Hello!
My name is Sofia, but my friends call me Sopo, thus the name of my business.I'm a San Francisco East Bay family and portrait photographer specializing in emotive, lifestyle photography.
If you are ready to talk about available session dates with me, please, CLICK HERE and fill out the contact form. I'll get back to you ASAP and we'll start making your dream session a reality.
If you'd like to get to know me better, keep scrolling!
A little bit about me
☀ Most of the time: photographer. ☀ Occasionally: crafter (painting with my children is my favorite pastime), jewelry maker (hello, craft shows!), my daughters’ fashion designer (I’ll sew a new dress but, please, don't ask me to mend anything!), piano player (as long as no-one’s listening).
☀ In the past: political scientist and economist (often dreaming about a day when I'll combine past career and current passion into something beautiful and powerful). ☀ Always: Lover of coffee dates, travel enthusiast, dreamer of new creative endeavors. ☀ Inspired by: light, flowers, walks in the mountains and sunsets on the beach.
Publications & Exhibitions
Every time I take a photograph, I try to create art. Sometimes these art pieces find their way onto the walls of a museum or a gallery, which is both exciting AND humbling. I also love sharing my passion of photography with the aspiring photographers. My articles and tutorials have been published on international blogs and in a magazine 😲 (dreams do come true!).
Inspiration
My children are my greatest inspiration. They are the reason I’ve found passion in photography. Their unconditional love, untamed curiosity, and endless imagination inspires me to capture their expressions, adventures and discoveries every single day. Check out CHILDHOOD MEMORIES, the photo gallery in which I'm documenting my daughters' daily life.
The same inspiration strikes every time I photograph other families - I see the children as their core and it shows in my photographs. I want to capture the way they look at their parents with admiration, the way they hold their protective hand, the way they embrace them and then run off to the next adventure.
Style
At a photo session, my goal is to tell the story of your family, preferring to watch and document rather than direct and pose.
Everybody’s session will be different, with a backdrop and adventure uniquely selected for your family. As you play, discover, and reflect
on your surroundings naturally, my camera and I will hold space to observe and capture the raw interactions and true personalities of your
loved ones and process them into the precious, intimate memories you’ll want to freeze forever.
My philosophy in life and art is to uncover those hidden connections, authentic emotions, and to find the magic of the tiny moments that make up our lives.
I truly care about the families I get to photograph, and want their photos to reflect who they are and what their relationships look like,
so that they can fondly look back on them in the years to come.
If you are looking for photos that will take you back to a moment you don’t want to forget, I am your photographer!
F A Q
What to expect during the session?
I believe that the best photographs are created when each family’s story is allowed to unfold naturally. I'll always guide you to the best locations and most exciting light, but how much I direct or pose your family will depend on the specific situation. Sometimes I'll keep talking and engaging with everyone (especially children), other times I'll be a fly on the wall (or in a tree). Either way, my goal is to keep the session relaxing and fun so that everyone looks back to this day with fondness.
Where will the session take place?
Outdoor Golden Hour Sessions:
We have so many amazing locations: forests, parks, open fields, local downtowns… I'll share my preferred local spots from
which you'll choose your favorite.
Golden hour sessions take place 1-2 hours before sunset, which will guarantee the best light of the day.
In-Home Sessions:
Home is where our fondest stories are written, and memories are created.
At home everyone naturally feels comfortable, and even the shyest kids relax and enjoy the session.
In-home sessions can be held indoors as well as outside around the house and take place any time of the day.
What should we wear?
Clothing is very important to the success of the session. Start with one or two main colors that complement each other, then add
neutrals such as cream, brown, gray, or black. Don't forget to incorporate textures through the choice of fabric to add
beautiful depth and dimension to your images. It’s extremely important to avoid distracting patterns, brand logos, cartoon characters,
graphics and pinstripes. However, floral, plaid and polka dots usually work well.
Flowy skirts and dresses are a beautiful choice for women and girls. To add movement to the images, choose accessories such as scarves and hats.
Stay away from dressing everyone in one single color, especially black or white.
If you have hard time choosing outfits, I'm always happy to help, just let me know!
What should we do at the session?
Just be you!
Take a walk with your family and spend the time together. This will be an adventurous experience that will be documented by me without much effort from you.
Kids will be busy discovering the surroundings and you will watch them and interact with them in a normal, everyday way.
In this setting, I am able to freeze these moments for you in an artistic way, so that those beautiful interections that will happen between your family members are
captured just as beautifully and then displayed for you and your children and their children to cherish forever!
When should we expect our photos?
Within 2-3 days of our session I will provide you with a “sneak peek” from your session which will include 1 or 2 images. With your permission, I typically share this “sneak peek” through my Facebook and IG pages. (So make sure you are following me on these platforms.) Within 3 weeks of our session I will provide you with a link to a private online gallery where you will be able to view and download all of your images. If choosing a package with an album and prints, I will discuss details in person.
Can I share and print my own photos?
Yes! With all three packages, you will receive downloadable digital images specially edited and sized to provide best quality prints in any size.
