Melissa, Patrick, and Ivy

I met Melissa on a photography forum and we discovered that we were just two hours away from each-other (she is from Reno). She, her husband, and her 14 month old daughter drove all the way to Old Folsom to meet for our photography swap- I did photos for her, and she did photos for me. Ah, the benefits of being a photographer, huh? :) We are so often behind the camera and then look back and realize that we aren't in any of our own family photos. Well, Melissa and I changed that this weekend! I have to tell you about my new favorite store in all of Folsom - Melange! It's an awesome shabby chic/antique store and basically every girl's dream. Frillyness and girlishness galore! I ended up talking to the owner about my photography business and she offered to let us shoot in their shop. I was bouncing off the walls at the opportunity! Fellow photographers would appreciate the plethora of chairs, fabrics, mirrors, chandeliers, dolls, and everything mini- ideal for child portraits! Special THANK YOU to Stacy and Terri for letting us "make ourselves at home"!

Laura & Peter's Pre-Wedding Shoot

I will be photographing Laura & Peter's wedding this December, and before their big day, they were interested in doing an engagement session. Both Laura & Peter are blessed with beautiful children and Laura asked me if they could turn their engagement session into a bit of a family session. Of course! I loved the idea of including their families so that I could offer them not only romantic shots of them as a couple, but shots of their newly combined family. We headed out to the Folsom Powerhouse on the American River on a HOT Sunday morning. I was super early, as always (I'm one of those people who is usually so early that I end up sitting in the car for 20 minutes...) and was able to watch them up- in 3 different cars! It was the first time that I had met Peter, the kids, and Laura's mom. Everyone was so warm and kind that I was instantly at ease and knew that the shoot would be a breeze (I seriously did not intend for that to rhyme).

Like I said, it was a hot day, even at 10:30am. Sweat was dripping down the back of my tank top and we all kept having to pat our faces before the next shot. We had an awesome time and were able to capture every combination of this new family- mom & dad, mom with kids, dad with daughter, mom with mom, grandma with kids, and everyone together. When I met Laura, one of the first things I noticed was her gorgeous ice blue eyes against her dark hair. All 3 of her children obviously inherited her gorgeous yes, but in all different shades. When I met Laura's mom, I saw where it all began! Peter and his daughter held a special place in my heart because I am a total daddy's girl. There is nothing that I love more than a special relationship between a father and his daughter.

I cannot wait to see all of them again on Laura & Peter's big day!

Baby "P3" - First Birthday Session with Mom & Dad!

Let's call him "P3" - yes, the adorable little guy below! I met P3 and his parents through baby Summer's mom. I made the trek to San Francisco for this shoot. I love a good adventure and I happened to luck out on this one- not only did I make the drive for a fabulous session, but also for an AMAZING day. If you've ever been to SF you know that 80 degree days are few and far between. I've lived in CA for 18+ years, have been to the city a few dozen times, and I have never seen a day like the one we had on Saturday. I met P3 and his parents near the famous Lombard Street. We did a few there with the Coit Tower serving as our backdrop. We snuck a few in of Alcatraz, a few with the trolly, a few in the random allys (uhm, to die for GORGEOUS!), and then we were off to the BEACH! We almost got lost, but we made it. The temperature was a tad cooler on the exposed side of the coast, but we were still greeted by hundreds of other folks enjoying the perfect day.

P3 is quite possibly the calmest, most laid back, and most observant 1 year old that I have ever met. He did such a great job! Not a peep out of him the whole time...oh, wait...except for when he took a little face plant into the sand, but who can blame him?! Sand + mouth = yuck.

Thank you again to Mommy W & Daddy P for letting me shoot your adorable little family in such a world class setting. I had a blast!