Lilianna - Sweet & Petite - { Portland OR}

How beautiful are these two? Lene and her spunky little peanut of a girl, Lilianna, allowed me to hang out for a morning and capture the precious interactions of mother and daughter. And what a lovely morning it was!

Thanks Lene!

Donovan - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! {Lan Su Chinese Garden, Portland, OR}

Cutie Donovan's mom and I have been planning their family session for quite some time. Originally, Megan had her heart set on the Lan Su Chinese Garden, but we quickly moved away from the idea upon learning that the space doesn't allow portraits to be taken during regular hours. We made some alternate plans, but ultimately, didn't carry them through, because Megan could only really see their portraits being taken at the Chinese Gardens. Once I saw the space, I understood! The day of, despite the fact that I'm a huge rule follower, we decided to take a risk and shoot at Lan Su anyway, and just try to be discreet. I'm so glad we followed through! The Gardens are incredibly beautiful and it was a perfect setting.

Donovan is a fun, active, super handsome kid, and the whole family is quick to laugh, affectionate and natural in front of the camera. They brought some Happy New Years hats, and Mistletoe to ambush their little dude with kisses.

Thanks Derek, Megan and Donovan, so glad we broke the rules and went for it!

Kai - Wild at the Zoo {Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR}

Kai and his parents, Ivan and Siri, met me at the Great Northwest Exhibit at the Oregon Zoo. This particular section of the zoo is my favorite, with winding paths through a forested segment of the zoo property.

Kai was an adorable subject (as were his sweet parents!), with a big and frequent smile, if only I could get him to stop moving! This kiddo is on the GO! I was under the delusion that his parents could set him on a step or foot path, and I'd be able to get a few snaps in before he got up and ran. Nope. Not even. He was very fun to chase though, and he really had an enormous grin every time he was on the move, so it all worked out!

Thanks Siri and Ivan, for letting me capture your fabulous little man!

Baby Noah - A Visit - {Jamison Square, Portland. OR}

Adorable baby Noah, along with his parents, Matt and Molly, were in town for Thanksgiving to visit family and friends. Matt's sister (Stephanie), and I have been friends for many years, so I remember Matt from when he was a high-schooler. Fast forward, and wow, is it different to see Matt as a dad!

Noah is a beautiful, happy baby, thanks, I'm sure in part, to Matt. He's one of the most attentive... concerned dads I've ever encountered. Molly, Stephanie and I had a good laugh watching him fuss over Noah, making sure his cheeks weren't cold, his nose wasn't running, and swaddling him in a blanket every 10 snaps of the camera. It really was cute to watch. Matt's a super good dad.

I was also able to capture Noah with his cousins, Tyler and Sawyer, and he was all smiles for big cousin Tyler. It was really cute to watch them interact!

Thanks, Molly and Matt, for letting me capture your cute little man! He's just a doll!

Henry, Olive & Kate -Scientifically Proven Cuteness {OMSI, Portland, OR}

Once again, I had the privilege of meeting up with Henry and his twin sisters, Kate and Olive. I love capturing these beautiful siblings!

Our session took place inside the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and it seemed to be a really perfect location for these kiddos. Big brother Henry was especially mesmerized by all the science. I came ready with tons of bribery candy, remembering that last time we shot, the children ran in three separate directions the entire session. What a difference six months makes! All three were incredibly cooperative and smiley. These are truly happy children, and I think their joy shines in these portraits.

Henry, Olive and Kate, I hope we can do it again! It is my great joy to photograph each of you!

Baby Trent - Bittersweet {Seattle, WA}

Remember this little baby? Here he is at 6 months. Crazy how time flies. These were taken a few months ago, and this kid is already walking. He is so amazing.

Trent belongs to my beloved best friend, and these were taken on a hot, bright, bittersweet day in September when we bid goodbye, as she prepared to move her family across the country. I was honored to take these before they left, but I've also been taking my sweet time with them, knowing its will be a long while before I get to see or photograph Trent again.

Amy, Jedd, and Trent, I miss you guys so much already! Blessings in your new adventures, but don't forget to come home to those who love you when you're through!

Gage - Class of 2012 {Portland Waterfront}

Ah, Gage.

Super handsome kid, polite, laid back, affable, brought a gorgeous entourage along, consisting of his girlfriend and Auntie. We had a fun morning session, walking the waterfront near OMSI, and then setting up in a nearby Alley. I love when a client is up for anything, and Gage was. At one point, I think I asked him to sit on a dumpster!

Thanks Gage, for being the perfect senior subject!

Owen - Crazy Energy, Crazy Photogenic {George Rogers Park, Lake Oswego,OR}

Talk about photogenic! This child is so photogenic, even when he's giving his craziest face, he takes a fabulous photo. I loved getting to capture him and all of his crazy. Owen's mom, Amy, picked an absolutely gorgeous spot in George Rogers park. I hadn't been there before, but I will definitely be returning.

Owen has an amazing bond with his parents, and his close relationship with his dad, in particular, was evident on this day. Owen is definitely his Dad's mini-me. When he wasn't wrestling with his dad, he chased the ducks and vascillated between sweet cuddles with his pretty mama, and then in typical little boy fashion, taking running jumps into her arms.

Thanks, Amy and Mark, for a high energy evening! I loved every minute of it!

Shane - Class of 2012 {Portland Waterfront}

I met up with Shane on a bright sunny afternoon on the Portland Waterfront near OMSI. The first thing I noticed about Shane was his pretty hazel eyes. The sun was really bright by the time we began our shoot, and Shane mentioned that he was practically a vampire, spending much time gaming. The sun was really bothering those hazel eyes! For that reason, we moved away from the water and spent most of our session in a nearby shaded alley way with railroad tracks and a colorful mural. Shane was really taken with the mural, and I as thrilled to photograph him in front of it.

Thanks Shane, for such a fun session! I hope you love your photos!