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!

amazing aimée • dance portraits

beauty & boudoir, dance, outdoors

I had just done portraits for Aimée’s son Marco, & she asked about doing some headshots for a project she is working on–choreography to the poetry of Rumi.  I was so excited by the idea of creating portraits that would be interpretations of Aimée as the poetry–romantic, magical, mystical, earthy, sexy, dramatic.  I had such an inspired session with her–and was so impressed by how game & courageous she was to move & expand into these different versions of herself. Make-up artist, Lizette Perez, created two distinct looks for Aimée, & she embodied both with such ease. Between locations, Aimée &  talked about Life–and in these portraits, I hope that she sees what a butterfly emerging she truly is…This post features a few from our first segment, which included a hike up a hill–a perfect metaphor for just the beginning of our visual, poetic, & collaborative journey…

…wood nymph…

…mesmerizing gypsy…

…simple poetry…

…shimmering crescendo…

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!

kathy • boudoir session

beauty & boudoir, outdoors

Kathy is that stunning woman you envy for her beauty–and then she tells a totally low-brow, dirty joke & tells it well, & then you love her!  She was so fun to shoot, because she didn’t take herself too seriously.  She’s undeniably gorgeous, so no matter how much we laughed in-between shots, she made my work look good!

coy + dangerous = the perfect Eve