Matthew

I may have just met the happiest little boy in the world! The second I saw Matthew, he greeted me with the sweetest smile I have ever seen. Not only do I feel blessed to be able to pursue my passion, but I am also humbled to have people invite me into their lives and allow me to document their special moments and important milestones. In Matthew's case, he had a very important achievement to smile about.This little guy just recently climbed up the mobility ladder from a crawler to a speedy and fearless walker. His awesome parents and I seemed to share a vision for Matthew's shoot, and we both wanted to capture his newly found independence with minimal direction from either of us. Not only were they extremely patient and willing to let their little guy explore, they were both ready to literally hike the extra mile (in what felt like desert heat) to get the shots I had in mind. His parents were extremely helpful and made many comedic contributions throughout the whole session...always appreciated! As long as we didn't ask him to pose or sit in one place, Matthew was a happy camper! At times before a shoot, I tend to get caught up in the location and minor details of the session. However, Matthew reminded me this weekend that there is nothing I love more than focusing on the individual and the variety of natural expressions they bring forth. No location or out-of-this-world prop can compare to capturing the authenticity of each individual. Matthew invited me to follow him as we both made our own discoveries. Here are some of the highlights from our shoot. Thanks for stopping by...enjoy! 

Nelly & Alex

The moment we found out Nelly loves to read, my sister and I immediately decided to take a step back in time (and by “step” I mean multiple steps) and revisit the children’s section of our local library. The nostalgia inspired us to grab a few classics to incorporate into these portraits of Nelly and her brother Alex. Nelly had made the executive decision from the moment of her arrival that she would very politely decline my offer to take her picture. Thankfully, her unwillingness to pose was exactly what I needed to capture her beautiful and authentic expressions. Her brother Alex on the other hand, merely wanted to crawl at record speeds and discover the seemingly exciting blades of grass around him. These two little ones had such distinct personalities and a collective peaceful energy that made this session a memorable one. Nelly and Alex’s mom definitely came prepared, complete with countless outfits, props and snacks!  My face lit up when I saw the perfect little dress she brought along that immediately fit our vision for the photos, and delightfully captured the essence of Spring. Kudos!  Their dad was also an unbelievable help, and made our job effortless by entertaining them and keeping them engaged by reading , making them laugh and coming up with endless imaginative games. We immediately asked the both of them to join our team, and help us on all of our shoots but, they sadly seem to have their hands full! Here are some of the highlights from this session. Thanks for stopping by…enjoy! 

Les Deux Amis

The girls at LDA contacted me for a photo session for their new clothing line. They wanted some photos of one of the many charms featured on their new t-shirts.  This was my second time shooting products, and I find that it gets a little tricky switching from people to objects. Obviously, the direction and expression I’m so used to become nonexistent, so it requires me to shift gears a bit and step out of my comfort zone. My goal during this session was to try and give life to the inanimate objects. When we met to discuss the details of the shoot, we all agreed that our location and concept should be as simple and effortless as the t-shirts themselves. An appreciation for simplicity always impresses me. The fresh and artistic quality of these t-shirts definitely makes them one-of-a-kind and something I’d love to wear. The natural setting was a perfect backdrop for the vibrant colors.  Make sure to check out the Les Deux Amis website at www.shopLDA.com . Here are some of the highlights from our shoot. Thanks for stopping by…enjoy!  

My Favorite Kind of Friendship...

A shoot capturing the unbreakable bond between Vaneh and her favorite Dachshund? Don’t mind if I do!  I can definitely relate to this relationship and understand the power of the unconditional love dogs can bring to our lives. Although my four-legged friends make incredible subjects, they also make me work for each and every shot! Since Aldo had more human-like expressions than any dog I have seen, he gave me amazing faces and a lot of versatility. His adorably short stature made him impossibly close to the ground which tested my flexibility and required me to spend some quality time with the asphalt and dirt. Vaneh is an aspiring veterinarian, and after spending just a few minutes with her, anyone can see that working with animals is definitely her calling. As a committed animal lover, she spends her spare time working with dogs at the local shelter where she walks them and gives them the affection they so desperately need.  When I hear about selfless acts of compassion like this, it reassures me that genuine kindness most definitely exists amongst us.  Here are some of the highlights from our shoot. Thanks for stopping by…enjoy.