Sorella Muse Photography | Los Angeles Wedding Photographer » maternity + newborn

roseville maternity session | julia’s baby on the way | pasadena family photographer

nicole — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 22:03:25 +0000

My mom had three very close friends when she was going to law school: Julia, Carol and Tiffany. These three women were her study buddies, her support system, and my “law school aunties”. I adore Julia (and not just because she taught me how to make the best granola everrrr) so I was thrilled when she wanted to do a maternity session. I was just home for a few days in Northern California, so I didn’t have time to scout a location. We literally picked a park via google maps that was halfway between us, and I hoped for the best. We stumbled across this lovely patch of untamed grasses and trees and I could not have picked a prettier fall setting if I had tried. Julia and James, I am so happy for you, and I can’t wait to meet the baby!

I am off to make myself a cup of tea, do some Saturday afternoon baking with Jacqui, Daniel and Noelle, and make granola (Julia’s recipe), which will be put into Mason jars and given out as my Chrismukkah gifts to all. Homemade gifts are the best gifts. Unless you were planning on buying me Louboutins or anything that comes in a little Tiffany’s box, in which case…

amador county event photographer | ciera’s baby shower | pink, pink, and more pink

nicole — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:25:09 +0000

As I was leaving for Ciera’s baby shower, I looked over and saw my camera. It was just looking up at me with these sweet puppy eyes, pleading take me! take me! I couldn’t resist.

Some serious baby shower swag

Nothing makes me happier than seeing Sorella Muse photos that have been printed and framed. Don’t keep photos locked away in megabyes people!

mimosas…I only had one. ok, two. ok fine, fine, three. but that’s it!

Rikki, Ciera’s sister and co-host of the baby shower. I just love this girl!

Look familiar?! Melissa was one of two past Sorella Muse brides at Ciera’s baby shower!

Baby B is definitely going to be a baby Einstein. Either as a result of this game, or because I will be whispering Shakespeare and calculus equations into her ear whenever I babysit…

Baby showers ensure that an expectant mother never need buy any more onesies ever, ever again

Everyone gathered around to say hello to Marisa’s adorable baby Eli, whose newborn session I did in April. I can’t believe how much he has grown since then! And Marisa remains the most beautiful mother imaginable.

I think of all baby tendencies, the desire to stick anything and everything in their mouth is the best. “Hmm…what is this? I do not know. I think I will put it in my mouth and find out.”

Second Sorella Muse bride sighting: it was so nice to see you Kayla!

Two pretty pregnant chicas!

Ciera, with grandma-to-be Tracy and auntie-to-be Rikki! They threw Ciera such a lovely baby shower, and I know they are as curious as me to find out Baby B’s name…Bella? Brynn? Beth? No? Bailey? Babette? Brianna? Ok, I’ll just wait til November.

amador county family photographer | ciera’s lovely maternity session

nicole — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 20:41:16 +0000

When I was four and my little sister Jacqui was 3, we moved into a new house in Sutter Creek. In the house across the street lived Rikki, age 4, and her little sister Ciera, age 3. Our new house came with built in best friends across the street! We played at the park, we ran through sprinklers, and formed fanciful worlds with sidewalk chalk. Ciera and Jacqui were bummed when Rikki and I ditched them for kindergarten, but they got to join us the next year. And so from barbies to basketball, from kindergarten to high school, through countless sleepovers where we watched romantic comedies, dispensed boy advice, and ate pints of Ben and Jerry’s, our friendships became a constant in an ever-changing world. My mom used to tell me and Jacqui that we were sisters by birth, but Rikki and Ciera were our sisters by choice.

So it was with ecstatic joy that I received the news that Ciera was engaged to her boyfriend Kyle, and that they wanted me to photograph their wedding next summer. It was with even greater joy that I received the news the following week that Ciera was pregnant! Baby B, (Ciera won’t tell me your full name yet!) you are coming into one super cute nursery (I know, I’ve seen photos) and a world where you will be loved so very much. Ciera is going to be one beautiful, caring and devoted mom! And Jacqui and I already refer to you as our niece, we can’t wait for you to get here either.

p.s. stay tuned for some fun photos from Ciera’s baby shower!

amador county family photographer | jesica, jeff, and diva + one on the way

nicole — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:29:30 +0000

It is going to be a flurry of posts around here this week, so check back often. First up, a maternity session! I was so excited when Jesica contacted me about maternity and newborn photography in Sacramento. She was referred to me by a good friend, which reminds me…dear friends: go tell people I’m a photographer! I don’t have a marketing budget, so I’m going to rely on you guys

Jesica is an absolutely radiant mom-to-be, but what really made this session so wonderful was the trust I felt from her! I think she sensed my quirky passion for photography and put her trust in that. It’s hard to define what I mean by trust in terms of a photography session. It’s something about an openness, a faith in the random things I suggest, a collaborative spirit. She could tell how dedicated I am in the search of the right moment, the right angle and a certain slant of light. I will admit that I can look pretty hilarious when I’m moving about with my camera (as Kanye put it so elegantly, “don’t let me get in my zone”…although he may have been talking about something else). Jesica said I looked like a fairy…or did she say elf? Let’s go with fairy.

In just over a month, I will also get to be her newborn photographer! And after watching Jesica and Jeff together, I know that this baby is coming into a home of love and laughter, and will have an excellent guardian dog named Diva.

amador county family photographer | marisa is going to be a mom!

nicole — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:36:46 +0000

I was ecstatic when Marisa asked me to be her maternity and newborn photographer. I’ve known Marisa since forever (that’s just how Amador County works) and it’s such an honor to be invited into her life at this beautiful moment. Also, as these photos testify, Marisa is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, and only moreso in her pregnancy! Seriously, she is glowing. She even looked beautiful mid-shoot when she paused to satisfy pregnancy cravings with a Mel’s Diner burger and fries…but that’s Marisa, she makes most things look glamorous.

And a quick glance at the first photo below shows where she gets her pretty genes: her mom!

We had two guests during the shoot: Marisa's mom, Lydia, and her adorable nephew!

I can hardly believe that in just a matter of weeks there will be a baby boy in the crib. I can’t wait to meet him!

Marisa with her nephew...doesn't she already look like a natural?!

Marisa’s mom Lydia can’t wait for her second grand-baby!