I have lived in Orange County for three years now and thought I pretty much knew every last spot along our coastline. I was totally, and pleasantly, wrong though as last week I got to hang out at the gorgeous Monarch Hotel and beach in Dana Point! This place was the best and with a shuttle down to our own private beach--on a Saturday--I totally did a million happy dances inside! Not to mention the family I got to have behind my lens! This little guy filled me with ALL the baby fever. Seriously the sweetest thing ever. And with some sweet parents to match him too. :-)
Paparrazi For The Night (She Said YES)| Orange County Photographer
When I first started in photography I did a lot of posed work. I felt like it was what everyone wanted, but it left me feeling unfulfilled. Yes the photo was "pretty" but there was no connection, no rawness, no definition of what family truly is. Fast forward three years and my heart leaves almost always full as I get to now spend my time capturing real moments of love. Fast forward even more to this day where it was as real as it gets! Brian and I had talked and planned and planned some more on every last detail as to the important question. I was equal parts nervous and excited--what if I screwed this one time moment up! And I think he was equally as nervous. ;-) But it all panned out so perfectly, and most importantly, SHE SAID YES!!! These two have to be about the cutest couple ever and it filled my with all the happiness in the world to be able to capture this special day. I am SO excited for their future together! <3
Sister Sister | Laguna Beach Maternity Photographer
I will let you in on a real life truth: Beautiful sunny Laguna beach has been beautiful sunny freezing COLD! Well, for Orange County standards anyways. ;-) But another real truth: my families totally rock it! You would never know that by the end of this all our teeth were chattering and we drove home with our heaters set to high. But they didn't let it stop them from having a perfect evening in the sand--and water! And this sweetest, happiest (although cold) girl is about to have a little sister! And I have no doubt there is going to be overflowing amounts of love and joy passed to her newest one.
Speaking of overflow, here is probably a total overshare of photos but I just can't help it. Each one makes me smile.
Something In The Water | Laguna Beach Maternity Photographer
I swear something must have been in the water about seven months back as I think I may have done more maternity sessions this month than all of last year combined! Aaand I hope the water keeps pouring, because I absolutely LOVE them! Add to it my other all time love, family, and I go to sleep smiling. Well, and spend my time smiling like I did with these three (four). Big sis was definitely unsure of all that water, and our luck it was high tide too! But as long as she could stay snuggled up close to mom and dad she was ok, which created some sweetest moments together with the sweetest family one could ever meet. I can't wait for them to add little brother to the mix. He is already so loved. <3
Missing Socks | Laguna Beach Family Photographer
I was going to title this one "my adventure." And then I thought about it. Because some days our adventures are finding matching socks in the never ending piles of laundry and mopping up the milk spilled across the kitchen floor. Doctors appointments and birthday parties. Middle of the night wake ups and middle of the afternoon dance parties--because the wheels on the bus never stop going around. Referee, cheer leader, hand holder, best friend... Our adventure isn't always so Laguna beachside glamorous, but at the end of the day it's all the beauty we could ever want. Love beyond measure behind every last missing sock.
Bellies & Beaches | Orange County Maternity Photographer
“Lucille Ball was the first woman to show off her pregnancy publicly, on-screen (in demure, wide-waist dresses). While this was a big step forward for pregnant women, bumps were far from front-and-center, and maternity-specific fashions were scarce.” ~whattoexpect.com
I love that my children are being raised in a culture that is learning to see pregnancy as something so very beautiful and childbirth as unmatched strength.
I love that someday this mom's son will be able to look back at these and see how beautiful she was. See how excited and already in love his parents were with him and one another. That they celebrated him before they ever saw his face
Party of Six | Laguna Beach Family Photographer
Laguna had its share of a little calm, a little chaos, and overloads of love last week. I am the oldest of four girls and growing up I never considered my family a "large" one. I do remember hearing my parents complaining about everything being made for a total package of "four" though. Even at hotel rooms we had to sneek in the youngest two as they tipped us over the limit. ;-) I also remember how much constant fun we had on all our trips. Every vacation was done with your three girl friends, making each one the best yet. This "large" family of six spent one of their vacation evenings on the beach with me and I just loved getting to know them and capturing some sweet memories of their time here.
Baby Mooning at the Montage | Orange County Family Photographer
“If I know what love is, it is because of you.” ~Hermann Hesse
We met for a sunrise session which was hidden around there somewhere. Not a problem though as the Montage totally delivered us its own soft beauty. Shooting here at sunset can be a beast with the crowds of people and other photographers. Who would know though that this early in the morning the only others on the beach were two dog walkers. It seems that most of Orange County prefers there sleep. :-) Empty beach, clean air, pretty blues, and two of the sweetest people around. They are going to be the best parents and I loved everything about my time with them.
Mornings at the Mission || Orange County Family Photographer
It's no secret I love the beach. I mean who really complains about the ocean, right? BUT my gosh I am falling so much in love with the Mission as well! Wouldn't mind in the least if I was here at least a few times each month. :-) Almost 250 years old, every little corner of it is so rich with history and beauty.
And no sweeter family to fit it either. This is the third time I have gotten to have them behind my lens and each time is always so much fun! My favorite by far is watching the tight knit bond they have with one another--it always melts me.
Mom had the cutest little cake smash set up for this girl's first birthday but it was cold and she was tired, so things didn't go quite as smily as we had hoped. Never to fear though, big sis totally had her back! ;-) Real life love. <3
Hippy Parenting | OC Laguna Beach Family Photographer
To all the parents out there, who fully understand why God gave us two hips. :-)
We had been crossing our fingers all week as it was predicting rain and since they are not local to Orange County a reschedule wouldn't be easy. To all the happiness of my heart the rain was nonexistent, the beach empty, and the perfect amount of clouds came to compliment that Cali sunshine. BUT it was freeeezing!! And these little troopers were cold. Just like any parent would, mom and dad carried them for much of it. At one point dad ran up to grab a blanket from the car and this momma scooped up both her babies in her arms at once. As challenging as it was, I am so in love with all the sweetest moments captured. The beautiful reality of life with kids. <3
20 Minutes in Laguna | Orange County Family Photographer
They got caught in the nemesis between LA and Orange County: traffic. By the time we met up and made our way down to the beach I think I must have only shot for about 20 minutes. But oh, what a good 20 minutes it was!! They gave it their all, with love and laughter for the win. And the sky seemed to say sorry for the traffic by showing off in all its beauty. So many favorites!
Freezing Warm: Orange County Laguna Beach Family Photographer
I keep thinking that its the last cold week here, that by next week it will for sure be back to those Orange County temps we all live here for. The cold, however, seems to have a mind of its own this winter. I can't remember a shoot in the last two months that hasn't been FREEZING! My fingers always feel like they may just fall right off by the end of it. You would never know from the look of it though, which just goes to show how awesome these families are!! I just love the way they rock the cold like no one's business. Especially this sweet fam, all the way from Texas, with all its Southern kindness and charm. I loved absolutely everything about my time with them, and watching their love for one another. And to our plus side, those freezing cold temps made for our own almost completely private beach! :-)
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
