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San Juan Capistrano Fall Mini- Session [Cuthbertson Family] / Orange County Family Photographer

02.24.17

It was a blast photographing the whole Cuthbertson bunch during my Fall Minis! I’ve been documenting Katherine and her family for years now and when she told me she wanted to get all of her husband Phil’s side of the family in on the fun, I was so excited!

I couldn’t get enough of all the precious Mommy and daughter moments happening during this session. As a mother of two daughters myself, it was such an honor to capture that special bond and to have it preserved in time for generations. These are the kind of moments that matter; the images that may be displayed at their daughter’s weddings years from now. The before to their after photos of their babies all grown. Reminding you of how fleeting it all is and at the same time, reminding you to stop and soak it all in.

I think one of the sweetest things was hearing how tearful and happy Katherine’s mother-in-law was to have these photos of her kids and her grandkids. It’s such a beautiful gift to give to the ones who laid the foundation for the entire family. Grandma and Grandpa must be so proud!

Thank you, Cuthbertson Family for entrusting me with your memories. Looking forward to the next shoot with you all and to see how you’ve grown.

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San Juan Capistrano Fall Mini- Session [Forsse + McBeth Family] / Orange County Family Photographer

02.16.17

I just love this group! I’ve been photographing the Forsse family since their oldest daughter, Kora was in her Mommy’s belly! It’s so amazing to look at them now and to see Kora’s brother and cousins; this family has grown right before my eyes and it’s such an honor to capture them at every stage in their life.

Nana Cathy, who I love and adore set up this Fall Mini-Session and it was so much fun photographing the whole group and some separate group shots as well. Cathy and Doug have been married nearly 40 years and I swear, they are still so obviously in love and best friends. Talk about couple goals!

You can plan and plan and plan but the best-laid plans of mice and men (and parents!), often go awry. We were ready to take the group shot but there were a couple littles that weren’t quite ready! The cutest twin girls that I ever did see! I couldn’t wait to get them in front of my camera but they couldn’t wait to get their nap on 😉 We forged ahead with crying and screaming in full force and you know what- that’s life with toddlers! What parent hasn’t been there. That’s exactly what I love about what I do; real, authentic moments captured in time reminds us of where we’ve been and where were going. Years from now, the real moments we remember through photographs are what mean the most. They are what give context and love and honesty to each space in time. And that right there is priceless.

I think the sweetest thing was that each couple had their own shot, just the two of them together. So often after you have a family, every photo is either of the kids or with the kids. It’s so important to remember who you were as a couple before the kids.

Enjoy, McBeth and Forsse families! Cheers to years of continued love, laughter, real moments and memories to last a lifetime.

*P.S. Check out the Throwback Thursday on the bottom of this post*

Throwback Thursday to this family in 2011. Oh Kora, time flies when you’re having fun dancing!

And, Ummm….Kora’s curls!!! Holy sweetness.

Love, love, love.

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San Juan Capistrano Family Session [Garcia Family] / Orange County Family Photographer

02.09.17

After much rain and more to come (kind of a big deal in So Cal!), we have had a bit of a break. The sun is back to shining and the fields and hills are glowing beautiful green and warm tones. It was absolutely stunning and this photographer’s dream come true.

I was so excited to photograph the Garcias and to capture this season of blossoming, not only in nature but also for this loving family. Their newest addition Isaac was born just about the same time they closed on their new home! Talk about a season of blossoming! Such an exciting time and so perfect that their incredible team who helped them purchase their new home (Jerry, Michelle & Nicole of the LaMott Group at Surterre Properties) gifted them this session so that they could hang their new family of FOUR photos on their NEW walls! LOVE that!

Kristel has been one of my best friends for twenty years. Twenty. So crazy writing this because I still remember meeting her for the first time when we were fourteen years old in some freshman high school class. Through all the growing pains that happen in life during those years; losing friendships, gaining new ones, first cars, first heart breaks, parties, turning twenty-one, attending the same college, backpacking all through Europe for a month together at twenty-three, learning more about ourselves, changing, finding our true loves, engagement parties, bachelorette parties, our weddings and then having our first born babies due ONE day apart and being BORN forty-three MINUTES apart. Wow. How did we survive? I’m not quite sure but I’m proud of us. Even more so, I’m proud of Kristel and Brian and the family they have built. Those boys are so lucky to have them.

Cheers to still being the Queen of the Castle and to lots of incredible memories to come!

I mean, come on! Smiles from all four. And check out wild man, Dominick! Life of the party, always!

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San Clemente Graduation Portraits [Tatum] / Orange County Photographer

12.31.16

High School graduation is such an important milestone in life and I was so excited when Tatum’s Mom contacted me to photograph her daughter’s senior portraits! Tatum will be graduating this year from San Clemente High School and so it was only fitting that her portraits take place with the San Clemente Pier as the backdrop. These two were the sweetest mother and daughter duo! I could see how proud Tatum’s Mom was of her and the beauty that shined on both the outside and the inside of Tatum was so special to witness. The perfect moment in time. It was a rainy and stormy day but we just rearranged the time a bit and went to work! I love the unique light and the beautiful skies that happen during those stormy, cloudy days and they make for some of the best photographs. Not the mention that beautiful wind-blown hair that comes as a result- no fan needed!

It was particularly special for me shooting these senior portraits as I am an alumni of San Clemente High School (go Tritons!). And although it does not feel like I was graduating from SCHS that long ago, now I’m an actual “grown up” with a husband and two kiddos! It’s so important to document all of life’s milestones. Time flies but these fleeting moments captured in images take us back and remind us of where we’ve been and where we’re going. They remind us of a time that dosent seem like too long ago and at the same time, feels like a million years away. They teleport us back to life’s most precious spaces in time.

Enjoy the photos, Tatum and Kim! I hope you cherish them for years to come. Congratulations!

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San Juan Capistrano Fall Mini- Session [Noubakht Family] / Orange County Family Photographer

11.08.16

I look forward to Fall Mini-Session season every year. Not only is Fall my favorite season- the decor, the pumpkin spice candles, the slight crisp in the air (this IS California, after all!) and the promise of the festivities in the upcoming months. I also love this season because it’s when I get to see all of my families that I photograph every year and see how they’ve grown. It’s also so very special when I get to meet a new family and capture their unique dynamic. I just loved meeting the Noubakht Family! They are so sweet and easy-going and I could truly feel the closeness of this family. Such a joy to have a sneak peek into their family’s love.

I loved how silly this brother and sister duo were! You could see how much they adore each other and how fun it is for them to goof off! And that Scarlett’s infectious giggle and huge, bright smile made my entire day. No. My entire week! She’s just the cutest!

Thank you, Noubakht Family! I had a blast capturing you all and hope to continue to watch your family grow. Enjoy! XO