Ariel and Sam are the absolute best! My wife and I booked them for an engagement shoot and for our wedding, and they knocked it completely out of the park! They did an amazing job capturing candid moments while also making us feel totally comfortable during directed shots. (I am a total goofball but tend to keep the goofiness reserved for people in the circle of trust, and Ariel and Sam very, very quickly found their way in.) As for the photos: LORD. ALMIGHTY. They did an incredible job capturing the emotion and tone of each moment: whenever we flip through our photos, we feel like we're right back in each moment. There were even some shots that were so well-done they looked like they could've been right out of a magazine! And we can't not say anything about Ariel and Sam themselves: they're so kind, and friendly, and fun, and just plain good people! Working with them felt like having close friends who happened to be great photographers. Thanks for all the amazing shots, Ariel and Sam! We'll be in touch when it comes time for family photos :) read more

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We got married in June and had a delightful experience working with Sam and Ariel at Bowerbird. They are each thoughtful, caring, and attentive artists who helped make an important milestone in our lives feel magical. Sam and Ariel captured many perfect moments for us and our closest loved ones. We highly recommend Bowerbird for your events and we hope to work with them again! read more

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I have had headshots done multiple times in my real estate career. I also suffer from chronic "dead eyes" in my photos. Sam somehow managed to get me to look alive (and HAPPY, even) during our session. I have multiple photos I can use going forward, which is a big deal for me since I used 0 from the last session I did from a different photographer. I showed up, we shot for about 15 minutes in multiple spots and I love all of what we got. Sam made sure to put me against backgrounds that worked with the lighting, my outfit, etc. He even showed me how to do poses for good angles. I was in and out and got to review the photos as we went along. Getting the edited photos back was almost instantaneous, too! Ariel was ON IT! No wait. Hire them for EVERYTHING. They are also super duper nice! With love, The ex-Stepford Wife. read more

Ariel and Sam are incredible. They photographed our wedding in June and were very professional, easy to work with and incredibly kind. Ariel and Sam shared our vision for what we wanted from photographers on our big day - capturing every moment without obstructing the views and experiences of our guests. Ariel and Sam helped us feel comfortable, at ease and were so much fun to be with through each event of the day. They were so efficient that we quickly took all of our planned photos and had time to take more couples photos and enjoy our time together. We received the final photographs very quickly and were blown away by how spectacular the photographs are. We feel so excited to have these beautiful photos to look at for years to come. Cannot say enough wonderful things about Ariel and Sam!! read more

We LOVED everything about Ariel and Sam! They were so helpful in advance of the wedding and we knew we would be comfortable with them. But our expectations were surpassed! They work seamlessly together, and between them got pictures of everyone. And they totally captured the mood of the ceremony and reception. We cannot say enough about them! Also, we are mid-60's, so not your traditional bride/groom and ceremony and they were on top of everything. Thank you so much, Sam and Ariel! read more

Ariel and Sam photographed our wedding. They are awesome people who made us feel comfortable throughout the process. They really have a knack for capturing really fun moments during the event. The results are amazing and my wife and I love the photos! I'd absolutely work with them again and would recommend them to anyone looking for professional photographers! read more

5 stars for Ariel and Sam, who are the best photo team I've worked with! We've used Bowerbird for all of our family photos and newborn shots and they are so incredible with families - putting your kids at ease and making what can normally be a stressful event completely fun. The photos are always amazing and reflect that you're actually enjoying yourself during the photo sessions which are filled with real smiles & laughter and are incredibly fast (if that's your goal with toddlers and babies!) They are also great at corporate and work events where they always get great pictures but never feel in the way or distracting to the event. Would definitely recommend this team for all of your photography needs. read more

I HIGHLY recommend Bowerbird Photography for anyone seeking wedding photography! Ariel and Sam are fantastic artists as well as warm and lovely humans: absolutely the best combination one could hope for in a wedding photography team! We LOVE our photos so much!!!! They are gorgeous and really capture the spirit, story, and joy of the day beautifully. Ariel and Sam also are skillfully unobtrusive and very mindful not to block or distract at all (I didn't even notice them during the ceremony - it seriously felt like magic!) while still capturing tender and candid moments along with lovely portraits. They instantly put us (and our entire wedding party!) at ease and made the entire experience fun and celebratory. Our guests loved them as well and everyone who has seen the photos have raved about them. Thank you so much for making our day so wonderful and giving us such fantastic and beautiful memories!!! read more

Sam and Ariel are amazing!! They were the first vendor we hired for our spring SF wedding, and they set the bar high. Not only are they incredibly talented photographers, they are also positive, sweet, and all-around wonderful people. From the first interaction we had with them, we knew we had found our team. They listened to what we were looking for, got to know us, let us get to know them, and gave us great feedback on our ideas. We talked to several photographers, and there was something really special about Bowerbirds. As cheesy as it sounds, they understand the excitement and magic that happens with a wedding, and you can tell they feel it too. Some photographers we talked to made us feel as if we'd be just another job to them, and that's the last thing you want when you are planning a wedding. Plus communication with them was unbelievably easy. After our initial meet, whenever we sent them an email, they would get right back to us. A few days before the wedding we talked with them on the phone and made a plan for the big day. Ariel was awesome in giving us suggestions and listening to what we were looking for. Ariel and Sam showed up on time, big smiles in tow, and helped make the day memorable as they documented all of our favorite moments, and the moments we could not be a part of. All you want when you are planning something like this, is to be able to see the things you can't be present for, and they definitely delivered this for us. They're super sneaky like that :) And then there are the pictures... everything we could have hoped for, and then some!! Breath-taking directed shots, heartwarming candids, and they even made a short video with stills and video clips combined. It so perfectly captured the day that it brought tears to my eyes when we first played it. Our friends and family members as well. It has been watched several times since! It has been fun sharing their work with our loved ones. Lastly, this review wouldn't be complete without mentioning that a big reason why we went with Sam and Ariel, was because we felt a connection with them as people, as well as their ideology. Yes their work is beautiful, but they are also truly good people who give back. They invest deposits in KIVA loans, work with non profits, and go the extra mile for their clients- like hand delivering files. We loved all of these interactions we had with them. By the end of our wedding journey, they felt like friends. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind experience with a fantastic photographer duo, save yourself the time of evaluating other options, and meet with Bowerbirds. Ariel and Sam- Thank you both for making the most memorable day of our lives, tangible :) read more

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I cannot say enough good things about Ariel and Sam- they are lovely, caring, warm people who make you feel so comfortable and calm. They are such professionals- so easy to work with- they made everyone and everything look gorgeous. Thanks to them everyone involved in our wedding felt so comfortable and at ease; photographing our wedding day not only with the utmost class and beauty, but also capturing so many special and intimate moments. I was also super impressed by how low-profile they were, I actually hardly noticed that they were there during the ceremony but they took so many amazing shots, ,that was unexpected and really nice that everyone could focus on the ceremony without photographers playing a front and center role. We are so grateful- it is such a gift to have this huge range of exquisite photographs reminding us of such a special day. The whole process of working with them was seamless and enjoyable, from talking about our wedding a few months out to putting together family portrait lists. these two make everything easy and no-fuss, such a gift during a pretty hectic period! Our families all LOVED their work, and were excitedly sharing the slideshow they created for us with everyone they knew. What an honor to have these two as our photographers. Thank you, Bowerbird Photography!!! read more

The world is beautiful. With Ariel and Sam Soto-Suver, anyway. They are easy to work with--prompt, responsive, and clear. Scheduling a shoot was straightforward and afterwards they had great follow through--following up with any hanging questions or points, as well as quickly sending along my pictures in a gorgeous handmade package that was an art piece in itself. The pictures came out lovely--a mix of black and whites and color taken by both photographers. Yes, Bowerbird Photography takes a pretty photo. I came away with digital photos, printed photos, an annoyingly cheery post-session glow, and an undeniable friend crush on these two kind, laid back, talented photographers Ariel and Sam made me feel completely comfortable, a true challenge when meeting new people. I've had two photo sessions with them--a private and a group--and am thrilled with the results of both. I even use the pictures for my profile! It's a testament to their work that both Ariel and Sam--the power duo, married team--carry their cameras with them on the job and on the town. Their work reflects this ever present instinct towards beautiful, intimate, authentic shots and angles.. read more

Sam and Ariel are the greatest people my wife and I have ever had the pleasure of meeting!! It's funny how we decided for the hell of it to sign up for a free engagement contest at a bridal fair my wife and I went to. I had a trick up my sleeve though; I folded our sign up slip a couple of times to make it feel like a few different papers! ;) (I wonder if they noticed...) But anywho, we went to the engagement shoot in San Francisco, and we had such a great time! They're both so full of fun and energy that would bring out the best of anyone standing in the sights of their cameras. When we saw our photos some time later, my wife and I were blown away at how incredible they came out! I never thought I'd look good in a photo but they did it somehow. My wife looked absolutely gorgeous! Taking a chance with them was the best decision we made, and they went on to shoot our wedding! There's absolutely no better way I can even think of how I would want our precious memories to play back for us whenever we look into our albums. Perfect photos from two amazing people. :))))) read more

Ariel is a very talented photographer. Her work is always beautiful. I hired her to take pictures of my girlfriend and I for gifts. She was very warm and friendly and made us both feel very comfortable. She was able to capture our relationship perfectly. I could not have been happier with the results. I highly recommend Ariel. read more

We took our engagement photos with Ariel and Sam Soto-Suver this past weekend at Chrissy Fields, Palace of Fine Arts and a look out point in the Presido. They were amazing to work with and made us feel so comfortable as soon as we met them. They captured our love for each other in each shot. The shots were creative and the light was beautiful. They had amazing follow up and the pictures they took of us took my breath away. They also made a video slideshow that I have watched a over and over again. Airel and Sam made our engagement photo session a special day that we will remember forever. I can't thank them enough for such a lasting memory. I highly recommend them!!! read more

Ariel is comfortable & easy to work with, even with my usually uncomfortable photo taking self needing several professional headshots. Ariel grabbed great shots under 15 minutes perfecting the outdoors natural light & matching the background with my outfit. Bowerbird Photography are like instant miracle workers receiving my photos later that evening for my review & quickly re-touching a few flaws I requested of them to edit = overall great photography work & service! read more

Ariel has good eyes for great photos. She took pictures for us to mark my son's first year, and they turned out wonderful. She is personable, unintrusive, and know how to capture tender moments. I have already recommended her to a couple of friends, and would definitely use her again. read more

Where to start...? Ariel + Sam are not only amazing photographers, but they are also the sweetest, friendliest, most personable couple you'll ever meet. My husband and I hired them for our Vows Renewal celebration in Napa last November, and it was one of the best (and easiest) decisions we ever made! As fate would have it, I won a family photo session with them back in March, and the photos they took of us and our 2-yr old son were simply gorgeous - we knew we'd have to hire them for our wedding celebration. As photographers, they are able to capture they joy and emotions of the day in a natural, un-posed way, and quality of their photos are supreme. All our friends and family are still telling us how well the photos turned out! As people, they are the most lovely, patient, and easy-going vendors I have ever met - I feel like I changed my mind at least a dozen times, and each time, their response was, "Sure, no problem!". They were always accommodating and made me feel so at ease, I am now proud to call them my friends. As professionals, their service is second to none! From fast response times, to thank-you notes after each photo session, to chocolates a week before the wedding, to viewing our wedding photos within 2 weeks and receiving our wedding album (handmade in Italy) just 2 months after the wedding(!!) - their customer service is the BEST I have ever experienced! I honestly don't know how they work so fast. To cut the long story short, Ariel + Sam are two of the most amazing photographers you'll ever meet, and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend them for any type of photography, from weddings and engagements, to family and children - I know they will always do an incredible job! read more

From our first sit-down conversation regarding possible engagement photos, up through the day when Ariel + Sam physically dropped off our super pretty wedding photo album, Bowerbird was an absolute joy to work with. My now-husband and I are a weird couple, we don't know how to pose, giggle a lot, and get awkward easily, but Bowerbird sweetly dealt with all these insecurities, had lots of ideas, and managed to extract the very best photos we've ever seen of either of us. They were friendly and reassuring the whole way through. An added bonus: we worked with many vendors when planning our SF wedding last year (took place this April), and what stood out about Bowerbird is that they were so very on top of their game when it comes to organization, replying to queries, questions about what's going on, and all the other little dramas that arise during the engagement-wedding period. read more

Sam and Ariel were incredible to work with. Not only were we blown away by the images they captured, but they were a pure delight to interact with, which cannot be underestimated when planning your wedding. They counseled us through decisions, planned everything with us ahead of time, learned who our important people were, and scouted out the location in advance. And on the day of, they were superheroes. They were so easy to be with that it allowed all of us to take natural and creative photos. They really cared about us. And it is so important that you feel comfortable with your photographers, they are the ones with you in each of your most important and intimate moments day of. As a bonus, they also contribute to the wider community and are all-around great people who run an ethical and socially-conscious business. We couldn't be happier. read more

Ariel and Sam are thoughtful and creative photographers, are considerate and keen business-owners and are the perfect 2-for-1 San Francisco wedding photography couple. I got married last June and this review is long overdue...A + S were recommended by the coordinator at my hotel. My husband and I had a 2 ceremonies...One Indian / Hindu wedding and One Non-denominational short ceremony. Ariel and Sam embraced the cultures, captured each and every special moment, and went above and beyond on the most important day of my life. I have a memory of my windy wedding day on Treasure Island -- Ariel and I standing in a bus stop to avoid the wind and she offered me a Lemon Zest Luna Bar.... she was super prepared for this bride who hadnt eaten due to nerves! I will forever be in debt to Ariel and Sam for putting the best day ever into beautiful photos. The package/delivery of my archive files was flawless. THE WEDDING ALBUM they provide is a MASTERPIECE. Gorgeous! read more

Sam and Ariel are simply the best! Nearly 5 years ago, we asked Bowerbird to photograph our wedding in wine country. The photos turned out better than we could have ever imagined, and the beautiful fine art album they created serves as our most favorite memento of that wonderful day. Fast forward a few years and we asked if Sam and Ariel could help us get a few Christmas card photos of our little family of three! Sam and Ariel traveled to the East Bay to meet our needs (i.e. fitting a session into our little guy's napping schedule) and were perfectly at ease with a rambunctious toddler (and a dog!) who wanted nothing to do with photos and everything to do with playing at the park. They knew exactly what to do to make him smile and laugh, and had already scouted a few great spots in the park for us to use when we arrived. Now we have the sweetest photos of our family. There were so many cute ones that we had trouble choosing which one to put on the front of our card. Sam and Ariel absolutely embody professionalism, but at the same time they are just a delight to be around. We chatted throughout our shoot and the time flew by. You can tell that they love what they do, and their photos definitely reflect that. One final note: they graciously contacted us to offer to re-schedule our shoot due to the late summer fires and lingering haze in the Bay Area in order to ensure that we had the opportunity to get the best photos. They also indicated that they did not want to put us or our little guy at risk by being outside in the smoke. They are simply the nicest, most thoughtful team you could hope for. We can't recommend Bowerbird enough, and we hope to continue using them to capture our little guy growing up! read more

We hired Ariel and Sam for our wedding photography last October. We couldn't have found a better pair to capture such an important moment. Sam and Ariel are genuinely kind people that have an incredible talent for photography. They managed to make my wife and I, our families, and our guests feel at ease while they calmly and professionally captured one of the most important days of our lives. This awesome duo manages to capture the wedding prep by splitting up at first. Sam focuses on the guys, while Ariel focuses on the girls. Ariel was even there to lend a helping hand as my wife was getting ready. If you are looking for responsive, caring, genuine, talented photographers, then do not look any further. I would recommend Sam and Ariel to anyone and everyone! read more

Ariel and Sam are the nicest people ever. Along with their top-notch skills, this makes them a first-choice for any of your professional photography needs. From the complimentary engagement photo session to our gorgeous wedding album, Sam and Ariel gently encouraged and supported us through the entire wedding process, one of the most stressful experiences we have had as a couple. At Bowerbird Photography, the perfect balance is struck between the subjects' personal style and preferences and the creative advice Ariel and Sam have to offer as experienced photographers. They are a joy to work with and both our engagement and wedding photos are beautiful. read more

We chose the dynamic Bowerbird Photography duo to photograph our October 2013 San Francisco wedding and it was one of the best decisions we made. Ariel + Sam were so friendly and we felt like they truly cared about us and our wedding plans. They are self-described photo ninjas, and it is an appropriate description. My husband and I remarked after our wedding that they managed to take awesome shots of our favorite unscripted moments from the day without us feeling like they were ever there. They were also incredibly efficient and professional...our family shots were wrapped up in record time! I also appreciate that they were flexible in designing a custom wedding photography package for our slightly non-traditional wedding. Most importantly, their pictures came out great. It was so hard to choose which ones to put in frames and albums. Sam + Ariel really excelled at capturing the candid moments and the scenes from the day (food, venue, places and faces). read more

My fiancé and I had an engagement photo shoot with Ariel and Sam of Bowerbird Photography last December and we are so pleased with the results! Before the shoot even happened Ariel and Sam asked for our input to see what kinds of photos we were looking to capture. They helped us pick out a location that would be fitting, and even sent us information on preparing for our photo shoot. They are excellent communicators, and even better photographers! During our photo shoot we felt very at ease and nothing felt forced. Ariel and Sam gently guided my fiancé and I through the photo shoot, posing us and getting the lighting just right, but we still felt at ease and able to be ourselves. Ariel and Sam were constantly adjusting to the light and our poses and working together to find the perfect shot; they are the great team! We got a CD with our pictures on it within a day or two. Their turnaround time is amazing! My fiancé and I love the pictures they took, and have found all sorts of ways to use them in conjunction with our upcoming wedding. We had a great time taking pictures with Ariel and Sam and the resulting photographs are beautiful! We have also booked Bowerbird Photography for our wedding, and we are looking forward to having this dynamic duo there to capture all the special moments of the day! read more

My wife & I hired Sam and Ariel to do our engagement photos and wedding in October. The two were a absolute highlight out of all the people & vendors we worked with. They are conscientious, adaptable and hard working. Not to mention, they take great photos (and I say coming from someone who has seen/been exposed to a fair amount of photography in my life). Both were very punctual throughout the process. They both have integrity in doing what they said they'd do. They were communicative throughout the process and very accommodating to our needs/wants...just ask them. I'd highly suggest working with the two of them for your photography needs. At the least, sit down with them and then you'll understand why you WANT to work with them. read more

I hired Bowerbird for my December 2019 wedding in San Francisco. Simply put, Ariel and Sam are outstanding people who happen to take outstanding photos. They combine artistry with thoughtfulness and make you feel completely at ease as they capture the special and most intimate moments of your life. This is a rare combination. The photo package we purchased also included a wedding album, and it was simply stunning and of a very high quality. read more

Sam and Ariel photographed our wedding at Meadowood in St. Helena, and we could not be more pleased with their work. In addition to being kind and wonderful people, they are extremely talented and great at what they do. We were so comfortable with them and they made everyone feel relaxed and at ease. They were prepared for every situation and are truly gifted. Our guests commented on how great they were and were also blown away by their work. We will treasure their photos for a lifetime. We will definitely reach out to them again to document important life events in the future. Thank you Sam and Ariel! read more

Sam and Ariel, if I could give you 10 stars I would. My husband and I met Sam and Ariel of Bowerbird Photography at a bridal fair. We were perusing the booths and when we stopped by theirs, we were struck by their friendliness and wowed by the sample album we leafed through. After chatting for a few minutes, we entered their contest to win a free engagement shoot and left to check out the rest of the fair. Fast forwarding some time later, I got an email from Bowerbird Photography telling me that we had won the free engagement shoot! We were so excited! After a few emails, we decided on a shoot at the Presidio and Crissy Field in San Francisco. When we arrived we said our hellos and got down to business. I'm definitely not somebody who feels comfortable in front of the lens, but Sam and Ariel were able to put me at ease with their easygoing direction. Nothing felt forced and they didn't make us do a bunch of cheesy poses. While we were walking back to our truck to head over to Crissy Field, I asked my husband if we could pleeeaaase have them shoot our wedding. His response? "Definitely! They're amazing. I really like them!" A short time later we got our pictures in the mail. We both loved them and agreed that they all looked very natural. We did not hesitate to book them. On our wedding day, Sam and Ariel showed up right on schedule. My husband and I loved that Sam could snap all the guys getting ready while Ariel got shots of the girls. I have to say that they were like little ninjas stealthily getting in there to get their shots without ever being intrusive or spoiling a moment. The day was a happy blur so I'm not entirely sure, but I think they might have stayed longer than we had booked them. Sam and Ariel were really there from beginning to end. When we got to our room at the end of the night, we were surprised to find a beautiful wedding gift from them. Talk about going above and beyond! The results were exactly what we were hoping for: a series of breathtaking photographs that flowed through the day and encapsulated all the emotion. We had so many guests comment on how non-invasive Sam and Ariel were while they did their thing on our special day. We were able to meet them for lunch to pick up our wedding albums, and we were blown away by them. A tear or two might have escaped my eye as we turned the pages and reminisced. Sam and Ariel helped make the happiest day of our lives perfect. I love looking through the pictures and replaying all the wonderful memories. I'm so happy to say that I have no regrets at all with our decision to have Bowerbird Photography photograph our wedding, and I think we can call Sam and Ariel true friends. read more

Sam and Ariel shot our wedding. It was the best money invested. We would give Sam And Ariel 10 stars if we could! This husband and wife couple is the true dream team. They both have an excellent eye for extraordinarily beautiful shots! The icing on the cake are: 1) They are such genuinely sweet people who just want to see others happy 2) Always on time 3) They do their homework to get to know the venue 4) They are very organized and prodessional making communications piece of cake 5) Their products are of the highest quality We would definitely recommend Bowerbirds to everyone. Looking forward to another excuse to hire the again- family portrait maybe? read more

Ariel Soto has taken photos of me on multiple occasions- all of which turned out so nice. My favorite quality of Ariel's work is her ability to capture the true spirit of the moment. She is so easy to feel comfortable with and I could be myself right away and I am very camera shy! I highly recommend her; if there were ten stars on here she would get 11. read more

Why are you waiting?! Hire them now! (Before someone else does :) Seriously, though, Sam & Ariel are amazing. We hired them for our wedding this September and we couldn't be happier. Here's why: - Their photographs are fantastic. We love how they turned out and we've had so many family and friends rave about them. - They are the most professional vendors I have ever worked with. I consider myself someone who is a planner and generally on top of things. They are way more on top of things -- which is so awesome. - They, as everyone else on Yelp has noted, are super nice and such a pleasure to be around. The hours before a wedding can be stressful -- and Sam & Ariel help reduce the stress rather than add to it. And, somehow, they also manage to take hundreds of pictures while being a calming influence. - Their pricing -- given the quality of photos and service they offer -- is a good value. As you might imagine, all of this has led them to be in higher and higher demand. So, don't wait. read more

Ariel and Sam did an amazing job photographing our wedding, our engagement and the surrounding celebrations. Having them photograph your wedding is like having close friends as your photographers. From our first meeting with Sam and Ariel through the entire wedding process, they were an absolute pleasure to work with, if you are looking for a wedding photographer you should absolutely choose Bowerbird. They were by far the best people we worked with for our San Francisco wedding. Throughout the wedding planning process they were a pleasure to work with, they communicated with us at every step of the way and they were super responsive to all of our requests, anything we asked to do they made happen. Both Sam and Ariel are super easy to work with, they did a great job of capturing the festive atmosphere of our wedding, they took great photos of all of our guests and everyone really enjoyed working with them. The quality of Sam and Ariel's photos was fantastic, they did a great job editing everything, and their turn around time for the photos was also incredibly fast which was great. We have gotten tons of compliments on our wedding photos. read more

Full disclosure: Sam and Ariel are our friends outside of their wedding photography business, Bowerbird Photo. Fullest disclosure: they will be yours too! My husband and I got married overseas, and my in-laws threw us a 125-person party when we got back to the US. It was our pleasure to experience Sam and Ariel's professional selves when they photographed our wedding party in rural Pennsylvania. Generally, a wedding can be tricky. It's hard to juggle taking care of everyone involved, the logistics of the big day, and making sure that we (the couple) stay happy. Having Sam and Ariel at your side is a gift. First, they are hardworking and organized (not always true with creative types and wedding vendors) who do their research on your family, your taste, and what you're looking for in your wedding photographs. They're also incredibly empathetic, so will do their best to keep you calm, anticipating the band-aid/hair clip/safety pin you need. Best of all, Sam and Ariel are grounded in the most important thing of the day: that you and your partner remember the magic of the moment. Bowerbird is great at helping the wedding couple relax and look happy, which is how their photographs are so beautiful. Sam and Ariel provided us with a full gallery of shots that ranged from some of the posed ones on our photo list, to spontaneous "only on the night" moments they saw and captured. They did a beautiful job. We highly recommend them! read more

I found Ariel through Groupon and it was the best thing I did for our 9 month old daughter. Ariel had great ideas about where to do the shoot and the pictures came out amazing. She was very easy to work with and now we have the wonderful photos to preserve the memory of our family. I'm very happy that we found Ariel as one is never sure if the photographer is able to capture the essence of the moment and I feel very lucky to have found her. One thing I should have done was to let my daughter sleep a little before waking her up to do the shoot (she fell asleep right as we drove into Golden Gate Park). Even with her being a little grumpy, the photos came out great and that says a lot! I highly recommend Ariel and would definitely use her again in our next family photo shoot. read more

If she posts a deal, jump on it! I bought it with the hopes to get a good family photo for our holiday card. From start to finish, Ariel was a joy to work with. She not only has a great eye but also knows how to run a business. She was super responsive by email. Ariel was super accommodating on location - Palace of Fine Arts was easiest for us. My 1.5 yr old loved Ariel, which made the session so much easier. She was super quick and captured a ton of great shots in 30 mins, at which point my son melted down. It was supposed to be an hour session so I was worried if we would get enough good shots. With a sneak peek soon after from Ariel, that fear was gone. We received our CD of pics a few days after our shoot! I would definitely work with her again. She has a blog where you can get a good sense of her work - http://www.feathersoversf.blogspot.com/. read more

Ariel was great to work with! Unfortunately our little family photo shoot in Golden Gate Park just happened to fall on one of the coldest June days, so my 8 month old was in no mood to get his picture taken. Ariel was quick, and she told us exactly where to sit/stand/etc. She actually managed to get some great shots of my son, even though he was crying almost the entire time! His little nose was so red because of the cold - partly my fault since I always forget to pack for SF weather (we live in the peninsula.) All in all it was a great experience and I recommend Ariel to anyone looking for some great candid pictures! read more

We took engagement photos with Ariel + Sam a few weeks ago at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park and couldn't be happier with the results. They are such a pleasure to work with and really know how to engage the couple and bring out the personalities in their photos! My fiancé and I have known Ariel since high school and only recently met her husband Sam and they are truly a stand up couple! They are so genuine, sweet and easy to work with and they have a knack for making you feel at ease. My fiancé was not sold on the idea of doing a full engagement shoot, but they made us both feel so comfortable and kept us laughing the entire time. It just felt natural and real! We would highly recommend Bowerbird Photography to anyone looking for gorgeous photos taken by talented photographers who truly understand how to best capture the moment. Even if it's your first time meeting with them, you'll feel like you've known them forever, and that definitely makes a difference! read more

What everyone's saying is true -- Ariel and Sam are two of the most wonderful photographers out there. I give them 5 stars for their style, technique, quality and genuine interest in who you are as a person or couple. Together they put you at ease and make picture taking seem natural and fun, even for the most camera-shy among us! read more

I love Ariel Soto! How should I count the ways! My girlfriend and I hired her to take christmas picutres of us for our family. We when to two different locations and the result was AMAZING! We plan on using her again and again. In fact we are in talks about hiring her for our wedding! IF you love sharp, stunning, breath taking photos Ariel is your gal! read more

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