Kathryn G Photography » San Francisco Photographer, family, newborn, lifestyle, maternity, engagement, affordable, best

What I love most about the art of lifestyle photography is that it captures our daily life without airs; the moments we take for granted because they happen routinely. But someday that routine will change, and those “everyday” moments will become distant memories.

It was this thought that led me to bring my camera to a weekly dinner with my grandpa. My grandmother, his wife of over 60 years, passed away a couple of years ago, and we often tell stories about our “Nonni” around the dinner table.  Recently, Papa and I were talking about the legacy that grandparents leave for their grandchildren, and I told him that Nonni’s legacy for me will always be her homemade gnocci and her garden.

Papa and I spent the evening as we usually do together; enjoying an apertivo, checking on the garden, and telling stories. But this time I wanted to capture a small sliver of the legacy that my Papa has already given me – the importance of family dinners, time together, and the secret ingredient to his bolognese sauce. Papa1

“On holidays, after midnight mass, we’d come home and have the donuts with powdered sugar. They don’t make them like that anymore.”

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“Your grandmother’s flowers keep blooming. Each year they get bigger and brighter.”

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“Don’t give me a million dollars, give me your time. Time is the most precious thing.”

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There is something so special about being invited into a family’s home for a lifestyle shoot. The authenticity of a professional shoot in your own home is rare, but the photos capture the most everyday moments.

There were so many sweet moments at baby Alyse’s two-month lifestyle session. Her mom and dad clearly adore her, and each other! The love within this little family is truly something special. In the short hour I spent photographing Alyse, she showered us with great photo opportunities: cuddles, naps, melt-downs, and lots of awns – being a model is hard work, and she was just the best!

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Julie and Oscar chose a gorgeous day in San Francisco for their engagement session. The city’s usual fog cover was nowhere to be seen. It’s as if the sunshine knew it had to make an appearance for this beautiful couple!

We began our session exploring the Palace of Fine Arts. Not only is every angle of the Palace beautiful, but so are Julie and Oscar! If only I could photograph well from every angle! Then we were off to Baker Beach to chase the sunset, and what a spectacular one it was! There was even a fellow beach-goer who blew bubbles into a few of the photos.

It was such a pleasure to meet Julie and Oscar and document their engagement. And of course it was awesome to meet their rad dog, Blue, too! I feel so honored to have gotten a small window into the passionate and joyful love they share. I know their marriage will be a beautiful one. I can’t wait to photograph their wedding!. Congratulations you two!

 

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To this day, my cousin Francesca’s wedding is still one of my favorites! She decided to get married in her father’s backyard in what was an understated celebration that was so full of life. Absent from this wedding were the frivolous stresses. In fact, Francesca forgot about a bouquet until the morning of the wedding! An aunt ran out to the florist and put together a simply elegant bouquet while the rest of the girls laughed at the oversight and drank champagne together (and maybe even a “secret” shot of tequila in the closet).

 

Family and friends participated in all of the details to bring the wedding together. Francesca spent the morning getting ready with her sister-in-law expertly doing her hair and make-up, complete with high-fives once it was complete. Her soon to be in-laws prepared gorgeous succulent centerpieces. Her mom baked incredible cakes – eight of them! Her brother rehearsed his guitar solo that he would soon play as his sister walked up the aisle. As I walked around photographing the happenings of the morning, I couldn’t help but feel the overwhelming sweetness and support of family coming together.

 

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And before we knew it, it was time for Francesca to walk down the aisle to Kurt, after a long hug with her dad, of course! My favorite part of any wedding is watching the groom’s face as his bride walks towards him. Kurt’s face was priceless and so full of love throughout the ceremony. The two were married by an uncle, sealed their vows with a pinky promise, and exited into a sea of cheers and thrown rice. The rest of the evening was filled with hugs, toasts, and in our true family form, hours of dancing with Francesca right at the center. She is, after all, the family’s best dancer! I have always admired Francesca for the carefree way she approaches life, never missing an opportunity for a dance or a laugh. I wish Francesca and Kurt all the love in the world as they sweetly dance their way through life together.

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Introducing 5-week old Laurel. I was so smitten to meet my dear friend’s newest family member! I loved watching Laurel intently observing the world around her. She is already such an attentive baby, and so much of her personality is making an appearance at just 5 weeks old. It really is amazing to see the innate personalities that  babies have from day one.

 

One of my favorite quotes by the beloved author Khaled Hosseini is, “Children aren’t coloring books. You don’t get to fill them with your favorite colors.” Laurel is already choosing to color her world with observation, deep consideration of the people around her, gentle love, and a splash of humor. There is so much fascination in meeting new humans and imagining the ways they are going to color the world in their own unique and special way.
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