$1,000 says Keili can navigate San Francisco better than you can | modern family photographer, Cole Valley, San Francisco

$1,000 says Ms. Keili can navigate the city of San Francisco better than you can. I’m kidding of course but this little lady has some serious “street-smarts”. She is hands down the most outgoing, affable, polite, and down right sophisticated little kids I’ve ever met. Yes, I’ve said it. I don’t always make such grandiose statements but little Keili is so very impressive!

We started our family session in her neighborhood first visiting her favorite French bakery, La Boulange. She gobbled down a delicious looking pastry not because she seemed hungry but she could tell it would make a good photo for me…a natural model! Then after saying hello to a few locals including their garbage man, we jumped on the N-Judah to head down to one of their favorite SF destinations (and one of mine too), the Ferry Building. Along the way Keili called out landmarks and instructed us on which stop to exit. Once we arrived downtown we enjoyed some Ciao Bella gelato, drank a glass of red wine (not Keili of course), and nibbled on some food from Taylors Automatic Refresher. Then we ended our shoot by running across the street to the park and blowing some bubbles. It was the best kind of shoot and Keili was the perfect storyteller!

A gigantic thank you to Susan, Joe and especially Ms. Keili for such a lovely morning. Enjoy some of my favs and let me know your thoughts (my comments below, including technical details for the photographers)!

MODERN KID: Keili + mom and dad

LOCATION: San Francisco >> Cole Valley >> N-Judah >> Ferry Building

keili001Sitting outside La Boulangekeili002keili003

Saying hello to the garbage man…he knew Keili by name!

keili005keili006Riding the train, Keili’s making sure we’re on the right track.

keili007keili008Keili showing us the way.

keili009

keili010A serious moment en route

keili011Making sure I’m not falling too far behind…

keili012keili013keili014Does it get any cuter than this?

keili016keili017Heading straight to the gelato stand.

keili018

Mom and Dad enjoying a glass of wine and a quick kiss.

keili019keili015A big smile from our model

keili020Running with mom to the park

keili021What a beautiful girl!

keili022Bubbles are great fun for kids and make great images for photographers…they never get old.

keili023Wrapping up our shoot with a mini fashion-model

keili024Big smiles all around and a glimpse of the Bay Bridge

TECHNICAL DETAILS (for the photographers out there): Shot almost entirely in natural light with ISOs between 200-400 outdoors and up to 1600 in the subway. With Keili alone most f-stops were between 1.4-5.6, groups are almost entirely f4.0-f5.6 with my 35mm. I pulled out the 50mm for a few portraits toward the end. Minimal processing: aside from basic RAW processing I applied a few TRA actions at low opacity – been going more and more towards less processing. With a shoot like this make sure to tell the whole story, move around all the time, and take some time without the camera in your face to just watch the fun unfold. Enjoy!

To book a shoot with Sarah and Modern Kids Photography simple give us a shout. Email hello[at]modernkidsphoto[dot]come or call 415.846.0533. We would love to hear from you!

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January 12, 2010 - 5:04 pm

megan russell - love this entire session… the documentary feel. the great light and tones. the affection between this fam. so cute!

January 12, 2010 - 6:16 pm

Joel Flory - great shoot. Noticed that wasn’t just any glass of wine. Was that a bottle of Shafer One Point Five? My Fav!

January 12, 2010 - 7:37 pm

Sarah - Megan, thank you very much. It was really the best kind of shoot; a wonderful family, great weather, and great location ideas.

January 12, 2010 - 7:38 pm

Sarah - Joel, you have eagle eyes. Totally Schafer wine can’t recall the grape…or maybe it was a blend. It was delicious.

January 13, 2010 - 7:34 am

Lori - The colors were awesome! Great story.

January 14, 2010 - 11:18 am

edyta szyszlo photo - OMG! one of my favs of yours for sure!! cuteness.to.die.for family…makes me miss my old neighborhoood, cole valley.

January 14, 2010 - 11:40 am

Sarah - Lori, thanks so much. The family had such great style mixed with a really lovely day.

January 14, 2010 - 11:41 am

Sarah - Edyta, I love Cole Valley. I’m never ever over there unfortunately. Excluding my fav neighborhood and current area of residence, Potrero Hill…Cole Valley is one of my favs in SF!

January 15, 2010 - 8:30 am

marie - ok…I just found you and have totally spent about an hour looking at your blog ( which is isn’t a good thing since I have to edit work) and love your style…i want your clients, they are so fun and seem to really enjoy their session…

January 15, 2010 - 8:44 am

Sarah - Thank you Marie. I do have really wonderful clients. Thank you very much for the comment. You have such lovely portraits as well!

January 26, 2010 - 7:42 am

Hillary - Eek! I love Keili’s outfit. She’s so cute! Love the shot of her leaning against the red wall.