I’ll take two pink roses, a side of pale purple fabric and a dash of design. It was major fun working with the extraordinarily creative ladies from Charlie and Olivia, Elvira and Dawn, and the sweet and stylish event planner from Velvet Events, Jacky Ibarra. This group of girls worked together to create a modern-colored Valentine’s event. Please visit their blogs to view more of their awesomeness!
Have you ever noticed that whenever you’re around a happy person, they seem to infect your world with so much joy, that you just can’t help but to be happy too? Well this is exactly how Diana makes others around her feel. From her bright smile, all the way down to her sunny colored perfectly pedicured toes, she exudes happiness. I first met Diana when I created a custom-made photo booth for her sister Emily’s wedding. Shortly after that, she announced that she was pregnant and asked me to take maternity photos of her and her husband, Ario. Yes, please! I knew she was going to make a beautiful mother-to-be!
Ario and Diana planned this perfect-like maternity shoot. We traveled to Malibu and basically had a private beach to ourselves. How did we get so lucky? Ario’s childhood family friend lives on a secluded private beach in a “famous” Malibu community. How famous? Let’s just say one neighbor was pretty much Mickey Mouse’s manager while another is a model that has a very distinguished mole. I’m just sayin’. This beach was Ah-mae-zing!
After drooling over the beach, I finally got to really meet and hang out with Ario. I had first met Ario at Emily’s wedding. He seemed like a super chill and easy going kinda guy. It wasn’t until the day of this photo shoot where I found out that Ario IS super chill, a total sweet heart who is truly in love with Diana, and kind of a goofball when interacting with Diana’s siblings. Diana had a small entourage there for her make-up, wardrobe changes, and moral support. And every now and then, Diana’s brother snuck an instagram update from the session. During the afternoon, I got to know more about Diana and Ario’s relationship, their baby boy’s name and their plans for parenthood. This super sweet couple fell in love a little over nine years ago at church. It was love at first sight for Ario, while Diana felt more of a yin and yang connection. She claims to be an introvert and he an extrovert. So an opposite attraction created a real chemistry for these love birds. Two years after they met, they married and decided it was time to create a family. As most planned pregnancies go, getting pregnant is harder than it seems. Doctors, prayers and even lifestyle changes sometimes don’t seem to help after a year of trying. But, just like love hits you smack in the face when you least expect it, BAM! Ario and Diana were expecting. I guess the body just knows when it’s ready.
Diana, Ario, and I had a blast hanging out. I felt as if I was one of their entourage members. I can’t wait until their “Owl” themed baby shower! Congratulations on your son, Noah! I can’t wait to meet him.
A contagious smile I tell ya!
My favorite!
Diana told me she got this fabric idea from me…aww. I love love love it when I can inspire my clients to craft for their own props!
Just hanging out.
Gilligan’s Island? Ya, this boat seemed to be perfectly ship-wreked here.
N is for Noah and Diana’s expression is too cute!
Diana claimed she wasn’t “good” at taking pictures…right.
Come on…you are one photogenic mama!
Okay this one is my ultimate favorite! 
Mothers-to-be look absolutely gorgeous in this light! Diana you rocked this light and that red necklace!
Did you ever sneak a peek at the MTV show, My Super Sweet 16? When it aired in 2005, I was in grad school and watched it during my study breaks. This was a guilty little pleasure of mine for sure. It was fun watching these mini-weddings unravel from the preparation to the day’s execution. The best part was admiring all of the girly bling bling. Recently I was contacted by an El Rancho High School student to help capture her Super Sweet Sixteen memories. Not only was I thrilled to photograph all of her girly gear, but I was in a way going to take part in this Sweet Sixteen, just like on MTV! Rad, right?
Samantha’s Sweet Sixteen’s itinerary was booked solid from early morning make-up, to mid-day photo op’s, and concluded with ball-room like festivities. I couldn’t wait! As soon as I met Samantha I knew she was my kinda girl. She loved pink, was going to rock some glitter Toms, and is a well rounded student (She’s in color guard and I heard her skills are no joke!). Samantha is also super duper sweet and loves to laugh. But behind those sweet smiles she masks a mournful past. While getting to know Samantha, I learned that she has overcome some difficult times in her life for being a mere sixteen. Samantha’s father had passed away when she was younger, so to honor him, Samantha and her mother dedicated some time and photographs at Rose Hills, where her father is buried. Samantha’s family and friends also wanted to make her day extra special so they spent the entire day treating her like a Sweet Sixteen princess.
Samantha I love that you are a true girly girl. Your positive attitude reminds me to always keep smiling, even during rough times. You are a champ! Happy Birthday and happy Sweet Sixteen!
The flats before the…
…grown up heels.
She looked fancy!
The details on her gown are sweet!
Remembering her father.
Prayer.
Speaking of her hardships and giving thanks for all of her blessings created a few tears.
That pretty smile quickly turns into laughter…so cute!
She has the best girlfriends!
Samantha used bright punches of aqua color and sprinkled glitter everywhere for her winter- themed decor.
Candy bar..holla!!!
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I’ve been crazy busy, but I didn’t want to leave anyone hanging. Here are a few peeks. I’ll finish blogging them soon! Watch out for…
Samantha’s Sweet Sixteen
Diana’s Maternity Session
My son’s first birthday
Six months is a mega deal when your an ity bity thing. A half birthday, as I like to call it, is a momentous time in an infant’s life. It’s a time when these infants are learning how to sit, eat, babble and grab just like full fledged babies. It’s also six more months until their big first birthday. Nia’s mom and dad decided to celebrate her half birthday with a photo shoot. Nia is a sweet little thing and wasn’t camera shy at all. She had her parent’s and I working the rattle and tickle monster to transform her baby chic pose to a silly smile. She is a true fashionista. Her style screamed super cute and coincidently matched all the props I had brought.
Nia, you are just lovely.
See, she’s all ready got the J.Lo hat coordinating to her outfit.
Sunshine smiles here!
I think they should create a Baby Vogue magazine just for this photo.
Adored her twinkle toes.
Those cheeks.
Balancing!
Plop. I love when the outtakes are just so darn cute!
Sweetness!
I love this little trio of a family. Their love for one another pours out as smoothly as bubble bath into a rubber ducky filled tub. Jaime and Reyna were blessed with a ridiculously adorable baby boy a little less than a year ago. Like all of us parents, they’ve had their ups and downs, struggles and successes, yet it seems as if their lives have been perfect ever since baby Jayden arrived. Sure wish our family looked as poised as them all the time (I’m just saying’). Baby Jayden is such a natural in the spotlight. What do I mean? Well, this little guy was made to be in front of the camera. He just had to look at me and he would laugh…hey wait a minute. Well, anyhow he was such an awesome model! I can’t wait to work with this kiddo again. I mean, pretty please Reyna and Jaime.
Thank you for letting me hang out and capture your cute family’s smiles, laughs, and hugs. You guys not only look like a perfectly happy family, you are!
Hi baby!
My personal favorite. Love all the nature going on!
I’m sure Jayden was thinking, “I’ll just ignore what’s happening behind me and enjoy my fingers.”
Look at those cheeks!
Pretty mama and baby.
Precious family kisses.
Okay, come on now, really? Too cute!
Boys will be boys.
I’m just too excited to show you this shoot! Love the family, love the baby, and love the warmth I felt after photographing this trio.
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Sometimes technology hinders people from really communicating with one another. You know, instead of visiting, we call. Instead of calling, we text. Instead of texting, we “Like”. But most of the time, technology can be really awesome. It connects you to people that you’ve lost touch with. Recently I was contacted by my long time elementary school friend Erica Cruz. Yes, Erica Cruz! You know, in elementary school when everyone knew each other by their first and last name? And then some kids’ names just sounded better when you called them by their first and last name. Well, that is what is was like with Erica Cruz. Here name just flowed so we called her that for-like-ever. When she found me on Facebook I couldn’t have been happier. Erica was one of those girls that made everyone feel great. She was a mamma bear. She would look out for you, share her lunch, and let you know when the ball was gonna hit you smack in the head (Yes, we played softball together and I was her catcher).
Erica is now Erica Moreno and a soon to be mother of two. She is still a great momma bear. I could see that the love she shares with her daughter will immediately pour over to her future son, Jacob. As a surprise Valentine’s Day gift to her husband, Erica decided to do a mini Maternity shoot of her and her daughter. How sweet is that? I am so excited for my elementary school friend, Erica Cruz, oops I mean, Erica Moreno. Congratulations to your precious growing family. Oh and your daughter, what a cutie pa-to-tee!
Love her baby bump!
These girls are definitely “Pretty in Pink” 
Hearts are perfect for a ‘lil Valentine love.
Erica, you are gorge!
Elianna is going to be a perfect big sister!
Her beautiful personality and looks are glowing.
So adorable.
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Breathtaking