Photographing this family during one of the most challenging times our generation has experienced:  a global pandemic; and historic large California fires,  makes me appreciates my clients more than any other time in my 8 years in business. It fills me with joy; it makes me grateful; and it gives me purpose; which research shows improves resilience to stress and our ability to think.  Having to photograph the same families over and over it’s a creative challenge; but also a safe haven for me.

First, it pushes me to deliver not only consistent work that they will love over and over again; but also it challenges me come up with different approaches on how I can deliver “something” different every year. I need to raise my bar every single time.

Second, it is a safe haven because we mutually give each other comfort. I offer something familiar to them; and they do the same for me. I actually look forward seeing my clients year after year. I look forward catching up with them; know what is new in their lives; how much their children have grown; how many more memories are there to be made.

At last, I can’t stress how much it means to me to have my clients, TRUST ME, over this mad world we are living. For them to say, screw it! let’s shoot over crazy air quality and pandemic.  For them to say, our daughter is coming from the other coast, and we really want to make this happen; we really want to create these memories, no matter what… I take a deep breath, and I can’t believe my luck.

At my 40 something years (we don’t need to get too specific), I can say with confidence, that when I tell you I love my clients, I say it from my heart. Elardo’s, I LOVE YOU. Thanks for letting me do this, you have no idea how much it means to me. XOXO

P.S. If you want to see some of their previous sessions, click here!