Bay Area Photographer

Bay Area Photographer My name is Hope Knudson! I’m a photographer in Palo Alto, CA shooting natural light and smiles! Hi there! My name is Hope Knudson Stephensen.

I am a native to Virginia but I have been in Utah living it up as a student at Brigham Young University. It has been almost four years since I left the rolling green hills and sticky humidity. Another 4 years went by and I again traded scenery. I have moved to the Bay Area and am looking to continue my photography. I fell in love with photography when I was in my tweenies. I took out my parents ol

d Nikon and went crazy for a summer. My friends have more pictures of them going through puberty than they will ever need. I took every chance to go location scouting and even started my little business pretty early on. Friends at school asked for mini sessions and people in my congregation asked for family sessions. It was a great gig in high school because it helped me grow so much and enabled me to invest in myself. Ever since, I have been doing all sorts of photography in all sorts of places. I am a natural light photographer. I love couples, families, babies and baby bumps. I strive to capture the real and effortless chemistry you have with your loved ones. I use an array of poses to get the money shots and prompts to take you out of your head and put you into the connection you have with those around you. My goal is to make you as comfortable as possible and to capture the moments you will want forever. Let's get together and document your life in the most beautiful way.

Two months past his birth and I still look back on these newborn photos all the time. He changed so much so fast and it’...
05/04/2026

Two months past his birth and I still look back on these newborn photos all the time. He changed so much so fast and it’s heartbreaking and relieving and incredible and a miracle all at the same time. 🤍🌥️💫🐣

Thank you to Nirelle for coming over into the chaos and capturing his little details !

05/04/2026

Weddings are marathons ‼️😤👏

04/30/2026

When you’re a newborn photographer and have your own newborn…. Immediately humbled. 💀

For just a a couple minutes, a bright pink sun poked out from the clouds for their baby girl. ✨💗🌥️
04/29/2026

For just a a couple minutes, a bright pink sun poked out from the clouds for their baby girl. ✨💗🌥️

04/23/2026

When you’re a newborn photographer and try to take your own newborn’s photos. 💀 Immediately humbled.

The face of pure 😝 in the last frame kills me!!
04/22/2026

The face of pure 😝 in the last frame kills me!!

Someone asked me recently what my style of photography was and the word FUN came to mind. Don’t hire me if you don’t wan...
04/21/2026

Someone asked me recently what my style of photography was and the word FUN came to mind. Don’t hire me if you don’t want to laugh a lil, dance a lil, run a lil & kiss a lil. 🤭

C & H’s welcome dinner was what I’m talking about embodied. I didn’t even have to do much - just clicked away and didn’t take myself too seriously. I love working with people who put the FUN in welcomfunedinner!!! 😂🫶

Family session highlights from this year that I did not post enough of! Scroll to see a lot of love, effort and energy p...
01/02/2026

Family session highlights from this year that I did not post enough of! Scroll to see a lot of love, effort and energy poured into each frame - from me & the mamas (+ dads) that made these sessions happen! ☀️🏠🌼

Still wrapping my head around all that happened in 2025 with this here Hope’s Lens business. But alas, today is the last...
12/31/2025

Still wrapping my head around all that happened in 2025 with this here Hope’s Lens business. But alas, today is the last day of the year so I must post!

I quit my corporate job as an Art Director. Added new cameras & equipment to the mix. Explored new parts of the city. Worked with other photographers I admire. I lived, laughed & loved this year.

T’was a party. Thank you. Here’s to 2026! ✨

Address

Palo Alto, CA
94305

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bay Area Photographer posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Bay Area Photographer:

Share

Category