This weekend I had the chance to shoot Kevin and Arsineh's engagement session in Manhattan Beach. I was so excited to get out and shoot and particularly excited to work with them. They are both so sweet and seriously how gorgeous are they?!? Thank you both for hanging out with me (even though i wobble lol) Im really looking forward to your wedding in September! Here are some of my favorties.

Last year I had the opportunity to do an anytime session for Jim and Missy while they were out here for a convention, and I was so excited when they emailed me to let me know they wanted to do another one! We decided on a different location this time and ventured Downtown and we had a blast! Here are a few of my favorites! 

I know what you're saying. Two blog posts in one week, surely someone has hacked into her blog, but no, its true! I almost feel like Im on a roll.........almost.

I love this family. I love W dearly and she has been an amazing friend to me. I look forward to getting together with her and the family every year for pictures. I have also watched her kids grow up over the past few years and they are just as sweet as ever. They were all troopers after having spent a night on a boy scout trip, that shall I say looked less than luxurious!  We decided to try something a little different and head down to Chinatown. As close as it is to me I have never shot there before but I love all the colors and textures there, so much fun! W, B and family thank you so much for hanging out with me and being such great friends! 

Im lucky. Out of this world lucky, because I have the opportunity to spend time with families year after year and watch their kids grow up and families get bigger. I love it! I've been photographing this family for a while and watched them grow from a family of three to a family of five over night when they were blessed with a set of precious twins!  J, G and family thanks for hanging out with me year after year and allowing me to document your family!

Sandwich kisses are my favorite.

Last week I had the chance to shoot Jacob's Bar Mitzvah and it was such a pleasure to work with this family. Not having known much about Bar Mitzvah's I never realized how much work it was. Jacob had to go through one year of preperation for this day, and his family went along this journey with him. His mom did an amazing job putting this special day together and it turned out fabulously! Thank you again for having me and letting me share in this special day :)

When I first left my hospital job to pursue photography full time I was really nervous. I didn't know anyone in the industry, none of my friends where photographers, and to be honest I had no clue what photographers actually talked about when they got together. Did they talk about who had the coolest camera? The bigger lens? I felt completely awkward, and evidence of that was my first get together for Leather Craftsmen. It was a pizza party. A PIZZA party! I thought sure I can handle a pizza party, this should be fun. I dragged my non photographer friend Marissa to go with me because I didn't want to be alone. I flipped through through some sample albums, didn't talk to anyone but Marissa, and to make a long story short I managed to stay all but 15 minutes and left. To many people that know me they are probably saying to themselves "BULL!". Its true though I just felt so out of place.

Why am I telling you this you ask? Fast forward two years later and Im happy to report that not only can I last more than 15 mintues at a party but I have gotten to know some wonderful photographers, people who I am so proud to call my friends. Ive gotten to know people that have been incredibly important to me both in my personal life and my professionial life. So with that I introduce you to Nicky and Eric from Eight20 Photography. I have been fortunate enough to really get to know and hang out with these two and I'm so glad I met them! When they asked if I could take some pictures I immediately jumped at the chance and quickly thereafter had a mini panic attack. Its pretty nerve wrecking to photograph other photographers but we had so much fun and ' so glad I got to do this for them! Here are some of my favorites.

Yesterday I had the absolute joy of photographing this sweet family. When mom contacted me about doing a session and I asked her what her little one liked to do I was thrilled at the mention of Underwood Family Farms. I love this place and after my last portrait session there I came home with some ideas that I wanted to try out! So I lucked out, not only were they a sweet family, but when I saw the little one I just about fell on the floor. He is just adorable and you'll notice I don't have as many black and whites as I normally do. I just couldnt help it, I love the hair. Thank you so much for hanging out with me, I had a great time! Of course here are some of my favorites.

I met with Jose and Lyssa in Downtown Fullerton for their engagment shoot and it was absolutely the perfect spot on a warm SoCal day (ok it was hot not warm)! I love shooting somewhere new and it was so nice to get to photograph this beautiful couple and their sweet daughter. It was important that we captured them not only as a couple but as a family. I had a great time hanging out with you guys and thank you to Lyssa's friend Tina who watched the little one while we shot! Im really looking forward to shooting your wedding in just a few short weeks! Lyssa's eyes are amazing! This shot made me laugh so hard when I opened it. My absolute favorite!

I've really wanted to go out and do little photo projects recently, to keep me inspired and challenged. Its always fun to try new things and challenge yourself to go beyond what is comfortable and safe. So a while back Nick tells me of this idea he has that he wants me to try to shoot. He wanted to do a shoot that was inspired by Noir films. My first reaction was to freak out as I have no clue what he's talking about (this tends to happen a lot! lol) I knew a little about some of the films he talked about but not nearly enough to try something like this, but I thought why not. It turned out that this weekends gray skies worked in our favor so we set out to to do the shoot and really I had the perfect subject. It was so much fun to hang out and share ideas, every now and then glancing at the back of the screen to check out a shot, and bursting out into a simultaneous DAYYYYYUMMM! Those around us Im sure were a little curious what we were so excited about. Here are some of my favorites. Thanks for stopping by! Disclaimer One: I in NO way think I am a Noir photographer. That is a gift and a talent and truly an art of its own. Disclaimer Two: Nick does NOT smoke and that is a cigarette lol He just did it for me for this shoot. He also coughed for the next 5 minutes and spit at least twice. Smoking is gross and bad for your health. We started out by shooting around the city so ya this is not even close the look we were going for but he looks hot. (hes going to kill me for saying that and ask me to remove it. I wont) Then we went to an old train station.

When Missy told me that she was going to be in town for a convention and wanted to do a shoot of her and her husband with me, I jumped out of my chair! I was so excited that I would finally meet a friend that I had known online for over three years. When I met Jim and saw them together I did the happy dance. These two are not only in love, but love to be with each other and genuinely enjoy each others company. I know that sounds like a given for two people in love but to be able to capture it is special. It was so nice to finally meet you and thank you both for sharing that time with me! Here are some of my favorites. They said they love black and whites and so do I! *insert happy face here* the blog is doing something crazy when I type my happy faces lately. Jim plays the guitar and Im so glad they brought it!

I cant believe we are almost a month into the new year and this is my first post. I have been terrible at blogging and I'm so embarrassed because I have so much that I want to share. Part of it is that I have been going back and forth as to what to share on my blog. When I first started blogging it was mainly about my family and what we were up to, some photography, and some random happenings here and there. I have never felt that I was a very good writer (I'm definitely more of a talker!) but after talking to some friends I have decided that this blog is really about my journey and that journey includes family, business, and a lot of random happenings. So I'm ditching my old way of thinking and plan to share not only the amazing shoots that I am so fortunate to be a part of, but some more about my personal experiences and my family as well. Thank you friends for that little reminder :) This weekend I had the opportunity to photograph this beautiful family and I was so excited to do that in a new location. It's always fun and inspiring to go somewhere new and they were the perfect family for this little place. Their son is turning one soon and he was honestly the most expressive child I have ever had the chance to photograph. He gave me so many different faces that made for some funny moments. Thank you for spending the afternoon with me, I had a blast! Here are some of my favorites. Just look at that face! I love it! He was the happiest on this bike. This thing was awesome I wish I had one with Alex! My favorite :)

I had worked up a whole post in my head that tied into this shoot but this weather has me wanting to crawl into bed with my toe socks on and read a book. I will definitely be posting my thoughts about "Just Because" sessions and why I think they are so fun and so important, but I will leave you with the pictures from that day because quite frankly I couldn't wait to post them. She was so much fun. Smart, funny and incredibly outgoing. We hit it off over the phone before I even met her! She is fabulous!

I have so much blogging to do its not even funny, but I am done with sessions for this year so I will be playing catch up in the next few days. Hopefully this will give me the opportunity to share some personal stuff with you and let you in on what I have been up to lately. In the meantime though, I don't know if any of you are on Twitter but it has seriously become my latest addiction. I absolutely love it because throughout my day I have so many random thoughts or little things that I notice, and its great to have a place to share that randomness. If you are signed up and want to follow me just click here! Ok, on to my family session. A few weeks ago I met up with Berg and Carmen to shoot their Christmas card pictures. It was probably one of the quickest sessions I have ever shot. I think we finished in less than an hour, but we had some really nice light during that time! Here are a few of my favorites. She wasn't too excited about wearing the bonnet but at least we got one of her in it.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph a very special event, for a very special family. Lisa invited me to document Maddie's Bat Mitzvah and to be honest when she first asked me I was nervous. I didn't know a thing about Bat Mitzvah's and what to expect. I had a million questions. I had never really looked at pictures from another Bat Mitzvah but in the end I think that actually worked in my favor. I was excited that Lisa trusted me enough to do this. I learned so much during the process. There were so much about this day that was special but my favorite was during the actual ceremony where her parents prepare a few words about their daughter. It was so moving to see how proud her parents were of her. Maddie you are an incredible young woman! Thank you for letting me be a part of this day. Oh and Lisa hired Foto Cabina who seriously have THE BEST photo booths. I love them and wish I could have one at home!

For me photography is all about the in between. When people are unaware that I am there or, for a moment forget that I have a camera, is when I really feel like something special happens. This session had a couple of those moments and many of those turned out to be my favorites.

Lately I have been loving repeat sessions I have had! It has been so much fun to watch these little guys grow up and its amazing how much changes in a year. Last week I got together with Aimee and Maite to photograph the family and children again. You can see the last session here on my old blog (and don't judge my old blog Im seriously embarassed to leave it up but its my journey so I do) Here are a few of my favorites.

When I found out she was pregnant I nearly fell over. She is my friend and I knew what this meant to her. Then when I found out she was having twins I did fall over. We had gone to lunch a few weeks before and she didnt tell me! She wanted to wait and I completely understood, but while we were at lunch I received another phone call from Nick to tell me one of our other friends was pregnant with twins. So joyfully, I shared this with her and it must have taken every ounce of her not to say anything. She didn't even flinch! This last week I had the honor of photographing her and her family and I had so much fun just being with them. Thank you for letting me share time with you and the family. I am so grateful. Can't wait to meet the twins! Here are some of my favorites. This is one of my favorite portraits.

Yesterday I had a the great pleasure of photographing Lisa and her family. I was so glad they were up for doing an outdoorsy shoot and decided to go to Malibu Creek State Park. This has quickly become one of my new favorite places to shoot. The light and our surroundings where so beautiful and they were all such great sports about all the bugs. Thank you so much for spending a part of your day with me and I can't wait to shoot Maddie's Bat-Mitzvah in just a few weeks! Here are some of my favorites! The Family Gorgeous Mom

Yesterday I got to meet up with Alli and her little one Ever. I photographed Ever last year and I could not believe how much she has grown! Her personality is as vibrant as the last time I saw her, except now she is way more mobile and I got myself a much appreciated work out running after her (and falling in mud but more on that later or not) I was so excited when Alli mentioned the Underwood Farms, I had heard so much about it from my friends that live in the valley but never had the chance to visit. This place is simply awesome! Goats, pigs, chickens, pony's, pumpkin patch and fresh produce! You couldn't ask for more. We had a blast running around although there are areas that had been watered leaving some mud. In the first five minutes Ever managed to go down a slide right into it! I have to say it was so nice to be with Ali who wiped her off and didn't make a big fuss over her getting dirty. I love capturing kids as they are and in their element especially at this age and honestly that mud made for a couple of really great shots that I was so happy about. Thank you for spending part of your day with me! What would a post be without pictures, here are some of my favorites. Time for a Juicy Juice break! I love her mudy feet in this. I snuck one of her and mom.

Toby contacted me a little over a month ago, and told me of his plans to propose to his girlfriend during a photo shoot. I of course jumped out of my seat! He had it all planned out, and after a meeting with him and few emails later, is when I realized what it actually took for him to put this all together. You see, Breana is the love of his life. He says that he has been playing the "we are too young to get married and we need to stay focused on school" bit for a while but the entire time, wanted nothing more than to tell her he loves her, and wants to spend the rest of his life with her. Now that they are done with school he felt this was the time. He definitely raised the bar on the proposal front. Even his search for a ring was something special. He wanted to make sure the ring he gave Breana not only was beautiful, but that it was pure. He searched high and low and went through a series of hurdles (its really amazing how hard they are to find) looking for a ring that was conflict free. Awesome! Not many people think of that when they are buying a ring, but he did. What is astounding to me is how hard it actually was for him to find it, but bless him for doing so. On to the day. I was so excited to meet Breana especially with everything that I had heard from Toby and let me tell you she is amazing. Not only is she supa (not super supa!) gorgeous but she is so sweet, and they are the perfect match! It was funny throughout the first part of the session she said "I dont know why he is doing this, I mean it's so random to have a photo shoot we are not even engaged!" and she couldn't understand why he was being so overprotective of the bag they brought. LOL I was rolling inside. So we took some shots around the Adamson House and he decided that he would propose in the courtyard. And he did. It was beautiful. They are beautiful. I felt really honored to have been able to capture this for them. So thank you! After the proposal they met up with family and friends at a restaurant and they were equally as excited! Good times ahead. Here are a few of my favorites from the day, and the slideshow will include the actual proposal so check it out! He said he would totally date her after seeing this shot lol Both of them have amazing eyes. My favorite Another favorite. I can have two. From the proposal  

So I asked Brandi what type of couple they are just to get an idea. Are they huggy kissy face or are they more shy. She replied Tom is HOT! lol It was with those words that I began to really look forward to our shoot. She knows her husband is hot, after 12 years of marriage, when so many people seem to lose that lovin feeling for eachother. We get into our routines of work, kids and life in general and forget to look at eachother like we are newlyweds. I swear I felt like I was on an engagement with these two. Brandi is a ball of energy and Tom is a little more reserved but they compliment eachother so well! They were here visting friends for their anniversary and Brandi's birthday and decided to do a shoot while they were here. I was actually really nervous for this shoot because Brandi is a very talented photographer in St. Louis, and I was so very humbled that she would contact me to do this for her. I had a blast running around town and getting to know them. They have a beautiful story of love and family and I admire both of them. I can certainly say I made two new friends on Sunday. Thank you again and I hope you had a wonderful anniversary and birthday! Here are some of my favorites. Ill be posting a slide show later this afternoon! **ETA: Slide show has been added to the end of the post. I loved Brandi's vintage look. This was the cutest antique cop car. I wish I had my wide angle on! Here is the slideshow!

Last weekend I had a great time shooting the ever so talented Amber, and her family. I have "known" Amber for some time but this was the first time I actually got to meet her so it was really fun. She is incredibly talented and I have to admit I am really bummed she lives in Nashville. She is part of A Delightful Day event coordinating team and also has her own design boutique, Sweet Life Designs. If you are a bride and are looking for some kick ass wedding invitation designs, or a business person looking for logo design, or web design that is fun, fresh and colorful you must check her out! Her family had gathered from different parts of the country in Newport for a family wedding. I was so honored that she asked me to photograph them! Thanks for letting me hang out! Here are a few of my favorites. The whole gang. What a nice looking group! The delightful Amber (I know I couldn't help it) Can you believe this is her mom?!?! How gorgeous is she! Yes thats an exclamation not a question :) I loved this moment between her parents. Looking for sand crabs. This one is for Ambers mom.

is is probably my favorite age group to work with. I picked up Alena and Karla and we headed down to Newport for our shoot and had a blast! It was Alena's 16th birthday not to long ago so this was definitely an important time in her life to capture.Ok so a side note about these pictures. I typically stay away from a lot of effects in photoshop when it comes to my photography. I try to keep it timeless and something you will look back on in 15 years and it wont look outdated. Having said that, with senior portraits or teen shoots I think its different. Although I definitely get in the timeless shots its so much fun to throw in some fun effects. I absolutely LOVED post processing these photos. Here are a couple of my favorites. These two have different personalities and I hope that I was able to translate that somehow.Alena is beautiful and has naturally olive skin that people pay big bucks for.

Twins. Is it necessary to say anymore? Two diaper changes, two feedings, two baths, two of everything and double the love. These two are just the sweetest things ever. I almost forgot what it was like to carry a newborn. Jacob and Andrew are three weeks old and perfect as can be. Check out the head of hair on these boys!

I hear crickets! We are back from Hawaii (actually got back on Sunday) but have been here trying to catch up with life (and 3 episodes of LOST!). We had a blast and I cant wait to share some stories and pictures. I'm still going through everything and I hope to have it all up by tomorrow. Since I got my new blog I now actually miss blogging! Its really so much more fun for me now! I will leave you with pictures of these photos that I shot today. JoJo was totally over me at this point and managed to stay in serious model mode.

This is partially a repost from my old blog of a bridal shoot I did with Janice and Vince. They are both incredibly sweet and braved some cold weather that day! I wanted to add these to the new blog and include a few more. Thanks for looking!

So this is my first post on my new blog. I hope you guys like it. I needed a blog that would allow me to post larger pictures and here it is! :) Yesterday I decided that I wanted to take Alex's Easter pictures and as luck would have it, he was having a rotten day. He cried and screamed and hated everything about what I wanted to do. Fortunately for me I had a very willing subject and Nat and I took Tati out for a few pictures. This didn't last long either because she wanted to come back here and play with Alex. These two are inseparable. Here are a few of my favorites