{ waiting for Oswald } Orange County Maternity Photographer

Finally! And already?! This maternity shoot is a mix of time based amazement....

1) because I've been looking forward to this shoot for a while now, and

2) because I can't believe Oswald is almost done brewing.

Christina, as you'll soon see, is one gorgeous mom-to-be. When you first see her you really don't notice that big ol' belly of hers, she carries it so well. So when the customers from her store (The Hope Chest... you know.. awesome kids boutique in Old Orange) asked her when her photographer was going to do her maternity photos we decided we'd better squeeze it in before we had a newborn appointment on our hands. And squeeze it in we did... after school, before the light was gone, in the middle of that crazy-awful weather we just had. It was a test of space and creative juice, but I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

Let me know which ones you want to see on my site! Thanks!

This first one is one of my all time favorites! I love all the love.

That's gonna be one well loved baby...

If I could have just a fraction of this hotness when I'm pregnant I'll be happy...

Then it was time to work with the rain.... Christina wanted something fun and colorful.

I can't believe her favorite not-preggo coat still fits...

{ bloopers! }

You know you watched America's Funniest Home videos. I did. And I loved it.... Bob Saget's awful jokes not so much, but the videos. Anyway, my favorite home videos almost always involved kids... they can make me laugh like nobody's business. So here's to kids being funny. My camera got to see some pretty hilarious things in '09... and I hope some of these photos brighten up your day :-)

Let's start out with some unwanted hugs... always funny.

I love Logan's expression... he's not into it.

Oh, Troy... sagging your pants is soooooo 2009.

Nose picking is funny. Period.

I like Reese's enthusiasm in the next one... and how each nostril gets hit.

This is one of my all time favorites...

Mommy kisses.... ewwwwwwwww!

And lastly, an all-out breakdown. Jazelle needed a diva nap after this one.

Happy Wednesday!

{ baby alexis }

What better way to start off the new year than with a newborn session? Little Alexis was not only sweet and adorable, but a great little model too... especially after we discovered that she WAY prefers to sleep on her left side. (Oh! And did I mention she had the most perfect auburn hair without having to pay for it? Lucky).

Here are a few of my favorites from the day... be sure to leave a comment and let me know which ones you think should be on my website.

Happy Monday!!

Little Alexis loved her big bro, Ruben. Even sleeping on her right side, she was content to have him pat her back.

Either she likes me or she's gassy..... I think she likes me :-)

This blanket is the best! I love the color and pattern. It goes with her red bedroom set... cute!

BTW Alexis is the only baby that hasn't taken advantage of the fact that she's diaperless... if you know what I mean. Yay!

{ joshua tree }

Just thought I'd share some of my photos from my recent camping trip to Joshua Tree over New Years weekend. It was ridiculously cold, but ridiculously beautiful and I couldn't get over how amazingly blue the sky was. Happy New Year!

I didn't bring my tripod so I had to go for silhouette photos at sunset... I loved all the lines and colors...

Climbing these rocks was SO FUN!

{ the benzie family, part 2 }

I love me some gifted portrait sessions. This part of the Benzie family is from Colorado and got family portraits as a Christmas gift from their parents... best idea ever. Just sayin.'

Anyway, who we have here is Mom & Dad (Chris and Tracy), and twins, Adeline and Abigail. We chatted about Colorado and camping, I sneezed toys off my head in hopes of getting smiles, and I think we all had a pretty fun time (even if Addy and Abby were a bit tough to get smiles out of). Here are a few of my favorites from the day, let me know which photos are your favorites for my website:

Started off with some morning backlight, pretty much my favorite.

Doesn't she look like a porcelain doll? So beautiful.

Haha, they're all laughing at me being a dork.

Their outfits were perfect! I love color and pattern in photos.

Addy and Abby have such different personalities... it was so fun to see.

My favorite of the day because it makes me smile every time I look at it:

Margaret,

Thanks again for hiring me for your family's photos! You have a great family, you're a lucky lady.

Chris and Tracy,

Thanks to you too! I had a great time photographing you and your girls. Have a good drive home.

{ catching up on Christmas }

Ok... it's January 2010. But I'm just blogging Christmas... I'm just a bit behind, huh? I couldn't skip this post, though.

As some of you know I've been taking care of the same nutty group of kids for almost 6 years now. I'm not a nanny... or a babysitter... I don't really know what my official title would be, but I run a teeny daycare at an office. The parents bring their kids to work after school and I make sure they're fed, watered, and happy (not always an easy task, but it's a pretty awesome gig). Along with their parents and my best friend, Sarah, who also takes care of the munchkins, we've made quite the little family and I love those kids to pieces. It's been so amazing to see them grow from babies to kids that are already way cooler than me.

Anyway, every Christmas we get a tree, decorate everything, eat lots of sugar, and have a 'pajama party' to exchange gifts. This year the kids are finally all old enough to play amongst themselves so I could nab a few photos here and there.... here are some of my favorites:

Awe, aren't they cute?!

Top row: Natalie (a part time guest), Parker (my oldest), Wyatt, Seth

Bottom row: Hunter (my goofball), Andie, Zane, and Hayden (party crasher lol).

Whoohoo! Party!

Seth is all equipped to fight crime... apparently Zane and Hunter were bad guys... but then they made up :-)

Zane's bed-head is out of control... just a little. Oh, and that other little guy is my nephew Zack. He loves coming to 'work to play with the motorcycle kids.'

Seth was being sooooo careful with his fancy 'cup.'

And... my favorite! Some details:

Sugar anyone?

Well that's all for now! Keep your eye out for my New Years post coming soon.

{ andy + kymm } San Diego Wedding Photographer

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

My nephew woke up at the crack of dawn and tore through his Santa gifts, I ate too much french toast, exchanged gifts with my hubby, and have found myself with a few minutes of calm before it's time to pack up and head out to my family's house in Palm Springs. So, with A Christmas Story on the tube, I thought I'd blog the Christmasy wedding I shot last weekend in San Diego.

Andy and Kymm's wedding was actually a re-wedding. They've been married for 25 years and decided to celebrate by renewing their vows... and this time around their adorable son, Landen got to play a big part and get married with them. It was a day full of tears, smiles, and hugs... and I was honored to be a part of it.

Their home is so gorgeous...

May I just say, Landen is one of the most beautiful kids I have ever seen... and he's so funny. He made me laugh all day long.

Couldn't resist their golden retriever...

The Immaculata is stunning! And so is Kymm...

Landen took his job very seriously.

I loved their colors... the antique gold is my new favorite color.

Just look at this beautiful room... don't you just want to curl up by the fire?

The flowers were gorgeous... I was in love with the beaded details.

Details!

And, last but not least, their slideshow: http://www.amandapatricegalleries.com/darkroom/share/?n=Salmonsen#salslide032jpg

Their amazing vendors:

Flowers: Karen & Aileen Tran www.karentran.com

Hors d'oeuvres: www.authenicflavors.com

Tuxedos: www.gentlemenstuxclub.com

Wedding coordinating: Susanne of Crown Weddings www.crownweddings.com

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