You’ve seen Tessa recently on my blog when I photographed the family Christmas portraits. I was really looking forward to this mini session with Tessa to celebrate her last birthday. This is about the only time of year I’ll go hiking through a field (no snakes this time of year). And right behind their house is this field that I knew would be perfect. And perfect it was! Thankfully we both had on boots to go exploring. It was a cloudy and windy day which made for great lighting, even though it was dark clouds overhead. Little did I know how much I would laugh as she took me all around the field. Mom and Dad stayed home and let us have our time together to do the session.

I just adore Tessa’s momma Caroline. Why? Well, because Caroline gets “me” and trusts me and lets me shoot and do my thing, knowing she’ll be pleased with the results of my artwork. I LOVE THAT! That lets me be creative, to not be limited. Oh, and she loves black and white images which are my favorites to produce. Thank you, Caroline. Looking forward to visiting you soon.

Picking just a couple “sneak peeks” wasn’t really an option. So here are a handful of my faves.

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Meet Brigette & Steve. We actually met up at USC for their engagement photos. I love engagement photos; so much fun during engagement sessions, making them laugh - which Brigette is quite giggly, so I didn’t have to do much.  It was so nice to hang out with you that evening.

Brigette, you are so beautiful.

Best of luck to you both.

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It has been some time since I shot this session of these beautiful sisters, but it had to be kept a secret until Christmas, since this was their father’s Christmas present.  I received a note from Mom after Christmas that Dad just loved his gift.

When the girls stepped out of the car, I was super excited.  They were dressed just perfect.  And they are beautiful.  And Mom has some great taste, ordering many canvases for her home and Dad’s office.  I look forward to a family session hopefully this summer.  Enjoy.

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I finally am poking my head back above ground after the mad holiday rush, the wonderful Christmas we had and just finished my client slideshow.  YAY. Hoping I didn’t miss any files.  You’ll even see some you’ve never seen before that I will be blogging about tomorrow - a sisters session that was a gift for their father for Christmas.  fun stuff.  Thank you to all the wonderful people I have met this year, to those that have become friends, and to the new ones I will meet in 2010.

click to play.

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Wow.  It seriously seems like months ago that I shot this family session with my dear friend Angela.  I am finally able to post her sneak peek.  I still have another session or two that have to wait until after 12/25 to show sneak peeks on my blogs. ;)  I have always wanted to photograph in a parking structure.  Well, in Paso, ummm, we don’t really have any.  We don’t have any high rises or a  need for a multilevel parking structure.  But one afternoon we met in San Jose to take their family photos.  Of course, little miss A is about 18 months old and has a mind of her own as to what she would like to do.  So things may not always go as you envision them (when there is a toddler involved) but you run with it and still can get some awesome shots.  *hugs*

sweet Ava has grown so much.

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I will say, I have some had some wonderful clients this year and Caroline has quickly become the easiest to work with and also a friend.   love that!  You’ll be seeing lots of them over the next year as Josie hits those milestones of sitting and standing and her first birthday.  And Miss T has a birthday coming up soon too that we’re going to plan a little mini session for.  Can you believe how big J is already?  Here was her newborn session.

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still trying to catch up in posting images from sessions.  I have photographed the children many times, and was happy that this year mom and dad decided to do full family portraits.  When the two showed me the hats, I loved them, they go with the clothing so well.  We ran out of light that night and they came back for another mini session with just the children. fun stuff.  I have to say, I love this location. It’s right around the corner from my house.  *sigh*

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I’ve lost track at how far behind I am in posting sessions on my blog.  But the light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger.  See, October  and November are just pure blurs, as sessions are taken, orders are placed, packaging is done, and orders get shipped and delivered.  It is pure craziness for photographers and labs this time of year.  Everything slows.way.down in production as everybody is overloaded with “holiday rush” as it’s called.  But only a few more Christmas cards to get designed and ordered and I can breathe and do some shopping online.

So you’ve seen this family many times and the boys even more often.  I have been photographing them for three years now.  In the beginning it was “are we done yet? how many more shots?”  Now, it’s more to the tune of “Monyeen, can you take pictures of us doing x, y, z?”   The boys will do pretty much whatever I ask of them and their dad is always the entertainment to get  the boys laughing.  It is some of the best memories.

The very first time I met Tracey and was coming out to photograph the boys, she showed me this very cool oak tree.  But at that first session, the lighting was too harsh and I couldn’t use it.  We’ve just never made our way back out that road again to use it.  So this year, the time of day we were photographing, I knew it would be perfect.  and it was!!

Then a nice shot of the boys…..

and as I am balancing on a tree branch…. the boys start laughing hysterically.

Watch the boys run:  a fun little slideshow

dad had put a beautiful cow pie between my legs, complete with a turkey feather.  (sorry, I didn’t think to snap a shot of it).  they boys crack me up.  I love watching them grow and documenting their life.  Most of all, I love the friendship I have with their mom.  Tracey, you’re so sweet.  Thank you for being my friend.

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Wow, the girls are growing up.  Seems like just last year B was born. She’s the cutest, sweetest little girl.  I’m so proud of your little family, Jess & Em.  So beautiful.  Loved having you down to visit and can’t wait to see you again.

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These are the cute children who live a couple doors down. I have actually wanted to photograph them for some time, but it just hasn’t happened until last week. I’m thinking I might have to ask them to model for me in the future to try out some new locations and lighting. Such cuties.

Sorry for the absence and being behind on posting to the blog, but this is the busiest time of the year.  If you’re waiting for your order, it will be here soon, but the labs are getting very backed up and taking at least a week longer than normal.  Please bear with me and trust me, you’ll have your orders in plenty of time for Christmas.