My name is Annie Tao. I am a photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I specialize in lifestyle photography where you get to play, hang out, and be yourself. I capture the moments, real emotions and stories that occur during our time together. Check here often or subscribe to my blog (RSS feed) to see what I am up to or get creative inspiration. Thanks for visiting! 
As the year closes out, I had the pleasure of having a truly urban shoot with The S Family in San Francisco last Sunday. (I say “truly urban” because some neighborhoods in SF are pristine and manicured.)
Urban shoots are like a mix of Lifestyle Portraiture and Street Photography. I find it to be a fun challenge in that I need to find beauty in the gritty streets. There is graffiti, litter, unswept sidewalks, residentially-challenged people sleeping on the ground, and a multitude of pigeons.
You really have to embrace this kind of environment and have an adventurous spirit to want to have a shoot here. And you need to be the kind of photographer who welcomes what I call “the perfectly imperfect” art to enjoy this kind of shoot. (Me me me!)
What makes my heart race from excitement is shooting in this kind of environment with people who are game for anything, can take a little bit of direction and make it their own, and have the kind of attitude that makes even walking a lot of fun!
Little Circles
Rock On
Elaine and Tim
Petting the Dogs
The vivid mural makes it hard to spot Isabella and Sophia.
Happy Dance
Furry Giggles
Little Sophia was so giggly and wore a furry vest that made her irresistible to hug during the shoot. Hugging her was NOT an option! 
City Life
Bakery
This East Bay Lifestyle Family Photography session of The L Family was a year in the making! My clients needed to reschedule their shoot numerous times. Each time, it made me yearn to see them a little bit MORE! (I had seen photos of the kids, and they were too cute!)
So on the day-of, the rain stopped that morning and the skies cleared as if to welcome The L Family to their first shoot with me.
As much as Terranessa and I planned, with two young children, you can’t always control or even predict how everything will go at the shoot. So we had to roll with it.
Literally. The kids were on scooters!
Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!
Tyler was a natural model. She knew how to “smile with her eyes”. Parker, who turned 3 years old the day before, had a lot energy and zipped everywhere.
With the hazy afternoon light, you’d think it was warmer than 40F degrees!
I love how Eric, who is a police officer in one of the toughest cities, softens into butter when he is with his sweet little girl.
Not only was Terranessa beautiful beyond belief, but also, the way she looked at her “baby” adoringly in the golden hour light screamed GORGEOUSNESS!
Eric and Terranessa:
It was great to finally meet you. Totally worth the year wait!
xo
annie
A darling family is featured today on an inspirational publication, Beloved Darling. It’s perfectly titled, right?!! Oh, I am so happy!!!
Don’t miss Millo’s interview at the bottom.
If you want to read this on their site and want a dose of inspiration, go to Beloved Darling here!
