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Aug

The Perfect Photo Shoot // Long Beach Baby Photographer

This is one of those perfect photo shoots that starts out at home all cozy in your own bed and ends up with a walk down to the beach. I’m lucky to have clients that turn into friends and Katie is definitely one of those people. If you follow me on instagram, you’ve seen this cutie-pie modeling for me from time to time. And we’ve even managed to squeeze in an yogurtland play date this summer. But, it all started with this adorable 6 month photo session. Like you, I fell in love with those dark eyes and kewpie curls. What an adorable little family!

Aug

Underwater Photo Session Update

For those of you that are interested…I ended up moving the date from August 1 to August 24th. I have a few spots left, so if you’re still interested, send me an email! It’s a great deal with a session fee of $150 and the CD of all the images (minimum of 30) for $350.

Aug

Flash Sale on Newborn Props

My mother-in-law, Kathy, makes all the adorable knitted newborn cocoons and and hats that I used in my photo shoots. She’s having a flash sale right now on Etsy. Just 24 hours and everything is half off! Sale will end Friday evening at midnight. Click here to view the sale!

Aug

Taking the Time to Teach Your Kids Something New

I’m still picking thread off my clothes from the kimono-making party I had with my daughter Jillian and her friends yesterday. I posted the kimono DIY here and it was as simple as sizing down the pattern by a few inches to make it kid-size. Summer is definitely the time to teach kids something new, something COOL. Without the pressure of homework and sports practices, we have more hours in the day to play and plan out purposed activities.

I’m over on Modern Parents Messy Kids today talking about Taking the Time to Teach Your Kids Something New. And I gave lots of examples, so hopefully it’ll inspire you to get out there! Have fun! Learn something! (PS. We only have a few weeks left before school starts again!)

Jul

Kimono DIY

I’ve been seeing kimonos everywhere, so I decided to try a Kimono DIY! Turns out it’s pretty simple. Just 5-8 seams…depending on if you want to leave any of the edges raw.

The best kimono I own was purchased at Prism Boutique in Long Beach. Dayna’s got an amazing selection of kimonos and the one I bought has the softest fabric and prettiest pattern. I tried to find similar fabric downtown LA and got similar but not exact. So, if you don’t sew or just want to treat yourself, you should check out her store!

Okay, on to the DIY step by step instructions! First start with a piece of fabric that is approximately 50×50″. If you aren’t exactly there, it’s okay…kimonos are so loose, so a few extra inches plus or minus won’t affect the overall look. For this particular kimono, I used a gauzy cotton (and mine was only 48″ wide). Then fold the sides together (selvage end to selvage end)

Cut the fabric in half lengthwise and the fold it in half.

Pin the right sides together half way down and sew them together.

I like to finish it with a french seam (which just means folding the edges in on each other so they don’t fray). Then I cut a small slit where the seam stops half way down.

Pin and hem both of the open sides.

Fold your fabric in half (right sides together) with the seam in the middle. The french seam will be running down the middle of your back when you wear it. Now you need to sew arm holes, so pin 8 1/2″ down to the bottom (leaving an 8 1/2″ opening at the top for your arm) and sew right sides together. You can finish with a french seam here.

I decided to leave my arm holes raw since the selvage won’t fray, but you can sew a seam here if you want.

You can also leave the hem around the bottom raw or finish with a trim. I added a lace trim to mine. Easy Peasy!

You can experiment with different fabrics and lengths of fabric for different fits. Here’s a few other kimonos that I recently made!

Jul

At Home Family Photographer // Los Angeles

She found me through the post on Modern Parents Messy Kids. The one where I talked about how important it is to get in photos with your kids. Coming on the heels of attending an unexpected funeral, she immediately called me.

We hit it off right away over the phone and by the time I arrived to her Los Angeles home to start the photo session, we were like old friends. I wanted to start on their bed…just to let the kids get comfy and realize I was there to have fun. It was click, click, YES. This one. This one is now a huge canvas in their home. And doesn’t it just capture the life they’re living right at this moment? LOVE.

After capturing so many sweet moments with their kids, we moved the party outside for some more formal posed photos and like every good couple should, a photo without the kids. Remembering where it all started.