Baby A – Willow Glen Newborn Photography

I always feel so honored when photographing newborns.  Being able to take the first "official" photographs of this tiny person's life is a big deal, isn't it? This is Baby A.

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I was so excited when I arrived at Marcie and Jimmy's lovely home for this session because, not only did I have the opportunity to hold this beautiful baby girl, I had the chance to take photographs of big brother J as well!

Future heartbreaker, ladies and gentleman.

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I love seeing siblings together.  It was such a joy watching these two interact with one another.

Is there anything more sweet than a doting brother and his baby sister?

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No... no, there is nothing sweeter.

Although there may be a few things that are just as sweet.

Like a toddler's fingerprints on the window...

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Like a sleeping newborn...

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... and her newborn toes.

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Baby A, thank you for allowing me to take photographs of you... and even giving me a tiny smile?

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And thank you to Jimmy, Marcie and big brother J for inviting me into your home to take photographs of your sweet new addition!

Baby CJ - San Jose Newborn Photography

I LOVE babies.  I think I would have like a million babies if I didn't have an aversion to being pregnant and my husband didn't have an aversion to being Jon Gosselin. I think I just ruined this post by mentioning Jon Gosselin.  On the bright side, this post can only get better at this point.

Where were we?  Oh yes.  I adore babies!  So, it's awesome that my photography gives me an opportunity to experience the precious, yet fleeting, newborn moments time and time again.

And Baby CJ is one special dude.

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I arrived at the session, thinking of all the cool poses we could do with Baby CJ but he would have none of it.  He had his own poses in mind.

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You see, even at less than a week old, Baby CJ has always been a man with a plan.  Although he was due at the end of 2013, Baby CJ was born in early 2014.  So, technically, he was born in a totally different year than his due date!  This kid is amazing, I tell you!

And his parents are simply in love with him.

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Baby CJ says, "Tick tock, I have places to go, things to do, people to see."

Dear Baby CJ,

If the internet is still around when you're old enough to read this, what the pictures don't show is how your newly-minted parents knelt on the floor to change your diaper.  How they split a cold sandwich because it was more important to capture your first few days of life than to go to the grocery store.  How your mommy calmed you when you cried because you were too cold.  How your parents almost burned down their house because they turned on 2 heaters to keep you warm.

I hope you will always look up to your daddy...

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... and remember the loving embrace of your mommy.

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Welcome (finally) into the world, CJ!  You were worth the wait!

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Baby CJ - San Jose Newborn Photography (Sneak Peek)

We had such a blast at Natalie and Carleton's Maternity Session that we decided to keep the party going and take some newborn shots of their little one! I am excited about sharing a couple of pictures from CJ's big debut session but wanted to give Natalie and Carleton some time to first share the photos with their family and friends.

So instead of sweet photos of the newborn baby, I decided to mix it up and share an outtake photo of daddy and big sister Lucy.

I don't normally share outtake photos but this one was... I don't have any words.

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More to come...

 

Jeff, Nicole and Natalia - San Jose Adopting Family Photography

I am excited to share the photos from this family session.  Jeff and Nicole are a lovely couple who are in the process of adopting a child and I felt so honored to take photos for their adoption portfolio. As a mom, this session really resonated with me and I wanted these portraits to really reflect Jeff and Nicole's sweet family.   Luckily, my work was made easy by the fact that Jeff and Nicole are a naturally wonderful couple...

... with the cutest daughter and adorablest (that means most adorable) dogs.

The expressions on the dogs crack me up.

You can tell that Bacall and Honey adore Natalia.  And Natalia adores them as well; she spent most of our session, running around, feeding them and getting them water.  She is definitely prepared to be a big sister.

Nicole calls Natalia her miracle child.

After taking the portraits we needed for the portfolio, we were able to squeeze in some extra photos for good measure.  Nicole read Natalia a book...

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... while Jeff threw her in the air.

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Nicole and Jeff, thank you so much for allowing me this opportunity to be a part of your adoption journey!  I am looking forward to see where it will lead your family!

Natalie and Carleton - Los Altos Maternity Photography

Natalie and Carleton are one of the coolest couples you will ever meet.  I first met Natalie and Carleton through friends a few years ago and everytime we have been able to hang out, it's always a fun time.  If you are ever lucky to meet them, make sure to ask to see the bicycle video.  Trust me on this one. A few months ago, I received a mysterious email from a Mrs. D asking about scheduling a maternity shoot.  It was from Natalie and I was so excited to find out that they were expecting!

So early one Saturday morning... okay, REALLY early one Saturday morning, Natalie, Carleton and I met up for their maternity session!

It is always kind of a personal challenge for me to photograph friends because I so want them to love the results... which is the same reason it's always a special treat as well!  Also, I get to ask if they'll meet me at the crack of dawn on a dark hiking trail.

Carleton kept us laughing throughout the session with his wit and humor.  Natalie was a great sport, hiking up and down hills at my direction.  She's a runner so I suppose a little walk wasn't a big deal for her.

They are going to be such awesome and fun parents!

Natalie and Carleton, thank you for allowing me to take these photos for you!  Despite the time mixup, glitter mess, and extra long session of hiking, I hope you like these first photos of your little one!  I can't wait to meet your little guy!

Baby C - Santa Clara Baby Photography

I was initially contacted by Anne in January of this year.  And only 5 months later, we were able to set up a photo session with her daughter, Baby C, and husband, James! The session was very different from what we originally envisioned.  Baby C was no longer a tiny beautiful 4 month old but an engaging beautiful 8 month old!

What a smile!

Baby C was crawling...

... and even standing... with a little help from dad.

I just love mommy and baby pictures.

Anne, James and Baby C, it was so nice to finally meet you!  Thank you for allowing me to capture your sweet family.

Sophie and Darius - Orange County Wedding Photography

I have been to a lot of weddings.  Which is great, because I love weddings!   I love the excitement of two people starting their life together, the warm cozy feeling of love in the air, everybody dressed up, the music, the food… the food… seriously, what is there not to love?  And each wedding, no matter how many weddings I attend, stand out in my mind as original and unique, in its own special way.  Some have been "grand," "colorful," "romantic"... some have even been "wild!" But of all the weddings I have attended, only a few stand out in my mind as being “intimate.”  Sophie and Darius’ wedding is one of those weddings.

From the family and friends who arrived early to help decorate, to the “Just Married” sign over the fireplace, lovingly crafted by Sophie’s late grandfather, there was a personal and meaningful touch to each and every detail that created Sophie and Darius’ big day.

Sophie and Darius chose not to see eachother before the ceremony, so while Darius stayed downstairs, Sophie and her mother, mother-in-law, and bridesmaids/sisters got ready upstairs!  So, Darius, this is a little glimpse of what you missed!

Can't forget the details!

Sophie and Darius had a beautiful outdoor ceremony with only 40 family members and friends in attendance.

As Sophie started her walk down the aisle with her mom and dad/officiant/orator/undercover agent, Darius had this look on his face as he set eyes on his bride for the first time:

Sheer amazement!

Reception followed at Five Crowns Restaurant, where family and friends filled the Crown Room with speeches, laughter, and love for the happy couple.

Their gorgeous rings!

Sophie's sister, Carolyn, made this cake!  Absolutely perfect!

Although Sophie and Darius didn't have much time to spend on portraits, we were still able to sneak in a few photographs.

Sophie and Darius, thank you for allowing me to capture this very special and intimate day for you!  Your family and friends were so sweet and funny and perfectly reflect the type of couple you are!  Congratulations again!

Thanks to the following vendors/ family members and friends for making Sophie and Darius' wedding so memorable!

Venue:  Alison Robbins of Five Crowns Restaurant (Special thanks to the staff members who helped me stay balanced on a chair for some of these photos!)

Florist: Floral Designs by Jerri Disney

Reception Coordinator: Shannon Searles

Officiant: Rick McGough

Cake: Carolyn McGough

 

 

 

 

 

Hedva and Ron - Mountain View Maternity Photography

Hedva was so cool and fun throughout our email correspondences prior to the photo session that when I finally met her, I felt like she was an old friend. And meeting Ron convinced me that some Southern California Trojan fans are pretty awesome!

They were so creative and we had a bunch of ideas for their photo shoot.

I was excited about all the fun things we could try and glad we were able to implement many of the ideas into their session.

Balloons!

Baxter!

An infant jersey!

Ron and Hedva, you two are one of the sweetest and cutest couples I have had the opportunity to photograph!  Your baby is one lucky girl!

Baby R – Santa Clara Baby Photography

Baby R is 2 months old and her parents, Ash and Manasi, were excited to get some photographs of their sweet baby daughter.

I don’t know how Ash and Manasi manage not to eat those feet for breakfast!

Or those fingers.

When I arrived for the session, Baby R was fast asleep…

… and she continued to nap almost the entire session.  Which is amazing, considering she went through about 3 wardrobe changes and was even placed in a lunchbox for about a split second.

Although I am sad I didn't get a glimpse of your bright brown eyes, thank you for being such a sleepy dreamy baby, Baby R!  Sweet dreams.

Sophie and Darius - Orange County Engagement Photography

A sunny but windy day in Corona Del Mar, it was.* Darius had proposed to Sophie on a lifeguard station overlooking the ocean so this is where their engagement session began.

You can't even tell Sophie and Darius were rock climbing right before this shot was taken...

... or this shot.

I loved how effortlessly Darius made Sophie laugh.  Laugh it up, fuzzballs!*

But my favorite photos of Sophie and Darius were the ones that captured them simply getting lost in eachother.

Sophie and Darius, you two are so sweet together.  I am so happy to have had the opportunity to capture these moments for you.

  • Because Darius is a big fan, my sad attempts to make references to the Star Wars movies, these are.  I apologize, in advance, if the references don't make much sense.  I do have my moments; not many, but I have them.*

ONE Fine Day

A few friends and I met up for a photo session with our one year old toddlers... each born in consecutive months.... in the same year. They were all in a good mood so we started the day out with the three of them all together.

After a few shots, the babies decided they were done and started walking in opposite directions.  It's a walk off!

A quick snack break and we were ready to take some individual photos.

Baby O held onto his letter really well...

... but spent most of the time running away from me.  He's very persistent.

Luckily, he gets his persistence from his mama.

Baby N was a natural model, flashing his handsome smile...

... funny duckface...

... and fierce eyes.  Eat your heart out, Tyra Banks.

Baby E made us laugh with her silliness...

... melted our hearts with her bright blue eyes...

... and didn't need any coaxing at all.

Our little ONEs.

Happy early Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.

It's May!

Wow.  I can't believe it's already May.  In my last blog entry, I wrote that I couldn't wait for it to be May... and, well, here we are... 3 months later! It's been a really busy few months for me.  Not business-wise... but personal-wise.  ...  Personal-wise?

As my personal life is getting calmer, May is promising to be a busy month business-wise and I can not be more excited!  More pictures and blog posts to follow.

Until then, here is a photo since the last time I posted.  I call it: Bubbles in the Air.

Otters, Turtles and Dragons... Oh My!

We realized a couple weeks ago that the past weekend would be the last long one until May.  So, we decided to pack it up and take a little family break. First stop: Monterey Bay Aquarium!

It turns out, we weren’t the only ones trying to take advantage of the 3-day weekend.  Luckily, we had purchased our tickets prior to going and were able to bypass the ticket line… and head straight to the going inside line.  We finally made it in and the place was packed like… well, sardines!

Okay, these may be mackerels.  Funny… fish, am I right people?

It was just droves of parents, walking around the aquarium, clutching their sleeping children in their arms.  So we fit right in.

There was a huge tank with a bunch of sea animals... two of which were very large turtles.

I imagined that the two turtles were in love.  At one point, they were swimming towards eachother (very slowly and steadily) and I got excited thinking they were going to kiss!  But they just ended up colliding with eachother, head first.

Of everything we saw, our favorite exhibit was the jellyfish.

Their graceful nature was mesmerizing.  They are like nature's lava lamps.

After the aquarium, we had dinner overlooking a boat parking lot.  But because everything is a million times more romantic in the ocean, it was the perfect view!

I admit, it was weird eating for dinner, what we had just been admiring at the aquarium.  I also admit, it was delicious!

Traveling with a little one requires lots of preparation.  We brought the bath, baby shampoo, wash cloths, a bedsheet for the crib the hotel provided, hooded towel, pajamas, sleep sack, and air filter.  And that’s the stuff we needed for bedtime only.

We always go to the same hotel where the closet is large and has a curtain that we can drape over the crib.   Yes, I put the crib in the closet.  It’s dark and cozy… don’t judge me.  That way, our baby happily slept while we kept the lights on and even watched some Downton Abbey!

The next morning, we headed to Santa Cruz Boardwalk where we rode a few rides and ate a swirly potato.

It was a wonderful family weekend.  May can't come sooner!