We spent the weekend in Tahoe so we decided to head out to the mountains and take some family photos in the early morning light. There's nothing like autumn, morning, mountain light to get a photographer excited! Unfortunately the kids only lasted about a half hour before melting down but it turned out to be plenty of time to capture some cute photos. That's why I'm offering mini sessions this season! 30 minutes is the perfect amount of time for young families.
Love these guys! <3
My friend and I decided on a studio shoot for Samuel's 1 year photos. I have to say, the studio is not my strongest area. I always have all these lofty ambitions when it comes to studio lighting but when you add an active 1 year old they go right out the window! Why? Well, you set up some nice lighting for one specific spot and then they move. So, I try to light the whole scene as best I can. Luckily Samuel is the happiest little kid ever! He made this soooo easy on me. Plus, those big brown eyes and those curls are just to die for! This kid seriously can not take a bad photo!
Tried going for a Dr. Seuss theme, but that didn't last long... I had these ideas of him standing, holding onto the chair with the Dr. Seuss animals around him... haha yeah, right! He's 1! Way to put me in my place, Samuel! How quickly this mommy forgot what it's like to have a 1 year old.
That hair! Someone took his hat off and then tried to put it back on, resulting in the cutest hair I've ever seen!
Just dying over this expression!
Couldn't get him to stand holding onto the chair so Samuel's Mom suggested an activity table! Thank goodness I had one. What a lifesaver! Thanks Deanna! And can we please talk about those cute suspenders?!?!
After he had it with the studio, we let him crawl around. He went to the back door to watch my dog, Piper. He loved her! Couldn't resist snapping a few natural light shots :)
Those big brown eyes!
I can't believe Riley is almost one! She is such a joy! Boy was this a fun and laid back shoot! I wish more families would do morning shoots. Riley was in an incredibly good mood and the spring light just rising up over the hills in Alamo was incredible! Can't beat the green hills, either!
So while the Yahrs were totally on top of it, I unfortunately was not... forgot the picnic blanket (Bri saved me on that one!) and messed up my battery system so I thought I had 2 charged batteries when I really had a fully charged battery and a half charged battery... And for some weird reason I used the half charged one first and had to run to my car and change it out halfway through...Thankfully Justin and Megan were awesome enough to put up with my scatter brain! :)
Happy Birthday Riley!!
That smile!! :)
Those blue eyes!!
Absolutely in love with Megan's hair. I know this is about Riley, but I'm obsessed with the color!
Daddy's little girl.
Love these moments!
My favorite couple moment is always right before a kiss. I sort of botched this one (too low of a shutter speed) but I still love this photo! So much love!
Loved this dress! Wishing I had a little girl right about now ;)
Right before New Years I met up with an old friend and her boys to take some photos. I met these guys 8 years ago when they were kids. Now they are practically adults! It's hard to believe! I had such a great time. And boy, what a different experience it is photographing grown ups! Thanks for asking me to be your photographer, Shirley!
This time of year brings some seriously unpredictable weather. After moving this shoot earlier in the day to avoid rain we still got caught in some! And all this after rescheduling the first time because the entire park was closed last weekend! But these guys kept their spirits up and, as it turns out, umbrellas are fun to play with!
Kaia was an absolute joy to photograph! Her sly smiles just crack me up. What a personality!
Staying dry and having a little fun!
I probably shouldn't admit this but this photo is one of my all time favorites. It's moments like this that make my job so awesome and fulfilling!
Kaia didn't want to smile for me at first but there was no shortage of smiles for Mama!
Alana was the biggest trooper of them all! Didn't seem to notice the cold weather or the rain. Even fell asleep on her Mama for most of the shoot!
I think you're in trouble with this one Jaime and Ken!
Despite multiple scheduling roadblocks and foul weather I'd say we pulled off a successful shoot! FINALLY! :)
Boy was it a cold morning. But WOW, what a great backdrop at the Bonderosa!
Lily is just stunning in this photo!
Chase is so fun to photograph. He's always having a blast!
Hugs from Mama!
Giggles.
Staying warm!
Can't beat the green hills of California in the winter!
We shot these right in the Day's backyard! What a blast we had!
Cuteness overload!
She loves her Mama!
Slides are the best!
Everyone is smiling!
Uh Oh...
My husband and kid tagged along on this shoot. Somehow Matt convinced Lee to give Gabrielle a kiss. We could be in trouble with these two!!
It was a cold and very wet morning but we managed to get some smiles and have a little fun!
What a sweet smile! And those eyes! Can't get over them!
Nothing like a swing to get a kid (or an adult) to smile!
Love this in black and white but with Sadie's blue eyes it looks great in color too!
So many more to get through. Back to editing for me!
Yesterday I got the pleasure of photographing a family that just recently moved out to California from NYC! It was wonderful to chat about making the transition and adjusting to life in California. After all, I made that move 8 years ago (can't believe it's been that long!). Here's a sneak peak of some of their photos!
Those curls! That smile! :)
Only 6 weeks old. What a trooper she was!
Seriously, those curls!
Goofing around with Mama!
Due to the rainy weekend we had I was forced to re-schedule a few shoots. I did end up squeezing one in. I was insanely worried the kids would be miserable because of the cold, wind and occasional rain but boy, was I wrong! These kids were all smiles! I didn't even managed to go through all the photos and found these three gems already! I'm in love with them!
Sibling love!
The kids wanted to climb a tree so I said "why not?"
Seriously, JJ looks way too grown up in this picture!
Last weekend I had full day of shoots trying to catch those perfect moments for Holiday cards. Below are a few of my favorite works-in-progress.
My wonderful niece Logan!
All smiles for Mama!
It's always a huge challenge to capture each and every member of a young family smiling and happy all at the same time. While I tend to come close, I don't always get it. So, I like to provide my clients with pictures of their children smiling even if it's not with the whole family around. I will go all over a park attempting to find that one place or activity that will make them smile!
Almost got it!
Happy Baby!
And sometimes you think you nailed it but then you realize your niece has a tree growing out of her head...
Incredible fall color.
Meanwhile... same day, same park, different family, different view and lighting...
All smiles!
Beautiful in black and white.
Goofing around!
Sky loved to clap!
What a tiring but fun day! Lots of lessons learned. More shoots this weekend if only the weather would hold up...