Kevin Neilson Photography
Corporate and family photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area
Pensive Is Joy
Posted on August 15, 2019
Faces without expression interest me.
I like the ambiguity, the pensiveness.
But clients don’t like Pensive.
Not as a general rule.
They like unvarnished Joy.
Always have.
So.
Lately I’m doing something different.
During family photo shoots,
I run participants through a series of prompts.
Together we travel from Pensive to Joy
With many waystations in between.
I’m happy with the results.
I get what I want.
And clients get what they want.
Thoughts and reactions are welcome!
Contact me for kids, teens, couples, family, and corporate photography in the Bay Area.
Mountain Living
Posted on May 22, 2019
Last fall, I ran family photography mini sessions in the woods above the valley. What joy! What fun! Amazing, really.
Family #1
I admire a man who carries his son like a sack of flour. That, and dresses in pajamas to please his wife who has a vision, come what come may…
…and makes googly eyes at his boy just because.
Here older brother is doing what every kiddo wants to do, always: play, play, play.
Younger kiddo doesn’t know it yet, but this allegory of brotherhood in three frames will set the tone for the rest of his days. When in doubt, shout. Or listen, as the case may be.
Wrinkles the canine keeps the family together like a good herd dog.
Mother and daughter square up for a shot as golden hour paints the landscape in magical tones.
Only thing better than having a brother is hanging out with a brother on a fence.
Rim light transfigures everyone it touches.
Family #3
With scenes like these, every family deserves at least one…
…OK, maybe two family portraits.
Of course, where would Family be without Grandma? She lights up the scene!
Contact me for kids, teens, family, and corporate photography in the Bay Area.
Urban Chic
Posted on May 14, 2019
When I capture a candid expression like this…
….and a heartfelt laugh like this…
…and a bookishly hip shot like this….
…all in the space of 23 minutes, well, I’m ridiculously happy as a result.
“There’s one thing a photograph must contain,” says Robert Frank.
“The humanity of the moment.”
For what it’s worth, I agree.
Thanks for visiting.
Contact me for kids, teens, family, and corporate staff and event photography in the Bay Area.
Fields of Gold
Posted on April 8, 2019
Meaghan had a straightforward request.
Shoot my family, she said.
Not that kind, the other.
I chuckled to myself.
I admire a woman who’s direct.
To the point.
Like this.
It’s a gorgeous image.
Matt wondered about his role in the affair.
How does the back of my head look, he asked.
Splendid, I said.
He almost certainly smiled.
But I got his point.
So we turned Matt round.
And then it happened.
A hush fell.
The trees glowed.
And Meaghan’s hair went electric.
With chemistry like that,
Matt and Meaghan are bound to have kids, right?
Well, they do.
They’ve got two of them:
Logan and Lexie.
Lexie may be Logan’s little sister.
But she’s got big-time affection for him.
Just look at that reach!
What a handhold!
Before long, Lexie put her generous athletic gifts to use.
She free soloed the center of the tree climbing universe in record time.
After she safely descended,
We hung out in a field of green and gold.
And we—including, me—smiled for the beauty of it all.
Thank you, Matt and Meaghan!
It was a joy and a privilege to photograph your family.
Contact me for kids, teens, family, and corporate photography in the Bay Area.
Cast a Spell
Posted on March 19, 2019
Not long ago, a man met a woman.
He fancied her, and she returned the favor.
As often happens, one thing led to another.
Poof! just like that—two became four.
And a happy four, at that.
How happy?
THHIIISSSS happy.
Big sister agrees with little brother.
You can see it in her eyes.
Happiness is a joy and a wonder.
Especially when you can share it with someone.
Like a cousin who drops by for a visit.
As awesome as cousins are, mom still has a magic touch.
Contact me for kids, teens, family, and corporate photography in the Bay Area.
Stay Wild
Posted on February 26, 2019
Between the Bay Area and the blue border of the Pacific ocean, the Santa Cruz Mountains stretch for over 50 miles. Skyline/CA 35 traces the spine of that ridge, from Fort Funston and Redwood City, through Crystal Springs and Portola Valley, to Palo Alto and Saratoga—and beyond. The country is gorgeous along Skyline. Grasslands and chaparral. Douglas fir, oak, and redwood trees. Families live in these mountains. Among them, my family on my wife’s side. They’re good people, all told. They ride quads and play soccer. They zip line among oak trees. They raise cats and dogs. That freckled teen above is my niece. She’s growing like a cornstalk in a field. I wish many good things for her. But mainly, I hope she stays wild in the mountains for years to come.
Contact me for kids, teens, families, and corporate photography in the Bay Area.
Young Lady. Bug.
Posted on February 11, 2019
Alum Rock Park.
Eastern foothills of San Jose.
Blue sky, sparse trees, yellow leaves.
A successful family shoot was in the books.
As I was putting my gear away, Young Lady squealed happily.
She showed me Bug, delighted by the creepy crawly.
I was, too: the red focal point made a good scene.
Not to mention its play with the red scarf.
At f/1.8 my 85mm came to life,
Clicking like an insect.
I like the result.
Cheers.
Contact me for kids, teens, family, and corporate photography in the Bay Area.
