Over the holidays when I was back in the frigid cold Gina contacted me to swing by their place to do some family portraits and pics of Maria ... their adorable 2 yr old. 

Now this is more then just a photo shoot.  Gina is an extra special client to me.    Gina was my FIRST ever client when I started my business.  She and Chris were married on Mackinac in 2007.  She is the perfect example of why I do what I do.. why I love what I do... and why I try to connect with my couples.  I WANT to see what happens ... after "happily ever after"... and with Gina and Chris I've been able to.

First I photographed their wedding... then I photographed Maria when she was a baby... and now I am watching Gina and Chris running after this dancing, jumping, running little girl!!  I love that I've been able to watch this evolution through my lens.  By the end of our morning together Maria was not so happy I was leaving...  she wanted me to stay, eat cookies and help her with her puzzle.  I did... how can one say no to homemade cookies at 10 in the morning and a Minnie Mouse/Daisy Duck puzzle!

(plus... check it out... I think we may have a new assistant being formed... just look at the seriousness when Maria holds her own camera)

Thank you so much Gina and Chris for once again inviting me into your life.  I love that I get to see you every other year.  This may sound cheesy (but hell ... its me... I tend to be cheesy)... I love seeing how you two have grown together so beautifully from newlyweds to a growing family (and still as funny ..and fun as ever).




And here's a little flashback from 2007 & 2009...

Last month when I was back home in Santa Barbara I was asked by my dear friends Lisa & Mike to take 1 year portraits of their little baby boy Chase.  I can't believe he is one already.

Originally we were going to go to a park... but I always love photographing families in their homes so much more. Its more natural... the baby is happy, the parents have every they need... and most importantly it captures what their lives actually look like at a time and space. 

So... Mike might kill me for saying this... but our nickname for Mike is "model mike"... well... watching the way Chase works the camera... I see the apple didn't fall far from the tree... this boy knows how to work it like Zoolander.. every time I went to put my camera away... there he was looking adorable again. Mike you've got some competition on your hands...  I just wonder if he can dance to Single Girls in the same way... hahahaha

Lisa & Mike... it was so much fun to hang out with you and be able to capture your lives with Chase. You two are such beautiful, caring and amazing parents.  The joy and love you have for each other and Chase is so clear and evident in the pics.  Can't wait to see you again very soon!

Love and miss you guys
A

 A few weeks ago I went on a little excursion around Michigan and Ohio to photograph some previous clients and their adorable families.  I just love seeing how my couples' families grow and I'm honored that they would welcome me back into their lives to capture it all again!!

First stop was Jackie & Aaron... a couple years ago I photographed their little boy Brady... well now Brady is a big brother to Chase... the newest member of the Cook family.  ..and I must say Brady is becoming quite a little charmer. We went out for sushi after the shoot and he was charming the pants off the entire staff...




Then the next day I was off to Dayton, OH to a super cute and really fun park to meet up with Jennifer & Toby (who may remember as being featured in The Knot wedding magazine a couple years ago).  I photographed their wedding on Mackinac a few years ago and now they have little Max... who just LOVED the camera. It was so great to reconnect with these two (I mean three).  They are just as lovely and fun as I remember!! 

 

Man, I may be biased but I think I have the best couples and families ever!!

Love,
A

Last weekend I was in the bay area with my dear friend Kuz (short for Kuzmic... her last name...  well, her old last name... now its Siddens)... pheww that was a lot of explaining... we'll just call her Jen... but really I'm here to talk about Dylan.. .her and Marc's  (can't forget him) adorable 6 month old little boy.

I was lucky enough to photograph Dylan when he was just a few weeks old... but now he has grown so much and is totally growing into an expressive and excited little one...  best him way to describe this little cherub is a boy who is constantly in awe of the world... just look at this face!

I must admit I'm a little bummed to be writing this blog...  flashback: about two years ago I watch (through my lens) as Traci & Ken marry on Mackinac. ...  then about a year later I hear they are having a little baby boy...  followed by little Liam's first photo shoot...   now a year later his first year is over and our Baby's "First Year Photo Sessions" have come to an end.  I can't believe how he has grown physically and his personality. He is such a cutie with incredibly expressive faces!!

Our first photo shoot was in the comfort of his own home, Liam was barely sitting.. in fact barely moving...



the second was in a nearby park in October, where he was sitting up and discovering leaves (and how they taste)... 



the third...  was me attempting to capture him as he crawled all over his domain barely sitting still ... 


and this final photo shoot truly captured all of his growth and personality... we went to a really cool gymnastics studio and just watched as he played and laughed  and explored.. then we had to capture a few photos with the grandpa's tractor.



The past year has been so fun to hang out with Traci and Ken and watch as Liam begins to grow into is own!!!




Traci & Ken, thank you so much for welcoming me into your home and into your life over this past year.  It has been such an honor and I can't wait to see how Liam grows!

Love,
A