Thank you to Shoott for sponsoring this guide to family photographers.
We asked you guys what Bay Area family photographer you recommend for capturing your kids. Wow, was it fun to click through all the websites of these talented folks! Here are the photographers you all shared with us, along with a few we’ve worked with and loved. These photographers specialize in babies, families, and kids.
Each of these photographers was endorsed by a 510Families reader, and we noted when we’ve worked with them directly with the 📷 icon.
Shoott Photography 📷: Shoott offers Instaworthy 30 min outdoor photo sessions at local parks & hotspots throughout the Bay Area. Sessions are FREE to book, receive your digital gallery of 40+ lightly edited photos in 3-5 bus. days, only pay for those you love at $15 each!
Shoott offers 10% off any orders of 5+ photos with code 510FAMILIES
Icarian Photography 📷: Melissa Schmidt, based in Berkeley, photographs families, in-home newborn sessions, "Fresh 48" sessions immediately post-delivery, and maternity shoots. She has photographed many 510families events throughout the years.
Amy Perl Photography: Based in Oakland with a focus on family and youth portraits.
Angela Lang Photography: Family photographer based in Oakland.
Arlene Easterwood 📷: Wedding, maternity, and newborn shoots based in Pittsburg. Arlene has photographed a handful of events for 510families and we love her.
Blueberry Photography: Family and lifestyle photography based in the East Bay but willing to travel around Northern California.
Cathy Breslow: Based in Walnut Creek with a focus on wedding photography and portraiture.
Celia Catalino 📷: Based in Oakland, photographed a handful of lovely 510families events. She specializes in family sessions.
Dani G Photography: Maternity, newborn, baby, & family photographer serving the Bay Area.
Dina Uretski Photography: Children and family photographer based in the Bay Area.
e&b photography: Oakland-based photographer duo specializing in weddings and families.
EPLi Photography: Oakland documentary-style family photographer. A real favorite with our readers! She creates a “warm and loving space” and brings out “incredible” and “authentic” portraits of families and children.
Eva Baker Photography: Maternity & newborn photographer based in Walnut Creek.
J Swenson Photography: Jess Swenson is a Livermore-based newborn and family photographer.
Jackie Rutan Photography: Jackie Rutan Photography offers outdoor family and home newborn portrait sessions, as well as wedding photography in the East Bay area. Located in Oakland.
Save $50 off outdoor family photo package session fees with code 510FAM. Must be scheduled before 1/1/21.
JenDzen Photography: Lifestyle and family photographer serving Lamorinda, Walnut Creek, and San Ramon Valley areas.
Jessica McCoy Photography: Maternity, baby, and family photographer based in Martinez.
Jill Slagter Photography: East Bay-based lifestyle family, birth, and maternity photographer.
Kandace Photography: Wedding and family photographer based in Oakley.
Karen De Jager Spectrum Photography: Operating in the broader East Bay area based in Pleasant Hill. Specialties include smash the cake, maternity, newborn, and family portraits.
Katherine Briccetti Photography: Bay Area-based documentary, lifestyle, and fine art photographer specializing in portrait photography.
Kristen Murakoshi 📷: Editorial and commercial photographer based in Oakland also does lifestyle and portrait photography.
Lemonshoots: Alameda-based maternity and newborn photography.
Megan Small Photography 📷: Alameda-based photographer specializing in family portraits and maternity shoots. She has photographed Heather's family multiple times.
Nathan Phillips Photography 📷: Photographer specializing in family portraits and events, based in Berkeley. He photographed Heather's family and made them look like rockstars.
Ngoc M Nguyen Photography: Outdoor family photo shoots in the East Bay Area.
Nightingale Photography: Wedding and portrait photographer serving the Bay Area and Napa Valley.
Nissa Brehmer Photography 📷: Newborn and family portraits based in the Bay Area. She photographed moms and babies for us at many Baby’s Day Out events.
Photos by Kerstin: Photographer specializing in maternity, newborn, & family photography.
Raquel Marie Photography: Newborns, family portraits, maternity & more, serving Northern California
Rasheed Photography 📷: Family and wedding photographer based in Oakland. Photographed a special event for Carol's family.
Roots and Shoots Photography 📷: Family & school portraits based in Berkeley. They photographed us in 2010 for our first-ever family portrait.
Sara Pietras Photography: Sara Pietras is an Oakland-based lifestyle photographer who specializes in family, newborn, Fresh 48, and maternity photography with a focus on capturing connections, serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
Shauna Heidenreich Photography: Family, youth, and newborn photography serving the Bay Area.
Shoey Sindel Photography: Portrait, wedding, and mitzvah photography based in Berkeley.
Sky 9 Studio: Offers maternity, baby, and family photography in the San Francisco Bay Area. Offering on-location, in-home, and studio photography.
Free maternity session for anyone who chooses the Forever My Baby photography plan.
Soul Signature Studios, formerly known as TeAirra Mitchell Photography: Bay Area-based portrait photography with a focus on maternity shoots.
Urban Shutterbug: Bay Area-based photography specializing in maternity, weddings, newborns, and families.
Shoott’s tips for capturing the best family photos
- Work with movement: Movement helps minimize stiffness or awkwardness. Walk towards or away from the camera, run, twirl, jump, or play with clothing – are all great options.
- Interactions are key: Tell the kids a joke; have them tell you a joke. Talking and laughing together creates beautiful family moments which create family photo gold.
- Playtime is fun! Play with the kids by chasing them, swinging them, lifting them up in the air. Their energy and joy inspire truly Insta-worthy moments.
When you book a Shoott session, you’ll receive a gallery of your family photos, filled with variety so you have lots of moments to choose from.
Photoshoot tip: What to Wear
Pro tip: Avoid too many words and characters on the kids’ clothes for photos that might hang on the walls for years to come. We’re big fans of affordable basics to get everyone “in uniform” while still looking like kids, from primary.com. Get 20% off your first order at Primary.com with code AFF20PCT
If you choose one of these photographers, let ’em know you saw them first on 510Families!
These photographers were selected based on our readers’ preferences in an unscientific poll along with sponsors as indicated. Unless otherwise noted, we cannot vouch for their work or pricing.
Thank you to Shoott for sponsoring this guide to family photographers.
