I am just thrilled and honored to be featured in the new issue of Nikon World magazine. It was such a pleasure working Nikon and talking about my approach to photographing and capturing the world of children...the running, splashing, stick collecting, tomato picking, flying in the air and falling down world of children.

To be profiled by Nikon is a true honor and I am eternally grateful to all of the families who allow me to photograph their little ones and trust me with the privilege of capturing these wondrous moments in their children's lives.

One of the best parts of my job is having wonderful clients that I photograph every year so I get to capture these little ones as they grow.  I met this little guy and his family when he was only six months old and so look forward to photographing him him every fall. He always amazes me by remembering all of the silly and crazy games we played the previous year!

One of my favorite things about this family, in particular, is that we always try to find a new and different location. The first year we did theshoot at their home, the next year we found an estate in Pasadena, followed by Pershing Square and the Biltmore downtown (which you can see here) to last year in Griffith Park and finally this year at Malibu Pier! It's just so much fun to mix it up.

 I love shooting at Malibu Pier as it reminds me of the beaches where I grew up in New England - navy blue and white and rugged piers jutting out over the ocean. How can you go wrong? Add in a little marine layer fog and a gorgeous family and my job is a breeze!

I am always looking for new great locations in Los Angeles for family portrait sessions, especially since I photograph many of my clients year after year so we like to find new spots to use. I thought it might be fun to highlight some of my favorites. Here are two family portrait sessions from Griffith Park, one near the carousel and the other up at the observatory.

As I tell all of my students who take my photography workshop, the time of day you take your pictures is just as important or more than where you take the pictures! The first session below was at the most gorgeous time of morning in one of my favorite sections of the park where the golden light peeks through the trees...it's a hidden dirt hiking trail that is well worth the climb. Then the observatory has such great little nooks for pictures and all kinds of pretty light that you have so many fun options. Plus, when you have kids this cute how can you go wrong!

I adore this family. ADORE in capital letters adore. I met them back in 2006 when I photographed their wedding and have been so honored to be a part of their lives ever since. From the wedding to Tish's first pregnancy shoot to pictures of their little guy and now to pictures of their new baby (a new addition and the subject of another shoot!) I am always honored to capture moments in their life together.  Plus, this little guy is so cute and charming, he steals my heart every time I see him!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, fall in Los Angeles is holiday portrait time. It is so much fun for me to have the chance to photograph families year after year and see how the kids have grown. I love these little guys and always have such a wonderful time photographing them. Last year we had braved a very cold, windy afternoon at the beach but this time we had perfect skies and a gorgeous fall day at Griffith Park. And lots of pine needles. Which make a terrific spot for wrestling, what more could two little boys want? Add a carousel in the background and a lollipop or two and I'm in heaven.