amanda + adam + autumn + addison + ashton = family.

when jeni and josh booked their session, amanda and adam jumped on it too (yes they know eachother) and i couldn't be happier about it. it was a lot of fun. we shot at the same location in ventura, ca and the beauty of it is, even though we did some similar things, each family brings their own bond and essence to a session. i just love that! so check out what we goods we got with theirs...

the girls did some spinning. probably one of the best child activities to do evah in wide open grass.


baby ashton (whom just turned one) took some steps!


they all held hands. &hearts


sister bonds rule.




autumn.


addison.


ashton.






photographing and capturing kids as who they really are is always hilarious to me!




i love autumn!




thank you amanda and adam! always good to see you guys and what a joy to have baby ashton as a new addition to the family! looking forward to watching them grow.

jeni + josh + grace + brianna = family.

actually i have been shooting them for a couple years now although it is a little more difficult these days since they now currently live in guam. jeni and josh made it out to visit while celebrating their 10 year anniversary (woo hoo guys)! jeni's parents live in ventura (which is where we met) and joined us for a few photos with their kids and grandkids.

we started out our session at the crowne plaza in ventura (fun fact: a location for the end of the movie little miss sunshine) because this is where jeni and josh got married 10 years ago when it was actually a holiday inn. needless to say it's had a few changes but the big palm tree is still going strong and is really all we needed to make it another special memory for them.






then we made our way up to "the cross" (a well known local lookout spot to get the rest of these)... it was windy. ;)






brianna couldn't contain herself. reminds me of a little someone i know.








grace.


brianna.




thanks so much you guys! as always it was great spending time with your family. have a safe trip home and congratulations on ten amazing years together!

jenna + chris = married. [a santa barbara wedding]

whew. my drive out to santa barbara was kinda crazy! lots of whacko traffic but all i needed was my loaded ipod and some caffeine and i was good to go. i actually got to listen to three awesome episodes of this american life (my favorite show evar!)

i arrived at the hotel mar monte where jenna was getting ready with the girls.





she's really adorable. obviously.




she kept cracking up!


we then were shuttled down the street to fess parker's doubletree hotel for the ceremony.






i love these kisses!




we were at the beach of course!




the girls were so fun!














their wedding reception was at the cabrillo pavilion arts center.

their first dance was gorgeous. fyi: chris is a great dipper!




cupcakes! my favorite! i mean really, who doesn't just adore cupcakes? let me at 'em!


jenna and chris, thanks so much! i enjoyed being a part of your big day. it was beautiful! i wish you both a life full of love, success and much laughter and happiness! xo

tomoko + masa = married 19 years.

remember nao and naoya? well their friends saw their wedding photos and wanted some for their anniversary. they flew to beverly hills from japan to celebrate and i met with them at the peninsula hotel. i was told they didn't speak much english but i managed to learn right away that they have been married 19 years! they are so cute and sweet. i was greeted right away with these thoughtful and yummy gifts! on the left is a cleaning cloth for my lenses and on the right some yummy rice crackers i have already devoured a bag of. thank you SO much tomoko and masa! i love them.


tomoko also then showed me some of her beautiful beadwork. then we shot these in their room:


then masa guided me around the hotel grounds to some areas they really wanted and i worked my magic.
















they changed and then i actually talked them into walking around the corner for these:


check out her shirt. she hand beaded it!




masa was so cute. he had enough photos but certainly wanted some of his cute wife alone. :)


i love her smile.




tomoko and masa, it was such a pleasure to spend time with you both. glad you had a safe flight back home and thank you so much! happy anniversary and congratulations to 19 years!!!

meghan + brandon = engaged!

meet meghan and brandon. not only are they the picture perfect couple but funny too! but beautiful, genuinely nice and funny?! triple whammy. i met meghan through another friend of mine whom is also crazy beautiful and funny (hrmm, i think i'm on to something here). but anyway, we went down to del mar for their engagement session. this is where they had their first date and where brandon popped the big question to meghan. so where else would we go for their e-session?

exactly.

i loved how the train went by right when we started.


doesn't she make your jaw drop?












this is the bench where brandon proposed to meghan.
















i swear i cannot go to the beach and NOT shoot on this thing. i don't know what it is. ritual i guess. but hot no?












thank you meghan and brandon for letting me spend a beautiful evening with you! can't wait to see you again in september!