we are family

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…} 

the rice family

outdoors, we are family

I was incredibly honored when Nikki asked me to do her family portraits, a gift for her mother’s 60th birthday.  I met Nikki when she was my student teacher, & for a year, we shared three beginning & two advanced high school photography classes.  Nikki’s presence brought sanity & humor to my day–always beginning with the Mountain Dew she would be drinking before 9 AM.  She & her husband Dave officially spell their last name with an “!”.  They are two of the wittiest, most exuberant, most prolifically creative people I will ever know–and they are a perfect match.  When I asked her about her family, so I could plan the shoot, she described them as “Pacific Northwest people” who were lovers of board games & the Mariners.  She also wrote, “We tend to be a bit goofy. Shocking, I know.” I couldn’t wait to meet them & do their portraits!

So, I scoured nearby places for a Washington State kind of feel, & we ended up with an easy-going, down-to-earth, just a little bit goofy, super fun, outdoors session.  Her parents were so warm & friendly, & so clearly, affectionately, romantically still in love after decades of marriage–such a inspiration.  And Nikki’s brother Jesse and his fiancée Pari are in the midst of wedding planning–so exciting!  I had a great time–and I think they all did too…

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!