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!!

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.

bellboys • the bell brothers & families • playa del rey, ca

little ones, we are family

Bryen & Michael Bell are hilarious. They always, always crack me up when we do pictures, because they are so much fun with their kids, & if you could see the eye-rolls they get from their wives! In fact, I wanted to title this post “ding-dongs,” & I think they would have loved it. It’s so great when dads really get into being photographed with their families, & these two dads bring on the goofiness & the one-ups-man-ship (check out the pic of them tossing their kids into the air–I think they were competing to see whose flew higher!). I’ve known Alithea & Bryen for six years now, & a couple years ago, I also had the pleasure of photographing Ann & Michael–& everyone together, including the four kids: Mikayla & Connor, & Bradley & Jettrin. How wonderful that those little cousins will grow up together, playing & wrestling & driving each other bonkers. Here’s to brotherhood & sisters-in-law & cousins & families getting together…

little bells • the corter-bell kids & family • palos verdes estates, ca

little ones, we are family

Ah, my good friends, the Corter-Bells! We have known each other on the crazy journey of parenthood for the last six years. We met through our wonderful mutual friends, Karen & Jason, who encouraged us to get together when Alithea & I were pregnant with our first babies. We both shared an interest in homebirthing & natural health–Alithea & Bryen are both chiropractors who have contributed so much in healing & education to their larger communities. Every year, I get to update their family photos–once in the late winter for Chinese New Year & the children’s birthdays, & once in late fall for the holidays. This year, because I had a newborn in February, we had to put off their first session. So, we finally got around to it this month! So much fun watching these kids grow up…