Laguna Beach, CA.

We had fun hanging out with Michelle and Kelly on a hot day in Laguna Beach. I have to thank them for sweating this one out for the sake of art. As hot as it was, we never let it show in the photos because once the camera starts clicking, it's all about laughing and having fun.

I especially like the silhouette shots at the end of this set. The lifeguard wasn't allowing people on the rocks but he removed the sign just as we were about to do the shot. I've been there many times, but this is the first time I've done this shot. I used the sun behind them to really bring out their silhouettes. I love to come up with new ideas!

You know you must be a loved teacher if your class gets together and buys you a portrait session. Frederique and her family is moving back to France after being here three years, and the class that she teaches thanked her with a family portrait session with us. They were so much fun to work with, especially the little ones. I hope that one day these photos will bring back fond memories of their time here in Orange County.

Since I specialize in wedding photography, I usually don't have a chance to work on other types of shoots. I'm so glad, however, that Sally-Ann and I were able to find a date to shoot her cute family in Laguna Beach. When she told me that they were a French-Australian family and were only here in Southern California for three years so they wanted photographs as a souvenir, I was excited to make this shoot memorable and the photos something they can be really happy to look at when they are no longer in the US.

As I looked over these photos, I realized that my parents didn't have the opportunity to have pictures done like these for us when we were little. I thought to myself, how fun it would be for the kids to see this 20 years down the road when they are all grown up. Even though I may not have memories like this, it's every bit as satisfying for me to provide these images to an adorable family like Sally-Ann's.


Sally-Ann and her adorable daughter.


Brother and sister.


A smiling Luca.


Father and son.


Connected family.


We found that Luca would smile biggest when he got to run as fast as he could.


Having a little fun with Luca.


Daddy's little girl.


Something about the ocean just makes people want to jump.


Close-up of the adorable Sophie.


I love how there are footstep lines that go down to him and extend with his shadow, footsteps behind him, and unchartered territory ahead.


Looking out into the ocean.


This is my favorite shot with the sunlight falling on their golden hair.


Sally-Ann gives Sophie a big push.


Another one of my favorites.

I caught up with Kelley and Aaron in Laguna Beach during the magic hour, a term we use in photography to refer to the half hour before the sun sets and the half hour after. Even though it was overcast, we managed to get some great pictures and have some fun by jumping into the water and rolling around in the sand. It's my wettest shoot yet.

Kelley and Aaron are actually friends of ours. Kelley's the one that introduced me to the Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center, the organization whose events I love shooting. I had met Aaron before they got engaged, so when Kelley told us that he popped the question on their recent trip to North Carolina, I was so excited for her because Aaron is such a nice down-to-earth guy.








I was glad they brought Max along. He has a real gentle demeanor for such a big dog. You can just tell how calm he is.


My poor assistant/wife, Sen, had to hold on to Max's leash for the entire shoot. Well, Sen weighs about 100 pounds and Max is probably around the same. She literally had to use all her strength to hold Max back when he wanted to go play with Kelley and Aaron.


Both the sky and water have a soft look to it at this time of day.


They are such a photogenic couple. They are naturals in front of the camera, despite Kelley saying that she was a little nervous.


I wanted to get the reflection of the sun on the sand. I love how it came out with their fun pose.




They are the first couple to volunteer to get in the water for me. This was the most fun I've had at a shoot yet, despite almost getting my camera wet.


I knew that Aaron wanted to get this shot of the water splashing on Kelley. You can see the surprised look on Kelley's face, much to the amusement of Aaron.


I love how you can see the movement of the water as it's receding back into the ocean, yet the kiss stands still in time.

This was so much fun that we're planning to do another shoot before the wedding. I can't wait!