This sweet family trusted me to take their family photos for the first time AND trusted I’d get them great images in the 20 minute mini session time frame. :) Makes my job easy when I’m photographing 4 of the most adorable daughters ever! It was loads of fun, and I feel so blessed this family came my way (through other awesome HJP families). The photo of the sisters between the bushes with the creamy golden lighting is my fave. I love my job!
While brainstorming locations, this mama let me know she wanted a rustic, rural looking location. Off to the old abandoned orchard we went! This family hit it out of the park with their outfit selection, reflecting their surroundings through mixes of pattern in muted tones, layers, boots, and soft textures. While chatting about their style selection with the client towards the end, she mentioned her love of the HGTV show “Fixer Uppers” with Chip & Joanna and how she drew inspiration from them–YES!!! Don’t you LOVE them? Ahhh, to live on farmland in an adorable farmhouse, redesigning and fixing up old homes. The only thing I’d change is I’d be photographing every minute of that sweet life.
ANYWAY, I had the privilege of photographing the P family in October for the second year in a row. So glad they’re part of the HJP family. :)
I love families. I love spending afternoons with families. We play and run around and I bark out orders (nicely, hehehe) and they listen, and we have a blast. This particular little family are sweet friends of mine, so we naturally had a great time the afternoon of their session. I loved getting their son Wyatt to crack up by OF COURSE talking about farts. Of course. HA! Can you see why he’s friends with my son Jake?! I love boys for that reason, though. It never fails–get them running around, find a fun stick with them, or talk about poop/farts/all things gross, and bam. Classic images that will be cherished forevaaaah.
My friends and I love to chat. And chat and chat and chat. We love our kiddos, but they cramp our chatting style. We get caught up on each others’ lives via group texts and weekly park meet ups, but we needed a guaranteed girlfriend time, time to wear that new shirt we just bought, time to chat each others’ ears off, time to EAT. So, last year, Supper Club was born.
The first Thursday of each month is sacred–you clear your schedule, hire babysitters, beg the husband to be home on time. It’s Supper Club time. We’ve enjoyed jaunting around the OC and Long Beach area meeting up at tried and true favorite restaurants, as well as trying some new places. It doesn’t have to be fancy–last summer’s August Supper Club was at Fred’s in Huntington to satiate our love of their queso dip & margaritas (and ocean view). But September’s Supper Club hit it out of the culinary park with dinner at Nick’s on 2nd…oh my yum. Blackberry mojito, anyone?! I love my Supper Club time with besties, but I also love trying new restaurants I can bring the hubby back to for date night. When I’m perusing a restaurant’s menu, I’m always looking to see what he might want order if I came back with him.
I thought it would be fun to lug my big camera to Supper Club (when I remember to…sometimes I’m RUNNING out the door to leave. Can ya feel me?) and then feature it here on the blog. This January’s Supper Club was at Silver Trumpet. So I miiiiiight have seen the ladies from The Real Housewives of Orange County meet there and it miiiiiight have made me want to try it. No matter the silly reason behind it, I’m glad we put it on January’s calendar.
The menu had phenomenal choices, full of locally grown, fresh options.
I debated between the carmelized pork chop and grass-fed New York steak, and ended up choosing the steak. Done to perfection and seasoned just the way I liked it. I devoured the parmesan gratin potatoes and sauteed kale. So good. My friends loved their filet and roasted chicken with sides like sweet potato puree, garlic mashed potatoes, and wild mushroom ragu.
I am not a food blogger. I am not a food snob, either, really. As a chef’s daughter, I know what I like, enjoy trying new things, and appreciate good food. If you’re a sophisticated foodie, go ahead and laugh at my “review” of Silver Trumpet. I’m laughing right with ya. ;) But hopefully, I’m inspiring you to start your own Supper Club (you guys…it’s good for the soul), OR put a new restaurant on your date night rotation.
Bon appetit, friends!
Things I’m loving right now (with links).
1. These gray Tom’s suede booties. So comfortable, my feet beg me to wear them.
2. This West Elm throw my dear friend Jill gifted me.
3. The matching boardshorts D & J got for Christmas.
4. Putting YL’s Thieves on my feet each day and diffusing like crazy because I just don’t have the time to get sick.
5. As I re-work and redecorate the girls’ room, I dream of creating a functional closet like this one.
6. These darling clogs would be oh-so-dreamy to add to my girls’ wardrobe.
I hadn’t seen this cute little family in a while…since last year’s Valentine’s Day mini sessions, in fact! Since then, the little guy became a big brother and they’re now a sweet little family of four! I opened limited dates for fall family mini sessions, and they snagged a spot right away for the beach sessions. They came happy and ready to party, since these mini sessions move quickly. I loved their style, smiles, and I lovvvvve photographing brothers. The cutest!
It’s never too early to discuss the day of love!! Valentine’s Day Mini Sessions were announced to my newsletter subscribers yesterday (sign up super easily here), and I am SO EXCITED to see their kids’ cute faces!! The 2015 Valentine’s Day Minis sessions are going to be fabulous. I am offering several options as well as dates, times, and locations to make your mini session a one-of-a-kind experience. The times crossed out have already been secured.
This adorable little pop up tent will have some finishing Valentine touches, as well as a couple of other little Valentine props. However, your sweet kiddos will be the star[s] of the show!
All of the sessions will last 20 minutes, and there is a $50 deposit required to hold your time slot, payable via PayPal. There are three options available to suit your needs. The “sweet” collection offers 5 images (sent via download link). The “love” collection offers 6 images (via download link), and a set of 30 customized 2.5″x3.5″ photo Valentines (wallet-sized!). Perfect for easily attaching to a little treat for your kid’s friends, classmates, or to send to family! Here are some samples from last year:
And finally, the “Be Mine” collection offers 6 images, a 3×3 mini accordion album with photos from your session, [2] 5×7″ professional prints, and [2] sets of 30 customized 2.5″x3.5″ photo Valentines. I can’t wait to decorate for love day with prints and set out my mini accordion album from last year’s Valentine’s Day mini session!
Extra images may be purchased for $10/image, and if you need more than 30 valentines they can be purchased for $5/set of 8.
Dates/Locations
January 18th in San Juan Capistrano | 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:25
January 25th in Seal Beach | 9:30, 10:00, 10:30
January 25th in Huntington Beach | 3:30, 4:00, 4:25
Email with your preferred date and time. $50 Paypal invoices will be sent and payment will secure your spot. Remaining balance is due 1 week prior to the session.
Can’t WAIT to see your cuties rocking their mini sessions!
Beautiful family on a gorgeous afternoon in Laguna Beach…what more could I ask for? This is now by far my favorite beach location for sessions, whether it be maternity, family, children, you name it. I have tried and true other fave spots as well, but when my clients ask for a beach session, this is always my first suggestion. Thank you, Hartwells, for joining the HJP family this fall!
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