Wedding: Joey & Karli Castle Noland, San Luis Obispo, CA

My best friend and I both got married in 1990. It was so much fun to plan our weddings together and to talk about all things love and marriage and having babies. She got pregnant first and it was such an exciting thing for me to witness my childhood best friend become a mother.

Her son was the cutest baby I had ever seen. It was so much fun to watch him grow. He was such a hilarious little kid. I loved visiting her so I could see him and laugh at all of the funny things he would say and do.

Last year, that little boy got engaged

As soon as I heard the news, I asked if I could take his engagement photos. He happily said yes.

Shortly after I delivered their engagement photos, I was asked if I would be their wedding photographer. I was so thrilled and honored that they chose me to capture their special day.

Karli and Joey’s wedding day

Congratulations, Joey and Karli! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.

Senior Portraits: Zaria (Balboa Park, San Diego)

Meet Zaria. She will be graduating from high school this year. Isn't she beautiful?  

Zaria chose Balboa Park in San Diego for her portraits and I think it was the perfect choice for her!  It's such a lovely place-- beautiful buildings and scenery everywhere. So many possibilities and places to shoot photos. We ended up shooting until the sunset.  

Before I share the photos, I have to give props to Zaria's Dad. He was the Real MVP of the shoot. He carried All The Things and helped with whatever I needed. 

Dads are the best!

Now, here are a few of my favorite shots of Zaria 

Engagement: Joey & Antoinette

When this couple told me they wanted to take their photos in Mt. Baldy, I was so excited. I've lived near Mt. Baldy my entire life, but have only managed to drive up there a couple of times. After this session, that's going to change. It was so lovely there and I want to go back with my family to enjoy the beauty and peacefulness again.  

We drove up together and it was so refreshing to have some time just before the session to talk and get to know these two a little better. I spent way more time than I care to admit talking about my bathroom issues (porta-potties are the worst!)  SORRY YOU GUYS. In my defense, they were just so funny, open and easy to talk to!  

It's so refreshing when you work with people who are as nice (and funny!) as these two were. A few minutes into the session and it felt like I was just having fun with friends. 

Congratulations on your engagement, Joey and Antoinette!  

The Loeb Family

In 2013 I lost my job. I was terrified and feeling lost. I had always loved photography and wondered if I could use my photography skills to help my family in our time of crisis. My friend Katie was one of the first people who trusted me enough to let me take her holiday family photos.  This was one of my favorite photos from that first session. 

Since then, they have hired me every year to do their photos. It's been an absolute joy to watch their little guy grow up and their family expand as they welcomed two more boys into their family over the last 4 years. 

Last weekend we did our 5th family photo session and it was the best one yet. The boys were full of energy and lots of smile and laughter.  The sky was stunning, sunshine mixed with clouds. It was just so perfect.  

I'm so grateful for this family. Their faith in my talent helped me gain the confidence I needed to keep doing what I love.

I can't wait for our next session together!

Senior Portraits - Madeleine

I love senior portrait sessions. I especially love them when they are teenagers that I've had the pleasure of watching grow up. Madeleine is one of those teens. I met her years ago when she was a bright, smiley, bubbly little girl.  

In 2014, Madeleine, her mother and sister were involved in a serious car accident. Madeleine and her sister suffered traumatic injuries. Sadly, her mother did not survive the accident.  

When Madeleine reached out to me and asked me if I would take her senior pictures, I was honored. One of the first things she said to me was that she wanted to include her mother in the photographs.  She decided the best way to do that was to bring a couple of photos of her mother-- one was her mom's senior portrait and one was a photo of the two of them together. It was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. 

Such a beautiful testament to the love between a mother and daughter. 

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to capture this important time in this young woman's life. I look forward to watching her flourish in the next stage of her life.