Baby in the Studio - Amy Perl Oakland Photographer

Yahoo Emerson! She is so cute, and made the best expressions...see for yourself. Fun in the studio.

Preschool Photos - Amy Perl Oakland Photographer

At the beginning of the year, I decided that it was high time that I took all of my experience from the past years and put it to the test. For the past 5 years, I have been doing these Photo Portrait Days at Crackerjacks clothing store (www.crackerjackskids.com), as well as a store called Milk (they just closed, bummer) and Recess Urban Recreation (www.recessurbanrecreation.com). The photo days are a little crazy, but also super fun. I get to meet many new families and sort of introduce them to my style of shooting, and it also has been a huge help in getting my photo name out in the world! Some days I have 20+ families that I photograph!

Anyway, I am talking about this, because this is the experience I decided to bring to my 'new' venture. Preschool Photos. No, not those cheesy ones...with the horrible sponge-painted backdrop, and no un-natural weird looks on the kids' faces...but fun, adventurous, photos that we would want of our kids. And it's wrapped up in a "Class Photo" name!

I have photographed a handful of schools this year, and it's been a blast. This school that I'm showing below, Blue Sky Preschool...amazing. The Director Michele, is wonderful and so sweet. I had a great time. Soon I will be venturing into a much larger school, Duck's Nest, off Piedmont Ave (just past my studio!), and I'm really looking forward to it.

If you are interested in having me come to your pre-school, just give me a holler! I'd love to do it.

Holga Film - Amy Perl Oakland Photographer

I was shooting a wedding a couple of weeks ago and decided to bring along my old duct-taped Holga for fun. When I was at the wedding I realized there was still some film in it, so I just shot the rest of it at the wedding. When I got it developed, turns out it's from a desert road trip from AT LEAST 3 years ago.
Here are the shots that were on there. The motel sign is one of my faves in Vegas.
At the very very end of the strip...very dreary street. Love it.

Great Family - Amy Perl Oakland Photographer

Here are some pics from a session I did with this super fun, chill, go with the flow, family. It was great. Lots of fun in the studio.

Time Away - Amy Perl Oakland Photographer

Last week was the kids' spring break, so we went up to Clearlake, and then to Humboldt to visit my cousin. Love it up there. Humboldt County is so stunningly beautiful, it almost hurts. Every time I go there I wonder why I don't live there....here are a few snaps (film...for those out there who care...you know who you are)...I'll have more to come later but this is all the editing I could muster up right now...before I go get the kids from school...enjoy the greenness.

Canvas Mosaic of Fun Family! Amy Perl Oakland Photographer

I have just returned from a week away (kids' spring break) and so I'm frantically trying to get caught up on a bunch of work, so for now I thought I'd just share this cute canvas that I did for one of my favorite families. Always fun, always ready to play...and I'm so glad they decided to get the canvas for their mantle!

Photos of Bonnie and Sam - Amy Perl Oakland Photographer

I was lucky enough to hang with Bonnie on her recent trip to the east bay, and damn, I wish she lived here. One of the most inspirational people I know, and always filled with praise and much needed honest opinions. She makes me question my work, which I love. She pushes me to do what I love and to do it well. I love that. The last night she was here, I stopped by her friends house where she was staying so she could take a few snaps of me and my family...BUT I had just gotten a new camera so I had to pull it out and do a few of my own of her and her beloved (getting sick....we gave it to him...) Sam.
Bonnie, if you see these, hope you like 'em.

Moms Who Click

A couple years ago...has it been that long...a kick ass east bay mom photographer Angela Lang got in touch with a bunch of us. She thought it would be a great idea for us "competitors" to all meet/hang out/drink wine/talk photo talk/and everything in between. It's been one of the best group relationships I've ever been in. It's a place for us photo-moms to talk shop, but also to get advice, share referrals...be OPEN and sharing with our experiences and knowledge. We got (those who could be there) together the other day at Jen Molander's beautiful new house in Montclair to hang and catch up. Here are a few pics...mainly of Mary McHenry's cutie, but also of Angela and her newbie.