Pollard {Family}

This session truly showed me how small the world really is.  Jaymie contacted me during our stay in Okinawa.  She found me on Facebook and recognized my maiden name and it turned out she went to school with my little brother in Orange County.  Finding someone half way around the world who grew up in the same little city of Laguna Niguel was like finding a needle in a hay stack.  So of course we hit it off.  She started following my photography page, liking and commenting on my work.  So I was excited when she came to me asking to take photos of her sweet baby girl and photos for their christmas card.  Being in Okinawa the Christmas feel is minimal but I think between Jaymie's styling and trying to keep as much of Okinawa in the backdrop we did a decent job portraying 'Christmas'.  Jaymie and her family are now stationed back in the states and I really do hope that I will have the honor in doing their photos again this fall no only because I can't wait to see how much Georgia has grown but the Pollard family is expecting their second little bundle!

Love is Love

'I believe that marriage isn't between man and women but between love and love' - Frank Ocean

Wedding photography was something I never thought of doing.  It's a day that needs to be perfect, capture every moment, and not to miss a beat.  That's a lot of pressure for wedding photographer and I give them all mad props for doing what they do and rocking it!

One of my great friends, Ashley,  whom I met in Okinawa finally made her way here to Southern California.  Not only was I stoked to have her right here in the same area code but also that I had the chance to meet her amazing family.  In meeting Ashley's family I got to meet her younger sister, Alisha and her then fiancée Taylor.  I have heard many great things about this couple just in talking with Ashley but when I met them in person I loved their connection to each other and the world around them.  You just want to hang out with them.  While all of the family was visiting SoCal, Alisha and Taylor were planning on getting married.  Ashley was planning on taking pictures herself since their wedding was a small court house wedding but I knew that wouldn't be a good plan.  Knowing the bond Ashley and Alisha had I knew Ashley would want to focus on her sister and nothing else.  So I offered up my services to Ashley and gladly she accepted.

The ceremony was small, quick, intense and emotional.  The day could not have been any more perfect with the clear skies, outside vows, and a very pretty court house which made a great backdrop.  Watching two people claim their love for one other is an amazing thing and I am so glad that in our state gender doesn't play a role in who you can marry.  Love is for everyone.  Congrats to the newlyweds and their new life together!

Looking down at the Latin saying 'Love Conquers All'. A perfect spot to exchange their vows.

 Sisterly love

 The only 'couple after the wedding' shots I got for the afternoon. 

 Mrs. and Mrs Gray

Miss April {Teens}

This shoot was fun, spontaneous and during a Clickin Mom's walk in Okinawa. Being the 'victim' of having a parent that is a photographer can weigh hard on a child (go ahead and ask my son) LOL But for what ever reason when someone else is behind the camera the child comes to life.  April was a total natural in front of the camera.  She is all around gorgeous, has beautiful eyes and amazing hair.  One lesson learned from this shoot and my stay in Japan was never judge a location by the way it looks to the naked eye.  Buildings and textured backgrounds can be just as beautiful as a scenic ocean view.  This mini session was short and sweet but this girl rocked it! Big thanks to Pam at Pamela Olivera Photography for letting me steal April for a minute :) Enjoy! 

 Her tank was the coolest!

 And my favorite of the bunch...

So Okinawa, so soulful, and just the right amount of attitude.

Amanda {Stylized}

'Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can wear' - Aimee Mullins

One of my favorite things to capture on camera is the moment when the person I am shooting feels their best and you can tell thru the photo. As woman we tend to be insecure about our selves, weather it be our hair, our body, the way freckles fall on our skin. There seems to always be something we want to change. I love helping woman push thru those insecurities and love themselves for who they are.
I met Amanda as she was the doula for one of my mommies (HERE). She is one of the most down to earth people I have met. When she came to me asking me to take pictures of her and only her I was more than excited. Stylized shoots are far and few in-between when it isn't an idea I have. Amanda wanted to feel beautiful. She wanted to do something for herself. After hiring myself as her photographer to capture her beauty she trusted me in finding a make-up artist to style her up and manage her mane. My go to MUA had already left Okinawa but I was totally okay with that because I got to meet and work with Ashley of Ashley Furnish Artistry.
I encourage all women to at one point in their life to just let a day be about them.  Get pampered. Have photos taken. Be carefree. Be you!

 Once the hair came down a fierceness came out like never before.