This mom boss is a chaplain in the US Navy. Inspiring is an understatement. Here in Orange County for just a couple of days, I am so thrilled I was able to steal her for an hour to capture this special time of her and baby (boy or girl is up for guesses!). And after so many days of June gloom, the sun decided to hang out with the beach in all its glorious SoCal wonder. I love the way it highlighted what is already her--glowing from the inside out.
Why a Familiar Location May be Best for Your Family Photos
I loved my time with this family for a number of reasons but one of them is how much this location means to them. Moving across country next month they wanted to remember this spot that they have spent so many countless hours at since their girls were just young toddlers. It was their space, and therefore a huge comfort level was immediately present. Getting your pictures taken can be awkward and some get very nervous about it. Add to that going to a spot you have never been, or a place filled with a million and one on lookers with nothing to do but stare at you during the session (and walk right in front of your shot as well!). There is just something about having photos taken in the places that have those sentimental ties to your love and life together that put you at so much ease, and allow you to take your hair down. Whether at home, in the backyard, a favorite frequented beach, or in this case, a lake, it's so good to consider not only what the backdrop will appear like, but how it will make you remember. To not only have moments from our time together, but with each picture so many other memories that happened right in the same spot.
Just something to consider when deciding where to have your next family photos! And with that, here is the beautiful Y Family:
They fish here all the time, but since we only had till the sun went down we improvised a bit. ;-)
Just the Girls | OC Family Photographer
Just the girls! Don't get me wrong, I love a good dad throwing their kid into the air picture--believe me, I make the dad do it every single time! ;-) ,But there is just something so special about those ladies only nights! And this one had me smiling the ENTIRE time! We had to reschedule once due to the rain, and I am soooo glad we did. We were met with sunny skies and warm weather, complimenting those perfect dresses--seriously, you nailed it ladies!! And although the green grass has come and gone, the OC still likes to show up and off with its own rustic pretty. :-)
Tide Pools for Life | Orange County Family Photographer
I grew up next to Lake Michigan, so the massive Pacific's water view, although pretty, just doesn't really do so much for me. However, when you add all these rocks and cliffs that make up So Cal beaches I am totally in my happy place. Add to them some tide pools and I will never leave. In all seriously we do leave. But we keep on coming back, probably way too much! Yesterday we found a million little crabs which is pretty much the most exciting thing ever when you are four years old. And this guy also discovered that tide pools stay warm when everything around you is right next to freezing temps. He makes it look like summer but I was wearing long pants and a jacket behind my lens. ;-) How I love this little guy made of steel, and all his sweet adventures. <3
Cold, Wind, and Happiness | Orange County Family Photographer
I showed up a little early to our planned spot at one of Laguna's little beaches to find it completely washed out by the strong tide. After a moments panic attack I called a literal last minute location switch to downtown Laguna. And sooo happy I did too. This normally packed to the brim beach was nearly deserted due to the locals idea that anything under 70 degrees is pure winter. ;-) The wind blew, the clouds took over, and these three didn't blink an eye. Awww, my heart!!! Seriously, they have to be some of my favorite people ever! We laughed and played and I drove home so full. Parenting is hard work. It's exhausting and stressful and at least ten cups of coffee simply to survive. But behind it all is this unexplainable love and pure joy, and I love the way these photos reach right down to that core of it.
Baby W | Orange County Family Photographer
As much as I love pretty golden light and beach backgrounds, nothing fills me more than capturing a family in their own home. There is just something so beautiful about people in their element, surrounded by the ones they love. No distractions, permits, high tides, or bikini clad photo bombers present. ;-) Seriously though, this is what it's all about to me. Love in its purest form, where it starts and ends each and every day.
This little guy was the most calm and easy going little baby I have ever met. He just went with the flow of everything we threw at him. And big sister just melted me with all her sweetness and love. I cannot say enough good about my time here this afternoon. I left with a heart so full of happy.
R Family in Irvine|| OC Family Photography
So much love for this family who filled my soul with so much good on this aaaaamazing Orange County day. Seriously, the sun was doing all kinds of happy dances, and the weather totally agreed with him. As soon as we spotted each other these three greeted me with the biggest smiles and hugs and I knew immediately we were going to have the best time. And this sweet boy--oh my heart! My favorite part was every few minutes when he needed to examine the pics on the back of my camera and would then exclaim his excitement in them. :-)
P Family|| Orange County Family Photographer
This is the third time I have gotten to have this family behind my lens, and I think I like them more and more each time. Seriously, they are so sweet and just the best to be around. This was a super last minute arrangement (mom reached out to me Saturday and we were shooting that Wednesday) to take advantage of the last of these spring greens. I'm soooo glad we were able to work it out so quickly, as this lovely shade has now turned itself back to brown again. Orange County has so many beautiful places and I am forever thankful to live here. But Orange County in the spring is a whole other level of pretty. And how perfectly to go with this beautiful family, who I will also point out killed it with their outfits! <3
Senior Pics in Laguna
I will totally admit that I was imagining a bit of stiff and awkward male, but this guy totally threw it out the park! I swear he must have been a model in a past life! Not only did he have the posing down, he was as nice as they come, making it such a fun and relaxing evening in Laguna. I'm so happy I was able to capture this special time in his life, as one chapter finds its ends and he embarks on the next one.
We also squeezed in a bit of time for his awesome family, who are as sweet as they come! :-)
Why Weekday Beach Pictures Are Best
We are beach bums through and through. We go when it's hot, cold, winter, summer, empty, crowded. And we've been to them all--or so we thought. By total chance we stumbled upon this gem of Laguna and fell madly love with California all over again.
This was on a weekday evening. We went back the following Sunday and the place was jam packed with people, which would have made these shots I took nearly impossible with all the "photo bombers" which would have filled the background. It's not always easy to make a midweek photo session happen, but when it comes to Orange County beaches, it is always so, so worth it!
C Family in Irvine
'Before I met you, I never knew what it was like to be able to look at someone and smile for no reason at all.'
This family filled my heart with so much joy! We met at one of my favorite spots in Irvine after two days of dreary skies to be greeted with the most glorious golden light! It was as if the earth just knew that all that happiness needed some sunshine to complete it.
And happy is how I would describe my time with them. This little guy melted me with all his sweet smiles. He is so very loved and it comes right back out of him. Soooo many favorites from our time together.
Also, mom's style game was on point!!
Making Memories in Irvine
This family and that field!! We met in Irvine of all places, not more than a quarter mile from all it's concrete glory. But pretended we were far far away, out on our own little "adventure" as these sweet girls called it. And oh how sweet they were! Like melted my heart and caused me to keep my camera out until the darkness finally forced me to put it away. I met this amazing mom a few weeks prior and am just blown away by her--lady boss for sure right here! Such a beautiful family she and her hubby are raising, filled with so much love and happiness. <3
Playing in Newport
It had been a dreary day, just like so many others these winter months have brought to our once forever sunny Orange County towns. But much to our liking, clouds seem to equal empty beaches. And as we have also come to learn, the sun often likes to fight back right along the coast. Just as it did on this breathtaking evening, at our empty Newport beach. It's what I love so very much about the Ocean. That no matter how many times you go, each day brings you a different scene, which cannot be replicated tomorrow. And as much as I love the warmth and happiness of the pure blue skies, I know I will be missing these clouds come summertime, and the wonder they add to that already jaw dropping sea.
1st Birthday in Laguna
Happy first birthday to this sweetest little guy ever! We met at Laguna beach to capture some memories of this precious time and he gave me all happiness to celebrate with. He walked on rocks, ran along the sand, dipped his toes into the icy water, and if my heart had not melted enough already, ended our time with the most content cuddles in the arms of his mom and dad. He is so very loved. And gives this same love right back. <3
And of course we had to sneak in a few of this beautiful Grandma as well. :-)
D Crew in Irvine
A total overshare of pics here, but I just can't help it. This family was just too good, and their moments together all too precious. I've realized that life with kids can never be summed up in a single photograph. From laughing and running to cuddles and yawns, each minute gives us another sweet memory, each one I think worth recording down.
We met in a sea of GREEN right here in Irvine, with all of us in a bit of shock and awe at this compete So Cal rarity. They actually sat down, on the ground, without a blanket--this never happens here! Well, unless one is willing to have hard brown hay stuff poking through your clothing the entire time. ;-)
And because being so cute can be just plain exhausting after awhile. ;-)
Baby Bumping in Laguna
The beautiful unknown and anxious awaiting. One of life's most precious times.
Two of my favorite people are having a baby and I got to capture a small piece of it! The entire week greeted us with cold and rain, but for this evening Laguna decided to open up its sky in breathtaking beauty, as if to shine just on them. Their love and energy comes so naturally and the deep excitement and anticipation they have for this little one is so apparent. Without a doubt this baby will be loved.
J Family at Balboa Island
I met this sweet family shortly after moving to Orange County, and I cannot express how much I love them! Seriously, they don't come any better. And these sisters! Like two peas in a pod. I don't think I ever met two siblings so tight knit at such a young age. They made the evening much too easy on me!
We met at Balboa, a favorite spot of both of ours, for a laid back evening around the Island. And probably one of my favorite sessions to date. :-)
M Family in Laguna
We met on a weekday at one of my favorite beaches in Laguna. There were a million and one steps to get down but oh so worth it. It was like we entered our own semi private beach, with just a few individuals slowly strolling around here and there. And this sweet girl totally owned this place. Full of so much energy, she spent her time on a mission to explore. Of course we threw in lots of cuddles and kisses as well. :-) Such a great family, I loved spending this fun evening with them!
D Family in Laguna
This adorable crew was visiting Laguna all the way from Canada and wanted to capture some memories of their time here. Vanessa and I connect that morning through social media and met in person that evening in Laguna! I love the way we were able to coordinate everything so quickly and how awesome this momma rocked their outfits so last minute as well! And this baby!! I have NEVER met such a happy, easy going little guy. He laughed and babbled and stared in complete contentment at the vast ocean, and I went home and asked my husband if we could have just one more kid. ;-)
P Family in Dana Point
Since this family are beach lovers through and through, we met at the sands of Dana Point to enjoy some fun in the sun. :-) And the love between them kept my heart so full. So much energy and happiness exuded from sis and brother, and mom and dad gave it their 120% making for the most authentic and joyful images. Some of the nicest people you will meet I felt much more like I was taking pics for old friends than some people I had literally just met.
