Alyssa on the way!

My mom and I sing with Sandy in the RB Chorale.  Sandy is such a fun person that we immediately hit it off.  Then, as we got to know each other a little better, I was honored to sing at Sandy and Neal's wedding a couple years ago.  When we were rehearsing for our big holiday number last year, Sandy told Mom and I that she and Neal were expecting their first little one and we were absolutely thrilled.  Now that Alyssa is almost here and Sandy is really showing (she's due on my birthday, May 13) we decided to get some photos.

The weather this weekend was not cooperating with our original plans to take photos in a sun drenched field, so we decided to take some photos around Sandy and Neal's beautiful home.  I actually really love taking maternity photos this way because we have easy access to changes of clothes, and because it tends to make for a more personal photo shoot, capturing a little piece of a family's real life.  The sun drenched field will just have to wait.  Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

 

Neal and Sandy - I really enjoyed spending the afternoon with both of you.  I love seeing the strong connection between you two and am so pleased that we were able to capture a small piece of that connection in these photos.  Alyssa is a lucky little girl to be able to grow up in a home filled with so much love.

Alexandra, Jeremy & Zoe

I've known Alex since my 7th grade talent show (we called her Ali then).  The little, short haired, blonde pixie donned her ballet attire and danced to The Beatles "Come Together".  I wasn't nearly as cool as this mini Beatles fan, and didn't have anywhere near the excellent taste in music that she did (and still does) but we became friends anyway and have stayed friends since.

Dick and I photographed Alex and Jeremy's wedding back in, woah, 2008 - it really doesn't seem like it's been that long.  Now things are getting even more exciting for these two as they became the legal guardians of little Zoe.  Skipping straight to the toddler stage has to have been a huge adjustment but these two are just rolling with it - and are obviously so enchanted with little Zoe.  And what a personality this one has!

Alex and Jeremy, thank you for allowing me to capture a little slice of your life and for the delicious brunch and coffee too (Alex is an excellent cook). You are so good with Zoe and she is so so lucky to have you two. I wish the three of you, and your two other babies, the happiest of holidays and look forward to capturing more photos of you as your family grows up. :-)

William, Connor, Samantha & their parents

Meredith and I have been friends for a while now.  And I have to say, she's one of the best friends to have because she laughs at ALL of my jokes and makes me feel like the wittiest person in the world.  I AM the wittiest person in the world... right...?  But besides being fun and a great sushi companion (few people I know are willing to unabashedly consume quite as much as we do) I also know that she's a no nonsense woman with great taste.  You should see her home!  I mention this because until recently she had another family photographer and decided to try me out instead - I'll admit I was intimidated.  But after having such a great time photographing Samatha earlier this year I knew I would enjoy just hanging out with the family and getting a few fun shots while I was at it.

So... I thought getting an entire bridal party looking at the camera at the same time was tough, but it really doesn't compare to the challenge with little ones... THREE of them!  I admire people who make family photography their primary focus (pardon the pun) - it takes skill and a way with kids that I have to work really hard at, having none of my own.

As challenging as it was to get all of their attention at the same time, we got some good ones (thanks to the antics of mom and dad standing behind me).  These kids are super fun and happy, with such unique personalities.  I think we captured a lot of that here.  It turned out to be a great afternoon.

The monkey-boys.

She really has grown up SO much this year... and still just as cute.

And here she is.  The plan was for me to just capture the kids, but I couldn't resist.  Meredith - you're such a beautiful person and I feel lucky to be your friend.  Thank you for asking me to photograph your little treasures.  I mean it when I say I had a great time!  Ralph - you're pretty great too.  Next time maybe we'll get more of you.  :-)

Doug, Susana & Angie

You may recognize Doug and Susana from previous posts, when they asked me to take maternity photos and later when Angie was only a few months old.  But just look at her now!  She's grown up so much since the last time I photographed her- and what a little cutie!

We had a great time at Balboa Park and Angie just couldn't get enough of all of the "cookies" wandering by. "Cookie" is her word for pretty much any pet - but especially dogs - due to another Cookie that she knows. So if you see her looking away from the camera in these photos, it's a pretty good guess there is a dog somewhere out of the frame.  :-)

Almost as cute as Angie herself is the way mom and dad look at her.

Susana and Doug - thank you so much for asking me to take pictures of your beautiful family once again. You know I love taking pictures and I'm always honored when close friends ask to be photography clients. I really loved spending the morning with you guys. And besides, you're good lookin' people - so you make it easy. ;-) Let's do it again soon!

Yordi and Nebyou's Sunny and Spiritual Celebration

Yordi and I really hit it off when we met at the Bridal Bazaar last year.  She's such a striking beauty and perhaps one of the warmest people I've met.  Unfortunately, we had a short lapse in communication and when they were unable to reach us, she and Nebyou booked another wedding photographer.  She was such a sweetheart when I called and she broke the news to me, that I really was heart broken when it looked like we wouldn't be shooting their celebration.  I wished the two of them the best, and told her I was sure they were going to have a perfect day.

I like to think that things happen for a reason - so a couple weeks later, when Yordi called to tell us that their other photographer fell through, I had to believe that the opportunity for us to photograph them was just... well... meant to be.

The two of them came to the house to talk with us before making their final decision and Dad and I were both thrilled about the prospect of photographing our first Ethiopian wedding ceremony.

The celebration spanned two days.  The day of their "western" ceremony started on Saturday at Yordi's parents' home where she waited for Nebyou and his entourage to arrive.

The bridal party travelled to the ceremony site in style, in an Old Town Wedding Trolley.

Nebyou nervously waits for the beautiful, bay front ceremony to begin.

Gorgeous.

After taking some photos on the grounds of the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, the bridal party took a break to relax for a bit and change for the reception.