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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Santa Barbara Children's Photographer- Next Stop, Park City!
I LOVE traveling for work, especially when I get to experience places like this! Park City, I heart you! As a southern California girl, I don't often get to experience the colors of fall... I am in awe of this beautiful place. Until we meet again...
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!
Sweet Dreams, Newborn Photographer Santa Barbara, CA
The Santa Barbara Bluffs, Children and Family Photorapher
There are so many great locations here in Santa Barbara, but these bluffs always take my breath away. No matter how many times I walk along these cliffs, I am always in awe of this magical place... Truly stunning!! With this vintage baby-blue Volkswagen Bug, this adorable little family, and these incredible views, I was in my own dreamland!!! I couldn't have asked for a better afternoon... The light was perfect, the weather warm, and this sweet little girl was having the time of her life. Magic!!!
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.
Wild and Free, Santa Barbara Family Photographer
As summer wraps up and the kiddos begin to gear up for the new school year, I wanted to share this adorable summer session photographed out on the bluffs here in Santa Barbara, CA. The colors, tones, location and the props for this shoot were inspired by Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. With new adventures on the horizon, let's remember to let kids be kids and to always explore and discover right along with them!
Red, White, and Blue- Santa Barbara Children's Photographer
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and safe 4th of July on this beautiful Saturday afternoon. What a spectacular day to celebrate this cherished holiday with our loved ones... The sun is shining, the weather is warm and the beaches are calling my name! It's time to head outdoors and and enjoy this amazing place that we call home. Before I head out to enjoy the day myself, I thought I would quickly share this fun shoot taken out at the Bacara Resort in Goleta, CA. I just adore this red, white, and blue inspired photo session with this sweet little toddler.
Modern Queen Kids Launch Party
I had the most amazing weekend photographing the launch party for Modern Queen Kids in Santa Monica at the Ron Robinson store. It was a spectacular event with sweet treats, sparkles, and so much more! The event could not have been more beautiful and the venue was my dream come true! With diffused natural light and huge white walls, I was in a photographer's paradise. ta
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.
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!
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.)
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!
Look Who’s One! Children Lifestyle Photographer, Santa Barbara
It’s the first major milestone and such a fun time for mom, dad, grandparents and family. I love 1-year photo shoots for so many reasons - kids at this stage are bubbling with curiosity, usually happy and giggly, and their mostly toothless grins can melt even the most stoic heart.
This sweet girl was no exception. Although she was a little under the weather, you would have never known! She laughed, smiled, and crawled around this awesome vintage Ford truck that her Grandpa drove to the photo shoot. Between her sunny disposition, stunning blue eyes, and this amazing old truck we had the makings for a most amazing shoot!
Little Lucy, Santa Barbara Baby Photographer
What a doll!! This sweet little lady (and her family, of course) came for a visit a few weekends ago. I was so excited for my dear friends when they announced the birth of this adorable girl. Their family of four is now complete! This little girl could not be more lovable... Talk about the happiest baby on the block! With my youngest turning two this last February, I was so excited to have a baby in our house again... How could I resist dressing her us and staging an impromptu photo shoot!
Puppy Time! Santa Barbara Portraits
As a lifestyle photographer I normally work with children, so when this dear couple asked me to take pictures of them with their little pup, it was the little kid in me that said yes.
In the 10 years I’ve been doing portraiture I rarely work with animals, but I’ve found that puppies and children share one major trait in front of the lens: they run the show! If they are bored, you will know it. If they are grumpy, you will know it. If they are having a blast, watch out for cuteness overload!
I made my silly noises, ran all over the place and rolled on the ground with this sweet rascal - anything to get that priceless, authentic expression that lets you see inside his personality. I had a blast with this furry friend and his humans!
Sister! Sister! Santa Barbara Maternity Photographer
Lucky is the littlest girl who will round out this family of five. As this family eagerly awaits Baby No. 3, these two darling girls couldn’t be more excited to be her big sisters! Her sweet mama could not be more beautiful, graceful and strong. And daddy, though technically outnumbered, loves them each like it’s going out of style.
Three sisters under one roof truly reveals the bonds of family. Each girl her own unique person, inextricably tied to each other. I’ve photographed this sweet family for the last four years and I just can’t wait to watch how they all grow together.
The 4th Trimester, Santa Barbara Baby Photographer
This little nugget was so fun to photograph. Those sweet cheeks! That handmade beanie! The chubby little arms and legs! Ahh! Love! As he kicked his legs and suckled on his hand, I couldn’t help but reminisce about my two boys at this age.
At about 3 months old, babies really start to come into their own. As their senses and bodies become more developed, you can finally start to see flashes of the personality that’s brewing inside. And it just never ceases to amaze me how quickly they grow and soon become running, stomping, talking kids.
I love babies at every age and feel so lucky to get to work with these wee ones. Documenting their miraculous growth and evolution as people truly touches my heart.