This little girl is so sweet. While I was shooting her brother she kept asking me to take her photo and when we finally went outdoors just her and I to shoot she went shy on me. She still wants her photo taken, but she’s just going to be a tid bit shy about it. It’s so cute because when she is, she plays with her hands and starts moving around, hardly making eye contact. Even still she manages to be cute as a button, that girl, she’s a heartbreaker in the making.

Isn’t her outfit the cutest? Her mama knows how to rock a great wardrobe.

Love these jumping shots, or so she tried.  ;)

These photos are bringing me tons of smiles, I love how these little things can make a difference in your day. I’m glad that my work provides this for me, it’s the greatest reward.

I’ll be back next week with more of my recent work and some fun posts.

She is so talented and as she calls it has “ career ADD” because she enjoys many creative outlets. With a design background she enjoys design, event planning and photography. Aside from that she is just sassy!

Last week we decided we needed some creative mojo and so off shooting we went. Afterwards we enjoyed some happy hour at the Memphis Café in Costa Mesa minus the cocktails. When on a budget, food comes first. It is no surprise Betty and I work well together. She is on her game, organized, talented and most importantly a foodie of healthy food – perfect match. We then attended the OC Smug Mug meeting to hear Roberto Valenzuela speak (the man is a photo genius) and I learned so much from him in the short period of time.

Our shooting venture took place at Newport Back Bay, it was my idea since I needed to scout out the location for a family shoot next month. Finding new locations is almost just as fun as shooting the subjects.

Just beautiful, love her natural beauty.

I love movement and dance, these are some of my favorites.

Betty you are so fabulous, so glad to have met you and that we connected. Look forward to working with you in the near future, thank you for all the magic you brought to my camera. Artists just get it don’t they? 

Last week I enjoyed an afternoon with them all and took shots of Leo while waiting for the barbecue. Love his expressions, he has the most beautiful eyes.

So funny!

Until we can afford our own dog, we’ll continue to love the ones around us. This week we’re dog sitting for Annie’s mom, we’re enjoying her company too. I’ll be sure to share some photos on Thursday.

Up next is the mamalita session, it’s a good one so be sure to stop back again tomorrow.

Technically, her dad lives right outside San Francisco in a small town called Moraga and it is so beautiful, in fact I told Annie “I could live here” it’s just that gorgeous, it has the woodsy feel, huge trees, up in the hills and very tranquil, but only 5 minutes away from a major city. Okay so back to our trip. We arrived that Friday in the late afternoon and visited with her dad. We then proceeded to a Travel Lodge by Fisherman’s Wharf, it was perfect and walking distance to it. We played it casual and just had Italian for dinner, yum then headed back to a dive bar three doors down from our hotel, mostly all locals, but small and great ambiance.

On our second day we decided to hit Chrissy Fields, the Coit Tower, North Beach it’s like little Italy and the Ferry Building for lunch, a must if in San Fran in that order. Luckily Annie had reward points and we were able to stay at the W for our second night, never a disappointment. That night we had to have sushi for dinner and we tried tuna belly for the first time, like butter in your mouth-so yummy! The drive back was long since we took the scenic route and stopped in Monterey Bay for lunch, but it was gorgeous and a great experience. While in San Fran we used a GPS system on Annie’s Droid and she was great, we named her Gidget.  ;) I love northern CALI… I could seriously move there!

Thought she had the best bathing suit, so cute.

He was going to town digging, it was too funny!

I loved the fact that the dogs were allowed. Had so much fun just dog and people watching.

North Beach, fell in love with this church and it’s park right in the center of it all.

Didn’t get to eat here for breakfast, but will next time. A recommendation from Caroline.

Amazing view from the street by the Coit Tower.

I want to grow this in my patio.

Taken from the Coit Tower, it’s a really great 360 degree view.

Crooked Street on Lombard Street, just amazing and funny.

On Market street on our way to the Ferry Building.

Yes, Avatar… Annie thought it was the highlight of the trip.

Gorgeous, right? Annie, I had the best time… so glad we did this even if it wasn’t planned. Everything turned out great, considering! Oh and we totally make the perfect hotel roomies with our OCD’s and all-love you!

Dawn is the sweetest gal, one of the organizers in the group, always concerned about everyone. Shane loves to tell stories and has a huge heart, we can’t thank you both enough for your kindness.

The humidity was tough that early evening and of course harsh sunlight, but I managed to snap a few photos of them and I am so glad.

Dawn and Shane, I hope you love the photos as much as I do… happy 17th anniversary! It was great to have met you and next time we see each other I believe will be in New Orleans.

I can’t believe how big the boys are, still can remember babysitting them when they were like 5 and harder to believe is what a diva Isabella AKA Bella is becoming. Like where does she get it from? It’s fun seeing them all grow into their own personalities. Josh being the joker, Isaac being thoughtful and more reserved while Bella steals the show with her bold personality. But I love that all the kids love their parents very dearly, that is apparent and most importantly that they are very sweet and loving. It’s always fun talking to Carol and Manny because we talk the language of wine and food. They are also very committed to their kids and that is very admirable.

As it turns out this day was cloudy, very gloomy and cold. However, the kids were ready to go and excited to check out downtown Seal Beach so we decided to do a practice shoot keeping in mind that we will be shooting again in early July once the family comes back from vacation all tanned and in the summer spirit. We started the day with an early dinner at Woody’s Diner mostly because it was kid friendly, they serve breakfast all day and the 50′s decor made for some great photos.

Boys will be boys, the first photo they posed for, go figure.

Bella’s “mermaid pose”, whatever that means, hilarious!

That is one happy mama if I ever saw one.

I can’t wait to do this again in July when we can have some guaranteed sunshine. Carol and Manny, I hope these photos bring a smile to your face. You have a beautiful family and these kids have so much love to give, can’t help but think that you might have had something to do with that. Un abrazo y beso!

You can see photos from the first shoot here, from a few months ago and she is now 9 months today and ready for Aiden to come out. I’m anxious for Aiden as well so I can capture his little baby feet, me love me some baby feet.

We spent the afternoon at a park near her house while little Makaelah played, it had been gloomy the days leading up to it and on that afternoon it was about 80, gorgeous and clear skies. I took advantage of the lovely shaded areas and the big trees. Rae is looking just beautiful, I’m always amazed at how calm mommies are right before they give birth and Rae is no different.

I’m glad I was able to sneak a few in of Makaelah, she was being so funny and shy at first. Too cute.

I love the earthy green she wore, plus matching eye shadow.

I hope you love these pictures Rae, you can’t deny how gorgeous you are now, can you?

Alanna met Brett through a patient of hers, she is a chiropractor and has the best posture… she really forced me to have good posture at least on that day.  They are both runners and had just completed the Boston Marathon right before their wedding, they live for laughter and adventure. Alanna is one of the most chill brides I have every met, she was so calm and had a go with the flow attitude that it shines through in their photos. She gave Lori and I the upmost liberty to capture their day how we saw fit, while her and Brett just enjoyed the process and the day.

Both Lori and I had so much fun with Alanna walking down the strand in Hermosa Beach capturing images and bonding. The best part was watching how the family interacted once we arrived at the ceremony spot, everyone was so loving toward each other. Shooting barefoot in the soft sand at sunset was just icing on the cake. Enjoy!

The first look.

Dad getting a picture of her daughter, it was so sweet… almost made me cry.

I loved the way her dress would bend with the wind.

Because the ceremony was at 7:00, 30 minutes before sunset with no clouds we had the most gorgeous golden light.

Thank you Alanna and Brett for showing us that a wedding can “really” be this simple and for sharing all your laughter and joy with me that day.

Ceremony: Hermosa Beach

Getting Ready Shots: Beach House

Hair & Makeup: Lauren Gott

Dinner Reception: Chart House, Redondo Beach CA

Fun, right? I just couldn’t help but share a few photos since I’m previewing and processing with big smiles on my face because I had so much fun with this couple over the weekend. Of course it couldn’t have been possible without my photog friend, Lori of The Purple Tree Photography whom allowed me to second shoot along her side. It couldn’t have been a more gorgeous day on Saturday.

I hope you all have a great Monday, and remember JUST DANCE!

Kris and I first met Daniel in the first year of dating, we were at a friend’s party and somehow chatted up a storm with him and built a connection. From there we were friends and Kris later joined the city that Daniel worked for. We are very happy to see Daniel and Raelena grow their little family.

The greatest gift and experience from this shoot was little Makaelah, what a sweet girl. When we first got to their house she was very shy since it had been like forever since we had seen her. Kris and I quickly started talking to her and connecting with her, even watched Alice in Wonderland with her and tada she was ours for keeps. On the car ride to our location she held my hand the whole way. While I shot couple shots of Daniel and Rae she played with Kris and had a great time. After the shoot we went to dinner and she wanted to sit next to Kris and I at the booth and so she did, she held on tight to my arm and I melted.

I loved playing with the umbrella (or UMBWELLA as Makaelah would say) that I picked up in China Town last week while in LA, best investment. Who knew Makaelah would love it so much. It turns out that she’s always wanted one!

Thank you Daniel, Rae and Makaelah for a wonderful afternoon, we can’t wait to meet Aiden. To see the rest of their photos check out the slideshow below and let me know if you love the idea of seeing the slideshow. So far I love how easy it is to upload, but not loving the poor quality it gives the photos when uploaded, experimenting with different companies, this is from Animoto. I wish Show It was easier to load, oh the choices.

Oh, and happy earth day!