Joy to the World, Santa Barbara Family Photographer

rebecca December 10, 2015

I’ve documented this family for the past 6 years, from their toddler photos to a recent over-the-top Halloween party and every time the process is unique and a true collaboration.

They wanted to do something different for their holiday card so between me and mom hunting down the perfect props, we loaded up a wagon for plenty of options, including live trees donned in cranberry garlands. These boys are always a lively delight and played right along to create a unique beachside story that shows there’s no lack of love in this ever gracious family.

Santa Barbara Children's Photographer- Next Stop, Park City!

rebecca November 3, 2015

I LOVE traveling for work, especially when I get to experience places like this! Park City, I heart you! As a southern California girl, I don't often get to experience the colors of fall... I am in awe of this beautiful place. Until we meet again...

Spooky Halloween Fun, Santa Barbara Family Photographer

rebecca November 2, 2015

Cue the haunted house soundtrack. Planned for mom’s birthday, this family pulled out all the stops with a green screen photo booth to take spooky photos, a bounce house, karaoke, a magician, a caricature portraitist, a DJ, games for the kids, pumpkin decorating, an airbrush tattoo artist and of course a fully catered buffet with cocktail concoctions for the adults.

Shooting this spectacular and totally over-the-top family Halloween party for over 100 guests was a seriously tricked out and memorable treat!

Sweet Dreams, Newborn Photographer Santa Barbara, CA

rebecca September 23, 2015

The Santa Barbara Bluffs, Children and Family Photorapher

rebecca September 22, 2015

There are so many great locations here in Santa Barbara, but these bluffs always take my breath away. No matter how many times I walk along these cliffs, I am always in awe of this magical place... Truly stunning!! With this vintage baby-blue Volkswagen Bug, this adorable little family, and these incredible views, I was in my own dreamland!!! I couldn't have asked for a better afternoon... The light was perfect, the weather warm, and this sweet little girl was having the time of her life. Magic!!!

Look Whose Two, Santa Barbara Children's Photographer

rebecca September 5, 2015

Watch out world, this girl is turning two!! What a fun photo session with one adorable little lady... I just love her silly expressions and those big beautiful eyes! Wishing a happy birthday to this little darling.

Wild and Free, Santa Barbara Family Photographer

rebecca August 27, 2015

As summer wraps up and the kiddos begin to gear up for the new school year, I wanted to share this adorable summer session photographed out on the bluffs here in Santa Barbara, CA. The colors, tones, location and the props for this shoot were inspired by Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. With new adventures on the horizon, let's remember to let kids be kids and to always explore and discover right along with them!

Old Friends, New Beginnings, Santa Barbara Maternity Photos

rebecca June 2, 2015

I grew up with this gorgeous mama and hadn’t seen her since our high school graduation 15 years ago. So I was totally delighted when she emailed me about setting up a maternity shoot in Santa Barbara. These two parent-to-be simply radiated that delicious anticipation of life, a new chapter just waiting to be written.

I love how my job reconnects me with people I have not seen for years. From young friends to parents - it’s remarkable to share these milestones with them, reminisce and imagine the future. I am so excited to photograph their baby girl next month!

VW Love, Santa Barbara Portrait Photographer

rebecca May 15, 2015

My gorgeous baby sister is graduating from middle school so we celebrated recently with a photo shoot at our barn. We did her hair and makeup in the breezy Santa Barbara way and stuck her in this vintage VW beauty parked in our driveway. (How it got there is a story for another day, but let’s just say it involves my German husband’s obsession with VW buses and their tendency to break down.)

Since making its appearance at the barn, I’ve done multiple shoots with it and every time it makes for a quintessentially cool California vibe. (Extra bonus that it doubles as babysitter and awesome hangout spot for my sons on a daily basis!) We have such fun with it, just like my little sis did. Look out high school, here she comes!

When Baby Number Two Comes Along, Santa Barbara Family Photographer

rebecca May 12, 2015

Bringing home Baby #2 is always such a different story for each family. The excitement, the exhaustion, the hormones, the toddler energy along with a newborn - it truly is an amazing whirlwind of emotions! From my own experience, the enormous shift that a second child brings into the family dynamic is major. This sweet brood is still taking it all in - learning how to become a family of four. Luckily for the new little one, life is definitely going to be more about "going with the flow."

Look Who’s One! Children Lifestyle Photographer, Santa Barbara

rebecca April 28, 2015

It’s the first major milestone and such a fun time for mom, dad, grandparents and family. I love 1-year photo shoots for so many reasons - kids at this stage are bubbling with curiosity, usually happy and giggly, and their mostly toothless grins can melt even the most stoic heart.

This sweet girl was no exception. Although she was a little under the weather, you would have never known! She laughed, smiled, and crawled around this awesome vintage Ford truck that her Grandpa drove to the photo shoot. Between her sunny disposition, stunning blue eyes, and this amazing old truck we had the makings for a most amazing shoot!

Little Lucy, Santa Barbara Baby Photographer

rebecca April 17, 2015

What a doll!! This sweet little lady (and her family, of course) came for a visit a few weekends ago. I was so excited for my dear friends when they announced the birth of this adorable girl. Their family of four is now complete! This little girl could not be more lovable... Talk about the happiest baby on the block! With my youngest turning two this last February, I was so excited to have a baby in our house again... How could I resist dressing her us and staging an impromptu photo shoot!

Puppy Time! Santa Barbara Portraits

rebecca April 15, 2015

As a lifestyle photographer I normally work with children, so when this dear couple asked me to take pictures of them with their little pup, it was the little kid in me that said yes.

In the 10 years I’ve been doing portraiture I rarely work with animals, but I’ve found that puppies and children share one major trait in front of the lens: they run the show! If they are bored, you will know it. If they are grumpy, you will know it. If they are having a blast, watch out for cuteness overload!

I made my silly noises, ran all over the place and rolled on the ground with this sweet rascal - anything to get that priceless, authentic expression that lets you see inside his personality. I had a blast with this furry friend and his humans!

The Zen of a Newborn Portrait Session - Santa Barbara, CA

rebecca March 25, 2015

Being a successful newborn photographer isn’t all about technical prowess, though that helps. Truly it’s the energy you bring to the shoot. Especially with the newest of new, like this little nugget, who at just seven days old was a picture of sweetness.

Calm, caring, peaceful. There’s a meditative calmness to spending hours posing these sleeping babes and coaxing them gently, quietly to sleep when they rouse.

With her two sisters lending a helping hand, she settled right in and let me capture some adorable moments! I just love that she snuggled up with the family dog - not an easy combination to photograph and so gratifying when everyone’s in the flow and it works out.

Sister! Sister! Santa Barbara Maternity Photographer

rebecca March 20, 2015

Lucky is the littlest girl who will round out this family of five. As this family eagerly awaits Baby No. 3, these two darling girls couldn’t be more excited to be her big sisters! Her sweet mama could not be more beautiful, graceful and strong. And daddy, though technically outnumbered, loves them each like it’s going out of style.

Three sisters under one roof truly reveals the bonds of family. Each girl her own unique person, inextricably tied to each other. I’ve photographed this sweet family for the last four years and I just can’t wait to watch how they all grow together.

Bohemian Baby Rhapsody, Santa Barbara Newborn Photographer

rebecca March 18, 2015

Spring is such a delightful time of year. Filled with newborns left and right, I always love hearing all the birth stories of sweet new life entering the world as the wildflowers bloom here in Santa Barbara.

These dear friends are always fun to photograph. After waiting anxiously for 9 months, I was so excited to meet this little man and document this special time for them.

This mama’s sense of style always adds so much to our sessions. Her home is gorgeously modern with a bohemian touch - so warm and welcoming with pops of color and orange accents. I love how effortlessly put together she always looks, with just the right mix of coastal California boho panache.

The 4th Trimester, Santa Barbara Baby Photographer

rebecca March 13, 2015

This little nugget was so fun to photograph. Those sweet cheeks! That handmade beanie! The chubby little arms and legs! Ahh! Love! As he kicked his legs and suckled on his hand, I couldn’t help but reminisce about my two boys at this age.

At about 3 months old, babies really start to come into their own. As their senses and bodies become more developed, you can finally start to see flashes of the personality that’s brewing inside. And it just never ceases to amaze me how quickly they grow and soon become running, stomping, talking kids.

I love babies at every age and feel so lucky to get to work with these wee ones. Documenting their miraculous growth and evolution as people truly touches my heart.

Soul Sisters, Santa Barbara Kids Photographer

rebecca March 6, 2015

I started photographing these sweet girls almost 5 years ago when I dove head first into the world of children's photography. Each time we have our annual holiday photo shoot, I love seeing how much their relationship has grown. These two are especially kind and gentle with each other... Their energy is calm, loving and silly in all the right places. Being a mom of two rambunctious young boys, I forget that girls really are such different creatures. And you can really see it in their photos.

Outdoor Santa Barbara Family Photographer

rebecca January 12, 2015

I’ve worked with this lovely family for a few years now - before their sweet baby girl arrived. I photographed her newborn session, their extended family over the holidays a few years back and numerous other family shoots over the years. These kiddos are so fun to photograph and I love chasing after them during our photo sessions, but they already know all the tricks I have up my sleeve. As a child photographer, I try to mix it up to get authentic laughter and smiles, but it is not always an easy task. These brothers give me a run for my money since they know my funny voices and all my jokes. I’m already dreaming up the next round to see if I can outsmart these clever boys...

Faithful Companion, Santa Barbara Newborn Photographer

rebecca December 20, 2014

Two of my favorite and most challenging subjects to photograph are animals and newborns. How these two posed so perfect and effortlessly together just astonished me. With most animals and newborns, you’d think that a biscuit and some milk would make them respectively happy enough to mellow out and sit still, but rarely is that the case. To my surprise, this sweet little girl and her protector were far from the norm... She just snoozed away while this little pup curled up next to her so calmly, so patient. I watched in total amazement as this unfolded before me! My job was done... All there was left to do was take the picture! Amazing! When I first showed up to the house for the shoot, Fido was racing in excitment. But as soon as his humans put their baby next to him, he instantly transformed into the most calm and gentle protector. Exuberant one minute and seriously well behaved the next. I love the warmth of these images and the promise of the unconditional love that’s already forming!