Santa Monica Family Portraits

There's nothing like being asked to document your friends' lives. When Diana and Drey approached me about shooting their growing brood in Santa Monica this past holiday, I jumped at the chance. 

It's hard for me to believe that it's been nearly a year since Pablo joined Mom and Dad, seeing how Diana hardly looks like she just had a baby. Pablo looks just like Dad, with smile really can make your heart melt. Jovial and easy, we had a great time shooting on the beach, in December, of all months!

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Since returning from my annual holiday trip to California a few weeks ago, I've had a tricky time adjusting back into the swing of things (ahem, the hustle & bustle of living in NYC). This will shamefully be one of my first posts of the New Year. 

Before the holiday I had been working back-to-back weekends for a few months and not having much fun or being super creative with my craft. Lacking inspiration was an understatement, so I decided to break out my first film camera and go for a walk while I was away. And walk I did. 

Though my heart yearns to be near my family (my lemon), I know the time will come when we (finally) make the trip cross country and unpack the bags I've been toting around for nearly a decade in NYC (making the lemonade). 

Film aficionados, enjoy the journey!

My Mother spent 20 years cultivating a lemon tree in her backyard and every year, she has a full harvest of lemons!

Santa Monica is a special place for me, as it was a very popular weekend destination as a child and now, a place where my clients love to shoot. 

There's nothing like going to the beach during winter (!) in California!

This is Jorge, my hubby who "loves" to rep west coast sports teams and univeristies when in Cali. When in Rome, do as the Romans do! (People also say I never shoot him enough, so this one's for you!)

This is one of my favorite images from my rolls of film. It just captured the essence of the day and unseasonably colder weather California was having. 

I never appreciated this view growing up but after having living on the East Coast for nearly 10 years, I try hard to hike my little heart out when I visit. This trail is literally in my parent's backyard! 

Santa Monica Headshots | Elicet

During my round of summer mini shoots in LA this past summer (I know, I am SO late with this post!), I had the beauty of shooting an old NYC friend, Elicet. Confirming my theory that beautiful people make my job as photographer easier, Elicet's proof is in her pudding, or photos, in this instance!  

 

Fanny's Headshots | Santa Monica Pier

Fanny is a mutual friend who is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in LA. She's awesome {+beautiful!} and launching a new website for her business, which is why she came to me for some photos during my west coast tour last week. Check out a few snaps from our shoot! 

Pt. Mugu Maternity Shoot | Michelle & Co.

Michelle and I have been best friends since the 7th grade; I guess that this then makes us old, since here I am posting about her toddler and second pregnancy. She is truly glowing and surrounded by Bill and Marcus, who wouldn't be? Recently having relocated back to SoCal, we opted for a beach shoot at Pt. Mugu, a great destination for those readers looking for a bit more privacy on the water. I feel like a proud Mom writing this, but doesn't she look beautiful? We all can only hope to be that hot when we are preggos! Enjoy a few snaps from our shoot. 

*** Some images were processed with a grainy filter and we LOVE the effect it gives on the beach.

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