Aika Cardin Photography

First off let me begin by saying that I have never written a review either positive or negative on Unilocal or any other site before. However, after my extremely negative experience with Aika Cardin I felt compelled to do so. I also must add that I have used Aika Cardin twice before once for a Halloween photo booth and once for a mommy mini shoot and had zero problems with her and was quite happy with my photos. With that being said I signed up for her 2015 Holiday Mini Session which included a 30 min session, 3 retouched digital files a digital holiday card and a Facebook cover. The cost was $ 175 however returning clients (like myself) the cost was $ 150 with a code at checkout which I could not find so I ended up paying full price even though she said she would credit me the $ 25 but never did. Anyway, about a week after the shoot I got an email stating my photo gallery was ready to view and would expire in a week and would cost $ 25 to reactivate it. Not wanting to pay the extra $ 25 I quickly picked out my three photos and tried to check out using the «simple» directions she had attached. However, I was unable to purchase just three photos, to check out you had to purchase a package which included 10 pics for $ 200, 15 for $ 275 and etc… I was extremely confused and emailed her several times asking her for directions on how to order just the three pictures included in the shoot and if I could order just a few additional pics (not 10). Finally after four days of no response I sent her a text and she got back to me saying that the minimum digital package starts at 10 but to send her the images I wanted. I emailed her the images I wanted and told her I wasn’t happy with the ordering process that I felt like it made you feel obligated to buy a package (since you literally can’t check out and get your pics unless you do) and that I thought the whole ordering process was stressful (since I was on a time crunch to order them and she refused to get back to me). Her response to my email literally blew me away she stated that she did expect her «clients» to purchase additional packages because that’s how she supports her family and that most of her «clients» purchase the 20 image package which costs an additional $ 350!!! I think it’s pretty assumptious to think that a client who already spent $ 175 for a «MINI SHOOT» would then want to spend an additional $ 350 on pictures. I signed up for this shoot with the intention of getting two really nice photos to hang in my living room. I also had no problems ordering additional photos but I definitely didn’t need 10 photos and not for $ 200+. Overall, this experience left a sour taste in my mouth and in my opinion almost felt like a scam. My colleagues and I discussed what had happened and most stated that they would have been too embarrassed to ask about the ordering process and would have just spent the extra money to get their pictures. That’s why I wanted to write this extremely long review, because I don’t want any future clients to go through what I did. She made me feel like less of a person because I didn’t spend hundreds of dollars to support her family and her hard work. I will NEVER use her again nor would I ever refer her to any of my friends or family. Her pictures are beautiful but there are plenty of talented photographers in the Bay Area who treat all their clients with respect and dignity not just those with money.

Aika is an excellent baby and family photographer! She goes above and beyond to ensure the baby and family are comfortable and she’s able to capture magical moments that are personal and show your family’s personality. She really enjoys babies and interacts with them to help them look their best for the camera. Most, or maybe all, of her shoots occur outdoors, which I find very lovely. The pictures look great on the walls because of the natural world in the background. For certain holidays she has photo booths set up around Walnut Creek. For around $ 20 you get a digital card with a really cute holiday background. I’ve also worked with her for our family holiday pictures and our boy’s one year cake smash. I highly recommend her because she is professional, fun and takes great pictures!

Aika is a miracle worker when it comes to taking pictures of crazy little ones! My first experience with Aika was when I signed up my 2 boys (ages 1 and 3) for her Valentine’s Day Photo Booth session. My kids were totally not cooperating that morning– They didn’t want to sit still or smile. They were not happy and were all over the place. I left that session exhausted and convinced that we got absolutely no good pictures. To my surprise when Aika sent me the link to my pictures, they came out ADORABLE!
I was so wowed by the Valentine’s Day pictures, that less than two months later I signed my boys up for her Easter Photo Booth. Due to some miscommunication with the owner of the location, Small Talk Café made me cancel my reservation for pictures (they added on the additional constraint of having to participate in their Easter event that day which was only for kids 2 and under. Since my little guy was 3, we weren’t allowed to come at that time for pictures. Totally the fault of Small Talk Café and definitely not Aika’s fault.) Aika went out of her way to find a new time that worked for me– even meeting me at a completely separate location (and charged the same amount) so that I could get my boys’ Easter pictures. Again, the pictures came out absolutely amazing (you’d never believe that the younger one kept tantruming or the older one didn’t want to get anywhere near his younger brother). She even got my «unicorn» picture– my boys together and both smiling. I’m telling you, she’s a magician.
I would not hesitate to book Aika for pictures. I’m definitely looking forward to having her do family pictures for us sometime in the near future!

Aika Cardin is the best family photographer I know! She catches lots of smiles even when your kid is being a grump. I was thrilled when I saw our photos for the first time. She goes above and beyond. I was even more excited when I received our actual package of photos. You will find that whether you order only digital or otherwise she out does them all. She is absolutely amazing! I would recommend her to anyone!!! Go visit her FB page Aika Cardin Photography

I found Aika through Hilary’s Helpful Hints and couldn’t be more pleased! I signed up for her «Baby Collection» package which includes newborn, 6 month and 1 year photo sessions. In addition to just photographing my youngest, she gets great sister and whole family shots that I will treasure forever. She is so patient and flexible with my 2 girls during the shoot — never getting flustered when they don’t cooperate. She has never failed to get countless great pictures of the whole family — it’s always so hard to decide which to buy because I fall in love with them. If you are looking for a excellent, professional photographer who is patient & caring choose Aika — You won’t be disappointed!

«Aika, how long have you been doing this?»
Sweet, humble Aika: «Since Leo was 7 or 8 months old…»
Which means Aika Cardin has been a professional photographer for not quite two years. Pardon the expletive, but #$%*!?
I couldn’t believe that the photos we viewed during our session were done by what many would consider a rookie photographer. Aika’s sensibility, patience, and creativity add up to characteristics of a professional shutterbug with at least 10 years of experience. My husband has taken several photography classes, and from what I learned about natural light photography through conversations with him, Aika certainly knows her stuff. Her attention to composition and dynamic viewpoints, as well as the manner in which she told our family’s story via the slide show… in a word, phenomenal.
The photo shoot: My husband, my son, our dog, and I had a rough morning on the day of the shoot, so I wasn’t too optimistic about the overall turnout, to be honest. My son wouldn’t keep still when we started, wanting to roam around, but Aika came armed with Thomas stickers, a mini Adirondack chair, bubbles, you name it. She sensed immediately when my son wasn’t enjoying a particular setting, so she was willing to pick up and move when necessary.
Aika’s pleasant demeanor: a huge plus. She always has a smile on her face, and she’s incredibly unassuming. Sometimes we’d forgotten she was there! We all were able to laugh about some of the stressful moments (wardrobe change, getting my son to smile), and mostly because Aika was such a sweetheart.
The viewing session: The tears I shed are testimony enough. The slide show was top notch, very professional, simply a work of art.
I could go on and on about this rare talent. Aika is a gem all around, and our family couldn’t be more pleased with her work. Watch out, world, this woman is going places. Snag her while you can!

There is something magical about Aika. She is incredibly talented, kind and completely genuine. And her photos? Words cannot describe. Her style was exactly what we were looking for. It is natural, yet so vibrant, colorful work. She has a talent of capturing the most «real» moments and making them look like something you’d see in a magazine. Her work has a very rich professional look to it. Aika will find out what your dream picture looks like and find a way to deliver it to you. She is great with kids. She makes the entire family at ease and have fun. This in turn makes for fantastic pictures. She is also flexible! A must have for a family photographer. She is willing to let nap times, weather, or whatever dictate the time or location of your photo shoot. Aika was also able to work with us on budget and we are thankful for that. She is worth every penny. The photos that we have are an absolute treasure.