Savanna

Portraits of a writer (and exceptional human being)

MATES shoot in Oakland

Ok! New year, new resolve to share more of my work around the time of shooting, rather just delivering it to the client or posting a few shots on Instagram. I've been working on a personal project for the past few years that focuses on portraits of housemates, together and in their own individual rooms. You can see the entire body of work here.

It's not an easy thing to schedule a bunch of people to be in the same place at the same time, and it can be tough for me to carve out time between paying jobs, but I absolutely love these shoots. They satisfy so many of my personal and photographic interests- learning more about people and how they've come together, seeing spaces that a stranger isn't normally invited into, and taking on the challenge of creating a compelling image with just the people, lighting, and environment in front of me (no stylists, no extra lighting). Julie, Anisa and Laura were such wonderful subjects and I'm so grateful that they opened up their home and lives to me. 

Playing with dad

Twirling with mom

Photograph by Kara Brodgesell

Lea by the lake

I've had the good fortune to work with Lea Stafford as a planner on private events and she is one of the best- smart, kind, hard-working, and on. top. of. it. When she asked to shoot some portraits to accompany her new venture into the food world, I was more than happy to oblige and had the best time strolling around Lake Merritt on a sunny Sunday. Check out her new Instagram account @staffordeats for some serious food inspiration!

Bernal Hill Portrait

I love a low-key environmental shoot and Bernal Hill is one of my favorites spots in the city. So these two things coming together for a recent portrait shoot was an ideal combination. Here are a few of my favorites from my walk with Mac around the hill.

Photographer Tricia Turner

Tricia was kind enough to participate in a personal project I've been working on, which involved a very different type of shot. But while rearranging her space to set up for that one, I couldn't help grab a portrait of this stunning woman in her perfectly lit home. 

Photograph by Kara Brodgesell

Cristina Arantes, Founder of Kika's Treats

Photograph by Kara Brodgesell

Portrait at Point Lobos

Photograph by Kara Brodgesell

Telegraph Hill Mates

Over the past few years, I've been doing an ongoing project on housemates. Here are a few favorites from a group who lived together in Telegraph Hill. 

JIMMY

BRIDGET

MICHAEL

THE MATES IN TELEGRAPH HILL, SF

Toby, 2016

I've been photographing Toby for about 10 years (agh!), since we met in college. Alongside my sister, I have a feeling she's going to be one of my lifelong subjects. Which is a really wonderful way to feel about a friend. (Hopefully she agrees.)

Photograph by Kara Brodgesell

Taking a Monday afternoon off

Photograph by Kara Brodgesell

Midday nap

Photograph by Kara Brodgesell

Dogpatch Barber & Shave

I never considered cutting my (oh-so-boring) long hair super short until I watched the intense skill and creativity of the men at Dogpatch Barber and Shave. Chris, Cornelius, Jan and their clients kindly let me hang around the shoppe for my Dogpatchwork project and helped me remember exactly why I started this project- to meet and learn about the people doing passionate work in my neighborhood. I probably wouldn't have had the occasion to stop into a men's barbershop otherwise, but now I want to hang out there all the time.