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

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  innocence, silliness, & sass that makes me smile from ear to ear.

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

Colorful Los Angeles wedding at The Fig House

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Hello friends! Today I am excited to share one of my favorite weddings of the year.  Shooting at The Fig House has been on my bucket list for a while (I mean, those colors!) and this gorgeous couple, along with their family & friends, couldn't have been sweeter bunch. I loved how much joy & laughter filled the air during this love celebration and feel grateful that I got to be a part of it all. Sending out a big THANK YOU to Katie for helping me document the magic of the day!

Coordinator //  Milk Events        Venue // The Fig House

The golds of summer // West Hills family session

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I've been lucky enough to have been photographing this clan since the big brother, Wyatt was a teeny 3 month old. Seeing him grow into a charming, & hilarious little guy over the past few years has been a total joy for me. And welcoming little sister, Layla, to the mix last year just made everything that much sweeter!

We decided to do our most recent shoot at one of my favorite hiking trails, with miles of the prettiest golden rolling hills where we'd have plenty of space to play and explore. Here are some faves from time together!

Images shot on Hp5, Portra 400, & 160 film //processed & scanned by the awesome FIND lab

Quality time // Altadenta family session at home

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I was so pumped when I got the email from Katie saying that she was ready to set up another family session a year after our first one, that I just LOVED. I couldn’t really imagine Oliver getting any cuter that when I first met him but, oooh, he did. Photographing this gang in their new home allowed me to document some the of the sweet day to day moments – like Oliver practicing his new walking skills, playing with the pups, and most importantly, quality time with his biggest fans. Mom & Dad.

Poppy field adventure // Creative portrait session with Sulai

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After all the buzz about the super bloom here is Southern California, my girl Sulai and I decided we should road trip out to the Poppy reserve to goof around & experience it in person. We marveled, explored, got silly, and of course, took TONS of photos. I really wanted to get experimental and played alot with double exposures, shooting through prisms, and opening the back of my camera to create light leaks and I am soo happy with the results!

Kelly & her twins // Los Angeles family session at home

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I’ve been photographing Kelly and her twins since they were 6 months old and I was just dyying to photograph them on film because, well, look at them! So lovely and with such a time-less style. This sesh is what my photography dreams are made of. Lots of joy & playfulness all in the comfort of home where everyone can just let loose. Here are my favorites from our time together.