babies

awaiting baby sister • the chiwata family pregnancy portraits

little ones, outdoors, pregnancy, studio, we are family

Yoshie is good friends with Nami Mizoguchi, whom I shot just a couple weeks ago; they were both pregnant & were due around the same time (Nami’s baby boy Ray has since arrived!). I was so happy to be asked to do Yoshie’s pregnancy portraits after she saw Nami’s & liked them.  I had such fun with Yoshie, her husband Hiroyuki, & their daughter Sakura–who was just the sweetest little blossom! When I met Yoshie to go over her wardrobe, she said, “I don’t have much black or white” (which is what I often suggest); instead, she had lots & lots of floral prints, because they used to live in Hawaii. I said, “We HAVE to do one outfit with the flowers–it’s so you!” So, we did, & I’m so glad, because the bright colors reflect their joy & unique tastes. I think I have a whole new attitude toward prints!  Thank you, Chiwatas, for a wonderful morning! I can’t wait to hear the good news of Baby Sister’s arrival!

welcoming olivia • the thelen family

little ones, pregnancy, we are family

I had the pleasure of doing Amy’s pregnancy portraits just a couple months ago, & now I’ve had the chance to capture the new blossom on their family tree–Olivia!  We had a very relaxed session in their beautiful home in Manhattan Beach, full of light & fresh air.  Big brother Carter got to snuggle Olivia for some sweet sibling shots, and the boys got their chance to show off their handsome good looks together too. Amy is an avid knitter, & she has the most vibrant, impressive collection of yarn I have ever seen!  We celebrate her hobby & her little girl by including them together in our favorite set-up of the day.  {If you look closely, you’ll see that the little pair of pants Amy was knitting in her pregnancy portraits is all finished! A perfect metaphor for motherhood…} 

baby luca

little ones, studio, we are family

I was so flattered when Sara drove all the way up from Orange County to have me do her son’s three-month portraits.  Baby Luca was a dream–from the big lashy eyes to his mellow ‘tude to the impressive head of hair (that would have made JFK Jr. envious).  Luca just had this “aw shucks” look about him, as if to say, “I know the ladies love me.”  Here are a few of my faves–and thanks again to Kimmy for the referral!  I had such a great time with Sara & her big smile; I can’t wait to see her (& Luca) again!

little tigers • the corter-bell kids

holidays, little ones, studio, we are family

Our very close friends, the Corter-Bells, are subjects I have gotten to shoot regularly since their first-born daughter, Mikayla, was just about a year old.  Since then, they’ve become a family of four, with the addition of son Connor.  This February, we did a few pix to commemorate Connor’s second birthday, Mikayla’s fourth birthday & Chinese New Year. Happy Year of the Tiger–rowr!