Blog
Newborn + Lifestyle Photography Session with Athena
First of all, congratulations on having a new baby or expecting one! That is so exciting! Whether your baby is almost here or you are anticipating their arrival, taking newborn and lifestyle photos of your little one, will be a great way to remember how tiny and cute they are!
Unlike other studio photographers who specialize in newborn photography, I am more of a lifestyle photographer and have taken a short newborn course online so that I can offer many of my clients, who may have just had a maternity session with me, a newborn photoshoot. I offer in-home photography sessions and with newborns we would schedule that within 2 weeks after the birth. Rather than meeting me in a studio, I drive to your home and set up some of the props, swaddles and other accessories I have. My style is geared toward a natural and lifestyle look with your family and your new baby. You won’t get tightly posed/styled newborn looks, but rather a more relaxed look of your baby sleeping.
Props to Choose From
Newborn bed prop and optional greenery assembled around the base.
Faux fur grey blanket, basket, and optional flower with leaves greenery for base
Light beige textured blanket and soft brown blanket
Newborn baby bear hat and stuffed animal
Newborn baby headbands
Swaddle colors- blue, tan, white, pink and olive green
If there’s anything you have that you’d like to use in your photos please let me know. I offer these baby swaddles, bed or basket, and accessories as options to use when we take newborn photos first. Let me know what color blanket in the basket or bed you’d like to use as well as what color backdrop you prefer!
During our session together I start by taking photos of your newborn and we’d finish with the sibling + family portraits. I recommend setting up the area by keeping the space warm enough for a newborn, and then putting on white noise to help baby sleep.
I have two little ones of my own and have tons of experience holding and taking care of newborns which helps a ton! My goal is to keep your baby happy, sleepy and safe. I do this by having a family member spot the baby during our session. When we get started make sure your newborn is well fed, wearing an easy to open outfit (nothing tight over the head) and that you have anything you need on hand like a burp cloth or your phone for videos. :) Before the session, make sure your newborn has their time awake so that when I arrive they will be ready to sleep. This will save us time waiting for your baby to be fed and fall asleep easily for photos.
Newborn + Lifestyle Session - $800
Up to 1.5 hours session in your home
Lifestyle images with family + siblings
Newborn styled portrait with 1-2 sets of prop, accessories and swaddle
35+ high resolution edited images in an online gallery
Images with both the classic and filter look
Print release
Travel within 10 miles of 94553
Newborn - $600
Up to 1 hour session in your home
Newborn styled portrait with 1-2 sets of prop, accessories and swaddle
15+ high resolution edited images in an online gallery
Images with both the classic and filter look
Print release
Travel within 10 miles of 94553
San Francisco Bay Area + East Bay Photoshoot Locations
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area has been the best when it comes to taking photos! There are so many amazing spots to take photographs at! If we want pictures with the redwood trees for example, there’s Muir Woods, if we want the ocean there’s the view from Baker Beach and then of course the well known Golden Gate Bridge. Although I don’t immediately live in San Francisco, I do live in the East Bay and my travel fee is $125 into the city!
If you’re looking for my local and maybe more affordable session, come meet me at one of these beautiful outdoor locations in the East Bay area. From the Gardens at Heather Farms to Briones or Hidden Lakes, Martinez, California, we are bound to find something for you. There are ponds of water at some of these spots, trees, tall grass (when they aren’t trimmed and depending on the season) as well as fields and hills.
Make sure to contact me when you decide on a location so we can get your portrait session started!
San Francisco Locations
San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco, California
San Francisco City Hall is a popular spot for elopements, weddings and wedding portraits! I love this venue!
Baker Beach (Golden Gate Bridge Beach view), San Francisco, California
Baker Beach is a huge hit with visitors and for locals who want the iconic bridge in San Francisco as well as a beach!
The Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, California
The Palace of Fine Arts has some lovely tall Italian-like structures with the most beautiful pond that reflects the palace. I love the greenery around and it’s proximity to the Golden Gate Bridge and local restaurants.
Lover’s Lane at the Presidio, San Francisco, California
Lover’s Lane at the Presidio has some really cool trees that tower in covering a trail. This is a really nice spot if you like the brown in the trees and the tall thin trunks.
East Bay Area Locations
The Gardens at Heather Farms is one of my favorites. I love the rose garden, the succulents and cactuses there as well as the pond right outside at Heather Farms Park. There is a beautiful gazebo within the gardens as well!
Hidden Lakes, Martinez, California
Hidden Lakes is one of my favorite places to take photos at in Martinez. There are some small playgrounds for children nearby and then walking trails on the way to the pond. I love the diverse area where we can take photos with trees, the grass and then the small pond.
Marina, Martinez, California
The marina in Martinez is really pretty. It’s right next to the train tracks, you can see the bridge across the east side, there’s some nice streams, the bay and then some grassy fields too! It’s a local favorite!
Briones Regional Park, Martinez, California
Briones Regional Park is well known in the East Bay area for its’ hiking trails. I love the large rolling hills and the view from the top of them overlooking Concord and Walnut Creek. There are some nice trees below to take photos of as well.
BEach Locations
Since I lived in the South Bay before I was asked to take a long of photos at the beaches in Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, Monterey and Carmel! Here are some beautiful locations for anyone who is up for a beach trip! My travel fee here is $200 or more!
Carmel River State Beach, Carmel, California
If you know Carmel by the Sea, you’ll know the stunning Carmel River State Beach. I love the view of the ocean and the scenery of the sand and greenery of the trees in the background. If you’re in the area make sure you head over to the California Mission and Mission Ranch restaurant.
Lover’s Point, Pacific Grove, California
After a nice trip in Monterey visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium for example, let’s take photos at one of my favorite places where I grew up. I love the rocky look here and they are so fun to climb! This area has a nice bike path as well and after that I wouldn’t mind heading over to Ghirardelli for their ice cream sundaes!
Contact me to book a session and we’ll figure out either one of these spots or your own favorite for your photoshoot! I’m looking forward to meeting you soon!
How to Prepare for a Maternity Photoshoot
Congratulations! You or your loved one may be expecting a new baby! A special way to celebrate a pregnancy is by taking photos. I remember going through that myself first when we had my daughter Stella. I had my husband take my photos and the second time (when we had Luke) I hired a professional photographer. It was a dream of mine to get our own photos taken in San Francisco and I want to make that dream come true for other mothers too. I cherish my maternity photos and when I open our son’s baby book I love seeing those gorgeous photos in the “Before I arrived” section.
Now that you’re interested in a maternity portrait session, here are some things you’ll want to consider to prepare. Whether you and other loved ones join you for the session is up to you. Within the classic 1 hour session, we can take a variety of photos with family members or other kids, yourself or simply you and your partner. Whatever you are hoping for, I am here to capture that. I will add my personal touch and direction while asking you if there are any photos you’d like to try replicating.
Here are 5 Tips for planning for your session!
1. The first thing to consider when planning for our session is that the timing is just right. We don’t want momma to be too pregnant where she is waddling around from having a large stomach or feeling tired to stand for too long. At the same time, we don’t want to take photos too early when you are not showing off that cute bump. I recommend taking photos around 28-32 weeks where you are getting to the point of possibly being uncomfortable, but there’s still enough time + energy to be excited about the photos, getting them printed, shared and being prepared for labor.
2. Once your session date is reserved, we’ll most likely have your photos taken 1 hour prior to sunset, as that is golden hour! The lighting on the background is divine; there is soft and even light everywhere. With that being said, the best photos will be taken in the last half an hour. The first half an hour of photos will feature bright sunlight shining through trees or areas where there is full shade while everyone gets comfortable with me as the photographer. Many people like to have a second outfit change and I recommend having your favorite outfit for the last part of the session.
3. You may be wondering what to wear. When I think of maternity photos I imagine flowy and light weight dresses light in color to showcase your cute baby bump. In general, neutral colors will always be timeless and I’d lean toward the lighter tones. There’s something magical about that glow a mother has that needs to be seen in airy clothing. Some people prefer to have photos taken in layered lingerie in a home setting (sometimes public too) and then there’s the breezy flowy dress look in the outdoors that I aim for. Wearing light jewelry, having your makeup, hair and nails done will make you feel and look even more special. Wear a nice pair of heels or dainty flats to fit the style of your dress. If your partner or family is joining, check out my family session style guide for outfit ideas! Keep the outfits simple and coordinate colors!
4. During our session I will take a variety of photos; candid and posed. I will tell you how to stand, where to touch your stomach, and what to look at. Before our time together, get to know yourself and what your best features are. Let me be aware of anything I can highlight. Some people like to face the camera straight on for a slimming effect while others like to highlight their baby bump. Do you have a side you like to show more of or a “good side”? You are more than welcome to bring family heirlooms, word boards, props or ultrasounds to include in our photos for example!
5. After our time together, all I will need is your email, the remainder of the payment, and a couple of days to get your maternity photos back to you! I will share a link with your photo collection. You’ll be able to find a minimum of 65 high quality resolution edits in both my classic and filter looks if you desire! Depending on the lighting or time of year, the colors in the images may vary!
I assure you that our time together will be so much fun! I try my best to make you feel special and look your best in the photos by giving you a preview of the images on my camera during the session! From there, please feel comfortable to tell me what you like, don’t like and want to capture next! This is a fun session and I hope it adds to your excitement about having a baby as well as make your pregnancy feel even more special.
If you have any questions at all about the photoshoot, what to expect or how to plan for a new baby, please ask me! I’ve gone through a lot of emotions and huge learning curves and would love to be of any help that I can offer. :)
Hot Chocolate Stand + Milk Bath + Christmas Photos
When deciding what to do for our kids Christmas photos this year, I searched Pinterest and saw a kid’s “hot chocolate” stand. I had to try it for myself and I’m so glad I did! I knew I had to find a pallette, assemble a serving counter, paint it and then decorate it. Thankfully we had most supplies on hand and from there I went to one of my favorite decor stores; Hobby Lobby. I am so in love with Hobby Lobby. I went on Black Friday, coincidentally with the sales, and got 50% all my Christmas decor.
I was so excited to get this photoshoot up and running that I finished the prop and stand AND THEN the took the kid’s photos all in one day with the help of my husband. Thank goodness for naps though because I could get the hot chocolate wording painted then. Stella got to paint the pallette with me and absolutely loved it. She was pretty good at it too!
Here’s a tip; Use chocolate milk instead of real hot chocolate mix for the baby milk bath and for the kid’s to drink. Luke, my baby boy, did amazingly well in this chocolate milk set up and splashed like crazy. Stella really wanted to eat the candy canes and drink the chocolate milk so I let her and that’s how I got extra good pictures!
Additionally, my wonderful Aunt Debra gave me a small rocking chair that she got as a gift from her dad, my Grandpa Galgiani (who I never really met since he passed). She wanted me to use it for my photoshoots and this was a great opportunity with our Christmas tree. I love that I get to have a family heirloom. Thank you Aunt Debra!
I’m advertising $50 for 15 minutes or 15 photos for my Christmas mini session. Come and take photos with me at my Martinez house in my front yard! :) I’m ending my sessions within the week!
Family Session Style Guide
Thank you for choosing me to capture your family photos! I’m looking forward to meeting you and having fun all while photographing some posed and candid looks!
Leading up to a family photography session, the most challenging part can be deciding what to wear. I’ve created this guide to help take the stress out of the process, and let you know what kinds of outfits work the best for just the right look. If you have any questions after reading this, just let me know!
Your Session
Location
The San Francisco bay area offers some of the best scenery around. There are the green or dry grassy hills (depending on the season), ocean, forests and iconic places like the Golden Gate Bridge or Palace of Fine arts. When planning for the location, think of places that fit your family and are accessible for everyone who is involved. Depending on the scenery, your photos may look darker if there are many trees or greenery in the background compared to open air, dry grass or the ocean. Also, keep in mind that there are travel fees outside of the east bay- Martinez or Walnut Creek area!
What to Bring
Water, snacks, or toys. Anything to keep everyone happy. Ladies may need make up for touch ups. Four legged friends are more than welcome, if they play nice ;), and if our location allows for pets! If it’s chilly outside, you may want to wear a cute and light jacket. Having props can be fun sometimes too!
Timing
When photographing outside, I try to schedule the session 1 hour prior to sunset as this is known as golden hour, or the best timing for soft and even lighting. If the evening, depending on the time of the year, doesn’t work due to naps and meal times etc., we can work out another time that’s best for you. In these cases, we would seek out a place that has a lot of shade if we are outdoors.
Preparation
To avoid last minute stress, make sure to pick out all outfits and props in advance. If your outfits are new make sure your kids wear them a couple times before the photoshoot to make sure they are comfortable and willing to wear them.
It’s All in the Details
Your clothing selection and choice of location will make the biggest difference in the final feel and look of your photos. Feel free to email me questions regarding different outfit choices and what will look best.
5 Wardrobe Tips
Don’t match, coordinate. Pick a color combination for your family to work within. We don’t want everyone to match perfectly or for everyone to wear a single color, but we also don’t want everyone wearing too many different colors and clashing patterns.
Don’t be too seasonal. While the idea of outfits for the season may be appealing, our aim is to produce photos that you can display in your home year round! Unless you live on the north pole, Christmas only really works once a year.
Avoid patterns. Go for earth tones, textures and solid colors. These are the most classic and timeless and will guarantee your outfits are still in style years from now- rather than a trend! It’s also best to aim for layers in your clothing for visual appeal and movement (especially for the ladies! Dresses or a flowy cardigan, etc.).
Fitted = best. While flowy articles of clothing for the girls is fantastic, in general aim for fitted clothing for the guys. Avoid baggy jeans and too loose of shirts, etc.. The same can go for too tight of shirts and dresses where we can see the fabric hugging too tight on stomachs.
We want your session to be fun and enjoyable for everyone involved. If your kid’s clothing is uncomfortable for them to wear, it won’t be nearly as fun. If you’re planning outfits outside of what they are used to, I’d suggest “breaking them in” a few days in advance to get them used to the feeling of wearing those clothes and to make sure they are the right size.
Example Outfits
AIM FOR
Muted Tones
Layers and Movement
Complementary Colors
Avoid busy patterns
Avoid these Outfits
Avoid bright colors, matching outfits, + busy patterns
FAQ’S
What is your shooting style for family photos?
I am a portrait and lifestyle photographer and my style is geared towards capturing real moments! This means getting you interactive and having a fun time together - because that’s where the magic happens. Additionally, I know everyone wants those posed photos where everyone is smiling and looking right at the camera. We’ll get those too!
What if my kids won’t engage?
That’s ok! Many kids are shy or have a hard time with posing for photos - which is why we forget the posing and just get you playing and loving on each other. You just enjoy the moment and I’ll take care of getting the best photos.
Can I cancel or reschedule my session?
Booking deposits are non-refundable as I am holding the date for you and turning away other clients. If you need to reschedule, I’ll need at least 48 hours notice and we will most likely need to book on a weekday due to availability. If the weather forecast shows severe weather conditions like heavy rain or too much smoke from fires, we can reschedule!
Are sessions indoors or outdoors?
Although I prefer to take sessions outdoors, all session locations are chosen by you, to bring your unique vision to life. Indoors or outdoors - we’ll make it happen!
How long is the typical photoshoot?
The typical session is one hour and additionally I offer mini sessions which are 30 minutes and mostly for little ones who are restless! If more time is needed due to having more than two families present, I’d recommend a 1.5 hour photoshoot.
When is my payment due?
Your 30% retainer deposit is required to reserve your date. The remainder of your balance can be paid within a couple days of your session. Photos will not be edited and shared until the full payment has been made.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Venmo or Paypal (as a friend), cash or credit card with a 3% fee. My venmo username is @Athena-Galgiani and the last four digits of my phone number are 8225. My paypal username is @AthenaGalgiani
Thank you for reading this and getting prepared for your session.
I’m excited to meet you and your family!
Moss Beach Tree Tunnel Wedding
Stunning right? It was seriously an honor to go to Mary and Nicolas’ wedding in Half Moon Bay. I hadn’t heard of Moss Beaches’ Tree Tunnel and was amazed when I saw it. Wow. I was in even more awe meeting Nicolas and Mary though. They are such a beautiful couple and made the day extremely special by keeping things simple. I loved meeting their family members although I could only chat with them in my broken Spanish haha. Nicolas and Mary are from Colombia and came to California for their wedding ceremony. They were going back to Colombia for a honeymoon off on a local island over there. Fun!
Even if I couldn’t understand much of the ceremony since it was in Spanish, I could feel the love and I almost teared up seeing Nicolas’ mother crying. I can’t imagine my own baby boy growing up and getting married. It was heartwarming to see close family members come out for this intimate celebration. I could tell their culture is warm, loving, and fun. Maybe I’ll get to go to Colombia one day to experience more of that.
We took the most beautiful couples’ portraits in that tree tunnel as well as by the ocean overlook and autumn looking trees. These two were pros at posing, dancing and just having a good time. For a minute I honestly thought Mary was a professional model because of how confidently she posed and felt in front of the camera. Well, apparently she’s an engineer. Beauty and brains, you go girl. Also, I loved her spin on the wedding day outfit; classy and sophisticated white, but wearing pants instead of a dress. She wore it well.
This was a busy labor day weekend and I’m so glad I was able to take these photos for this beautiful couple. It was fun, new, endearing and afterward I felt the love go on and on when I received an email with this message.
“Dear Athena,
We did not want to let more time pass without thanking you for your kindness and diligence with all the photos taken by you at our son's wedding. Everything went as expected. Thank you for your wonderful dedication to take each photo, to capture every moment, every feeling, every detail of the ceremony.
We thank you infinitely for your kindness and attention to detail. Without your extraordinary work we would not have all these beautiful memories recorded.
Thank you very much and best regards,
Martha and Victor”
What to Expect for your Wedding Day Photography
Bride + Groom Photos- Newport Beach
Creating the most ideal timeline for your wedding day involves a lot of factors, and one of them is knowing what to expect from me as your photographer. As you prepare for your big day, keep these tips in mind to make sure you plan accordingly.
Make sure you fill out my wedding photography questionnaire so I can know what to expect from you as well! Although I will direct you on the day of your event, I do care to capture precious moments the way you want them remembered, so please let me know if there’s anything you would like me to photograph. For example, I had a bride bring something blue and something borrowed as a traditional gesture that she requested I photograph. If you have any invitations you’d like me to arrange and take pictures of, please bring them! This is the time to bring anything you want documented!
Getting Ready
Depending on your time frame, it’s a fun idea to take “getting ready” photos where I meet you at your pre-ceremony site to photograph you getting ready. Some locations could be at your home, a hotel, etc. During this time I’ll take pictures of brides getting their hair and makeup done, as well as the bridesmaids getting themselves ready for the day. If time allows, I can place the wedding dress in a beautiful way to photograph. Additionally, I can take detailed photos of any jewelry, shoes or other accessories. When it’s time to put the dress on, I love capturing the gals and mothers or mother-in laws zipping up the dress on the bride.
If welcomed, I’d go to the groom’s getting ready location as well. I usually take photos of the men putting on their ties, bow ties, or cufflinks on the sleeves of shirts.
First Look
I’m not going to lie, I haven’t done much of these, but I love the idea of them! If you want to keep that special first look in a more intimate setting, this is your opportunity to walk out in your wedding attire before the ceremony actually begins. I’ll capture those priceless looks of awe either here or during the ceremony when the bride walks down the aisle.
Bride’s Flower Bouquet
Details
Please allow for at least 20 minutes for me to arrive to the reception site early enough to take photos of everything before the guests arrive. I’ll capture photos of the cake, decor, flowers, rings, and other details!
Wedding Party
If you are doing a first look before the ceremony, we can take wedding party photos afterwards. If not, we would need to take the wedding party photos after we have larger groups of family and friends. We can take formal photos as well as silly ones and individual ones of the bride and her bridesmaids as well as the groom and his groomsmen. These photos will take about 30 minutes.
Ceremony
The moment we’ve all been waiting for! I love seeing everybody’s reactions when the bride begins walking down the aisle. I’ll capture you walking down the aisle, reactions of your partner, any vows you may have, a ring exchange, your kiss and any other special ceremonies! Depending on lighting, there may be many shadows and bright light in the ceremony site. I will do my best to make everything look its’ best when editing the photos.
Half Moon Bay Wedding Ceremony
Family Formals
Immediately after the ceremony, congratulations and hugs, this is the time to get photos of the whole group. This may be family and friends, both or one or neither! After a formal photo, we can do a funny photo, and cheering. Afterward we will split the group up into smaller families on both the bride and the groom’s side. This is a nice opportunity for mom + bride photos or son + father photos as well. Allow at least 30 minutes and we’ll most likely take these photos in a large shaded area.
Pre-assign a family member or friend who knows which people to be in the pictures and round them up for the photos. Getting people where they need to be for the photos is by far the most time consuming part of group shots.
Bride and Groom Portraits
If we haven’t already taken couple’s photos beforehand during a first look, I highly recommend taking your official bride and groom portraits 1/2 hour before the sunsets or during part of a cocktail hour if we don’t have the time frame for that. Golden hour is the last hour before the sunsets and that is where natural lighting is the best when we are outside in the open. If we’re able to sneak away at some point during your reception to capture some of these, you won’t regret it! Allow 30 minutes for these photos.
Reception
I love seeing all the guests get comfortable and ready for meals, appetizers and mingling. During this time frame, which is flexible, I’d take mostly candid photos of people mingling, the couple catching up with guests and the food.
Entrance, First Dances + Speeches
Some couples make a special entrance to the reception and I can capture this if you’d like. Besides that, I will be ready to take photos of the couple dancing, them and their parent’s dances and any following speeches. Anything I see that makes me look twice or I find important to document, I will capture!
Cutting the Cake
Cake Cutting + Bouquet/Garter toss
Before you cut the cake, we’ll take some photos of you with the cake and then candid ones of you cutting the cake. If you’re doing a bouquet and/or garter toss I’ll be ready! Allow for 10 minutes per each part.
Dancing
At this point, the key events of the reception are over and most people are so relaxed and ready to party. Most of this will be natural photos of people dancing and I can of course take photos of any people who request photos of the couple or their own group.
The Exit
If you have a special exit, or send off, I’d love to take photographs of that!
Couple’s First Dance
After The Party…
I will send you at least 65 high quality edits (usually more though!) per hour we were together. I will send you two collections; one with my classic look or with my signature preset through a picture sharing website. :) Let me know what look you prefer! ! Expect these photos within one month, but I usually can get them to you within a couple of weeks! You can download these high quality edits or web size resolution photos from anywhere within a two week time frame and print them from wherever you’d like.
Classic- Original and natural lighting
Filter- Warm, bold and darker
1st Cake Smash in Studio for 1st Birthday
This was my first cake smash besides Stella’s 1st birthday! It was also the first photoshoot in my mini studio. I’m so proud of how these photos turned out! The lighting isn’t what I’m used to since I’m an outdoor photographer, but I liked how I could take photos whenever I wanted.
Not much effort went into preparing for this photoshoot. I used some props I had on hand and Siena came ready in this adorable lace romper. My sister and I preferred to keep the set up very light, white, bright and simple. We wanted to accent the background by having some greenery and flowers draped on the wall.
I can set this all up (except the cake, which is from Harmons and we decorated it) again for a photoshoot. So, come book with me!
My First Newborn Session-Skylee
My first official newborn session in my little at home studio went great! I offered a deal for April, free newborn sessions! I’ve been wanting to get practice before opening up the studio to the public.
I bought some really cute items for newborn photoshoots like a mini white wooden bed, greenery, baskets, neutral/light colored blankets, swaddles, girl headbands, and recently a teddy bear with a little teddy bear hat for the boys.
Skylee’s session went great. She was technically past the time frame for newborn photos, but we still got some beautiful poses of her wrapped in the swaddle, placed on the bean bag, in a basket and on the little bed.
I hope you enjoy these photos!
Zion's National Park Proposal
Here’s to another proposal! I was honored to capture two proposals within one week! A fun part about my job is travel too. I’ve been wanting to visit Zion’s National Park and to be asked to take photos there for a proposal was like a dream come true!
Zack proposed to his girlfriend of 6 years, Hannah at Canyon Overlook Trail. They were high school sweethearts and she had a feeling this was coming, especially since this was the couple’s last day on their trip before heading home to Atlanta, Georgia.
I wasn’t sure how this was going to go since there was no cell phone reception up there in Zion’s. Zack wasn’t too worried though and emailed me saying, “I doubt there will be multiple pregnant women with cameras lol”. He was right. Everyone was looking at me since I was a pregnant girl alone on a hike. I actually ran into some people I knew from Palo Alto while on the hike. Funny story.
After a pretty scary trek for me (I’m scared of heights and a lot of this hike was on an edge of stairs overlooking the canyon), I made it to the top within 1/2 hour and staked out the best spot. Lucky I got there early since parking is limited also.
When Zack came up, him and his friends gave me a nod or a wave and I knew it was them. They had a good plan; take some photos of themselves at the cliff’s edge and then switch so Zack and his fiance Hannah could be alone up there for the proposal.
It worked perfectly! I was so excited for the moment when Zack got down on one knee and asked Hannah to marry him. It was the cutest thing ever. I’m so so happy I could be apart of this proposal!
Congrats you two and thanks for the good excuse to check out Zion’s National Park. It is phenomenal!!!!!
Park City Proposal
Chris and Avery visited Park City last week from Florida to going skiing with some friends. While Chris would be in Utah he planned to propose to Avery and contacted me to capture the proposal. The plan was that the couple would be ice skating in Park City, but unfortunately the rink was closed so we found another great spot in the downtown area. I stalked Chris and Avery by the Bridge Cafe in Park City’s downtown and when I spotted Chris I got to watch him chat with his girlfriend and then kneel on one knee to pop the question. That’s what I was hired for; to capture the proposal.
Fellow ladies and men dining outside, or walking by, cheered once they saw Avery say yes to Chris’ proposal. I think they noticed the couple extra early since I was taking a ton of photos on my camera and walking around to get better angles.
Avery didn’t expect Chris to propose then so it was extra fun seeing her response. They were both super happy and had friends nearby congratulate them as well. After the proposal we walked around to some of the nearby spots to capture the couple at the bridge, with the ski lift behind or in the downtown storefront area.
I’ve seen that proposals are actually quite short and so are the photos afterward since the couple mainly wants to celebrate their proposal instead of staying with me for the hour.
I’m so happy I could be at this proposal and capture it with my camera. Chris and Avery are a beautiful couple and it makes me happy seeing them bring out the best in one another.
1st Birthday Party
Siena’s Birthday Party was on Sunday! It was the cutest baby birthday party ever! Easter is coming and my sister decided to go with a bunny theme for the party. To decorate for a bunny theme I helped her set up a lot of “bunny” food like carrots, bell peppers, cheeses, crackers, candies and spinach dip placed in cabbage for a bowl. Check out all the detailed photos below. I put a classic look on the photos and a dark filter look as well which you can see only for the details below. The rest of the photos have my light filter on.
Siena reacted very carefully with her birthday cake. She wasn’t sure if she should touch it or eat it I think. She ended up needing help from her mom and dad. I’m a lucky auntie to have such a cute niece. Happy birthday bunny rabbit. :)
Oh and it was so fun decorating Sisi’s cake! Sophia bought the small 5” cakes from Harmons and then I decorated them with flowers and greenery! Studio cake smash photos coming soon! :)
Couple's Surprise Picnic on Valentine's Day
This was one of the best couple’s photoshoot I’ve had! It was just so fun! I love when people contact me to set up surprise photoshoots for their loved ones. For Valentine’s day, Tony wanted to surprise his girlfriend with a picnic and then get some photos taken. Such a romantic idea! I was wondering if Kya would’ve been wondering if Tony was going to propose! Luckily they had been dating for only 2 months so it probably wasn’t on the forefront of her mind.
Tony asked me to keep this as a surprise and just walk by and ask if I could take a picture because the scene was cute. To act like I was a casual observer! So what I did was walk up to the area and I said “wow, this is so cute! I love your set up! Do you mind if I take a couple pictures of you guys here?”. Kya and Tony were super excited and said yes! Kya took off her jacket and was ready to pose! It was so cute! I said happy Valentine’s day and asked how they met and how long they’ve been dating for. While Kya was at work as a waitress at a nearby restaurant, Tony was a guest and wanted to get Kya’s phone number, but didn’t and kept on thinking about her so he went back to the restaurant the next day. Turns out Kya was thinking about him too and was super happy he asked for her number.
While I was changing my camera battery, Tony revealed his plan and that I wasn’t just a random person there taking their photos. Kya was shocked and said it was so natural that she totally believed I was just someone walking by. They were extra excited for our little photoshoot by that point. We kept it simple really. I wanted to capture the beautifully laid out charcuterie board, champagne, picnic set up and then get pictures of them two in a romantic way. Kya and Tony are so photogenic.
I love the way these photos turned out. This couple was so into the session and you could see how excited and into one another they are. It was the best way to celebrate Valentine’s day. I love celebrating love. Fortunately, I was able to return home to my own love and eat a wonderful crockpot tuscan chicken dinner. It was fabulous. My husband Ben went all out for me and gave me flowers and Bath and Body Works soaps for a gift. :)
Valentine's Day Milk Bath with Rose Petals
Happy Valentine’s day! Here are the two cutest girls scoping out the roses and their pedals in this at-home milk bath!
Baby Siena + Stella in a milk bath filled with rose petals.
Valentine’s Day was the best! I had a fun idea to take photos of Stella and her cousin Siena in a milk bath and just wanted an excuse to finally take milk bath strawberry photos. Well, guess what!? There were no strawberries to be found at the store ONE WEEK before Valentine’s Day! My husband checked Winco, and they only had molding ones and the next morning I went to Smith’s Grocery Store and they were completely sold out! I was shocked! I then called Harmon’s and they only had 10 containers for $6 each. Wow. I realized that everyone was buying the strawberries for Valentine’s day to probably make chocolate covered strawberries!
I wasn’t sure what to use instead for the milk bath so I chose flowers and wanted to keep the red theme to emphasize love and romanticism for Valentine’s day. I’m happy with my choice of roses. I should have bought two bouquets of roses for this photoshoot since the bath was so big, but you live and you learn. I pulled petals off of the roses and then placed maybe 5 roses in the milk in scattered places.
Stella isn’t a fan of swimming so I told her we were just going to put her in a bath with her baby friend. She was a little afraid of the roses at first, but after seeing Siena gobble the pedals up (and nearly give my sister a heart attack that she was going to choke on them), Stella was curious to touch them too.
For an extra touch I placed candles around the corners of the bath time for a soft glow and it smelled amazing in there. Stay tuned for a future milk bath with strawberries. Happy Valentine’s day!
Merry Early Christmas! + 5 Tips!
Aren’t they dolls!? Oh my goodness! I’m in love with my toddler and my only blood related niece- Siena! When these two girls first got together, Stella would steal baby Siena’s toys from her and now that Stella is a bit older, she realizes that Siena is only a baby and really not a threat!
Stella actually began protecting Siena from the lights that were getting caught around her neck in the photos we took! Siena wanted to eat those lights up! AND the cookies! HAHAH! That was the best part of taking these photos. Stella just sat there almost staring at those delicious chocolate chip cookies while Siena grabbed one right away and started gnawing down on as much as she could! She only started eating recently too and I know my sister did NOT want Siena eating processed sugar or cookies at this point! Although Stella wasn’t crazy about the cookies, she was about the bottle of milk. I think she loved the coolness of that candy-cane striped straw!
I posted this on my Instagram; 5 tips for taking Christmas baby/toddler photos
Merry early Christmas! I love setting up “at home” photoshoots of little ones for the holidays.
1. Use natural light with minimal shadows.
2. Be creative. Buy props, cute themed outfits and tape wrapping paper to the wall. 😂
3. Take photos in portrait (low F stop) mode at eye level.
4. Sing songs to get kids to smile.
5. Take as many as you can and try something new!!
P.S. I definitely needed my sister’s help to get the babies’ attention!!!
Carmel Beach Elopement
Wow, look at these two! I was honored to be a part of Samantha and Felix’s elopement! Honestly this was the perfect setting. It was filled with a close group of family and at Carmel River State Beach. If I ever had a small wedding, this is the way I’d go! Seeing these two families join was beautiful. There was nothing there, but love and respect for one another. After years of being together and starting a life together, you guys are great examples for tying the knot. Congrats again you guys!
We had the perfect amount of time. Despite us not being able to take photos during sunset hour, we got lucky because the weather was a perfect overcast. The light was even and the photos were crisp and clear.
With every couple I take photos of, I try to get a variety of posed and candid photos. I give direction like “walk with one another back and forth on the beach, don’t look at me though! Just smile and laugh!”. Those are the cutest photos! We take dancing photos, holding one another, and serious and smiley photos. They’re all fun and always different.
Something I’ve noticed is that by the end of picture taking, all couples are truly smiling and happy. It’s a wonderful experience full of quality time and connection. I recommend couple’s photos whenever you want to feel that spark again!
The Walker Family at Willow Lake, Prescott, Arizona
Dad + Mom? YES!
You may be wondering why the faces in these photos are blotted out? This is just protocol for children who aren’t allowed to have photos online. These two little girls are foster children and are near adoption! I met the Walker family while at church on Sunday while visiting my sister-in-law in Prescott, Arizona. Ben’s sister just had a baby! Baby Remington is the cutest and photos will come soon!
I really wanted to take photos of a family at Willow Lake because it is one of the most stunning sights I’ve ever seen. The lake is so grand and the reflection of the dell rocks on the water is breathtaking. Gladly, the Walker family was interested in a photoshoot that I offered and we got some of the best photos ever!
This family showed up super prepared! Everyone coordinated their colors beautifully and the kids were so helpful and attentive when I took their photos! Aren’t they all the cutest?
After photos by the water, we took photos in the grass with the mountains in the background. If there’s other stunning views in the area I’m all for taking photos with different scenes. I try to capture as much as possible within the hour time frame most sessions last. I take photos of the family as a group, as a couple, parents with groups of kids and sometimes even kids by themselves.
Prescott, I miss you even now and loved all the kind people I met while visiting your small town.
Ed R. Levin County Park Maternity Photoshoot
Maternity + Family Photoshoot at Ed R. Levin County Park
This was my first photoshoot during the COVID pandemic! I had multiple photoshoots scheduled for March. I even planned a trip to Utah and was supposed to fly home sooner for a wedding, but that got cancelled. Many photo shoots were rescheduled and this was one of them, but we made the photos happen!
Brigette, Collin and their dog Simba were expecting a baby boy. I can’t imagine delivering a baby during the COViD-19 protocols at the hospital.
We didn’t have as much time as hoped for, but we got enough beautiful photos that I’m proud of. Some tips for taking maternity photos are:
Position your body so that your baby bump is flattering to you. Do you want your belly straight on? Sideways to showcase your beautiful baby or slightly at an angle? Most ladies prefer slightly at an angle and I agree!
Place your hands above and below to accentuate the bump!
If your partner is there, place those hands on top of yours.
Wear an outfit that you love and make sure you do your hair and makeup!
Ed R. Levin County Park is an excellent spot for outdoor photos if you like seeing a duck pond, greenery and some hills. Location, location, location. It is everything!
4th of July San Jose Wedding
Aly + Tristan’s Wedding Day
Surprisingly, this 2020 4th of July was my favorite by 4th of July by far. Aly and Tristan got married on top of a hill facing the valley of San Jose, California. The view was gorgeous, not only the background, but the couple too. Aly + Tristan knew one another from high school, but ended up getting together because Tristan and his dad went into Aly’s work place and David pointed out that they both had jeeps. Two years later, there we were in San Jose at the most beautiful yet simple rustic wedding. The venue was completely DIY which I was so impressed with. So many willing friends and family came together to decorate a barren hill into decked out haystacks and sunflowers galore.
Something that really stood out to me was that. Aly’s maid of honor was her cousin Sarah. I loved that because I was never that close to my cousins, but I hope my newborn niece can be besties with my one year old one day. I could see how close these families were and how supportive they were of Aly and Tristan. I originally met Aly at church and when I showed up at the wedding I swear I saw half of the congregation there helping out! These are some wonderful people here! Tristan is such a cool guy who complements Aly so much. They both love their jeeps and have a rugged side to them. We took the most stunning portraits with their cars because besides their families and dog, these jeeps are so important to them.
The Moazeni Family (Tips + Tricks to get kids to smile when tired)
I am a strong believer in taking family photos at least every 6 months! Last year around this time I took photos for this cute family. Same people, same place. Isn’t their son a cutie in that formal attire, vest and bow tie!? He looked just as cute last year and had a similar hat on. Check it out in my portfolio. They all look so good! I love these outfits and people. This location too! We took photos at the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga. It’s such a gorgeous site. So much so that I took Stella and a friend back there to see the garden and beautiful mansions in the neighborhood.
What I love about these friends is that they are so kind, classy and completely trust me to take their photos. They know what they want in their photos and give me tips, but also are open to my suggestions. Sometimes when having kids, they aren’t ready when you are. Know what I’m talking about? It’s one thing if your partner is late when getting ready, but you can step in and comb that hair over or change a top or something, but when a baby or child just isn’t in the mood, there isn’t that much you can do. I see that happen in a lot of photoshoots. Totally normal. Stella does it all the time. So, I have a couple tricks up my sleeve.
When a baby needs to smile, make sure they are well fed, schedule the photoshoot when the baby is rested and stay more local. Play peekaboo behind the camera and baby will love it. When needed, play “baby shark” on youtube! That worked for this almost 3 year old. He just had a nap, but with the 4th of July being the night before he was tired. I get it! I was too! I ended up SINGING baby shark to him. That was silly, but mostly because for some reason I forgot the lyrics. Uh? Ya, I wasn’t thinking. Peekaboo didn’t work with him, but when he had portraits with mom or dad the other parent stood behind me to do something silly to make him laugh. Besides that, I would tell parents to tickle their child or bounce them in a fun way up and down. Sometimes kids comply and sometimes they don’t. Either way, we make the best out of it and remember these moments for what they are. Real.
