Yagami Family Portraits in Boyle Heights // Claremont Family Photographer

The Yagami Family are such a fun and unique family and we couldn't have been more honored to  photograph their extended family.

Their grandmother was living at a retirement home in Los Angeles and with some family flying in from Japan, she was surrounded by her family for some beautiful portraits. 

There were a total of four generations and we couldn't treasure our time more.

The stories between them are countless as Yasuko's granddaughter has learned to play the koto under June Kuramoto from Hiroshima and has played in numerous shows and cultural events. Her grandson is also an accomplished chef that has served many celebrities and dignitaries from Beverly Hills to Japan. 

We couldn't be prouder to see their family grow not only with their accomplishments, but with the love for their family. 

Although their grandmother passed soon after taking these portraits, her legacy and heritage are clearly on display for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for many years to come. 

We're so grateful to be able to create these family portraits for the Yagami family and we hope you enjoy them as well!

If you need to update your family portraits or maybe you haven't taken any, I encourage you contact us to do so and start sharing your legacy with your loved ones!

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

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Book your family session today!

Grow With Me | Keanan 1 Year Portraits

I love our Grow With Me sessions! It give us an opportunity to capture the early moments in your children's live that seem to escape us so quickly. Kids grow up in a blink of an eye. I love getting the chance to help you preserve those fleeting moments, so that you have the memories to hold on to for a lifetime.

I had the privilege to document Ravi and Dimple's sweet son, Keanan, throughout his life. It has been such a joy to watch him and his personality grow into the sweet little boy he is today! Thank you, Ravi and Dimple, for allowing me the honor of documenting his first year. We look forward to seeing you guys again soon!

Schedule your Family Portraits!

We'd love to see you and your family! Let us know how we can help you update your family portraits and we'll be in touch.

December Events around Orange County and LA

December is only days away! Can you believe 2016 is nearing its end? It feels like the fastest year yet. This is the season of family, friends, Jesus, and love. I just love all of the fun family traditions that come out during the holidays. Do you have any fun traditions that your family and friends carry out each year? I am always looking for fun things to get us all out of the house and in the holiday spirit! So whether you have age old traditions or you're looking for new ones, I have put together a great list of December activities around the Orange County and LA area. There is a little something for everybody!

Photo By: Newport Christmas Boat Parade Website

1. 108th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

FREE- when viewed anywhere on the shore

Join over a million viewers as you watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the 108th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Visit website for more info

Photo By: Irvine Spectrum Website

2. Irvine Spectrum Center Ice Rink

Through Jan 16(Closed Christmas Day)

Check their website for their scheduled times.

ADULTS/CHILDREN: $20, includes skate rental / $16, bring your own skates

TODDLERS: $16, includes double-blade ice skate rental (sizes 8T - 12T only)

Enjoy a nice night out ice skating with friends and family! It may not get too cold here in southern California but the Irvine Spectrum doesn't let that stop you from having a dreamy chilly time on the ice!

Visit website for more info

Photo By: Garden Grove City Events Website

3. Garden Grove Winterfest
 

Dec. 3, 2016

4-7:30 p.m.

$10-per person(Pre-purchase of tickets required)

The Garden Grove Community Services Department presents the annual Winterfest holiday event at Atlantis Play Center. There is a limited amount of pre-sale tickets, and children 2-years-old and under are free. Only cash or credit cards are accepted. There will be no ticket sales at the door.

Visit website for more info

Photo By: Discovery Cube Website

4. Science of Gingerbread: Discovery Cube OC

Adults: $17.50

Children: $12.95

2 yrs old & under: FREE

Get into the holiday spirit during the annual Science of Gingerbread! A holiday festival filled with great hands-on activities designed to bring families together this holiday season. Plus, check out award-winning Gingerbread Competition entries displayed throughout the Cube!

Visit website for more info

Photo By: City of Irvine Website

5. Winter Wonderland: Irvine Civic Center

Sunday, Dec. 4, from 3-8 p.m.

The event will feature a 25-foot-tall, live tree adorned with ornaments and holiday lights; a Joyful Jingles holiday program; children’s activities; and train rides. Guests can enjoy refreshments from the mobile food trucks and a festive tree-lighting as “snow” gently falls over the piazza. Children are in for a special treat when Santa stops by for a visit.

Visit website for more info

Photo By: Irvine Railroad Park Website

6. Christmas Train at Irvine Railroad Park

December 1-23, 2016

Entry is free and SOME activities are free
Parking: $3 weekdays / $5weekend / FREE after 5pm

Train Rides: $12 per person
24mos and younger FREE

‘Tis the season for Irvine Park Railroad’s annual Christmas Train. Come with family and friends and take this enchanting night ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The train will depart from the brightly-lit train station and drop passengers off at the North Pole. Children can share their wish list with Santa and have their photo taken with him too. You may take pictures with your personal camera or you may purchase a photo taken by Irvine Park Railroad.
After visiting with Santa, hop back aboard the train and enjoy the colorful Christmas lights and decorations, as well as the magical “Tunnel of Lights”, on the ride back to Santa’s Village.

FREE ACTIVITIES:
Story time with Mrs. Claus
Coloring Corner
Frosty’s Maze
Picture Stands

Visit website for more info

Photo By: OC Winter Fest Website

7. OC Winter Fest

Dec 16- Jan 1, 2016

$10: Online Child Admission

(3 – 12 years) Child under 3 are Free

$15: Online Adult Admission

$8: Parking

Spectacular family fun and date night charm.

Featuring ice tubing, a two million light walk-through show, ice skating, snow play with real snow blown in daily, nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony, carnival rides, festive entertainment, seasonal eateries, visits with Santa and so much more.

Visit website for more info

Photo By: Queen Mary Website

8. CHILL at Queen Mary

Adult General Admission Pricing:
$39.99 - Dec 1-2, 8-9, 15-16 ($44.99 day of and at the door)
$44.99 - Nov 27-29; Dec 3-4, 10-11, 19-22, 29; Jan 5-6  ($49.99 day of and at the door)
$49.99 - Dec 17-18, 23-28, 30-31; Jan 1, 7-8 ($54.99 day of and at the door)

Child (4-11) Admission Pricing:
$29.99 - Dec 1-2, 8-9, 15-16 ($34.99 day of and at the door)
$34.99 - Nov 27-29; Dec 3-4, 10-11, 19-22, 29; Jan 5-6  ($39.99 day of and at the door)
$39.99 - Dec 17-18, 23-28, 30-31; Jan 1, 7-8 ($44.99 day of and at the door)

Light up the holidays this winter at the Queen Mary's CHILL as they proudly present Alice in Winterland, Ice Tubing on the Glacier Glide, Ice Skating, Live Entertainment , North Pole Village, Prancer's Paintball, Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Claus Cottage and more!

Visit website for more info

Photo By: Aquarium of the Pacific Website

9. Shark Lagoon Nights at Aquarium of the Pacific

When: Every Friday Night in December 6pm-9pm

FREE

The public is invited to get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators at the Aquarium of the Pacific for FREE during Shark Lagoon Nights. Guests will have the opportunity to touch bamboo sharks and see large sharks such as sand-tigers as well as rays in the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon.

Visit website for more info

Photo By: Griffith Park Train Rides Facebook Page

10. Griffith Park 2016 Holiday Light Festival Train Ride

$4 Per Person(18 mos and under are free)

Nov. 25- Dec. 23

Dec. 26- Dec. 30

The Rides begin on Friday Nov 25 And continues every night until December 23 and then again from December 26 to December 30 - weather permitting. The first train will leave at 5 pm every day. The last train leaves at 8 pm Monday through Thursday and 9 pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Starting the day after Thanksgiving, join in for an evening train ride around the festively decorated, one mile of track. Magical scenes and tens of thousands of lights will captivate you and your family and set the mood for a wonderful Holiday season.

This event requires separate tickets that can be bought at the ticket booth in advance or the day of the ride, if available.

Visit website for more info

I hope you have a wonderful month full of all the excitement and joys that winter brings! What activities are your family and friends up to this December?

Disneyland Day for Foster Kids with Together We Rise // Claremont Family Photography

Out of all the Disneyland visits I've had, I've never experienced it through a child's view, let alone a foster child's eyes. If I could take it one step further, a foster child's eyes that had never experienced Disneyland.

If I could take it another step further, all ten foster kids in our group had never experienced Disneyland and a few of them were reunited with their siblings while they were there. How awesome is that?!

With volunteers as their guide, the kids were be able to explore the rides and adventures with their sticky fingers and Mickey ears. To watch them meet their favorite characters for the first time while chomping on churros and lollipops was absolutely priceless!

With the help Together We Rise, a local non-profit organization which organized the children, volunteers, photographers and sponsors, they made over 300 foster kids' dreams come true! To capture their joy and excitement was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It made me realize how special it is to love on those who need it more than I know. 

We're looking to work closer with Together We Rise in the future to help more kids transition through their foster experience in a positive and fun way. 

If you want to learn more about what Together We Rise does and their impact on foster children, check out their site: Together We Rise

I hope you enjoy these images from their Disney Day!

Maternity Portraits at Monte Verde Park in Lakewood // Claremont Maternity Photographer

I love the look of a baby bump.  There is something about knowing there is a happy little baby protected inside that makes it so beautiful.  (Yes, I know, baby bump's aren't as awesome when it's your last weeks into the pregnancy, then they are just uncomfortable - I promise I'm not THAT crazy!  Haha!)

Maurena, although, expecting just about any day from our session together made being pregnant, a loving wife and being mommy to a little princess look effortless.  She rocked her session alongside her amazing husband Dan and soon-to-be BIG SIS Mackenzie. 

We look forward to our time together soon when we get to meet baby Gavin.  

Schedule your Fall Family Portraits!

We'd love to see you and your family! Let us know how we can help you update your family portraits and we'll be in touch.

Family Portraits at Claremont Colleges in Claremont // Claremont Family Photography

With all the people in this world that come and go in the revolving door we call life, we are grateful that we have those friends and families that continue alongside us through the journey. The Bowles are one of those families.  Near or far, we share the same love for one another.  It's been such a blessing to be able to call them our family and are always so thankful for them in our life.  No matter what life brings, the smiles, laughter and words are always positive and uplifting. 

Graham, Stacy, and Sammie, we thank you for being you and look forward to many more years of friendship.  Sammie is an awesome little lady and we are blessed to be able to see her continue to grow into a beautiful princess - slow down little one, you are growing up too fast!  XOXO!

Schedule your Fall Family Portraits!

We'd love to see you and your family! Let us know how we can help you update your family portraits and we'll be in touch.

Cloar Fall Family Portraits

The Cloar family - need I say more?!  I absolutely love their family dynamics.  As photographers, we have the blessing of meeting and taking part of so many memories.  We've had the pleasure of witnessing the first hours of little London's birth day, and capturing these awesomes family photos for them months later.  

The Cloars have have 8 amazing children each of which has such unique talents and gifts.  The smiles you see are not just for the camera, these are genuine loving, happy-go-lucky individuals that make family a family.  Cloar fam, thanks so much for allowing us to be part of your lives and giving us the blessing of capturing these memories that will last for all the days of our lives.  May the Lord continue to bless your lives.

Schedule your Holiday Family Portraits today!

We'd love to see you and your family! Let us know how we can help you update your family portraits and we'll be in touch.