Who doesn’t love a cake smash to celebrate a birthday…and with this cutie? This cake smash wraps up a whole year of sessions with the Skalos family starting with Shannon’s pregnancy and their family of three. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Ava. (thanks Ember for your help assisting) and we’re starting a new life…. Baby Ava, Newborn session Ava is 6 months old! Let’s head to Apple Hill!

In the blink of an eye (my eye anyway), Shirin is a senior and will be graduating very soon from the French American International High School in San Francisco. I have been photographing her family since she was about 2 years old. It was such a beautiful and sunny morning in Oakland and I met her mom, Negar for breakfast before we headed up to the UC Botanical Garden. Having worked with this family over the last two decades, they knew the drill- walk around, hunt for light, and pop a little light in as needed. Thanks to my fabulous…

Ian is a tenor who sings for the Castro Valley High School Madrigals and he just made his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City.  He also plays piano. He will be studying psychology at Sonoma State University this fall. I love photographing seniors and capturing this moment in time for them with so much to look forward to- it can be contagious.

I first met Jordan and Chris while photographing some dear friends of theirs, Cherise and Chris, getting married. This was back in 2010. In fact, an image I shot at that wedding of Jordan and Cherise, having a moment is still one of my favorites. Fast forward 13 years and a lot can happen.

The light streaming into their new home was to die for not to mention a beautiful and sunny day after so much rain. Nervous like many clients, exclaiming that they didn’t know what to do in front of the camera, they quickly sorted out that playing and loving on Ella and each other was a natural way to get started. It was easy for them and sometimes just announcing your nervousness is the best thing.

It’s puppy time. Bring on the Bichons. Getting to spend a couple of hours smothered in puppy love was just what the doctor ordered after all of this snow and rain. I was so glad when Laura asked me to come out to visit before they all those fluffy white cuties went to their new homes. All my friends kept asking me if I picked one up for our home. Having just got both of our kids into college, my response was “I’m done child-rearing for now, but they sure are sweet”. Much love to you and Martin!

SNEAK PEAK OF THE TALENTED MISS MACY in the dance studio at On Stage Productions in Placerville (senior photos part 1). She’s such a lovely human and it was a wonderful morning spinning, jumping, pointing, and laughing. (rinse and repeat). Looking forward to part 2-hmmm what are we going to do, where are we going to go? Thanks for the honor, Macy. I loved every minute of it!

When we first moved to Pinewood Lane in 2000, we were just married and had bought our first home. Jaz, our first daughter joined the neighborhood about 15 months later. When the Colby’s moved in, it was just little Kai at that time and it reminded me of our early days here. 22 years later, Jaz is in Scotland attending university and Ember (Soleil) is at UCSB. Amazing what can transpire in 22 years. One of the great things that has happened over the years on Pinewood Lane is the influx of cool neighbors…the Colby’s rank at the top of…

Baby Robles will be making their debut this March so it was a perfect time to get out in the sunshine and capture some pre-arrival photos. The ground was still a bit muddy from all of that rain we had- but we managed to keep Caitlyn’s cute boots fairly clean. Caitlyn and Elijah come referred from some dear friends of mine so it’s always great to get that call. This was a new location for me so we walked around looking for the sweet light- and there was lots to be found. I’m so glad that they chose a package…

Jessica understands that these are all fleeting moments in time and she understands that she wants her kids to have these memories of all of them, together. If I can be honest, she likely has more photos with her kids than I do with my own.

Shortly after midnight on December 24, this little Christmas baby was born to mama Kristina and papa Josh. Sage is a super chill baby. With Kristina and Josh not having any time to set up a Christmas tree, we did the session in my home because I really wanted to incorporate the Christmas lights into his photography. These are such special times and as a mama of two college students, it’s a time that goes so quickly. Congratulations Kristina and Josh and welcome to the world, baby Sage.

I love these two! And, as it often goes, I met Soudi and Mike at a wedding this summer where they were part of the wedding party of another wedding I was photographing. Referrals are the best and usually yield super kind and cool folks. Mike and Soudi were married at the Wedgewood Sequoia Mansion in Placerville in the Veranda room on a beautiful winter day in December. Their nuptials includedboth an American ceremony and a traditional Persian ceremony. Mike’s uncle who is super funny and personable performed the American ceremony and Soudi’s dad, a bit more soft spoken, and…