Everything about this photo session was just magical. The baby (look at that sweet face), the parents (gorgeous), the light (why I love 7:30am sessions), the energy (mommy & daddy are clearly smitten)….magical, the session was just magical. Jack was just full of giggles and smiles!  When we had his newborn session, he was just an itty bitty little thing, so small and precious…and now, at 6+ months, he’s a chubby little guy, with the yummiest baby rolls, budding personality, and a smile that is just unforgettable!

…being so absolutely sweet, that is. Isn’t she just a doll? She’s an itty bitty bundle of joy – so adorable, squeezable, lovely! Her mommy described her smile as one that lights up an entire room – and I completely agree! Just look at that smile….so contagious! At 3.5 months, this beauty was an amazing model–sometimes this age can be tricky to photograph, but she was a dream! She loved looking right at the camera…and I was giddy every time she smiled :) Even when she wasn’t smiling, I was still captivated by her big brown eyes. So perfectly round…with a curiously innocent gaze. She is truly a beautiful baby. But what made me even happier was watching how mommy and daddy loved her up sooo much. They were so gentle, loving & effortless in the ways they interacted with their sweet baby girl :) I had am amazing time!

Well, hello there gorgeous baby boy! I know, I know, he’s just the cutest little thing – with those amazing eyes, sweet smile, and rosy cheeks! He’s so beautiful in fact, that the security guard at Santa Monica Pier thought he was a baby model so he stopped us and asked me to sign a photography waiver. Not kidding. I really can’t blame the guy…I mean, look at how handsome this baby boy is! This is no surprise though, because when we had our 7 month photo session, he was just as adorable, only smaller :)

It was an absolutely beautiful day! Beautiful surroundings, beautiful light…and of course, a beautiful family! Pardon my out of order blog posting, I’ll be post sneakies from last week’s sessions soon! A little behind here :)

…not only because he just turned the big ONE – but also because he is just so cute! And why not celebrate cute babies?! Well I suppose he’s actually a toddler now that he’s pretty much walking (a few steps at least) – but still cute nonetheless!  He looked like such a little man for our photo session…and I think it’s just adorable how his jeans cover his shoes – teehee :)

The last two photos I just had to include….at less than two weeks and at 6 months. Isn’t it amazing how time flies & how much our babies change right before our eyes? For me, I didn’t appreciate the changes until I went back and looked at old photos – and then when you look at them side-by-side, you can really see the WOW factor. From precious, sleepy, helpless newborn…to sweet, cuddly, energetic crawler…to mobile, walking explorer!

Although I absolutely love the rain, it’s a little frustrating when I have to reschedule photo sessions because of it!  This session was rescheduled more than a few times.  So, finally – after weeks of emails, rescheduling and hoping for sunny skies – I was able to meet this little sweetie at the Huntington Library in Pasadena to celebrate her first birthday! I must say, though, after all the rain recently, the grass couldn’t be any more lush, beautiful and fresh – it was the perfect location! Nothing’s better than being outdoors after the rain – it’s just so clean and fabulous! Anyway, this sweet girl had all the makings of a model….super cute, lots of personality, annnnd, she loveed the camera!

…..I knew it, totally knew that she was going to be a beautiful one year old! When I photographed her as a newborn, she was the tiniest, sweetest little thing — and now, almost one year later, she’s still sweet – but she is also just gorgeous! Big brown eyes, soft curls, and a cute little smile :)

And look at her adorable little nose :)

She was such a wonderful model for our photo shoot. She definitely showed interest in my camera — and my camera looooved her!

And yes, her shirt says “Daddy’s Girl” — but she is absolutely a mommy’s girl, too! It really warms my heart when I watch mom’s cuddle and snuggle their babies – breathing in all of that sweet babyness — it’s a familiar feeling (my son is now two, but I still see him as my little baby) and his snuggles and kisses are enough to make me teary eyed.

….and of course, her shirt was accurate – she’s a daddy’s girl and always will be :)

It was so so so wonderful seeing this sweet girl again! Happy early birthday!

I’d absolutely go back to photograph this sweet newborn baby boy again — in a heartbeat! Not only is he a beautiful baby (with such beautiful skin tone and amazing facial features), but he is also so content and peaceful – it just made the photo session such a joy. Well, I have to say that what also helped was daddy being a total baby whisperer…rocking and hushing this sweetie to sleep and from pose to pose so gently and effectively.

Here’s the lovely family together…Mommy and daddy look just as peaceful as baby boy :)

You can see clearly here how gorgeous his skin tone is. Perfectly peachy-pink….And his head of beautiful dark hair. He actually reminds me a lot of my own baby boy when he was a newborn – except mine didn’t sleep soooo well like this baby does :)

And this image I just love.  This is a super cute pose, but one of the main reasons I love it so much for newborn sessions is because of the way it makes baby’s face look. There’s really nothing cuter than newborn cheeks and lips…perfectly chubby cheeks and a perfect pout – beautiful lips just like his mommy’s…and this pose really highlights those adorable features.

At 10 days new, this sweet boy was an absolute joy to photograph. He’s super cute and a fabulous sleeper. I can’t say enough how beneficial it is to have newborn sessions early, between 5-10 days is really ideal…..I just love being able to capture these fleeting moments – because in about a week he will probably put on a few pounds and start looking more and more different! I had a wonderful time as this photo session!! More to come!

It’s clear as day to me why mommy and daddy would want to smooch and cuddle him all the time! Look at his adorable face — and in person, his bubbly laugh is so so contagious :) When I first did their maternity session – I knew that when their baby was born, they would loooove and adore him so much…you could just tell by the way they were so in love with each other – that they would be so in love with their baby boy. Which was absolutely true! At their newborn sessions here and here…I got a little glimpse into their world & their new journey as parents. So, I was waay excited to see them again for Sam’s 6 (almost 7) month session….and oh my – Sam was even more handsome that he was when I first met him….In one word, he is just super duper CHARMING :)

I love these two images below. On the left, he looks just like daddy – seriously – of all of the many babies I have had the opportunity to photograph, I’d have to say that Sam & Ben look the most alike! And the photo on the right I just love because you can see how Sam’s eyes are just like mommy’s!

And would you just look at this face! Scrunched up nose, squinty eyes and toothless gums — all because he was in the middle of a big, jolly laugh. He is so, so, so cute!

Sam’s getting ready to hit the beach with daddy – I think he’s about ready – Don’t you?

He also might be ready to help daddy in the garage.
That big red toolbox was totally better than any other toy in the house!

It was so wonderful seeing you all again! I had a great time catching up and getting to see how much Sam has grown! It’s an honor, privilege and blessing that I’m able to document this special time for your family :) See you again in August!