I remember how they danced on the dance floor…spontaneous…carefree….locked on each other’s eyes the entire time….and so much in love. When I met Cami and George three years ago at our Jody and Dave’s wedding, I knew that I would never forget them, or how they danced that night.

When I asked Cami about how her and George met, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the night I saw them dance.  I simply adored her response as it reminded me so much of what I already knew about them, ”We ended up having dinner together, walking on the beach and rest is history. It was a very spontaneous and carefree night.”

From the night they met, to the night they danced, to the morning I met their sweet little Sydney, I could tell one thing hasn’t changed about Cami and George.  Although they affectionately call their Sydney “little boss”, as she already seems to take on life vivaciously and with tenacity at only 18 months old, I am so happy to see that their little boss has not overrun or changed them in any way.  She just fits right into the fold, another little spark in the fire….carefree and spontaneous…. full of life and love.

It was so fun to spend the morning around their house capturing all that is them.  And if I had to guess, I would be willing to bet that Cami and George are still dancing….

We started outside in their beautiful backyard, but didn’t waste any time getting into to the bedroom where we could play and laugh and have a ton of fun. It seems no two families that I have photographed on the bed have ever treated it the same; to Cami and George and Sydney, it was their playground. (and I simply love the energy they have….)

This next shot is my favorite of the day by far. I just love Sydney’s expression as her mom tells her a secret. Isn’t she the most adorable little spark you have ever seen?

I know I have said it before, but I could say it a million times: I love when a family invites me into their life to capture all that they are…. without any pretenses. I have yet to see a Ward and June Clever, but to me each family is still so perfect because of who they are as a family. To me this photo shoot was everything that Cami and George and little Sydney are; fast…fun…carefree…full laughter, swinging, silliness, and of love and life. Thank you so much “E” family for inviting me into your home and life…and for being everything that you are.

“We just stare at Mckay all day”

I always do a consultation conversation with my clients over the phone so we can get a lot of the “getting to know you” done before the photo shoot. This helps us not only jump in quicker on the day of the photo shoot, but it also (hopefully) helps me capture pictures that represent what is YOU and YOUR family….what makes it both unique and beautiful…and well, YOU. When I called up Alexia and P.J. they joked that all I needed to know about them was: “that we just stare at Mckay all day”.

I loved this sentence;  although it may be a simple statement to some, to me it spoke volumes. I remember that love and sense of awe, that borderline obsession when my own little girl was young. Nothing is more powerful and more unexplainable then the feeling the first months a first time parent has. Sure, there are the “sleepless nights” that everyone talks about, but the love…oh the love…the awe…the amazement…the sweet moments of watching your child discover the world…nothing is more precious. It was so clear to me from the moment I talked to Alexia and P.J. that they loved this little guy with all their hearts and I could see that nothing was more important to them then just soaking him in. And when I met Mckay…I could see why.

This little family stole my heart in every way: something about them made me feel like we had been friends forever and we just hadn’t met until now. They made me laugh, they made me remember and reflect how much it is a precious gift to be a parent, and they patiently let me talk their ears off (Sincerely guys, thanks for that! I don’t think I have ever talked so much about myself…I am so embarrassed…but you were so gracious about my jabbering!)…and they have one of the funniest and cutest little boys ever.

Come meet them and you too will have your heart stolen….

I have always thought it would be fun to do a photo shoot in Old Town San Diego but never had anyone request it….until now.   I was in heaven. I am LOVING all the color and architecture that we got to capture there….(and  just look at this little guy’s smile…..)

This is definitely one of my favorites from the day:

McKay was cracking me up the entire morning. It was almost like he had been coached on how to model for me, as he would give me this incredible, heart-melting smile….

…but then he would give me a look like this. It completely tickled my funny bone.

I love this next set. A spot I hadn’t even planned on stopping at…but it is a favorite spot now!

Right as we were about to end the session, a wonderfully kind women offered to let us in the “Bazaar Del Mundo” courtyard even though it wasn’t open for the public yet. I knew that Mckay was probably done with smiling for me, but my heart skipped a beat at the opportunity to photograph in the beautiful gardens, brightly colored buildings, and courtyard …

I love that Alexia and P.J. were up for a bit of an extension on our photo shoot time…and that I also got to capture  these sweet photos. I love to capture smiles, but a little guy only sleeps in his mama’s arms for so long…

Alexia, P.J. and Mckay…thank you! And thank you for driving all the way from the Bay to let me capture your love and your family. I can’t tell you how much fun I had….you were the best!!

Holiday Mini Sessions are NOW OPEN.

Space is limited. Locations and times will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Times will be available in both the morning and evening. Please email Ginette at sundinphotography@gmail.com to reserve your spot. Can’t wait to see you and play with your family!

Mini Sessions are priced at $175

More Details:

• Mini sessions will last 30 minutes and are perfect for getting the latest family picture for your holiday cards! Sessions will include a mixture of posed and natural family photos. Things will move quickly, so please ensure you arrive 10 minutes before you session starts so we don’t lose any of that precious family picture time.
• Mini Sessions are limited to families of 5 or smaller.
• All images from the Mini Session will be up in an online gallery for your viewing 7 days after the session.
• The Mini Session will include three (3) digital images for your holiday card needs.  The files will be full resolution and will be emailed to you as soon as you contact me with the image selections.  These images will come with a print release so they are yours to have, share and enjoy.
• Sessions are booked on a first come, first serve basis.
• Session fee can either be collected via credit card before your session or by check at your session.
• When you book, I will send you a contract, more details, tips for what to wear and shoot location and answer any other questions you might have.
• Prints will be available at listed price for purchase as will a CD with all the images from the session.
• The session includes a $25 print credit that you can apply towards the purchase of CD of all images from your session or toward prints.

Chrystal was vulnerable and authentic in front of a group of girls on the night I needed someone to be vulnerable and authentic.  Have you ever had one of those moments?  I wouldn’t call it coincidence.  After that night we became fast friends; we have the kind of friendship that comes easy, but doesn’t lack deepness for the amount of ease.   So when Chrystal asked me to capture her family, it goes without saying that I was excited beyond words.

I have never been one to want to make your family look “perfect”….for I have yet to meet a family that carries such a title. To me families are about love and about connection.  That is what I love to capture.  And beauty to me is more than a pretty face or a perfect set of teeth or a glowing smile with the most fashionable outfit.  Beauty to me is in the things that make you, well, YOU.  It is in the way she tucks her hair behind her ear, the way she looks so inquisitive when she is trying to figure out the answer to a question, the way he will only stop for a quick snuggle before going on to climb the next mountain, or the way any child looks when they laugh at their daddy’s jokes.  So that is why I would rather capture your laugh than your smile; every time, every shoot.  I strive to capture the authentic you, the person that makes you, YOU.  Whether that authenticity is shy, or strong, or sweet, or silly, or tender, it doesn’t matter to me, as long as it is all you.

This is why I was so excited to capture Chrystal and her family.   Chrystal and I began with authentic; we started our relationship with the real, so I knew  that Chrystal would be the type of person who would want capture her family the same way: capturing the THEM that makes them THEM.  And I am so happy to share that  the “T” family didn’t let me down.  They brought them: all their beauty, silliness, tenderness, passion and strength.

Chrystal even said to me about half way through the photo shoot, “If they cry, will you take a picture?  I love capturing all that is them right now.”  Now THAT is what I am talking about.  [But I am happy to share: this was a photo shoot with no tears...and a lot of laughter...]

Meet the “T” family.

Being one of many sisters myself, I can truly appreciate how each girl is so different…and how each sister also has the power to make other crack up. How I adore sisters….

We had another little “member” join our shoot for a bit…it was so fun to see these girls pick up the little guy with no fear…and let the giggles and screams flow freely.

One of the things that Chrystal has said many times about her family is how much she loves their silliness and joy. She was SO right! These little girls had me in stitches for so much of the shoot! [This next shot is them all pretending to be tigers in the brush.]

And knowing about their silly side, I was inspired to bring mustaches….and they didn’t hesitate to play along:

I don’t do black and white all too often, but I am just loving this last set of photos in black and white.  First, what I call the “for grandma and grandpa family portrait”:

Then comes the more authentic portraits….cause isn’t this more what our lives are really like?

And ending it off with my favorite shot of the day. I wish all family portraits were like this:

“T” family, thanks so much for everything! I can’t tell you how much I loved spending the morning with you and coming home with my sides aching from laughing!

Whirlwind. It was just like that. I snapped my fingers and in two weeks I went from  3 sessions booked to this:

I am completely booked for the remainder of 2011.

Woweee.  YesSS!  WOOOHOOO!!  Right?!

I am beyond thrilled and jumping up and down on my chair, but at the same time my heart is so sad for all of those who I get to see every year who are not on my calender for this year!  Since I just can’t bear the thought of not seeing your smiling face in all of 2011, I am thrilled to announce:

I am SO EXCITED that this year I will be featuring Holiday Mini Sessions!  I have saved a few spots in October for Mini Sessions this year for all your Christmas Card needs.  I will not start taking names or booking these mini sessions until the end of July, but come August jump quick cause I have a feeling they will fill up fast. Can’t wait to tell you more…so stay tuned for all the details!