You know the feeling? // Creative portrait session in Topanga Canyon

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I still remember how I felt the first time I met Sulai. Like I just HAD to know her & like maybe I’ve already known her for lifetimes. You know the feeling? I am forever grateful to her for inspiring me to live outside of the lines & for being one of my favorite subject to photograph year after year.

She has recently moved back to the canyon so we decided to shoot in and around her new pad - sweetly named, the Sugar shack.

Make sure to hop on over and check out all Sulai’s creations, including naturally dyed fiber art, experimental films, & paintings here! —> http://sulailopez.com/

Just down the road // Topanga Canyon family session

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Photographing fellow Topanga canyon dwellers is always extra special for me. Perhaps it’s because they are just as in love with this place as I am or maybe it’s just that they are usually extra down for an adventure!

On this day, I met up with this lovely trio as the sun was getting low in the sky & walked just down the road from their home to snap these photos. We took the same route that they walk so often to get to this magical location. Here are some of my faves!

Film developed & scanned by The Find Lab

Wecome, Baby Rose // Topanga Canyon newborn session

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Today is super rainy & cold here in LA (yaay for warm eggnog & fluffy socks!) and I thought it would be the perfect time to blog this cozy at-home newborn session!

I’ll start off by saying that meeting and snuggling this perfect little babe sent my ovaries into hyper drive. (I mean, how can newborns smell SO good?) Also, seeing one of my favorite kids as a big sister was possibly the cutest thing I have ever witnesses. The way she says “baby Rose” in that tiny voice could melt even the hardest of hearts.

I absolutely adore this family and becoming friends with and documenting their milestones over the years has been such a joy for me. It all started with their wedding a few years ago and the rest is history! Here are some favorites from our time together.

Smiles for days // Family session in West Hills

As summer winds down and hints of Fall start to appear, I was reminded of this sweet sesh from last year that I never got around to sharing....which is crazy cause I LOVE it so.

I've been documenting this crew since big sister was a newborn (and every year since!) and I always leave our photoshoots with a huge grin & happy heart.  #bestJobEver

West Coast, Best Coast // Roadtrip adventure

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In celebration of my man's big 4-0, we packed up Rusty (our 83' VW bus) and embarked on an almost 3 week roadtrip up through California and southern Oregon in July.  It was what every summer dreams to be - sunshine, rivers, rainbows, exploring, hanging with old friends, & stunning views every. single. day. To say I love this coast is an understatement. Here are some faves, all shot of film.

Kodak Portra 400 developled & scanned by The Find Lab

Wild indeed // Creative portait session in Topanga Canyon

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I first met Meghan when I came across Wild Mesa, the space that hosts maker & wellness workshops here in Topanga Canyon. She is not only the founder of this magical space, but she is also an art director, singer, designer, world traveler, activist, and student currently getting her masters in Public Policy. #Badass

Photograph this inspiring woman in her element, as we laughed and listening to Bob Dylan on vinyl was a total dream. Here are some of my favorites.

shot on Kodak Portra 400 & 800 // developed & scanned by

White dress by the amazing MoonaStar

Summer of love // Topanga Canyon family session

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When I heard from Lydia saying she wanted to schedule an all film sesh for her family, I jumped for joy! Anyone who knows me personally or follows me on IG, knows that I am pretty crazy about shooting film - the colors, the nostalgic grain, and the intention that goes into it make my heart go wild. I had a feeling I would fall in love with her and her family pretty quickly, especially since the friend that referred her is one of my favorite clients . And, of course, I did.

On a side not, this lovely mama is also an accomplished writer and has a novel coming out in 2019 called "Lights All Night Long". I will definitely be snaggin' myself a copy!

Film (Kodak Portra 400) developed and scanned by The "super awesome" Find Lab

Shiny happy people // Topanga Canyon family session

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Gosh, I don't think I could possibly love this session more than I do.

Nothing beats Topanga Canyon in the spring with the green lush grass, wildflowers, and perfect 70 degree weather and I am so grateful that this sweet gang was down to adventure to get to one of my favorite spots in the canyon! It warmed my heart to see how much these 4 genuinely enjoy being together.  Also, that evening light was so glorious that I may have actually drooled.

All images shot of Kodak film & developed and scanned by The Find Lab

Mountain Muse // Creative Portrait session in Topanga Canyon

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You know how a cartoon characters eyes will pop out of their heads when they see something they think is gorgeous? Heart eyes, little cupids flying around the head, etc. Well this is the effect that Ashley, the creative director, co-owner, and sous chef of Fig and Forage LA has on yours truly. Total girl crush.

The wild thing is that she is not only physically stunning but she is equally lovely & creative & so fun to be around. Here are some of my favorite shots of our time together, all shot on film and processed and scanned by The Find Lab.

I am hoping to start incorporating these experimental elements into more, or maybe all, of my shoots. So if you book a sesh with me and are into the light leaks and double exposures you see going on here, make sure to let me know that you are down to get little WEIRD and we can make some magic together!

Celebrating Spring // Mother & daughter session in Topanga Canyon

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I was beyond excited for the chance to photograph this lovely mother / daughter duo here in the (finally green! YAY rains!) mountains of Topanga Canyon.  It's not very often that I get the chance to photograph older kids, even though I love love love this age so much. Such a sweet blend of innocence, silliness, & sass.

We chatted, goofed around, enjoyed the stunning vistas .. and of course, I snapped some sweet photos.

// all images shot on Kodak film and processed by The FIND lab //

Love in the desert // roadtrip to Joshua Tree

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It may sound silly, but Valentine's Day is my FAVORITE holiday. I am a sucker for love, and even though it is something that should be celebrated every day, I have to admit that having a holiday honoring it is pretty sweet.

This year, my guys and I decided to skip town and camp out in Joshua Tree for a couple of days to celebrate. We hiked, talked for hours around a campfire, stargazed, & did nothing. It was perfect. Here are some of my favorite snaps our time there.

Home & heart // Los Angeles family at home

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This past year just flew by and I wanted to share one of my last and sweetest sessions of 2017! 

First off, how gorgeous is this entire family? Ya, pretty amazing. I know! Well, they are also loads of fun which made spending time with them at their home in Los Angeles such a treat for me. 

On a side note, If you are a podcast lover like I am, I highly suggest checking out the podcast Atomic moms - in which Ellie (the lovely mama in these photos) is the creator and host of!

Rusty // Topanga Canyon family session

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I haven't had much blog posting time, as I am in the midst of my busiest season, but I had to take a sec to share one of my favorite recent sessions! I became fast friends with mom and dad after I shot their wedding a few years back and, although I have met little Rusty a couple of times, I was just waiting for the moment when I would get to officially photograph them for as a trio! 

Here are some faves from our Topanga Canyon adventure.

The sweetest song // Los Angeles newborn session

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Spending the morning with this family in their Los Angeles bungalow was a dream. I snapped photos as we oooohed and ahhed over how tiny and perfect their sweet boy was. Getting to watch the love pour out of new parents is such a gift. Here are some of my faves from our time together!

On a side note, the mama is an amaaazing singer/songwriter and I almost fell over when she starting singing to her babe. Here is the link to her site if you want to check her out - http://www.theanna.com/

Simple pleasures // A sister shoot at home in Topanga Canyon

Can ALL of my sessions please include farm animals and golden fields? Please! No but seriously, photographing these sisters at their Topanga Canyon home for the 2nd time was a total dream for me. (See first shoot here) Lately, I am all about life's simple pleasures and this sesh had me feeling so inspired!

To learn more about of these lovely creatures, check out their blog here.

Films : Fuji 400h, Portra 400, HP5// Developed and scanned by The FIND lab

Sunshine in Seattle // My vacation on film

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A few weeks ago, I traveled to Seattle for the very first time and it was magic. The city itself was awesome but all of the water and lush greenery is what I live for! We spent a lot of the time outside since it was sunny and warm the entire week - out on the water, blueberry picking, and checking out the various islands. Some of our favorite people live up there (including our god daughters who are in alot of these photos!) so I'd say my MOST favorite moments were spent snuggling them. Oh, and the coffee. That was also really good too.

All images shot on a Canon eos3 with Portra 400 film. Dev/scanned by The FIND lab

A mama with her cubs // Malibu family session

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It's always an honor (and a little nerve wracking if I am being honest!) to photograph a fellow photographer. Especially someone as awesome as Bjorna.

Seeing her in her element, surrounded by her four most gorgeous babies, made my heart glow. It also made me realize that being a mother of 4 (including twins!) ain't no joke. I raise a glass to you, sweet friend, for being such an inspiring, bad ass mama and for giving me the opportunity to document it!

Shot with a mix ofPortra 400 & Fuji 400 Film // developed & scanned by The Find Lab

Shades of blue // Natural indigo dye workshop with the Dogwood Dyer

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I'm not sure if you know this about me, but I am REALLY into crafts and learning the old ways of making things. From weaving, to making pickles, macrame, calligraphy. You name is, I have probably tried it. I'm not very good at any of them, but I sure enjoy the process! haha.

All this being said, when I heard that Liz Spencer, aka The Dogwood Dyer, was going to be in my hood teaching a natural Indigo dye workshop I leaped at the opportunity. She harvested her very own indigo plants and taught us how to prepare and extract the colors. We also learned some cool techniques like Shibori, to create patterns on our fabrics that differ from the usual hippie tie dye look. (which I am also into!) Can you believe that green leaves can make the most insanely gorgeous blues?! Total magic.

I highly recommend keeping up with the Wild Mesa event calendar if you live in the LA area and like these kinds of workshops. Who knows, maybe I'll see you there at the next one!

All images shot on Portra 400 & developed/scanned by The Find Lab

Adventure time // Topanga Canyon family session

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A few times a week, I walk my pup by this adorable cottage with a yard sprinkled with toys - a mini house. a red tricycle. I always wondered who lived there and imagined what the family that inhabits such a sweet space would be like. Then I get an email from a mama wanting to set up a sesh after seeing a post on FB. When she described her house, I knew right away that it was my dream family. And they were even better than I imagined!

Rylie - this sweet, curious, and adventurous wild child - is a girl after my own heart and it was a joy following her around as she lead us to some of her favorite spots. All walking distance from home!

Shot on Portra 400 & Ilford HP5 Film // developed & scanned by The Find Lab