where work and photos come together

[myphoblography]

this photo may not look like much but for me, it means a lot. my daughter no longer holds my pointer finger when we walk. she now grasps my hand fully. it happened so slowly that i don't even know when it was the last time that she did that. as much as i love holding her hand down the street like a big girl, i miss when her hand was so small that she could only hold on to one finger. sigh. 

i am happy that i captured a photo back in august of her gripping tightly my pointer finger so i can remember that at one stage, all she needed was one finger for support. 

this musing of a simple action reminds me of this old blog post that i wrote back in sept, 2011 when my daughter was five months young: 

--

i remember her firsts. her first smile. first laugh. even her first poop. but i don't remember her lasts because i never knew that it was going to be her last.

her oooh face...

... i can't even remember the last time she made this face. 

her thin baby legs...

...now they are chunky baby legs and never even noticed that they were growing.

her milk coma face...

...now i'm lucky if she gets that drunk again and wants to fall asleep on me.

she had fine baby hair on her shoulders and ears. she was my lil' monkey. now it's all gone and i didn't even notice that it was disappearing nor did i take pictures of her adorable fuzz (although when she's older, she'll probably be thankful i never took those photos). 

each time we embark on a new first, i know that there is another part of her baby self that slowly phases out. it won't be until a few weeks later that i become aware that she no longer has that lil' quirk. 

so for now, as she takes a nap on top of our bed, i'll take a picture and then place the camera down so i could just stare at her and soak every bit in...because sooner rather than later, this will also become her last. 

[myphoblography]

we welcomed the first day of winter by playing in the snow in our pajamas and teaching our daughter how to catch snow on the tongue. it wasn't a long snowfall but being californians, this was a real beautiful and surprise morning while in prescott, arizona.

[myphoblography]

with the holidays coming up, my little assistant and i have been trying to think of something for some black friday special. so after a long deliberation with her, here are two - one time only - offers that expires dec 2!

  - 20% off your print order from past session, use code: THANKS20 

* just go to your unexpired album and place an order. in the coupon section, enter THANKS20. please order prints by december 2 to guarantee arrival before the holidays which of course makes a perfect gift :) 

- 15% off your 2014 session 

* applies to newborns, families, engagements and weddings in the san jose or los angeles area. cannot be used towards mom and me mini session. can only be used towards one booking. 

* must book your date by december 2, 2013. to book your date, a non-refundable retainer and contract must be signed (due to life possibilities, weather, acts of god, the date may be changed as long as it does not conflict with any other prior engagements). please click here for your more information on sessions: 

email: [email protected] to book your session or visit your past gallery to place a print order. 

[myphoblography]

spending time with this beautiful family at hidden villa in los altos was pure awesomeness. it was their first time there so it was pretty much an adventure. between photos, we got to chase chickens, make loud moo noises and watch the pigs being pigs. and during the photos, they were just perfect and just knew how to rock the photos and being an amazing family :) 

[myphoblography]

i may have had the hardest time narrowing down this sneak peek because i am pretty much loving every photo from our wonderful afternoon at hollbrook palmer park that this sneak peek could easily turn into their gallery! we had so many adventures of climbing trees, picking oranges, climbing iron horses, running through the fields, throwing leaves in the air (and at me), horse-playing and even snuggles. they were just so much fun and photogenically perfect. i hope that the boys enjoyed their adventure time in the park too :) 

and the photographer in me absolutely loves this image and the wonderful pullback since i rarely get photos of me in action: 

i bring along a backup camera that is perfect for little ones to take photos with and i love this shot of me taking the image above. he was amazing behind the camera and let me know when he's ready to become my second assistant? :) 

[myphoblography]

i am a family photographer so when  the opportunity to join in a stylized session created by karey of hazy lane studios with twelve other photosgraphers, i was a bit nervous (in all caps). but that nervousness lasted about the distance of me walking from my car and into diablo country club. i was instantly welcomed by the beautiful team that put this session together. the friendliness and openness of everyone working together was amazing. we worked together (even when there were moments of bumping into each other, there were sorry's followed by laughters) and all swooned together when we would find stunning light. there is something that's just so inspirational and beautiful when you're surrounded by awesomeness. and these photos? definitely encompass the awesomeness of the day :) 

Venue:

Diablo Country Club

http://www.diablocc.org/

https://www.facebook.com/DiabloCC1914

  Caterer:

Absolute Celebrations

http://sfbayareacaterer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/absolutecelebrations?fref=ts

  Rentals:

Hartmann Studios

http://hartmannstudiosrentals.com/pages/view

https://www.facebook.com/HartmannStudiosRentals?fref=ts

  Event Planner:

Lindsay Lauren Events

https://www.facebook.com/LindsayLaurenEvents

  Photographer whose vision and awesomeness put this amazing day together: 

Hazy Lane Studios

http://hazylanestudios.com/

https://www.facebook.com/HazyLaneStudios?fref=ts

  Florist:

LC Floral Design

https://www.facebook.com/LCFloralDesign?fref=ts

  Bridal Gowns (2 of 3):

J’aime Bridal

http://www.jaimebridal.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jaime-Bridal/38144099657?ref=ts

  Bakery:

Le Gateau Elegant

http://www.legateauelegant.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Gateau-Elegant/114394995251561?fref=ts

  Dipped Apples:

Danville Chocolates

http://www.danvillechocolates.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DanvilleChocolates?fref=ts

  Makeup Artist:

Makeup by Adele

https://www.facebook.com/makeupbyadele

  Hair Stylist/ Hair pieces:

Ashley Michelle Hair & Forever Pieces

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashley-Michelle-Hair-and-Forever-Pieces/226989164128070?fref=ts

  Invitations/ Print Work:

Natalia Maria Designs

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Natalia-Maria-Designs/444541062289915?fref=ts

[myphoblography]

i captured this family originally when their little one just entered the world and i loved being in the company of their family and seeing how amazing big sister was. i think that one of my favorite things about what i do is to watch the families grow and i absolutely loved capturing their family again right after he turned one. they were so amazing with their smiles, giggles and love that they had for each other. and big sister has grown into a magnificent big sister who had so much love to give to her brother. such sweetness.

[myphoblography]

can you believe this beautiful family surrounded by all the hints of fall?! they were just absolutely stunning and i loved spending time with their little ones. our sunday morning adventure even included some fun ballet moves with their little girl, she even showed me how to do a correct plié :-) 

[myphoblography]

this was my first time venturing to sycamore grove in livermore and i absolutely love that they suggested this beautiful location. it was so perfect being out in the open fields, twirling around with the little ones and just watching them be a loving and fun family. plus i really love how they were dressed (mom you did a great job stylizing everyone. the soft pinks, creams and greys make me swoon!) 

[myphoblography]

i can't believe how stunning this family is and just look at how much they rocked the session at bernal-gulnac-joice ranch house in san jose. they were so much fun and so willing to entertain me with my crazy, fun idea of....

... giant bubbles! 

these bubbles were totally a hit with their little girl, i mean just look at this great big and super genuine kid smile right after a bubble popped over her (i also love how the light hits off the bubble particles so it looks like rain here)

[myphoblography]

i love the style and funness of this family! they were dressed so beautifully and they really knew how to rock santa cruz harbor. we enjoyed playing in the sand, climbing on boats and logs and rocks and jumping. thank you for being so wonderful and enjoy the sneak peek :) 

and the perfect way to wrap up this amazing and fun session?

by a stunning sunset.  

[myphoblography]

even though we're here about a month too early to really witness the beautiful fall foliage season, i love seeing the hints of it throughout the berkshires. from the crisp air, hints of leaves changing, fresh apples and apple cider, all of it warms me feeling the beauty of fall (we really don't get this in california). 

this field is in front of the place we're staying in great barrington. since arriving, i have been envisioning a beautiful sunset session with my daughter, her red rain boots and a red/black umbrella that we have. so with the clear sky and the sun starting to dip, we headed into the field for some photos and play. about one minute into capturing some images, we were attacked by mosquitos. after killing about six on me at one time plus my daughter having them swarm her, we ran back to our room. whoops, photo dreams crushed, ha! mosquitos are my least favorite things, ugh! 

hopefully we can attempt another fun and silly golden hour session either in connecticut or new york which is where we are heading to next. yay :) 

[myphoblography]

they love disneyland, horror films, kisses, and sweets so to celebrate their first wedding anniversary, i brought all of their loves into their own stylized session to create a unique evening after our time at the barn.

an evening under the stars watching old super eight movies with disney's duel of the wizards and bela lugosi in frankenstein (i traditionally do not shoot with the intention of having some final photos be in black and white but with frankenstein in black and white, it seemed very fitting to think with having those photos in black and white). every element was carefully put together for them and included a lot of vintage items, custom made tickets using the wallpaper from disney's haunted mansion, small damask elements which was a theme in their wedding and a bottle of cupcake red wine to enjoy the evening. so much sweetness and love. 

[myphoblography]

best way to celebrate the first day of fall? by picking apples while on vacation in the berkshires, massachusetts. 

this was our first time picking fruit at an orchard and when i told my daughter that she could pick/eat the apples from the tress, she made this face and said ooooooooh. i think i made the same face just by the beauty of the location :) 

[myphoblography]

i can't even begin to express how amazing and in love these two are plus incredibly stylish, just look at how they rocked the location! we spent a bit of time soaking in the last of golden hour at one of my favorite locations at santa teresa county park, bernal gulnac joice ranch house. 

and this sneak peek? it is just part one from their absolutely stunning session, i can't wait to showcase part two! 

[myphoblography]

an evening at our local barn for golden hour with a sprinkle of hay mischief...swoon.

[myphoblography]

one of my favorite things with family photo sessions is to find a place that is special to the family as i love how it brings out an additional layer of family love and happiness that is captured. so when they told me that they were thinking of santa cruz beach boardwalk, i did cartwheels (okay at least in my head). i went to uc santa cruz (go banana slugs) so santa cruz holds many special memories for me including the boardwalk. i am so happy we spent the evening at a place that brings smiles, laughs, cuddles, toddler chases and just pure fun.