Summer Family Portraits | Irvine, California

Here are some more photos of the shoot Alan and I did for my brother's family.  Originally we were going to shoot the session at Corona Del Mar to get some nice beach shots with the water, sand and rocks.  Ricky and his family ended up coming down a little later than we had planned, so we had to make some last minute changes to make the most of the natural light.  I knew we'd all be scrambling to find parking at the beach since the weather had been so nice the past few days.  It was already pretty late, and after driving to the beach and hunting for parking we would have only had about half an hour to shoot.  Not to mention, having that stress of driving down to the beach in traffic and racing against the sun!  Definitely not a good feeling to have right before getting your pictures taken.

Instead, I thought it was best to stay close by and get as much shooting time as possible. Staying close totally worked out!  Alan and I ended up taking them to some running trails that are literally down the street from our apartment.  We love this running trail...and really, it's a hidden gem between houses and businesses. Driving by, you would never think it was there.

So I'm really happy I ended up shooting them there.  We had a great time, shared some laughs, had plenty of shooting time and got some great shots.  Alan and I drove by the park recently and we were so bummed to find out that the city is closing it for a whole year!!!  Guess we won't be shooting or running there for a while...bummer.

These shots below with the boys are up there with my favorites from the session.  Julian, my youngest nephew, had a little bit of a hard time loosening up and giving me some natural expressions.  He kept giving me this cheeser smile or super goofy face.  That wasn't the case for the shots with his father and brother.  He totally chilled out and was having the time of his life!  They all look so happy and it seriously brings a smile to my face.  They make my heart smile too, lol!  Seriously!

 OMG, I have such dolls for nieces and nephews!  My brother and sister in law were blessed with beautiful children.

Summer Family Portraits | Irvine, California

Here's a quick preview of my latest family session.  My bother and his beautiful wife and family!  I love these kids ♥.  I can never get enough of them.  They came down to visit this weekend and I already miss them.  

Summer Vacation | Seattle and Vancouver

Alan had been itching for a vacation...and I have to admit, I was long overdue for a nice break as well.  Even though it wasn't the typical type of vacation I'd usually take (beautiful beaches, warm waters, shining sun, lounging and relaxing) I was excited to explore new areas and experience new foods.  Alan planned out an amazing itinerary exploring Vancouver and Seattle areas.  As a landscape architect, he was very excited to visit several gardens and public spaces.  If you're into amazing architecture, museums, good food, and hiking...you gotta head up north!  The natural beauty of Vancouver was my FAVORITE!!!  

Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle

Inspired by Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam"  

Experience Music Project Museum in Seattle

Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit in Seattle (same guy who has the glass ceiling at the Bellagio in Vegas) 

We did a food tour at Pike Place...so much history!!! 

Beecher's Cheese...home of Oprah Winfrey's favorite macaroni and cheese.  It actually was really good!! 

The original Starbucks!  The business was first created by a group of three scholars who loved the book Moby Dick.  Starbuck was the name of a character in the story :). 

Our tour guide. 

Seattle Central Library, amazing architecture by Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus.

The Fremont Troll in Seattle.  Art piece created to rehabilitate the area under the bridge...which was being overtaken by drug dealers and also used as a dumping ground.  

Road trip to Canada!!!  Vancouver here we come! 

Van Dusen Botanical Garden....sooooooo beautiful!!!!!! 

Elizabethan Hedge Maze, made from 3,000 cedars.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park was by far my favorite part of our trip.  It is absolutely gorgeous over there!!  The park is made to fit into its natural  surrounding area with much respect for the trees and animals.  This is what my heaven looks like!! 

On one of our tours we spotted a banana slug.  Their bodies are covered by some kind of substance that acts as a topical anesthetic.  The guide challenged us to lick the slug to feel this numbing sensation...Alan actually did it!