These old trains knocked my socks off! It’s like I was transported back in time…when these trains were used as a major source of transportation. They were colorful, BIG, and full of character. A totally awesome photo session location – I’d be surprised if any toddler didn’t find this place awesome.

Reason #2 why I love living in Los Angeles – there are so many cool places to visit! This place being one on the top of my list :)

Baby it’s cold outside! I just love cold weather. The air is so crisp, so clean – especially after the rain. It’s also a perfect opportunity to accessorize with scarves, jackets, knits & lots of layering. Here are some ideas for family photo sessions with cooler weather in mind.  I adore winter clothes!

And as any person who lives in Los Angeles will tell you – it can be cold one day and warm the next! In which case, lighter clothing (like cottons and soft knits) would be perfect. Spring clothing is also super colorful – which I just love! Color, color, color! This set-up below I particularly like because it’s a wonderful illustration of how a family can “go” – but not necessarily “match”….It’s nice to show some variety – everyone need not wear the same color and match perfectly…clothing like this makes things much more interesting :

One thing I’ve learned about photographing toddlers is that you should never ask them to do anything directly. Make everything a game. Case and point below:

When I asked: “Oooh, can you look at me, I want to see your handsome face” — instead of big puppy dog eyes gazing up at me, I got a fluffy stuffed puppy’s butt in my face. Take that, he says! So, I resort to plan B, which works most of the time and ask: “What are you reading? Who is that on your book?”
And alas, I get the result I want:  Eye contact

And then I ask a series of questions: ” Where are your teeth? Eyes? Ears? Mouth? Where am I? Where are you?”

Now he’s happy….

And my favorite question because it resulted in the images below (specifically, the kissing puppy one)…
“Where is puppy?”

See, sweet little toddler,  made you look! I win!

A pretty, pretty little baby girl! Her eyes and lashes are just beautiful.

…and her equally gorgeous big sister. Does it get any more charming than this??

More to come!

“Still?” I have no idea what the word “still” means…I only know what the words “run” and “avoid” mean…

Toddlers are never boring. ever.

Especially when they’ve just entered the terrible two’s.

Some essentials to have for photographing toddlers: running shoes, hair tie, knee pads…

…any and all gear suitable for an athletic event. Oh, and patience + your best goofy face!

…to keep them this way forever.  What makes a photo so special is how it can take you on a trip back in time to that very moment it was taken. Remembering how small, sweet and precious our little ones were – and how years past seem like just yesterday…I just love these images – sleeping shots of toddlers are just as beautiful as newborns…

Always, always, always a baby to momma and dada.

…for a photo! This is always the case when photographing toddlers :)

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My current favorite location. Just down the street from my house – a little secret spot. How can you not love railroad tracks, brush, dirt & rocks? It’s the countryside right in the middle of the city!