I think one of the most important things a photographer can do to capture stunning, emotional images at weddings is to take time to photograph, well, not weddings.  I was talking with a few other wedding photographers recently and we all agreed that we all benefit from capturing other moments, from shooting people, places and events that inform our vision of the world at large, and that help us bring our own unique creativity to capturing the wedding day.

Living in California, but having grown up on the East Coast, I am always a little thrilled by the morning fog that rolls in off the Pacific in June. "June Gloom" doesn't really exist where I grew up, and every time I have the opportunity to photograph a bit of it, I feel re-energized as an artist.

From LA to Pismo Beach to San Francisco, I just love me those foggy mornings...especially when it burns off by afternoon, just in time for a wedding!




And then, of course, there are those delicious moments when I get a little bit of both!

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.

You can read the entire article and listen to an audio interview about the images here!

I was very inspired recently by another children's photographer who put together a gorgeous book of her favorite photos of her own children from the past five years. It was so beautiful and was such a wonderful collection of life's little moments that I decided to work on one myself using the pictures I have taken of my own little ones from the past five years.

 I decided that I don't want to use photos of Kindergarten graduations or birthdays or holidays. but rather those images that I have grabbed on just random days when we are just doing all the little things we do together as a family.

I love grabbing my camera on those regular days...not when my kids are  dressed up or have their hair brushed (or are even bathed for that matter!) but rather for regular old walk around the block, coloring in the living room, blowing dandelions kind of days. I  try to remember to grab my camera and stop and really look at these two amazing little people who change and grow and make me laugh and inspire me and challenge me daily. And who also happen to give the best hugs ever.

 I don't remember to do it as often as I would even like, but I am hoping that digging up pictures for this project will inspire me to keep my camera on hand this summer for lots of these little moments - the tiny, fleeting ones that are especially worth capturing.

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!

Oh my gosh, what an amazing summer, so much to share. Let's start with a fun engagement session at the beach.

So I have this thing about fog. I LOVE shooting in the fog, especially at the beach. One of my favorite weddings last year at the Beach Club here had this delicious fog that rolled in right after the ceremony. In this case, we headed to Manhattan Beach and the Venice Canals nice and early to catch that misty morning fog that is oh so romantic...and with this gorgeous couple how could it go wrong!

Then we headed up to the Venice canals - what a fun place for engagement photos. You can even find the occasional duck or two to be in the pictures with you!

The funniest part was that Terren and Billy's schedule was so busy over the summer that their amazing wedding actually took place a week after our engagement session and I can't wait to share those images, coming soon!