Starting with cupcakes at Republic of Cake in Theater Square, a mad dash around front entrance to the historic Orinda Theater and then over to the community center playground.

How to choose a cupcake?

I eat my cupcake with a knife and fork.

See my ouchie? Sitting in front of art gallery.

To skip, play and run all day.

Blowing dandelion wishes

Its an honor to be part of the history of this wonderful family and I love photographing big families with lots of character.

It didn’t actually happen that way for me. I was asked to come and photograph this flash mob at San Francisco Union Square Friday at lunch hour. So I didn’t get the same thrill of the unexpected, but being there to photograph it was a joy in itself.

flash mob joyful dancer San Francisco Flash Mob San Francisco Flash Mob San Francisco Flash Mob pregnant dancer at flash mob San Francisco Flash Mob San Francisco Flash Mob everyone photographing the flash mob Flash mob dancer Flash mob dancer Sheri Richert Belul dancing It's me - joining the dance free-for-all petticoat and dancing shadow bodies in the groove stylish dancers Us photographer don't mind looking riduculous to get the shot.

Jay is truly a master magician as you’ll clearly get a sense of what a celebrated character he is on his website www.JayAlexander.com

A chilly winter night didn’t daunt the Wonder Girl Goddess Super Gigi either.

I love working with artists, actors and musicians… I’ll go all out to brainstorm with you and dream up totally unique photosession. Just call me up – I’m fun to talk to and always pick up the phone if possible.

The three hardest things about family photos:

1. scheduling everyone – naps, work, sports… I have a lot of respect for families to getting all that together.
2. What to wear – this is what I hope you help you with today!
3. Choosing which photos to order. I really don’t try to make it hard, but when you’ve got really cute kids being photographed candidly and all those adorable expressions and moments, its hard. I’ll do a post on this soon…

I always tell people to think about a color pallet -wonderful swatches of colors that go together that you pick up at paint stores. Now I found this same idea in actual clothing swatches. Feast your eyes on these inspiring combo’s. But don’t forget that a good fit is most important of all – no gaping button, shirts that ride up, and sleeves that engulf little hands.

The next time Ellie came to my studio and was so plump and jolly. A real ham for the camera!

She loved being in the sunshine of the garden outside my studio.
And then last week, I came back to her house where we got to play and capture her home and daily life. She was such a happy cheerful little soul.

We ended the shoot with her sitting in the spot she spends plenty of time having snacks and and watching mommy cook.

1. Prizes are $1000 savings bond, a free camera, $500 airline gift card, $300 print credit with Christina Shook Photography

2. With your beautiful child and my great photographs, surely you’ll win!

3. ALL the money raised goes to Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS). And you will never love the small miracle that is your child as you do when you think about the families that have lost a baby.

FREE to enter – you just need to do a session with me before March 15th. We’ll choose the cutest – and that will be hard – to submit to the national gallery. Then we’ll get to work asking people to vote for you. Every vote will donate $1 to the cause.

Check out the competition here.

I can’t enter my own children. But they’re so darn cute! Here’s my 5 year old excited about a new umbrella on a rainy day.

This was one of my favorite maternity shoots last year. Her native african dress was a visual delight and her glowing bright smile and enjoyment made it a fun session.

She finally brought me in her beautiful baby boy on his exactly first birthday. He was such a good little fellow, totally engaged with whatever toy, person or object in front of him.