at home

finale • fourth of july 2011

events, holidays, little ones, personal, we are family

Every year, we invite family & friends to potluck & enjoy front row seats to see the local fireworks from the balcony of my parents’ house. It’s a late-night gathering, because the fireworks display begins after it’s completely dark–usually around 9:30 PM. As the kids get older, they are more likely to stay awake long enough to see what all the excitement’s about, but every year, there’s at least one littl’un that succumbs to sleep before (or sometimes during) the show. This was my favorite pic from our party this year: Sweet Neave asleep on her Daddy’s shoulder, her parents trying to beat the traffic & heading out before the show was over. In the background, you can see the finale; the foreground, Chris & Shannon catching one last glimpse before heading home at the end of a three-day weekend…

laleh & kaveh • the shannon-noghreh family welcomes twins!

little ones, we are family

In January, I had the pleasure of doing pregnancy portraits for my dear friend, Linda. Two weeks ago, her twins arrived via natural childbirth! “Baby A” became beautiful boy Kaveh, & “Baby B” is the lovely little girl Laleh. Linda is an amazing woman who makes having twins, nursing twins, diapering twins, & all manner of caring for twins look like a walk in the park. She is so vivacious & full of joy & humor. These babies are so lucky to join this family of Linda, Kamboud, & big brother Kian. I can’t wait to chronicle the growth & change of these beautiful children & this wonderful family. In these photos, Kaveh alternated between being asleep & milk-drunk, & Laleh was all alert, eyes open & taking it all in…

Kam & Kaveh, & their identical profiles…

This image below is a special one, because the backdrop is a Persian carpet given to Linda & Kam from Kam’s mother who carried it all the way here from Iran…

waiting for ting-ting • the hsieh-schumacher family

little ones, outdoors, pregnancy, we are family

Yvonne is an looooong-time friend of my sister’s; they’ve known each other since fifth grade! Over the years, I have gotten to chronicle the friendship among nine of their classmates. Now, most of them are married with children, & every so often I get to marvel at how my little sister’s friends are all grown up. Luckily, Yvonne and her family live in Los Angeles, so I get to see them & shoot them regularly. Recently, Yvonne was a featured model for Belly Armor, a company that makes blankets & clothing for pregnant moms to shield their unborn babies from the effects of everyday radiation from cellphones & laptops. The company was founded by another one of my sister & Yvonne’s childhood friends, an entrepreneur & mom, Aileen. I got to shoot all their new product photography–a pleasure & an honor to be an involved with such a visionary company! And my follow-up was a pregnancy shoot with Yvonne, her husband David, & their older daughter Sonia. In just a few weeks, they’ll be welcoming Baby Sister!

marco • kid warrior

little ones, outdoors

Marco & his mom Aimée are true free spirits.  My photo sessions with them are always spontaneous & led by Marco’s interests & energy.  A year ago, he dressed himself in camo and a motorcycle helmet, as well as took me for a dip in his jacuzzi, dressed in a wetsuit & life-jacket.  This year, he acquiesced to a white polo shirt & khakis for a parade of weapons (including bow & arrow, sword, marshmallow shooter, & a “real hammer”), as well as for an impromptu climb up an orange tree.  And, like last year, he gave me a run for my money shooting him on his trampoline…doffing his preppy outfit for just striped undies.  I was so excited to shoot him again this year, & this is why!