Jaime, Jon, and little Brandon

I've been meaning to post this for a while. Then the holidays came, and my whole life became jumbled in a whirlwind of activities. New Year's resolution number uno: get organized and prioritize! Hey, that's a nifty rhyme - I think it's gonna work for 2010's new theme!

The first time I met Jaime was a little over two years ago when she interviewed me for my current job. I had come from a couple jobs where I had been micromanaged and worked to the bone, so I had the impression all managers would be like this. When I walked into the interview, Jaime welcomed me with the most friendliest smile I'd ever seen. The entire process was so smooth and relaxing (I know, for an interview?!), and from that moment I knew if I was hired I'd be in good hands. Needless to say, I was hired and have definitely been in good hands. :-)

Jaime has impeccable taste when it comes to clothes, dinnerware, special events, you name it! So I was extremely flattered when she asked me to do her holiday family photo session. Her son Brandon is two years old, and through the years I've observed him as shy little Brandon who clung to his mommy when he'd visit her at work. Well, I was in for a surprise when I met them on Crissy Field that freezing afternoon a few Saturdays ago. Brandon came ready to PLAY and even more ready to chat it up. He didn't miss a cheerful "HI!" to anyone that passed him, and he told me stories in full sentences not missing a single detail. At two-years old, this is pretty genius! He played and raced with his mom and dad, laughed at his own goofiness, climbed hills and rolled in the grass. Brandon and his parents are the epitome of what families dream to have - a happy and loving relationship filled with laughter and hugs, a place where if you fall someone is there to pick you up. I'm happy to announce there's going to be one new little addition to this beautiful family in May - a baby GIRL! Yep, one boy and one girl; now all they need is a Golden Retriever named Bruno and they're set! Just kidding, Jaime - I'm obviously biased towards dogs. :-)

Jaime and Jon, congratulations on your growing family. With what I've observed, you guys are going to be the best parents to your little genius kids. I wouldn't be surprised if the next time I saw Brandon he's reading novels!





Definitely inherited his mom's friendly smile!



It was tough getting Brandon to look at the camera, but it wasn't hard to get him to goof off and be silly!



Mama's little boy.



Um, can you say HEARTBREAKER?!







Here they're looking for the "epicoptor" aka helicopter.





As the shoot came to an end, Brandon finally decided to do a model pose for us - all on his own! He's a natural. :-)

Sneak preview: Jaime, Jon, and their little boy Brandon

As my 2009 year of portfolio building is coming to an end I was so lucky to get to sneak this beautiful little family in for a holiday session. Don't get me wrong, I consider all my future shoots "portfolio building" but in business terms this just means I'm slowly making a move from amateur to professional photography. It's really exciting, and I look forward to what 2010 has in store for Connie Sithi Photography!

Here are a couple photos from the session last weekend. How gorgeous is this family?! Per usual, more to come!

Austin: San Francisco newborn photography

Do you ever wonder if most women are born to be mothers? Is there a gene we're supposed to have that make us good parents? I often ponder this when I think about my own future as a new mom. I can hardly make myself a decent meal every day let alone take care of a child who is 100% depended on ME! If there is a good-parent gene, I know my next two parents have it. It's a daunting task, being a new parent, but it's people like Michelle and Billy who make me think with a new baby comes a whole new set of genes that are flipped on and make us fully prepared to nurture and care for a newborn. I had the pleasure of photographing 18-day old Austin last week, and not only did I get a handful of oh-my-gosh-this-is-the-CUTEST-BABY-EVER photos, but I learned a lot about what it takes to be a new mom. My friend Lynn assisted me this time since I realized it's a tad challenging juggling a newborn, holding up blankets, posing them, and snap the shutter just in time for that millisecond of a smile. Phew! Too bad I didn't get that millisecond smile. Maybe next time, Austin. ;-)

Michelle wasn't like most new mothers I've seen, and I mean this in the best way possible. When we first got there I thought, "there is no way this cute girl is the new mom. She's so...so tiny!" I will warn my husband now, it's not the norm for most new moms to whip back into shape and look at stunning the way Michelle did, but now I have proof it happens. :-) Secondly, there was such an ease to the way she held Austin and changed his diapers and fed him and soothed him; you would think this was her second or even third child! There is much excitement about this little guy because he happens to be the first grandkid on both sides of the family. In fact, his grandma from San Diego was there visiting, and she was beaming with happiness and pride. There is no doubt Austin is going to grow up in the most nurturing hands and be surrounded by love, laughter, and lots of football. Michelle and Billy, you created such a beautiful, sweet little boy, and I'm so grateful you chose me to have the honor of photographing him and your good-looking family. You two are doing an amazing job as new parents; keep it up!

This Thanksgiving the Geddes family has one more thing to be extremely thankful for - a gorgeous, healthy baby boy. I want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and happy eating and shopping!





My favorite of the day because he's so alert and staring right at me!



Peaceful...



Not so peaceful...



Daddy and his little football player.





Told ya I had proof this new mother is gorgeous!



He had his boxing fists up when I first got there. Don't worry, Austin, I don't bite!



I was going to do all monochrome for this post, but I thought I'd end it with a colored photo just to twist it up a bit.

Alcatraz night tour

I should have posted these on Halloween because these photos are pretty eerie - PERFECT for Halloween! I went to the Alcatraz night tour with some folks from our company a couple weeks ago, and it was really beautiful! I thought I'd be freaked out, but the history of "the rock" and the run down infrastructure made it such a beautiful place to take photos. Beautifully dark. Here are a few from that night, some were left untouched and some were massaged to enhance the creepiness. :-)

View of SF skyline from Alcatraz. 30-seconds exposure



and one more at 6-seconds exposure. Which do you like more? I'm leaning on the 6-seconds



I loved these dark walkways with the overhanging lights.





Amy under one of the lights



Paranormal activity status. I got the CHILLS editing this one!



An exit from the jail cellars



These stairs led to pure blackness. So creepy but I love the color of the stairs.







Three jail cells on the second floor



The showers is where we entered





Crazy sun set as the ferry left the dock



Coit Tower



These were some super old ropes hanging in the Embarcadero BART station - I can't find the history on them. Anyone know?

I leave my heart in San Francisco

Did I ever tell you how much I love San Francisco? Well, I LOVE San Francisco. I especially love it in October when I step outside the office building after work to smell both the crisp, cold air of Autumn and the salty ocean breeze from the bay. Here are some favorites I captured in the past week after dining with Mark and walking along the Embarcadero at night.

Boulevard Restaurant



Five photos of the Bay Bridge "stitched" together in Photoshop



Long exposure shot of the Ferry Building - isn't it dreamy? Makes me want to visit Paris :-)

Let there be light!

As I walked down Main Street in SOMA today, I randomly looked up and saw the most beautiful light I've ever seen in my life. YES, this is some serious light, folks! I want to note these photos were taken with my point-and-shoot I don't leave the house without, and they are not enhanced in any way. What you see is basically the same thing I saw with my own eyes.

How amazing is this?! I almost thought I was going to see God - I was that in awe.

Company Picnic at Fort Mason

When I picture a summer picnic, I picture watermelons, ice cream, corn hole, frisbees, and of course SUN. Yes, sun is key to a picnic. However, San Francisco is unique. You see, in the summer SF can be one of the coldest cities in the country; tourists from around the world come here to "cool down" in the summer - that's how uniquely cold we are in the summer.

Yesterday was our company picnic, and it definitely had all the above EXCEPT the sun. In fact, we were so lucky we even got light showers! :-) Shine or no shine, the picnic was so much fun mainly because I got to photograph all the cute little kids. Man, two year-olds are FAST, and to make things worse for me they do not like the camera! Here are a few I managed to get that weren't nearly as bad, but can be a lot better if I had a better lens (like a super zoom L lens!). That way I wouldn't have to scare them away with the camera! Some are shot with my point and shoot and some with the SLR. You can probably tell the difference by now. :-)

Beautiful Bella





Micah the heart breaker. Which processing do you like better? I'm still adjusting!





Isn't he fierce?! :-)



Best friends!



What a lush!




Stay tuned for Brian's and Jessica's wedding from this past weekend. It was definitely not your typical wedding, and I loved everything about it!