Mini Family Sessions 2010 - Day 1

Well it's not life if there are no challenges, right?? Day one of this Fall's Mini Family sessions kicked off with a photographers dream.........RAIN!!! Oh wait more like nightmare!! But, I was not going to let a little rain stop us from having a great day! We were slightly more limited on locations but we worked it out!
I really enjoy available light so I use it when ever possible. Even with portraits on a backdrop I try to set up the backdrop where I can still utilize the natural light. But on a rainy day like Sunday I was left with no choice but to break out my flash and dust off my notes from Frank's "Lighting on Location" class. It ended up working out very well! Even though the portraits turned out nicely with the flash I also wanted to get a few outdoor photos with what available light I could find with out getting my camera too wet. I have a small 5ft x 5ft porch and I didn't know how great of photos I could get from such a small, plain looking space but it really turned out to be a great spot!
Here are a few photos from 2 of the 3 shoots from Sunday.

Happy 1st Birthday Lucas!

Just about one year ago today I took some family photos that included a precious newborn baby boy, Lucas. He was so tiny but his gorgeous blue eyes could knock you over with one glance! He was just precious. I was so happy when Jacqueline asked me to take Lucas' first birthday photos!! It was no surprise that his blue eyes just stole the show again! I typically save this comment for my own son, but man Lucas is just about the cutest little boy out there! When he laughs he makes this face like he's a little mini man it's just so cute!! and him and his dog Coco are too cute together!
I took all the photos in available light both in my front and back yard. It was the perfect day for outdoor photos! It rained the next day! We got very lucky!!
Here is one of the photos from the shoot last year...

Here is Lucas now! It's crazy how fast they grow!

The Besse Family

Ok this is going to be a long post! This has got to be my very favorite family in the entire world! (The Morris'/Dravlands are a close 2nd ;) It all started when my Mom worked for a man named Ed Besse at a little restaurant called The Derby in Glendora. He introduced his wife, Carolyn to my Mom and well that was the end of that, they were instant best friends. My Mom and Dad and Carolyn and Ed were connected for life. They had a son, Nathan and he was 2 or so? and I was 4. We of course became little buddies and then Carolyn had Adam and that began our little threesome! Ed has a son who is older than the two boys, Brian. He used to come visit through out the years and I can remember being 5 years old sitting out front in their home in Glendora and thinking he was soooo cool because he was older and actually playing with us. He's always had a giant heart just like his Dad and now he has a family of his own and an adorable daughter Claire. Ed and Carolyn ended up moving to Sonoma County and we only got to see them twice a year but those times were some of my fondest memories as a kid. When it came time for me to choose a college I chose Sonoma State so I could be close to them while they finished out High School.
As many of you know my Mom is like my Best Friend and she has taught me so much about strength and perseverance. But I do have to say that though I did learn so many things from the Besse Family as well. They taught me about being open and loving no matter what. They've taught me about acceptance and really given me a great clarity around how I want my family to live. Ed's hugs and his yummy dinners can cure any heartache, Carolyn's laugh will literally melt your heart instantly, and well the boys....there just is not enough words to describe how much I care about them!
Well Brian and his family came to Rohnert Park for a visit and we decided it was time to take some Besse Family pictures and I was honored to be the one taking the photos.
But because I have so much love for this family I couldn't pick just a hand full of photos to display so I picked an arms full ;) I hope you enjoy them! I sure enjoyed taking them!

The Wiesman Family

Meghan and I went to High School together, believe it or not we were both cheerleaders!! Ok well she was the cool "song team" girl and I was the cheerleader! When I moved back to LA a few years ago we re connected. We were both pregnant and due around the same time. Sure enough Hailey decided to come much earlier than expected and her and Aidan were born 3 days apart. So needless to say Aidan and Hailey have been pals since birth! Meghan was one of my biggest supporters when I decided to start my photography business. She was in face my first "real" client. Meghan has since decided to start her own photography business and she is AMAZING!!!! It goes to show you that it's not always about how long you've been doing something but more about talent and the willingness to be open and learn. She is truely amazing at her craft! When my family and I came back down to LA for a visit her and I decided to swap family photo sessions. Here are a few of my favorites from my session with her and her family.

I had to add a photo of Hailey and Aidan!

Heather + Patrick

Heather is the cousin of one of my best friends, Trinity. I was given the great pleasure of being Heather's choice to photograph her wedding. She was the most breath taking Bride! There were too many photos for me to post but here are a few of my favorites!