I am thrilled to be a finalist in this year’s Commercial Photographer category of Oakland Magazine’s Best of Oakland and the East Bay contest! It was such an honor to win last year, thanks to all of your support!
Voting is easy — no login required. Just scroll down to Goods & Services and you’ll find me under “Best Commercial Photographer.”
I know I’ll be voting for my local favorites before the ballots close May 31st.
Thank you for taking the time to vote! I hope to see you soon!
Warmly,
Nancy
I had the great opportunity of working with author and poet, Linda Lancione, earlier this month as the release date of her latest work, The Taste of Blood (Finishing Line Press), quickly approaches.
The experience was both a privilege and an engaging endeavor, as we worked together to cultivate the candor that her work so aptly portrays. I loved the process of getting to an honest image, where the true self came through.
Linda’s work takes on challenging issues, and it was important for her portrait to be just as honest, engaging, and real. Beyond capturing a simple or welcoming smile, we needed to convey a more complex message, one that her work ultimately does; that life is complicated, messy, and that she maintains her ability to be present with all of it and reconcile the extremes.
Linda kindly lent a few words of appreciation about our process working together:
“Having my author photo taken by Nancy Rothstein was a transformative experience for me. I was nervous about looking old in the photos–and, was I wearing the right earrings, the right top?—but she put me at ease and got me talking about my book. Later, when I saw the photos, I saw a woman I liked: animated, thoughtful, complex—the age and beauty questions didn’t matter anymore. The photos seemed to reveal me from the inside—that was enough. That was a gift!”
A big congratulations to Linda Lancione on her upcoming title. Thank you, Linda, for giving me the chance to take on the feat of distilling your inspiring, captivating, complexity!
– Nancy
The Taste of Blood is scheduled to be released on March 11, 2016 (available for pre-order through Finishing Line Press after November 16). Can’t wait? You can get a taste of her work on SoftBlow.org.
Time flies. I realize now that it’s been over three years since I met Kerry, when she reached out to me for new headshots. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of photographing her as she and Chris were expecting their first child, and we’ve captured each phase of their darling girl’s first year. Kerry has an amazing eye for design, and her clean aesthetic comes through in her home and wardrobe. It’s always calming and inspiring to be in her home. But, of course, the star of the show is this amazing little girl, whose smile lights up the room. Every time I get to photograph her she absolutely wins my heart.
We had our first session when Josephine was a mere three weeks old, and I was delighted to bear witness to just how much her charm had blossomed six months later. I love how the warm, neutral tones in their home help to accentuate Josephine’s beautiful blue eyes.
We met for our third session just last month, before Josephine’s first birthday, when she and Kerry joined me for a mother-daughter session. It’s always such a blessing to be invited along on a family’s journey to capture these landmark moments.
I am so excited to see what the future has in store for this winsome, young family.
Bon anniversaire, Josephine!
– Nancy
For many portrait photographers like myself, family photography is a truly a pleasure. I love the opportunity to document the unique character of each child and to capture the family relationship…..immense love! First I consult my clients to develop family photography ideas that resonate with their personal style. Then we have a fun family photo shoot that allows them to express their personalities perfectly.
For this session the white seamless studio look was a perfect foil for the bold graphic red, white, and black theme they chose for their wardrobe. Want to learn more about choosing colors for your outfits? Check out this in-depth introduction to the Color Wheel. If that one is too involved, here’s a basic Guide to Matching Colors. Outfits for family photography should reflect your family’s authentic style, so there is no right answer about what to wear. Elegant neutrals; bold primary colors; eclectic mixed patterns? Anything goes, as long as it’s thoughtfully selected (that doesn’t mean it has to be match-y) and reflects your style.
By using negative space in the composition and not over-posing the family, I created a dynamic collection of images that feel modern and crisp as well as relaxed and playful. Family photography in the studio doesn’t have to look traditional or conservative! Give me a call and we’ll come up with some fun family portrait ideas that work for your family photography. Every family is different; we’ll find the style that works for you. Portrait photographers should use their skills to represent who you are, not impose their style on you.
By the way, check out the eyelashes on this little one in the first image; I think they’re some of the longest I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been doing family photography for years! Wow! Thank you to this wonderful family for choosing me as your family photographer!
