I know you have been going back and forth about it. Talking yourself into it and then back out of it again. Wondering if now is really the right time, if you will feel ready, if it is worth the investment, if everyone will cooperate, if you will look the way you want to look. I know, because almost every mama I have ever worked with has sat exactly where you are sitting right now. And I want to write this for you.

For a while now I have been quietly working on something new, and I think the images finally do it justice enough to sit down and talk about it. My studio here in El Dorado Hills has a new space, and honestly I have been a little giddy about it ever since it came together.

Fall is the season I look forward to all year long. Not just because of the golden light and the changing leaves, though those things are truly extraordinary to photograph. But because of the way families show up this time of year. A little more relaxed, a little more present, ready to slow down and just be together for a while. Something about the shift in seasons makes people want to hold onto where they are right now. And I get that completely. Because right now is always worth documenting. Fall booking is officially open and I cannot wait to see who fills these spots.

I have photographed a lot of families over the years, and if there is one thing I have noticed, it is this. The sessions that feel the most effortless and produce the most beautiful galleries are almost always the ones where the family came prepared and felt genuinely confident in what they were wearing. Styling is not about being perfect. It is about showing up feeling like the most beautiful version of yourself so that the only thing left to do is simply be present with the people you love most.

If you asked me to describe the difference between family photography and a maternity session, I would tell you that maternity sessions just feel different from any other kind of photography. It is quieter somehow. More tender. You are not just documenting how you look, you are documenting who you are in one of the most transformative seasons of your entire life.

There is a particular kind of forgetting that happens in motherhood. It isn't dramatic. It doesn't announce itself. It just quietly settles in, somewhere between the middle-of-the-night feedings and the school drop-offs and the thousand small ways you pour yourself out every single day. And one morning you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and realize you can't quite remember the last time you felt truly seen.

Spring sessions have quietly become some of my favorite sessions of the entire year. Not because of flowers or trends or perfect weather… but because this is often the last season before everything feels full again. It’s one of the few times when families allow themselves to slow down and be taken care of instead of rushing from one thing to the next.

Inside my natural-light studio in Folsom, I’ve created a space where families can simply arrive, breathe, and be held in this season. A place where you don’t have to worry about tidying your home, packing everything perfectly, or feeling rushed. Just a calm environment where your story can unfold naturally

When someone asks me what I love about photographing families, I tell them it’s witnessing the small, beautiful pieces of your story continuously unfold.

There’s something incredibly powerful about photographing parents who have walked through loss. Every maternity image carried a story. A reminder that love persists, even in the most fragile moments. As we captured the soft glow of evening light and the gentle curve of her belly, it was clear that this baby was already deeply loved.

Over the years, I’ve had the honor of walking alongside so many families as they grow from that quiet season of expectancy to the hazy, love-filled newborn days. And the more I witness these chapters unfold, the more deeply I believe in documenting both. There’s something profoundly meaningful about preserving the whole story, not just the moment baby arrives, but the months leading up to it, the way your love expands before your arms are even full.

It’s that time of year again when the soft, golden light of fall makes every moment feel extra magical. I am so happy to officially open my calendar for fall family photo sessions in Sacramento and Roseville. This year, I am offering full-length sessions along with a very limited number of petite Christmas sessions as a little holiday surprise.

Choosing a photographer is more than finding someone who takes beautiful pictures.

It’s about finding someone you trust to hold your story with care—someone who will see you fully, guide you gently, and help you feel at ease in front of the camera. Especially when you’re documenting moments as meaningful as motherhood, a new baby, or family milestones, the experience matters just as much as the final images.

If you're located in Sacramento, Roseville, or anywhere nearby, and you're wondering how to choose the right photographer for your session, here are a few thoughtful tips to help you decide

As a mother, I often find myself holding on to fleeting moments with my little ones—the laughter, the cuddles, and the quiet moments we share. I know how quickly time passes, and the thought of those moments slipping away can be bittersweet. That's why capturing them in photos feels so important to me. It's not just about freezing a moment in time; it's about preserving a memory that you'll cherish forever.

As you embark on the remarkable journey of motherhood, filled with endless wonder and boundless love, I want to extend my heartfelt greetings and assure you that you're in the gentlest of hands. Preparing for your newborn photography session isn't merely about logistics; it's about creating a sanctuary of warmth, love, and cherished moments that will be etched into your heart forever.