Baby Z - Redding Photographer

Look at this cute little hunk. Hunk of big gorgeous eyes & pinchable cheeks. One of the cutest baby boys I have photographed this last year. When I arrived he was sleeping so we were whispering trying not to wake him up. Yeah right, that didn't work out so well so the rest of the mini session he looked like he was still sleeping with his eyes open but that didn't stop him from being his super cute self.

Couldn't you just eat him up? Congratulations to Mama T!

This little cutie pie was at the house too, couldn't forget to include him.

Tech note: I took these photos (I'm not saying they're technically right, it's just the way I did them) in a small bedroom with only 1 window for light on a mostly sunny day, using my 50mm lens, Manual mode, (most of) the photos were taken @ f/1.8, SS 1/250, ISO 320 in RAW format. There are days & times when you have to use the room with the best light & check the LCD often. The sun was reflecting off another building outside this window which added more light into the room. These turned out really well & happy I was able to made it work for Mama T.

Jessica & Danny - Redding Wedding Photographer

Wow, so much to say about this beautiful wedding not to mention the entire wedding party was incredibly gorgeous. Definitely a chilly December wedding with the rain & strong winds but that didn't stop us from getting a few pictures outside when we got a few short breaks from the rain.

Did I mention how gorgeous the wedding party was, absolutely stunning, each one of them & a shout out to Andrea (2nd from the left) for doing an incredible job on Jessicas hair & makeup.

It was so cute, Jessica kept taking deep breathes before walking down "the isle". I started thinking she might pass out & her dad must have seen it too. But not to worry, he had her relaxed & smiling in no time.

What a happy-happy man seeing his gorgeous bride. They both told me they were already married in their hearts, Ahhhh!

Did I mention how gorgeous the girls were, did I mention how flipping cold & windy it was outside? But hot is hot & the goose bumps on these girls were smokin'. Then we all ran inside to get warm before I yanked them back out for a few more pics before it got dark.

Some of the most touching toasts I have ever heard, they totally made me cry.

I love the b&w below, sometimes it's not the closer part of the photo that makes the shot. See Jessica's mom in the background dancing with Danny,...crying. Doesn't it just touch your heart? Does mine.

If it looks like everybody had a fabulous time, they totally did & so did I.

What amazes me is how I get my weddings. This 1 came from my son going to the same school where Jessica's mom works (can you believe it) & to think...how is it that me being a photographer came up in a 6th graders conversation? The belief that Matt continues to have in me, humbles me deeply. But I have to admit, I think I keep getting better with each session.

Anyways...after a brief phone conversation just over 2 weeks ago, I met Jessica & her mom & the arrangements were made. I walked away thinking Kassy (Jessicas mom) looked familiar but shrugged it off. During the prep, Andrea thought she recognized me & Jessica agreed but we couldn't think of how. Just before the ceremy, Jessicas grandma showed up in the dressing area, we remembered each other almost immediately but it took me a few minutes to remember how. Turns out I worked at a small local grocery store for 9 years (about 10 years ago) where they shopped. How small the world is with the people I have met, how wonderful it was to see her grandma again & to know I was capturing her granddaughters important day. God is good.

BTW, The moms did a fabulous job getting this wedding together in such a short time, less than 1 month A-M-A-Z-I-N-G & ran smoother than I've seen.

Congratulations again Jessica & Danny & cheers to the many, many years to come.

Baby Ava - 20 days old

Look at this sweet little angel sleeping on her daddy's blanket from when he was a baby. What a cool idea Kristi, I love how it added family history to the photo. Next visit will be with moms baby blanket, it's Pink!

I LOVE baby details! From their tiny kisses...

...to their tiny eyes lashes, lips & nose...

...all the way to their tiny toes. So precious.

Doesn't it look like her little fists are resting in a heart shape.

Striking a pose already, such a little diva :)

Ava has gotten so big since the hospital photos & I'm super excited I get to capture her again with her big brothers before this month is over.

I love this last photo of Ava laying on Kristis chest. I think it's because it brings back wonderful memories of my own children at this age, how little they are for such a short time & how they get hungry instantly & start to bob for food when bare skin touches their face. It was so flipping cute to see that again. I kinda miss it but don't at the same time. I love developing my adult and pre-adult relationships with my own kids. I can't wait to see where their lives & careers take them but miss the baby in them at the same time, being able to protect them from the world & all it's troubles. The most important thing is...whatever they grow up to be, I just want them to be happy.

Sorry... I had a Sentimental Mommy Moment, it's been happening often since the beginning of my photography journey, I'm getting time to relive my own wonderful memories through what I do for others. Makes me appreciate each precious moment I get with every person who touches my life, especially how my children have been the light source to mine. I LOVE my kids!

Thanks again Kristi & Ed :) Couldn't do what I love without you.

Baby Ava - Redding Photography

"Take a picture of my shirt" was the first thing Cody said to me when I pulled out my camera in the waiting room. I thought his shirt said it all & totally fit the moment. Then like his big bro, Jake had me get a picture of his shirt too. No problem, that means they're already warming up to the camera.

What a special moment of a boy with his papa.

Ava was born November 16th to Kristi & Ed...& was surrounded by so much love. A lot has changed in hospitals in last 12 years. The baby gets her measurements, bath & other things right in the room now. I didn't know what to expect (all hospitals are different) but the nurse just went about her business & I simply captured what happened as it happened, things seemed to go by so smoothly. It's so cool when everybody just relaxes & lets the moments tell the story...

Bath time! she was about as happy as the kitten was that my daughter brought home.

Congratulations Kristi, Ed, the boys & grandparents!! I am so thankful you allowed me to do this for you. I loved getting all these first moments, some that I've never even see before (and I'm a mom of 3). I will never forget this experience, I'm surprised I didn't cry through the session, so was Jon. Can't wait for her newborn session. Welcome to Redding little Ava.