Since I was going to Corona on July 16 to get my hair done, I told June to go ahead and be born then. I was joking of course but like a good little girl, she listened. Except I had already come back to Costa Mesa. Melody had been feeling some contractions so I packed my gear and an overnight bag. I was on my way over (a 30 minute drive) when she said to wait. So I went to my office and about an hour later, her husband Jeremy texts me that I better come….

Dear June,

This is your birth story.

On the freeway, I get this this text from your dad: “She’s here!”

This is the first time I see you and your mom. It’s one of my favorites.


Your dad and Aunt Chrissy, talking about how you were born and how they helped. They delivered you, since you seemed to be in a hurry to get here!

Your brothers Owen + Levi, fast asleep. Somehow they slept through all the commotion.

Your dad gets to cut the cord.

So excited and happy that you’re finally here!


You had so much hair!

Daddy gets to hold you. He was immediately in love and so were you.








This is my favorite image of you.


Your Grandma Joian passed away a few years ago. When I saw this tattoo of her name on your mom’s wrist, I felt her presence there with us. It’s something I can’t really describe, I just know. I’m sure you know it too.


It was so fun to wake up and see the boys. One night they went to bed without a sister and then they woke up and they had you! They were so happy and excited to meet you. Levi brought you some of his toys.


They were all immediately obsessed with you!

Your proud Grandparents came to visit.

I know, it’s exhausting being born.


Your brothers fought over who could hold you, they loved you so much.


Owen and Levi discussing what color eyes you might have and looking at what colors theirs are.




Hi there beautiful!

This is you a couple months later. You love to talk and you are so pretty! We all adore you!

We wanted to do something special for Melody’s last baby. Since she has two boys and is having a girl, we wanted this shower to be really girly for her. So we threw an intimate Vintage Tea Baby Shower Brunch. First we collected vintage tea cups and tea pots from thrift, antique and garage sales. Then we decided on the menu: tomato soup and grilled Gouda cheese (in the cutest little cups ever, see below) french toast bake, mini quiches and mini cucumber/avocado/hummus sandwiches and pb & honey sandwiches. Oh and the Mimosa bar!

One of the hosts, Tiffani drew this on our fridge. Isn’t it so cute?! It’s still there. I’m having a hard time erasing it..

For the decor we used crates, old window frames, tea cups and pots, burlap and lace, and anything vintage we had on hand. I made a canvas from her maternity/family session to use as decor and to give her. Instead of cards, we asked guests to bring books to give to June.

One shot I loved from Destinie’s iPhone. Mini Bundt cakes, brown butter sea salt with rosemary cookies, Apple goodies and amazing rugelach..

Me and Destinie getting ready for the shower while Tiff gets ready. We redecorated the whole living room just for the shower.

Some of the table setup outside. We used the Madonna Inn glass for the guest of of honor. We searched high and low for teacups and teapots from thrift, antique and yard sales (not an easy task) until we found enough for our guests. You think it would be easier for only ten people. It wasn’t! The mismatched saucers were easier to find than the mismatched teacups.

We juiced fresh, organic fruits to use for mimosas and served them in mini mason jars. It was a big hit!


Some of our hat ladies!

More prints from her maternity session hung on windows outside for decor.

Our intimate, lovely and fun brunch! We were served by two true gentlemen: my boyfriend Evan and Melody’s husband Jeremy. Without them, this would have been impossible. They cooked, cut and served for hours so we could enjoy ourselves.

French Toast Bake.

Quiches and the sandwiches.

My most favorite tiny little cup from Ikea with the grilled Gouda cheeses.

Melody opening her gifts and the two men that slaved over the hot stove, finally relaxing.

Whatever was leftover, I had them take home in a tea cup as a favor.(From my iPhone)

Some of the ladies.

Melody with the the hosts: Destinie, Tiffani and me!

And I also had the amazing experience of shooting the home birth of baby June. Come back soon to see it!

One of my favorite things about being a photographer is that I build relationships with wonderful people I now call friends. It’s hard to put into words what that means to me… I shot Bree + Marty’s wedding a few years ago and now I’m shooting another big moment. I’m so excited for them!

Thanks Bree + Marty for being up for my shenanigans: taking the looong walk, watching me almost get a ticket and climbing all around! I think it was worth it!

I want to live in this session.

These are my dear friends and I have been doing the photography for them for years. This is a special session that we combined two maternities, since Melody and Chrissy (sisters) are pregnant at the same time! The only thing that made it even better is that Melody is having a girl (she has two boys) and Chrissy is having a boy (she has one girl.) I couldn’t be happier for all of joy this family has coming to them!

June’s nursery.

How fun is it to be pregnant at the same time as your sister?!

Giving me their best “serious” face.

I even got to get one with sweet little Lily! I just love her!

“Sweet Shana” is what I like to call my dear client-friend. (And she calls me “Darling Dana”.) So when she told me she was having a baby and wanted me to shoot her maternity, I was beyond excited for her and Travis! It’s so amazing to me that I get to shoot a couple’s engagement, wedding and then maternity. Come to think of it, I’ve shot everything I can possibly shoot of this couple! And above all, I treasure our conversations and coffee dates.

Can’t wait to meet their little guy! Thank you Shana + Travis for sharing so many amazing milestones with me!

Hair by Melody
Makeup by Brandie Bedell