Kevin Neilson Photography
Corporate and family photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area
Flower Girl
Posted on September 27, 2019
Before she arrives on the scene…
…a whole lot of things have to happen.
Like this, that, and the other.
Oh, and the other other.
Then and only then does she appear as though fated.
Which is why families—every family—is sweet.
Contact me for kids, teens, couples, family, and corporate photography in the Bay Area.
The Godmother
Posted on August 6, 2018
Arm in arm, they strolled the beach.
They dug their toes into the sand.
They laughed, they hugged.
They gazed out to sea.
They were radiant.
Beautiful.
Thinking it to myself wasn’t enough.
Holy smokes, you two look fantastic, I said.
Smiling, the Godmother touched her blue headdress.
Yes, we do, she said.
It’s a party.
We’re celebrating.
My goddaughter’s son turns one today.
Our family is beat, but we are not.
So we’re here, and they’re not.
The Godmother opened her arms to embrace the sea.
Congratulations, I said, and turned to leave.
But she glanced at me and my camera around my neck,
And I understood her meaning right away.
Yes, she said without a word.
Photograph us.
Snap away.
It’s OK.
And when the Godmother speaks—
Telepathically or otherwise—
You do as you’re asked.
Check out this month’s special offer.
Going, Going Gone
Posted on July 18, 2018
Zoie, 2018.
I’ve known her since she was two-years old.
I won’t do the math, I refuse.
Time has moved too fast.
She’s not even my daughter,
And still I grieve a bit as she launches into the world—
But launch she must,
And that’s exactly what she’s ready to do.
As a high school student,
Zoie’s mind was a sheet of paper ready for learning.
As a graduate and former class president bound for ASU, she’s woke.
In addition to magnetic eyes, Zoie has an amazingly infectious smile.
It’s impossible not to smile back. Just try.
See, you can’t do it.
That’s the best kind of emotional contagion.
Her mom is a strong, passionate woman.
And she’s ready to release her daughter into the wild—almost.
And whether her parents are ready or not,
This kid is going to soar.
Just look at her expression.
Bright future ahead!
Check out this month’s special promotion.
Photography as Rorschach Test?
Posted on June 19, 2018
Photography is influenced by psychology in a big way.
Take a look at these images,
Which I created over the last four years.
From image to image, the similarities are striking, right?
One person, not two—or more.
Face and eyes are largely hidden from view.
Shoulders or backsides get a lot of play.
Ratio of subject to negative space is fairly consistent,
With negative space predominating in the scene.
And of course, we’re outside, where wilderness abounds:
Sky, mountains, ocean, lakes, fields, trails, vistas, trees, and so on.
If photographs are inkblots, and they are—always!—
What do these images reveal about my beliefs and preoccupations?
And what do they reveal about your worldview, as you engage and react to them?
Explore family photography, and check out the promotion I’m running this June.
