Tricia & I have known each other since birth; our moms are best friends from junior high school! Both our mothers were tickled blue this January, when Tricia & I gave birth to our sons within three days of each other. I was so honored & happy to celebrate the arrival of their Nicholas Maxwell with this session of portraits for Tricia, husband Josh, Baby Nicholas, & his grandparents on both sides, as well as Tricia’s brother & sister-in-law. The best part of the day, besides coming away with some treasured photographs, was just everyone hanging out together. We know that Baby Nicholas & Baby Zen will grow up to cause quite a bit of trouble together!
studio
3 + 2 = 5! • shannon-noghreh family pregnancy portraits
little ones, pregnancy, studio, we are familyI’m so lucky to know this woman, Linda. She is an extraordinary force of vision & compassion, & if it weren’t for her, I don’t know where I would ever have felt safe sending my girls to school for the first time. She has created a community of kindness around her in so many forms–not in the least being the preschool she has founded, Riviera PlaySchool, an unique environment based on the NVC method of communicating with children. Up until a couple weeks ago, Linda was expecting twins! And I myself was officially on maternity leave from shooting, but I just couldn’t not take her pictures, especially when she told me, “I’m just gonna go to the mall.” What?! No way, not when I have a chance to give back to her, just as she has given to me. All her friends love the first picture the most, saying, “It’s so Linda.” That big laugh–yes, indeed it is!
ecstatic • michelle • dance & pregnancy portraiture
beauty & boudoir, dance, little ones, pregnancy, studioI had to categorize these as both “dance” & “pregnancy” portraiture, because they most definitely are! Michelle & I have been friends since our days of dancing together at UCLA. We’ve known each other now more than half our lives, & this last fall, we celebrated our 40th birthdays in November. And to make the occasion even more special, we were both also just 3 weeks apart in our last pregnancies, & both expecting our third child. Michelle traveled down to LA to see me, & we took the opportunity to do some pictures–of course! Michelle has been one of my muses since our college years–her beauty is unique, timeless, exotic, romantic, & being a dancer, she moves with such grace & ease. During our photo session, she embodied the ecstatic feeling of carrying life inside her–and here these pictures I think celebrate the dance of life… 
baby luca
little ones, studio, we are familyI 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!
