Our Baby Girl is Here | Newport Beach Family Photographer

Cue all the tears, tissues, and happy laughter: our rainbow baby girl is here! Shiloh Calise made her appearance earth side December 27th, making all our Christmas dreams come true. She is absolutely perfect and we are just a little bit obsessed with her. The kids hold and cuddle her constantly and watching their love for her is better than anything I could have ever imagined. The reality that I am a mom of four is such a dream come true.

I wanted so badly to get individual pics of each kid with their new sister and one morning all the stars just seemed to align with these moments that took my breath away. I can feel their love for her, and the warmth and safety she already knows in their arms.

This next one was Shiloh at less 24 hours old. I’m so happy to have this photo from that most beautiful day.

These are the words I wrote to her about this next photo, taken on day 3: “I’m bleeding, sore, and tired: I wouldn’t trade it for all the world. To finally be here in this moment, wrapping you in my arms; like a dream, much too good to be true. But then I do dream, for that short time before I hear your little cry again—and there you still are, taking my breath away with the reality of it all… thank you for letting me be your mom. Thank you for healing the cracks of my heart with your love.”

And a sweet hand knitted gift from our neighbor, at 9 days new. In just this short time our sweet girl has already started to act so much older, looking around and making eye contact. Time please slow down now! Shiloh Calise, you are a real life dream come true.

Crazy Crowded Laguna Beaches | Orange County Family Photographer

People often comment on how it seems like I shoot at empty beaches. I will let you in on a secret: it's ALL an illusion! Yes, I do try to make things as "empty" as possible, shooting mostly only on weekdays and frequenting more of the "locals" Laguna hangouts rather than the tourist filled sands. BUT no beach is ever completely empty, especially from about May until December. And to be totally honest it can be so hard. I'm forever jealous of all those midwest shooters who find random fields of long green grass and trees and shoot till their heart's content, worrying about nothing but connection and composition. The whole time I'm trying to get these genuine moments of love I'm also dodging photo bombers and other photographers. But then again, those midwest shooters don't get this unmatched shoreline. ;-)

This sweetest family was visiting from out of state, having a little Thanksgiving getaway. We met on Black Friday. I figured everyone we would be busy shopping, or recuperating from shopping--and Turkey. Think again. My heart may or may not have literally fell into my stomach as we walked down the steps to the most crowded I have ever seen this particular Laguna spot. There were a million and one people literally right outside my frame. So close that if I would have shifted my camera one inch to the right this family would have had the throngs joining in on their family pics. But I kept things cropped tight, and we spent our entire time right down in the water, which was a win for me as nothing compares to that shoreline light. 

My very favorite thing though was them. And the way they forgot about everything else going on around us. They seemed to have only eyes for each other, and happiness that made me smile behind my camera the whole time. <3 

Golden Girl in Laguna

This gal is pure gold. Joy and love just pours out of her in such a contagious way. I loved every minute of this shoot, and after, as we talked each others ears off for hours after we done. :-) We met at my all time favorite beach in Laguna to capture all that joy inside her. She wanted her photos to reflect her true personality, and I love the way they do just that. She is so beautiful, from the inside out. And being able to be the one to show it means the world to me. <3

Senior Pics in Laguna

I will totally admit that I was imagining a bit of stiff and awkward male, but this guy totally threw it out the park! I swear he must have been a model in a past life! Not only did he have the posing down, he was as nice as they come, making it such a fun and relaxing evening in Laguna.  I'm so happy I was able to capture this special time in his life, as one chapter finds its ends and he embarks on the next one. 

We also squeezed in a bit of time for his awesome family, who are as sweet as they come! :-) 

Why Weekday Beach Pictures Are Best

We are beach bums through and through. We go when it's hot, cold, winter, summer, empty, crowded. And we've been to them all--or so we thought. By total chance we stumbled upon this gem of Laguna and fell madly love with California all over again. 

This was on a weekday evening. We went back the following Sunday and the place was jam packed with people, which would have made these shots I took nearly impossible with all the "photo bombers" which would have filled the background. It's not always easy to make a midweek photo session happen, but when it comes to Orange County beaches, it is always so, so worth it! 

1st Birthday in Laguna

Happy first birthday to this sweetest little guy ever! We met at Laguna beach to capture some memories of this precious time and he gave me all happiness to celebrate with. He walked on rocks, ran along the sand, dipped his toes into the icy water, and if my heart had not melted enough already, ended our time with the most content cuddles in the arms of his mom and dad. He is so very loved. And gives this same love right back. <3

And of course we had to sneak in a few of this beautiful Grandma as well. :-)