There are sessions I photograph and then there are sessions I feel. This one was the latter.
I first met this young woman when she was a toddler. I have photographed her family through the years, watching her grow from a little girl into someone who is heading to USC on a volleyball scholarship — a full semester early, no less. When her mom reached out to book her senior session, I may have done a little happy dance in my kitchen.
Every birthday deserves to be celebrated. However, as a Long Beach studio photographer, I have found that the sessions families treasure most are not always the most elaborate ones. Sometimes the sweetest idea walks right through the door in the form of a single mint green balloon.
I’m not 100%. Case in point…this out of frame kid toss. LOL.
But, I included it in their gallery, because I think it’s light-hearted and fun. That’s what to expect in your gallery…the perfectly posed and smiling, the images and that make you laugh and everything in between.
I found a new little spot on the Newport coast. It’s a bit of a hike down to the water, but it’s such a gem. Gorgeous cascading rocks lead down to the water.
Focusing on good family photos during your photo session is always a good idea! Unless you’re going to set up a camera on a tripod with a timer, you just don’t get all family members in the same frame. That’s why people go to a professional photographer!
I photographed Emma when she was a newborn and I’ve been seeing her family yearly ever since.
A good beach photo is easy to love. But, when is a good time to do a beach photo? And by time, I mean the age of your child. The first bit of advice I have is that in order to take a good photo, you have to love the beach. I know it sounds redundant, but if you don’t love spending time at the beach, you won’t love hanging out there for pictures. Your hair will get wind-blown and you might walk away with the soggy jeans.
If you do love the beach, YAY! I do too. A successful beach shoot involves a walking child. Yes, it’s possibly to take a baby to the beach and get good photos. But, if we’re talking best case scenario, it’s a child that can walk. Why? Because sitting and crawling babies are so tiny that even if you set them on a blanket, I have to zoom so far out to capture the landscape that the baby is super tiny in the photo. If I zoom in to crop appropriately, you lose the essence of where you are.
And there’s the sand. Sand that gets everywhere. Sand that’s shoveled by the handful into the mouths of babes. Crawling babies are just curious. They want to crawl right off that blanket and into the sand to taste it.
So, of course you can always book a beach session with a baby of any age, but my best advice is to wait just a little until they are walking to get the most out of your session!
Hey friends! I’ve got all my October dates and locations picked, so wanted to share them with you here!
The sessions are 20 minutes long (unless otherwise noted) and they are $100 for the session fee. There’s an additional flat rate of $400 for all your digital images for your own printing and sharing. You’ll be set up for success with helpful tips for printing and resources.
October 13: (This is Columbus Day, so you may have it off work.) The photo sessions will be at Irvine Regional Park from 3:30-5:00pm.
October 18: The photo sessions will be on Balboa Island. I’d like to do the sessions with families enjoying treats on Main Street. To see an example of what it would look like, click to this blog post. I may be able to add a few more sessions at the docks in Balboa too, so let me know if you’re more interested in that type of session. The sessions will take place 9:00-10:30am.
October 25: If you like a more urban look, these photo sessions will take place near the Artist District of Santa Ana. There are some really unique walls and architecture, all within walking distance. These photo sessions will be 9:30-11:00am
October 25: Sunset at Seal Beach photo sessions will be from 4:30-6:00pm at the south end of the beach.
October 26: This sweet little private beach in Laguna Beach will host the photo sessions from 4:00-5:30pm. The perfect sunset lighting!
