2024 CLIENT GUIDE

Welcome!

Hello!

My name is Carmen, and I'm a photographer and videographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm obsessed with creating story-driven, nostalgic, love-soaked films and photos for families who want more than the average traditional photography session.

In my nine years of photography, I've learned three things: your kids don't care that you haven't lost the baby weight, you deserve to be seen for the incredible parent that you are, and you have to make time for the things that matter most in life.

One sentiment that echoes from my clients is their desire to preserve these precious moments of their children's lives. They understand the significance of documenting this time, even if they don't always feel their best. It's not just for them, but for their children, and that's a sentiment I deeply understand and respect.

I'm so glad you're here!

After working with hundreds of families, I can say with certainty that I know how to meet kids at their level, which means I can make the session feel effortless for you and your partner.

But why hire me when you could capture your family in video and photos on your phone?

For starters, it's hard to be in the frame when you're holding the camera.

But also, I'm giving you so much more than a photography session. I'm giving you space to connect as a family. Permission to unplug and reset. To slow down and love on each other. And when this happens, a special kind of magic is created from the collaboration of your vulnerability and my ability to meet you in that place.

That's why you hire me.

Because I'll show you the moments that you didn't even know you needed to see.

Why hire me?

hint: It's about so much more than the photos

“Carmen has given us a priceless gift with her skill and artistry and I have no doubt that this video will forever be some of the best money I’ve ever spent.

Alison

 It is tangible comfort for all the emotions of this time in our lives. Actual medicine for my soul and now one of my most treasured possessions, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Carmen is more than a photographer, she is a healer and a storyteller. I couldn’t speak more highly of her as a creator or a person."

Carmen is more than a photographer, she is a healer and a storyteller. I couldn't speak more highly of her as a creator or a person.

ALISON

Carmen has given us a priceless gift with her skill and artistry, and I have no doubt that this video will forever be some of the best money I've ever spent. It is tangible comfort for all the emotions of this time in our lives. Actual medicine for my soul and now one of my most treasured possessions. I would recommend that anyone with that same longing to capture a moment in time, especially parents, to go for the film option (which also generously includes a limited number of photos). When I watch it I feel like I'm back in that moment and I couldn't be more grateful.

If you've never had a family film or portrait session before - It's going to be waaaay easier and more fun than you probably expect!

The first step is for me to get to know you and your family.

My job as an artist is to create work that is meaningful to you, and my best chance of doing that is if you open up to me about the things that matter the most to you.

By getting to know you better, I'll be able to create work that feels like stepping into a memory of your family's story as you are right now—a time capsule
 for you to treasure forever. 

Once your session deposit is paid and your date is locked in, I'll send you a questionnaire that will help me learn more about your family's story. The answers to your questionnaire will play a key role in developing the plans for your session (including location and wardrobe). I always encourage my clients to view this as a collaborative process between their vision and mine.

In the answers to your questionnaire, I want to hear the stories that brought your family to this point in your lives, any struggles you've been through that you feel like sharing, and what your greatest joys and memories together are.
The more you share with me, the better. 

Everything you share is strictly confidential and will help guide me as I edit your film or gallery. The better I know what's meaningful to you, the more meaningful
your film will be to you and your family. 

It's not about getting the perfect photos or everything being just right. It's not about everyone looking happy all the time or wearing incredible outfits. Plenty of other photographers offer those things.

My work consists of real moments. Real life. Real stories. It celebrates both the joys and the struggles of parenthood.

When you do a session with me, the focus of your session will be about having fun and spending quality time with your kids. The magic happens when you forget that I'm there and you focus on playing with, loving on, and connecting
 with each other. 

You can think of me as a friend coming to hang out who happened to bring along her camera. There will be times when I guide you; for example, I might ask you to hang out in a particular area because it has the best light, or I might suggest we move on from an activity once I know I've captured plenty of footage/photos. But the flow of the session is very loose, relaxed, and child-led at all times. 

My approach to capturing families is very relaxed and observational as opposed to traditional and directed.

YOU'VE GOT THIS!

Wear clothes you love and feel good in. Wear comfortable clothes, maybe slightly elevated from what you'd wear at home everyday. Don't go super dressy or constricting. Feel free to send me photos of what you are thinking of wearing and I can help you decide what will look good on camera. 
Bring any questions you have with you to this call, and we can talk through them together. 

step three

You'll choose your clothes

03.

Location is an important decision to make, and we can chat about it during our call but it may take some time and discussions with your partner / family to lock in a location that feels right for you. The location is probably going to determine your clothing, so decide on that before you start picking
clothes to wear. 

I have done sessions in clients homes, outdoors by the river, in the mountains, on working farms, and in suburban apartments in the city. If your home isn't an option, and you'd like something more secluded than an outdoor public space, then an AirBnb is a great place to look for unique locations that can turn your session into a memorable holiday for the family. 

Step two

You'll choose a location

02.

My style of family portraiture is very personalized and depends on a strong sense of connection and trust between me and the families I work with. Because of this, I require a 20 min “get to know you” chat to make sure that I’m the right photographer for your family. We'll talk about the people you love most and all the things that are important to you.

Bring any questions you have with you to this call, and we can talk through them together. 

We'll have a chat



step one

01.

After You Book

When deciding on a location, start by asking yourself what memories you want captured, and then ask yourself where you think you'll feel most comfortable being fully present with your children. 

Is your family happiest hanging out at home and playing in the backyard? Or are you more likely to be out in nature, exploring and adventuring?  

Does the thought of doing your session at home stress you out? 

Or do you love the thought of documenting the place where your family started? 

There's no right answer; every family is different, and I'm here to help you consider the options and make a decision
you'll be happy with.

Choosing a Location

Indoors or Outdoors?

Maybe you don't want to do the shoot at home. That is totally fine! If you want an outdoor shoot, there's a beautiful beach location near me that I love to shoot at, and it's lots of fun for the kids.  

We play, throw rocks, wade in the water, and look at all the wildlife. It can get busy in the summer months, so weekdays are usually best on really hot days.
 
For morning outdoor sessions, plan on starting about 1 hour after sunrise. Sunset sessions are only done in the East Bay, and we'll begin 1 hour before sunset and stay about 10 min after the sun goes down. 

Indoor sessions have more flexibility. They can start anytime between 10am - 3pm. 

If you decide to do your session outdoors, plan on getting a bit dirty and/or wet. Bring a change of clothes in the car, wear shoes that are easy to take on and off, and bring a bucket to fill with water to make washing off at the car easier.

Snacks and water are a must, and if you're likely to get wet, make sure to bring towels. 

location option: outdoors

I absolutely love shooting in a family's home. This is where so many of your children's memories are made. 

Maybe it's where you brought your babies home for the first time. Perhaps it's the first home you bought together. Maybe it's a home that's been in your family forever. Perhaps it's a home you designed and built together. 

Whatever the story may be, it's where your children are growing up right now, and it will probably be the place they'll think back to the most 
when they are grown up. 

As you decide whether to do your session at home, keep in mind that if we do, we will spend at least the second half of your session in the backyard because the house will start to get too dark inside as the sun sets.

If your backyard isn't suitable, or you don't have a backyard please let me know and we'll either change the start time for your session to an earlier time to make sure we get enough light inside the house, or we'll think of a second outdoor location nearby that we can go to for the last part of the session. 

location option: indoors

A print credit to the snazzy online store will also be available for albums, photo boxes, and media players. All items in the store have been put to the test by yours truly, and I fully stand by the craftsmanship.

I will also be more than happy to assist with any recommendations.

Printing your photos

On average, I spend anywhere between 40-60 hours working on your film + photos, and often I need long blocks of uninterrupted time which is difficult to find (particularly during my busy fall season!). I also want to be in the most creatively energized headspace as possible when I make your film, which means editing times can take longer.

I will do my best to keep you posted on when to expect your film and photos. Both the images and film will be delivered online for you to download straight away.

Portrait session: 2-4 weeks
Family films: 4-6 months

When You'll Get Your Film and Photos Back

Paying this fee secures your date and time and is non-refundable.

The Booking Fee includes any pre-session planning and includes your portrait session either at home or outdoors at an agreed location.

Within a couple of weeks of your session, you’ll receive a link to your gallery with your images fully hand-edited by me. You will also be gifted a credit to print in the online gallery store. I have sourced my products with an emphasis on style and sustainability, so you can trust you're getting heirloom-quality products.

BOOKING FEE: $400

Portrait Photo
Sessions

* Photo and video packages are subject
 to CA sales tax.
$400 non-refundable retainer due at booking with remainder due 1 week before session date.

Discounts of 10%+ offered for booking multiple sessions together

Interest-free payment plans are available upon request.


Travel fees apply to locations outside SF and 20 miles from Alameda.
Custom quotes are available for locations further than 50 miles from zip code 94501.
at $100/hr of travel

Maternity

  •  40  high-res digital images with print release

  • $150 gift card in the gallery store 

  • Pre-session communication + preparation 

  • 1 hr  coverage with 2 persons                                                                          
  • 1-2 locations

  • My creative + professional editing service



New families: $1,600*
returning families: $1500*

book now

Family

New families: $1,950*
returning families: $1850*

Photo Packages

book now

  • 60 high-res digital images with print release

  • $250 gift card in the gallery store

  •  Pre-session communication + preparation 

  • 60-90 min coverage of immediate family           
  • 1 location

  • My creative + professional editing service



Newborn

New Families: $1,775*
Returning families: $1675*

book now

  • 50 high-res digital images with print release

  • $200 gift card in the gallery store

  • Pre-session communication + preparation 

  • 1 hr coverage with immediate family                                   
  • 1 home location

  • My creative + professional editing service



The Best of
Both Worlds

With film packages, you have 20+ photos AND a professionally edited film of the people you love most.

Photos capture how you looked and how you loved, but video fills in all the gaps.

Show your kids how you smiled, laughed with them, and cuddled. Show them exactly how it felt to be loved, and let these memory stay fresh in your hearts.

Payment plans are available upon request.

Travel fees apply to locations outside SF and 20 miles from Alameda

* PHOTO AND VIDEO PACKAGES are subject to ca SALES TAX.

$1995 + $500* Booking Fee

  • Up to 2 hrs. of coverage

  • 1-2 persons 

  • 1 location

  • Online gallery of 10+ edited, high-res photos

  • 2 min. HD professionally edited film
    curated to licensed music, please note turn around for films is 4-6 months

  • Delivered by custom keepsake box and engraved USB


A Portrait Film celebrates milestones, 2-3 minutes at a time. These are time capsules that you'll want to watch again and again. Perfect for commemorating any poignant moment in your life—welcoming a new baby, graduation, anniversary,  and  so much more.

Portrait session

$2495 + $500* Booking Fee

  • Up to 4 hrs. of coverage

  • Immediate family members

  • 2 locations

  • Online gallery of 20+ edited, high-res photos

  • 3 - 5 min. HD professionally edited film curated to licensed music, please note turn around for films is 4-6 months

  • Delivered by custom keepsake box and engraved USB


Families (especially the shy + hesitant ones) tell me this is one of the best investments they've ever made. We'll memorialize your typical day, your routines, and everything in between, so you can return to the here and now anytime you'd like.

A Day in the Life Session

video packages

She was never intrusive, Always loving, always seeing us and what was important, and she somehow brilliantly captured it all on film.

Stacey

We had Carmen film and photograph us for the first year of our baby's life. The intimacy of what she did for us is incredible. The feelings I can see and hear and feel in our film capture moments I have already forgotten about those squishy first few months. And Carmen herself fit in so naturally into our chaos and family love. She was never intrusive, always loving, always seeing us and what was important, and she somehow brilliantly captured it all on film. She somehow made what I feel show up in a way I can share with others.

See the Magic for Yourself

You can add a casual headshot session at the end of your photo or film session. This will add 20 min to your family session to devote to sprucing up your current business portrait. I will give you ~10 images to choose from within a proofing gallery, and you select the 3 images you would like professionally bedazzled. Natural lighting will be utilized with a natural environment as the background (no backdrops). Pricing is per individual.

ADDITIONAL $350/person

professional HEADSHOTs

additional $150/hr or
$200 during commute hrs M-F

Travel fees apply to locations outside San Francisco  and 20 miles from
zip code 94501. Travel fees are $250 at 7-9am and 3-6pm, M-F,
for all locations outside Alameda.


travel fee

This includes grandparents and extended family. Advanced notice is highly recommended.
Maximum 4 extra persons. Please reach out there are more than  four.

additional$100/person after
immediate family

extended family

Add-ons

Here are some questions and answers that can help.

← BACK

Family Films are inclusive to all types of families and are also for every season of life. They are perfect for families who value presence over perfection and are willing to let their hearts open wide. Another good indicator of a good fit is that your mobile phone is already full of your personal videos that you take of your own family.

I welcome all LGBTQ+, BIPOC, differently-abled, and non-traditionally structured families. If this offends you, I am not the right photographer for you.

Who are family films for?

← BACK

Editing video is more time-intensive than editing photos. I estimate each YITL film will take anywhere from 60-80 hrs to create because I will be incorporating footage from your three sessions, along with your personal footage from the year. There's also the cost ($250) to license a music soundtrack. While it might seem expensive, I promise your film's worth will only increase in value each year as you rewatch the memories of your life today.

WHY DO FILMS COST MORE THAN PHOTOS?

← BACK

Yes, definitely! Each film session comes with ~10 photos, available in an online gallery 2-3 weeks after each session. These photos are taken while filming video and are typically more candid and less posed.

ARE PHOTOS INCLUDED IN THE FAMILY SESSION?

← BACK

I check in with my families a week before the session to discuss details and answer any questions. In case of illness, I appreciate a two day notice, and I will do my best to accommodate your plans when rescheduling. Likewise, I expect the same courtesy if I or any member of my family falls ill. Outdoor shoots are weather permitting; if the weather is questionable, I will be in close contact the days before and on the morning of the session. 

WHAT IF WE NEED TO RE-SCHEDULE?

← BACK

Usually (but not always) there is one partner who is more reserved about the experience. My first suggestion is to get them involved. Show them other films I have made, have them on phone calls when we talk. Make sure they know what to expect. If that is hard to do because of busy schedules, know that they will warm up the day of. Once we get started filming, most people realize how easy it is and there are never any issues. So many times now, I've heard from the reluctant partner that they had "way more fun" than they anticipated.

HOW DO I GET MY FAMILY ON BOARD?

← BACK

No need! I may ask you to remove clutter, but otherwise don't stress about deep cleaning. It won't show on the video! I have creative ways of hiding the mess so it doesn't distract from the beauty of your connections and your family.

SHOULD WE CLEAN OUR HOUSE?

← BACK

Something you feel comfortable and beautiful! In all my years in photography, this is the most important thing. Wear something you feel good in. If you're uncomfortable in a new outfit, it will show. Wear something you can move, dance, play in. The same goes for your children. You want them to play and have fun while I'm there so make sure you don't put them in something you're worried about them messing up.

WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?

← BACK

I am looking to capture meaningful footage of you where we'll witness the whole gamut of emotions that make life. Sessions are "activity-based" but an activity does not need to be extravagant and will usually happen at your house or a place that is meaningful to your family. The best things to capture are the things you already do as a family. Capturing the moments that you will treasure and want to remember is the most important.

WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING FOR OUR SESSION?

← BACK

It starts with a phone call. It is important to me that you are comfortable and understand the process. I'll answer all your questions and go over the details. Once you're ready to move forward, I'll send over the contract and set up automatic monthly payments to secure your package.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

← BACK

In my seven years of photography, I've learned your kids don't care that you haven't lost the baby weight. You deserve to be seen for the incredible parent that you are. The most common thing I hear from my clients is that they want to book a session to remember their kids in this stage of life. And despite not necessarily feeling the best about themselves, they know how important it is to document this time in their lives. Not just for them, but for their children.
After working with hundreds of families, I can say with certainty I know how to create space for you to feel comfortable, which means I can make the seesion feel effortless and help you feel beautiful, just as you are.

I'M NERVOUS ABOUT HOW I WILL LOOK

← BACK

I have a pre-teen who is quite strong-willed and dislikes being in photos, so I totally get this one. I've wanted to push off photos because we were in a "hard season". I think one of my superpowers is finding the beauty in the struggle. You can trust me to do this. I'll follow your child's lead and if they melt down, I'll find the sweet moments after. My sessions are judgment-free zones. I get it and have been there.

WHAT IF MY CHILDREN AREN'T COOPERATIVE?

← BACK

 I understand that each family is different, and I offer 2 levels of enhanced privacy. If complete privacy is vital to your family and you decide to decline altogether, a fee of $500 will apply and will be billed separately. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Otherwise, films + photos are for marketing and promotional purposes (social media, website, and occasional magazine publications) directly related to my photography business.

WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ABOUT POSTING FILMS AND PHOTOS ONLINE?

I don't want you to hold anything back during our time together because you're concerned about where your film + photos are posted online. This session is about you and your family.
That said, my business is a visual one. New families can find me from the work I post publicly. Not being able to do so impacts me financially. I, however, am also a parent and take steps to ensure privacy by not using identifiable features such as names, tags, street signs, etc. I also keep things G-rated and don't share images that would make anyone uncomfortable without explicit permission (breastfeeding, nudity, politics).

← BACK

I want to capture meaningful photos of you where we'll witness the whole gamut of emotions that make life. Our time together isn't about your connection with my camera; it's more about your connection with your family. Be in the moment. Play with your kids. Love on your people. Allow yourself to be a kid again and enjoy this intentional time together as a family.
 Sessions are activity-based, but an activity does not mean to be grand and will usually happen at the most meaningful places for your family (e.g., home, backyard, local stomping grounds). This is what we'll call a documentary-style session. No posing. No props. All love and connection.
 I welcome all LGBTQ+, BIPOC, differently-abled, and non-traditionally structured families. If this offends you, I am not the right photographer for you

what is your approach to family photos and films?

Let's Create something beautiful

©Carmen dunham 2025

branding by Bella Maven 

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