It’s been a while since I blogged! I’m currently taking time away from my studio due to covid-19 but hoping to open up once numbers in Orange County are looking better. The health and safety of my clients is my priority! In the meantime, I thought I would take some time to write about what to expect for your portrait session. While your actual photoshoot will be customized to your individual needs, the general format will apply across all sessions.

Once we connect, we will meet at a location convenient for you; this can be at my studio, your home or a local coffee shop. Have a crazy busy schedule or prefer to limit face-to-face contact due to the current circumstances? No problem, we can also do a consultation via phone. I will help you identify what type of photoshoot you are interested in. I offer a few different types of sessions, including business branding, personal branding, modern glamour, family/maternity portraits or a combination. I can provide guidance on wardrobe, depending on what your images are for. We will also talk about product types and pricing, whether you are interested in individual matted images, packages with image boxes or beautiful wall art.

Once we have established how you would like for your photoshoot to go, we will agree upon a date, time and location for your shoot. Typically, photoshoots take place at my home studio in Trabuco Canyon, where I have both indoor and outdoor shooting spaces. On-location shoots are also available.

Every photoshoot includes professional hair & makeup. This helps you look and feel your best for your photos. And honestly, sometimes it’s fun to spend some time getting pampered! During this time, I go through the outfits you brought to plan them out or do any steam-ironing. You also have the opportunity to look through my ever-growing studio wardrobe.

Hair & makeup takes about 1-1.5 hrs, then on to the photoshoot! So many people are nervous about getting their portraits taken because they believe they aren’t photogenic. I’m here to tell you that it’s not your job to be photogenic, it’s my job to take the best possible portrait of you. I do this by guiding and helping pose you from the top of your head all the way down to your toes. I allow multiple outfit changes to get you variety in your photos. The shoot itself takes about 1-2 hrs.

Approximately two weeks after your photoshoot, I will have your proofs ready for review. I prefer to meet in-person to review the proofs together, so we can go over each image together and I can explain to you my vision for the final edit, but digital proofs are available. We will review product pricing and you will choose which images you will be purchasing and in which product(s). Final images and products will be ready within four weeks.

My goal for every photoshoot is not just for my clients to have a pretty picture or two of themselves, but to walk away from the experience feeling beautiful, confident and empowered.

When Brittney and Brandy re-established their preschool, New Thought Montessori, in a new location in Lake Forest, I knew I wanted to photograph it for them! I had seen all the hard work they put into it, as Brittney had chronicled the process on her Facebook and Instagram.

So let me tell you, this is the coolest preschool ever. It is clean, brightly lit, modern and has so many different areas for your little one to engage in, both indoors and out. The classes max out at 12 children per class, following the Montessori and Reggio philosophies. Oh and they have two adorable baby chickens and four guinea pigs (!!!).

I was curious to know more about the Montessori/Reggio philosophy, so I asked Brittney and Brandy to tell me a bit about it. They explained to me that the Montessori approach focuses on each child as a unique individual, honoring that each child has a different learning style and pace. Montessori students "enjoy freedom within limits," which allows them to become enthusiastic and confident about their learning. The Reggio aspect incorporates the use of nature and natural materials in the classroom setting. New Thought Montessori prioritizes the care of self, care of others, care of the environment, and academics.

Brandy and Brittney love working with children and have both been in the field for quite some time. Brandy has been working in Montessori schools for about 20 years, while Brittney has been in Montessori education for over 9 years. Their love for the Montessori and Reggio philosophies inspired them to open their own school, to merge traditional Montessori curriculum with a new learning environment. New Thought Montessori hopes to "prepare children for the future, allow for more one on one time, encourage positive relationships with all the teachers at the school, and meet the needs of today's child." Brandy and Brittney are joined by three other Montessori-trained teachers.

I loved seeing the school with all its awesome areas for learning. Brittney, Brandy and the rest of their team are the sweetest ladies and New Thought Montessori is a great place to send your little ones. If you're interested in learning more about them, follow them on Facebook/Instagram or check out their website!