Category Archives: belly+baby

a dear friend is pregnant // a film shoot in Santa Barbara

One of my dearest friends is pregnant. It’s an understatement to say that I am completely and totally overjoyed by this fact. I can barely wait to meet this baby girl in May – I even scheduled my Europe trip around her arrival. I wish I could share all of the images but they are...

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April 7, 2011 - 9:35 am

Sarah - I’m with you, Meg. I actually dislike them as well (at least for posting all over the internet). I wish I could share more. Thanks for the comment, Meg!

April 7, 2011 - 12:45 am

Meg - This maternity shot is so elegant and intimate. I usually really dislike bare pregnant belly shots, but you shot this picture so incredibly beautifully.

March 31, 2011 - 1:25 pm

Sarah - oooh, jen! lovely. funny comments there from jonathan canlas. he seemed so shocked that you the f6 – kinda weird! :)

March 30, 2011 - 4:04 pm

jenberry - once i develop a roll, I’ll forward along. i shot a roll for my brother, but he doesn’t like his kid on the web: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150105822689322&set=o.170632379619899&theater

March 29, 2011 - 4:08 pm

Sarah - I’d love to see some images from your F6. Let me know if you ever post any! The Mamiya is great but super bulky for me. The pentax is not bad but again feels like a 35mm on steroids. The hasselblad would be fun if your focus ring was in good shape. My is old so it’s sticks a bit. Thanks, Jen!

March 29, 2011 - 4:01 pm

jenberry - i love love love my F6 because it works with all the new lenses (i.e. 35mm f1.4) since they no longer make the aperture rings. It’s expensive, but it was a surprise gift from my husband. It just feels sturdy. I haven’t use it to the fullest yet, as I just got it. But so far everything I’ve shot has been acceptable.

I heard the Mamiya 7 is great, but it’s a rangefinder and 6×7. Not 6×4.5

I only shoot for mind stimulation/hobby so I can’t be too picky.

March 29, 2011 - 12:33 pm

Sarah - You are gorgeous, Tara. Can’t wait to see you again next week.

March 29, 2011 - 10:16 am

TaraDees - thanks for making a half-naked 8 month pregnant lady look so lovely, Sarah. It will be so nice to have these photos to look back at and remember you photographing me in my kitchen that day. The baby just kicked me in my spleen which is morse code for “I can’t wait to meet my Auntie Sarah!”

March 29, 2011 - 10:02 am

Sarah - Hi Jen! It’s a good question. I’ve been reading lately they people are having trouble lately finding the Contaxt at a good price. Due to the popularity of Jose Villa, Elizabeth Messina, and Jonathan Canlas (all who shoot on Contax) they are much harder to get these days. A year ago would have been a different story. I’m actually having trouble finding inserts that are affordable and they used to be seriously cheap like $50. I bought mine in pieces (first the body, then the lens, then the prism, then the back, etc.) and it kept the price down considerably but I had to be patient. The hasselblad is a great option but from experience I did get tired of the square format. However, I think there is an insert you can buy for it to change formats. A friend told me recently to buy the F6! How do you like it? I’d love an alternative to the expense of medium format but yes, in general photographing on film is a lovely experience.

March 29, 2011 - 9:56 am

jenberry - thanks for answering. i’m trying to figure out which one to buy. obviously the hasselblad is more affordable in the short term. hum. and i agree, i’ve been shooting my f6 and I take about 1 shot for every 20 I would have taken on digital.

March 29, 2011 - 7:05 am

Rachel - Awwwww Tara! I’m so excited for her. The photos look great Sarah. :)

March 28, 2011 - 2:32 pm

Sarah - Hi Jen, Yes this is the Contax. While I totally love my hasselblad my eyesight has been getting worse as I get older (teehee) so I rely a bit on the autofocus on the Contax, even though some people think that’s sacrilegious! ;) I definitely miss the process of film. So much more thoughtful and slow.

March 28, 2011 - 2:27 pm

jenberry - gorgeous soft light. nothing like film. is this your contax? (did you retire your hasselblad?)

whirlwind…

Wow. It’s been a bit crazy over here. I’m sincerely sorry if you’re waiting to hear back from me via email, phone, or smoke signal. It’s been a bit of a whirlwindwith portrait and commercial kids shoots nearly every day and very little down time to catch up on email. Please forgive my delay. I’ll be attempting to catch up today and throughout the weekend.

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September 28, 2010 - 2:13 pm

Sarah - So looking forward to it, Artur. I really appreciate the opportunity. ;)

September 28, 2010 - 2:12 pm

Sarah - Thank you so much, Kelsey! I’ve seen stomping ground make the blog rounds. What a great concept!

September 22, 2010 - 6:27 pm

kelsey kleiman - swimming in great images! nice work.
beautiful website.

September 11, 2010 - 10:51 am

Artur Heller - The next Camerapixo issue about Kids and Family Photography is coming early October. We will publish your amazing work there… All the best Sarah.

Simple. Lovely. Brit & Grant, Santa Barbara | modern portrait photographer, California

I’ve been excited to share this shoot with you for a little while. A few weekends ago I was shooting in Santa Barbara, California. One of my shoots was an incredibly gorgeous, kind-hearted, and talented fellow photographer, named Brit Mann and her charming and helpful photo-assisting husband, Grant. They are expecting the arrival of what-is-sure-to-be an amazingly gorgeous baby girl. I felt really honored to photograph them during such a special time.

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June 15, 2010 - 9:42 am

haylie - Brit, you’re so incredibly beautiful, and so is YOUR BABY!!!! Ross and I love you and Grant and Juniper lots and lots. Your other favorite cousin, Haylie :o )

June 10, 2010 - 11:08 pm

katie - Brit… you look amazing. So fun to see you huge like that. It is so fun to watch you go through this and I am so happy for you both. Awesome pics… She captured you both beautifully! What a treasure. Love you guys, your favorite cousin, Katie.

June 10, 2010 - 8:49 am

Emily - Every single shot is perfect and beautiful! You are an amazing photographer and I’m so glad Brit will have these pics forever. (B’s one of my best frineds btw)

June 10, 2010 - 8:22 am

Sarah - you’re an awesome location scout, Tara! I didn’t mean to turn you in on the light discs. Anyway you weren’t bad at all. Grant was just WAY better! ;]

June 10, 2010 - 8:17 am

tara - Oh man. I knew these were going to be beautiful, but honestly they’ve taken my breath away. Thanks for letting me help out for the day and meet this truly amazing couple (even though my light disc skills are sub-par, I am a primo location picker, right?).

June 9, 2010 - 7:02 pm

Brit - The dress IS from Anthro, and all I did was move up a button on the halter to allow the midsection seam to sit above my belly. Thanks for the compliment Jody!

June 9, 2010 - 6:46 pm

JodyM - This set has such a sincere/honest feel to them. Love the colors, the light and the couple! The mom honestly looks radiant.

June 9, 2010 - 6:41 pm
June 9, 2010 - 6:31 pm

megan russell - i just adore this session. and i am dying to know where she got the yellow dress, as i’ll be super preggo myself this summer :)

June 9, 2010 - 6:03 pm

Brit - Is it awkward for you that I’m in love with you for taking such incredible pictures of us? I hope not… =) Thank you again so much Sarah. Thank you!

June 9, 2010 - 5:55 pm

Rachel - Gorgeous photos Sarah!

June 9, 2010 - 4:29 pm

Sarah - Thanks for the comment, Heather. They were so great to photograph. Grant was a GIANT help as well b/c my friend Tara was a bit clueless (sorry Tara) w/ the light discs. ;]

June 9, 2010 - 4:18 pm

Heather Mann - just beautiful. i am a sister.in.law of this awesome couple and you captured them perfectly. really really beautiful work. and it just goes without saying…brit has the cutest preggie clothes!

June 9, 2010 - 3:42 pm

Shelly - Stunning.

June 9, 2010 - 3:39 pm

Sarah - Scott, thank you so much. That means a lot. I’ve been making a little transition in my shoots, shooting a bit of film and I realized that I’ve slowed down in general which I’ve really enjoyed. Thank you. xo

June 9, 2010 - 3:32 pm

scott andrew - Oh my wow. Sarah, these are insanely amazing. I’m seriously in love with this set. The color, light, connection is so rad. Keep up the awesome.

One lucky winner… | Modern Family Photographer, San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Los Angeles, Santa Barbara

I’m so happy to announce that we’re giving away a complimentary family session AND a hand-made, custom-designed Modern Booklet to one lucky family. All of the details are over on the Say Yes to Hoboken blog. Head over there to enter the contest by Monday, April 12th. Good luck!

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Spring in New York, traveling sessions 2010 | modern family photographer, new york + san francisco

I’m so excited to announce a shooting weekend in New York, April 30th, May 1st & 2nd. I’ll be shooting families, babies, and kids. There is a limited number of sessions available. All sessions will be shot at home or on location (fingers crossed for a beautiful weekend). I’m giving some extra special love to anyone who books before the end of the week! To reserve your spot simply send us an email or give us a call, see details below.

See you this Spring!

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