San Mateo Family Portraits: Loveys forever
Our oldest son is now 6. His lovey “friends” still share his bed every night. He used to turn to them whenever he was upset; whenever he was tired. While he doesn’t need and ask for them the same way he used to, I love watching him arrange them each night. I know this time is fleeting, and maybe even a year from now they’ll be an after-thought to his bed-time routine.
Little R is very much the same way. His Woof Woof has been by his side since the start, and much like my G and his friends, R and Woof Woof are still buds. Woof Woof for sure has had some adventures. When I saw him along with R, I felt Woof Woof had to have a starring role at some point in our family portraits session. And he did 🙂 Woof Woof draped over R’s head is one of my most favorite photographs this season.
I love photographing these guys. They are the very first family, outside of my own, that I photographed, and I feel so happy to have been able to contribute to their family albums over the years. Meeting with them is fun for me too: I mean, how can I not when they decide they want to roll down hill as a family? This was definitely one of those moments I wished I could have multiplied myself so I can shoot it from different angles and keep up. Their faces were incredible — so much joy. There are things I don’t mind asking people to do over and over for me until I get it just right… but if you’ve ever had the adventure of rolling down a grassy hill you know how dizzy that makes you. And, if you know what I mean, you could have “too” much fun.
Our evening ended with a background of an incredible sunset. I had a hard time putting my camera away at the end because I just had to capture those skies. We got some wonderful silhuettes that way.
Menlo Park Maternity Photography: Fairy godmother’s gonna be mama
I was so, so excited to hear that S and M are expecting. These two incredible people deserve all the happiness in the world. They did an incredibly selfless act by hosting an earlier wedding just so that S’ goddaughter, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer could attend. I photographed and wrote about that day here (please visit!), so you can see what amazing people they are. There’s a reason they call S “Fairy”: she is a Fairy Godmother to be sure! And now this Fairy Godmother gets to be a Mama in her own right.
I’m happy that it’s been a little bit wetter this year. We’re in drought — I know we need it. However, as a photographer, I will be lying if I didn’t wish it to rain Monday through Friday and leave me with pretty, dry skies over the week-end. Seems like a fair deal, right? S, M and I met on what turned out to be a gorgeous afternoon. It was cloudy all day, but in time for her maternity photography session, it was beautiful. The winds, however were kicking up something fierce, so we found ourselves huddling amongst the tall grass to hide. In a way, I’m thrilled because we were forced into an area of the park I hadn’t even considered (literally off the side of the road), and her portraits came out awesome. I hope you’ll agree.
We ended our session at sunset on the hills of Bedwell Bayfront. The sky was incredible. Wisps of clouds in the background amongst a sea of gold, pink and blue. While, yes, the colors you’ll see here are a bit digitally enhanced, it was an incredible sight. Someone was watching out for you, S and gifted you that sunset!
In a few weeks, I will get to meet their newest family addition. I can’t wait!
Millbrae Newborn Photography: Rituals
One of the benefits to being on this side of the camera when it comes to newborn photography, is the ability to witness all the different kinds of family rituals that parents fall into. For me, with my family, it was bath-time. There was a song order as we scrubbed head to toe, and even though it was never a big production it was a ritual that was meaningful and memorable. D and S have their own ritual around A’s wake-ups from her nap, and it was a pleasure to be able to witness (and document) that. It’s honestly these moments that I love to do what I do — these rituals change over time as babies grow. Some even disappear altogether, and being able to capture a single one it wonderful to look back on later in time. I feel incredibly lucky that one of those bath-times was documented for us. I cherish those photographs. I hope D looks back on these wake-up images and feels the same way.
When D, S and I set a time for our session, we did it months ago, shortly after A was born. Kids, of course, change their routines, and as our appointment grew closer, A had already changed up her naps. I arrived just as she was getting ready to wake. D warned me the week before, and I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to take some peaceful images of A asleep, cozy in her crib. I didn’t expect it would be so much more.
Being in her nursery was so special: D’s family had traveled to Kenya on a photographic safari, and D used many of the images her mother took to decorate the space. The theme of the photos? Mother and baby! So awesome! Well, D — now you can add your own mamma and baby portraits to join them 🙂
Enjoy!
San Mateo Portrait Photography: 3 + furry one
I am now one family photo shoot away from wrapping up 2014. It’s been a remarkable year! I feel like I’ve grown a lot, learned a lot, and met some incredibly awesome families. These guys are one of them. I had so much fun with them the morning we met!
We’re talking about a family of 3 (+ a furry one, as P said) with an incredibly light outlook on life — relaxed, easy going and with a great sense of humor. How can I possibly not enjoy working with them? And you know what else? P brought me a bottle of water! Small act of kindness, but when you have a morning of mini sessions, it was very welcomed. Thanx, P!
P’s session was the first time I’d met clients at the Coyote Point Yacht Club and included a fur-kid. While we stayed on the Bay Trails, where I knew dogs were OK, I got a chill of panic as I approached the Coyote Point entrance and saw he “No dogs!” sign. Ughmn… this was set — Arthur is a big deal to these guys, and having him included in their session was pretty important. Luckily, security is fine with driving in, as long as we did just as we planned: stay on the trails. Phew! In all honesty though, flubs are going to happen, and a little panic like this, to some degree is good stress relief. I’d rather invest my tension in a problem that resolves quickly. Once I shook that off, everything went so great, and I brought home so many awesome photos of these guys. Below are just a few of my favorites.
San Jose Family Portraits Photographer: So very rainy
Can you say “rain”? Because boy, did it! We had scheduled this family portraits session for back in October, and it just so happened to be the ONE day in October that it rained. I prepared the second time around: and moved us to the San Jose City College campus. Rain or shine (preferably shine!) this was going to happen!!! Rain again, it did — it actually was pouring, and pouring hard right as these guys arrived on campus. I guess they were just destined for rain. I don’t mind — I actually loved how the soft pink colors and fuzzy white vests on the girls played off the soft-gray walls of the building.
I love this family. T is such a strong, opinionated, and kind woman. She’s got sass; she’s got style and I admire her a ton for standing up for herself and her friends when she sees something is wrong! I will also note that this lady has some serious skills in the finding a deal department, and bringing new life to antiques. You should check out her blog at: This Bliss Life
Watching baby K waddle and express her own opinions when asked to do something she didn’t want reminded me of her mama — I’m looking forward to see if she’ll pick up more of that personality too 🙂 K decided that the rain may have been a big deal for everyone else, but not her — she toddled out into it, and preferred it better that way…. even down to sitting on the wet ground. Kids rock, what can I say?
Now… can we talk about big sister A? Yes, the whole family is gorgeous — it’s true, but this girl is just breath-taking. I know you can’t see it in these images very well, but she’s seriously stealing Maybelline’s thunder. This kid has eye-lashes that go on forever — long and thick and perfectly curled. I’ve zoomed in on this, so just take my word for it — amazing! She’s a great kid, to boot.
Thanx for a lovely morning you guys! I hope you got dry and warm quickly.
