Part of why I so love what I do is the fact that I get to capture milestones, wonderful moments that only happen a handful of times in a lifetime. It’s even more exciting when I get to be a part of multiple milestones for the same couple, so I was overjoyed when Dawn {a past bride-turned-friend, my favorite!} contacted me regarding some maternity photos of her & Craig. I loved working with them for their engagement session & wedding day.. and since both of these were filled to the brim with creativity and personality, I should have known that Dawn would come up with something equally amazing for the maternity session!

So how is this for amazing… dozens of photos hanging from trees – baby photos, family photos, engagement & wedding photos, and tons of memories Dawn & Craig have shared over the years, a lovely little bench, a collection of pastel-colored frames. We headed to one of my favorite photo spots, set everything up, and I got to shoot one of the sweetest couples ever in the prettiest light. It really doesn’t get much better than this :)

So excited for them and their little bundle of joy who is on his way any day now!

Seriously, is Dawn not THE cutest, prettiest pregnant lady you’ve ever seen??

So in love with this pillow, good thing it didn’t fit in my Shootsac or I might have have tried to sneak it home with me ;)

A couple weeks ago I drove down to sunny San Diego for a fun shoot with this super sweet couple! I love shooting in San Diego.. the drive down is so gorgeous and relaxing, with the sparkly sea lining the left side of the highway, and as I enter the city, I automatically feel a couple ounces of stress magically float away (I also feel an immediate craving for carne asada fries, but that’s a whole other blog post).

N & T were married a couple years ago (they’ve been together for over 10 years!) but didn’t do an engagement session then, and decided to set up a similar session now :) I am a huge fan of “just because” sessions and believe that any time is the perfect time to get lovely photos of yourself! A cheery bunch of balloons & their adorable pup {and the amazing amazing light} added an extra dose of fun into the session.. :)

Joyce was one of my very best friends growing up. During snack breaks in high school, we used to buy Flaming Hot Cheetoes and eat them dipped in cream cheese (trust me, it’s the next best dipping combo after frosties & fries). We were tennis partners all 4 years & had a special tennis “high five” we’d do with our racquets whenever we scored. Not that we were actually very good. But that was the fun of it – because Joyce was, and always had been, about having fun and living in the moment.

I always admired that about her. That she was so carefree & laidback – that no matter how hard she worked, she never complained; that even when things were their hardest, she could always smile; that even when she was busy as could be herself, she always ALWAYS found the time to help a friend without a second thought. And because of these amazing qualities, qualities I can only wish I could so gracefully possess, I always knew she would make the absolute perfect mother. Of course her insane domestic abilities couldn’t hurt as well – her cooking, sewing, and crafting skills definitely put my I’m-just-trying-to-not-burn-the-toast self to shame.

About a year ago, when Joyce had just graduated from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Tokyo, I asked her what her plans were next. Working in a big name restaurant? Teaching cooking classes? Focusing on opening her own patisserie? She thought for a moment, smiled, and said, “I just want to be a mom…”

It is with an extremely happy heart that I share these photos of my friend in one of her most radiant times :)

I love how the recent rains resulted in the prettiest green fields…