The Goller Family
Miriam and Jim had me come to them for their baby portraits. They live in one of the canyons and I always love that drive. So peaceful and pretty driving around the turns. And I love hitting the top of Mulhulland and seeing the city below. When I arrived they showed me around so that I could find the best place for my studio to be set up. Jim teaches martial arts and one of his rooms is a practice room. It was ideal for what I needed.
We also scouted potential locations outside, on their back deck overlooking the canyon, which is where I captured this family portrait of the three of them.
Since we were shooting outside I had them find clothes that were a little more fun than the normal solids I prefer for studio shooting. We outfitted little baby Stephen in green and tan… and the family was all set. 
(The few images I’m using here in the blog come from the coffee table book I designed for them, which is why you see overlapping images etc…) In all of my family portrait sessions, I like to have people interact naturally with each other. I rarely pose them, instead only giving the slightest bit of direction and letting their personal connection guide the moments. 
When people are allowed to be themselves, it captures more intimate photos that show obvious love… like this one where they are simply looking at each other. It’s little moments like these that are so beautiful.
The main reason I love my job is I’m able to witness the love a couple shares with each other, and the love they then pass on to their child(ren). I think we need more examples of this in society today, and I really enjoy the fact that I get to see them often. It’s not always easy doing what I do, but each and every time I come away happy. There is rarely an occasion where I don’t feel more energized than when I arrived, despite the carting around of all my equipment!
Stephen was a little prince. The photo to my right, where Jim is kissing Stephen… also not staged. I love how he’s looking up at his dad in this shot. So sweet. He was very patient with all of us pesky adults. 
The Gollers are very sweet, good people. They smile a lot and obviously love each other very much. All of the times I saw them, during the session and when I brought them their prints, and later their coffee table book, they were open, smiling and kind. They even invited me to a party they were having one of the nights I came by. I have been very lucky to come across a lot of really great people when I photograph families.
The great majority of my sessions, whether they be infant portraits, or family portraits, have been filled with warmth and love. It’s a wonder I found this profession in the first place… it’s been such a gift.