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Family

Do What You Can, When You Can

Something happens between the time your kids are in 1st and 2nd grade and high school. Life ZOOMS forward at a pace you never knew possible, and never anticipated. You get so immersed in life with children you don't have time for much else. The school days, soccer practices, dance recitals, swim meets, scout meetings, piano lessons and practice, band, chorus, church, playdates, birthday parties, PTA meetings, carnivals, tournaments, camps, field trips, hair cuts, dentist and doctor appointments, clothes shopping, baking, cooking, etc etc consume you until you look up and they are almost grown. I have so many moms of teenagers who come to me and confess with so much needless guilt that the last family pictures they had were when their children were toddlers. They feel bad about it and are determined to make up for lost time.

Ditch the guilt! I'm 100% sure those years are documented on your phone and computer (don't forget to print them - seriously). It's never too late for family portraits. Do what you can when you can, and that is all you can do. That is more than enough.  

Malibu Beach family Photographer
Family Photographer Ventura County
Southern California Beach Photographer

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Praying for Miracles

Katrina was 27 years old and 28 weeks pregnant with her second child when she got the news that she had breast cancer. Her seemingly perfect life was changed forever with the news. The tumor she found was an aggressive one. She gave birth to her little girl at 32 weeks, and started chemotherapy 4 days later. 

She had 16 rounds of chemo, another surgery, oral chemo and radiation. They were so hopeful it was all over, but only a month later they found cancer in her skin cells making it stage 4 cancer. 

Earlier this summer I was contacted by an organization called House of Hopes asking if I could donate my photography services for Katrina's family to have family photos. I am so glad I said yes. Katrina is the happiest, sweetest, cutest mom ever, and her children and husband love and adore her. I hope these images bring them some joy as they go through the treatments. 

I'm praying for a miracle for her, and counting my blessings that I'm so fortunate to have good health. Love your families, hold them close.

Ventura County Photographer
Thousand Oaks photographer
Moorpark family photographer

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Love Runs the Whole Universe

Family is everything. I came across this quote while I was reading one day, and it stopped me in my tracks. 

"Love really is the big deal everyone  makes it out to be,... It's EVERYTHING, love is. It runs the whole universe." - Maddie Dawson

I loved that quote so much I put it on my website. The session below is with a family I've known for a long time. This was the last night they were together before the youngest was going away on a 2 year mission in Mexico. Emotions were high. It's so hard to say goodbye for such a long time. I couldn't help but put myself in Teri's shoes. What would it feel like to send my son off for 2 years? You know he's going to be helping people the whole time, so it's a good thing, but at the same time you just want to hold him close. 

Since then I've heard lots of reports that Josh is doing well, and is so happy serving the people in Mexico. So while this family sacrifices two years with Josh, they are giving the gift of love to the people who he meets. Love really does run the whole universe, and if it doesn't - it should!

Ventura County family photographer
beach family photographer

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Beach

Sometimes you plan for months for the perfect photo session. You choose the date, the location, and everything seems perfect. This was a beautiful day back in Thousand Oaks. The sky was clear, and the sun was shining. As I drove on Kanan, and reached the top I looked over and saw fog thicker and I ever have covering the beach. My heart sank. How did this happen? My weather app lied to me!

Luckily this family was the one who met me on the foggy beach that night. They didn't even seem to mind the conditions. One word comes to mind when I think of them - JOY. They had the best attitudes, and were able to play and enjoy being together. I love these images, and will always look back fondly on this night with this family. 

Ventura family photographer
Malibu Beach photographer

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Beach Days

The beach is a magical place. I don't know why exactly, but I just can't get enough of sunsets at the beach. I love the way the light hits the water, and reflects that golden light. The sound of the waves crashing on the sand fills me with a feeling of peace. The wet sand between my toes, and the water running by my legs feels like being home. If anyone wants to buy me a house on the beach I would not turn you down.

Here are 3 families I photographed on the beach in Malibu last Fall. I wish I was going back tonight to the same place. Since I can't, I'll share these images. and live vicariously through them.

The last session I share here holds a special place in my heart because the 3rd image from the bottom received 2nd place in the International Image Competition by the National Association of Child Photographers.

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Families Galore

Here are some family sessions all the way back from last Fall. It makes me so happy to see all their smiling faces. I hope it makes you happy as well. 

Thousand Oaks Family Photographer
Westlake village family photographer
Moorpark Family Photographer
Simi Valley family photographer
Ventura family photographer
Camarillo Family Photographer

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