impromptu • cuevas family • pregnancy portraits

outdoors, pregnancy, we are family

Freedom lately has meant not having my youngest baby strapped to my chest at a party–because it means that I can snap away with my camera without the added 18 pounds of chub! And being more quick & agile on my feet means I’m able to take advantage of the gorgeous late-day light & the as-yet unphotographed belly of my friend Erin, who is due in August with Baby #3. We were both attending the birthday party for our mutual friend’s little girl, & as the day stretched out into the early evening, the sun stayed warm & hovered just above the tree line, bathing us all in the glow of summer. I had done pregnancy portraits for Erin almost two years ago when she was pregnant with Jack (the beautiful boy you see below), & this time, she didn’t have any real plans for formal portraits. So, I just asked her to stand in the sun for me, & I clicked away as she, Jack, & hubby Frank laughed & played & hugged (daughter Sienna was off with the other kids). And oh, how much I love these impromptu portraits…

And this was Jack, informing us all, “I’m tired…”

stars & dots • independence day weekend 2011

events, outdoors, personal, we are family

This Fourth of July weekend was truly the epitome of summer holidays. We kicked off the good times by celebrating our friends’ daughter’s second birthday; they hosted the most mellow, late-afternoon gathering at their beautiful home. The backyard was full of that yellow sunshine that backlights everything with the most glorious glow, & as the afternoon wore on, I settled into this deep bliss in the company of good friends, surrounded by the laughter of all our children playing together happily. Suh-weet…

hot/pink • the davenport-paysinger family • manhattan beach, ca

little ones, outdoors, we are family

Finally some real summer weather, & I got to enjoy it outdoors with Coleen & Vonzie! It was a gorgeous, SoCal Saturday, & a three-day holiday weekend. I haven’t had the pleasure of doing portraits for their family since Christmas two years ago, so this was a real treat, especially to see how their two girls, Reina & Maya have grown. What beauties! And such dynamic & distinct personalities. Coleen & I got to marveling at how daughters from the same two people could have such differing ways of approaching and processing the world. (I don’t know why I still find this so mind-boggling; after all, I didn’t think that my kids would just be clones of us or each other…did I?)

I’ve known Coleen & Vonzie for many years, having “grown up” in our teaching careers at the same school. It’s been so wonderful to stay in touch & share the trials & triumphs, tears & laughter about parenting. They are both very athletic & have careers in sports education; their students are so lucky to have had their guidance & care for many years. Reina has been channeling those genetic talents into dance, & Maya is going to be chasing her big sister & giving her a run for the money soon!

Despite the hot sun, this family turned on the charm & snuggling, & it was a great kick-off to their well-deserved summer vacation!

BHHS BFF • sarah, amy, marla, & coleen • manhattan beach, ca

beach, beauty & boudoir, outdoors

This shoot has inspired me to create a new package for my clients: the “BFF” Package, as in Best Friends Forever! And perhaps I should also design a “Farewell LA” package, since this session too was created because yet another long-time LA resident is leaving us for new adventures elsewhere. In this case, recently married Sarah is off with hubby to return to her Midwestern roots–as well as a great new house & new job. Her gal pals of more than a decade wanted to celebrate their friendship with some pro pix, & I was extra excited to shoot them, because they’re all old colleagues of mine from Beverly Hills High School; it was super special to commemorate their sexy smiles & fun friendship in these photographs. Amy was hoping to get “one really great group shot.” Well, I think we came away with more than just one!