[Picture Life] with The Guimonds & Powell Families | Orange County Family Photographer

This is a Sunday afternoon, well spent! Sunshine, planes overhead, and two loving families ready for some portraits!

I met these families under sorrowful circumstances. We have a mutual friend who recently died. His mother, Lynda, gifted Heather and Terra and their families with a photo session this holiday season. I was thrilled to spend some time with them and capture some special memories.

We decided to shoot at Back Bay in Newport Beach where I photographed Michael this summer to pay tribute to our friend. I am stoked on these photos, so enjoy! 

First we have The Guimonds. This trio was so much fun. I let the little one take the lead and he did a marvelous job. 

and now for The Powells

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Until next time!

[Picture Life] Peacock Hill Photo Sessions

We have had the honor of photographing different horses and their owners this year at Peacock Hill Equestrian Center and last month we hosted our second photoshoot marathon!  Enjoy these photos! 

Mother, Daughter, and their boys

[Picture Life] Welcome baby Nayden! | Orange County Family Photographer

Nayden was born on Nov 4th at 11:11PM to Nallely and Nester. 

These first time parents were so in love with their baby boy. 

Little burrito

Cousins came to visit!! 

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Rest in Peace Michael Powell

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post.

Michael Powell was a fellow photographer, an avid hiker, healthy Paleo eater, musician, and most importantly, my friend. On Oct 19th news broke out on Facebook that Michael had died on Oct. 18th after submitting Mt. Whitney late Oct 17th. Michael was young (36), and so full of life. I still feel hurt and angry knowing he was taken from this world far too early. He wasn't able to climb all the mountains he wanted to, or create all the music he planned to, and he and I will never be able to work together again.  But I take comfort in the fact that he was doing what he loved and he was in a good place in life. As his mother put it, "he had no unfinished business."

Michael let me interview him for a documentary I made earlier this year in which he talked about his struggles with weight, and how he had found a healthy lifestyle he really enjoyed: Paleo diet and hiking for exercise. 

As a "Thank You" for his time, we set up a photoshoot this summer for new headshots/promo photos for his photography business. He was such a kind and supportive soul. There was so much promise in his photography work and music. I'm glad I got to spend time with him while he graced the earth with his wonderful spirit. 

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On Sunday November 6th, over 300 people gathered at Irvine Park in Orange, CA to Celebrate the life of Michael Powell. It was a beautiful event filled with potluck style food, friends of Michael from different times in his life, photographs that people brought to share, and of course, stories upon stories honoring this great man.  I wish I knew him longer and knew him more. You will be missed my friend.

So honored to have my photo displayed. 

Michael with his mom Linda and her husband Don

Over 300 beautiful souls who came to celebrate Michael Powell

Thank you for checking out these photos. It means a lot to me to be able to share something personal with the world and be able to express my grief through photographs. 

Happy Sweet Sixteen Birthday Gilmore Girls!

Today marks 16 years since the premiere of my favorite TV show, Gilmore Girls. Netflix sponsored a country-wide takeover in various coffee shops to transform them into Luke's Diner for the first half of the day. For those that don't know this show, it's a dramedy (drama/comedy) centered around the everyday lives of a close knit mother-daughter pair in a small town surrounded by beautifully quirky people over the span of 7 years. Luke's Diner is a vital part of the Gilmore girls' daily routine where they get some coffee, help themselves to the occasional donut, and tease the owner, Luke.

My bestie Veronica and I bond over GG. She is witty, motivated, beautiful, and smart just like Lorelai. She's person I want to go to Luke's with (other than the "real" Lorelai & Rory Gilmore).

She waited in line with me for 2.5 hours for a cup of coffee from our favorite fictional coffee shop/diner.

Cafe Virtuosa in San Diego was one of many coffee shops transformed by Netflix.

iPhone 6s+ photo, edited in Instagram

“Coffee, please, and a shot of cynicism.”

— Lorelai

Luke made an exception to his strict No Cell Phone policy today and we were thankful. 

“Coffee-coffee-coffee is a saying. Like an exaggeration. It’s a funny, desperate cry for caffeine. It’s just my thing.”

— Lorelai

Chai Latte with Soy for Veronica and While Mocha with Almond Milk for Kurt (aka me).

“I can’t stop drinking the coffee, I stop drinking coffee, I stop doing the standing, and the walking, and the words-putting-into-sentences doing.”

— Lorelai

It was a lovely morning spent with one of my favorite people, at a temporary version of our favorite fictional coffee shop/diner. Hope you enjoyed this personal blog post.

Feel free to leave a comment and share your personal favorite Gilmore girls quote, character, moment, or your pick for Rory's partner. #TeamJess

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Liz Anne Hill pt. II

Hey everyone!

Here is another session with Liz Anne Hill and her horse Cairo. This time she busted out her guitar. 

Follow her on Instagram to get updates on when her new music is dropping.  
- Sarah C.

Thank you for visiting. Keep up with us on Facebook and Instagram. 

Liz Anne Hill pt. I

My best friend Liz is making her first country record and so I took some photos of her and her horse Cairo to help promote! If you enjoy the tunes of Reba McEntire and Kacey Muscgraves then this girl's music is for you! 
Follow her on Instagram to get updates.  
- Sarah C.

Thank you for visiting. Keep up with us on Facebook and Instagram. 

[Picture Life] Peacock Hill Barn Minis

Recently I was given the opportunity to do a mini session marathon at a barn in Orange, CA. I had a blast with my lovely assistant, Liz who was helping direct the horses and I directed their riders. Enjoy these highlights from the day!