Cupcake and Giggles

Last weekend I put my rolling camera bag to use and headed to North Carolina to visit friends and meet up with a family with 2 1/2 year old twins (I know Matt's brother through a friend in Ohio).  We kept changing our meeting time to try to avoid the rainy weather and were blessed with a beautiful Sunday in Chapel Hill.  I would make another trip there in November to see the fall color in a heartbeat and would love to find someone willing to meet me in the country and walk through the fields (preferably in some bright colored rubber boots!) 

Ella Carsyn and Aulden were irresistibly cute.  I've nicknamed them Cupcake and Giggles for this post. Cupcake, with big brown eyes just like her mom, gave me the biggest smile whenever we mentioned cupcakes.  She was full of life and outgoing and loved running "to get me".  Aulden, with bright blue eyes like daddy, had the best giggle and sweetest smile.  

Thank you for introducing me to your beautiful family.  

(Don't forget to leave a comment- I'll donated a canned good for every one I collect in November)

Couldn't resist this tired moment from Giggles...

Family of Five at Temescal Canyon

If having teenagers and pre-teens was guaranteed to look like this, I think I'd worry a lot less!  This weekend I met up with this family of five.  The oldest son is an aspiring photographer and it was pure torture to have to put his camera down and get in the pictures.  The daughter is relentless in her pleading for her own camera for Christmas.  The youngest wanted to get dirty and slide down any and every available hill.  They came prepared to enjoy the park- soccer ball, lacrosse sticks and snacks.   

These are the oldest kids I've worked with as a family and it was the first time I could direct facial expressions, tug-of-war (which required little effort on Dad's part), cartwheels and just plan getting dirty and enjoying a beautiful afternoon in the park.

I also had my first injury- we had finished shooting but while tossing the football Terry jammed her finger. My fingers are crossed that she'll hear the laughter when she looks at these images and forget the pain!

Thanks guys- here's a few of my favorites...

Don't forget to leave a comment for "Cans for Comments"

 

Cans for Comments

November is the beginning of the holiday season.  The beginning of a time of thanks.  A time to remember your blessings and give to those less fortunate.  The bulletin at church keeps reminding me that as Thanksgiving approaches, more and more homeless show up to be feed at the Tuesday afternoon meal.  While I may have to deal with craziness at the airport to visit family, crowds at the malls, worse L.A. driving than usual and trying to figure out what to get my uncle (he's impossible to shop for!), one thing I do not worry about during the holidays is going hungry.  Last year, I was inspired by Baltimore/DC area photographer Meaghan Elliot with a campaign called "Cans for Comments" and I've decided to launch my own campaign this year.  

It's simple.  For ever comment I collect on the blog in the month of November I will donate a canned good to a local food bank.  I will take a picture of my can collection and post on the blog before donation -  I'm hoping to need a wide angle lens to capture them all!  

Comments don't have to be about my photography- share a quote or something you're thankful for in life. There's a link in green beside each post title for the comments page.  

Thank you in advance for your "donation"!

Favorite Things

While raindrops on roses and brown paper packages tied up with string are lovely, I'm not sure they are my favorite things.  One of my favorite things when it comes to photography is the sound of laughter echoing off an image.  The sweetness you can see between a man and a women in love.  The magic of an almost tear in someone's eye.  

I also love life as art.  Ely and I did a portrait session for our anniversary in London and we have a 18 x 30 image now hanging in our living room that always puts our day in prospective and brings a smile to our face. I'll save it for another post but I share these instead....

My first holiday card order...

A 30 x 40 canvas in a client's home that makes me think of "my favorite things"...

A look at my flush mounted albums.  They are beautiful and I hope to incorporate them more next year in my packages.  

Happy Birthday Hayden

In Hawaiian culture, the first birthday of the first born, especially a son, is special cause for celebration.  Lisa asked me to photograph Hayden's birthday a couple months ago and I was excited to be a part of another milestone (his baptism is here). Family, friends and lots of little ones decked out in costume joined in the celebration. Lisa and Harry hosted the party at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica.  The room was washed in light and even came with its own bean bags.  

Of course there was cake and singing.  There was also musical entertainment for the kids provided by Toodle Tunes.  It took Hayden a few bites to warm to the cake but he was a sticky mess in no time.  Lisa had a beautiful glow about her the whole day.  A proud and happy mama.  It was a beautiful celebration of life, love and laugher.  

 

Afternoon in the Park

It was a love story that started with studying for the New York bar.  Cristina decided to come to L.A. to stay with her sister to study.  A job and all her things were awaiting her in Manhattan.  But one night changed all that. Cristina met Collin.  New York lost out.  Eight months ago two became three when their daughter arrived.  

Besides being blessed with style, charm and gorgeous smiles, this family has the bluest eyes I've yet to capture. There are blue eyes and then there are Rowan's blue eyes.  She gets them honestly from her mom.  We had a wonderful afternoon at the park...

Christmas is almost here!

I have never started planning for Christmas in October, but Ely and I are working on our Christmas card.  I didn't even send any last year, so the sooner the better!  Not only are we planning and scheming for ours, but I have some design previews for any clients interested in ordering cards.  Below are the 5 x 7 or 5 x 5 folded designs.  If you are interested in a family session before the holidays, be sure to contact me soon to schedule!