There once was a boy named Ted who met a girl named Kari.  Ted liked to make things.  Kari liked to bake things.  Together they loved to make, bake and eat pizza.  One day Ted decided to ask Kari a very important question and she replied “Yes!” .  They were married on a gorgeous January day.

It wasn’t long before Kari & Ted started preparing for their roles as Mommy and Daddy.

And just like that, their lives changed forever.

Welcome Baby Emma!  You are the apple of your Grandma’s eye.

I recently met up with Kari, Ted, Emma & Grandma Marilyn to capture more photographs of this lovely little gal.

Here are a few things I noticed during our shoot:  Emma has Daddy wrapped around her Pinky Finger.

And is the love of Mommy’s life.

Grandma Marilyn is tickled pink at how enthusiastically Emma likes to give kisses.

Emma loves her Grandma’s games.

She’s already mastering her role as Gorgeous Baby Model.

Emma knows how to work the camera.

Family Heirloom:  This was Kari’s Christening Gown, which Marilyn has saved and now gets to share with her granddaughter.  It doesn’t get much more precious than this.

My favorite image of the Day:

I couldn’t be more grateful to have clients, and more importantly friends, like Kari & Ted.  I’ve been present at so many milestones in their lives.  I truly appreciate that they have dedicated their time and resources to document these important moments.  After our portrait session Kari invited me to attend Emma’s Christening the following week.  I was honored to be included in the festivities and though I wasn’t asked to, I couldn’t help but bring my camera.

I love this candid image of Emma sharing a moment with her Grandpa.

I am looking forward to documenting the next chapter in your Family’s story.

Jr. High School was the pits.  My most vivid memory would probably be the way the school’s locker corridor smelled during a rainy day, where my friends and I would have to eat lunch to shelter us from the rain.  I know it’s an odd thing to remember, but it kind of encapsulates how I felt about that time…it stunk (pun intended).

One of my better memories from that era happened on my first day of Jr. High.  I walked into Science class, not knowing a single person, and timidly asked if I could share a table with the girl who was already seated.  To my utter relief she said yes and a friendship was born.  That was the day I met Tracy.  Between walking home from school via the back canyon trails, hanging out at each other’s homes, or catching a movie, two things were always constant:  Tracy loved horses and I loved photography.  Fast forward 17 years and the constants haven’t changed:  I photograph and Tracy trains horses.  Life’s plan is pretty sweet.

I’ve always appreciated how friends can weave in and out of my life, and I am always amazed at how seamlessly a good friendship can remain intact.  Aside from a random encounter at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in 2003, Tracy and I hadn’t been in touch for several years.  But through the magic of Facebook we became ‘friends’ again.  I was so honored when Tracy contacted me to photograph her son Jake and I gladly made a trip down to her home in Chino to document these early days in little Jake’s life.  It was so wonderful spending time with them both and getting to catch up on years of life.

Jake was born 7 weeks premature, and boy does this little guy seem so in tune to the world.  I can only imagine how frightening it must feel to really worry about the survival of your newborn and listening to Tracy’s stories certainly gave me a new perspective.  She is such a phenomenal mother and it shows in the happy baby Jake is.  He was so expressive and really was quite opinionated on how he wanted to be photographed.  I loved it though…when in doubt, let the child guide the photo shoot and everything turns out right.  But one thing was apparent throughout the entire time I spent with them: this little boy LOVES his mommy.  Jake really looks at Tracy and for a child his age, that is something special.

I love using a client’s home and some natural light to capture a candid moment.

Oooooooh

Aaaaaaah

Jake was getting fussy so we swaddled him up and I couldn’t resist this gorgeous window light streaming in through the nursery.

What a pensive gaze.

Such a loved baby boy.

Love the peaceful expression on Jake’s face.

There is something I find irresistible about little newborn baby fingers especially when they poke at their faces.  Can’t tell you why, I just do.

I am so happy for Tracy’s new role in life.

Tracy, I wish you all the best and Jake, I can’t wait to tell you stories of when your mom and I were just kids ourselves.  Love you both.