A concierge at Casa Del Mar, owned by Shutters On The Beach called and asked me about shooting a family’s portrait while they visited our beautiful city.  I said I would love to, grabbed my Canon 5D and headed west.  Upon entering their hotel I was immediately struck by how beautiful their children were.  We went over clothes, which Amy, their mom, had picked out specially for the occasion with some direction on my part.  I loved the light blue and yellows she came up with… and with that we headed out.  

The children thought it was really fun to run around me while I took their pictures, each competing with the other for speed and face-time.  Needless to say I laughed a lot this day.  

It was of course a gorgeous day, it being Los Angeles (Santa Monica to be more specific) and I had so much fun taking these pictures.  It was awhile before the kids lost steam and said “I’m thirsty!” so I had a chance to get a lot of great shots, causing Amy to write me and say she needed ideas about what to do with so many great pictures.  That’s a “complaint” I always love to hear.  I suggested a montage 4×6 frame or a coffee table book.

I thought it was an excellent way to hold onto the memories of a vacation.

 Children grow so quickly…

The Raphael’s found me while their baby was still a couple of months from being born.  I came to their home, set up my portable studio in their living room, and then we just had a blast.  People are always so surprised at my sessions because there is simply no stress involved.  I love what I do and it makes it so much easier on the subjects.

I even got pictures of their dog, Sebastian who was quite the romping poodle! I chased him all over the yard with my camera and was laughing my heart out.  He would come at me like I was a fellow dog (I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you) and The Raphaels were really surprised and pleased to see how he took to me.

A couple months later and I had the pleasure of taking pictures of their new baby girl, Charlotte Sophia.  She was just a couple weeks old and yet stayed awake the entire time!  Very alert and curious, she was a perfect little angel, loving the camera like she was born to be a little star.  Which is exactly what she is.  Did I mention I love my job?