ariel & kewpie • the hansen girls • palos verdes estates, ca

little ones, we are family

I met Kimberly & her husband Shawn through our mutual friend Cheryl; Cheryl & I had been neighbors for years & years, & Kim & Cheryl had gone to college together. I’ll always be grateful to Cheryl for introducing us, because Kim & I have gotten to share the motherhood journey from the very beginning. Her older daughter Kaylin was born just eight hours earlier than my Zoë. And after moving to the South Bay from the Westside of Los Angeles, I knew no one—until Kimmy so generously embraced us in her circle of mommy friends. She invited us to every playdate, called us, checked up on us, & continues to make efforts in friendship that I have let fall by the wayside as parenting took up more & more time. It is such a treat for me to do portraits for their two amazingly adorable daughters—Kaylin who has a cascade of red hair that is right out of a Disney princess movie, & Ashlyn who is the original Kewpie Doll come to life with her blue eyes as big as saucers & fine blond hair. I love being “auntie” to these two sweethearts!!

radiance, lustre, brightness • the madden-lennertz family • redondo beach, ca

little ones, we are family

Sometimes, I meet people & instantly feel like I must already have known them, & Shannon felt like that to me. She & husband Chris came into our lives via CrossFit when they moved to the South Bay & joined up at Max’s “box” (that’s “gym” in CrossFit-speak). We got to know each other on the beach during Saturday workouts when Shannon & Chris would kick ass while I watched the kids. Their little lady Neave is just a few months older than our second daughter, so we had a lot in common to talk about with parenting. And lucky me, soon I got to hang out with Shannon for playdates, & always I come away feeling like I can’t wait to see her again! Shannon is a humorous, witty conversationalist who is incredibly positive & energetic. Chris is a insanely talented & in-demand music composer for film & television. They are both dynamic, warm, generous souls who make people feel special just being with them. And their home is filled with art, laughter, great food, & comfort. Neave is growing up surrounded by music, dance, & so much love…