It’s crazy  how fast time flies…. and it such a strange feeling running into someone and remembering the way they were when they were 5 years old. I’m not quite sure what to do in moments like those…. hug them?… or bury my head in my hands and try to make time stand still for just ONE second. The Kasperowicz boys are no longer boys…. they’re the Kasperowicz men. Crazy. I remember babysitting these three when they were all shorter than me. Now, they’re all twice my size.

Well, this year, their family chose me to take their famous holiday family portraits and we had a fun time traipsing around The Lab, in Costa Mesa, dodging the intermittent November rain. Jase, Neil, and Dylan…. you guys rocked these, and while I know taking family portraits isn’t your favorite thing in the entire world, I had fun with you guys. These were my favorites from the afternoon… Enjoy!

Grandmother’s china tea set, a big stuffed bear, a warm autumn afternoon, and cookies…. could there be a better set up for a family portrait? I think not! When Mary first contacted me about taking her family’s portraits, we brainstormed a bunch of ideas on how we could make it creative, fun, and unique to them. She mentioned her mother’s tea set would be a neat way to pay tribute to her late mom’s relationship with her daughters Rya and Kayla. I loved the idea! The pictures turned out so cute!

After the tea party, we decided to go exploring around Irvine Regional Park….

This was one of my favorite shots. It’s not a typical family portrait, but I LOVED the relationship between bigger sister and little sister that shows through it. Makes me warm all warm and fuzzy inside… and makes me want to hug my own sister.

Loved the light in this shot! So great!

Dad came back after taking a man walk around the park… tea parties don’t interest a man like Van. It was fun getting some daddy/daughter shots in.

Such a cute family!

We let the girls run around for a little while we took a few quick shots of Mary and Van… a VERY cute couple, if I do say so myself…

Twas a great afternoon and an amazingly beautiful and fun loving family…. blessed to know these people!

I had never met Iris before, but after following her blog for a little while, I felt like we might be the same person…. and I knew we’d get along real well. Iris is a another wedding and portrait photographer in Orange County who is pretty much a super woman. When we talked on the phone before the shoot, she mentioned that not only does she own her own business, but she’s also a full time mom of two adorable children. I have no idea how you do it, Iris…. you amaze me.

Welp, Ricky, Iris, Annabelle, and Christian…. I had so much fun running around Irvine Regional Park with you! Your family is too cute, and I hope these photos will help remind you later on down the road how much you loved each other. And Iris, I know you aren’t on this side of the camera very often, and even if you don’t believe me…. I think you’re STUNNING. I hope I’m as in love, as successful, and as beautiful as you when I’m a mom. Here are my favs….

Mr. Lightning McQueen himself!

Fist Pump?

Then… out came the mustaches….

FAVORITE.

I spent the afternoon in Sacramento with these two lovebirds and we had a lot of fun exploring, shooting, laughing, and hugging. More to come!!!