Two moms, Two sets of sisters, and three cousins...

Riddle of the day. When do two moms, two sisters, and three cousins equal a total of five people? When the set of sisters happen to be moms, and one of them has two daughters.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing five...count 'em five lovely ladies! Theresa and Karen are sisters and wanted to get some portraits to celebrate the bonds they share as both sisters and mothers. Theresa is mom to one-year old miss Sayla. Her sister, Karen, is mom to two little girls - Hannah, five, and Makayla, also one. All together, these ladies were a ball of energy and just a beautiful family who very clearly love each other to pieces. They picked the gorgeous setting of Coronado beach as their backdrop and it was the perfect day for a beach session, let me tell you. The sun was shining beautifully and the ladies were working it for the camera.




America's Next Top Model? I say yes because Hannah is a doll!


Sayla had a blast during her very first beach visit. What was supposed to be a dip turned into a full soaking when she took a little spill. But she brushed it off and went right back in. Look at this sweet, adorable face!


Little Makayla was none too happy about being at the beach and liked to hide her face. But when she did open up, look at the gorgeous peepers she boasted!




You gotta love a mom who is willing to just jump right in there and get soaked for the shot!




Theresa and Karen, I had so much fun playing in the sand, splashing in the pacific, finding crabs under rocks, and photographing you and your beautiful girls.

Olivia at home...

You may remember this beautiful family from their maternity/family session just two weeks ago.  Well, Karina had baby Olivia last Sunday and yesterday I got to spend the morning photographing this new, lovely family of 4.  Olivia is just as beautiful as big sister Sienna and also just as sweet.  So instead of my usual long-winded ramblings, I'm going to just jump right in and show you just how beautiful this entire family is.

Sweet feet

Miss Olivia

Karina, Sienna, and Olivia share a moment.

And of course, Doug and all of his girls :)

And finally...one of my new favorite portraits ever!

Karina and Doug, thank you for welcoming me into your home (which I LOVE by the way) and  letting me capture such a special time in your lives.  Congratulations to you both, and to big sister Sienna.  

Erin, Jesse, Norah, and Peter Rabbit

Yesterday afternoon, the weather was beautiful - sun shining, temperature nice and warm.  Yesterday evening, the skies decided to stick their tongue out at me, crank the cold wind up and hid the sun behind a mass of clouds.  Still, I met up with yet another gorgeous family and we decided to ride it out and see what we could make of the session.  Erin and Jesse are parents to Norah and have a little boy on the way, who they've taken to calling Peter Rabbit.  :)  Can I just say I am SO glad that we decided to go for it?!  Immediately after each session, I always do an initial run through and make a list of the photos I know I want to use.  Going through their images I was stoked - by the time I finished the initial list, I had more than double the amount I normally have.  TONS of great images to use...but then it helps a lot when you have a family as beautiful as this one.

Here are your sneak peeks!

They say a photo is worth a thousand words.  But sometimes all you really need is one, and this one, I'd have to say, screams "joy".

I just love how Jesse is looking at Erin in this one.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking.  I get the most beautiful clients, don't I?  Take a look at Erin working.  it.  out!!!

Erin, Jesse, and Norah - I had a great time photographing your growing family yesterday.  Even had fun helping miss Norah find seahorses, seashells, rollie pollies, and ants!  Looking forward to meeting your "Peter Rabbit" this summer!

Worth the bugs...

I had an amazing shoot with one fantastic couple today.  Allison and Marc are expecting twins in about six weeks (though you could never tell just by looking at her cute, perfect little baby bump) and wanted to document this special time in all their lives.  Along for the shoot were many, many, many little bugs...but we still got many, many, many fantastic shots!  

Anyway, these two (or should I say four?) were the perfect subjects; both so sweet, funny, and came ready to try anything.  It's also very clear that these babies are going to be gorgeous - just look at their parents!  va-va-voom :)

Allison and Marc, thanks for letting me capture this time for you guys.  I had such a great time photographing you and I cannot wait to meet your little boy and girl!  Hope you enjoy your teaser shots...emphasis on teaser ;)

Sneak Peek for Marlena and "Saxby"

So it's been a crazy busy weekend and I haven't had much time for sleep (hence the 1:00am posting), let alone finding time to edit and blog. I normally try to have a sneak peek up for my clients on the same day of the shoot, but as you all know, sometimes things just come up. Anyway, let me just get to this beautiful new mama.

First let me just say, this mama-to-be gets cool points for choosing one of the coolest in-utero nicknames I've ever heard. They're calling this little guy Saxby and I love it. ;) I loved this shoot for a couple of reasons. First, Marlena was great to work with; up for just about anything, had a perfectly round, smooth belly, and she's one of the nicest people I've ever met. Second, I had never been to the Cabrillo National Monument and boy am I glad we picked this place - it is absofrickenlutely gorgeous! If you haven't been, I highly suggest you go. You will be awed.

Marlena, it was such a pleasure to meet and photograph both you and Saxby. Can't wait to meet your little guy!

And finally, what is probably one of my most favorite images ever...

Sneak peek for the E family!

Ace and Marie are an awesome couple who are grounded, fun to talk to, and so great with their almost 4-month old son, Bruce. Marie and I actually go back quite a few years as we went to high school together, and her younger sister is one of my dearest friends. So when she contacted me about photographing her family, I was beyond excited and honored that they would trust me to document this moment in time for them.

We started off in good ol' Balboa Park. It was a tad too cold so we had to opt for a location change mid-session, but we were able to get some great shots at both spots. Such a sweet family together - you could tell right away that there is A LOT of love here. And Bruce is just the cutest little guy; I was almost too distracted to photograph because I just wanted to play with him! :)

Anyway, I'm starting to ramble. {sorry} Let's go ahead and just get to the goods ;)

The boys

The star of the show...

Technically ALL kinds of wrong, but goodness, could she BE any more gorgeous?!

More of sweet Bruce

And finally, one of my faves thus far. I absolutely adore how they are looking so lovingly at their son.

Ace and Marie, I had such a great time with your family today. Oh - and my daughter thanks you for the strawberry shortcake ice cream bar ;)

Finalists...

...but first an apology. Things got a little crazy this weekend between Christmas shopping and throwing my hubby a birthday bash (pics to follow). So forgive me for being late updating the second half of the photo contest.

As for the contest, I received lots of inquiries about it, but alas, not many eligible entries. I was debating canceling it altogether since we didn't receive enough entries for five finalists, but I still feel like giving so you know what? Let's just go for it! :)
I did receive two from two gorgeous families, making me very glad the decision for the winner isn't mine! lol

So without further ado my friends, I give you our two finalists!

#1 - The M Family



#2 - The S Family

Remember, you're voting for which picture you like the most. All you have to do is hit the comment button below and indicate the number of the picture you're voting for.
Voting starts immediately. Only one vote per household, per day.
Winner (will definitely) be posted on Christmas morning!!!

So don't just sit there - go enter your vote. Then email your friends and family and have them vote, too!

Good luck to both the M family and the S family! :)

Sweet Flair...

...aka the Holiday Portrait Special!

With the summer soon coming to its close, it’s time to start thinking about your family's holiday portraits! And for the holiday season, Sweetface Photography is partnering with Photo Flair Designs to offer you a sweet deal on your holiday photo cards. Just book your photo session with Sweetface Photography between now and Thanksgiving and you're entitled to:

35 or more standard photo cards for only $0.90 each! {Regularly $1.25/ea}
or
15% off 50 or more press print cards {Regularly $1.80/ea}
and
Complimentary set of matching return address labels

This is a great deal and I can say from personal experience, that Photo Flair Designs offers both great product and customer service. I've used them for my daughter's birthday invitations two years in a row, and our family plans on using them for our holiday cards this year! You can view samples of their work here.

So don't wait a moment longer! Email me today to book your holiday session!

A *star* is born!!!

My niece has made her debut into this world! Stellina (Italian for "little star") is GORGEOUS!!! Mom and dad are both doing well.

Our family is blessed and happy...not to mention busy. So I've got to run, but I'll leave you with this sneak peek.





Of course...a ton of photos are forthcoming.

Take care!

Avery - A very special gift

I am so proud to introduce you all to my cousin Andrenise's newborn baby girl, Avery Nicole. This "little woman" was almost a week overdue...and apparently had a healthy supply of Wheaties in there because she came out 22 inches long and a whopping 11 pounds, 1 ounce! Yeah - I'll give you a minute to let you absorb that. Everyone joked that she gave birth to a toddler! lol

Anywho, we just so happen to be visiting my grandmother in Michigan, who is only a short drive away from my cousin. So we piled into the Caddy, tossed Edzra's directions to the side because Uncle Marvin had "his own way", and made the drive to meet miss Avery. It was actually a long, hot trip due to traffic; but all of our whining and complaining went out the door as soon as we laid our eyes on her. Avery is GORGEOUS! Killer cheeks, a head full of thick hair, and the cutest dimple on her chin.

So enough chatter, I know you only want to see this gorgeous little girl, so here ya go!

Avery snuggling her grandma

showing off her adorable dress

the look of love

daddy's in love...

that adorable dimple I told you about!

Congratulations Andrenise and Edzra! God has truly blessed you with an angel in Avery, and she with wonderful parents like you! We love you guys!

Summer fun in SD almost always involves water...

In prep for a shoot I have coming up soon, we took Beans and Geeg down to the local mall to play in the chalk garden and water spouts. It was a hot, sunny day, so it was a perfect way to not only test out the location, but also to cool off the girls and WEAR THEM OUT! ;)

Geeg was a little more hesistant to get in...but she still had a blast!

Afterward, we all had lunch in the food pavilion, where I managed to catch Beans' newest "face". I have no idea where she got this from...but she cracks me up! It is so fun being her mom.