outdoors

fabulous four • the canley family • los angeles, ca

little ones, we are family

The last time I got to do pictures with the Canleys, little baby girl Mayson was just weeks old, & she pretty much dozed her way through the session. I had also had the pleasure of doing pregnancy portraits for Vanessa & Bryan when they were awaiting Mayson, & just looking at those two good-lookin’ parents, I knew that their kids would be knockouts! Now, they are a family of four, & I was so right—it simply should be legal that one family be so gorgeous!! Mayson is a sassy, silly, graceful gal with a mop top of curls that makes my hair weep with jealousy. Lucas is just sweet & charming, & ready for anything fun. I had a wonderful time catching up with them & getting to play with these amazing kids. I so wish we lived closer for more playdates!!

balance {一} • wang shifu • shaolin temple kung fu

beach, martial arts, outdoors, sports

This is my third installment of my project with Shifu Wang Bo of Shaolin Temple Kung Fu. We had such a rich morning of shooting: the location was inspiring for us both, & I used it to structure our session. I showed Wang Shifu three areas that I wanted to use, & I asked him to choose which weapons he wanted for each one. For the enclosed space of the cave, he chose the shorter weapons, & out in this open space on the very precipice of the cliff above the ocean, he chose to use the longest—the staff. I had been shooting at close range, but for these shots, I wanted to go wider, which involved me climbing down & away from him. From even quite a distance, Wang Shifu’s dynamic presence & expressions in face, body, & movement were as arresting as from close up. And he was at once part of his surroundings, & yet also like a dancer upon a stage—no matter the gorgeous set, your eye is drawn to him…

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.