One of my all time favorite things about photographing families here in Newport Beach is watching those families grow. I first met these six when there were only four of them, and big sister was only a few months old! I have had the privilege of hanging out with them at the beach each year, and seeing their beautiful love for one another just get bigger. Three, then four kids later, they just become more and more my favorite each time. The big kids have gotten to know me which is just so special and little sisters are slowly recognizing my face now. They have the best parents to top it all off, and I feel like I’m hanging with old friends now!
Let's Feel Your Family's Joy | Newport Beach Family Photographer
Ahh, allll the happiness from these four! Can’t pick a favorite out of all this joy! These parents were so relaxed and just really leaned into their two girls’ playful and energetic souls, and the results are my favorite. Decide to have fun at your next family photo session and watch the beauty unfold!
Back From Maternity Leave | Newport Beach Family Photographer
After welcoming my fourth little baby earthside, I took a couple of months off from photo sessions to rest and heal. Well, “rest” is a very abstract word around my life these days—haha—but regardless, I have no words to describe how priceless this time has been watching my family grow together. I have now slowly been getting back into the groove of things though, shooting a small handful of sessions each month. One of my very first sessions back started with one of my very favorite families! We first met when they were vacationing here in Newport Beach three years ago. Their kids have only grown more beautiful and amazing, and I enjoyed every minute of hanging down at the sand with them. It was freezing, the winds were whipping, but they brought all the joy!
First Family Photo Shoot of 2021: Laguna and Newport Beach Photographer
When you get to start the new year taking photos with this family, you just know it’s going to be a good one! They were such a breath of fresh air, filling the beach with all their love and laughter. Winter beaches will forever be a favorite for me as a photographer, because: good bye crowds! But this winter in particular we have been crazy spoiled with amazing weather where we don’t actually feel like our fingers are going to fall off by the end. ;)
This mom gave me the biggest compliment after receiving her photos too. She explained they have family picturess taken almost every year, but with these images, “I don’t have one favorite. They are all my favorite! Every single one is perfect!” I definitely spent the rest of that day smiling. I put my everything into each and every session I do, and to hear these words back means much more than I can express.
Fresh 48: Newborn Photos Right at the Hospital | Orange County Family Photographer
Hospital sessions are usually referred to as “Fresh 48” since we schedule them within those first 48 hours of life, before you head home. This sweet babe was literally only 6 hours into this world and his big brothers were meeting their newest member of the pack for the very first time. My very favorite was when one of them excitedly shouted out, “We get to take him home with us?!”
In home newborn shoots are also beautiful and I adore them with my heart. But there is something so unmatched and emotional about capturing those true firsts. Those moments that will be forever etched into your heart, also now documented on film for you to have and look back on in the years to come. Newly born in every literal sense of the word. <3
My Very Own Wild Flower | Orange County Maternity Photographer
Being a mom has been by far the greatest gift of my life, and the thought that I am going to get to have another child to hold again is a dream come true. At 30 weeks pregnant the reality of it seems to really be hitting me lately, especially as I feel her karate chopping inside me each day. ;)
I really wanted to make sure I documented this pregnancy as I didn’t with my first two and greatly regret it. I told my husband we should go head over to this field that I thought was turning green and he agreed. But by the time sunset rolled around I felt tired and nothing like dressing all up. I’m so glad my husband encouraged me to just go and take a quick few photos though as I will treasure these forever now. And oh my gosh, this field!!! It doesn’t last long here before all turning back to brown, so only fitting it decided to bloom right in time for my own special wildflower. <3
There is definitely going to be an age gap between her and my “big kids.” My daughter almost nine years older, and my son seven, but love really does know no age. As we were walking to school the other morning Boston told me she couldn’t stop thinking of all the great places she’s going to take her sister to someday. And I know this baby girl is going to be crazy lucky to have such an amazing human to look up to as she grows. My son doesn’t go to bed without kissing my belly and telling his baby sis good night. And first thing in the morning he asks her if she slept good. My heart is beyond full, anxiously counting down to the moment I get to see her wrapped all up in their arms.
Valentine's Day With Kids | Newport Beach Family Photographer
Before I had kids, Valentine’s Days were usually filled with all kinds of mixed emotions, especially on those teen years when I had no one “special” to bring me flowers. 🤦🏻♀️ Now, this day of “romance” has become one of paper hearts and crayon made cards, and it is my very favorite. My kids have been literally counting down the days to when they get to pass out all their cards to friends. Little notes they meticulously wrote out to each person, spending happy hours in their room as they worked on them. They woke up at 5:30am this morning to eat their breakfast on red plates with pink napkins that they already set the table with the night before. I begged them to sleep for one more hour but their excitement just wouldn’t allow their eyes to close again.
Before kids this day of love could be described by a whole plethora of complaints against hallmark. But now my heart is filled with all their excitement. And all the sappy love filled notes can only bring me up. A nap could also help I’m sure. ;)
This family here seemed only fitting to blog on this day as well. I think one of my very favorite things about family photography is getting to witness how no dynamic is ever exactly the same. Kind of like their own fingerprint each brings with them. All different personalities mixed together under the same roof, creating this beautiful connection that will forever be uniquely theirs. And these five brought all the joy and love with them.
Newport also showed up with all its beach full of skies and colors to match. And let’s take one quick second to pause and admire how beautiful these ladies looked in their Free People and Joyfolie dresses too—it’s no secret I’m a huge fan of the long maxis!
So with that, happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours! May it be spent with all the sweet and simple memories that make this life so good. <3
Surfs Up | Newport Beach Orange County Family Photographer
I often feel my heart hurt as I realize all the years that have swept us by. The babies, toddlers, preschoolers my kids no longer are. I feel like I just moved to Orange County yesterday, hitting up every park and beach within a ten mile radius those first few years. Somehow though they grew and our days now mostly consist of school and all those activities after. I sometimes wish I could go back to those slow adventure filled times, but I’m also learning that today has its own fresh beauty—new memories and moments that are to be had.
Last weekend they took their boards into the ocean for the first time, and watching the joy and excitement on their faces was everything to me. Something else that means the world to me though is that I was able to capture it. To freeze today, a day I may forget otherwise, or remember only hazy. Every photo doesn’t haven’t to be professional either. I only get my big camera out on them a handful of times a year really. But that little phone that’s most always on me has the most amazing way of also freezing our moments. Or replaying them as videos happen to be my personal favorite. Still though, that big camera can do something that my phone just isn’t capable of, and that is really capturing what I saw with my heart. Golden beauty of my life with them.
When Is the Best Time to Take Your Family Photos? | OC Newport Beach Photographer
I get asked sometimes when is the best time to have family photos taken. And I totally get what they mean by the question. Is the warm summer best when you can really play in the waves? Or the still warm but less crowded fall to double up with the Christmas card? Or maybe bearing the crispness of the winter with its low tides and stunning skies. Or is Spring the ideal with its still empty beaches but warmer temps and golden light? All seasons have their pluses and minuses. All seasons are honestly unpredictable weather as well. Honestly though my answer for the best time is simply “right now.” So often I have women tell me their going to book me when they loose more weight, and I get that. I really do. Your kids, though, they don’t care about a few extra pounds, and they won’t later on when their looking back at memories of their beautiful mom. Others tell me when their schedules slow down, but let’s be a bit of realist—its most likely not slowing down till your kids move out someday.
And so my first answer for the best time is simply now. When it is still today. When your family is just as it is, perfectly imperfect. With all the love and chaos that means life with kids. Because today comes and goes before we blink, and pictures are the most tangible memory we will have to look back on.
The “recommended” time to have maternity photos is between 30-35 weeks. This mom was only 17 weeks, but her husband’s job has all kinds of unpredictable hours and if they waited until the “right” time the chances were slim they could make it happen. He happened to have a random couple of days off and we set up this shoot in less than a week’s time. We made it happen and they now have these sweet memories of their growing family together.
No More Stiff Smiles | Newport Beach Orange County Family Photographer
When I first started in photography I did a lot of the more traditional type sessions, as it just seemed like that is what everyone wanted. You know, those twenty different backdrops and compositions, but all with the same fake smiles at the camera for each and every one. But in the middle of it I started sneaking in the more informal shots. The ones where smiles became real because they were produced by true joyful moments.
It didn’t take me long to realize this is where my photography heart found its favorite niche. Slowly I would incorporate more and more of this type of shooting into each session. As for blogging and social media I showed nothing traditional at all to put the idea of candid lifestyle into all my future family’s minds. And you know what, I found myself truly enjoying my time photographing these families. Gone was the stresses of making sure everyone looked perfect, smiled perfect, placed their hand perfect. Now I could actually embrace the messy, and allow my creativity to lead our time.
I have found that true joy, true smiles, come when families are simply allowed to have fun. So now I fill our time with games and movement, with tickles and races. It may not be the photography for everyone and that is 100 percent ok! But it is the type of photography I have found to love, and who doesn’t want a job that they love right?
Where is the Best Place to Have Family Photos Taken? | Orange County Photographer
I will not deny the awesome beauty of our Orange County beaches. Families ask me to photograph them at it almost exclusively these days, and I have no complaints in this area whatsoever. :) That said, if you thinking of mixing up the beach scene, whether you’ve already done it before or perhaps you don’t particularly love the sound of getting wet and sandy, then I have a suggestions for you! And that is sometimes the best place to create memories is as simple as that familiar trail right by your home. 😍
This is a spot they have been to so many times, for walks or a stop to the playground close by. This oldest daughter even came here with her friends to take Prom pictures in the Spring. The thing I find so special about it is now they have these tangible memories to have for years and years to come, memories they can show their boys someday. And now whenever they walk this trail it will mean just a little bit more to them too.
100 Days Without Sweets | Orange County Family Photographer
Doing a little interruption here of my usual talks of beach and family and photography with a little mom brag about my own two kids. But the photos were taken right here in Newport Beach and the sunset was amazing, and we all went right into that icy cold ocean, and I lived on the wild side with no special gear to keep my camera dry—so it still kind of counts I think. ;-) But you guys, my kids are officially 100 days in with no sweets, deserts, candy, or anything with excess sugar. 🍭 Kids are beasts, you guys!!! They’ve been through Easter egg hunts, birthday parties, camps, the list goes on and on. Sugar is hanging everywhere in front of them and they haven’t even flinched in their resolve. It started as a 30 day challenge, to purge ourselves from what I felt was becoming an unhealthy addiction. They jumped on the bandwagon full force and decided they would go to 100 with me as well. I told them this week I’ve decided to attempt a whole year but they definitely don’t have to join me. But they each instantly responded they were all in. So here’s to 265 more to go! 🙌 A few things I’ve noticed about them through this:
1. They eat a LOT! Without the incentive of desert at the end of a meal, they devour their plates until they are actually full.
2. They are very health conscience. Giving up sugar to replace it with health and strength into our bodies has led to so many questions of what other things are good and bad for them and they are 💯 about filling themselves with the good now. This has led to such amazing meals together as a family, with my kids sampling every last dish.
3. They demolish fruit. I seriously cannot keep my house filled with enough of it now. Those natural sugars taste like heaven now. ☺️ I don’t think I could have ever made it this far myself without them. They’ve made me realize we are capable of so much more than we allow ourselves to believe sometimes. I have never felt so great! And seriously, my kids aren’t anything extra special. I think we sometimes just don’t give these little humans enough credit as to what they are capable of. 💪
My husband has been wanting to dabble a bit into photography lately, so I showed him a few things and passed it off. I am forever so so grateful when he grabs these memories for me. It makes me realize all over again how important it is to really get in the frame with your kids, as time is oh too fleeting. How is my son so big all of a sudden anyways?? <3
Don't Skip the Maternity Photos | OC Newport Beach Family Photographer
I may or may not be guilty of saying this about every genre of family photography. I mean, what’s better than capturing people who love each other, right? Add one of our gorgeous Orange County landscapes to this mix and who am I to complain? BUT, maternity sessions have and will always hold a very special place to me. There is just something so unexplainable about this moment is our life as a new mom. This special place where it all began. Where we anxiously were awaiting this new life growing inside our own body. Worries, fears, hopes, joy—the beautiful unknown.
I know what it’s like to be pregnant, I had two babies of my own. We don’t always feel gorgeous and most days the thought of glamming up can easily be shot down with some sweat pants instead. ;-) But if there is one thing I will never regret having done is maternity photos with my first child. To this day I have a large canvas hanging in her room and she loves to mention how it is her inside of me. We often think we will remember exactly what it felt like, how we looked, the moments that happened. But life has this way of turning the past into fuzzy memories. It’s the beauty of photography though. It helps bring back some of those hazy scenes.
Such a gorgeous evening we had for this sun soaked maternity session last week! After what seemed like an endless eternity of SoCal’s “May gray/June gloom” it seems that those summer skies are finally gaining the upper hand! And I just love the way the colors complimented this momma’s blue dress too! The sweetest people you could meet, these two are going to be the best parents. I cannot wait to see them with their soon to be here little guy.
Live in Color | OC Newport Beach Family Photographer
My style of editing has most definitely evolved from when I first started photographing families four years ago. But since the very beginning one thing that has always drawn me in has been color. It’s why I will not let my skies blow out, even though it would make the editing process much easier. It’s why I love when families fill their outfits with dashes of colors, rather than all neutrals. I find myself pushing the vibrant line constantly and it makes me happy.
But, I’m not going to lie, sometimes while I scroll through my Instagram feed, my explore page, my favorite photographer muses, and see the way the edits are so vastly different from my own I start to feel like the oddball out. I sometimes tell myself I'm going to just start stripping my photos of color and take on the moody emotional look, or blow out the background into white glowy goodness and become a bright and airy girl. More than any other reason just to feel like I kind of belong. That I can join in their groups and feel that sense of community. But as many times as I say it, as many times as I try, I simply find myself somehow unable to do so. I love color, like an insane obsession with it, and I just can’t stop that right now.
The best part though: I may not be the “in” right now as far as the latest trends are going, but not everyone else is either. And time after time families tell me they chose me BECAUSE of my colors and light. And so I’ve learned that the greatest thing of photography is that art is subjective, and when you stay true to yourself you will find your people. :)
June Family Vacation | OC Laguna Beach Family Photographer
I’ve read all the info on SEO and google ratings, and with that the one thing I’ve always tried to stay on top of is blogging. But we went to visit allll the families for the past two weeks doing a triangle from Orange County to Alabama to Michigan and back again. It was so much fun, crazy relaxing, and all the memory lanes. But although we chilled it was busy chilling, visiting and adventuring, and everything photography went to the wayside—or should I say seaside. ;-) I had all these ideas that I was going to finish editing all my previous week’s sessions and blog a few posts. At the end of it I managed to barely keep up with my emails! But the break was so needed, and refreshed my mind that was reaching burn out. I now feel ready to bring on all the soaked summer family shoots!
Annnnd speaking of family, oh my heart I loved my time with this one! So much joy and love all tangled up between them. And in the middle of all this May gray/ June gloom Newport beach decided to give us a break and brought its A game sunset!
Who Wants to Mix Up the Beach Vibes??? | Orange County Family Photographer
Ok, I will start with saying I LOVE the beach. We moved to Orange County for those ocean waves and spent our first year almost no where else! I also love shooting at it, and it is where families generally always ask me to photograph them at. I have no complaints. ;-)
BUT as much as I love those Ocean blues, my eyes do enjoy changing up the scenery from time to time. I feel like my camera breathes out a small “thank you” with each fresh click. So when this family told me they wanted to go with a more rustic vibe for their session I definitely did a little happy dance inside. It was such a fun and relaxing time together and I didn’t lose my voice from shouting over the waves either! ;-)
Alsooooo, how could this post be complete without a huge mention of these outfits! I generally recommend for families to choose coordinating, over matching colors. But for momma and me dresses that are this adorable, I’ll make an exception. Mom’s outfit is from one of my all time favorite shops https://morninglavender.com/, a big online shop but lucky for us Souther Cali girls, located right here in Old Town Tustin! And baby’s adorable matching piece is from a local boutique I just heard of, https://twinsiesrock.com/collections/girls/products/aurora-maxi-skirt-mu
Mom & Me in Newport Beach | Orange County Family Photographer
Mom and me sessions will forever ever ever have my heart! It’s probably mostly because I am a momma myself, and love my two kids so much it literally hurts sometimes. To capture the bond between a mother and her child, that sweet love and pure joy—it leaves my photographer heart with so much happiness.
This day was stuck in the middle of the infamous Southern Califfornia “May gray, June gloom,” but right as we met up the sun decided to peek out at the point where the sky meets the water and give us the most beautiful soft colors. Not to mention this mom’s dress creating its own gorgeous pop!! Vici dolls is one of my all time favorite shops for women’s dresses and you can quickly see why!
Also lucky for us was the day’s gloomy skies all early afternoon making for a beach almost entirely to ourselves! There was one other man taking some landscape photographers and that was about it—photo shoot winning! :) I do love summer beaches and the way you can jump right into the water, but I’ won’t lie, I’m going to mourn the fact when we have to start getting tricky with the angles to avoid the photo bombers. There is just something so liberating about being able to go wherever you want and capture the moment exactly where it is happening.
Enough about all that though, here is some sweet mom/daughter love for you:
Baby Makes Four | Newport Beach OC Family Photographer
The first time I photographed this Orange County family big brother was just turning one. I have no words to describe how much it means to me when families come back again, especially for such special milestones of their life together. I shoot so many people from out of state while vacationing here in Newport and I absolutely love it for sure! But there is something so very special when I get the chance to watch kids grow behind my lens.
Their fourth baby... I remember when I was going to have my second child-the thoughts of how I could possibly love him the same as my daughter. She was my whole world, my heart so big for her it literally hurt. What if I loved him just a little less?
And then I saw his face for the first time and laughed at that ridiculous fear.
I always think it’s the most miraculous thing about being a parent. The way our heart seems to only expand.
World's Happiest Baby | Newport Beach Orange County Family Photographer
Seriously, I can’t even with this face!! From the moment I met him to the time I said goodbye he rotated from chill to smiley and back again. I so badly wanted to take him home with me! And although it looks all sunny and pretty, it was in fact freezing and windy in Newport. We even had the entire beach to ourselves as everyone else in Orange County deemed it much too cold to go outside. ;-) This guy didn’t let it faze his happy little self though, and made all my photographer heart dreams come true. Annnnd we cannot finish without pausing to gush all over this little blue man suit and hat too! Seriously, how crazy good did he pull it all off?!
When the Earth Becomes Your Mural | Newport Beach Orange County Family Photographer
If there is one thing I have learned living here in Orange County, it is that Newport Beach never has two skies the same. One day will be cloudless while the next will have so many clouds we cannot even see the sun. I have also learned the weathermen are actually weather guessers 90% of the time. ;-) They will tell us overcast and gray and then I show up to a breathtaking sky. Or they will declare pure sun and last minute a marine layer will blow in and take over the sand. I have found that more often than not I should just go with it, as when I first started I rescheduled some epic skies thinking they were going to be pouring rain!
I have also learned to embrace whatever the weather gods choose to give me, as really how can you go too wrong at the beach, right? Cloudless days create bright, glowing happy moments. Overcast days make for some pretty soft blues as your backdrop. It’s all part of SoCal nature and I love embracing all the varieties of its beach life.
With all that said though, there do seem to be these rare days when the clouds honestly feel like they are singing down all their good luck and happy vibes on me, turning the entire landscape into a real life mural. Raw colors just waiting to be captured and painted on the canvas of my editing software. ;-)
And lastly, how could I leave this whole color painting photography rant without pointing out the importance of your own outift choices as well. The pinks and blues this family chose just pop off the pictures in such a beautiful way here, adding that touch more beauty that really goes such a long ways. We all of course have our own styles and there is no “wrong” piece. BUT, imagining the same backdrop with all black and browns just wouldn’t be the same for me. So when going through your own photo session wardrobe ideas, remember to think about those beach colors, and the ways you yourself can add those pops of color and vibrance to your family’s canvas!
