Real Stories.
Real Moments.
Committed to Memory.
Hi, I’m Anthony Thornton, a family photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I help families capture their everyday moments in an authentic and artful way.
My approach is simple: no scripts, no pretense — just real, meaningful images that reflect your family’s unique story.
Session Types
Short Story
A Short Story session is good for those wanting a glimpse into their family’s everyday life or a focused celebration of a special moment. We might spend the time baking together in your kitchen, enjoying a trip to the park, or sharing quiet moments at home with a new baby. These shorter sessions are relaxed and intentional, offering a chance to highlight the heart of your family’s connection in a way that feels natural and unhurried.
Half Day
A Half Day session gives us the space to follow the rhythm of your family’s day without rushing. Whether it’s a morning of pancakes and playtime, a favorite outing, or simply spending time together at home, this session allows me to capture a deeper sense of your family dynamic. With a few hours together, we can document the beauty in those everyday routines that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Full Day
A Full Day session immerses us in the full scope of your family’s life, from morning until evening. This session allows us to move seamlessly through the ebb and flow of your day—early risers and morning chaos, lazy afternoons, evening routines, and everything in between. It’s an opportunity to embrace the imperfect and the unexpected, giving your family’s story the time and space it deserves to unfold authentically.
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Relive Life’s Moments
I help parents reframe how they think about what their lives look like from the outside. Instead of focusing on perfect moments, I capture the authentic, messy, and beautiful moments that make your family’s story unique.
By reframing your perspective, we can transform everyday experiences into timeless memories that you’ll want to relive for years to come. These moments deserve to be celebrated and displayed in your home, where they can inspire and remind you of the love and connection that your family shares.
Every Family Has a Story
Each family I photograph receives a custom album that takes them through their story moment by moment.
Albums are an ideal way to present documentary family photography because they help tell the story, much like a photo essay.
By slowing down and holding a book in your hand, you’re able to immerse yourself in your own life without the distraction of a screen — and in today’s world that’s a rare and beautiful thing.
Reframing the Family Portrait
“I thought I needed to have a traditional family portrait done every few years to set that snapshot in stone. When I had Anthony come for his special brand of documentary photography, I asked if he would also take a portrait since our elderly grandmother was visiting California for what would likely be her last cross country trip.
I love the photo, but, when I saw what he could do catching our family in action, it has forever changed the way I look at a family portrait. The photo of us around our kitchen island where we as a family spend so much of our time, gives me a level of joy and a snapshot of time that a traditional static portrait will never quite accomplish. Anthony is a gifted storyteller with his photography and an extraordinary visionary artist.”
— Michelle, Mom