"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
Twining | Irvine Family Photographer
If you were ever wondering what the most laid back baby in the history of ever looked like, your search ends here! Sweetest little thing ever, she happily chilled out our entire time together! And talking about sweet, can you even with those mom and me matching outfits?! We met at one of my favorite spots right here in Irvine! A little nature in the middle of the city, and always mostly to ourselves besides the few hiking by here and there. I won't lie it is a bit of a trek up to the top of the hill, but totally worth it with this view and skyline!
Sister Love | Laguna Beach Family Photographer
As the oldest of four sisters this evening was extra special to me. There's just something about an all girl fam! It was such a laid back evening filled with laughter and joking and a whole lot of pretty! This dad is one lucky guy. :-) And HELLO beyond gorgeous sky!!! It had been cloudy all day, and then this! Between this family and this light I was in total photographer heaven.
The vast majority of my clients are those with young kids. I feel like this evening completely shows how much fun it can be to get some pictures with your "big kids" too! Your never too old to create some memories. <3
Dressing it Up at the Mission | Orange County Family Photographer
I first saw this family as they were walking down the street to our location and did a million happy dances inside!! I always say family photos are the perfect excuse to dress things up, and they slayed it! And just as beautiful inside as out I had the BEST afternoon with them! Not only was this my first time shooting at the San Juan Mission, it was my first time ever being there. I am now obsessed! If your looking to mix it up from the beach and hills, this place is stellar! So many different nooks and crannies around. Both they and myself were head over hills with this little bells and fountain spot though and spent our time right here. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect time.
Mom and Me: Let's Wander
I met these two girls for a mom and me session at Laguna beach. We had no agenda but to wander. I know want to do a million more of these!! This beautiful momma wrote me a review on Yelp that left me in tears. I have included it here:
"I have dreamed of taking mommy and me photos at the beach since my kiddo was still in utero. I had big expectations and one huge curveball: a 3 year old.
Sasha's portfolio caught my eye and setting up our session was a breeze. She even sent me info of where to park and provided feedback on what to wear. I'm so glad I listened to her and didn't go the traditional jeans and white shirt route.
Sasha was very prepared to gain favor with my nap-less toddler and she quickly did so. Yes, we had a photo shoot at the beach but more importantly, my daughter and I had THE MOST FUN!
I received a sneak peak of photos that literally brought tears to my eyes. The moments captured through her skilled use of her camera are my most valued photos ever. We will be meeting Sasha again in the years to come.
I just received my full gallery and once again, it is an easy process. Except I'm going to have a difficult time choosing which ones to hang in my walls!
Make the appointment and go get your pictures!"
We were packing up to go when this sweet dog came by to say hello. <3
Time Change Winning || Irvine Family Photgrapher
I have heard a million and one complaints about this week's time change. Kids are waking too early, sun sets too soon... Wait--sun sets too soon!! As an obsessive lover of all things sunset this time of year is my dream days. Summer sunsets so often means fussy kids, hungry kids, exhausted parents, and all while we are trying to capture these happy love filled memories. I am now meeting all these families at glorious 4pm. After naps but not yet dinner. Nearly empty beaches and trails everyone else is still at work and just getting out of school. This time change thing has made my heart so happy. As did these four!
This mom told me she was so awkward in front of the camera. How I wish this is what my "awkward" self looked like! It's what I love so much about lifestyle photography. You don't really have to think about the camera, but instead just be present with the ones you love most. <3
Big Love | Orange County Family Photographer
A big family with even bigger love. My time with them was everything chaos and oh so good. How I love all the unscripted moments, the unposed love. They were visiting Orange County and wanted to capture some memories here on the beach. And memories were had.
Wet Sand | Laguna Beach Family Photographer
In all its rare Orange County weather, the entire day had been gray clouds, just like the past four days before it. UNTIL, the very last hour, when it decided to make its appearance just for this beautiful family I think. My gorgeousness!! This light, at this beach, which we had all to ourselves thanks to all that cold grayness beforehand. ;-) Just starting to walk little guy wanted to do nothing else. And so they walked, right into the ocean at one point, and of his own choosing I might add. But I wasn't complaining about it either! We ended our time covered in wet sand and salt, which I like to call the definition of photo success. ;-) Such a fun time with this sweetest family. And I cannot wait to watch them grow to 'party of four' soon as well!
Sunshine On a Cloudy Day | Irvine Family Photographer
Orange County brought us its rare clouds, but this family had enough sunshine to totally make up for it! Such a relaxed and fun time I had with them! And this little ray of sweetness just melted me, with every single face she made being my favorite ever! They choose the best little spot for their photos as we were able to walk high up on the hill and enjoy all that moody sky goodness! Love the earthy tones--and those pops of red couldn't have been any more perfect! And after lasts weeks 100 plus degree heat wave, it was finally cold! Like 70 degrees cold! Haha, the Michigan in me would just die, but I guess that I've now been here long enough that even I felt like the jacket was appropriate for photos. ;-)
Play Date | Orange County Family Photographer
Those everyday moments of life with littles all seem to mesh together. Eat, sleep, change diapers, repeat--well, maybe sleep! ;-) My own two kids are now six and four and as much as I remember telling myself, "do not forget this moment!" so much of those early days with two under two have run into a blur for me. And so imagine my excitement when I read the email from this family that they wanted to capture some everyday memories of something they do so often together--the park! No, they don't have Orange County's epic sandy beach or large hills in their backdrop, but they have real life to look back at years from now, when all these everyday moments start running into that same blur. Photos with three kids under two should require a bottle of wine--one for both parents and me! But this evening only gave out joy! So relaxing and fun, and not to mention 104 degrees outside (I have a picture of my thermostat to prove it)! But with the heat came our own private playground, which never happens otherwise!
Full Hearts || Irvine Family Photographer
You know that saying, "Full hands, full hearts" when I look at these parents I think "Reeeeaaaally full hands, overflowing hearts." <3 With two year old triplets and a baby their life is a constant adventure. I personally think they need to have at least five more babies, with how cute they make them! But perhaps they deserve a few years off in between. ;-) We met at one of my newest favorite spots in Irvine for a wild ride kind of evening! But oh how I loved capturing all these fleeting moments with them! <3
Always Stand by the Shoreline || Orange County Family Photographer
So when we first got down to the water I joked how the week before the tide was so high we were all drenched by the end. Well, it came back to bite me as about fifteen minutes in those same high waters came crashing in. ;-) It was a Sunday, 90 degrees and as crowded as a day in July. And so with little other choice we shot our entire session right next to the shoreline, dodging what waves we could, and getting soaked by those we couldn't. And although I tried to act like I felt bad for their wet clothes, on the inside I celebrated. Because I know that absolutely nothing matches the light and reflections that come from those waves! So much pretty this evening! SO much fun with these five. They kept me laughing the entire time, and filled my lens with all the happy vibes!
Also, I often get asked what colors go good with the beach. I usually respond that most things go, as long as they are not neon! ;-) But now I think I'm going to just show them these pics because those tones on Laguna Beach were crazy good!
B Family | Irvine Family Photographer
Oh my heart! Sweetest family ever right here!! We met at one of my favorite spots right here in Irvine for a perfect evening of laughter and adventure. And these two boys just melted me! They were all boy for sure, with the energy to prove it. But alongside it came the sweetest little hearts of love. They made it way too easy on me! Allll the heart eyes for the B family. <3
