Family Portraits – Page 4 – Paper Ban Photography

Newborn Reese

MONTROSE, CALIFORNIA

It is always a pleasure photographing clients on more than one occasion. When I first photographed Randy and Jamie, it was for their backyard wedding ceremony and reception. Now, over a year later, I get to witness their family grow as they welcome a new addition: Reese.

I took some shots of her bedroom, and I love how it’s decorated! It’s very beach-themed, from the anchor shelf filled with animals and fishes, the pillow with the quote “What happens at the beach, stays at the beach”, and the seafoam color scheme (with splashes of pink accents, of course!). I would love to have had this as my baby room!

We took these photographs while Reese was only a few days old. She was a small baby, so cute and cuddly! Nothing could disturb her from sleeping, and when she did wake up for feeding time, she went back to sleep after a huge adorable yawn. I’m happy to have been her Los Angeles newborn photographer!

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One Month Old Trevor

HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA

It was SO nice to once again photograph one of my first clients – Vanessa and her family. I photographed Brisa when she was only 6 months old, and then her first year’s birthday party. We met up once more in their Hermosa Beach home for a lifestyle family portrait session to welcome their newest family addition – Trevor!

During the session, Trevor was one month old. He had eyes of curiosity and loved looking at everyone. I’m particularly curious what he thought of when he stared into my big and ominous camera lens, haha. The rest of the family joined in on the session, first wearing all white while in the bedroom (loved this concept) and then moved into the family room with brighter clothes for a more fun feel.

It’s amazing how big Brisa is since the last time I saw her. Her mother, Vanessa, mentioned how Brisa normally hates being in front of the camera. Yet, she loved being in front of mine!

Brisa, darling, my camera loves you too 😉

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The Behnken Family

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA

Not many people know that there is an alternative way to photograph your family aside from the traditional way (heading out to a great location and taking happy photos), and one of them is the ‘Day in the Life’ documentary-style photos. How this style is different from traditional family portraits is that instead of directing my clients into poses, I am a fly on the wall as the family goes about their normal daily lives, and let the emotions and reactions of the family members unfold itself naturally.

I began photographing this family on an early Sunday morning. The streets were quiet and peaceful, and the Behnken household began to stir, starting with little Sterling. With as much energy that she could muster up, Katherine led him to the backyard, away from his sleeping dad. As the day progressed, everyone enjoyed a fresh breakfast on their front lawn, followed by something they were super excited about – setting up the net for their trampoline! Of course, this was a father-son activity, and Sterling was more than happy to help his dad, Lukas. Soon after, everyone enjoyed the fruits of their labor with some (safe) trampoline fun!

Then, I followed them on a grocery trip where the four things on their ‘to-buy’ list ended in a full cart. Oh, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who does this, haha. As we explored the grocery store, Sterling followed his parent’s footsteps and helped pick out some of his favorite foods to take home.

Once we head back to their Pasadena home, Lukas asked if I would be interested in photographing them while he cuts Sterling’s hair into a mohawk. Um… YES?! By that time, it was roughly noon, which is normally when Sterling takes his day nap. The energy that he had in the beginning of the day began to falter as Lukas started snip-snipping away Sterling’s precious blond hair in their backyard patio, and Katherine had to keep the little guy entertained in the meanwhile.

In the end, the haircut didn’t get finished as Sterling’s patience had reached its limits. I couldn’t fault him for that; they’ve had such a busy morning!

And so, with his hair turned into a partial mohawk, Sterling called it a day and entered into the realm where dreams run amuck.

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Kalesha and Henna

POMONA, CALIFORNIA

One of the things I would love to do in my lifetime is to travel the world, see new horizons, and experience different cultures. Unfortunately, I don’t know when this will actually start happening, haha. But the nice thing about living in a diverse melting pot of a city such as Los Angeles is that one does get to taste a little of so many cultures already.

Meet Kalesha and Henna, two Indian-American ladies with a closet full of beautifully colorful traditional Indian dresses. They were dolled up by hair and makeup artist Nathaly Morago and thankfully, their mothers attended the portrait session to help out with the outfits because I would have been so clueless on how to put the traditional Indian dresses together!

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Sterling

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA

This little guy’s name is Sterling. He is such a precious little boy that thoroughly enjoys the outdoors and all that it has to offer – the birds chirping, the flowers growing, the grass beneath his feet. If he is in a bad mood (which rarely happens), take him outside and his mood instantly lifts.

It only makes sense to take little Sterling’s portraits in his true nature – outside and in his diapers.

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Sam

EAGLE ROCK, CALIFORNIA

Sam was due any day with her second child, a boy that is to be named Riot. She has never gotten her maternity photos done – for her first child and Riot-, and the clock was ticking to document her pregnancy journey. We had to do something quickly. When I mentioned that it might be a great idea to photograph her in her cozy Eagle Rock home as part of a lifestyle maternity session, she agreed!

We photographed Sam in a few settings throughout her home. The first setting is her lovely-lit bedroom that just gives gorgeous angelic light, and I love the intimate mood of these photos. The rest of her family joined in soon afterwards for a few interactive group photos, as the beginning of their welcome party for Riot.

I absolutely love these photos. For me, lifestyle photos taken in the home gives such an intimate slice-of-life feeling that can be cherished for years to come. If Sam’s family move to a different home, they’ll have these images to remember a period of their time where they lived their life then and there.

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