A-SESSION LOCATIONS- Foothills

I met the Van der Vijver family back in 2011 when I photographed a 10th anniversary vow renewal for family friends, Kate and Pete Barba, on the Van der Vijver estate. (You can see the blog post for that session here.) This time it was the Van der Vijver family’s turn! We met at 8:30am on the grounds of Robert and Missy’s home in Fairplay, California, where I got to photograph them and their gorgeous son, Sasha. Sasha was such a fun little boy to hang out with: we got to throw and run through fallen leaves and he has…

Ahhh… Lexi and Perri. Two sisters, graduating high school seniors, and a beautiful yard to play in. I was one happy photographer! These girls were ridiculously photogenic and, coupled with fall colors, fun outfits and a swing, I found myself 1,000 photos into reviewing their session with barely an image nixed. And the best part was looking at each image and recalling not only how beautiful the shot was but what wonderful, warm, and grounded young women these were. Photographing them in their own yard together, we were able to combine their sessions, photographing Lexi as Perri made an outfit…

Graydon is one year old and his light-up-a-room charm has only grown along with his little legs and chubby cheeks. You may remember this playful little fellow from the many other opportunities I have been lucky to capture his smile: birth | newborn | 4 months old | 8 months old I just love this family. Graydon’s parents Tom and Bethany came to me as wedding clients and I love seeing the result of their love in the way they are such caring, adoring, and kind parents to Graydon. They’re also super easy-going which makes them, and Graydon, easy and fun…

This was one of those weddings that left nobody with a dry eye, thanks in no small part to Jen and Dave’s long-time friends, Matt and Steve, who led the ceremony with uncommon warmth and compassion. Their speeches had me glued to front of the aisle both emotionally and to capture the myriad of emotions. But they were just the icing on the cake of an intimate, personal, and yet carefree day, where Jen and Dave were surrounded by so many friends and family who were clearly rooting for them, heart first. The American River Resort was the venue – a new…

Sigh… another scrumptious newborn. Lucky me! You may remember mom, the gorgeous Danielle from our maternity shoot not so long ago. Well now welcome Aubree, who joined us shortly thereafter. I got to meet her at just eight days old for a newborn session that is part of the baby package her parents purchased. As with all newborn sessions, you have to go in with a calm disposition and lots of patience because babies run the show: Aubree was no exception. Diapers, feedings, rocking, crying, sleeping…. it’s a constant dance to capture whatever you can between the split-second emotions and…

Gorgeous light! Gorgeous Danielle! What a wonderful way to celebrate the starting of another generation. Maternity sessions are often some of my favorite sessions for so many reasons. Danielle and William were expecting their first child when I took these photographs several weeks ago at Fausel Ranch, but I’ve been so busy lately that baby Aubree was already born and photographed before I got to get this session out to you all. My friend Deanna (owner of Fausel Ranch, William’s mom and Aubree’s proud grandma) was around the ranch that day. She is also a creative soul who loves photography.…

This is one of those posts that is going to elicit a chorus of “Awwww!” from everyone who visits it. The rosebud lips, the chubby arms, the strand of pearls, the HUGE smile… How can you not swoon? This little girl is a DOLL!. I have known mom and dad, John and Elisha, for 4 years now. Just 3 years ago, they were married at this same location: the beautiful Fausel Ranch. (Take a peek at their gorgeous wedding here and notice how they don’t look ANY different. Could have been yesterday.) So, it seemed fitting that we return to Fausel…

Katrina and Joe were married recently at the beautiful Apple Mountain Golf Resort  in Camino, CA and on one of the hottest days of the year so far; when the temperatures hit 106 in the foothills, you know you’re in the middle of a heat-wave! We began our day getting ready at the Cary Hotel on Main Street in Placerville, where it was fun (and cool… literally) to incorporate some indoor shots of downtown and the historic hotel. I just love the dramatic light in the portraits of both Katrina and Joe sitting on the sofa there. Then we moved…

I had almost forgotten how much energy corralling two toddlers can be! That was until I met up with the Pooley family recently at Larsen’s Apple Barn. Supa’ mom, Amy, and her extended family have been clients and friends of mine for some time and I love them all….Amy’s sister, Emily’s, wedding, Amy and Brian’s wedding, their extended family and the list goes on. This time, as luck would have it, Amy was the winner of a session I donated for auction at CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children). Prior to getting her hands full, full-time,…