Christiana and Matt: Ocean Avenue Session

 Living in West LA, I've always wanted to do a shoot on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. Forget the pier and that gorgeous pool of water across the street; my secret crush is on the row of beautiful boutique hotels that line the East side of the street. Although each hotel has their own distinct personality, it's the combination of the buildings that I think is so amazing. Take a walk through the lobby of the Georgian and you instantly feel like a celebrity circa 1930...not a very common feeling in Los Angeles circa 2011!

It was almost too perfect, then, to hear about Christiana and Matt's own connection to the Georgian Hotel - . this was the very spot that Christiana and Matt chose to kick up their feet as their first night as Mr. and Mrs., four years ago almost to the day :)

Celebrating Christiana and Matt and their anniversary was one of the most fun and inspiring shoots I've ever done. To watch as they smiled, laughed and had SO MUCH fun together was incredible. Thank you, Christiana and Matt, for our afternoon together and for the preview of what I have to look forward to in the next few years :)

My favorite shot of the day...

It's Official...Spring Has Arrived!

 Last week, I ventured out to Burbank for an afternoon session with two of my favorite little friends, Bree and Sean. I love any chance I get to shoot both kids as they both remind me so much of everything I remember my own childhood to be - fun, silly and so imaginative! 

I remember being Bree's age and spending countless hours in the backyard, searching for my idea of perfectly shaped rocks - those that resembled hearts, unicorns and stars. Watching her so focused on finding her own little treasures was so amazing. If I were not so intent on capturing these adorable little moments of her, I would've gladly set down my camera for the afternoon to help her search!

ayesha & gaspar - due in october

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet Ayesha and her incredibly sweet husband for a pregnancy session. We decided to shoot at Malibu and after a drive up the coast, found the perfect spot. Just past Geoffrey's, it was an amazing stretch of coastline hidden from the main road. He held her hand and helped her down the rocks while I walked behind them, soaking it all in.

Ayesha is gorgeous anyway, but pregnant? She GLOWS! It was such a fun session! I honestly sat back and watched as the two of them did their own thing - relaxed on a blanket, walked in the ocean barefoot and gazed out to watch the sunset. They are such a beautiful couple and I can' t wait to meet their little man :) 

 

location, location, location

When my gorgeous cousin Emily was in town for her baby shower last month, we set aside some time for a pregnancy shoot. We spent most of the day at the LA Arboretum but by 4 o'clock, had both maxed out on flowers and peacocks. It was the end of the day and I wanted an architectural feel to balance all of the other shots of Emily standing near waterfalls and grass. This shot was taken in front of a bank; it's my go-to brick wall that I've used for multiple shoots. No studio required :)

Thank you, Emily, for the opportunity to help celebrate this amazing time in your life :)

Seriously, could she be any more beautiful?

ballerina toes

I love the look of soft window light, but have a hard time creating natural looking fill with my external flash. After discovering instructions for an easy DIY bounce card made from lightweight foam, I couldn't wait to give it a try! My $1.50 project worked pretty well...now I can finally toss the Omni Bounce that refuses to stay attached :). Click here to download the bounce card template.