Baby Loving | Orange County Laguna Beach Maternity Photographer

"Cling to what is good." ~Romans 12

How true these words fit these three, soon to be four. So much sweet love and joy surrounds them. Lots of cuddles and kisses and all the things that make my photographer heart full. Laguna has been so cold lately. I mean, 58 degrees is borderline freezing for all us local Orange County people! ;-) But they totally rocked it without a single complaint. Empty beach, cold but sunny skies, low tide, and all this connection--I couldn't have asked for a better evening. And I cannot wait to watch their family grow! 

She Said Yes! | Orange County Family Photographer

SUCH a fun time capturing this family/surprise engagement session!! This mom contacted me about a photo session while they were vacationing here in Orange County (what better way to top off your trip to Disney than capturing some memories on the beach just 30 minutes away?!). She showed up all ready to make some memories, totally clueless as to the final plan which we had in the works. ;-) If you haven't guessed yet, I love real moments more than anything. And can it get any more real than this?? :-)  

So here we go, family photo time: 

Here I suggested that I grab a few of just the two of the. I just love the way she is fixing her dress here, totally oblivious as to what's about to happen. <3 

This guy was so excited!! And also probably one of the most kind hearted sweetest guys in the history of ever too! 

You Are My Happy | Orange County Laguna Beach Family Photographer

It's no secret that I love capturing joy. Watching families expressing their happiness with each other fills me like nothing else. Life with kids is hard work, and more often than not anything but glamorous. But behind jelly stained walls and missing socks are so often heard the sounds of soft giggles and belly laughters. I aim for both every time I pick my camera up. <3

Survivors | Orange County Family Photographer

High tide survivors right here! I realized the water was going to be at its peak right during sunset and gave them the option to switch to a beach with a bit more sand. They told me they didn't mind getting wet and I knew right then and there that we were going to get along just perfectly. ;-) And perfectly is right. My goodness I loved every bit of my time with them. 

One Boy One Weed | Laguna Beach OC Family Photographer

One boy, one weed, a whole evening of entertainment. Also, we wear Santa shirts all year long. :-) I've been on the hunt to find some new beaches here in Laguna. One that I somehow hoped wouldn't be known about by the rest of the millions who flock these sands. So far it looks like I just need to buy some private property--I'm up for donations of any kind. ;-) In the meantime though it's been fun getting out of the normal beach routine and mixing up the views a bit. 

Sometimes They Swim | Laguna Beach OC Family Photographer

Warning: ring a round the rosie may result in impromptu swimming lessons! All is good though as these two totally rocked the wet clothes. One of my very favorite things about living in Laguna is that I get to shoot at the beach all year long! And nothing quite beats those winter sessions where we get to enjoy the sand mostly to ourselves, and brave the cold, but still bearable waters together--whether intentionally or by mishap. ;-) 

Mom With A Camera | Laguna Beach OC Family Photographer

I often get asked if I went to school for photography but my degree is actually in completely unrelated theology. At least they rhyme though, right? I am a "mom with a camera" turned photographer. They're still my favorite people to shoot. Sadly, they never seem to pay the bills. ;-) Although I don't get them behind my lens so often these days they are still my biggest inspiration and the "why" behind each and every family session I shoot. 

I was brushing my daughter’s hair the other morning when she suddenly told me “Mom, you have the best job of all! You get to help people remember their memories. It’s what I’m going to do when I get big too.” I've been doing photography "professionally" for about two and a half years now. Finding the balance of being a work at home mom is admittingly something I am still trying to learn. But these fleeting moments I get to capture of my kids are gold to me. And to know I am able to do this same thing for someone else really gives the whole "job" thing an entire different meaning to me. 

I asked them here if they could spot any dolphins. What to my luck that two seals would happen to swim by at that very moment! :-) 

Momma and Me | Laguna Beach Family Photographer

"In the beginning there was my mother. A shape. A shape and a force, standing in the light. You could see her energy; it was visible in the air. Against any background, she stood out.” ~Marilyn Krysl
Mom and me sessions are quickly becoming my very favorite thing ever! I'm a mom of two so admittedly biased here, but there is just something so entirely unique and special about these. No shot list or must haves. No this grouping and that pairing. Just being. Together. With very gentle directions I watched their sweet happiness unfold.

If you've been considering a mom and me sess let me help you out: do it! ;-) Seriously though, it is something I don't think you will ever regret. <3  

Instagram's Top Pics for 2017 | Orange County Family Photographer

To be totally honest, I'm not much of a social media fan. I'm on the whole bandwagon of it making us lose personal connections, constantly comparing, and wasting way too much precious time. BUT the majority of my sessions this past year came straight from Instagram hashtags, and the amazing families I met make it 100% worth it for me! Another love is also the way I now follow and keep a little up to date on their lives and children's growth. It always makes it seem like I just saw them at the next photo session, even though in reality it has often been an entire year's time! 

I try to never base my love for a photo on the number of "likes" it generates, but still it was fun to see what pics made it to the top of my engagement this past year. Seems like beaches and babies are my thing, and I'm not complaining at all about that! There are also some pictures and me and mine sprinkled in there as well, usually at the beach of course. ;-) 

Would love to see you over there! I try to stay pretty active and current on it! @lifenowphotography

Sandy Feet | Orange County Family Photographer

One of my favorite things about beach photo sessions is watching babies experience the Ocean. I mean we all had a first time we felt sand, right? To be honest, not being from Orange County, mine was probably in the backyard sandbox. But still, I'm sure it was quite the experience! ;-) To be able to capture this simple and yet sweetest moments always fills me with so much joy. And this little guy was fascinated his entire time, captivated by all those roaring waves and foaming waters. And only four months old he gave me all the baby fever! 

Polar Bears | Orange County Family Photographer

My kids are half polar bear I swear. While the rest of Orange County is wearing jackets and boots they proudly skip into school with shorts and summer dresses. I force my daughter to put a loose sweater over top it walking in so I don't get a million stares. I have yet to pick her up with the sweater still on. ;-) And with that their idea this cold January evening came as no surprise to me. "Let's go swimming in the ocean!" Where they the only ones in the water? There were probably five other people at the beach total, all of which were in jackets and far from the shoreline. Did it make these shots so much more memorable and fun? Without a doubt. My little polar bears doing their thing. The water felt like ice which only added to their squeals of fun. In the end they probably lasted about 12 minutes, but what a magical 12 minutes it was! And no, I don't have waterproof casing for my camera. I guess I'm just as crazy as them. ;-) 

Fresh 48 | Orange County Newborn Photographer

Can I please just do a million and one hospital sessions this year?? I really don't even have the words to express how much I loved this morning with this fresh little bundle and her sweetest fam. Less than a day old there is really nothing so pure and beautiful as capturing all this new. And talking about firsts, this big brother meeting her for the very first time! I have never before felt so emotion taking photos as witnessing those first moments of him running into the room, proudly showing off his "big brother" sticker, and then spending the rest of his time with little sis either right in his arms or very close by. It was almost impossible to get a shot of mom or dad alone with sister, which was 100% ok by me! 

I love lifestyle newborn photography, but this is a whole new level of love for me. The light may not be perfect and nurses may interrupt you mid shot to do their thing. But it doesn't get any more real life than this. And nothing makes me happier. 

Hand Held | Laguna Beach Family Photographer

"For all the things my hands have held the best by far is you." Of all the details I enjoy about photography the one that makes me want to pick my camera up again and again is always connection. Those simple touches that families share without any second thoughts. Love so powerful it cannot be described in human words and yet love which flows so freely in the everyday moments of life. From running wildly into their momma's arms to gently tucking themselves into dad as their bodies tire down. Little moments never truly so little at all. <3

Winter Laguna Beaches | Orange County Family Photographer

Winter is by far one of my favorite seasons here in Orange County, because, firstly almost nothing in all the world makes me happier than Laguna's almost empty beaches! And also, hello partly cloudy skies!! This means blues and pinks and crazy soft good light that cannot be replicated otherwise. It's no secret that I LOVE color. I mean I don't even give black and whites because I'm so obsessed. And nothing makes me happier than a colorful beach. No better family to match it either. They were the kind of people you just enjoy being around, and their love for one another left me smiling the whole way through. 

Sweetest Grandma who helped watch the dog throughout and knew how to break it down in dance as well! I just love her! <3 

Sand For Turkey | Laguna Beach Family Photographer

Yes I am just now blogging a Thanksgiving Laguna session after New Year's! This fall left me with little time but to shoot, edit, and do laundry. Well, kind of do laundry, if you consider it washed and left in a perpetual basket until empty, done. I met SO many wonderful families though!! Like these three, who were visiting relatives for the Holiday. I didn't have any other days left that week so asked if they wanted to slip out for a little post Turkey shoot. I cannot tell you how happy I was about it either. Sweetest people ever, with the world's happiest baby. My goodness she melted me with all her joy. Gorgeous day, gorgeous light, gorgeous souls--I would trade sand for turkey any time with them. :-) 

Crazy Crowded Laguna Beaches | Orange County Family Photographer

People often comment on how it seems like I shoot at empty beaches. I will let you in on a secret: it's ALL an illusion! Yes, I do try to make things as "empty" as possible, shooting mostly only on weekdays and frequenting more of the "locals" Laguna hangouts rather than the tourist filled sands. BUT no beach is ever completely empty, especially from about May until December. And to be totally honest it can be so hard. I'm forever jealous of all those midwest shooters who find random fields of long green grass and trees and shoot till their heart's content, worrying about nothing but connection and composition. The whole time I'm trying to get these genuine moments of love I'm also dodging photo bombers and other photographers. But then again, those midwest shooters don't get this unmatched shoreline. ;-)

This sweetest family was visiting from out of state, having a little Thanksgiving getaway. We met on Black Friday. I figured everyone we would be busy shopping, or recuperating from shopping--and Turkey. Think again. My heart may or may not have literally fell into my stomach as we walked down the steps to the most crowded I have ever seen this particular Laguna spot. There were a million and one people literally right outside my frame. So close that if I would have shifted my camera one inch to the right this family would have had the throngs joining in on their family pics. But I kept things cropped tight, and we spent our entire time right down in the water, which was a win for me as nothing compares to that shoreline light. 

My very favorite thing though was them. And the way they forgot about everything else going on around us. They seemed to have only eyes for each other, and happiness that made me smile behind my camera the whole time. <3 

Photographer Burnout | Irvine Family Photographer

This past week concluded my last photo session of "busy season." I had started receiving more inquiries than ever before this fall and decided I would just go “all in” for a bit as ‘I’m so new to Cali it would be really good for my business.’ Without realizing it I somehow booked myself almost every day of the week for the past three months. I don’t do minis and I’m not a fast editor. I’ve been living breathing sleeping photography. I’ve cried and I’ve happy danced. I’ve met some of the most wonderful families you can imagine. I’ve grown. I’ve shrunk. I can no longer see my living room floor beneath the mess... I know that family photography is what I love. Just in moderation next time around. 🙃

And with all the burn out my photographer heart could handle I did the most practical solution one could think of and took more photos (*insert hand to forehead emoji here)! Seriously though, these people below, they are my everything, and the reason I started shooting in the first place. I was a mom with a camera turned family photographer. But still, mom with a camera is forever my favorite, and being able to step back and capture my loves with no direction or purpose filled my soul. My forever muses, doing our everyday life together. <3 

Beach Bumps | Orange County Maternity Photographer

Seriously, what better way to capture your pregnancy than at the beach? I know that I tend to say this about every type of family session, but maternity pics are one of my very favorites! There is just something so raw about all that beautiful unknown and anticipation. They have never seen their child's face, heard his voice, or felt his little touch, and yet they already love him with all the passion in the world. These parents are waiting on baby #2 and watching them with big sis leaves no doubt how loved this baby is going to be. 

I will also point out that if your considering a winter beach session, do it!! I did not photoshop out a single person here (insert a million dancing lady emojis here!) We met at Laguna on a weekday, and had the place almost entirely to ourselves. Not only is this soooo good for those wide landscape shots, but how much more comfortable are you without a million beach loungers staring at you the entire time? ;-) 

Skipping the Studio | Orange County Newborn Photographer

In home newborn sessions are one of my very favorite things to be a part of. The love and joy is so raw in those first few weeks as everyone is adjusting to this new life together. My favorite though is the way baby just seems to fit right in, like he was always meant to be there. And all mom and dad have to do is look at him for you to see how intensely they cherish his every last detail. 

These kinds of photos are quite different from a studio session. They are not polished and porcelain, posed and perfect. But they are real, and to me they are everything. Little moments that cannot be forced. Little faces and expressions all their own. Memories forgotten now there to look back at and remember years from now. Have I mentioned how much I love these yet? ;-) 

And so without further due, meet the C family: 

Letting Go of the "Cheese" Face | Laguna Beach Family Photographer

They told me this was their first time as a family of three to have professional photos taken. I cannot even begin to express how much it meant to me to be able to capture these memories for them. And I won't lie, Laguna also seemed to be thrilled, delivering one of its gorgeous skies. With this "first" came a very refreshing element for me, and that was their willingness to simply let things be. They didn't have a shot list in their head or a list of must haves. They really had no idea what a family photo session was supposed to look like and so they simply played and ran and got completely soaked, and it was everything beautiful. 

When I first started in photography I would try to memorize all these Pinterest perfect poses before heading to a session. They never seemed to go the way I had envisioned. ;-) With time I have realized that it is the most simple of directions that produce my favorite images. And when we stop trying to get kids to smile and simply let them be, that's where my heart soars. <3