Family Time at the Los Angeles Zoo // The Lee Family

I first met Herm and Jen when Chris and I first began dating.  Jen was working with one of Chris' closest friends, and inevitably, at each celebration we always saw one another & we all became great friends.  I still remember celebrating their marriage, finding out they were expecting their first little addition, Lucas, coming together for holidays, and to then welcome Larissa into the family.  

So when I received the text message that they wanted to have family photos taken, it was an automatic "of course!' as my response.  Even more excited when Jen and I decided to have our session at the Los Angeles Zoo.  

Herm and Jen, I am so thankful to have you both as friends and look forward to many more celebrations together.  Lucas and Larissa are so fortunate to have you both as wonderful, loving parents & can't wait till we can all hang out again soon.  Panera soon? 

Celebration of New Chapters with the Lamacchia Family // Santa Monica, California

We are so thankful for all the amazing moments we have captured with each & every one of our families.  We had the privilege of being part of  Chad & Mishanna's engagement and wedding celebration.  Naturally, when we heard that they were expecting a little one, we were excited be part of the beginning of another new chapter in their lives together.  Just watching them both interact with their little boy, Max, was so heartwarming.  We know that Max has some amazing parents and we look forward to being their every step of the way.

Chad & Mishanna, you are such wonderful friends to us and are great parents. The love you share for Max spills over in every moment we captured.  We look forward to celebrating so many more new chapters together.  Max, we were so happy to meet you, and look forward to seeing you continue to grow even more handsome every day.    

The Amazing Duo & Their Boys // Downtown Fullerton

Meet Jenn and Sean, founders of Mommy and Me Cancer Foundation. When Jenn contacted me to let me know that she wanted family photos she also told me the exciting news that they were also expecting a new addition. Naturally I was super happy for them.  Jenn and Sean provide so much for other parents through their foundation, it was almost too obvious that they are amazing parents themselves.  I had the blessing of spending time with Jenn, Sean and their boys, Jacob & Gavin, having fun and captured some family moments in Downtown Fullerton SOCO District.  It was so wonderful to see their family interact with one another and see the love between them all.  They are such a beautiful family.  

Sean, Jenn, Jacob and Gav, Congrats again to the newest addition to the family.  I can't wait the little handsome guy next year.   

Fulfilling a Mother's Wish // Rodriguez Family

Fair warning to those of you who have come to view the Rodriguez family, this one tugs on the heart strings, in a more than beautiful way.  

As many of you know I am a proud supporter of Mommy and Me Cancer Foundation and have had the blessing of meeting and photographing many of the beautiful moms. When I received a text that they had a mommy that wanted to have her family photos taken, I had no idea it was something that was so very special.  After speaking with Jenn, Co-Founder of MAMCF she told me that one of the things they do for the mommy's is ask what they would like help with.  Yvonne's only request was family portraits, and I am blessed to be able to provide this for her.  

From the moment I met Yvonne, I knew that there was something special about her.  I couldn't tell if it was her welcoming smile or her sincere tone of voice.  As we drove down the street to a local park she told me her story.  

"When my little guy was born I remember breast feeding and I noticed a lump.  I didn't think anything of it, I just thought it was because of the milk.  About 2 years later, I just remember going to sleep and waking up, and the lump had tripled in size.  It was then that I went to see my doctor, and found out that I had breast cancer. "

I remember her pausing to take a breath...

"I underwent treatment right away.  Last week, I went to see my doctor, and he told me that I have 6 months to live. People tell me that doctors don't know what they are talking about, but Gina, I feel it.  Thank you so much for doing this, Gina.  This will be my first time taking family photos."  

I held back my tears as she wiped her tears from her cheek and smiled as she looked outside the car door to her children.  It was a very emotional session for all of us, and I am thankful for every moment of it.  

Yvonne, Michael, Ava and Eli thank you so much for an amazing time together.  Yvonne, as you know I send all my love and strength to you.  Like you told me, there will be good days, and there will be bad days, one day at a time, mama!  Keep fighting Yvonne.  Love you.

So Lucky to Call Them Friends // Santa Monica, California

It was over an email that Yun and I became instant friends.  For those of you that don't know, Yun and Kevin are the creative duo behind The Grunion Run Groomsmen Shop. It was over email that we discussed collaborating together and we were blessed to become friends.  I still remember our first meeting at The Pie Hole, now of course dubbed as 'our place'. So many things came from our first meeting, our styled session for their website, an amazing friendship and great pie!  Who could ask for more?

Needless to say when Yun asked if we would take family photos this year, we were excited, to say the least.  Their daughter Yuki is so loveable, her smile and laugh are contagious.  

Yun, Kevin and Yuki, thanks again for allowing us to take part in these special moments and we are so lucky to call you friends.  We look forward to spending time together again real soon - we still need to have our udon time together.

Beautiful Outdoor Family Portraits // Tabares Family

It's been such a blessing to have captured so many beautiful families.  We want to introduce you to the Tabares Family.  One of many families that our beloved La has introduced us to over the past year. Claire had just given birth to Sydney when we had our We HEART La Benefit, November 2012, and wasn't able to have her photos taken. Fast forward one year later, we were excited to meet and get to know Claire, Oliver and Sydney.  

When Claire & I were finalizing our session together, she had mentioned that she wanted our session at a location with beautiful golden trees that represented the season's changing.  We found a location perfect for this.  We had such a wonderful time together, we laughed almost the entire session.  

Claire and Oliver, we look forward to taking some time to hang out at Disneyland with you guys soon.  We are so blessed to be able to see Sydney continue to grow into a beautiful little lady.  

Newest Additions are Some of Life's Greatest Blessings // Baby Jax & Family

Chris and I met Aimee & her family just about a year ago.  We worked together with only one goal in mind: to show love, support and help her cousin La fight her battle with cancer.  Although our beloved La has since passed, she remains in our hearts and believe it or not continues to touch our lives everyday.  I'll touch upon this in another post.

Needless to say, when we got the news that Aimee was expecting a new addition to her already beautiful family, we were ecstatic!  Seeing James and Aimee interact with their daughter, Jordan, we knew that the newest addition was in great company.  

Without further ado, we are happy to welcome baby Jax to the Tomas family!

Aimee & James, thank you so very much for allowing me to capture your family's priceless moments.  I look forward to continue to see your beautiful family grow.   Jordan, Auntie Gina loves how you are so caring and loving toward Jax.  You are such an awesome Ate.  Jax, although you may not know it yet, you are surrounded by such amazing people who love you so very much, and I look forward to capturing so many more of your life's moments.