High School Senior Photos~ Sarah

Right up there with newborns as my favorite thing to photograph is seniors. High school senior photography is a much bigger deal in other parts of the country then it is in Southern California. Here, kids get it done for their graduation announcements and that's about it. In other areas, they look at senior photos as capturing an important slice of time. They order coffee table books or albums, announcements and other items to display around the house- its a big deal! In Southern California, its something people sometimes do, in other parts of the country, its something people feel the need to do! Because of this, I don't get the chance to photograph as many seniors as I would like. I'm hoping things change some day, because they sure are fun to work with.
Congrats to Sarah who will be graduating from Dana Hills High School in a few weeks and heading off to San Francisco in the fall! Go Blue!

Happy 6 months Degan!

Milestone sessions are so much fun! It's so great to see these little guys grow and change! This was Degan's 6 month session. He sure has become a happy little guy! All smiles and laughs (with a bit of drool thrown in).
For those of you who are wondering what in the world Milestone Sessions are, they are session that usually take place at 3, 6, 9 months and one year. Those dates that usually mark changes- 3 months is tummy time, 6 months is sitting up, 9 months is crawling and one year is walking. Its just so great to document these times in your little ones lives. Sure, you have a million photos of them on your cell phone! But what are they going to have to show their kids and their grandkids? Hummmm

Welcome Baby Skylar~ Newborn Photo Session

This sweet girl is the new baby of a couple who's wedding photos I took about 4 years ago! A cute little ceremony overlooking Dana Point Harbor. Now look what they have gone and done! LOL!
This little princess did not want to sleep! We finally got her to sleep for about an hour and snapped away as quickly as we could. Some times thats just how it goes. She had had a rough night the night before and the family had a new dog, so there was lots going on in her two week old little world. Mom and Dad were happy with the outcome and thats all that mattered.

Tristan's First Photos~ Newborn Session

This sweet little guy was a dream come true! He was such a mellow little one. His sister was full of energy, and luckily dad was able to take her to the park near by while we finished photos. I meet Tristan's mom in a Facebook Southern Orange County Moms Group and was super excited that it worked out for her to come to me to do photos. 

Cake Smash- Ella

This adorable little one had one of my favorite cake smashes so far! Mom really likes that backlit, soft dreamy look that is popular right now- and why not? I love that too! We met at a local park- she brought the hanging glass globes, cake and some other fun props and I brought along my tent and a vintage quilt. The light was just perfect and with a nearby tree, we hung the glass globes and proceed to capture some great photos of her little one enjoying her cake!

Happy 1st Birthday Ella!

Baby Anniston- Rainbow Baby

Have you heard the term Rainbow Baby but wondered what in the world that meant? Were they ethnically so mixed that they represented many nations? Were they the baby of a guy couple? These were some of my first thoughts!
According to Urban Dictionary, a Rainbow Baby is "a baby that is born following a miscarriage. In the real world, a beautiful and bright rainbow follows a storm and gives hope of things getting better... The storm (pregnancy loss) has already happened and nothing can change the experience…something colorful and bright has emerged from the darkness and misery". After I read that, it made sense! A Rainbow Baby is the blessing that follows the heartache of losing the baby (or babies) before.
Well, little Miss Anniston is a Rainbow Baby. Luckily, she follows just one loss, but having had many friends who have had miscarriages, one loss is one too many. I'm just so happy I had the chance to meet little Miss so early in her little life! Having meet her parents before they were married, it was great to see them as a family.

3 Month Milestone Session

This sweet little 3 month old is the same sweet little one from the Fresh 48 and newborn sessions posted earlier in the year. Her mom opted to do a Baby Plan with sessions at 3, 6, 9 and 1 months, so you will be seeing a lot of her this year!

With her 3 month milestone close to Easter, mom wanted to incorporate a little bit of Easter, but not too much.

Spring Mini Session dates announced!

It's time for Spring Mini Sessions! I would call them Easter Mini Sessions, but no live bunnies for these, so we will just stick with Spring :)
Why no live bunnies? Well, photo sessions with live animals is a touchy subject in the photography world! I have seen photographers almost go to drop down drag out fights over this (except that they were on photography forums, so no actual physical violence was possible! Thank goodness!) Many photographer swear it is illegal to photograph live animals (with the exception of family pets) for profit. If you do some digging you will find that it is not technically illegal, but you can yourself some hefty fines if you do so without the proper permits. You can read more about it here and here.
I personally chose not to do sessions with bunnies and chicks for a few reasons- one, because these are delicate animals! Chicks can easily be killed and bunnies have delicate backs. I couldn't sleep knowing that I hurt a sweet little bunny just for photos! Two, I don't own bunnies or chicks or know anyone who does- so I would have to rent them and increase the sessions fees. Three, bunnies bite and chicks have been know to carry salmonella, and four- if PETA or one of their members gets a hold of you, its all over!
So with that out of the way- I am offering Spring Mini Sessions! They will take place on Sunday, March 22nd at a location in South Orange County. The session fee is $50 and includes 2 digital files. This is a themed session, designed for kids. I will have a number of props including a vintage tea set and a tent with vintage quilts. Each session is only 15 minutes- great for little ones who get tired quickly!
After your session you will preview your images from your own home on a private web gallery. You can choose your two images and be done, or purchase additional digital files (starting at $25) or prints and gifts.
Digital files can be downloaded directly from the site and used to order prints from your favorite local or online photo printer. They are full resolution files that can printed as large as 16x20 (and possibly

larger!)
Want to see some of the photos from the last Mini Sessions- just click on the header image and it will take you to the main body of the blog, scroll down and you will find some of the adorableness for our Valentine's Day Mini Sessions!
Email me with questions at kristineandrewsphotography@hotmail.com

Aiden- Newborn Photos

Bet you can guess what dad's favorite past time is! Dad was a huge golf fan (and a huge LSU fan), so we incorporated a little of both into sweet little Aiden's newborn photos. This adorable little guy had the softest hair! Yes, most newborns have soft hair, but his was extra soft. Such a cutie!

Ryder- Newborn Photos at home

Welcome to the world little Ryder! This little guy was such a cute chunk! But boy, he did not want to sleep for me! This is the face that stared back at me most of the session! He didn't cry, he just wanted to stay awake and check it all out!

Mom chose to do an In Home Newborn Session for her first little guy. I don't blame her, it a great option to have a photographer come to your home to take photos instead of packing everything up and heading to a studio- especially if its your first baby. I remember not wanting to get out of my pjs for a week after I came home! Well, with in In Home Newborn Session, you don't have to! :)

If you choose an In Home Newborn Session, I come to you. Yep, I lug all that stuff to your house! It's not easy for me, but I know it makes new moms' lives easier, and that's why I offer it.

All you need is a bright open space. Sometimes this is the living room, some times it's baby's room, some times its the kitchen! Yep, I have photographed newborns in the kitchen because it was the room with the best light. But you would never know it by the photos! And what a great story to tell them when they get older!

So whether it's an in home session you choose, because you don't want to get out of your pjs, or an in studio session, because the thought of me moving your furniture sends you into panic attacks, call me and lets discuss your newborn photos.

Baby Kingston~ Newborn Session

Welcome Baby Kingston! He arrived almost exactly on his expected due date of February 6th and two weeks later we did his newborn photos at his house. He was such a good little guy and slept most of the time.