Do you want to know the best part of my job? Yes, the traveling is great and being my own boss is awesome, but what really makes it all worth it is getting to spend time with great friends and document the most wonderful moments in their lives. Amanda & Matt recently welcomed baby Zachary to their family in May and I couldn’t be more excited for them. Baby Z is adorable and he is so blessed to have A & M as his parents. He isn’t playing football just yet, but I’m sure it won’t be long til he’s got a pigskin in his hands.

Let’s start with their maternity session…

Abbey is a great big sis already…

Welcome to the world Zachary!!

It’s exhausting being a big sis!

I love this sweet family. They are good friends of mine and you’ve seen them on this here blog once or twice…or six times. 🙂  It all started with Chase’s newborn photos almost FIVE years ago!  Where does the time go? Our latest session was in Old Towne Orange, not far from where they live. It was definitely a warm day, so it only made sense to end it with some yummy, ice cold gelato! Enjoy!

Why hello Miss Charlotte!

Tired? How about some gelato??! Yes please!!

2012 was a busy year for babies and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down in 2013! The past three days were filled with two gorgeous moms-to-be and a little one just a few weeks old. But before I get to those, let’s catch up with the most adorable babies from last Fall. We’ll start with Emerson Grace. The first time I photographed this family was when big sister, Hadley was born. She didn’t have too much interest in pictures this time around, but we tried to remedy that with Finding Nemo and a lollipop. 🙂

Next up, meet the beautiful Claire! I had to keep it together during this session because I’ve known Kyle & Vy for a long time and know how special this little girl is. When I finally got to see all three of them together, healthy & happy, I did tear up a bit, but it’s all for good reason. Love this little fam!

Last, but certainly not least, meet baby Colton!!! Another set of dear friends having a healthy baby is truly a blessing. Tara and Jason welcomed Colton into the world last Fall and I couldn’t be happier to see them grow their family. From photographing their wedding a few years ago to seeing them become parents makes me love my job the best in the world!

Stay tuned for more baby love this Spring!!

Thanks to Miles & Mia for being my mini models for my mini Valentines session today. 🙂  Wishing you all lots of love on this lovely day!

Fall is always a busy time of year for holiday family photos. I’m not sure what it is about 2012, but it’s also been a busy time for babies!! I never know what to expect when walking into a house for a newborn session. Within a week to ten days is the idea time for a sleepy baby, but with the pressure of their first modeling gig, you never know how it’s gonna go. 😉 Baby Charlotte, however, was my perfect model. She slept and slept and slept. And paired with the décor of mom and dad’s house, we had a great session. Thank you Janice and Justin for having me take Charlotte’s first photos!! XOXO

Time goes by so fast. Just over a year ago, you saw Jamie and Matt on the blog when they were expecting, and then not long after, Annabelle’s newborn photos. This little family has been such a blessing in my life and can’t wait to share these with you. We’ve been friends for a very long time and pretty much consider them family. Annabelle is just over a year old and she is a beautiful and expressive little lady. And those eyes?? I swear I’m not enhancing them at all with any fancy photoshop tricks…they are really that blue!

We ventured down to Balboa Park for their session and then devoured some of the best food I’ve ever eaten at Cucina Urbana afterwards. Jamie & Matt…let’s do that again soon, mmm k??

I hope you all haven’t forgotten these two! Remember Ashley & Alex’s fabulous wedding last year?? Well, I can’t believe how fast a year goes, but the Frick’s are having a baby!!

We are getting VERY close to baby E’s arrival so it’s about time to show you these photos! It was great seeing these two again and I’m so thrilled I am able to share in this wonderful time in their lives…enjoy!!

Ashley, you’re gorgeous!!

My fave…

Everyone who knew both of us thought we should be friends. They knew we were both from the Northwest, her from Seattle, me from Oregon. They also knew we both loved football, her the Seahawks, me the Chargers. I’d seen Lindsey at church and she’d seen me, but we were never formally introduced. Until a little over a year ago. We finally met and became instant friends. It was true that we were both from the Northwest and maybe that’s why we got along so well because she reminded me of home. Over the past year, the Burketts have been a big part of my life …from our first country concert together (Lady A! ;-)), countless NFL Sundays, Thanksgiving, cookie exchanges, Bachelor Mondays, sushi, Oceanside trips and everything in between. They are like family to me. So you can imagine my sadness when I learned that I’d soon have to say good-bye to this sweet family as they began their preparations for a 3-year stay in Italy. I know for certain that I will visit them and I know for certain that no matter how many miles are between us, this friendship will last. The day we said good-bye was bittersweet and it was also the first time we had a photo session together! Aside from Maielle being a bit of a stinker that afternoon 🙂 and the thought of many good-byes lingering, we still managed a super fun, sunny afternoon with smiling pics to boot!

To Brandon, Lindsey, Sprout & Squeak…I love you all SO much and miss you like crazy! Your friendship has truly been a blessing to me. I can’t wait to hear more about all of your Italian adventures and hope to see you very soon!! Ciao!! XOXO!!

One of my faves…

Flying Chelly!

Awwww

This blog has been a bit too quiet lately, dontcha think?? BUT I’m happy to break the silence by posting photos of this lovely little lady, Annabelle. She is the baby girl of my dear friends, Matt & Jamie, who you saw on the blog with their Torrey Pines maternity session. I’ll keep this short and sweet, but Annabelle was such a trooper with all of our outfit changes and headband varieties. 🙂 She takes after her mommy and is already one of the most stylish babies around!! Enjoy the first photos of baby Annabelle!!

Proud daddy (Matt of Forty One Twenty)

Such a perfect little family

The adorable headband is courtesy of Mai Couture Shoppe!

Where do I begin with these two? I’ve been in San Diego for just over 9 years and I’m thankful to have known Matt & Jamie for the majority of that time. After first meeting at the church we now call home, we’ve shared so many fun times and they are like family to me. Of course, Matt is the annoying little brother I’ve never had…which I have to put up with more now that I have the pleasure of sharing an office with FortyOneTwenty, but it makes for fun work days! 🙂 (side note – if any brides out there are looking for a videographer…you NEED to hire FortyOneTwenty. They are awesome guys and so fun to work with). Jamie – thank you for being such a wonderful, thoughtful, caring, kind and loyal friend to me. You are going to be an AMAZING mom and I couldn’t be happier for you guys!! I can’t wait to meet Annabelle and spoil her with more tutus and headbands…and I’m still pulling for October 26th!! xoxo!!

It was the perfect late Summer evening for a sunset session at Torrey Pines!

Jamie, you are beautiful.

My fave…