The third time I worked with Daniell to shoot Baby Owen’s newborn pictures she was a pro.  Confident and relaxed.  Total super mom!  She was juggling a newborn and a 20 month old and made it look easy.  And on top of that she looked absolutely beautiful!

Owen was 17 days old in these pictures because I was sick and had no voice for his first scheduled session.  He did great even for being a week older than I prefer to shoot.  I loved catching up with Hannah.  She is such a sweet girl and thought I was pretty funny.  She was impressed that I could recite Good Night Moon from heart

I’m absolutely loving these Lifestyle newborn sessions.  I haven’t shot one in quite some time and now I’ve shot 2 in the last few weeks.  I hope you love them as much as I do!

It’s fun to see that vision come to life.

Ashley and Tyson were married in 2008.  I was 37 weeks pregnant with Brayden when I shot their wedding.  Nothing was going to keep me from missing their wedding!

Two and a half years later I was able to photograph their maternity session.

A few months later Baby Reid was born.

And a year and a half after that beautiful Baby Maeve made her appearance.

I am so lucky to have amazing clients that allow me to grow with them and their families.  I love it.  I Love every, single second that I get to spend with them.  I love that they trust me with these special moments.  I am such a lucky girl.

I haven’t done very many lifestyle maternity sessions since I got my studio last year so this was a fun change.  Poor Reid was not feeling well, but he hung in there for a few shots.  It was a fun afternoon catching up with this awesome family!

Cam and Anne were married on November 26 at Ponte Winery in Temecula.  It was a gorgeous and unseasonably warm day.  Cameron is the third (and final) sibling in the Murray family whose wedding I have photographed.  It’s so fun feeling like part of the family at a wedding.  And the Murray family always makes me feel like family!

Cameron and Annabelle’s wedding was inspired by Annabelle’s fascination of old treasures and trinkets.  In particular, it was old books that caught Annabelle’s eye as she perused her local flea market.  She knew she had to incorporate them into her wedding.

Once she saw this tutorial on 100 Layer Cake she knew that’s how the books would be incorporated into her wedding.  Annabelle, Cameron, and a few of her bridesmaids spent countless hours making over 400 paper flowers.  They were used in the bouquets, boutonnieres, and center pieces.  They were amazing.  Because at first glance you didn’t even notice they were paper.  Murrieta Flower Girl did a great job incorporating the paper flowers with real flowers.

I love how Annabelle said, “Inspiration is everywhere for me. With that, my countless arts & craft nights combined with great bonding time and just plain ol’ everyday adventures gave me the clarity that ultimately became … our wedding”.

The whole wedding was just spectacular and magical.  I’m so happy I could be a part of it!  Here’s the slideshow!

Yummy cupcakes by Hey There Cupcake!

The Bittels

I had so much fun getting to know them and capturing the dynamics of their family.

There is clearly SO much love in this family for one another.  But, at the same time, there is that sibling love/hate relationship.  It’s so interesting to see how 4 kids in the same family can be so similar and so different at the same time.

Ivy is the oldest.  She is 13 and loves My Chemical Romance.  She is tall and beautiful.  Both inside and out.

Wyatt is 8.  He has amazing hair.  He’s a sweet boy, but don’t ever call him Wayde.  He does not like to be called Wayde

Casen is the baby.  He likes attention   He worships the ground his older sister walks on and the feeling isn’t always mutual.

Zaine is 11.  He loves video games and is a picky eater.  He is a rule follower.  Just like me.  I always follow all the rules.  Except when possibly trespassing to get the perfect shot   Note to self:  Don’t tell Zaine if we are possibly trespassing on our next shoot! Tiffany and Dave are so much fun.  They’ve been together since Tiffany was a senior in high school.  Their love for one another and their family is so evident!

Thanks Peek family!  I had a great time getting to know you!  Here’s your slideshow!

2 days

1 paper mache snowman

A little snow

1 beautifully styled session by the amazing Julie Carson (Yes.  She made the signs, bunting AND paper mache snowman!  Seriously, didn’t she rock it?)

Tons of fun!

Thanks to all of the amazing families who came out and participated in the mini sessions!  I had a blast and I hope you all did too!

PS  Special thanks to Amy, Jason, and Baby Shane for giving up your weekend to help.  Couldn’t have done it without you!!!

This was the first time I had met Jiji’s husband, Ash, and they are just meant for each other. He’s such a fun dad and loves his girls. Ash swears that he will be Kayla’s date to the prom in about 15 years so he loves to practice slow dancing with her. They also love reading ESPN together too Love it!

Thank you Jiji and Ash for allowing me to document this time in your lives. Your family is beautiful and let’s not go another 13 years without seeing each other! Here’s your slideshow and happy 1st birthday to Kayla!

Here’s the Home Alone face

Sarah and I went to junior high and high school together.  She was a swimmer, very tall, drove a rad maroon car (was it a Mustang?) and wore the coolest red glasses while working at Rubys.  Unlike most girls in high school, I don’t ever remember there being any drama with Sarah.  She was always a good friend.  Even letting me borrow her ID so I could get into the 18 and over clubs since I was so young

When I started my photography business she was one of my first supporters.  She hired me to shoot her engagement pictures at Disneyland (a.  I can’t believe I just posted my old blog for the whole world to see and b. Don’t laugh at the selected color.  It was 2006, people!).   She’s one of the people who believed in me before I’m sure I even believed in myself. And for that I will forever be grateful.

Now we have girls that are practically the same age, which I think is so fun.  I hope they will also be friends.

Sarah and Mark are SO in love with Lilly.  I will admit it.  I totally teared up while taking some of the pictures of the three of them together.  I had to hide behind my camera so they didn’t see.  The ones where Mark is hugging Sarah from behind got me.  The way Mark was hugging Sarah so tight.  And they way they were both so proud of their baby girl.  I was so happy for them.  You could just feel their love.

Congratulations, Mark and Sarah!  Thank you for allowing me to shoot Lilly’s first pictures!  Can’t wait to capture your family grow over the next year!