I was so excited when Kelly emailed me and asked me to photograph her maternity portraits while she and her hubby, Paul, were in town.  We met at the Mission Santa Ines, the most beautiful, natural setting and it was perfect.  It started raining when we were under cover and stopped when we were ready to go out in the courtyard garden.  Truly, perfect!  Click on the images below to view their picture perfect slide show.  {Kelly and Paul, Thank you for the moments and keep us posted on her birthday. XO}

*****************************************UPDATE***********************************************

Arisa Jane Mendricks arrived on May 15, 2010!! After a brief stay in NICU, baby girl Mendricks is home safe and sound with Mom and Dad. 

Congratulations Kelly and Paul and Welcome Beautiful Baby AJ!!!

Hosting my dear friend, Viana's Baby Shower was a wonderful time.  From speed bingo to dime dropping to yummy lemon cupcakes, everyone had fun! I even got to take some quick maternity photos of Viana the day before, which turned out so pretty.  I printed out a few 8x10s and they served great for bingo round awards!  Click on the images below to view the fun slide show ~ XOXO ~ I'll be there in April to welcome baby boy Cuellar!

Katie, cousin to my bride Lori, was only going to be in town for a week, visiting from her hometown in Oregon, where her husband had no idea what we were up to.  Sam is in for a BIG surprise!  I can't wait to hear about his reaction to your goregous photos. Glad to hear you and baby girl arrived home safe and keep me posted on the birth day! xo

One of my favorite things about my career is that I am continually honored to be a part of the lives of my clients.  From baptisms to births to weddings to babies, I get to keep making photographs of these amazing life milestones.  It was so fun visiting with Amy & Stuart at the Santa Barbara harbor and witnessing their excitement for their newest adventure to come. Thanks again Amy & Stu for the fun jet ski ride!! {HIGHLY RECOMENDED! Santa Barbara Jet Boats} Keep us posted on the birth day! 

My sister Marisa is in her third trimester and due on 9-9-09.  This week I got to see her for the first time since March and naturally, I cried when I first saw her.  I think pregnancy is incredible and the most trauma a woman's body will ever go through and yet look so beautiful the entire time.  Marisa is a nurse practitioner so she is fully knowledgable of just about everything to do with childbirth. As she and I practiced laying low in their RV while the rest of the crew tore up the Oceano Dunes in JC's sandrail, we watched two baby delivery shows, read up on Ina May's Farm and looked at all sorts of crowning photos.  Let's just say, I got my fill.  I am so excited to be there for the birth of my niece and capture it all on film .... well, we'll see. :)    

"Her children rise up and bless her;
her husband also,
and he praises her,
saying:
'Many daughters
have done nobly,
but you excel them all.'"
Proverbs 31:25-30