li’l pun’kins • the buccolo family • palos verdes estates, ca

little ones, pregnancy, we are family

I had the pleasure of getting connected with Gina through our mutual midwife, Diane Dawson—& it’s always so wonderful to meet other moms through friends. Gina is a true Renaissance woman—a working mother who somehow finds time to take pastry classes & blog her thoughts & information about the sustainable lifestyle. And she manages to be super chill & easy-going too! Her husband Jeff & their beautiful boys Thomas & Theodore joined her for her Beautiful Belly Pregnancy Portrait session. We all headed outside in the glowing, late-afternoon light for a little hike down the trail. It was a gorgeous autumn afternoon—perfect for capturing Gina’s flowing hair, her pregnant curves, & the family just having fun together.

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…

the little red dress • holiday portraits

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

Ah, the holiday dress! Every year, the little princesses arrive, dolled up by their mommies, in the most beautiful taffetas, silks, & chiffons. This year, I thought I might show off a little selection of The Little Red Dress. The holiday spirit gets festive–and frilly!

red hot holidays • the corter-bell family

holidays, little ones, outdoors, we are family

I met Alithea & Bryen through mutual friends Karen & Jason over five years ago. Karen introduced me to Alithea, because she thought we’d have a lot in common–including being pregnant at the same time! Now, it’s been five years, six pregnancies (all but one of them simultaneous) & four kids between the two of us! In addition to growing a wonderful friendship of mutual support & lots of shared philosophies, I’ve also had the pleasure of capturing their family in pictures for births, holidays, & “just because” with lots of regularity. Theirs is one of the last families I’m shooting this holiday season, since I’m on maternity leave through the spring. And as usual, it was a fun, high-energy shoot, followed by a great playdate, great conversation, & lots of snacking. Good times!