Expecting! | Diana & Drey

Diana and I go way back to the early New York days. At the time, we were young grad students, from California and blessed with a wide variety of dancing shoes, more time than you can dream of and a whole lot of energy. Oh, the good ‘ole days!

Like many of our other sisters who have moved away, ventured into married life and entered parenthood {not in that particular order}, Diana and Drey are now expecting a little bundle of joy later this spring. Aren’t the lovebirds glowing in anticipation?! 

Congrats Diana & Drey on the arrival of little boy Campos! We can’t wait to meet him and begin his photographic odyssey. 

New York City Maternity Portraits | Alex & Little Cimmiyotti

I was lucky to spend a beautiful summer morning in the Central Park's Conservatory Garden with my glowing girl friend, Alex . Girl friends, no matter the age, are like chocolates; you can never have too many and the best ones always go first. Needless to say, I can hardly believe Alex is a soon - to - be, first time Mother. 

Alex and me go way back. Yeah, that's right, back to the days when we were {single and} running the NYC streets hitting happy hours on weeknights and enjoying day long shopping excursions to Macy's for shoes we had no business buying. Those were the days! We spent many a day reminiscing about college, where we were involved in every organization known to man, and now here we are, longing for our early New York days. It is a special honor to share such a history with friends; Alex is not only a college friend, but a lifelong friend. 

Jason and Alex are expecting the newest addition to their family early next month. I'm sure it's a mutual sentiment that we can't wait for Little Cimmiyotti's arrival and to document their brood as it grows. Isn't Alex simply radiant? Congrats to the Mommy and Daddy to be! 

Merry Christmas!

Every winter I make the journey back to Southern California, my old stomping grounds, to galavant under the warm, sunny skies. I'm greeted by Mexicans and Filipinos and the culturally appropriate indulgences they offer. In fact, my Mother had me waiting for an hour in line at Manila Sunset for a party tray of pancit palabok yesterday! Having had a Jewish Father and a Catholic Mother, I was lucky enough to enjoy the best of both worlds; 8 days of Hanukkah and Christmas?! What a dream come true for a kid! Aside from the over eating and drinking which accompanies holiday celebrations, I specifically look forward to connecting with people from lives past: my childhood friends who are now mommies; my drinking buddies from college; the homies I've traveled the globe with; my girlfriends from the early days in New York City and most notably, my family. Near or far, my family holds it down! They are the most festive, generous people I know. Of course I am bias, but I would never trade my family for the world. So wherever you are and whoever you're with, I hope you are taking time to celebrate your family. We often forget how much of an impact they've had on who we've become. I had to post these pictures of my Mother's holiday decor; with a Jewish husband she has always respected his wishes for "no Christmas tree," but boy, she has one of everything else on display. Merry Christmas, readers. May peace be with you. 

Los Angeles and Simi Valley Family Portrait Photographer

It was love at first site: 1994, exploratory foreign language class, crispy chola hair, adidas shell tops - you get the picture. Michelle was sitting in front of me doodling in her notebook when I of course befriended her by playing with her hair. The rest is history, as they say, as she is one of my only friends who have accompanied me into adult life. Best friends are like extended family who know all your business including your favorite foods, first kisses, drinks and disasters, and of course the glory and sorrow of all life’s treasures. They are also embedded in many “firsts” including weddings and then inevitably, babies. In August of last year, Michelle and Dionne came to visit me in New York to spend the weekend eating, drinking, slumber partying and shopping our hearts out. Not so fast, though! Low and behold Michelle rushed me in bed the first morning (not for old time’s sake) to share the news that she was indeed preggos. Now, this was extraordinarily special since I was the first person she told which makes me a believer in divine intervention. Needless to say, the weekend of unlimited drinking was replaced by more eating! Living cross country made it hard for me to document Michelle’s pregnancy with my Jewish neuroses and precision, but I did have the chance to shoot her in the Simi Hills, adjacent to our childhood homes on none other than her 30th birthday in April. Sorry Michelle, I'm spilling the beans about your age!  Michelle and Bill were great sports, and even let me inscribe "B M," on her belly. And no, it stands for their intials and not a common bodily function!  Jorge would kill me if I didn’t give him a shout out for being my assistant, he was great with the reflector and looking for the keys that I thought were lost in the hills but were in my pocket the entire time! Here’s to the arrival of the newest addition of the Deruso family, Marcus AKA Lil’ Deruzzi. Shots from our recent three month baby shoot up soon!