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Happy Mother’s Day: Laguna Beach Family Portraits

Everyone warned me that Junior year of high school was killer.  Between academics, standardize testing, school activities and trying to perform in the pool, I feel like my son Cameron never gets a break.  I want time to slow down, because I know the next year or so will go by way too quickly.  I am sure senior year will be filled with friends and fun and I will get limited opportunities to spend one of one time with him before he leaves for college.  This has been in the forefront of my mind as I quickly get in the last of the graduating class of 2015 Senior Photography Sessions.

I am always thrilled to photographer seniors before they embark into adulthood.  Really, it is the last opportunity to have a photography session planned that solely focuses on who the senior is today.  It is even better when Mom gets involved.  I have photographed Noelle for herself and for business in the past, and I was excited to include her in her daughter’s High School senior photography session.  Since the Wheelers have unfortunately, not done many family sessions over the years, we decided to make this about all the girls in the Wheeler family and do a sister’s session as well.  Here are just a few of my favorites from the session.  There were really just so many beautiful images and the girls were naturals in front of the camera!  Enjoy!

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The Simpson Family: Laguna Beach Family Photography

I love a gal that comes completely prepared, and who is a little afraid of wearing white pants.  Allyn Ann and family showed up in the Newport Back Bay with super cute outfits on as well as backup outfits just in case something got dirty.   We started by showing Georgia the cute ducks on the farm that I visited most Sunday evenings as a kid.  She asked where the cows, chickens, horses and piggies were?  This two year old definitely has a little spice to her personality… another thing I love especially in 2 year olds.

Like most photography sessions that include two year olds, it felt a little like directed chaos.  Georgia ran back and forth chased by Jeremy, her Dad, or by her sweet Mama.  She shared with Desi and I that her Grandpop calls her Sugar and her Mama say “love you”!  I couldn’t stop smiling.  I ran behind with my camera and tried to distract her my asking her what color are the flowers, and what do they smell like.  In the end we got some many sweet images.  Here are just a few.  Don’t forget to check out the video at the end for more cute portraits!  Enjoy!

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The Roman Family

A huge part of my marketing effort is to support schools…. all schools both public and private.  So when JSerra asked me to donate to their Gala, I gladly agreed.  Lucky for me, the Roman family purchased the gift certificate.   This family had always wanted to do a family photography session, but were nervous that it would be a hassle, and that they wouldn’t know how to smile, pose, etc. etc.

The Romans showed up at the session dressed in perfect Spring colors.  Spring is the perfect time for family photography and, as you will see, the parks in Orange County are gorgeous at this time of year.  As is typically with a Blue Sky’s session, we just started off being silly together.  Lots of dumb jokes, and hugs and tickles made this session just really fun and relaxed.   Right when the session was complete, both Mom and Dad said they had so much fun, they wished they hadn’t waited so long to photograph their family.  As I told them, it is never too late to start.  I can tell already, this wonderful family with now become a part of our Blue Sky’s family!  Enjoy!

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Click on the slideshow to see more of this session! :)

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Beautiful Carolin

I am so inspired by the amazing people I get to photograph each day.  Especially those people who face adversity with a smile and have a beautiful spirit.  Carolin is one of those unique, beautiful individuals who can really light up a room with her gorgeous smile.  She is an only child whose Mom is a survivor of brain cancer.  Unfortunately, Carolin’s mom is in wheelchair as a result of an injury suffered after the cancer treatment.  Carolin’s amazing Dad is super supportive, but still has to travel for work.  This doesn’t slow Carolin down at all.  She comes home, helps fix dinner and hangs out and keeps her mom company and still manages to find time to act in her school plays and get all her homework done on time.  A truly warm, sweet, bright and loving person.  I am so proud to have had an opportunity to capture her beauty, inside and out! Enjoy!

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See more by watching her slideshow:

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The Ollendorff Twins: Newport Beach Family Photography

Every year there is a new spot in Orange County where I find a lot of creative inspiration.   In this particular spot, it isn’t just because it is naturally so beautiful and diverse, but it is also because, as a child, on most Sunday evenings, it is where my Dad took me and my siblings to feed the ducks.  In our house, Sunday was family day.  Even during high school, we were not allowed to book anything on Sundays, especially in the evening.  We would have dinner at around 4 pm, head off to feed the ducks and then round out the evening with a game of cards, a trip to the movies a board game… anything that involved the whole family.  Some weekends my dad would pile us all into the car for a quick weekend camping trip, but most of the time it involved a trip to the duck farm.

I love these family memories, because they were not about spending a lot of money, but rather just spending good old quality time together.  Throughout the years, Bob and I have tried to instill the same sense of family with our kids.  Unfortunately, with the high demands of competitive swimming, we can’t often take the time to go for a drive on Sunday evenings, but we have played our fair share of board games, piled into the car to go for a long walk in the harbor to look at boats and each day we have made it a goal to spend an hour together as a family.

That is why I was so excited to share one of my favorite spots with the Ollendorff family.  They meet up with me at the head of the trail in Newport Back Bay last Sunday evening, and we hiked and just stopped to take portraits of their two beautiful twin girls as it struck our fancy!  We ended up at sunset on the bluffs overlooking the beautiful Back Bay and all we were missing was a picnic dinner to make the evening amazing.  This is the best way, I have found, to truly get natural, organic beautiful images of kids.  To just sit back and let the moments happen.  I also love the fact that they incorporated a part of their family history into the session… the grandma’s nightgown!  I feel so fortunate to get to photograph these girls every year around their birthday, since they were babies!  This has to be one of my favorite sessions with the two of them!  Enjoy!

Play their slideshow to see more of the entire session: