Laguna Beach Family Portraits

So I have been pretty busy working full time, then switching full gear into stay at home mom mode when I see my kids. How can I be a stay at home mom, when I don't stay at home? Well, I just act like the only thing in the world I have to do, is tend to my children once I get off work. I go in super early (I was at work 6 AM today) so I can get off on time, and be with my kids by 4 PM on almost every weekday. This still gives me half the day to bow to their every desire and tell them NO when their wishes include covering their little bodies with ice-cream.

So when asked if I was available to take family portraits on the beach for a family of five, I thought about it for a moment, and then said yes. I am glad I did, because I had the fortune of meeting a very sweet family, loving couple who have been married for 13 years, and have 3 sweet natured kids together.

We had a lot of fun being playful, jumping in the air, splashing in the water, and of course getting dirty in the sand. Look forward to many more photoshoots with this lovely family!

 

 

Great Families take great Family Pictures

Today I had the fortune of recapturing one of the first families I ever photographed. Three of the sweetest kids ever, and they have such great sibling dynamic. Ritu and Ajay are a match made in heaven and it was a pleasure to take their family pictures again. Ritu had the idea to recreate the first picture we took years ago, and it was amazing to see how much the kids have grown. It was nice to see the first picture enlarged on their wall, and it is one of the things that makes photography so joyful.

 

Ritu and Ajay look like they haven't aged at all, and the kids are almost taller than their parents! I hope I get a chance to take pictures another few years from now, and pray this family stays happy forever =)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nasha's 1st Birthday

Today was Nasha's 1st Birthday. I was in labor on my birthday last year, and Nasha missed being born on the same day as me by a few measly hours. Nonetheless, it was an emotional and special day and I cannot believe that an entire year has passed since the moment I first held her in my arms. It has been a year of sleep deprivation, but well worth it because this tiny little being has brought so much joy to my life. I love how her face lights up when her older sister walks into the room. I love how she looks at me with all the trust in the world.

 

 

We bought Nasha a large pack of balls so she could play in her own ball pit, and she went wild in the pool with water and colorful plastic balls. As a mother, nothing made me happier than to watch her face fill with such joy. Nothing fancy, just playing outside all day with pool play, and a nice wagon ride around the neighborhood. As is evident from her wide smiles, this is all a one year old needs =)

 

We then ended the day with a photoshoot at the park and came home to cake and dinner. The best day ever because she laughed, and she giggled, and she looked at us with love. Happy 1st Birthday sweet Nasha, we pray that God bless you with MANY, MANY more.

 

 

Nadia's Baby Shower

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending the baby shower of one of my good friends, Nadia. This girl is devoted to her job, helping others, her friends, but most of all she is committed to her family. This is part of why it got many of us excited to hear that she was finally going to become a mother. She will make an excellent one, we all know it, and the cherry on top is her husband Nasir. This guy is always smiling around kids. I've seen how he makes their niece Serene smile and giggle and it's obvious that he will bring endless joy and laughter to their own child. With all the pain in the world, it's great to see that a new life is going to be placed in the hands of such loving parents.

 

This guy adores his wife, but he is a real joker at times, but that is what makes their marriage so beautiful and unique. They are always able to laugh TOGETHER.

Serene is going to have a baby cousin!

 Now we wait, and I'm praying for a healthy baby to join their family inshaAllah!
 

Memorial Day Picnic at the Park

Spent a relaxing afternoon at Mason Park today with friends and family. There was volleyball, wiffleball, lots of good food, UNO, and quality time with my girls =)  

 

Layaana enjoyed spending time with daddy.

 

Mujtaba just got back from his international gallivanting and was getting to know Nasha.

Bright sunshine was not a problem for her!

 

It was simply one of those days that I felt grateful to have had. A day that too many people take for granted. Gorgeous weather, lots of laughs, and having my kids close to me. I'm glad we didn't spend a lot of money to go somewhere in efforts to utilize the long weekend. Sometimes it's great to just sit back and enjoy what we have around us, and while we're at it, we should document the memory with some cute pictures =)



 

Happy 1st Anniversary Saira and JC!

Today is my sister and brother in law's first wedding anniversary! Over the course of the past year I have grown to love this dude like the brother I never had, and I have much abuse to make up for =) There are many great things about JC, but since it is their wedding anniversary, I have to appreciate the number one thing about him, and that is the fact that he loves Saira. He CHOSE to love Saira, whereas my family and I have no option you see ;) All jokes aside, I decided to honor their anniversary by backtracking a little.
Beginning with the moment he actually put a ring on her finger and she said yes. I remember that I was hardly pregnant with Nasha and we did a fun little photoshoot for Saira and JC.

So him asking her to marry him, led to her saying yes, led to their wedding, and this picture pretty much captures their relationship and personas. I am proud to say I directed this creative little piece. He loves to play the guitar, and she loves to bake and Disney. So Saira in a Minnie Mouse apron while JC sings to her captures the start of their marriage. 2012 was kind to us and we were blessed with 2 new family members. JC, and then my precious Nasha =)

Happy Anniversary you silly cupcakes!

Backyard PhotoShoot

Today was a gorgeous day outside. The best possible day to take pictures of kids. So today I got a chance to take pictures for Muzzammil and his two kids Azim and Aliya. They had brought home some baby chicks from school and wanted the school pets to be a part of their photoshoot. Surprisingly, the tiny animals actually cooperated for the most part! Azim is also a little athlete and we decided to capture his soccer talents as well.

I love adding personal touches to pictures for this very reason, no two families will ever have a 'generic' feel to their photographs. This is what differentiates an image from a memory. Years from now when they look at their pictures, they will fondly recall how soccer was a part of Azim's childhood, and how something as small as chicks could create so much bonding and sibling rivalry!

Overall, it was a fun, playful photoshoot and we got some great smiles and laughs out of everyone, including the chicks!