Robitaille Family shoot

These are the Robitaille boys, Connor, 3 and Ethan, 11 months. Such sweet brothers! This shoot was arranged by Sarah Aslan as a Christmas gift to her sister's family. What an awesome idea!! After weeks of rain, this little family flew up from LA to be greeted by the sun! It was cold outside, but the sun made for some beautiful photographs and one inspired photographer! I was so happy to be outside and spending time with this beautiful family! They were in good spirits after a flight with 2 kids and no naps :)

So glad for these last minute couple shots. They are my favorites! It's always a good idea. always.

These two were so happy to cuddle up with each other. Lots of love there. Makes me smile. 

The Robitaille's

Thank you for a great shoot, guys! there are so many more great shots. It was tough to choose! Have a great visit with your family & Happy New YEAR!!

Baby Doughty #2

I got this message in my inbox yesterday! 

"Thanks so much for posting the photos!!!!! My water broke this morning during the eclipse and we're on the way to the hospital right now. It really helped put a smile on my face during a very painful moment. ;)

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!"

--Sandy

This shoot was planned for Saturday and it happened on Saturday, but I got a call on Thursday from Sandy and she thought the baby may come that day!! She had been up all night with contractions and in the morning nothing. A little tease, I guess :) We made other arrangements to shoot sooner, but things weren't progressing, so we kept it Saturday. Baby #2 is a mystery baby. No one knows whether it's a boy or girl yet! I admire the couples that can pull that off. I'm too impatient and too much of a planner to hold out. But I imagine the wonder gives you that much more incentive to get through the labor! 

Saturday was raining. There was a break in the rain for our shoot, but it was too muddy to trample through some field with the family in tow, so we made due (no pun intended) at her home, in the bay window. It was just beautiful.

Liliana was there with her smiles and excitement to be playing in the window!

And these moments between she and Sandy were beautiful. 

especially this one. My favorite of the shoot.

thank you for inviting me into your home to document and share in this incredible life that will grace you soon. Good luck, Sandy! Can't wait to meet that sweet baby!

Muth Famliy Shoot

I saw this spot at my Friday afternoon shoot and thought I have to come back here. So I called Jill and told her we were gonna switch it up! Man, I am so glad we did. This orchard was AMAZING! I walked away from that shoot so pumped up with energy! With the combo of good people, warm sun, and yellow everywhere, how could you not?! It was beautiful.

I love Jill and her family. 3 years I've known them and my life is better for it. I have never been so grateful for someone in my life, aside from my Ava and Brad, than I am for Jill. 

I admire the way she lives her life and I take what I learn from her into mine and whatta ya know? It's better. You could call that lucky, but I call it blessed, blessed, blessed!

So, it was more than my pleasure to get them some holiday images, and in turn, me some serious inspiration! :)

And her family is gorgeous! ...just the icing on the cake!

This angel girl is Moorea Lucille

This love is Tyler Fay.

And this scrumptious little man is Pierson Ray.

squeeeeeeeeeeze!

daddy's girls

mama's little man (I love this one)

And again, gorgeous family!

"Handsome" famliy shoot :)

This "handsome family" is really the Hanson Family, also known as a huge part of my California family. 

Talk about God working in my life without me even being aware of it at the time-- (that's usually how it works anyway)! We lived next door to each other for at least a year as "friendly neighbors". I had Ava and that was the first time they came into our apartment (to meet her). Then Hsiaolei got pregnant, had Kekoa, and everything changed. I didn't know it, but I had a wonderfully amazing friend living next to me that whole time and it took our children to figure that out. Bless their little hearts. Now, even if there were no children involved I know a woman I love with a warm heart who is genuine, and so real. That's the best kind of friend.  So, at this point she has seen every emotion I have, everything from "I just started baking a cake and need eggs now!" to "I'm not the kind of mom I want to be today". We shared so much. And walked to this park together many times. 

A month and a half ago we moved. So then we shared tears and memories of how our lives grew and changed in those little apartments and how we have to move forward. We don't share the same balcony anymore, but we love them just the same. I miss them terribly on the long days. No popping in for coffee in the morning, or a check in at night before the littles go to bed. But I can still call her up anytime and share just where I'm at. It's a relief. It feels like not as much is lost.  A good friend is a good friend no matter the time that goes by or where you live in relation to each other. 

So, enough about me and how much I miss them! Here is their holiday shoot: Hsiaolei, Scott & Kekoa Hanson:

Aren't they a handsome family?!

Audrey. love.

I met this awesome family when their little man Van turned one! Remember? 

Well, Audrey arrived a few weeks later and my heart just about melted when I saw her for the first time. She was sleeping, wrapped up snug on her mom and dad's big bed. Only her little head was visible and all I could think was "well, that's just exactly what perfection is. right there."

She has that same auburn hair that Van has, but she is girl-- all the way. Sometimes you can't tell with little ones, but there is just no question. She oozes gentleness and sweetness.

In all honesty, she wasn't thrilled to be unwrapped and nakie, but she tolerated it for enough little moments to get some sweet shots of her peach fuzz and wrinkles. And then the truth of how it really is was captured. Being held, wrapped up, shhhhhed, and loved.

Welcome to this amazing world, baby Audrey! We're so glad you're here :)

Binder-Bailey Family shoot

Beth and Stu and their three kids. 

They have a healthy, happy relationship, a new home, and a new baby together. There is much to celebrate this holiday season, or any day for that matter. I'm glad to know them and so happy to be asked to photograph their family. And it doesn't hurt that they have a killer backyard! Gardens, fountains, gates, trees! It's a miniature secret garden. I loved it!

This is their newest little guy, Christopher. Hard to believe just a few months ago he was this.

Genevieve

Max

Oh! I forgot, truly the newest addition to the family is Fiona, their dog. How sweet is she? Such a good girl staying still for a photo.

Happy holidays to the Binder-Bailey family! 

xo

Baby Noah

I was so happy to get the call that Noah had been born and the Jaggers wanted newborn photos! Such a great surprise! If you forgot, I met this sweet, sweet family a few months back and did a shoot with them while Noah was still comfy cozy in Suzanne's belly. Click here to jog your memory and see who's a big sister now!

Noah is so calm and relaxed. We had him naked, on his back, on his belly, in mama's arms, in dada's arms, getting kisses from his big sis, getting milk, and on and on. He was cool with all of it! I was in awe. Just a chill little man.

And mom and dad were doing great too! Looked like a million bucks! I don't have a memory of myself looking so rested and glowing at this point after Ava was born. Maybe it's a 2nd baby thing. And at this point, after meeting Noah and two other newbies this week, I want a #2 :)

They smell so sweet and, well, there is just nothing like it.
Absolutely precious.

Meet Baby Noah:

The Shaeffer's

Remember this love from late summer? Kailytn, the light of Renee & Ian's lives. It's hard not to fall in love with her just by looking at her. She's truly precious. All dressed up for her holiday shoot, she had on her mary-janes and a little bracelet. She was happy to show me.

This family is super connected, and close, and very mellow. I like that. A lot. So many 'awww' moments just watching them interact. 

 And I love one of the last photos I took that afternoon. Flooded with light. There is something moving about that to me.  I love this picture. 

blessed.