One of the best surprises a mother could ever receive is a surprise family photo session.  A few of my clients always make mention that it’s been forever since a nice family photo had been taken.  So, when Chitavan called me about surprising her mom-in-law with a family session, I thought it was the sweetest gift.  A few days later, I met up with the Patel family, at mom’s house…everyone was there, anxiously awaiting the rest of the family, dressed in their fancy attire. The whole family was coming into to town to celebrate their mom’s 60th birthday! What I loved about this family was their sense of humor and their ability to just have fun with each other. They were so welcoming and so warm that I was honored to a part of their celebration. They came out in style for this party, wearing their traditional dress, which is one of my  favorite things…all the rich color and beautiful design.  Major fabulousness, what can be better than that on a beautiful Sunday evening?

A quick outfit change and the family was watching the sunset together and having a great time. After sunset, the family celebrated together with dinner…Happy Birthday Momma Patel!!

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It has been 50 years of blissful marriage for Sandy and Stan. What better way to celebrate such a momentous occasion than to celebrate with a family reunion!! I met the entire Pincura family, with spouse’s and kiddos in tow, at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club a few weeks ago and it was so much fun getting to know everyone!

Half of the family came from back East, while the other half drove in locally.  They had spent a few days prior at Disneyland with the grandchildren, so the family was looking for some downtime at the Yacht Club (great choice)!  Cheers to you, Sandy and Stan, for making 50 years of marriage look so amazing.  :)

Check out Sandy & Stan and the rest of their family!

Happy Anniversary!

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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 the Ewart’s new addition…Patrick. Patrick is seven months old and such a bundle of total cuteness. Keri and Jeff add to the family their sense of humor and their love of laughing. They are such an adorable family – throw in Dexter, the pup who stops all skate boarders in their tracks, and you’ve got the Ewart family! I’ve known Keri for some time now and it’s amazing to see her go from blushing bride to mom of a seven month old baby! And let’s not forget Jeff…handsome dad to Patrick and one of the funniest people I have ever met. He makes me laugh in mere seconds…and he has the same effect on Patrick. Check out this beautiful family…and Keri, I will meet you at the bar for a Big Ginger…

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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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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…

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!!