Memories and Maternity with Sarah & Cheuk

I had the honor of documenting this precious season of life for Sarah and Cheuk, as they await the arrival of their little one: Elliot. For the location we decided upon a special place for the couple. San Francisco- the city where they met, fell in love, started a home together as a married couple, and where they grew their family. Sarah and Cheuk wanted to commemorate the memories spent together in this city close to their hearts, as they aren’t sure where life may take them in the future years. We decided upon two of San Francisco’s most iconic locations: The Golden Gate Bridge & The Palace of Fine Arts.

It can be quite tricky weather-wise shooting during San Francisco’s Winter Months due to the fog and rain. But the sun definitely showed up this day after a relentless week of rain and we were able to get some beautiful light for these shots including some at blue hour when the sun had just set. Such a perfect day for a beautiful family!

Golden Hour with the Tiebs

This golden hued session with the gorgeous Tieb family was taken just a short drive from our home. And Yes- dogs are children! The Tiebs are moving out of California soon and we wanted to help make their last few months in California as memorable as possible. As they plan to move into their own home in the near future, a family session was perfect for them to have some prints around their new house.

We first met and connected with the Tieb family through our dogs. Our dogs were both adopted during the Covid Pandemic and we would always bump into them while we took our respective dogs to pee on the grass at our apartment complex. A friendship and connection was formed through these encounters.

Between all of us we had a mix of cultures coming together: Korean, Japanese, French, and Ecuadorian. The Tiebs had moved to California just shortly after The Pandemic started and so we started sharing meals together once shelter-in-place was over. Sharing stories and our cultures with each other helped us connect even further and was a reminder of the beauty of diversity and building friendship and community right where you are.

Adults seem to have the hardest time coming out of their shell and making new friendships while kids and dogs are so much more natural at it. For us and the Tiebs, it was our dogs who acted as an ice-breaker but wherever you are, you can always find a connecting point with the people around you.

I believe at the very core of the human heart we were created for relationship and connection. Make time for people. Make time to build relationships. Make time to build connections. These photos reflect just a part of the Tieb's story and their season of life in California but we are so glad to have been a part of it.