While visiting Los Angeles, we were so happy to do a shoot for Claudine and her family.  We shot all around their home in Redondo Beach, and let me just tell you, we left just a wee bit jealous of the gorgeousness that surrounds them everyday! Steve actually grew up in Redondo beach too!  How cool that he gets to live there now with his own family.

Starting off the shoot was like any other…getting to know each other and feeling comfortable.  Matthew took about .003 seconds to feel right at home.  :)  I think this was literally one of the first 2 shots I took, and the only pic where he looks slightly shy.

Right off the bat we saw that Matthew was the little lover…always wanting to cuddle.

Could you guys look any more perfect?

We found this old church in the area a couple minutes before the shoot, and knew we had to go there.

This shot was completely Matthew’s idea…he said, “Let’s all look like we are sleeping.”

PERFECT + ADORABLE

Look at those big blue eyes.

and then DONE!

Just before sunset we went back and they got on their beach cruisers.  Claudine had the idea to incorporate them, and we thought that was SO great!!

One of my favorite family shots {ever}.

A Brett and Jess view…

first me (Jess)

and Brett’s view.

At this moment I was probably such a happy girl shooting in luscious California light…. and what was I shooting???

This sweet photo.  Matthew and Dad are pretty good pals.

He couldn’t decide…

“to get wet, or not.”

Sweet  :)  Claudine, you look beautiful!

Towards the end of our shoot Brett’s brother brought us all coffees + a hot chocolate for Matthew.  It was the PERFECT treat at the end of our 2 hrs of running around.  After we all took a few sips Matthew busted out with a “HOLLLLAA!”   Needless to say we were all laughing our butts off.

Boy, did he get a second wind!  He must have gotten word that the last 5 minutes of the shoot were for his solo modeling career.  :)  He rocked it out.

Little cutie.

Claudine, Steve, and Matthew: Thank you guys so much for letting us come out there and invade your turf!!  We had so much fun meeting and hanging with your sweet family.  :)  Matthew, you are such a cool kid!!  One of the coolest 5 yr. olds I have ever met.  Hopefully we will see you again down the road….

*LOVE*

jess + brett

Oh, the power of Facebook!!  If not for the ultra-fab social network that we all so dearly love, I may not have reconnected with Valerie who went to the same small Christian school that Brett and I went to.  After we became “friends” on FB, she saw that we did photography, and soon after asked us about doing a session.  We scheduled the session and she and her 2 beautiful children made a 3 1/2 hr. trip up to see us.  (What an honor!)  :)  The best part?  This is a surprise for her husband, so I can’t wait to hear what he thinks!  :)

Here is beautiful, happy and energetic, five year old Kate-right out of the car!   I can’t tell you how much I love this photo of her that Brett captured.

And sweet, precious little Sam.  What a doll.  He is going to be 2 soon.  :)

As you can imagine with a 5 and almost 2 yr. old- we moved around A LOT!!!  Here is Sam playing around with Mommy, Valerie.

Kate was running around and skipping.  I love her curls!!!

Still for a split second…and I love this sweet intimate moment.

Sam was chasing Brett around.  :)

Kate and her Mama had some snuggle time.

Look at this handsome little man!!

Can’t you tell that Kate was sooooo camera shy??  I mean, really….very intimidated by a camera.  :)

You guys are gorgeous.

leg hugs are fantastic.

I think Sam is going to have 2 women in his life that are always looking out for him. :)

These photos crack me up.  Kate reminds me so much of my daughter when she was that age.  Kate says to Sam, “Come on Sam, come down here!”  He says, “No.”  She says, “Well fine then….” (as she strikes her pose.)  :)

Oh, and don’t you just LOVE her sequined handbag!  :)  I love that Valerie let Kate be herself.

Oh my goodness!!

As we were leaving, Sam started having a ton of fun jumping off the curb. So they did it again, and again, and again…..

It made him a VERY happy little guy.  :)

But, nothing compares to his basketball.  Sam LOVES his basketball.

Happy Babies.  :)

Thanks Valerie for making the trek here to have us take your photos!! We loved meeting your beautiful children, and it really was a lot of fun.  :)  Please let me know how the surprise goes…I hope he loves them!

All the best,

Jess + Brett