Friends are forever!

Back in the fall I was approached by a good friend of mine to see if I would be interested in making a donation to be auctioned off at a gala fundraising event in support of Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Of course there was no question that the answer to that would be "Yes!". But this wasn't just an ordinary donation, this was my primo package. All the soup and nuts! For those of you who don't know I've started offering packages that contain all or some of the digital images on CD as well as a number of other specialty goodies. So this family is receiving ALL images on CD, as well as a number of prints and THREE gallery wrapped canvases. Gallery wrapped canavses themselves get me all giddy and excited. So Mom called me right before Christmas to announce that she was the winner and to book her session. She had a short timeline. Two of her children are in college and would only be home for a few days. As two of my siblings are still in college and one just graduated I understand how special those moments are when everyone is home!



I've been dying to try this shot!!




I love those shots where I can see myself in the subject's eyes! Hers are beautiful!

We just got back this afternoon from four days/three nights in North Carolina visiting my Grangran and Grandaddy. But it wasn't just a relaxing visit. There were 35 of us, playing, talking, eating, drinking, and loving eachother. It was amazing. It was amazing to watch my 2 year old son play with his cousins (actually my own cousin's children) that he's only seen a handful of times. What's even more amazing is watching my grandparents meet and hold their great granddaughter for the first time. It's moments like that I wish would last forever!

On Christmas eve morning I photographed this precious set of identical twin girls. I was super psyched for this one and up to the challenge. And a challenge it was. Hands down the most difficult session EVER. Just when I'm starting to feel comfortable photographing newborns with a few tricks up my sleeve (the heating pad, white noise machine...etc...) twins come and totally throw me off my game! When one was sleeping the other was awake, and so on and so forth. But just having had a daughter almost 8 weeks ago myself, and being so totally in love with one little baby, I can just imagine how absolutely overwhelmed with love that their parents feel having brought 2 little ones home. They were 8 weeks old, but being that they were born at 30 weeks, they technically shouldn't have had their first Christmas till next year. Crazy huh?!? Well it wasn't till the very end of the session that both girls were tuckered out and decided throw in the towel.

A definite out take. This cracks me up! 8 weeks old and already they're jockeying for the front of the line!


Wide awake I tell ya!




Starting to get sleepy!


night night!


Visions of sugar plums dance in their heads!


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

From the very get go I just clicked with this family. We shot at Hugh Goldman Birch State Park, which they had been to a few weeks ago, and they knew all the spots that they wanted to shoot in. A family with a vision makes my job 100% easier. It really was a collaborative effort. Even little "D" was full of ideas!!

It was so hard to pick a few to share. Between the gorgeous family, awesome new locale, and the sunflare I couldn't just pick one..or two...or three...

Playing around with some vintage looks...




Mom and Dad are super smokin'




Love her eyes in this one! I can see myself! (anyone have any tricks for photoshopping goldfish crackers? haha)


Little J had a mind of his own. Much more interested in chasing me than participating in family pictures. Oh to be 18 months!




At the end of the session something was a little stinky! "D" decided that I was the culprit! haha

Happy Holidays!

Any photographer of children will tell you that you're usually at the mercy of your subject, especially when your subject is a toddler. Well today was a nice breath of fresh air! Not only did this adorable two and a half year old listen, but she smiled and looked at me too!!

Siblings....

I had the joy of photographing these two brothers Saturday morning. This family was referred to me because I had photographed mom's sister's daughter! It's all about the siblings!







Oh, how I love the family sliding shots!

Twice as nice.....

Anyone who is familiar with me or my website, knows that one of my all time favorite photographs I've ever taken, is the family at the beach where the little girl is jumping off of the lifeguard stand while her parents sit off to the side and watch. (You'll see it during the slideshow on the flash page of my website The picture is perfect!!! And really it's one of those lucky, couldn't have been better if I had planned it, shots. If ever I have a studio or large work space I'm going to blow it up HUGE on canvas. So I was super excited when mom called me last week to schedule their next session.

Happy Birthday Addison!!!!

Owen's best friend had her second birthday party this past Saturday. Bounce house and pony rides.......what more could a two year old ask for??

Oh, and by the way.....I made this little dress! woot woot!






How gorgeous are these eyes!!?? They are 100% hers!!


And just because I can't help myself, a pictures of my son and his shaggy hair. Although he was at the party, this was taken in my backyard!

I'm BAAAAAAAck!!

Today was my first session since having baby Stella and let me tell you it felt GREAT! I really feel that having the baby and taking a break from work has left me inspired, motivated, and fresh! I'm back in the game baby! So if you've been even contemplating having family photographs taken don't put it off any longer!! I just recently had family pictures taken by a friend of mine and they are precious and priceless. So don't delay!! Although I'm not guaranteeing anything for the holidays it's a great way to start off the new year!

With that being said, I had the pleasure of spending the morning with a large extended family at the Hollywood Arts Park. I couldn't have had a better start to getting back to work!