Going for Rustic

The "F" Family wanted "Rustic and anything but the beach". Such a nice change! "H" even requested that I add some textures to this last photo to make it even more rustic. I love using textures but have found that most clients aren't as in love with them as I am, so I don't use them much anymore. If you love textures and want me to try to add some- please let me know! It can make a photo really pop!

A New View

I've spent a good portion of my beach going days either at or looking at this beach- but I've never photographed there. I was always nervous about not having any shelter from the sun. It was a bit of a chanlenge, but it was worth it. The view down the coast line was beautiful! That's the Ritz Carlton up on the hill in the background.

Poor "S"- all he wanted to do was play in the water. (By the way- "S" is not the toddler, that's little Mr "A"!! LOL!)The waves were pretty good and he was determined to get in an evening session of surf. I think I burst his bubble on that one.

Big Dogs!

Someday I'm going to convince the "D" family to get two chihuahuas instead of the two big golden retrievers they have! Just think how much easier they would be to photograph. It is not an easy feat to get two big dogs and two little kids to look at you all at the same time!! I've got mom and dad and the older girls pretty well trained though :0)

Better Late then Never

We weren't sure we were going to be able to pull this family shoot off! The "H" family was running late- darn kids and their jobs :0) But we did it! And it turned out to be a really nice evening at the beach. I love "J"'s bright blue sneakers! So fun.

The Fall Look

I love shooting at this park in the fall! The colors are just so fun! So different from what you think of when you think of Southern California! We even saw 2 deer pass by about the time we were done. I love that "S" wore his cowboy boots! Too bad little "J" didn't have any to wear... "T" will have to get on that one! Now that I think of it, I want a pair too!

Beach Light

It always amazes me how different each beach photo session is. One day, the sun might wash everybody out, the very next day it might make everyone glow and then the day after the shadows might be too harsh! Different skin tones photograph completely different at the beach too. Sometimes I spend hours trying to take out some of the reds that the sun brings out in people's skin, other times it's too orange! And sometimes...I just get lucky! The "H" family is one of those "just get lucky" times. And what a sweet family too! Poor Dave...I mean Mark!! I think I called him Dave 50 times! So many times it became a joke! Thanks for putting up with me!

Welcome to So Cal!

Another great beach day! We had to cancel our first appointment because it was super foggy again, but this afternoon ended up being perfect!

This sweet family is celebrating their first Christmas in So Cal having just moved from the East Coast! I love that they have eaten at Wahoo's Restaurant more times in the 3 months that they have been here then I have in the last 3 years! And I love Wahoo's!

I had a great time photographing them! The boys were full of pep and...boyness! Little Mr "G" was a big ham, even though he tried to hide from my camera when ever he could! And big Mr "G" was a sweetheart!

Admired

I was elated to photograph my friends and neighbors the "W" family this year. They both have been working so hard! "J" is enrolled in the fire academy and well on his way to following a life long dream and becoming a fireman! And "R" is one of those gals that just does it all! Church secretary and Sunday School/VBS organizer extraordinaire! She is so creative! And both girls are so sweet and well mannered (even if one is now a teen!).

Fun in the trees!

What a unique spot for a Southern California photo session! I get a little burned out on the beach photos, so I'm always excite when someone requests something a little different. The "P" family asked me if I could come out to where they live and photograph "L" in the forest by their house. I've driven by and have seen the forest of trees planted in their neighborhood for years, but never took the time to investigate. Boy was it cool! A total kids' dream! A creek, a bridge and lots of dirt and rocks. And oddly enough for November- mosquitoes! Luckily, I've never been their favorite meal.

A New Favorite Location

Oh! I'm so happy the "H" family introduced me to this new location in the Dana Point area! It was really cool (except for the friend I found and almost stepped on! See the last photo.) Originally "T" called me and said she wanted a pumpkin patch this year (this is my 3rd year photographing her family). I thought it was a really fun idea...until I tried to find a pumpkin patch that would work! They are all filled with people and distracting backgrounds- imagine that! Then her sister remembered this really cool area with maple lined streets and a beautiful little park- perfect!! I loved it! But next time I will watch how close I get my feet to the wildlife!










He was just a baby! About the size of my fist (which I hear is the most venomous!) He never even rattled- even when my foot (in flip flops!) was only 12-18 inches away!! Oh the things I will do for a good shot!!

Park Time

I'm a little behind posting previews! Sorry!

I had a lot of fun photographing the "M" family at their local park in Newport Beach. Last time I photographed them, Little "G" was hanging out in mom's tummy still! What a cutie he is- love the red hair! I love that all the kids have such different hair. One brown and curly, one blond, one brown and straight and one red! How fun!

Boys

I love boys! I'm so glad I don't have any of my own to shoo off the roof tops, but boy are they fun to hang out with! These 3 were just the kind that almost makes you wish you had one or two (or three?) of your own at home. (But I think I'll stick to my girls just the same!). They were just adorable!

The littlest- Mr. "S" was so cute- he would say "cheese" every time mom would tell him to smile. The oldest- Mr. "J" was done with me after the first 10 minutes of having to smile- but he held in there pretty good until the end. And Mr. "M"...look out girls, he'll be a heart breaker!

Hurry Hurry Hurry!

I Love the Beach, But...

I love the beach! I am a total beach girl! But this time of year, I am so happy when someone wants to do photos someplace other then the beach! It's such an adventure! There are so many really unique places to do photos here in Southern Orange County. Sometimes it's hard to pick one! Luck for me, the "M" family knew what they were looking for. We had done their photos on the beach last year (on the windiest day in history!- see "a Blustery Day" posted here) No wonder they chose something other then the beach!!
I have to add that they are the darn cutest family and so sweet! I was tempted to take the littlest, little "N" home with me. Not that they aren't all adorable- but he is a heart stealer!
I love this! It captures all three of their personalities! With little Ms. "M" trying to be coy and pose with the flower!

I may swap this one out for another favorite as I go through them, but I like that this captures the idea of being away from the beach- even if it was at the end of the shoot and the girls were getting "done" with me and smiling! They hung in there for such a long time!! I was really impressed!

Nobody Said Anything About Fog!

Saturday was suppose to be warm and sunny here in So. Cal. There was never any mention of fog in our forecast! I think I started trusting that weather man a bit too much! Anyway, the fog rolling in THICK! None of that high level June Gloom- no, this was thick and low. Like something from a scary movie. Like I've said before, cloudy skies can make for great photos- but no so for fog. The water droplets get captured by the camera and make it look grainy and not sharp (this can happen when the waves are big too because of the spray!).

We decided to make a go of it anyway, even though poor "L" looked like she was going to burst into tears any moment. A make up session is in the planning, but I don't think these turned out pretty good too.