As you might imagine, photographing a 3yr old and a 1yr old boy can be a bit challenging. What 3yr old boy doesn’t want to run all over the place? What 1yr old (boy or girl for that matter) doesn’t always want to be holding a goldfish? This is why I love challenges. I feel success when I can get them to look in the general direction of my camera and look happy, no matter what they’re doing!

I hope you guys enjoy your sneak peek! I have lots more for you to see in your gallery. ‘Til next time…

I just think this one is fun.

I have some really cute ones of him sitting on those steps. He was smiling and looking at my camera because he was looking for an alien hiding inside. Finding aliens was the newest and most fun adventure in this little boy’s life that week. In the second shot, nothing screams Southern California like palm trees and a beach cruiser, does it?

This one needs no words.

Funny stories to go along with both of these photos. He looks super cute and happy in the first one, right? I, as the photographer, was sooo lucky this little guy looked like he was smiling when indeed he was crying. In the second shot, we were standing in an alley way where the wind blew in just at the right angle to completely blow her skirt up. We’re talking total Marilyn Monroe here. I could see everything she had on under her skirt. Much to her husband’s dismay, I didn’t happen to catch that on my camera because I was bent over laughing so hard, but the restaurant worker sitting outside on his break near us might have had an entertaining 15min.

I don’t know if they knew I was behind them snapping away. I love candids.

Those dark brown eyes reflect the light so beautifully. Don’t both boys just totally look like dad?

I love these shots for a couple of reasons. First, I just love how pure happiness just glows from this little guy’s face. Second, I’m thrilled I managed to nail focus on each one when he was running at lightning speed right at me.

Aren’t they gorgeous? These two have really created an amazing life together.

Playing in the waves was the highlight of this little guy’s day.

Melts my heart.

Love this shot.

Quite possibly my favorite before and after shots. This is how our evening ended. The tide was coming up and before you know it, this poor little guy got knocked over by a wave. Dad was there to pick him up and they quickly stripped all of his wet clothes off and wrapped him in a warm dry towel. It was actually the perfect ending to a fun photo shoot!

It was a true honor to finally be able to take your family photos! Next time I visit, I’ll bring my kids so we can actually hang out more! xoxox

Love the light in this one as well as their expressions. All I see is content.

LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about this one. We got the most fantastic backlight up on that rooftop.

The boys. Super cute, yes?

If you know her, which a lot of you reading this blog do, you know this is totally their personality. Together since they were teenagers and still super frisky? Love it.

You should have seen what they were doing right before he had his hands all over her tooshie.

Isn’t she just the sweetest little thing?

You should have seen the looks on their faces when I asked them to hold hands. It was pretty adorable in a yuck-don’t-make-me-hold-my-sister’s-hand kind of way.

No one can do red lipstick like she can. Love their expressions here.

It was a true privilege photographing your family!!!

Happy first birthday!

I asked permission from this session’s mom to mention all of this and if she’d be interested in writing something up about her experience. Here’s what she had to say:

He was diagnosed on the spectrum at age 2 with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS). We feel very fortunate because he is high functioning but that’s not to say the past 4 years have been without struggles. Communication and the social interaction used to be a huge concern but thanks to Early Intervention and ABA therapy (I’m a huge advocate) he has made amazing strides! Within the past year the ADHD has been particularly challenging. Unfortunately ADHD goes hand-in-hand with Autism Spectrum disorders.

What has been very challenging for the family is trying to plan as much structure as possible for his day. This is not easy especially when going to unstructured events such as a photo session. This causes him increased anxiety which, for him, results in hyperactivity and sensory seeking behaviors. Though he has improved so much over the years. As an infant and toddler we didn’t get a lot of good professional photos just because he was often irritable and very busy. When we saw how “uncooperative” he was it just increased our anxiety as parents. A photographer who is working with a child on the Autism Spectrum needs to be very patient, versatile and engaging. Sometimes it takes a little more time to get that one good shot! You definitely possess the qualities that I think a photographer who is working with a child on the spectrum should have….patient, engaging and versatile.

Enjoy your sneak peek! I hope you love them as much as I do. I really enjoyed getting to know your family.

Started out with a cute family shot. Have I ever mentioned how thrilled I get when everyone looks at the camera? Seriously – that makes me soooooooooo happy.

Adorable, right? So cute!

I don’t think I’ve ever met a toddler who doesn’t like to swing on mom and dad’s hands.

Got these smiles after I asked them to say “strawberry cheese.” They thought that was FUN-NY.

Love it.

Mom and her boys. Love how it looks like the little one is puckering up for a BIG kiss.

Dad and his boys.

Had to show a couple “real” shots. These guys were cracking each other up with their faces. And this monster truck was a very important part of our session.

The easiest pics to get are the ones of just mom and dad. Ahhhh.

I’ll be making my decisions as to which couples will be one of the lucky five as interest comes in, so don’t wait one minute if you’re interested. Your spot might be gone before you know it!

My wedding prices and collections can be seen HERE. If you aren’t familiar with my photography, an example of a wedding I shot can be seen HERE. Email Me today if you’re interested.

To be honest, those memories are the ones that I’ll probably forever remember and cherish. Things like this make me smile every time I think about it, because that’s just how my kids are. Occasionally I’m able to snap a few good ones to help me remember.

I’d say this was between hours 2 and 3 of our attempt to get the kids to go to sleep. We look like we’re calm and relaxed and enjoying a nice romantic sunset, right?

These gorgeous kids have the BEST personalities. So sweet and playful. They ranged in age from 8 to almost 1. I am such a fan of the wardrobe the moms put together for the kids (as well as for this previous session I did for them earlier in the year). I said that I should start using her as my consultant to advise people on portrait wardrobe choices. Didn’t they do a fabulous job?

We started off the session with some fun photos in the pearl district. Thanks to the parents for making sure I didn’t get run over by a car for some of those shots!

Brother and sister. These two were wonderful.

Three cuties. Love how her brothers have her acting just as goofy as them.

Sweet sisters. Just look at those blue eyes.

The girls and the boys.

The BIG race!

Fun!!! What kid doesn’t love to splash around in Jamison fountain on a hot July evening.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the BEST part of the entire evening. Each kid got one big cold creamy scoop of Cool Moon Ice Cream – only the best place in Portland to get ice cream. This is the best part: after the session I was treated to the most delicious scoop of ice cream (split between coffee chip on the bottom and butter pecan on the top – details are important, you know). I just may have to make that a requirement from now on if a session takes place within a 5 min walk of Cool Moon and the temp is greater than 75F. Just sayin’.

Oh, back to the photos. The kids seemed to enjoy their ice cream too. Maybe not as much as I did, but pretty darn close.

This was a beautiful wedding. Small, quaint, fun, playful, delicious, gorgeous. The bride – breathtaking. This couple is so amazing together. It doesn’t take more than 10 seconds of seeing them together to feel that they are completely in love and so comfortable with each other. I honestly adored every moment of their wedding, from start to finish.

Congratulations, Rachel and Brooks! May you have a lifetime of love and laughter together!

The dress was spectacular. There are very few woman who could wear this dress as well and it fit her beautifully.

The shoes! I almost died when her mom took these out of the box. I cannot describe how much I love them, and they matched the bridesmaids perfectly.

Just look at that expression on dad’s face.

The bride and groom didn’t see each other for the ceremony. This is the first time the groom laid eyes on his beautiful bride and she looked right back at him.

Sealed with a kiss.

Love this one. One of the groomsmen (see laughing goofball below) tried to get the groom to sign the marriage certificate, only he handed him an electric shock pen. Priceless.

So much thought and work goes into every little detail that makes a wedding spectacular.

The food was outstanding. If you know me, I think food is one of the most important aspects of any event.

Cutting the cake.

Celebrating the toasts with a little bubbly.

Ah, the first dance. I love it!

The father daughter dance. Again, Dad is beaming!

Now, on to some of my favorite shots of the evening…

Now, how about some really big news! In the coming weeks I’ll be announcing my BIG wedding giveaway! Here’s the deal: I will be booking 5 weddings at half off, and one of those five will win their wedding photography for free!!! If you are engaged to be married, or know anyone who is engaged, please email me and let me know if you are interested in learning the details of the Wedding Giveaway before I publish them to the world. This is going to be FUN!

(selected couples must meet and agree to qualifying terms and conditions)

I could gush on and on about this family – they are very near and dear to my heart – but I will just let the photos speak for themselves. I can’t wait to take their newborn photos in a couple months!

Sit back. Relax. Enjoy the endless beauty of an Oregon summer, the maternal glow of a pregnant mom, the pride and joy of a loving father, and one of the cutest little girls I know who will soon be a big sister.

Just to give you a hint, because hints are fun… in the coming months I plan to do more casting calls for HS Seniors, an awesome deal for all inclusive wedding photography with very limited number of dates available (keep your eyes open for this one if you or someone you know will be getting married in the next year), holiday mini sessions (short sessions at a great price with digital files and holiday cards included), and the occasional free give away or discount just because I feel like it.

To sign up for my newsletter, click HERE and fill out your name, email, city and state. Don’t wait… there might be a goodie in store for the first people on the mailing list!!!