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! 

The 12 Best Photos of 2012

2012 has been a year of great fortune not just for my business but also for me as a photographer. Having procured clients who are generous in spirit, I successfully booked and shot 125 projects! Yes, I've done the math and that equates to a very limited personal life, but having an interchangeable career and personal life make that distinction arbitrary. I love what I do and find myself documenting all the time, revealing stories anxious to be told. 

When I started my business 3 years ago, I dreamed of a long, successful career as a wedding photographer. Life is funny sometimes and I now receive 75% of my business from lifestyle and portraiture, my true photographic niche. Sometimes life chooses you instead of the other way around, so, if I have learned anything about entrepreneurship, it is that sometimes one must just buckle their seat belt and hold on for the ride. And oh, what a ride it's been!

Please help me celebrate the arrival of 2013 with the 12 Best Photos of 2012.

The first shoot of the year came out with a bang and I was commissioned to shoot the Dennes Family on NYC's first snowy day of 2012 in Central Park. 

In February I shot Al & Kate's Engagement photos in Chelsea and they were later featured in the New York Times Style Section!

Diana & Drey are not just clients, but also very good friends and I was flattered to be asked to shoot their maternity portraits in March. 

Shooting a destination wedding is every photographer's dream and I loved shooting this  Curacao wedding!

As the weather in New York began to break and spring rolled in with the afternoon breeze, my dear friends the Cimmiyotti's, commemorated nearly a decade in NYC and their move to California with a family shoot. This picture of Pablo is a favorite! 

By the time June rolled around I had grown accustomed to a seven day work week. Just when I thought I might lose my mind, I learned my Faces of Harlem Project (!) would be featured in the inaugural Harlem Arts Festival. Here was my promo piece created by the amazing, Yeri Yun Designs. 

My very best friend from childhood was expecting her second addition and we opted for a beautiful, timeless shoot on the exclusive Pt. Mugu Beach in July. What a busy month but this was my favorite shoot by far!

I spent most of August on a month long journey to Indonesia and Vietnam. Unfortunately (tsk, tsk!) I have not published any of my DSLR photos due to my workload upon return stateside. Here is my favorite Instagram photo from Bali.

Scott and Fio have shot with me twice now, both times to celebrate their anniversary. Their 2nd Anniversary West Village Shoot was as classic as it was romantic. 

The fall months were very, very busy with lots of weddings. First was Robbie & Katie's wedding at Mt. Gulian in Beacon, NY. 

Another favorite fall shoot was Dayna & Ryan's engagement in Harlem. SWOON! Timely as the iconic Lenox Lounge shuts its doors after five long decades. 

2012 ended with a bang and I couldn't feel more blessed to have a thriving, bi-coastal business. With a re branded website on the way (2/1/13, stay tuned!), sold out minisessions in NYC and another show at The Shrine, I'd like to close this post by sharing an image that exudes love and another favorite theme, urban renewal.  

The most refined works I've churned out are usually shot in my favorite neighborhoods and LouAnn & Roland's Fort Greene shoot is no exception. 

May this be a year of great prosperity to all my clients, fans, family and friends! Happy New Year! 

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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