If you have been hanging around these parts for a while, you know that my friend Celia and I (and our respective babies) have a bit of a special connection. So when Ben and I decided that it was better for Henry that he and his papa stay home while I make a whirlwind trip up to San Francisco for a wedding, I was pretty sad to miss a chance to get these two babies together. (They haven't been together since their one and only brief meeting in SEPTEMBER! They were only learning to sit up in couch corners then!)

The least I could do to quell my sadness was to have a super fun and quick photo session with two of my favorite gorgeous ladies! I met them in their neighborhood in Oakland, where Celia and Cheech took me to one of their favorite breakfast spots, then the farmer's market, all before I flew home to my boys. Thanks you girls! You are my favorite.

♥

 

I promised myself I wouldn't post too many family sessions in a row, but it being world breastfeeding week,  can't help myself! Let me explain. While I was in LA for a wedding a couple of weekends ago, I snuck in a quick and casual shoot with one of my FAVORITE little families; Christina, and her wife Patty, and their sweet baby Beatrice. Well- Bea is in this phase where she wants to nurse while being read to. It is kind of adorable. (If a wee bit of a nuisance to her patient mama.) And since we were happy to sit back and let her direct the morning (rather than try and pose a busy toddler), that is what we have a lot of photos of! Which I loooooove. I am so happy to be able to share a positive image of (what our country considers extended) breastfeeding, and I think it is important to be vocal/upfront about breastfeeding. The more people are exposed to it, the more normal it becomes and our society accepting of it, the more woman are likely to be successful in meeting their breastfeeding goals. (Here is some reading on the subject). In other news, how AWESOME is Bea's drum set? Pickin up skills from her  ma! RAD. Thanks guys, for letting me be a part of this morning! PS All Images are totally suitable for work! 

As usual, I am available to photograph YOUR family in Southern California. Email me at desertfete (at) gmail (dot) com.

 

If you guys haven't noticed, things are shifting a lot in my life's focus. I don't mean Henry, but photography. I am still trying to figure out how that works with this space, vs another one dedicated to that pursuit, but until I figure all that out, I hope you don't mind if I keep sharing here. And of course, if you would like ME to photograph YOU, please email me! (desertfete at gmail dot com). I have very reasonable rates. (I live in San Diego, but am often traveling to other parts of California anyways).

One afternoon during our trip in New York (while Ben and Henry were snoozing) I snuck over to the gorgeous Gantry Plaza State Park to take photos of one of my favorite picture taking, blog writing ladies, her adooooooorable baby Harper, and very cute hubby Vivek. I am trying to talk this family into moving to San Diego! Ha! Check out the pictures if you like, below. Thanks Mercie & family!

I recently went to my dear friend Shelly's home to do what could (loosley?) be described as a family shoot. But instead of gathering her (gorgeous) family into groups for posed portraits, I basically chased them around their sun soaked back yard with my camera while they wrangled chickens, climbed in their tree house, and showed off their highwire circus tricks. It was completely awesome, and the best way to capture this adventurous family's spirit! (They are just packing up their house to go and spend a year together in Byron Bay, Austrailia. Amaaaaaaazing, right?) As the sun descended Shelly cooked us all an amazing dinner, of course. What a great afternoon. Thanks you guys!!!! All the photos are after a jump. And hey, hit me up if you want me to come chase YOUR family with a camera!  xo