So the other day I decided to let my poor kids outside after dinner to play some baseball in the backyard. You have to understand that it’s been about 178 degrees here in Southern California. My kids are a little tired of being cooped up in the house, as is their mother 
We ventured outside and I had every intention of taking pictures of all 3 of them. But I have to tell you, watching Samuel walk around after his brother just made my heart smile. He’s in a very awkward stage right now, not yet a little boy, not quite a baby anymore. He wants to do just as much as his older brother does, but he’s not quite ready yet. So I followed him around the yard and got some great shots of him. OK- I know I’m a little biased. But gosh he’s so stinkin’ cute!
I have to tell you how much this next picture just about melts my heart. It reminded me of that awkward stage he’s in. He’s growing older. He no longer uses a bottle, he uses a sippy cup. He no longer crawls around, he walks everywhere now. I’m glad to say, he still snuggles with his momma every morning and before naptime and of course before bed time. I hope he always does.
Like how dirty his shirt is? I’m so not the mom that changes them after they’re dirty. And I know, some people are thinking, “wouldn’t you at least change him if you’re going to shoot pictures?” Nope. I like ‘em dirty- I think they’re cuter that way 
Lastly- my little Samuel is looking more and more like his daddy every day. I swear I have a million pictures of the husband making this same expression. And I don’t have any words to describe it. It just is.
Meet the Harper Family. Yes they are actually this stinkin’ cute. 
We met at the Humphrey’s Estate in Temecula Wine Country. I love this spot for about a million reasons. The koi/frog pond being one of them. Any time I’m having a hard time with the kiddo’s cooperating for pictures, this is always a great way to get them to relax. The Harper kids weren’t too sure what to think about me and my camera at first. So I pulled the whole, “I have something really cool to show you” trick and presto!
I was now officially cool in their book-so they officially became cool in mine after posing sooooo perfectly!
So we explored a little, well actually a lot. The kids were so excited to run around and look for lizards and bugs and anything else that moved for that matter. It’s refreshing to be around kids who enjoy being outdoors. I love this next picture, Jason and Rachel will celebrate 10 years of marriage next year. I love the fact that they are still lovey-dovey with each other. Aren’t they cute:
What you don’t see in this picture is Jason and Rachel jumping around like monkeys behind me
I told you they’re cute!
This is just a drop in the bucket- I’ve got lots more cute pictures to go thru. I had a blast Jason and Rachel- thanks for being so kicked back and going with the flow. Your kids did awesome and it was fun hanging out with you guys for a bit!
Yesterday I had the awesome privilege to do a photo shoot with one of our worship leaders- Brittany. She is in one word: beautiful. Not just on the outside as the pictures will show, but on the inside. She has an incredible ability to stir your heart to a sweet place of worship. She has a gift, no doubt about it. So we took off yesterday to some REALLY random places. And by random, I mean abandoned, side of the road, dirt, dust etc. I was driving with my hubby a while back and we drove past an open field with this AMAZING tree in the middle of it. I told him, “I’m gonna take some sweet pictures there, that is an awesome tree!” So off we went and here’s what we came up with:
I don’t know what we were talking about, but I think her face is super cute. There’s something about being in a quiet open space and listening to a guitar being played. It’s very…I don’t know… charming.
I grabbed this shot while Brittany was climbing further up the tree. To be honest I almost didn’t take this picture because I wasn’t sure I liked the positioning on the tree and I had a different “pose” in my mind for the guitar. Now I’m glad I shot it- it’s one of my favorites.
I’ve been really wanting to do a “Just Because” session using this barn. Of course I was delighted when Brittany said she wanted to take pictures in front of a barn. What’s crazy to me is how many are near us! Here’s Brittany workin’ it-
and ahhh…the magical hour + old beat up barn= one happy photographer
If there was a CD behind this picture- I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
And lastly I leave you all with this- no words- just this:
Last weekend Bryan and Chelsey finally tied the knot. I’ve been talking with Chelsey since November about this wedding, so I was excited that it was finally here! It was a beautiful day, with perfect weather and the perfect amount of wind…. you’ll see what I’m talking about in a minute Anyway- Bryan and Chelsey are enjoying a week long cruise (yes I’m a bit jealous) and I can’t wait for them to return to see their pictures.
First things first: the bling bling. Nice job Bryan.
Secondly, I’m a total sucker for boys in tuxedos! Blake is sticking his tongue out because the groomsmen were giving him a hard time about his own future wedding. I think he was a little embarrassed, which made for a cute picture:
Walking to our super sweet picture spot, not really. I just love how Blake’s trying to keep it cool.
The man of the hour-
His bride-
Making it official-
Ahhhh… the look of young love-
No wedding album is complete without a great shot of the dress. I couldn’t get over the details of her dress- I loved everything about it.
Thank-you Lord for the slightest bit of wind.
Congrats you two!
Side Note: This is the last wedding of spring and summer for me. I’ll be busy having a baby, taking care of two babies and possibly losing my mind somewhere in the process. But will return in October for a fun Fall season of weddings!
I was so excited when my college roommate Penny called me up and wanted me to take pictures of her daughter Zoey and their family. My friend Penny (the Greek Princess as we used to call her) is always fun to hang out with. Her daughter Zoey is actually a model- so while I was excited to capture her- I was a little nervous! Zoey turned out to be quite the little firecracker, she had me running everywhere. This in and of itself was funny since I was 8 months pregnant at the time.
Anyway- check out how stinkin’ cute she is:
This last picture is my ABSOLUTE favorite- her eyes are just gorgeous and those cheeks I could just kiss all day long!
Last Saturday was a beautiful day for a wedding, albeit hot, it was still beautiful. These two have a super cute story- they met while pumping gas at local Circle K! You just never know where you’ll find love. Joey is in the Navy and came home the day before their wedding, he surprised Katie by wearing his blue seaman’s uniform instead of the tuxedo she picked out. I like the uniform better and the look on her face when she saw him while walking down the isle was priceless. Here are some of my favorites from the day-
Congratulations you two! And Joey- thank-you for your service to our country, it was my pleasure and honor to be a part of your wedding day.
After a long week and weekend of editing- the “full” post is finally here. I posted a slideshow to youtube, but I think these pictures sum it up for me. Here are a few of my favorites, I hope you like them too!
Aren’t they so stinkin’ cute! I love the ring-bearer and flower-girl pictures- they always make for great pictures.
“Isn’t she lovely, isn’t she pretty, truly the angels best…”
The details of her dress were beautiful, the crystals, the beads, everything was just beautiful.
The lighting in this picture is just yummy and how her veil is blowing just a little bit in the wind. Pretty.
Heather workin’ it!
Their first communion as husband and wife.
Congrats you two- it was a blast!
Here it is- in all it’s glory A slideshow via youtube of my favorite 150 (give or take) wedding day pictures.
I have to say, I enjoyed so much about this day. I’ve known Heather for awhile and to see her walk down the isle just made me smile. I got especially teary eyed when I was shooting the pictures of Heather with her family. The McDowell’s have been family friends for many years, it was sort of like watching my favorite cousin get married. I especially love the pictures of Heather with her Dad, Heather by herself, Heather and Thomas after the wedding, Heather with the twins. There’s just something beautiful about a bride on her wedding day and Heather was particularly beautiful this day.
Thank-you Thomas and Heather for making me a part of this day. I am blessed and honored to be able to say, “I was there”.
This is a very quick post so that I can get back to editing for Heather who will be back from her honeymoon on Saturday. This wedding was soooo much fun! I was super excited when I got home because I knew I got some great pictures that Heather & Thomas would be stoked about. I did! This has to be one of my favorites. I don’t usually like church weddings- BUT- I really loved this one (ok I’m a bit partial since we attend here Anyway- I can’t take full credit for making this shot happen so thank-you John, Jeff & Chelsey who helped me pull this off!
We took off yesterday to Wilson Creek Winery to shoot a quick engagement/family portrait session with Thomas and Heather who are getting married this coming Friday. I have to say this was one of the easiest engagement session’s I think I’ve ever done. Both Thomas and Heather are very laid back and let me do just about whatever I wanted! We took their family pictures first and then we moved onto the engagement pictures. I had to laugh at Thomas who asked if it was, “time to make out now” Uhhh no. Just kidding- kind of. I told them to just relax and be sweet with each other. As you can tell- they were-
I think this is probably my favorite, I love the look in her eyes. That “I can’t wait to be married to you- I’d follow you to the ends of the earth” look…so romantic. (sigh)
Cute family- cute twins- just plain cuteness.
