Catching Up....My Little Man {Big Bear Photographer, newborn, family, child, wedding}

Ahhh, really? Should anyone's kid be this gorgeous? (I'm his mom...I'm allowed to say that! LOL!)
A few weeks ago when I took Ava out for her shoot I also took Connor to get some headshots. I've been submitting his photo to TheCuteKid.com recently and he got a call from an agent on the first try. (that reminds me, I need to call her back. Oops!) So I knew that it would probably be a good thing to have a great stash of headshots laying around. Connor has been my most difficult child to photograph. He looks everwhere BUT the camera. He thinks he's looking at the camera which makes it even harder to get him to ACTUALLY LOOK AT the camera. But something has changed and boy am I glad! He works the camera now. I tell him to look happy, cool, "GQ" (he knows what that means!), and other emotions and I'm really impressed with how his eyes seem to speaking for him so of course I had to show him off. It's my motherly duty right?

So here he is the GQ little man Connor. We will be having an autograph signing at the lemonade stand on the corner of Alta Vista and Mcalister later this afternoon...Just kidding!

And yes, he really is that pale. I think it's the Norwegian blood. :0)





{Big Bear Lake CA Photographer, newborn, family, child, wedding}

Catching Up.....Baby Wearing {Big Bear Photographer, newborn, child, family, wedding}

For those who don't know I'll give a little history.
A few years ago when we got our adoption placement with our daughter Ava, my friend Summer told me all about a special thing called babywearing. At the time I have to admit that I thought she was perhaps a little, errr...over zealous? She told me about a website called thebabywearer.com and so I checked it out and before long I was learning about the benefits of babywearing and wanted to give it a try. We had gotten Ava when she was 7months old so when I learned of the bonding value as well as the developmental value I was sold. I immediately starting buying and trying out different kinds of carriers. I found a very talented maker in Norway so I decided to write her and order something custom and special. I was so sad to learn that she wasn't selling them to the US yet. But somehow amidst our conversations back and forth, and in my journey to create bonding with my new baby daughter I was also bonding with a special girl all the way across the world in Norway. I don't know exactly how it happened but I knew that every time my inbox showed a letter from her I smiled from ear to ear and my heart smiled even bigger. We were just meant to be friends I think. Over the course of our friendship in the last couple of years we have sent eachother fun packages and she has made a few custom carriers for me. Ava is so small and so my toddler sizes were just a bit big to wear and so recently I asked if she would make me one last baby sized carrier. So a few days ago I tore into my package from Norway and almost fainted when I saw THREE new baby sized carriers. I couldn't believe that she took all that time and talent to send me all that love contained in one little box. I am overwhelmed by her friendship constantly and can't wait until the day when I fly out to her beautiful country and knock on her door. Thank you Carina! I love you!!

If you are interested in learning more about babywearing and all the benefits it offers check out The Baby Wearer

And please stop by Carina's site and drool at her talent....by the way...she now sells to the US so you can have one too!
BEBINAR

Yay for perserverance and Bribing! {Big Bear Lake photographer, child, newborn, family, wedding}

Oh my gosh. OH MY GOSH. If you could see me at a session with my kids you would either think it was hysterical OR swoop them up in your arms and take them far from the mean lady with a camera. NO.JOKE. It has literaly sucked every time I've tried to get them to work for me. They are obstinate and they know it. They will look everywhere BUT the camera. This session is proof that giving up isn't a great idea. For all you photographers who hate taking pictures of your own kids don't give up! You really can have an Andrea Joki child model-offspring! (Disclaimer: eventually, maybe. Baha!) So a few days ago I took them out and BOTH of them worked it. Connor's little photo shoot still needs to be edited but I'll get his little GQ face up pretty soon. I hope you enjoy these! I know it made my whole flippin' year to finally get something of Ava that I 10000000% love.

P.S. My very very special Nana "Banana" is staying with us and I couldn't be happier taking care of her. So I want to give a shout out to all the awesome Grandparents out there! Your role is sooooooooooo important in the life of your Grandchildren that God has blessed you with. Enjoy it!






These 2 were edited differently because they were so fun!

The hippest family EVER. {Big Bear Photographer, family, newborn, child, wedding}

The second I saw what this family was wearing I knew it was going to be fun. They are so super cute. Mom and Dad seem like they were just married yesterday, you can just feel the connection between them. Very sweet. And the boys, oh goodness, so much personality! They worked the cameras ALL.DAY. I didn't hear them complain and they were having so much fun. Here are some of my faves...

Wedding photography makes my heart smile... {Big Bear Wedding Photographer}

When I said yesterday was crazy busy and long...I wasn't lieing. It was exhausting. There were some perks though. If you are a people watcher like I am then you would have had a bang up time. ;) There were so many "artistic" personalities swarming about and I truly enjoy watching people interact with others..and even sometimes themselves. But one of the highlights for me was the wedding session. I didn't know I would love weddings when I discovered my passion. In fact it took a little time shooting them before I realized that I truly love it. And I do love it. I love couples in love, fresh, new, love. It's beautiful and to capture it is magical. So here are a few of my favorites from yesterday... Enjoy and thanks for stopping by my blog!

























{Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead Wedding Photographer}

Impromtu Mini-session with sweet baby A.... {Big Bear photographer, newborn, child, family, wedding}

Yesterday was a busy and long day. A good day though...I think. Yes I'm sure it was.
I went down to Seal Beach with another photographer friend (thank you for driving Laura!) and we hung out with about 50 other photographer's for the day. We had lots of models to shoot and this was one of them. While other togs' were crowded around a pretty baby girl this little guy, baby A, was eating away and enojoying the loving arms of his beautiful mama. I couldn't help but pull them aside and take a few shots. He's so stinkin' cute I could eat him!

Inspire Me Baby Giveaway {Big Bear Photographer, newborn, family, child, wedding)

Inspire Me Baby is a beautiful new blog geared to inspire baby photographers. I love the blog and love the person behind it. They are having a giveaway today for photographers to win this gorgeous set. Check out the blog today, it's easy to enter, all you have to do is leave some love. The set is designed by Gradybug Designs

Visit the blog to win!
Inspire Me Baby