About Alyse Panitz
My Story
I didn’t originally plan to become a family photographer.
I went to photography school to study advertising and architectural photography. I’ve always been drawn to light, composition, and the feeling of a well-made image. But when I moved to San Francisco in 2008, it was right in the middle of the recession, and those kinds of jobs were hard to come by.
So I started working with kids.
Over the years, I nannied for several families, sometimes for long stretches, and became part of their day-to-day lives. That experience shaped how I see families in a really lasting way. I got to witness the small, in-between moments that make up real life, and how quickly those seasons pass.
Somewhere along the way, I started taking photos for those families, and everything clicked.
Now I’m a San Francisco Bay Area family and newborn photographer, and my work is shaped just as much by my years working with kids as it is by my background in photography.
Photo credit: Jeanie Horton
Life as a nanny
Before I was a photographer, I was a nanny, and that still shows up in how I approach sessions.
I’m comfortable with kids of all ages and personalities, whether they’re shy, full of energy, or not especially interested in taking photos. I don’t expect things to go perfectly, and honestly, they usually shouldn’t. That’s often when the best moments happen.
I also understand that this can feel like one more thing to plan, especially with a newborn. I try to keep everything as easy and low-pressure as possible so you can actually enjoy the experience.
Many of the families I photograph come back year after year, and getting to watch their kids grow and change over time is one of the most meaningful parts of this work for me.
The little guy with me is Adam. I cared for him as his nanny from when he was just a baby into his pre-teen years. I have no idea how the years passed so quickly, but he continues to be my biggest inspiration and one of the greatest joys in my life.
A Little About Me
I’m originally from Memphis, Tennessee, but I’ve been in San Francisco since 2008.
I moved to California to attend Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, which is also where I met my husband, Kevin.
We ended up building our life here in the Bay Area, and it still feels like home. The light, the scenery, the mix of city and nature, it never really gets old.
We got married at San Francisco City Hall in 2015 and added our dog, Charlie, during the pandemic. He’s a Havanese and very much the center of our world.
What I Care About in Photos
I’m not aiming for perfect.
I want your photos to feel like your real life. Connected, natural, and familiar. Whether it’s a newborn session at home or a family session somewhere outdoors in the Bay Area, I’m always paying attention to the small moments that are easy to miss while you’re in them.
Those are usually the ones that matter most later.
I photograph families and newborns throughout San Francisco, Marin, the East Bay, and the Peninsula, offering relaxed, natural sessions that focus on connection and real moments.