shoot!
