Sacramento Family Photographer

Melanie and Wai are planning an elopement on a beach in Kauai this summer. Sounds miserable, doesn’t it? With four young children and a family already living as one for awhile now, their “get away” will be all about them. And it sounds absolutely perfect. Melanie wanted some professional photographs of the the two of them since they had never had them done before. From my website , they chose El Dorado Hills Town Center as the backdrop for their engagement images. After a couple of emails back and forth to talk about wardrobe, she suggested to me that Wai might…

Somehow it doesn’t surprise me that when I posted a few of Jack’s senior photographs to Facebook, they were auto-tagged using Bob(Jack’s dad) in the face recognition. They do look quite a bit alike. Actually, I see alot of Kim(Jack’s mom) in there too, in his eyes. I tell you, what does surprise me is that this 3 month old baby I first met over seventeen years ago when we moved to Pollock Pines, is ready to walk across the El Dorado High School stage donning his royal blue cap and gown, and on his way to Montana State University…

What a privilege it was to capture my first Bar Mitzvah earlier this month in Hollywood, CA at the Temple Israel of Hollywood. Shelly, an old college friend and Allan her husband, invited family and friends from afar to witness and participate in this coming of age ceremony for their son, Simon. With over a year of preparation, a rehearsal, a family dinner, a Shabbat service (my favorite), a Bar Mitzvah service, a hora and luncheon, and then a big ol’ bash with “This Is Fun”, Simon’s band performing to a fan filled audience….Simon was officially a Bar Mitzvah. What a…

Ok, I sit here in awe that I have been photographing this wonderful family for so many years now…and then just as struck that I can’t exactly remember how many years that it has been. Sigh. (Negar says 13 years- I trust her). I feel like the luckiest person when I get to move through the years with families like the Jamalis’. A very special welcome this year to their newest family member, Charlie, a big ball of curly Labradoodle. As a photographer, it is both the trust in the people you are capturing, and their trust in you, that…

and what better time to take some time to capture this exciting time in life. I’ve known Chase’s mom, Jen for a long time now. We used to exercise together “back in the day”. I’m not sure why we don’t any longer because she has always been such a positive and motivating force to be around…really, she even made exercising FUN…hmmm…Ok, another time 🙂 I was so happy when she contacted me to photograph her son Chase, during this time of transition….somewhere between childhood and adulthood. Having an 8th grader myself, I know just how it is. Chase will complete…

On January 4, Baby Mac greeted his Mom, Dad and big sister Stella for the very first time. Back in 2012, I had the honor of photographing Stephanie and Bill’s wedding and also a year or so later, Stella’s newborn photographs.  I was super excited when I was able to go spend some more time with them at their home and capture what their new family of four looked and felt like. It’s so comfortable photographing past clients and they were no exception. As Bill held little Mac and looked around the room at their daughter Stella running around in full-on…

The Gray Family. There are many kind people in this town that I have called home for over 17 years, and the Gray family definitely comes in at the top of that list. Melinda is a dear (forever) friend and her heart explodes with endless energy and compassion for others. She’s always there for you, and for anyone, really. I’m not sure how she squeezes in all the life she does, into her own, but she does. She’s an amazingly beautiful friend, inside, outside and all around. Lance and Melinda are raising equally amazing kids and I’ve known Jack, Catie,…

I had a chance to meet the Kenoyer Family on a most glorious and sunny day in Apple Hill. Mary and Jason set the kids free in Larsen’s Apple Barn Park and off they went; running, playing and goofing around like kids do, sometimes with shoes and sometimes without. As a photographer, capturing kids this way is so gratifying – but you do need to be quick 🙂 Happy 10th anniversary Mary and Jason. Here are a few of my favorites…. (oh, and make sure to stop in at Larsen’s and grab a pie this fall….they really are the best in…

Fall in love with Paisley. I did. Was it those luscious red locks? Those vibrant hazel eyes? Those cute dimples framing that meandering tongue? Was it the way that little cuteness warmed up to me so quickly? I don’t know but there was something about adorable Paisley, celebrating her first birthday in Apple Hill, in that lovely autumn light that just made my day. I’m still smiling. Paisley’s adoring parents were so connected, so enamored (and do you blame them?). Capturing that kind of love and connection is why I have a passion for the work I get to do.…