milestones

I met up with Alex, Matt, Brock and Ellie this year for some more pics…you know the kind where everyone gets to be in them. Trust me, as a photographer, I always joke that my husband and kids are very well documented 🙂 Actually, my husband has been pulling out his iPhone lately, takes a photo and says, “look, you’re on vacation too”. Brock is such a kind soul, helping and coaxing his little sister Ellie into photos. Such a great kid. And I know it doesn’t look like it but I worked hard to squeeze a smile or two…

I’ve had the pleasure of photographing the O’rilley kids for years, while simultaneously providing tissues to Trisa as she watched each of her ‘not babies anymore’ approach their high school graduation.

How time flies!  I can’t believe Kiki is already a graduating SENIOR, and that I have known her since she was nine years old… I first met Kiki’s parents when they hired me to photograph their wedding in 2009.  Now here we are, almost halfway through 2017, and Kiki is preparing to embark on the major adventure of college.  Through the years I have watched her grow and blossom into the smart, kind, athletic and beautiful woman that she is today (and often through her Dad’s beautiful photography)- and I couldn’t be prouder to help her celebrate this next stage in…

Well, actually 3 and a 1/2.  But who’s counting?  I’ll photograph this lively little girl with the 100 watt smile at any age! Audrey is the sweet daughter of Erin and Brett, whose wedding I photographed in 2012. Following families through the most important milestones of their lives is the number one reason I love being a photographer (that, and creating beautiful art with amazing people!).  In fact, I have had the good fortune of documenting Erin’s extended family for several years, having photographed sister Courtney’s wedding in 2011, and now looking forward to photographing her other sister Kristen’s wedding this fall.  It’s always a pleasure…

“It’s so us.” Three words that are like sonic gold to any lifestyle photographer’s ear!  When Cheree called me about doing a workday session at their property, I was instantly intrigued.  I have had the good fortune to photograph this family on many occasions, from anniversaries to graduations and holidays to all of those happy milestones in between.  And here was yet another milestone in their lives: some good ol’ DIY construction.  You see, when a cedar tree falls on the Haffner property, they don’t make lemonade, they saw that sucker down and build an addition on to their happy home.  Getting…

Everyone knows that one of my favorite parts about living in Pollock Pines is the proximity to some amazing outdoor adventures.  With Sierra at Tahoe so close, I enjoy skiing bluebird days on the mountain, zigging and zagging through the fresh, warm and sunny air with friends and family. So what could be better than that?  Having the opportunity to photograph a family who shares the same love for the mountain energy and snow as I do! Emily and Nick are avid snowboarders who may have found love in each other, but chose a place they both love to make their promise towards forever: the 360…

“Ishi” – is 91. Our society is weird, isn’t it? We celebrate our young children’s birthdays and milestones with such gusto but then, somewhere in our 20s, the enthusiasm sort of dies out and birthdays become (for most of us) pretty ho-hum affairs. This is reflected back at us through the photography world too: lots of weddings, babies, families with young children, and high school seniors. As mothers and fathers we are revered when we have young children, meanwhile older parents and grandparents… where are they in our photographic record? In the trillions of images shared on Instagram, blogs, and…

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…

The Fausel Family are near-and-dear to my hearts not least because I have had the privilege of photographing many amazing weddings at their ranch in the past few years. Fausel Ranch is simply one of the most beautiful and friendly wedding locations to work at in El Dorado County and, through those weddings, I have had the honor of becoming a friend of the Fausel family. In addition to photographing two Fausel family weddings (check out Mark + Sharlot and Albert + Melissa) in the past, Deanna and David have been kind enough to refer numerous other close family and friends to…