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! 
I scoured through thousands of my client photos and pondered my philosophy on photographing people. What I realized was that my philosophy was incredibly simple.
Looking at all these gorgeous faces and families, my heart melts a little. I hope you’ll enjoy it. ~annie
Want to see more? Yippeee… here’s a video on why you should choose Lifestyle Photography.
Lawrence and I told the doctor not to reveal the gender of our third baby when I was pregnant… but I already knew it was a girl. Or maybe it was because I prayed and prayed and hoped for one. SO BAD.
So when my third and last baby entered the World, and my doctor held her up and announced “It’s a girl” like what I’ve seen in movies my entire life, I cried. I cried the ugly cry, but no one, including myself, really cared at that point. I had a healthy, pink, perfect baby girl! She arrived 3 weeks early, but based on her already squishy baby face and body, you’d never know that.
I was so happy and loved her so much from that very second. When she was only 2 months old, we had regular moments where we’d lock gazes, giggle together, exchange smiles… and when she was an older baby, we ‘sang’ together in her quiet nursery before she’d sleep.
It is now nine years later, and Avie is still that person who makes me smile just by looking at her face. She still follows me around like the cutest shadow and thinks her mommy is the best, most important person ever. She makes sure I know this from her love notes and drawings whenever there is a piece of paper or foggy mirror. She is my own personal ray of sunshine, and I feel incredibly blessed.
Happy 9th birthday, Avie.
Now, onto Part Two of last year’s winning images. This one is about moments!
A “moment” is defined as a split second of time ~OR~ a moment that tells a story, whether sweet, emotional or humorous. My all-time favorite images are the ones that capture a story and have incredible light, so some of these have both! ❤️ *swoon*
BEST MOMENTS OF 2018
#1
A Father’s Love
#2
This Way, Together
Tied for #3
Too Many Kisses
Cracking Up
Tied for #4
Left: Happily Married
Right: Teaching the next generation how to pray
Autumn Leaves
Tied for #5
Where’d she go?
Uncontrollable Laughter
Click here to see last year’s winning images: Best Moments of 2017, Most Delicious Light of 2017.
It is time to reveal the winning images from last year!
The photos that made it into this category were chosen based on the role light played in the image. Specifically I answered the questions: “If the light was different, would I like it as much?” “Did the light effect the mood or story of the image?” Then that collection of images went into a Facebook album for public voting during a set time period.
Aaaaaaand the winners are….. ☺️
MOST DELICIOUS LIGHT of 2018
#1
The brownish fog in the woods, the vertical lines of the trees, the perfectly balanced boys to their father, the gently curved sticks that mimic a rainbow.
#2
The spotty light highlighted the rainbow bubbles, which complemented the joy on the little girl’s face.
#3
Sunlight can be a softbox-spotlight.
Tied for #4
Candles at twilight held by children means blue light on white shirts and a warm glow on faces and hands.
The Bay Area fog creates a romantic mood for this couple.
#5
The haze and glare from the strong sun on the San Francisco Bay made this sailboat image surreal.
Wait, what?!! You want more? ☺️ Alright, click here to see last year’s winning images: Most Delicious Light of 2017.
