One of the best forms of flattery in my industry is the referral.  99% of my clients are referred to me by old friends, family, and previous clients, whom have become new friends.  This is why I think I am so lucky to do what I do…and to be able to do what I love.  My circle of friends and family rock my world.

This is how I met Laura and her family.  Laura emailed me about a family session a few months ago.  When I asked how she found me, she said that she was referred to me by a friend.  Laura is now living in Georgia with her cute daughter Harper and her husband, Pat…but grew up in Orange County and both Laura and Pat went to college at my alma mater, UC Irvine (Gooooo Anteaters!  Zot, zot!).

Laura, with the fam in tow, was going to be in Orange County in June and wanted some family photos taken with her entire family.  I spent an afternoon with them, at her parent’s beautiful home in Yorba Linda, and was welcomed by her entire family.  Laura’s family was amazing – they laughed through the entire session and had so much fun together, it was such an awesome experience.

It was such a pleasure to spend time with your family Laura!  Nancy & Dominic, thank you for inviting me into your beautiful home (and thank you for teaching me about Irish moss).  Tony and Christina…you two are so hilarious, thanks for making my day.  And to Laura, Pat and Harper…you three are absolutely beautiful, thanks for introducing me to your wonderful family.

Check out the fam…

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It’s refreshing to go back to the beach, especially as summer approaches.  The one reminder I wish I would remember, as the warmer weather approaches, is to check for high tide when photographing the beach.  Luckily, the Knox family are natural swimmers and could save me, if they had to.  We met in Laguna and it was fabulous June gloom weather…no sun = perfect photo weather.  Perfect photo weather makes me a happy girl.

We tempted the high tide a few times and made it through, whew.  No casualties, except for maybe a pair of flip flops or two.  The Knox family (immediate and extended) are no strangers to me…Tracy & Dave were married three years ago and I was their lucky photographer…and Debbie is my aunt-in-law, which works out perfectly – they are all family!!  They decided it was time for an all-family-in photo sesh and it worked out great…they were up for anything and everything!!

What I love the most about having a connection to my subjects is that you have the opportunity to watch them grow together, as a family…from birthday’s to weddings to family gatherings…simply the best!

Check out the family fun at the beach…

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Meet Deanna…proud and fabulous mother of three boys:  Mack, Merrick and Maverick.  The bond that these boys share with each other and with their mother is inevitable.  It’s my awww moment – these photographs make me smile.  I met up with Deanna and her boys on a Sunday evening for this session and let me tell you, the boys were rip roarin’ ready to rock and roll…and man, they rocked these photos and so did their hot mama.

The entire family was absolutely picture perfect and they made these photos E.A.S.Y.  Simply put, they are a beautiful bunch!  Boys will be boys and it was so cool to experience their bond, I love seeing the relationship between siblings, especially when they are either all brothers or all sisters – I flashed back to my Stand by Me days and it was inspirational.  Deanna and her boys were having so much fun, especially working it the way they were for the camera!

Check out the fabulous fam!  :)

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Roommate wanted.  Roommate found.  Fell in love with roommate.  The end.

Jon was looking for a roommate in Santa Monica and posted a roommate ad.  Heather was moving to California and answered a roommate wanted ad.  THAT is how the Heather and Jon story begins.  Four years later, Jon proposed and Heather said yes!  In a few months from now, they will be walking down the aisle, at a ranch in Montana, near where Heather grew up.  Almost like a fairy tale or even a great Sex in the City episode.

Two words:  Moose Drool.  These two words are what brought Heather and I together in minutes.  I knew I was going to love her and Jon because of Moose Drool and getting hitched at a ranch in Montana.  Totally my people.  Moose Drool beer is brewed in Montana and happens to be the best-selling beer in the state!  As my husband has stated about his Montana experience…”Moose Drool beer was quite the experience but the chicken friend steak was the best he’s ever had.”  To that, Heather responded…”I love Moose Drool…I can tell I am going to get along well with your husband.”  Ahh…and the rest my friends, is history!

Can’t wait to see you two in August, I’ll meet you guys at the bar for a celebratory Moose Drool!

Thanks for reading, check back in to see Heather + Jon’s wedding in August!

Cheers,
Eva

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Two of the many things I love about this couple…(1)  they are high school sweethearts, have been together for about 7 years and they are so in love and (2)  Chris proposed to Sarah with a giant sized cookie.  YES, a giant cookie!  If a giant cookie isn’t the best way to a girl’s heart (or at least mine), then I’m not sure what love is!!  Giant cookie = engagement = YUM = love!  Sarah was a bit nervous for the session but in my opinion, they rocked it out like they were seasoned in-front-of-the-camera pros.

The best part of our day, as they were getting more comfortable in front of the lens, was that you could really tell that after seven years of dating, there was this excitement and giddiness about getting married for them.  I love that they were the laugh out loud kind, the hand holding kind, and even the canoodling kind.  They just made me smile and they still make me smile, as I edit through their photos.  I simply cannot wait to see you two in July…ahhhh love!

Check out the faves…nervous!?  Pfft, whatever!!

Tune back in for their July wedding!

Cheers,

Eva

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Earlier this year, I blogged about my beautiful friend, Jennifer, who was expecting her second child in February.  Well, I’d like to introduce Isobel to the world!  She was born early February and has been gracing the world with her presence ever since!  So, when Jennifer called me about newborn photos, I was all over it.  Before I knew it, she had the entire family make a trip out to celebrate Isobel and snap a few pics!

What I loved about this photo session was the fact that I got to meet the entire family…Isobel and big brother, Caden, both sets of grandparents and uncle and aunt!!  It’s amazing how family gatherings can tug at the heart strings.  Caden was no stranger to being in front of the camera – I met him during a photo shoot at the magazine and not surprisingly, Isobel was a pro at only 2 months!  I guess it’s because Mom and Dad know how to work the lens, like the fabulous models they are.

A shoutout to Jennifer and the fam…you all are fabulous, you all made me smile and really appreciate the awesomeness of family.  It was such a pleasure to meet you all (and to see some of you again!).  Jennifer and Carlos, you two are my glam rock idols…Isobel…la-la-loved the purple striped pants, do they make them in adult size?  To Carlos’ brother, your artwork is amazing and inspiring.  And last but not least, Caden…your personality (and fashion sense…note: the shoes) truly amazes me.

Check out the fun…hanging out with the fam!

Meet Presley Quinn.  She is the newest addition to the Williams’ family and she is absolutely precious.  I had the honor of meeting Presley for the first time this past Sunday.  Three weeks old and she already has become a little cutie pie, looking for attention and being quite fabulous in pink.  She was wide eyed and awake when I first got there…she gave me a few seconds of her attention before crying for Mom.  After a nice, big bottle, Presley fell asleep again and with her permission (of course!), I snapped a few shots of her dreaming away in baby land.  She was as cute as an angel and she rocked the pink bow like no one’s business.  I look forward to watching Miss Presley grow up, rockin’ the pink, and looking fabulous.  Check her out here…

When you meet someone for the first time, you instantly can tell if you’re going to just absolutely love a person.  Four words came to mind when I first met Alyson…beautiful, funny, charming and positive.  When I met up with her for the second time, I just had to add one more description…sassy.  And these five words are what made me fall instantly in love with her!  We met up for a photo shoot, to work on a marketing project for stem cell research.   The minute the camera was pointed in her direction, I just knew this project was going to be absolutely fabulous.

Alyson is originally from Atlanta, Georgia (the cutest, slightest Southern accent!) and found her way to Orange County, California a few years ago.  Before graduating college, in 2000, she was involved in a near-fatal car accident that left her with a spinal cord injury and paralyzed from the waist down.  After graduating from college, Alyson taught music in private and public school and then joined the Free Wheelchair Mission in 2007.  Free Wheelchair Mission is a non-profit organization that distributes wheelchairs to 71 countries around the world to the poorest people with disabilities.

But wait…Alyson’s story gets even better. Alyson recently made history as the first woman with a disability to surf in the U.S. Open of Surfing on July 26, 2009.  She was also crowned “Ms. Wheelchair California” on April 4, 2009, and placed 2nd Runner Up at the “Ms Wheelchair America” pageant in August.  To read more about Alyson, check out her website and her blog.

Alyson is such an amazing woman…a true spirit, she brings joy and laughter to all who cross her path and get to know her.  Truly an inspiration, I had to blog about her.  Alyson, thank you for being so awesome and thank you for being you.

Check out the awesomeness that is Alyson…

My favorite part of a portrait shoot is when I have a sassy subject and Alyson is all about the sassafrass!!

This past weekend, some friends and I celebrated the momminess of our friend, Jennifer. Jen and the fam are expecting a new little girl around Valentine’s Day. So, we celebrated the coming of Isobel with all things girlie and pink…at a tea party because girl’s just wouldn’t have it any other way (and there’s always sweets at a tea party!). Jen and I worked on a mini-belly bump session and then we partayed, tea party style.

I met Jen a few years ago and we instantly bonded. Jen’s a freelance writer and while I was working at the magazine, she was our fearless editor. After the magazine, we remained friends and stayed in touch. While she was workin’ it during the mini-belly bump sesh, I was reminded of why we were friends…check out the following images and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about…

Congratulations Jen, Carlos and Caden!!  We can’t wait for Isobel to come into the world!!

Happy 2010!!!  With every new year comes new resolutions…this year, I thought to myself:  why make resolutions that I’m unable to keep up? So, in this new year, I decided to make new endeavors. One of these endeavors consisted of starting an email newsletter, which came out last week (if you would like to start receiving these, sign up via the website, www.evalempert.com).  They are a lot of fun to design and send out, but require quite the thought process!!  The newsletters will consist of sessions specials and studio news, so stay tuned for the next one!

In addition to the newsletter, I’m welcoming the new year with two studio specials!!  A portrait special, which consists of family sessions, kiddos & babies sessions, personal individual sessions (i.e. headshots), bellies, etc.  And the other special is a new one…boudoir sessions!!  These are so awesome and so fun to photograph!!  Check out the deets below.

Happy New 2010 and may this year be better than the last!!  Cheers!!