little bells • the corter-bell kids & family • palos verdes estates, ca

little ones, we are family

Ah, my good friends, the Corter-Bells! We have known each other on the crazy journey of parenthood for the last six years. We met through our wonderful mutual friends, Karen & Jason, who encouraged us to get together when Alithea & I were pregnant with our first babies. We both shared an interest in homebirthing & natural health–Alithea & Bryen are both chiropractors who have contributed so much in healing & education to their larger communities. Every year, I get to update their family photos–once in the late winter for Chinese New Year & the children’s birthdays, & once in late fall for the holidays. This year, because I had a newborn in February, we had to put off their first session. So, we finally got around to it this month! So much fun watching these kids grow up…

peach beach • the hockensmith family • torrance, ca

beach, little ones, we are family

I’ve had the special pleasure of photographing the Hockensmiths twice a year for the last three years–& it’s been amazing to watch as their baby girls have grown into big girls! Haley is a spunky monkey who loves sports & dance. Hannah is a girlie girl, just as dainty & discerning as a modern-day princess. Their parents, Jacque & LeRoy are the type of parents who so have it together–they’ve always got a plan, execute it with style, & pay attention to the details. I always wish we had more time just to hang out as pals, but I just feel lucky to see them when we can! This session was a treat–on the beach on a perfect SoCal afternoon, the balmy breeze blowing us gently into almost sunset. We took our time & enjoyed the warmth & our little wedge of sand. Jacque & LeRoy got to play with the girls, & I got to capture their laughter & love. Sweet!

See the {Holiday Hockensmiths}!

under a shady tree, you & me • zoë’s first day of kindergarten

little ones, personal

Through the perseverance & vision of a handful of parents in our community, The Knowing Garden celebrated their first day of school on Monday, September 12, 2011! Zoë had spent two blissful years at Riviera PlaySchool, & when the time came for her to go to kindergarten, I wished that she could continue her education in a similar environment of constructivist methodologies, cooperative learning, student-centered exploration, & whole child philosophies. I especially hoped for a school in which the teacher-student ratio would be favorably low. Other parents from Riviera PlaySchool hoped for the same–& they courageously embarked on a year-long journey of forming a private school driven by these ideas. We are so grateful for their hard work in bringing this school into being! And we have the opportunity as parents to be involved hands-on & to contribute our own talents & gifts. Max & I had long considered home-schooling, but the reality of our schedules with three children left us feeling a bit daunted. Now, we feel like we have the best of both worlds–a school that practices the values we embrace at home, a community of parents that share the responsibility of educating our children, & an enthusiastic, creative teacher who is clearly in love with this age group.

The first week, a location was being finalized for the school, so the class met at a local park. I was so excited to see them meeting in the shade of a glorious old tree, the sunshine glowing around them…

sunshine sisters • kiana & quin • palos verdes estates, ca

little ones, we are family

Ah, sisters. I’m ever fascinated by how sisters interact, how they can be at once the closest of pals, and the next second embroiled in a battle over something seemingly so trivial that they won’t even remember it tomorrow. Perhaps it’s the biological hard-wiring to perceive our sisters as competition for resources–or mates. In my family, there are just my sister & me, separated by almost six years. My own daughters are 23 months apart. And these gorgeous girls are Kiana (8.5) & Quin (6.5), daughters of Lilavati, a mom who exudes both power & gentleness in equal parts. In just the little time I spent with Kiana & Quin, I could see how amazingly different siblings can be–& observe the ever shifting dynamic of love & mischief between them! I had such a great time just watching them be with each other, near each other–& then see them through the lens on their own, each with her special essence. Like when a chef puts two distinctly unique flavors together in an unpredictable combination–the pairing creates something special & rare & delicious. And this day was full of the hot sun, shining down on these two radiant creatures. They seemed to glow with the magic & contradictions of girlhood–at once of nature & this world, yet also ethereal..