It’s hard for me to imagine what it must be like to become a parent. The combination of joy, accountability, and pure love that I conjure up can only pale in comparison to the real collection of emotions that a new parent must feel. I got just a small glimpse at such a reality when I photographed Nancy & Garrett a couple weekends ago. I was overjoyed when Nancy contacted me to photograph the two of them & the soon-to-be newest addition to their family! (A big thank you to Hana for sending them my way!) It was my first time doing a maternity session and I loved seeing the way Nancy and Garrett interacted with each other, as well as with baby Lucas. They’re going to be such wonderful parents!

UCLA’s Botanical Gardens provided the perfect secluded and scenic location for the shoot. Even though all three of us are UCLA alums, we had each only visited the gardens once or twice. And after visiting it this last time, I must say it is way WAY bigger than I remember. Who knew there was a jungle in the middle of campus?

Although I mostly photograph weddings, I always get excited when I am contacted for a portrait session. Discussing and planning the session is like taking a peek into their backgrounds and experiences – a dancer, a business woman, a new addition to the family; each session celebrates who they are and this moment in their life.

In this case it was Takeo Uesugi, the father/father-in-law of Keiji & Becca (the first couple I ever photographed!). Takeo is an amazing landscape architect. The Japanese Garden at Cal Poly Pomona, the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, the garden by the JACCC in Little Tokyo – he’s designed countless beautiful landscapes across California and beyond. As we walked through the garden at Cal Poly Pomona, he pointed out the koi, described the different sounds of the water trickling under the bridge, and explained the varieties of plants that filled the garden. His serene knowledge and absolute love for what he did shined through his every word and it was an honor photographing him in the midst of his beautiful work.

The cherry on top was when Keiji informed me that an article featuring Takeo and some images from the session would be featured in the Nichi Bei Times, northern California’s leading Japanese-American newspaper. The article is a wonderful recognition of all of his work and a great overview of Japanese gardens in the US. The online version of the article can be viewed here.

And a few more shots from the session…

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P.S. Thanks to everyone who played along in the little giveaway in my last post! The winner of a wonderful little package of tea bags is Nelly! Nelly, I’ll be in touch with you soon and everyone else stay tuned for the next “Fave Finds” installment :)

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Round Two in the “Fave Finds” series!

A few weeks ago we took Scott’s mother to San Francisco as a surprise trip for her birthday. The trip was planned beautifully by Scott’s sister Lauren and her fiance Josh (who will be getting married at the spectacular Firestone Vineyard this fall – where I’ll get to be a real-live guest, A GUEST! Dancing and hors d’oeuvres WATCH OUT!!) I have been to San Francisco numerous times from my first visit at age 3, to my last one in 2006 (when I wore flip flops and cursed my bad judgment and frozen toes the entire trip). We always visited the same places. Pier 39. Ghirardelli Square. Ride the cable car, eat the clam chowder, rinse and repeat.

But never to the Ferry Building. It was the first place Lauren and Josh took us and it is now on the top of my list of favorite places in the city. Rows upon rows of the cutest shops selling cheeses, teas, herbs, home decor. A vibrant bustling Farmer’s Market surrounded the outside, where we picked up a delicious breakfast & steaming cups of coffee. I was most enamored with the flowers. How I wished I could bring home a bunch of colorful ranunculus or branch of peach blossoms. (Where can you buy a whole branch from a tree here? Anyone?)

Here’s a bit of what I captured (all taken with the point-and-shoot) in between my shrieks of joy and lamenting of “why don’t we have this in LA?” Can’t wait to return! What are your favorite places in SF?