dec 6: a month of charitable giving -- drivetoendhunger.org | sf bay area photographer

every year glamour magazine does the 31 days of giving, and this year, we are stealing some of their ideas.  like today's donation, to the drive to end hunger. this is an aarp organization that helps seniors to make sure they don't go hungry.  according to their website, "Nearly 9 million Americans 50+ are at risk for hunger every day – a staggering 79 percent increase in just 10 years." with only a few dollars donation, you can help end hunger for struggling seniors in this country.

and today's family shoot is from balboa park, one of our favorite places ever.  it only took a little coaxing to get the little one smiling and posing, and then we couldn't get her to stop :) love how everyone has their own personality in these photos...just adorable!

happy holidays,

dani + james

dec 3: a month of charitable giving -- USO | sf bay area photographer

as many of you know, james is a former marine, so military-focused charities have a special place in our hearts.  for years, we have been donating to the USO, which provides care packages, entertainment and support to our troops overseas. 

it is amazing how little you can donate and still make a tremendous difference in the lives of the soliders who are away from their families for months at a time.  from phone cards to magazines to basic toiletries to snack foods, the USO provides it all.  and if you want to get more involved, you can volunteer with the USO and provide much needed help welcoming our soldiers back home or assisting in putting together care packages.  you can also check out their facebook page here.

for today's holiday photo, we are sharing a session from balboa park in san diego, one of our favorite locations EVER.  this little guy is so personable, and loves to rock it out with the camera.  thanks holden for being such a little rockstar!

happy holidays,

dani & james

san diego portrait photographer | holiday photos: garrett and darien

its always fun to see good friends in the midst of all the holiday chaos, and especially nice when the kids are as cute as these guys.  always smiling, and always up for a lot of fun, darien and garrett are pros at holiday photos.

holiday photos: tara and mike | san diego portrait photographer

switching it up a bit, because i love, love, love this holiday portrait / pre-engagement (j/k mike, no rush) session.  after meeting at the prado for a quick drink, it was picture time at our fave places around balboa park. i know, there is a theme in our holiday photos this year, but we just can't get enough of this place, maybe because we moved. now about the gorgeous couple, tara and mike wanted some holiday photos they could share with their friends and family, but we couldn't resist making this like a mini-engagement shoot, just to get some practice in :)  tara looked absolutely stunning, i think i could have shot her all day.  and mike is just naturally handsome and super photogenic. put the 2 of these guys together and all i can say is WOW!!! here are some of my faves from the session.

holiday photos: schramm family | san diego family photographer

another set of adorable kiddos, and a gorgeous mom and dad to boot, how can i not love doing holiday photos? these were taken at balboa park, alcazar garden

san diego family photographer | holiday photos: holden

we've taken enough family photos in the last couple weeks to put a new picture up on the blog everyday until new years. so that is what i am going to try to do. first up, holden, with his mom, dad and dog along for the ride. is he not the most adorable little guy? and he likes to dance, even better!

engaged! lisa and tim | san diego wedding photographer

after a wonderful weekend spent in new york, enjoying the almost spring-like weather, i thought it would be great to share a fantastic engagement session we did last year. we can't wait for the wedding this summer back in san diego!

oh balboa park, i do love thee. especially when we have such an amazingly adorable couple as lisa and tim. what could make me love this couple even more? well the fact that lisa is a fabulous make-up artist for bobbi brown cosmetics, one of my favorite make-up lines! love, love, love that she wore the perfect makeup for her engagement session, and i can't wait to see the wedding look.

one of my favorite buildings in the park

so sexy and romantic, love the arches...

after balboa park we headed over to tidelands park, where there is a fabulous view of the coronado bridge and some very cool little boats...

we ended at ferry landing park, with a gorgeous sunset and view of downtown...

we can't wait for july!

viviana -- then and now

look at this little diva! we met viviana as a tiny little newborn, 6 months ago, and then saw her again for some sassy holiday photos.

engaged! robyn and jesse

happy monday to everyone. today we are sharing the super-fabulous engagement session of robyn and jesse. after a couple drinks at the prado, we walked around balboa park for some nice romantic images. then it was over to coronado for a gorgeous view of the city and finally over to hotel del for a chance sunset. here are our faves from the shoot...