Memorable Family Portraits

When I was fifteen years old I took my first photography class. I didn't know very much about the art of taking pictures, but I loved art and thought it would be a fun class. Over the course of the semester I began to develop my eye and after some time had passed, I decided to attempt my first portrait session. A friend agreed to pose for me under the new studio lights we had just received- and the end results exceeded my expectations. It was then that my love for portraiture began. Here are some family portraits that I feel really capture the spirit and emotion of the subjects.
Brother and sister in a candid moment on the beach.
Mother and daughter in a more formal session.
Sisters on the beach just before sunset.
Like mother like daughter.
Taken in the backyard. I love the soft feeling of love in their expressions.

The whole clan shot in overcast light just before the sun set.
Sisters and best friends in a wheat field.
This little girl wasn't too keen on sitting for the camera. I got this little smile before she decided it was time to wiggle out of her mother's arms.

Five full of love. What a gorgeous looking family. This was a last minute idea of mine. We threw a blanket down and this was the last shot of the day.

Lily of the Valley

Dark and gloomy skies were the forecast for the week with definite chances of dismal dreary rain. And that's just what we got for seven straight days. When Friday October twenty-second rolled around, the day of Liliana and Lee's wedding, I was prepared to bring an umbrella and pray that my lens didn't get too much water damage. But low and behold - a miracle happened. The sun came out - and it stayed out and turned the whole day into one spectacular event.
The photo shoot began around noon at the bride and groom's condo. Liliana, the bride, was already in the makeup chair and things seemed to be progressing according to the schedule. Her best friend Lori was there helping her get ready as well as her mother who knew a thing or two about hooking the back of a wedding dress.
I wanted to make sure to take some detail shots of the Cinderella shoes and the magic rings, so I put the two together. I enhanced the color a bit using an action from Kevin Kubota's Image Tools called Fashion Passion. I brought down the Opacity to give it just a little zing. I like the edgy look this action gives to photos.
This is one of my favorite images of the day. It truly was a miracle that the rain stopped and the sun came out. This is painted on the walls of Liliana's bedroom and really just encapsulates the energy of the entire day.

The wedding itself was held in La Jolla on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean at a place called The Wedding Bowl. You would never know it was there as you drive by, which makes it an ideal spot to tie the knot. This wall is just a few yards away and has amazing color and texture. I knew when I was location scouting that I wanted to shoot this image. It came out exactly like I had imagined.
After about a twenty minute long ceremony, Liliana and Lee were officially married. Lovely blue skies and puffy white clouds only enhanced the amazing location and I again was thankful to the powers that be for making their wedding a truly memorable day.
As I arrived at the Darlington House for the reception, I spotted Liliana and Lee with their first celebratory cocktail. Look at the joy on their faces. "We did it" "We did it".
I was really lucky to get the chance to document this couples special day. The love and respect they have for one another is wonderful to be around and I am happy that everything worked out exactly as they'd hoped. Congrats to Lili and Lee on their new lives together.