Reno, NV family photography: chasing light

 we forgot one minor detail when scheduling for a sunset shoot in reno: the mountains take your sun away a LOT faster! 

we started off in a gorgeous wilderness park up in the mountains, and since we don't have anything like it in SoCal, i was beyond excited to be shooting among the fall colors and beautiful trees. but quickly as we got set up, the sun began to disappear. i kept moving the darling Dibble family around, trying to find the perfect lighting, and keep adorable little Naomi warm (because minor detail #2, the shade in reno is C.O.L.D. like FREEZING cold). and finally, i asked if they didn't mind if we drove down the mountain and chase the light so we could capture some of the glowing pictures i love so much! 

down the mountain we drove, and after a couple roadside stops, we found an open field that was perfect. not only was the lighting gorgeous, but it was probably a good 20 degrees warmer! we were in luck and ready to use those last magical minutes of light before the sun disappeared again behind the mountains. 

thank you Dibble Family for giving me the opportunity to come out and shoot in Reno! i loved getting to spend some time with your adorable little family, and i look forward to the next trip out! 

 look at those baby blues!! 

xo

a huge thank you to my sister too, who acted as my smile assistant and chauffeur! you rock sissy! 

costa mesa, ca family photography: the lower family

i love this family like a love song (sorry for the selena gomez insert- i've been watching a little too much disney channel with the boys lately!) 

they are that perfect mesh of beauty and fun, 

a little bit crazy but still always composed.
i also love it when we have ideas for staging the kids, and the kids have their own ideas of what they want (and don't want) to do! the little lower's definitely ran the show this day, and it was a blast!

 yeah, this one  ^ expect to see it on some business cards soon. i adore it!

thank you lowers, for rolling in the grass and having a blast with me! 

los gatos, ca family photography: the becker kids

 i have known these two since they were babies. their parents are friends of my pseudo family, so we have spent many weddings, holiday's and events together. i have watched them grow from adorable little kiddos who would play under the table, into gorgeous teenagers! 

they are both amazing teens, and i had a blast darting around Los Gatos High School with them. 

sean and clare, thanks for making your mom (and me!) happy by being perfect models! 

y'all rock! 

chatsworth, ca family photography: they say it takes a village

to raise your children. this family is part of our village. 

these are my future in laws. cadence and e have been married for almost a year now. everyone at their preschool knows, and we have had multiple weddings for the kids (i know, she's adorable, right!) 

we're blessed to be such good friends with the cirlin family, spending most friday nights having "happy hour" at one of our friends homes, letting all the kids run free, and the adults decompress from the week's adventures in parenting. it is something we look forward to each week, and we have been lucky to have such good friends move into the neighborhood. 

   

cadence really was the focus of my pictures, and while i was editing, i had e over my shoulder swooning at her the entire time! they really are too cute for words! 

cirlin family, thanks for the wild goose peacock chase!
xo