Lifestyle Family Photos by Palo Alto Photographer Iris and Lace

In this blog I want to highlight two beautiful families photographed within a week of each other at one of my favorite locations in Palo Alto. Photographed in Mid-September, these galleries show how the hillsides look in the beginning of Fall. These yellow and gold tones are especially beautiful for Fall family photos. This location features a short 8 minute walk up a hill. There are bathrooms on site. It’s generally not crowded by sunset, because that is when most hikers start to leave for the day, however on weekends especially in the Fall when sunset is earlier, it may be necessary to arrive a few minutes early to secure a parking spot.

Both of these families did an amazing job styling themselves! Coincidentally, both dads wore a similar outfit of khakis, brown shoes, and a gray sweater. This is a fantastic outfit for men, so fellas take note! It is nice and neutral. Both moms wore beautiful flowing dresses featuring lace details— one in jewel teal and one in ivory white. These moms did a great job coordinating outfits for their families, and it’s one of the major reasons the galleries look so good!

Photographing New Friends

If you read the news, you’ll definitely agree that things are definitely not easy in the world right now. But you know what gives me so, so, so much hope? My families. These sweet families you see here in my photos. 
In my line of work, I meet total strangers who become new friends. I get to know them, their stories, their children. I get to document their love. And I see so, so, so much love here. We capture the moments & connections & relationships that matter more to them than any other thing on this entire planet. It always reminds me that most people around me are good and kind and loving humans, raising good and kind and loving children. 
This gives me hope.

Golden Hour Family Photos

Golden hour- also known as magic hour- is the hour before sunset or after sunrise. This is when the light is softest and we have ambient, warm, glowing light outdoors.

Direct sunlight, especially here in sunny California, is very bright and harsh in photos. It can result in squinty eyes, and dark shadows. Direct sunlight can make grass look neon yellow, and overall not very romantic or pretty.

I always prioritize photographing my families the hour before sunset. I may adjust this time forward or backwards by 15-30 minutes depending on the size of the family, my knowledge of the location (ie, if there are trees around or it’s an open field), and based on the weather (if it’s cloudy or sunny.) On a clear day, the best light is about 20 minutes before the sun touches the horizon.

“What if it’s cloudy? Should we reschedule our photos for a sunnier day?” NOPE! I love clouds! I pray for clouds! Clouds soften that harsh light I was just describing. Plus, clouds make for the most magnificent sunsets.

Golden hour is an important element in helping to achieve the work that you consistently see in my portfolio and on my website. We will have more location options if scheduling your photos during golden hour as well, because some of my locations don’t have enough shade to shoot there earlier in the day.

If golden hour timing is not an option for your family, I have 1-2 other locations that have enough shade where I can still shoot comfortably.

I hope that provides more context and information to understand why photographers schedule photos at the times they do!