Young son is laughing while his father is throwing him in the air during a family photo session.

Family Photos

Magical Family Photo Session – Wood Line, San Francisco

December 17, 2022

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The most rewarding part about what I do is the connection I make with each family I meet. If I ever won the lottery, I would photograph and film families free of charge—all while living my best goat-herding life. Totally realistic, right? Until then, I’ll be happily goofing around with my families. Here are some photos from a magical session in the Presidio with one of my favorite families who have tolerated many years of my ‘smooth’ dance moves.

And for the record, I am very happy to oblige any requests for photos of just the parents. Just say the word.

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 Fair warning: I bring my outdated 90s dance moves to every session.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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