Sneak Peek for L family {San Ramon Family Photographer}

The L family girls are seasoned pros! I've been photographing them since baby C was 3 months old and now she's 3 years old already. She wanted to show me what a good helper she was by carrying all of their coats from the park to the parking lot. She kept looking back at me to make sure I was watching - so cute! By the end of the session, all the girls were saying, "take a picture of me doing this!" That jumping picture above? It was all their idea!

Sneak Peek for Y Family {Fremont Family Photographer}

It's almost Halloween but here at JMP, we're ready for Christmas. The Y family came out completely decked out with santa hats - even baby A and he actually kept it on! What a great idea to do an extended family portrait for the holidays!

Sneak Peek for V Family {San Ramon Family Photographer}

I first photographed the V family 2 years ago and it was so fun to see them again! They suffered through the 85 degree heatwave we've been having without a complaint. The girls were so sweet and they totally rocked their black shiny boots - love them!  

Sneak Peek for L Family {Fremont Family Photographer}

Can't tell from the pictures, but the park was all set up for a Halloween pumpkin festival right before the L family arrived for their holiday session. One of the things I love about Shinn Park is that there are so many different areas that serve as beautiful backdrops for pictures, so we were able to avoid all the Halloween decor without a problem. There is also plenty of room for boys to run around and climb trees! I actually didn't have to do any running around with these 3 boys - they were really well behaved! Look at those smiles!

Sneak Peek for L Family {San Ramon Family Photographer}

Little *J* and I had so much fun exploring all the areas of Shinn Park. Even though it was a warm, sunny day we tried to envision Santa Claus, presents and hot chocolate and get in the holiday spirit. Maybe I need to bring a fake snow machine out next year? :)

Thanks L family for letting me capture your beautiful family!

Sneak Peek for F Family {San Ramon Family Photographer}

I've been photographing the F family for 3 years now and it's so fun to see how the kids change from year to  year. I wasn't sure what to expect with little *T* now that he's walking but he was so well behaved. At one point, I was trailing behind taking pictures and he stopped and turned back to make sure I was coming with them! Yes, he loves me that much and that's what I want to believe and I'm sticking to it! :) Miss *K* is such a natural beauty - the camera LOVES her.

What a great way to start out my holiday sessions this year!

Sneak Peek for Lee Family {Bay Area Family Photographer}

Trying to kiss mom without laughing

Love E's effortless jump - she looks so joyful!

Love.

K is ready to be a model!

Love this family portrait. I need to photoshop your dog into this!

Such a cutie!

I am SO thrilled to share a sneak peek for the Lee Family (I just realized I've shot 5 Lee Families so far!) We've had to reschedule their family session multiple times due to various reasons and I am so happy that we were able to meet this past Saturday. I was warned that the weather in Mountain House was cold and windy but by the time I arrived for our evening session, the winds had calmed down and the weather was absolutely perfect. The kids were so easy to photograph - all 5 of them! I put them through a lot of running and jumping and there were no complaints! (at least I didn't hear any) :) B&C, I am so blessed by your support and friendship. Thank you for your prayers and constant encouragement. You have a beautiful family - C, I hope I was able to make your dream come true!

Sneak Peek for Lee Family {Dublin Family Photographer}

I had the pleasure of spending a fun Saturday afternoon with the Lee family. Although it was windy and chilly, we braved the outdoors (yes, I think I've mentioned a few times how wimpy I am with the cold) and headed out to the Shannon Community Center and Park in Dublin. We were confined to a few areas due to a wedding being held there but everyone was so flexible and easy going that we were still able to get some great shots. Like many families, the Lee family didn't have many pictures of all 4 of them together. We focused on a lot of group shots as I think it is really important to have a good family portrait. I also had to embarrass A and D and get some couple pictures as they haven't had professional portraits since their wedding almost 10 years ago! Thank you Lee family for being such an inspiration to everyone - including me!

Sneak Peek for Park Family {San Ramon Family Photographer}

Today is Thanksgiving and I have so many things to be thankful for. Yes, it's Thanksgiving and yes, I'm working. I have been working non stop and I am so grateful to be doing what I love.  I am thankful that so many families have allowed me to capture their family portraits. I like to think that I'm not just taking  pictures but capturing the bond and the uniqueness (is that really a word? yes, I'm tired and SO full from eating all day) of each family.
I think it is appropriate that on this Thanksgiving day, I'm posting a sneak peek for the Park family who I am extremely thankful for. They have been a huge blessing to me and my family. Btw, notice the purple theme going on? :)

Sneak Peek for Chu Family {San Ramon Family Photographer}

What a gorgeous family! 

Such joy.

Another rained out family from my holiday session on Saturday. The kids were so well behaved and I didn't even have to do anything crazy to get some smiles. They were all naturals in front of the camera and each showed their distinct personality (love J's tongue sticking out in the formal portrait!). G, how do you look so good with twins and a 7 year old! 

Sneak Peek for Lee Family {San Ramon Family Photographer}

The Lee family was inspired by my 'Fall Family' What to wear guide and chose purple and grey for their outfits- don't they look great? We braved the chill and shot some pictures outside (yes, 50 degrees is FREEZING for us Californians!). By the time we all got into the studio, everyone was sniffling and we all defrosted with some hot coffee and hot chocolate. After we got movement back into our bodies (yes, we are weaklings when it comes to the cold), we ended with  a few studio shots.
B- after all the rescheduling and the hour by hour weather changes, I hope you had as much fun as I did!

Sneak Peek for Lai-Yang Family {San Ramon Family Photographer}

I carefully chose 11/20 as the date of the last holiday mini session for the year. The weather was abnormally hot all week and then of course....it rained all night Friday and sporadically on Saturday.  The Lai-Yang family session was supposed to be held outdoors but due to the unexpected weather, we did a studio session before the big Cal- Stanford game. Enjoy your sneak peek! Now on to edit all the other family sessions.

Sneak Peek for Chan Family {San Ramon Family Photographer}

Look familiar? I've photographed my sister in law's family many times and it's really cute to see how my niece and nephew interact with me at different stages. Now that they're 2 and 3 years old, they definitely let me know if they'd rather play on the playground than take a family picture. :) But they can also follow simple directions and laugh at my attempts at being silly (actually, I'm hilarious. all the 2 year olds think so!) I'm sure L and L think I'm the annoying aunt that follows them around with a big camera while they're just trying to have fun at the park.
Loved this session because I got to see L's spunky diva-ness come out. See the hand on the hip and the "I'm not looking at you no matter how many times you call my name" pose?  And L's mood changed dramatically when his mom gave him a little pink flower to hold.  Apparently, he loves to hold things. A little boy with a little flower. How can you not smile?

Sneak Peek for Fradenburg Family {San Jose Family Photographer}

I didn't even have to tell K what to do. This pose is ALL HER. Oh, and I love sun flare. :) 

What up??  Who you lookin at?

SO beautiful!

I had to add this picture. It was just a test shot as I changed my camera settings but I love how K
has the iphone behind her back as her mom is asking for it back!

I returned to the Japanese Friendship Garden in San Jose to capture some family portraits for the Fradenburgs as they recently added a new member to the family. We had to reschedule our original session due to rain and we decided to change the location as well. I love shooting at the gardens - it's so serene and every place you look is a beautiful backdrop for portraits. Luckily, we met during the week so we didn't have to share the space with all the brides that come during the weekends.
It's been 2 years since I've last taken portraits for the Fradenburgs and I just adore K. She is such a natural in front of the camera and the camera loves her! And little T is such a handsome little boy - love his grey eyes! Seriously, J and C - your kids are so adorable. I love my job.