The value of family photos can never be overstated. For many families in the Bay area, scheduling a professional photoshoot is the one way to guarantee that all of their loved ones will be present together. Every photo becomes an instant memory ― time stands still for no one.

I had the pleasure of capturing some special family moments for a physician I used to work with at a hospital several years ago. I was excited to reunite with her and work with her in a different way. The icing on the cake for this photoshoot was the breathtaking Hakone Garden, a beautiful Japanese garden in Saratoga, CA. 

As a long-time Bay area photographer, I know well that location is just as important to photo shoots as it is to real estate. When you have a beautiful background to work with, the natural byproduct is a great photo opportunity with every snap of the shutter.

Hakone Garden is a favorite place of mine because of the many different backdrops to help frame the photos: the beautiful wooden moon bridge over the pond, the life-sized zen garden, the koi pond, and many small historic buildings. I worked closely with the event coordinator at Hakone Garden to schedule this shoot, and she was so accommodating to us throughout our visit. It truly takes a team to create great photos, and for my clients, this photo experience will be as memorable as the photos themselves.

What was unique about this particular photo shoot is the timing of the event. I’ve visited Hakone Garden with cameras and clients before, but this was the first time I’ve taken snaps midday in the summer. This meant figuring out new lighting challenges, new angles, and new locales within the gardens. 

But in times like these where an experienced photographer leads to less trial and error and more accurate judgment when it comes to finding the best lighting and angles. We took advantage of the natural beauty around us to create stunning family photos the entire family could get excited about. 

Ready to book your family photo shoot? Reach out today and let’s create!