Holiday 2015- Santa Barbara Family Photography

Wow, the end of 2015 went out with a bang!  I would like to thank all my amazing clients for such an awesome year... I look forward to what 2016 has in-store!  Although the end of the year can get a bit hectic with holiday photo sessions, card designs, and an endless amount of editing, I am always reminded what dedicated and loyal clients I have.  I am thrilled to see so many faces year after year!  When all the beautiful holiday cards start to show up in my mailbox, I am reminded how lucky I am to have captured these sweet memories for so many families! With the holiday rush behind me, I can now finally share some of my favorite photo sessions of the season... Stay tuned for more!

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Mini Session Magic, Santa Barbara Children's Photography

I’ve worked with this family for years and mom always brings along the best props! We did this mini session shoot for their holiday card and got some fun shots running around the grounds of the gorgeous Stowe House estate.

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Just 20 minutes long, my mini sessions should be called mini miracles – knowing that we have to work fast can really add to the energy and fun of the shoot. The white chocolate Santa beard on a stick kept us all in stitches! And the rainbow pom-pom necklace added just the right pop for a series with serious personality.

Joy to the World, Santa Barbara Family Photographer

I’ve documented this family for the past 6 years, from their toddler photos to a recent over-the-top Halloween party and every time the process is unique and a true collaboration.

They wanted to do something different for their holiday card so between me and mom hunting down the perfect props, we loaded up a wagon for plenty of options, including live trees donned in cranberry garlands. These boys are always a lively delight and played right along to create a unique beachside story that shows there’s no lack of love in this ever gracious family.

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Pretty in Pink, Santa Barbara Newborn Photographer

I always love it when I hear from old friends needing maternity and newborn photos. Our special connection always makes for a meaningful shoot, especially seeing how everyone grows into their new families.

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This sweet baby girl slept through her entire newborn photo session making my job a total breeze. We were able to gently position her for each shot while she snoozed comfortably. That soft baby skin, crimson lips and precious pink accents - swoon!

On Location in Park City, Santa Barbara Family Photographer

Have family, will travel! I was delighted to accept my good friend’s request to join her growing family at their Park City, Utah home to capture the beautiful Fall colors for their holiday card. (It’s no secret that I jump at the chance to travel for work!)

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As a Southern California native, the turning of the seasons just blew me away – it was my first time witnessing the vibrant yellows, oranges and reds. We worked with a handful of stunning locations, from their backyard to a babbling brook nearby. I couldn’t put my camera down and the results were just gorgeous!

Spooky Halloween Fun, Santa Barbara Family Photographer

Cue the haunted house soundtrack. Planned for mom’s birthday, this family pulled out all the stops with a green screen photo booth to take spooky photos, a bounce house, karaoke, a magician, a caricature portraitist, a DJ, games for the kids, pumpkin decorating, an airbrush tattoo artist and of course a fully catered buffet with cocktail concoctions for the adults.

Shooting this spectacular and totally over-the-top family Halloween party for over 100 guests was a seriously tricked out and memorable treat!

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Rock-A-Bye Baby, Santa Barbara Newborn Photographer

What a little sweetheart!  As you may have guessed, this newborn photo session was just about as adorable as it gets!  With every newborn baby I photograph, I never know exactly how they will react to having their portrait taken...  Some babies instantly fall peacefully to sleep (like this little nugget), while others decide it's more fun to give me a challenge!  Either way, I love every minute I get to spend with these precious little ones.

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Waiting for Baby, Santa Barbara Portrait Photographer

This shoot really gave me the warm fuzzies. Not only was the light and location amazingly beautiful, but this mama was so grateful for the photo shoot. Anticipating the birth of her second child, she was thrilled to capture the last few precious moments as a family of three.

At times, pregnancy can be a long, tough, and exhausting road, and as this mama put it, "It will be so nice to have these beautiful photos to look back on." As a mom of two sons, I know all too well that rarely is a day picture perfect, but these moments we capture remind us just how much joy children bring into our lives. This shoot really brightened her day and this is why my job is so amazing! I just love to make people feel good and excited about life.

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Old Friends, New Beginnings, Santa Barbara Maternity Photos

I grew up with this gorgeous mama and hadn’t seen her since our high school graduation 15 years ago. So I was totally delighted when she emailed me about setting up a maternity shoot in Santa Barbara. These two parent-to-be simply radiated that delicious anticipation of life, a new chapter just waiting to be written.

I love how my job reconnects me with people I have not seen for years. From young friends to parents - it’s remarkable to share these milestones with them, reminisce and imagine the future. I am so excited to photograph their baby girl next month!

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VW Love, Santa Barbara Portrait Photographer

My gorgeous baby sister is graduating from middle school so we celebrated recently with a photo shoot at our barn. We did her hair and makeup in the breezy Santa Barbara way and stuck her in this vintage VW beauty parked in our driveway. (How it got there is a story for another day, but let’s just say it involves my German husband’s obsession with VW buses and their tendency to break down.)

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Since making its appearance at the barn, I’ve done multiple shoots with it and every time it makes for a quintessentially cool California vibe. (Extra bonus that it doubles as babysitter and awesome hangout spot for my sons on a daily basis!) We have such fun with it, just like my little sis did. Look out high school, here she comes!

When Baby Number Two Comes Along, Santa Barbara Family Photographer

Bringing home Baby #2 is always such a different story for each family. The excitement, the exhaustion, the hormones, the toddler energy along with a newborn - it truly is an amazing whirlwind of emotions! From my own experience, the enormous shift that a second child brings into the family dynamic is major. This sweet brood is still taking it all in - learning how to become a family of four. Luckily for the new little one, life is definitely going to be more about "going with the flow."

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