& baby makes 3

It was the night after our annual softball game. Usually both Sean and Van play the part of umpires, but in 2011 it was just Sean while Van watched on. We gathered after the game at their house for our celebration, where "awards" were handed out: the best player, the one who dropped the most balls, funniest play of the day, etc.  And then a final award (a Baby Ruth candy bar) was presented to Van for the best reason for NOT participating in the annual softball game. The group of us were momentarily puzzled. Then Sean turned up the song he'd cued on the radio: "She's having my baby..."

And the room exploded into celebratory noise and commotion as we all rushed to the two of them with congratulatory hugs and squeals of joy.

Surrounded by friends and family, this couple made it through the pregnancy and was presented with the greatest gift of all... baby Ethan.

We could not stop laughing as this next picture was taken. I think Ethan might have been born a rockstar, because he struck the perfect little guitarrist pose and then held it for the longest time.

I smile to see the three of them together as a loving family unit, and look forward to getting to know Ethan even better in the years that follow.

CLICK HERE to see even more from their session.

boy and girl

During the family portrait session, Jen's parents had taken their granddaughter a short distance away, leaving just Jeff + Jen left standing on the shore. And I could have watched them for hours.

Jen + Jeff... Jeff + Jen.

Suddenly, it was as if they were in their own little world. Relaxed & comfortable in one another's presence. Sharing looks, gestures and touches that were probably so familiar to one another.  The way her body curved towards his. And the way his hand reached towards her in response. It was magical.

And they probably had no idea they were doing any of that.

I have to admit, I fell in love with that moment a little bit. I love getting the opportunity to celebrate the couple within the family, and to see their relationship unfold before my eyes. To be able to see that they are not just mom and dad, but husband and wife...

and still just a boy and a girl.

Sean, Colleen & Ethan (Orange County Family Portraits)

A friend was kind enough to lend us the backyard of her Pelican Hill home for Colleen's family portrait session... and I was in heaven. It was such a fun little playground for us all: outdoor fireplace, lush lawns, desert scape, and even a view of the ocean. But when it came down to it, the setting didn't even matter. Because these are more than just pretty pictures... these are family portraits. We laughed, we played, and they allowed me to see a glimpse of the REAL connections between them all... and that beauty outshines the scenery any day.

I wanted to be sure and capture a few solo pictures of Ethan, so we headed off on our own for a few minutes. This seems to work every time (especially for kids around this age)... while in front of their parents they might be cracking jokes and making all kinds of crazy faces, but separate the kiddos from the crowd and there's no longer that need to "perform." Ethan and I were able to hang out for a few minutes away from Colleen & Sean, and I even let Ethan pick the spot he wanted to use for his pictures. (I've found that if I let kids have a bit of control within the situation, they are that much more cooperative with the rest of the session.) He loved those crazy-looking plants on the right, so I was sure to capture a shot or two there for him.

Next up, it was Sean & Colleen's turn. Because even though this was a "family shoot," the relationship between Sean and Colleen should be celebrated separately, as well. And knowing that if I even mentioned the word "kiss" around Ethan he'd start making gagging sounds, I set him up on a table nearby with some paper and markers so that he would have a project to focus on, and he dove right in with creating a Christmas Card. This guaranteed me the necessary  "alone time" with the adults.

Curling up together in one of the cozy pod chairs, Sean and Colleen were granted a little space and time to be with just each other. With John Mayer crooning in the background and the sun starting to set, it was definitely a wonderful moment. I offered minimal directions here & there and just let the two of them be. Their personalities and connection unfurled before me, and I was happy to have been able to capture this for them.

With the kisses done for the moment, it was safe for Ethan to join them once more for a few final family shots.

If you'd like to see even more from their session, click here for a video slideshow of their session.

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While I'm not holding any more photo sessions this year, you can book your 2012 session before the end of 2011 and get this year's fantastic rates. And because I'm feeling uber-generous, you'll also get a bonus 10"x20" storyboard print! Just contact me at michelle@thesuitcasestudio.com to let me know you're ready to save your date.

JP, Angie & Gavin (2011 holiday mini-session)

Angie was a bit tentative. She was worried that 21-month old Gavin might be uncooperative and wasn't sure if they'd be able to get nice family portraits. I mean, let's face it... aren't all kids at that age uncooperative at the best of times? It's the start of the independent phase, when holding them turns into a struggle and they love to test the speed of their run (usually as they run away from you). And heaven forbid you ask them to sit in one spot for more than a few seconds. Whew! So, given this, I could understand her initial hesitation.

But I just smiled and told her not to worry.

Why? Because I operate a bit differently than other photographers. And because my sessions aren't rigidly structured, it allows room for all the personalities in play... even the huge ones in teeny tiny packages.

Angie decided to give it a go, and signed her family up for a holiday mini-session. And I was more than thrilled.

We wandered. We played. Gavin ran down the pathway and found a stick to play with. There was a game of hide-and-seek behind a tree. There was lots of leaf-throwing and bubble blowing. And lots and lots of smiles from everyone, little Gavin included.

Here are a few of my favorites from the morning:

Click here to see even more images from their mini-session.

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Interested in a session of your own, even if you don't have time left this year for one? Not to worry: gift cards are available, and they make perfect stocking stuffers for your loved ones (or even yourself). Just click here to purchase.

the Lewis Family (Orange County Family Portraits)

The Orange Circle is a fabulous place for photos. With all the amazing textured walls and doorways, you could walk around the area and stop every 5 feet to take picture after picture. But I love it even more when the backgrounds cease to matter, and the photos become more about the PEOPLE in the pictures. Meet Pia, Brandon and little Branson. Pia and Brandon met one another while attending Chapman University right down the street. So the Orange Circle is a bit of a favorite spot for them. (And I LOVE when people celebrate their favorites!) We met, we wandered, we played! And little Branson was so enamored with all the sights and sounds, and it looks like this area will quickly become a favorite place of his, as well.

Here are a few images from the afternoon that made me smile:

Click here to see even more from their session.

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Want to PLAY with a session of your own? Click here to learn more about the different sessions I currently offer.

the real focus

This is an image of my husband and our youngest nephew.

I love this picture.

Now, this is not an image I  would showcase on my website's gallery or use in any marketing materials to showcase my best work. And most photographers would never let something like this ever see the light of day at all. Why? Because this is NOT a "technically correct" image by any stretch of the imagination. As you can see, most of the important pieces of the image are completely out of focus... which is the opposite of how an image SHOULD technically appear.

But... I still LOVE this picture.

Why?

Because it tells the story of that moment. It might not speak to anyone else, but it speaks directly to me. Even though none of these cues are visible in that image, looking at that picture not only reminds me of where I was, who I was with and what was happening... but I am able to remember how I felt.

Unnecessary details: We were at the kids' school carnival that day, playing the roles of awesome aunt & uncle. We split up and took the older kids on the rides of their choice. I rode 3 spinning carnival rides in a row, and paid a hefty price for that choice later. (And knew that I'd do it all over again to see the smile that it brought to my niece's face.) When this picture was snapped, we were all standing around, chatting. My husband was carrying my nephew.

The important stuff: My husband and nephew were giggling at each other and making the cutest lovey-dovey faces. The faces that you make when you're with someone you really love. Pure, open and joyful.

I knew I wanted to remember it. So I lifted my camera and captured the moment. Simple as that. Was the image captured perfectly? Not at all. But if I had taken the time to mess with my camera settings, the moment would have passed me by.

So, I implore you all... don't forget the real focus of what your images should be... it's not always to have the perfect smiling portraits to hang on the wall or send out in holiday cards. It's to remember those wondrous moments of your everyday life. Because, as I always say... it's real life. It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.

So please pick up your cameras (and dust them off, if need be). Capture your moments, and don't beat yourself up if your pictures are coming out a little dark, a little cut-off or even a little fuzzy. You don't need to hang them all on the walls... you just need to remember them.

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Need a little help to capture some fabulous images? I've still got a spot or two open at my mini-sessions THIS SUNDAY, November 20th. Click here for details.

a different view {the Cardoza Family portrait session}

I looooove setting up portrait sessions that take place during sunset on the beach. Time it just right and you get such gorgeous pinks and oranges as the sun seems to sink into the water. But sometimes, Mother Nature doesn't seem to get the memo. Because it was foggy and grey the afternoon I met up with the Cardoza family. And I wasn't the only one who had been surprised by the fog. Besides myself, there were 7 other photographers crowding one little rocky area on the beach. Wowsers! This was only my second time shooting in this particular location, but I was a bit surprised at how popular this one spot was. Especially when I looked down the shoreline and saw that the rest of the area was completely vacant. Hmmmm...

Right then and there, I decided that we'd be doing things a little bit different. Why spend time fighting to fit in with the rest of the crowd when we could do things our own way, with much better results?

Yes, we were sure to snag a few images on the beach. But I had discovered in my early explorations  that there was a tiny park tucked neatly away right across the street. With a tunnel connecting it to the beach, a stone staircase leading to the street, plenty of open spaces and little tufts of wilderness... we carved out a beautiful location for ourselves. And the best part? We were the only ones there.  Let the others fight over a few rocks in the sand... we had plenty of lush greenery all to ourselves.

Because this is what happens when you look at something just a little bit differently than others might... you end up with something amazingly special and distinctly all your own.

Here are a few of my favorite images from the afternoon:

Click here to see even more from their session.

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Hyperventilating at the thought of the holidays sneaking up on you already? I've got just the thing to help: a mini-session. Just 15 minutes in front of the camera, and you'll walk away with holiday cards and maybe plenty of goodies to give as gifts. Click here to learn more & sign up.

Justin, Jenny & Diego {2011 Fall Mini-Session}

I was sooooo excited to see this family again. I'd taken pictures of them earlier this year, and was more than thrilled that they'd decided to book a mini-session with me (and honored beyond belief that they drove clear down from LA for the 15-minute session)! I couldn't believe how much little Diego had GROWN! Such a little man now. And what a beautiful smile! I had soooooo much fun with Justin & Jenny (as I knew I would). Here is a peek at some of my favorite moments captured...

click here to see even more from their session.

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