A FAMILY SESSION – BABIES IN ONESIES & PORTRAITS IN PALM TREES
A few of my favorite things. Typical family, typical home, typical afternoon that includes playtime, bath time, and snuggle time. As I drove up to their house I passed a field and knew the light would hit it in just the very best way in an hour or so. I asked if we could end there, it was just down the street, and they weren’t sure what I was talking about. I felt foolish, and had to explain the marsh and the palm trees, backing up to a park, and they had to follow me there. In that moment I doubted myself, and almost backed off the idea. Glad I didn’t.
I feel genuine surprise that most people wouldn’t think twice about an overgrown, marshy back lot of a playground. It’s proof you can trust me in two very important areas. One, if I propose something wacky (to you), I must have a vision in mind. And two, location doesn’t matter one little bit.
It’s all light and love.
A BABY SESSION – MADAME ELLIE @ TWO MONTHS
My February travel took me back to San Francisco, no complaints. In fact, BREAKING NEWS: please hire me in the Bay Area, all the time, because then I get to spend time with these favorite people of mine. This baby. I can’t believe how much I care about her. A very surprising natural instinct kicked in the first time we met, that made my heart grow a little bit more to include her. I am the worst baby hog when she is around, and all I want is for her to lock eyes with mine and coo at me forever. I began to refer to her as madame Ellie. “Would madame desire a boob?” Yes, the answer is always yes.
Shane and Rachel’s apartment can be a little tough to shoot in. They have large open rooms with only one natural light source: sliding glass doors. The doors are fantastic but because the light is so one directional it can be a little harsh. Rachel has sheer white curtains hanging from them, which also creates a really beautiful ambient light at certain times of the day. This is when I usually shoot them at home. This trip, I just left my camera out on the counter, ready to go anytime something sweet or funny was happening. So I dealt with all of the lighting conditions their apartment has to offer. One evening during the harsher light time of day, I just decided to work with the shadows and ended up loving the results.
On my last morning, I got her naked and threw her on some sheepskin, because when it’s your niece you don’t care about cliches.
You can see her newborn session here, if you’d like!