This review is long overdue. My mother kept (not so subtly) asking for more professional photos of…read moreme and my honey. More specifically, she wanted us to take church directory photos. Ha. That is not our style and was not going to happen. Enter Nathan! We asked him if we could do a photo shoot at Hop Grenade in Concord, one of favorite places to hang out and drink beer. He immediately made both of us feel at ease and that, in addition to his amazing photography skills, resulted in some of my favorite photos of us. He truly captured "us" and for that I'm grateful! (Check out my profile picture to see one of my faves.) My mom loved the photos too so I don't think she'll be bugging us for more for a while. A month ago Nathan photographed a friend's wedding and also did a fabulous job. I highly recommend him!

Looking for a photographer to capture incredible moments in motion- say, of your lovely child or…read moreathlete? I have good news for you-- you're done looking. Nathan is your photographer. Here's what really stood out to me about Nathan's work-- he really uses the capabilities of his equipment to capture moments you would never see with your naked eye. For example, he was shooting my 3 year old daughter while we were playing on the swings at a park, and he caught her looking straight into the camera at the very top of the arc of her swing. The composition of the shot was breathtaking-- she looked almost aloft, yet perfectly serene. I'd never seen that look on her face quite like that. It goes without saying, but the color and light and focus and everything technical was lovely. It's exactly the shot you hope to get as a parent, but never quite do. Nathan's work manages to reveal those hidden moments, and to do it in a way that captures and shows personality and beauty. My biggest regret is that Nathan wasn't shooting back when I got married. I would have booked him.

Enrolling in Empowerhouse Acting Studio's 2-Year Meisner training program was one of the best…read moredecisions of my life!!! My Experience:I've grown so much as both an actor and an individual through Melissa Thompson Esaia's 2-year Meisner program at Empowerhouse. She created a safe and supportive space where I could be vulnerable and explore parts of myself that I don't normally express in my daily life. Her feedback is thoughtful, empowering, and always focused on growth. She understands that we're learning and we're not here to be "good" and"perfect." We're here to show up, do the work and do the best we can, and trust in ourselves (and also have fun)! On days when the work felt thin, Melissa acknowledged my efforts and gave helpful feedback and suggestions for what I can try next time and how I can make the work feel more earned and strong. I appreciate Melissa's sensitivity and gentle approach to teaching! Melissa assigned scenes that stretched me beyond my comfort zone. I'm naturally soft, fun-loving and bubbly, so I really appreciated being given characters that were messy, complex, and emotionally rich. It helped me discover sides of myself I didn't even know I had. I've taken her teaching with me to my personal life, and that has helped me feel more free, present, and grounded. If you're an actor looking to take your craft to the next level, I highly recommend Empowerhouse Acting Studio!! I've also taken Improv Workshops with Otis Gates, and they were so much fun! It was my first time ever taking an improv class, so I was definitely nervous, but Otis brings a vibrant energy and created such a warm, welcoming, and joyful environment. His class helped me loosen up and feel more at ease in my body. I highly recommend Otis's Improv workshops regardless of your experience level. Whether you're trying improv for the first time or you're an experienced improv-er wanting to continue working on your craft, you'll definitely enjoy the class! The Breath and Body Workshop with DeAnna Driscoll was another amazing experience. Her class was incredibly grounding. We worked with breath and movement to connect more deeply with our bodies. I've always wanted to explore and expand my vocal range, and this workshop really helped with that. I was shocked to hear myself accessing a vocal range two octaves lower than I normally speak! This workshop was only 2 days, but those were 2 powerful days! I felt so grounded and present in my body, and have continued to use her teachings in my daily lives. I highly recommend the breath and body workshop! Overall, you're in excellent hands at Empowerhouse. Whether it's Meisner, improv, or breath and body workshop, the quality of the training and the heart behind it is unmatched. I can't recommend it enough! Logistics:The 2-year Meisner program consists of 6 sessions, each about 3 months long, all taught by Melissa. Classes meet 1-2 times a week for 3 hours each. You're paired with a scene partner every session, and outside rehearsal with classmates is essential for getting the most out of the work. The Improv Workshop runs for three days, with each class lasting three hours. The Breath and Body Workshop is two days long, also three hours per class. Bonus: there's plenty of street parking and pricing is very reasonable!

I will begin this review by addressing all those actors and aspiring actors out there looking for a…read moresolid training program that builds a strong foundational craft in the art of acting and provides a suite of tools to use when building a truthful character and scene. If this is why you are reading this review, I can assure you that you will find all this and more in the Empowerhouse Acting Studio Meisner Program. I was fortunate to enroll in a class led by the founder of the studio, Melissa Thompson Esaia. Melissa is a kind and supportive teacher, while also holding her students to the high standard required to grow as an actor. This class requires commitment and trust and if you are willing to make this commitment you will surprise yourself with the growth you will see as an actor. The program breaks the process of acting down to its simplest form and then builds on itself in beautiful and surprising ways. Each of the six sessions provides unique gifts that build on each other as the program progresses. Session 1 taught me what it means to be truly present and connected to a scene partner. Session 2 taught me how to build a life in my imagination. Session 3 taught me how to bridge the gap between myself and a character who is radically different. Session 4 taught me how to truly find the meaning behind a character's words. Session 5 taught me how to embody a character in both body and mind. Session 6 taught me how to bring it all together to collaborate with a partner in the truthful experience of living out a scene. After completing the program, I feel comfortable in calling myself an actor and feel armed with the tools of craft needed to take on any role. Beyond the Meisner Training program Empowerhouse Acting Studio also offers other classes and creative events that I have found incredibly rewarding. The Business of Acting and Audition Class is a must for anyone ready to take their skills into the professional world. It was a wonderful class to take after the Meisner Program. I have also taken breath and movement classes that have allowed me to more deeply connect with my own body when working on stage and camera work. I have also participated in fun events like a 24 hour film festival that is a blast and improv jams that are welcoming of improvers of all levels. While I have taken classes at several of the other major Bay Area Theatre companies that offer them, the classes just don't compare to the dedicated attention I received at Empowerhouse. I came to this studio and the Meisner program looking to become a better actor and it delivered on this many times over. I was not expecting to gain a deeper understanding of myself as a person. The greatest gift and superpower an actor can receive is a greater understanding of themselves. Beyond the tools and the craft, this deeper understanding of myself is the greatest gift Melissa and the Empowerhouse Acting Studio Meisner Program gave me.

Doc is an experienced, super friendly and professional guide. He shared the best spots with us to…read moretake pictures of San Francisco. Without his knowledge and professionalism we probably would have left S.F. with the standard shots that every tourist takes. I highly recommend him to anybody who wants to take different shots from S.F. regardless of you are experienced or just started with photography. Can't wait to book the next tour with him.

I am an avid hobby photographer and when I am able I try to find, and book, a local photo tour…read moreguide. I have done this is Southern Utah, Hawaii and Arizona. I have also been on two organized professional photo tours (Yellowstone Winter and Polar Bears of Churchill). Without a doubt - Doc is the finest tour I have been on! His knowledge of the area, ease of booking, laid back but willing to help manner and command of the subject & settings is second to none. The tour I did was the San Francisco sunrise tour and be assured that WHEN I return to the area I will be doing at least the Muir Woods tour as well. I am excited to add some of these shots to my portfolio, and wall, as well. I recommend, with NO reservation. the service of Doc as a guide and expert in the area! Not sure how to post images but if you follow https://www.flickr.com/photos/netdep/albums/72157687052852234 you will see many of these were taken with Doc -- the early morning, long exposure really technical ones!! ;-)

My daughter has attended Go Girls camp for many summers and she adores it. She loves the teachers,…read morethe activities, and learns valuable social emotional skills. She is so excited to finally be old enough (rising 5th-7th graders) this summer for the Go Girls Productions where the girls make a movie. For more information, see https://gogirlsoakland.com/Go-Girls-Camps

My daughter loved Go Girls Camp! She enjoyed making crafts, singing, and creating a play with new…read moreand old friends. She was more confident after camp and even kinder to her brother. I also love the safety skills she learned through the KidPower workshop. We need a compassionate revolution now more than ever and I feel fortunate to have discovered Go Girls.

So far just one class with my 5-year-old son, but I'm very impressed on multiple fronts. After the…read moreinitial drop-in class yesterday we purchased weekly classes with the full expectation this initial great experience will only be surpassed. Husband & wife team Matt and Chelsea (owners) and Matt's sister Stephanie are lovely. It's a really great space and Matt is preternaturally good with younger kids. I shadowed my son for a bit in the studio to observe both my son's behavior in a structured environment and the instructors' teaching style. My son is both young and inherently independent (and often distracted) so this was bound to be revealing. Matt and Chelsea's approach to teaching is closer to informed guidance and it seems to work very well with my son and the other kids I observed. They let the child initiate their creative intent and then equip them with the technical information they need in a manner that is both empowering and not overwhelming. As for my son's proclivity to essentially 'not listen,' Matt in particular was excellent at focusing my son's attention on the task at hand and contextualizing what needed to be done so that he could 'own it.' It's clear his forthcoming studio experiences will be about so much more than learning and enjoying ceramics. This isn't 'OK class today we're going to make a coil-built pot. First I want you to take your clay and...'. Not at all. In an hour and fifteen minutes, my son made two objects in distinctly different techniques: a bowl thrown on the wheel and a slab-built shark. In the course of building those two pieces he was exposed to: centering clay on the wheel; managing the clay to expand, compress, elongate and widen his bowl; keeping his eye on his work; keeping the clay moist; the effects of various pressures applied to the clay on the wheel; scoring and attaching separate pieces with slip; scribing; use of various tools; under-glazing; clean-up, and more. I imagine he'll have to revisit every one of those lessons in subsequent classes but it's a gentle teaching style that works well here. Matt and Chelsea always had an eye on each of the kids and were great about transitioning between them to give guidance in a way that seemed very natural. The space itself is wonderful and can only be described as luminous. Well, that and clean. This is not a stereotypical 'mad potter's studio,' nor is it an anal 'everything in its place mausoleum.' Instructors have a clear view of everything going on in the space at all times. There's a front seating for parents/nanny's to hang out (WiFi available) and get some work done if you want to wait. Parking in the neighborhood doesn't seem to be a problem. The most critical measure of Kids-n-Clay is the reaction from my son, who really didn't want to leave and spoke of it more or less non-stop the rest of the day. Looking forward to what's next here. If you attend a drop-in class, be aware it takes about 2-3 weeks before pieces cycle through the process and can come home with you. But that's just ceramics. Highly recommended.

My kid loves this place! The kids can use the pottery wheel or just mold clay on the table. There…read moreare assistants there to guide the newer sculptors, and the owner, Matt, encourages the kids to design what they feel.

Another professional lab besides Photoworks. Service is fast and the finished product is…read morebeautiful. Our company used Kimbo for professional prints (digital files). They also do standard film processing (35 mm and the professional format). Prices are a bit more expensive than Photoworks, but not by much.

So far, the best lab I've used in the city. The staff is all about customer service and they seem…read moreto get my jobs done earlier than expected! Jennifer is so sweet and always a pleasure to talk to and Bill Carey has been invaluable to me in terms of technical advice and customer support. He's also just a stand-up guy who clearly loves what he does. Unless some insane natural disaster lifts or washes away this business, I'm there for life!

Tara was absolutely wonderful to work with at our daughter's wedding at SF City Hall. She made the…read morebride and groom comfortable and navigated the photo shoot with ease and professionalism. Tara captured the moment and now we can relive the story through the beautiful photos. We highly recommend Arrowood photography!

We hired Tara for our wedding photography and videography and are so happy we did. She shot our…read moreengagement photos, church wedding and formal ceremony and reception. Not only are our photos and video beautiful, Tara was great to work with. As she described when we "interviewed" her, she is hands on. From buttoning my dress to tracking down florals, giving advice on when to put on my veil or noticing I forgot my earrings in the rush, Tara was essential to our event going as planned. When we were running late, she sped us up without making me feel stressed. Most importantly, she made the two of us feel comfortable in front of the cameras and it shows. This is such an important decision as you'll spend a lot of time with your photographer and you're putting a lot of trust in them. We're happy we put our trust in Arrowood!

Erica taught my daughter Milena for about 2 years on and off and it was a great experience. I hope…read moreto get them back together at some point.

I have a wonderful and high energy 6 year old son. He started asking for violin lessons at age 2;…read morewe waited until he turned 6. When I first called Alameda String Academy, I was greeted by Erica and she was very understanding about my son's passion and my concern about whether my son could focus enough to make headway. Erica is so professional and aware of her program that I felt confident that we found our match. Erica convinced me that Sarah Wood would be a perfect match for our son. She was absolutely correct. Sarah works so well with our high energy son and I am constantly impressed with his progression. He is learning the violin, he is learning tempo, he is tuning his ear, he is learning the value of paying attention, he is learning the value of concentrating, he is learning the value of sticking with something and seeing the rewards. This is all possible due to ASA's committment to doing the best for my child! As the parent, I am exceedingly impressed with ASA's administrative availability. Erica and ASA are able to keep everything very personal, there is always an individual feel, even with the administrative requirements.