happy mother's day

your arms were always open when I needed a hug. your heart understood when I needed a friend. your gentle eyes were stern when I needed a lesson. your strength and love has guided me and gave me wings to fly.  --sarah malin

a little gem of my mom and brother in the late 1970s...

 

happy mother's day to my mom and to all the moms who make the world wonderful!

family fun at old poway park | san diego family photographer

the last couple months have been pretty hectic around the bay area, so we have been on a bit of a hiatus from sharing pictures. but we're back and ready to share some more family fun.  first off, an absolutely gorgeous family from our holiday sessions in san diego.  these were taken at one of our favorite places, old poway park, which has a rustic vibe and some very cool old trains.

not your average pigs in a blanket

who doesn't love pigs in a blanket? they are the perfect anytime treat, and i look forward to the holidays every year in hopes that my mom will surprise me with some of these classic goodies. i love them so much we had them as apps at our wedding.  last year, for our first annual complex holiday party, we made some fresh ones and we were the hit of the party for sure.  this year, i am thinking of doing something a bit different, like one of these ideas, what do you think?

happy holidays! more cute holiday photos to come...

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

holiday photos: jackson | san diego family photographer

this little guy was such a pro at posing and smiling, he made my life super easy.  even better, he is so cute i couldn't stop taking pictures of him all around old poway park.  thanks jackson for being such a rockstar model, and thank you debbie for all the referrals, you are awesome!