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Happy New Year

January 3, 2017

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Happy New Year! We’ve made it out of the dark, entangled woods of yesteryear. Professionally speaking, it’s been a good one. I’ve challenged myself in many ways, yet I stayed true to capturing the sincere, honest moments. I am so very grateful for every beautiful soul that stood in front of my lens and who have entrusted me to tell their story. I wouldn’t be the photographer that I am today without them.

Photography has reminded me of the goodness in people and for 2017 I’m going to change things up a bit by digging a little deeper and going the extra mile to honor the love that connects us. Although I’ve had the pleasure of documenting other families, I’ve done a not-so-good job of capturing my own or of myself. So let me start by sharing some of my special moments from last year and the most recent one of all of us sick in bed on New Year’s Day. Boy, do we look phlegm-tastic!

Here’s to always pursuing and nurturing what’s in our hearts! Happy New Year! May the force be with us.

About Me

Real people are my favorite.

It's why I appointed myself the family documentarian early on, carefully recording life unfolding, and learning along the way how much I love visual storytelling. I picked up my first professional camera when my child was born, knowing those early years were dawning and full of change — and I never looked back. I can't imagine doing anything else.

I'm a maximalist in every sense: all-in on a project or power napping, rarely anything in between. A little weird and impressively clumsy, with absolutely zero shame dancing in public. I live in Alameda (aka the Midwest of the Bay Area) with my husband, my teen, and a menagerie of animals. Fair warning: I bring my outdated 90s dance moves to every session.

My upbringing taught me to find beauty where others see ordinary. Motherhood only deepened that instinct, and I've been known to cry at the drop of a hat. Kleenex is a standing item on my packing list for newborn sessions.

I'm awkward at small talk and large groups are where I go quiet — which is exactly why you'll never find me working weddings or large events, and why you will find me completely at home in yours. I work best in the intimate, the real, and the messy.

I invest deeply in the people I work with and pour my whole heart into every session. Walking away with friendships after a session is always a major bonus — and it's the reason I love my job as much as I do.

WORK WITH ME

©Carmen dunham Photography 2026

branding by Bella Maven 

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