Love in the desert // roadtrip to Joshua Tree

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.

Rusty // Topanga Canyon family session

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

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/

Sunshine in Seattle // My vacation on film

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

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

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

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

The golds of summer // West Hills family session

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

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.