golden gate bridge family photography by top san francisco photographer shefali parekh
A family of five posing for a picture showing their backs. Marin County family photographer.

I’m super excited to share a recent Marin County family photography session with you all. As your local Marin family photographer, I’m always exploring the beautiful spots in our area. Today, I want to talk about a sunrise session in Mill Valley that was truly unforgettable.

I’ve been working with this amazing family for years now, and I was thrilled when they signed up for my exclusive sunrise photo session. Not everyone is up for getting out of bed at the crack of dawn, especially with kids. But this family? They were all in.

Family of five posing hand in hand

I was recently featured in a Redfin article, where one of the top things to do in San Francisco suggested by me is to make a trip to Battery Spencer for a sunrise experience!

Mother with her infant
Family of five having fun
Father with his infant

The Dream of Sunrise Photography

I’ve been dreaming of shooting a family session at sunrise in Mill Valley for ages. There’s just something magical about that early morning light. But finding a family willing to wake up so early? That’s a whole different story. I didn’t think anyone would go for it until this family said yes.

Family posing sitting together for a picture
Family of five spending happy moments with golden gate bridge at the back at Battery Spencer Overlook
Happy family posing for a picture
Family posing hands in hands. San Francisco foggy photoshoot.

Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge that morning was an adventure in itself. The fog was so dense, I could barely see! I was a bit worried about what we’d find at our location. But once we got there, it was absolutely breathtaking.

We only had to hike for about five minutes to reach the perfect spot. And let me tell you, we were literally on top of the fog. The city below was covered in a white blanket while we enjoyed the warm, golden light of the rising sun.

Big sister with her youngest sibling
Three siblings posing together
Two sisters posing together

Making Memories In The Fog

The fog added such a cool, dreamy touch to the photos. It made everything feel a bit magical. The way it moved around the Golden Gate Bridge was stunning. The family and their kids were total rockstars, bringing so much energy and fun to the session.

Father giving piggyback ride to his daughter
Mother embracing her infant
Family walking with foggy morning in the background

Why Sunrise Sessions Are Worth It

I won’t lie – getting up early for a sunrise session can be a bit of work. But trust me, it’s so worth it. The photos turn out to be beautiful pieces of art that you’ll be proud to hang in your home. They eventually become statement pieces that bring a wow factor when someone visits.

Kid posing for a picture
Mother with her two girls
Oldest kid posing for a picture

Limited Time Sunrise Sessions

Here’s the thing – I only offer these sunrise sessions during a limited time of the year when the sunrise isn’t too early. This makes it a bit easier for families to wake up and join me for a morning session. So, if you’re looking to capture some stunning family photos, now’s the perfect time to book.

I’m bringing these exclusive sunrise sessions back for a short period this fall. Don’t miss out on the chance to create some amazing memories and have beautiful photos to show for it.

Family of five posing with Golden gate bridge as background
Family of five posing together for a picture. Golden gate bridge family photoshoot.

Reach out to book your session in advance. Trust me, the early wake-up call is totally worth it when you see the results.

Shadow picture of a family of five with the golden gate bridge. Battery Spencer, San Francisco.

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