Baby Seren tied the record for most smiles of any baby I’ve ever photographed. She was such a dream- content and especially loved being swaddled. And while the majority of my newborn sessions take place in my Kailua portrait studio, for this session I traveled three whole blocks to Seren’s home to photograph her in gorgeous natural light.

I enjoy on location newborn sessions, as I can incorporate the family’s personal items into the session. When I saw a set of vintage trunks, I knew they’d make great props!

With on location newborn sessions, I try to get a good mix of images- both lifestyle/around the home portraits and some studio style portraits. I use available light but always prefer natural light, and Seren’s home had the perfect little spot for studio portraits. I think she liked it too.

Seren’s family was working hard to get their home ready for her arrival- mom was up very late the night before her birth, finishing up last minute tasks. She said she would’ve gone to bed earlier had she known she would be delivering that afternoon! But I’m glad that they ran out of time to repaint the original hardwood floors in their charming 1920s home. The brick red flooring has so much character.

Congratulations to Seren’s family. You have a beautiful little girl, and I can’t wait to watch her grow up!

Sometimes, fairytales do come true- and this little girl is proof. Meet Brooke, the littlest mermaid. She inherited her lovely tail from her mama, who is a mermaid. Really and truly- and you can find out more on her Facebook Page.

We had a lovely time at Ko Olina Beach, watching the palms sway and listening to the gentle ocean waves. I can tell baby Brooke will grow to love the sea just like her mama. She was so relaxed and calm, opening her beautiful big blue eyes to take in the gorgeous view.
<

Contact me for more details on how you can book a beach session for your newborn, baby, or toddler! The giant seashell is the perfect prop for newborns and babies from sitting (around 6 or 7 months) to a year or so. I also have chairs, baskets and buckets to pose and contain babies and toddlers to capture the perfect beach portrait.

When Hawaii News Now’s Sunrise anchor Tannya Joaquin contacted me to photograph her maternity session, I jumped at the chance. And when she asked if I’d like to appear on Sunrise along with the resulting images, I was thrilled!

My first thought was wondering how we’d top the photos from her first maternity session, her pregnancy with son Kai (now nearly 3). That session, even three years later, is one of my absolute favorites.

That session included these waterfall pregnancy portraits in Hawaii Kai.

We also went to a secluded beach for more outdoor maternity images.

After talking with Tannya, I learned that her daughter’s nursery would have a cherry blossom theme, and she hoped to incorporate pink flowers into the session. While summer isn’t cherry blossom season, it is when the shower trees are in full, beautiful bloom. I scoured the island for the perfect shower tree, and found it in Kapiolani Park.

From there, I styled the session to include a classic white four poster bed with a coordinating pink and blue vintage style quilt, and worked with Picket Fence Florist in Kailua to design a custom flower crown and bouquet in a simple vintage style.

Son Kai was a perfect little model, and cooperated very well for a sweet family portrait and a few of him with his mama.

I love the soft, romantic intimacy of these portraits, capturing those special quiet moments of joy.

You can view my interview with Tannya after the session here on the Hawaii News Now web site. I’m excited to offer session styling to all my clients, not just for maternity but for baby and family sessions as well.

Mahalo to Tannya and family for trusting me when I said, “I know! Let’s drag a bed out in a field under a shower tree! It will be awesome!”. I can’t wait to meet your new baby girl.

It’s been a busy year so far, with the highlight being a move to a new studio space. Perfectly sized for newborns and babies, the new studio boasts a wide variety of brand new props and backdrops (and of course we’ve kept favorites such as the antique doll carriage, vintage scale, and nest basket) and is just down the street from our former space. Full sessions, including newborn sessions, are still offered either in-studio or on location. Mini sessions will be held in studio only.

Here are a few sneak peeks from the new studio. To see more, visit our Facebook page and don’t forget to click “Like” to hear about upcoming specials and contests- a new contest starts Tuesday the 26th!

This sweet baby boy sailed right into his parents’ hearts! He had the most gorgeous skin I’ve ever seen on a newborn, and combined with the beautiful light in his home, we captured some of my all time favorite images at his session.

I loved his nursery, painted and decorated by his parents and worthy of a Pottery Barn Kids feature. The nautical stripes nicely accented the room, accessorized with a sailboat mobile, ocean blue shag rug, and surf quilt.

He sailed right off to dreamland and posed so sweetly.

Getting all the tiny details is so important- from those kissable lips to all ten tiny toes.

After a snack, it was back to sleep in dad’s arms. There’s something special about seeing a brand new little one cradled securely in daddy’s arms.

And what better place to end the session than at nearby Lanikai Beach? The Mokulua Islands were especially beautiful after winter rains left the islands lush and green.