my slice of heaven.

If someone were to ask me what religion I am, I wouldn't know how to answer.
As a child I went to an Episcopalian grade school.
After high school I attended a Catholic University.
I wasn't baptized until I was ten, because my parents felt religion is a personal choice and didn't want to sway my decision.

As a wedding photographer I have attended a number of different religious ceremonies and have mixed emotions about all of them.
But I don't like to discriminate. Life is too hard as it is. If people have certain beliefs, that's their right. Who am I to judge?

One thing I do know?

When the sounds of life become muted, as I rock my baby girl to sleep and her fat little cheek rests on my shoulder, and her breathing starts to get heavy, I KNOW there is some sort of a Higher Power.
I know this tiny little creation that has brought such immense joy and new found love into my life can't possibly be happenstance.
Her presence has made me look at life and the world through different eyes.
I now look through the eyes, of a mother.

And I get it now.
I get why my grandmother was so over protective when I was going on a trip.
I understand why my mom will drop almost anything to go on a spontaneous walk with me.

There is NOTHING like it. That deep in your soul, feel like you're gonna burst at the seams with love feeling only a mother knows.

I finally get it now.

Delaney is now 10 months old.
She said her first word: "Dada".
She loves mangoes and despises avacadoes.
She does the army crawl across our living room.
She has a horrible temper and yet the most infectious smile I've ever seen.

Women constantly tell me to enjoy every minute of this time with my daughter because it goes by at lightning speed.
Oh I so am- savoring every single second of it.

I wish a very Happy Mama's Day to all the woman who have the hardest, yet most rewarding job I can imagine.















and ten months later...

beth's baby belly. {los angeles maternity photographer}

If I've said it once, I'll say it again. I LOVE taking maternity shoots. Although some women are hesitant at first, I've never had a client that regretted it.

Beth and Ruben are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their son who is due next month. The nursery is getting the final touches and the new parents are a bit nervous as to what their future has in store.

The best advice I can give them is to roll with the punches. No matter how many books you've read or baby blankets you've collected, you can never be prepared enough.

I'm so happy to have done this session with Ruben and Beth and cannot wait to meet Baby Cruz!























Since the baby's room is a beach theme, I thought it would be sweet for Ruben and Beth to collect a rock and put it in his room to always remember the day they took their maternity shoot.

the johnson family. {redondo beach portrait photographer}

The Johnson's have two daughters. Lucy is just three weeks old. Emma is 3 1/2, and loves to draw. She introduced herself by handing me a picture she made for me just before I arrived. What a way to melt my heart!

We did this family session in their home. The lighting was streaming through the windows and made for beautiful shots. I wanted to photograph a bit of their everyday routine, and I hope it was captured well. It was so special for me to be able to capture the family with their new addition Ms. Lucy!
Congratulations again.