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!
Who knew that one friend’s referral would turn into such a cute session?! Working with Ruben & Kevin was such a pleasure. Their love was obvious from every interaction that I witnessed and they were pleasures to work with. It is not everyday that you meet a couple that is so open to trying new things and holding uncomfortable poses. I am so excited for these guys to get married! What a beautiful pair!
I met Prince when I started working at Peet’s five years ago. I met Vern when Prince shared his Salmon burger recipe with me a few months later. Now, two of my favorite people are getting married and I could not be more excited. And, obviously, I was going to take their engagement photos.
Prince was going for a Beyonce & Jay Z On The Run-feel, so it had to be black and white. We chose Joaquin Miller Park to emulate the big empty fields in the original. And, of course, the outfits were on point.
I love how sweet these photos turned out and I am counting down the days until the wedding.
It wasn’t long after I began law school for the idea for this project to come about. Due to a history of exclusivity reinforced through laws and in the legal profession, law school was not always an option for someone like me. Despite Berkeley Law’s best efforts at increasing diversity and fostering inclusion, I did not immediately feel comfortable at school -- until I walked into my first Womxn of Color Collective meeting. The WOCC community finally made me feel like I belonged at Berkeley. Hopefully, these portraits and words make you feel more at home here, too.
WOCC members inspire me every day through their passion, resilience, and drive. This project is intended to add our vibrant colors to the halls of Berkeley Law. It is intended to show how diverse our diversity is and how our stories make us stronger. It is intended to show you that, even though it may feel like it, you are never alone.
Thank you to all of the chingonas who shared their time, faces, and stories with me. Thank you to three generations of WOCC co-chairs: Farrah Vasquez & Monica Ramsy who encouraged me to turn my into reality, Liv Gee & Sana Mayat who helped me organize and carry out my vision, and Jessica Williams & Maya Campbell for crossing the finish line with me. Thank you to Dean Chemerinsky and Dean Vanden Heuvel for getting these portraits on these walls. Thank you to my sister, because of you I will never be “the only one.” And thank you to all the revolutionaries who fought to crack open Berkeley Law’s doors; we will fight like hell to bust them down.
In community,
Anya (‘20)
These days were indeed spent relaxing so I didn’t take out my camera too much, but here are some snapshots from when I did.
A cat, a gecko, and my sister in Auraville, a nearby experimental township
My sister in the Pondicherry Botanical Garden
A fisherman’s village near Pondicherry
My sister at Arkiramedu, Roman ruins near Pondicherry
A goat at Mahabalipuram Monuments near Chennai
My sister
After a four hour drive from Agra and a stop at the Monkey Temple, we made it to Jaipur! After an evening of rest, we spent the whole day viewing sights.
First we stopped at Jantar Mantar, the collection of astrological instruments belonging to one of the founders of Jaipur. We got to see the biggest sundial in the world! Then, we went to the City Palace of Jaipur to see the Maharaja of Jaipur’s family museum. After the museum, we drove to Amer Fort. This Fort was built in the 900s and our guide told us that some of the design elements of the Fort were even incorporated into the Taj Mahal!
After the sight seeing we got to the best part - Elephant Village! Here we spent the rest of the day feeding, painting, brushing, showering, and playing with Nena. It was my first, and probably only, time feeling an elephant’s trunk and feeding her bananas and bundles of grass. I will certainly never forget it (ha!).
The last leg of our trip is ten days in Pondicherry. I am looking forward to many days of lounging, reading, and swimming. Coming soon!
So on the way from Agra to Jaipur there is a place called Monkey Temple… need I say more?
For more details check out Discovery Channel’s coverage of one of the greatest places I have ever visited.
After two days in New Delhi we drove four hours to Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal. We arrived around noon and after a quick lunch of curry, kofta, and rice we headed to the palace. To protect the palace and gardens from pollution we had to get out of our van and take an electric gold cart to the entrance. The Taj truly is as majestic as it seems. And the gates and other ancient buildings around it were designed to create optical illusions, always drawing your attention to the beautiful memorial of a queen from her king.
🔘 6/7 wonders of the world
⚪️ Big Jesus in Brazil
After the Taj Mahal we went to Agra Fort. Our guide showed us the house arrest cell where the king who built the Taj Mahal was jailed by son after he tried to build a second Taj. On our way in we saw a dozen money’s crossing the wall and many more inside! Such monkey, big fan.
After the Fort we headed back to the hotel to relax before another day of travel to the final point of The Golden Triangle.
We’re in India! I’ve been wanting to visit this country for a loooong time. Why you may ask? Easy:
Cows
Food
Taj Mahal
So far, I have two out of three boxes checked and the third is coming tomorrow! Even after all of the boxes are checked, though, we’re still going to hang out for another two weeks. And that just means more food!
Our first few days are going to be spent traveling around the Golden Triangle (two days in New Delhi, one day in Agra, one day in Jaipur). Then we’re flying from Jaipur to Chany and driving four hours to Pondicherry. We’re going to stay in Pondicherry for two weeks and come home just in time for the start of my third (and last) year of law school!
Anyway, now that that’s all covered. Here’s a quick recap of what we saw in Delhi and New Delhi.
Jama Mosque
Ghandi’s Tomb
Humayun’s Tomb
India Gate & Prime Minister’s Residence
Qutub Minar
I went down to Santa Cruz for the real deal. Here are my highlights from Keith’s big day. As always, I am so proud of you, homie! Now onto that PhD.
My best friend really did that thing!
So first of all, congratulations Keith! I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished. Despite repeated explanations, I still don’t exactly understand what you do. I do know that you’ve been assisting professors with research since your second year and working for a startup since your junior year and now you’re making moves and getting ready to change the world! You inspire me to work hard (and maybe learn some science).
Second, let’s talk about this shoot. Keith brought along a great group of friends to celebrate his four amazing years at Santa Cruz. It was so much fun to watch everyone’s interactions and see how close and goofy they all were. We started at the beach and captured some fire group shots before heading to take the classing sign photos. We ended on a bridge surrounded by redwoods, as one must in Santa Cruz. Adi brought some confetti balloons and we added some fun rainbow to the shots. I especially love the tone bridge photos. Which ones are your favorites?
