three generations • the sutarwala family

little ones, outdoors, we are family

Tasneem is another wonderful mommy friend I met through our children’s school in Redondo Beach. I was so excited to be asked to do a big family portrait of three generations of the Sutarwala clan, her husband, Shahzad’s side of their family. We had a gorgeous, sunny, SoCal day and a big open space all to ourselves. Tasneem & Shahzad’s two beautiful kids, Kian & Zaara, were full of energy–I got to know Kian’s big smile & Zaara’s coy one. Shahzad’s sister, Seema, & her husband Jay, joined us from Pasadena with their dog Achilles. And Shahzad’s lovely parents, Zafar & Nasreen, were the regal grandparents. It was such an honor to spend time with them & have the opportunity to chronicle their family tree…

Nasreen & Zafar have been married for more than four decades…

When I asked them to hold hands, Zafar said, “We’ve been doing this for almost 50 years…” And they laughed that I was taking so many pictures of them. Tasneem pointed out that they didn’t have a professional photographer at their wedding, so it was appropriate. Zafar got a bit misty-eyed, and behind the lens, so did I…

farewell to SoCal • the taka family

little ones, outdoors, we are family

Azusa & Tamehiko invited me to their home & its surroundings to commemorate their time living in Rancho Palos Verdes with their two sweet boys, Kei and Rui. In early July, they relocated to the Midwest, & they wanted to take with them some memories of Kei’s favorite places near their home. We had a wonderful, easy time, walking around while Kei showed me his favorite daisies, his “hopping stones,” & of course, his speedy tricycle. Kei and my daughters attend the same preschool, & I only wish that our families had hung out more! I will miss seeing his smiling face and talking with Azusa…I hope these photos will always remind them of their happy years in SoCal…Bon Voyage, Taka Family!

the wirsig family • beach portraits

beach, little ones, outdoors, we are family

The first time I met up to shoot Heather & Johnny’s family, the winds were gusting and the coast was a brisk 60 degrees! We were caught by surprise–the sun was shining beautifully, & we all anticipated a perfect So Cal day…but no go. So as they say in Hollywood, “Take two!” Our second meeting was warm & overcast–great conditions for being on the shore & shooting. Their daughters Taylor & Maliah were totally natural in front of the camera, fearless in the cool water. And little Noah was such a lovebug, mellow & so agreeable, just contentedly falling asleep in the embrace of his parents & sister to the sound of the waves. I hope I captured what a warm & loving family this is! They were a joy to shoot!

mother’s tea • riviera playschool

little ones, outdoors, preschool

It’s a great privilege for me to be the “un-official official” photographer for my daughters’ school, Riviera PlaySchool in Redondo Beach. It’s truly a magical, free, cozy little paradise for children & their parents. I can’t say enough about what an extraordinary place it is–a sanctuary of joy & childhood that celebrates individuality & teaches children how to embrace their own emotions & how to get their needs met, & ultimately how to be kind to each other. If I had to sum up the school’s philosophy in one sentence, I think it would be, “For children to learn compassion, they must experience & be shown compassion.” What they do there everyday with our kids is show them how to honor themselves & thus others & the world around them.

For Mother’s Day, the children & teachers organized a “tea” to share with their parents. It included an exciting episode of Show & Tell, as well as pb&j sandwiches, obviously cut into heart & star shapes by little loving hands. It was my honor to try to capture some photos of the children with their moms (& some dads & grammas).

A most heartfelt thank you to Linda, the director, & all the wonderful teachers at RPS!