Closing Out 2025 & Welcoming 2026: A Year of Stories, Growth, and New Beginnings

As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been taking time to reflect on the moments, milestones, and people that made this year so meaningful. Photography has a unique way of freezing time—of turning everyday moments into lasting memories and this year was filled with exactly that.

From growing families and proud seniors to professionals stepping into new chapters of their careers, 2025 reminded me why I love what I do: telling real stories through authentic images.

Celebrating 2025: A Year of Meaningful Moments

This year was about connection.

Family sessions captured laughter, quiet cuddles, and the beautiful chaos that makes every family unique. Whether it was welcoming new babies, celebrating anniversaries, or simply documenting a season of life, these sessions were heartfelt reminders that time moves quickly and photos help us hold onto it.

Senior portraits were filled with excitement, confidence, and anticipation for what’s next. Watching seniors step in front of the camera, often a little nervous at first, and leave feeling empowered never gets old. These sessions weren’t just about graduation photos they were about celebrating individuality and growth.

Professional headshots told stories of ambition and evolution. Many of my clients were launching businesses, changing careers, or refining their personal brands. Helping people show up confidently and authentically in their professional images was one of the most rewarding parts of my year.

Gratitude for Every Client

To everyone who trusted me to capture their story this year, thank you. Your support, referrals, and kind words mean more than you know. Small creative businesses thrive because of relationships, and I’m deeply grateful for the community that continues to grow around my work.

Looking Ahead to 2026: Fresh Goals & New Energy

As we welcome 2026, I’m stepping into the new year with excitement and intention. My focus is on:

Creating even more personalized, stress-free photo experiences
Continuing to evolve creatively while staying true to a natural, timeless style
Helping clients feel confident, seen, and celebrated in front of the camera

Whether you’re planning a family session, a senior portrait experience, or updated professional headshots, 2026 is the perfect time to invest in images that reflect who you are right now.

An Invitation for the New Year

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s how valuable memories truly are. As we step into 2026, I invite you to document your next chapter—big or small. Let’s create images that feel real, meaningful, and lasting.

Here’s to a new year filled with growth, joy, and beautiful stories waiting to be told.

Happy New Year, and welcome 2026.

In a field, Pregnancy portraits, Studio photo session

Maternity Session: Laguna Canyon

People often ask me, “what do you do”? My standard response is that I am a portrait photographer. That typically leads to what kind of photographer are you? Do you photograph weddings, or families or something along those lines. I tell them, while my passion is definitely kids and their families, I love photographing all people. Take the beautiful Brittany for example. We met many years ago when she hired me to shoot her wedding. The great thing about Andy and Brittany’s wedding, was that I had a lot of advance notice. We spent time planning out a fun engagement session (still one of my all time favorites) and then by the time the wedding rolled around, we were old friends.

You may think the actual wedding was the end of this story, but we continued to keep in touch. I told her if she ever got pregnant, I would love to gift her a maternity session. Soon I got the call that Brittany and Andy were expecting their first baby and Brittany wanted to incorporate vintage airplanes into a photography session. The best part was that she scouted the location, got the permits to me and got the session all set up.

That brings me to today. Brittany became a makeup artist and has been working with Blue Sky’s for over a year providing beautiful “Model for A Day” sessions, wedding makeup and makeup for my family clients. Her sweet, warm personality is a perfect addition to our Blue Sky’s staff family. And as many of you already know, she is expecting baby number two and I am so fortunate to get to photograph this beauty once again.

For this session we decided to create images of her alone that were more glamorous, but we didn’t forget to include the boys as well! Here is the sneak peak at the session. Enjoy!

Pregnancy portraits

From Wedding to Maternity: Laguna Beach pregnancy Portraits

One of my favorite things about photographing people is creating life time relationships with each family or bride and groom that I photograph. Over the years we share funny stories, and I get to witness their personal stories unfold. In a small way, I feel like I am a part of their family. And lucky for me, my family keeps growing.

That is why I was over the moon thrilled to get the call from Jessica and Anthony that they were finally expecting their first child. I knew how much they wanted to bring a child into this world, and it was worth the wait. Jessica showed up at my studio and put herself into Deseree’s capable hands. Because we knew each other so well from her wedding day, Jessica said I trust whatever you two put together and I know the portraits will be beautiful. As I told Anthony, you get to be the loving prop.. and he did not disappoint.

Since the gender of their baby is going to be a big surprise, we just decide to go really natural and beautiful with the color scheme. I can’t wait to meet baby Lee in just a few weeks. Big hugs to both of these wonderful people! Enjoy!

Pregnancy portraits

Laguna Beach Pregnancy Photography: The Norton’s new addition!

Nothing better in my world than getting to know a beautiful couple during their wedding planning, becoming friends on the wedding day and photographing their first baby on the way! Really guys, I want to stick with you for life! When there are vintage airplanes involved…even better.

Since the nursery has an airplane theme, Brittney was on the hunt for a perfect location for our maternity session. She did all the scouting, made sure I took care of the permit and basically made it so easy for me, I am ready to hire her! :) The fact that she is beautiful, and Andrew is pretty great, made it that much easier to capture these stunning images! Just a sneak preview!

In a field, In home, Pregnancy portraits

Ladera Ranch Maternity Session: Beautiful Sarah!

Living in sunny So Cal we rarely get what can be classified as “Weather”! But every once in a while, we are lucky enough to get some WILD hail, rain, lightning, snow…. whatever! On our last big “Weather” day, I was lucky enough to have a session booked for beautiful Sarah in her home. (btw… my new obsession is, “in home”, editorial style photography. I love how my client’s homes help tell the story of their family.)

Sarah’s story begins with being married nearly 10 years! So what a life changer to have a new baby boy on the way! His nursery is so darn cute, I thought it had to be the star of a least a large part of the photography session! But because Sarah was game, we started in the hills surrounding her home. The backdrop was stormy rain clouds, but with sun shining! So crazy.

Fortunately, we got some amazing shots outside and quickly headed back into her house. As soon as we got settled in her bedroom, the hail started. Seriously, in Southern California… so strange, but beautiful as well.

I am excited to continue Sarah’s story when the baby arrives. Thanks so much Sarah and ENJOY!