We met the Reid family for the first time on the beautiful beach at Coronado Island.  They are friends of our friends & clients, the McGuckin’s, who moved to San Diego a few years back.  The McGuckin family had their own beach portraits made last January, and when they heard we were coming down for beach sessions again, they told their friends (thanks for that, by the way!).  It’s unusual for us to meet a family for the first time at the session, but the Reid’s were so warm and friendly that it took no time at all for the kids to turn it on for the camera.  The kids were full of life and had no reservations about showing all of us!  We especially loved the interaction between the family, who clearly have a very close, loving relationship.  One thing about our beach sessions we didn’t expect in June–wind!  It wasn’t exactly calm and balmy for any of our beach sessions, and we just want to say thanks to everyone who came out and played with us and braved the conditions….you’d never know by the images that it wasn’t a warm summer day!

(James):  After hearing about an exercise program called The Dailey Method from several of our clients, Stef and I decided to give it a try.  Now I can’t speak for Stef, but it has been a long time since the brutal workout routine I used to hurl my body through in my college days.  Back then I would throw crazy amounts of weights around and run…and run…and run.  So when I tried the first class at the Dailey Method, I expected it to be tough, but not “I can’t move my abs” tough.  It is very challenging and I have a long way to go before I can make it through a class without a little bit of “cheating”.

(Stefani):  I have known for a long time that my body wasn’t going to tone and strengthen itself, so when 2 of our clients within the same week informed us of a workout class they absolutely love, we decided to check it out.  The class was originally being held in the home of Stacey & Adam Armijo, owners of the local Dailey Method.  We knew their brand-new studio was opening up close to our home, so we decided to try it out when the studio opened up.  After inquiring about the class, Stacey asked if we’d be interested in photographing the studio and instructors; of course we would!  So last Saturday we began our journey to more fit bodies.  For those of you wondering what exactly The Dailey Method is, in a nutshell, it’s “a unique combination of ballet barre work, core conditioning, stretching, and orthopedic exercise.”  In short, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, I was extremely sore after the first class, and it’s awesome!

This weekend is the grand opening celebration, and free classes are being offered both Saturday and Sunday, so if you’re curious, check it out!  Visit their website for a class schedule.  It will be well worth it!

It’s been a couple of years since we photographed Miss P and Sir N, so we were thrilled when we received a last-minute request for a Mother’s Day surprise for their mom!  We started at the studio and then headed down to the historic district in old Roseville.  A change of scenery is always fun, but it was especially fun when we heard the gray building they were standing in the doorway of used to be original jail down there.  N and P actually seem to get along and {insert gasp here! } really love each other! 🙂  Thanks for sharing your darling kiddos with us, and we can’t wait for a fun and creative family session still to come!

When I first spoke with the Garrettson’s on the phone, I will be honest that I was a little nervous when they told me they wanted family portraits with their 17-month old; nervous only because that can be one of the most difficult ages to photograph a child.  It seems that between about 14 months and 2 1/2 years, kids realize that they can move at their own will and exercise their independence.  Most importantly, they are too young to be bribed at this age!  Well, once they came in for their design consultation and we met little C, my concerns started to wane dramatically.  He was the cutest, sweetest little boy ever!  The day of our session was no different; C was picture perfect in every way.  He did everything we wanted him to with no resistance (or complaints).  I love to be proven wrong, and this was one of those magical sessions where I was over and over.  Now, this isn’t meant to discourage anyone from having children this age photographed, but for those of you who have kids this age, you know that it can be a gamble, which is what makes those million-dollar moments being captured even more precious.  This is what I love so much about photographing families and kids!  Meet the lovely Garrettson family:

I’ve often said I live for the in-between moments of life.  Those fleeting bits of time where we are unaware of our surroundings and are completely open.  Over the years I’ve learned a trick or two to get my girls to give up some beautiful and honest expressions, but this has become increasingly difficult to provoke as they become more and more aware of what I do day to day with a camera.

“Teagan, let’s go over here and make a beautiful photograph, it will be so pretty and everyone will love it!”

Guard up…fake Teagan.  Time for some redirection.

“Teagan, don’t look at me because I’m not taking pictures right now.  I’m just checking to see what they might look like…just warming up”

Bingo.

Meet Melinda.  Another wonderful marriage of style & attitude.  Melinda’s “everywhere” session started in our studio and finished in the delicious evening light out in the fields.  Tina(mom) was on set as fashion consultant, hair advisor, and mobile clothing rack.  This session was a real adventure, marching through trees, bushes and a creek, Melinda was game to go wherever needed to get the shot.  Her subtlety in expressions were just perfect and completely natural.  Another magical experience for me.  Thank you!

Some faves.

Meet Gina.  Part two of the Gina & Taylor experience.

As you can see, Gina was a star in front of the lens as well.  In the city, then off to the fields for some sun drenched loveliness, I though she did a fantastic job matching her expressions with her outfits/looks.  Thank you Gina (and Taylor!) again for such a unique experience, you both were wonderful!

p.s.  I LOVED that hat.  Take notes girls…more hats!

Some faves.

When Chris called and said she wanted us to photograph her grandchildren, we were so excited!  Chris is not only our financial planner, but she was also largely responsible for me (Stef) becoming a financial planner as well over ten years ago.  I met Chris before James and I were married and I was living in San Diego; she was my mom’s financial planner, helping her to plan wisely for her future.  I credit so much to her, even though I am no longer practicing in the field.  She still talks about how I was supposed to come to work with her when we moved back to Sacramento, but instead somehow started a photography business with James!  Sorry about that, Chris, but just think, you wouldn’t have these beautiful portraits of your adorable grandchildren! 🙂

Meet the Keane family, Josiah, Keri & miss O.  They decided to have their family session at one of their favorite parks in the area.  We started on the main side of the park but noticed some gorgeous light filtering through some trees across the street, so off we all went.  It was perfect.  Beautiful surroundings & light, and as you can see, the Keanes are a pretty good looking bunch.  Miss O was in top form that day and was a joy to photograph.  Here are some favorites.

I love it when clients have specific locations in mind for their senior portraits, and I really love it when the locations look like this!  Meet Bridget, Oak Ridge High class of 2010.  Bridget decided to have us up in her neck of the woods for her portrait session, and the day was perfect…so was the light.  She also brought along a personal make up artist to help with different looks during the session, very cool!  I had a great time here and Bridget made things easy being so comfortable in front of the lens.  She was particularly good about acting out “scenes”, especially the “I’m lost and wandering around in this gorgeous dress” story:)

We ended with a few photos on the balcony and Marti (mom) was kind enough to serve up some spinach dip, pita chips and mini hot dogs…perfect way to end a session.  Thanks so much!