Photography By DeeDee

Don’t forget to put the cookies out for Santa!

Rookie of the year Happiest Birthday to this little man, it’s been so fun photographing him his entire first year!! Swipe through to see all of the milestone sessions...and a beautiful maternity image! From the belly to the cake!

I cancelled our family photos this year. I booked months ago with a friend who I absolutely adore. Searched high and low for our outfits. I was SO excited for them. But I cancelled them. Because this year is hard. This season is a constant challenge. I didn’t want to be fake.... And then I changed my mind, again. Except all of us photographers are beyond busy. So I told my family to get ready. And we would take the tripod to this very special spot. I decided I need to photograph us as we are. Even if it’s not the most ideal season. But I am firm believer in capturing families as they are, whatever that may look like. I’m always telling people not to wait, because we aren’t promised tomorrow. So here we are. We will get through this season. And we will come out stronger. I’m so thankful for my husband. He is our rock. He loves me on my hard days. And he never stops giving his all for us.I’m so thankful for Tori, watching her navigate adulthood. She is so helpful and wise and literally the best.I am so thankful for my Buddy. He is constantly reminding me to love without end, just as Christ loves us. To see humans as God sees us. I am so thankful for Kynzi, always keeping me on my toes. Always reminding me to be child like, she ignites my imagination and reminds me to see the good in the world. And baby Gracie, God knew I needed more grace. And God also knew our family needed one more to love during the hardest year of our lives. I love our blended life. Thank you Lord for this family of mine. Have a Happy Thanksgiving friends, I’ll be keeping my phone tucked away tomorrow to practice being more present for the ones I love. {and to prepare for giving up social media for a full 40 days....which will be happening January 1 bc I love sharing the Holidays with all of you.}

This Christmas will be 14 years since I got my first DSLR. I think it was a Rebel Xti. But that isn’t when my passion for photography started. I was the kid who always had a disposable camera on hand.And I’d save my hard earned money to ride my bike down to Parsons Brothers on Main St. to develop my film. (Who remembers Parsons Bro’s?!) And then in middle school, I was in yearbook and in high school I took photography classes. That was the best. I loved developing in the d...ark room. One of my biggest dreams is to create a dark room where I can develop some black and whites again. I’m definitely adding that to our blueprints for our dream house. I never thought I’d be a successful photographer, where my passion provides for my family. It’s been a long journey, and I had to start over a couple times, but dang, I’m living a dream. A dream that seemed so unrealistic at one point. And I am beyond thankful for the way it’s unfolded, and grown.

See, California does get fall colors...in the vineyards!