Cute Canadians

I love photographing families with little ones in their home because it's easy to get out a book to take a few quiet moments to read, grab a snack if needed, change clothes and really just let kids be kids.  I met up with this adorable family of 3 and took advantage of late afternoon light in their beautiful yard as well as some family shots indoors while we waited for the wind to calm down.  Little Abbey was a great adventurer and a joy to chase after with my lens. 

Happy New Year

2010 has arrived.  Ely and I took some time away between Christmas and New Years and this shot stood out for me.  It reminded me of the Gaelic blessing I've inserted in the scene.  

Wishing you and yours a very blessed 2010!

Thank you for your comments

In the month of November, I promised to donate a canned good for every comment left on the blog.  Thank you to everyone who made a "donation".  In my mind, I pictured collecting a pile of cans to drop off somewhere, but upon investigation found that the Los Angeles Food Bank was trying to collect monetary donations in December rather than hosting canned good drives as a means of cutting expenses (canned good drives require manpower, transport, storage, etc).  So I made a dollar donation to the food bank for each comment- in the end, it's enough for 88 meals over the holidays.  

Since I don't have canned goods to photograph, I thought I'd share another photo of my niece.  My sister was determined to capture her tiny little feet even though she wanted to kick anytime we attempted to!  

Thanks again!

December Whirlwind

December always seem to sneak up even though there are 11 months to prepare for it.  It's been a whirlwind of family sessions, custom card creation and some corporate work these last few weeks.  Happily, I did manage to do Christmas cards for us this year and I am momentarily sitting down to address them.  

This will be the first year I do not spend Christmas with my family in Ohio.  I'm sad thinking about it, but I also am happy Ely and I can spend a Christmas starting some of our own traditions and visiting some of his aunts and cousins.  I find myself imagining some of the beautiful moments I've captured for families this year when I miss my own.  I'd love to put a collage together of the year but that might be ambitious between now and next week.    I never blogged a holiday session that the image below comes from.  They printed a canvas for grandma...I was tempted to keep it for myself!

 

Meet my Niece

Ely and I traveled to Loveland, CO this Thanksgiving to spend time with my family.  It was our introduction to Riley Anne, my niece.  She is five weeks old and completely irresistible.  There is still some debate whether she'll be a carrot top, but I think it's beyond question in these photos.  She has blue eyes like her mom and dad, is most content sleeping against someone's chest and makes the sweetest noises in her sleep.  She was fascinated with Ely (we think it was his dark hair) almost as much as we were all fascinated with her. The weekend was a combination of me sneaking pictures of the way Grandpa held her or the way we'd watch her stretch as well as more intentional time posing and getting some portraits.   We'll be back to visit in March and we can't wait.  

Megan might not love me posting this as she was still in her pjs and not ready, but Riley's eyes are so captivating... 

 Maybe she was tired of photos at this point....

This is the last day of my campaign "Cans for Comments" so please take a minute to go back to the top of the post and leave a "donation".  Thank you!  

Beach Session

This is my last holiday session for the year.  While the original plan was to head somewhere with fall foliage, we ended up heading to Santa Monica Pier.  I just love late afternoon light and the softness it can create.   These faces should be familiar since I shot the family for Tanner's six month photos early in the year.  

Happy Thanksgiving!  Next post you'll meet my new niece!   Off to the airport....

Family Session at LACMA

This family was one of the first I worked with in 2009 and they are one of my last holiday sessions of the year. Without them, I don't know where I'd be as they've become friends of ours through church and they have offered me words of thank, praise and affirmation when I needed them.

The girls have shown up on the blog a few times actually, every time their eyes are bewitching and their personalities irresistible and charming.  I can't believe how much they've grown in a year.  The youngest was tentatively walking at the beach in January and wouldn't say a word to me but now she is dancing (wiggle, wiggle, wiggle) and gave me the name "Ernie".  She was anxious for me to not fall too far behind during our session around LACMA (6th photo down is her waiting for me:).  

The Urban Light Sculpture is a kid's playground to be sure.  These two kept us on the run!

I couldn't resist sharing Mom's beautiful laugh here- the girls were having a lollipop break and sitting on dad's shoulders didn't quite fit into Natalie's plan...

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...