thought you might like to know that ‘ve started a new blog at RE:Located Living and I will be using that site to write about  interior design, DIY projects, etc.  I know many of you signed up because you love my DIY Valentine You Rule project.  I’ve reposted it on my new site with a printable.  So, I hope you will follow me there as Thompson and Spring will be rededicated to my photography.

Thanks.  Look forward to seeing you there with many more projects to come!

-isadora (from THOMPSON and SPRING, and now also from RE:Located Living)

If you’re anything like my husband and me, the minute you have kids the photographs you take are all about the kids and very rarely about the two of you.  So, when I take pictures of a family I often like to try to capture a quiet loving moment Mommy and Daddy.  In this case, Mommy is Daddy’s number one girl, then comes big sister and then little sister.

It was so fun for me to hang out with this fun loving family.  Not only because I get to see how big the kids have become, as I’ve had the honor of photographing them several times before.  But also, because their family is all about girls which is quite a change for me, since my life is all about boys.  I had fun watching the girls play, comb each other’s hair, draw… to be fair the did do a little running and jumping, but compared to my boys that was nothing.  The difference in energy required parenting girls versus parenting boys is astounding.  Sometimes, I’m just tired looking at my boys, but then again, I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.

By the way, did I mention, they are both talented architects.  One of my all time favorite newborn shoots was when I got to photograph the arrival of their second daughter on the construction site of their future dream home in Venice Beach.  That was super cool!

When you hear or read the words Obi Wan, I’m sure you immediately think about Star Wars.  I sure did.  But in fact it’s the super cute nickname that this lovely couple have given their baby bump.  Turns out Wan is their last name and Obi was cute, and more original than peanut.  So when you think Obi Wan, can’t you just hear Princess Lea saying, “Obi Wan, you’re our only hope.”?  In this case, there is no evil Darth Vader that needs to be fought, but the arrival of Obi Wan is still very much anticipate, not only by the expectant parents but also by dozens of family and friends.

We opted for the Manhattan Beach location because it’s reflective of their casual Southern California lifestyle.  Now that I live in the Bay Area, I felt spoiled by the warm SoCal sun, so it was nice to be at the beach to capture these precious moments.

After playing in the sand and sea, we headed up Manhattan Beach Boulevard for some more urban shots.  The streets were packed that day as the Manhattan Beach 10k run had just ended there, but we managed to dodge the crowds and find some cool spots, like this glittery mosaic tile backdrop.

Just as we were about to wrap up and say our goodbyes, we stumbled upon a restaurant with a cool bottle window display.  The husband is a part-time winemaker and has his own label, the Wan Fiore Project.  So while, we didn’t manage a shoot at a vineyard, I thought the bottles referenced his passion in a nice modern way.  Just goes to show, you should always keep your eyes open, as you never know what you might come across.

The true blessing has been my older son’s soccer camp which he started attending 3 days after our move.  As I had hoped, it immediately gave him a place to have fun and start making friends.  I had read good things about the Footfire Soccer Camp, but the camp has actually gone beyond my expectations, not because of the soccer skills he is developing, but because of the community around it.  I had been worried that my older son, my sensitive son, would have difficulties adjusting after the move, but because the camp counselors are so warm, he immediately felt at ease.

Additionally, I have been very impressed with what good role models the older boys have been.  They are respectful and thoughtful, and though they are playing sports the environment isn’t hyper competitive and aggressive, something that could easily happen when you throw a bunch of boys together. I am so glad that I went with my first instinct and enrolled him in something physical and outdoors, because while sports have never been my thing, team sports can be really great in building a sense of belonging.

Now, back to unpacking…

So, after 13 years in sunny Lala Land, we are moving up North to the city by the Bay.  Before Los Angeles, I moved more times than I can count on two hands, so I have plenty of experience.  However, this will be our first time moving with kids.  I’m not too concerned about our baby, who will be pretty much OK as long as he has me, some food and gets to sleep.  I’m more concerned for my big boy (not really that big, just 4.5).  I know I have to involve him, get his room set up quickly, etc.  In addition I’ve signed him up for camp, to start literally 2 days after we get there.  I’m hoping that will allow him to make friends quickly and also get him having fun from the start. Any more great tips for a smooth move with kids?

Now, the count down and packing begins.  While packing is no fun, we are looking at it as an opportunity to purge, which in itself can be quite liberating. If you know of any good packing checklist, please do let me know.  I do like a good list!

I’m contemplating starting a separate blog, about our adventures in setting up house, etc.  What do you think?  Separate blog, or just keep it all in one place?  I’m a little reluctant to fill my photography blog with all that stuff.  So far I’ve included party and kid related stuff because I know my readers and clients are mostly moms, so the content might be interesting to them, but not so sure about documenting my search for the perfect shower curtain would fit here.

And for all my LA clients and would be clients, not to worry.  I will be making frequent trips back to LA to capture special moments with your lovely families.

I’m a natural light photographer, which means a few things.  Natural light is my friend as it lends images a more real quality.  It also means that grey rainy days are not ideal, as it means diminished light for my subjects, and in the case of shooting outdoors, it means dodging the elements, or moving the shoot in doors.  Fortunately, for this recent baby shoot in Sherman Oaks, we had already planned to shoot indoors.  This is usually what I recommend when a young baby is involved as we want things to be as comfortable and easy for baby, in case of diaper change and feeding requirements.  But on this recent shoot, not only was it a grey rainy day, but many of the rooms in the homeowners home were also painted a darker color, great for creating a mood in decorating… not so great for natural light photography.  So,  I literally had to find the light.  It was worth it as we were able to capture some truly sweet moments, with this adorable baby girl.

Mom was going to return to work shortly after this shoot.  I know how difficult it can be to leave your baby at home in those early weeks, but fortunately, she and daddy work together, so they can support each other during this time of transition.

By the way, have you noticed her gorgeous blue eyes?  Mom was told that they might still change.  I told them that IMHO, those blue eyes were here to stay.  Why is everyone so intent on telling parents of babies with blue eyes that since their eyes aren’t blue, their baby’s eyes are probably not going to stay blue?  I can tell you from experience that when your baby’s eyes are this blue, they are here to stay.  My older son is a case in point.

Before the Holidays, I had a chance to photograph a lovely baby shower and just the other day I had the opportunity to finally meet this little bundle of yumminess.  Check out his lips!  He is so precious and perfectly round in just the right places that he almost looks like a doll.

As a natural light family in Los Angeles photographer, I shoot on location and use props minimally.  But for baby shoots, I do bring a small selection of props, because babies need to be “propped” up.  That said, I like to learn about my clients and as often as possible, I like to incorporate items I find in their home to make the images all the more personal.  At the baby shower, one of the decor items used was a mini New York Yankees baseball cap, a detail that did not go unnoticed. So, when helping mom select an item of clothing for the little one, I noticed a Yankees onesie and felt we had to use it.  If it had been the sort of sports paraphernalia that screamed sports fan, I probably would not have included it, but this onesie was subtle and offered more of a nod than a scream, so it was perfect as it wouldn’t draw attention away from the principal subject.

When I arrived in their home for the shoot and was given a quick tour, a room that for many would have been made into a den, was transformed into a “wine room” by the owners.  I figured wine was another passion of theirs.  Their brother-in-law even has his own Pinot Noir, the Wan Fiore Project, which I am told is quite tasty.  So when I found some empty wine crates, I knew they would be a perfect accessory.

But the best thing of all, was just capturing the little boy’s expressions and the love that his parents have for him.  Because, at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.

Thanks for a lovely morning.

While I took pictures of the whole family, for this post I really want to showcase the pictures of the siblings.  Maybe it’s because as a mother I always find that pictures of my two boys together are among my favorite, or maybe it’s because this brother and sister look like they are best friends, but actually because they are teenagers, they often don’t see eye to eye.  Regardless, I think that in years to come, they will cherish images of them together and the memories of the fun they shared while on vacation in Lalaland.

I really enjoyed taking pictures of teenagers, maybe next year I’ll start taking photographs of high school seniors.  Hope you enjoy them too!

While the ceremony was updated for modern times, complete with an M.D. qualified Mohel with a repartee worthy of a stand up comedy club, the ceremony itself was rich in tradition, from the readings to the sharing of wine. I was so moved by the experience, that even I, could not help but shed a few tears.  I also loved the tradition of the revealing of the name.  I love to learn about different cultures and traditions, and this is one tradition that I feel so enriched to have been a part of.

Unlike most the of the events I am asked to photograph, this event was a) more serious in nature, and b) had a much higher ratio of grown ups than usual, so I think that working the images in B&W adds to the solemnity of the affair.  Thank you letting me be a part of this special time.

The key to my inspiration board this year, other than simplicity is the color palette.  It all started from the simple bunch of Ranunculus.  I love these flowers.  I love how many petals they have, how abundant and full they look, yet without pretension.  I want to keep things soft and fresh. Here are ideas I think work well for a simple, yet chic Easter brunch.

The photographs above are not mine. All images copyright of their respective owners.

Clockwise from top left:  Simple Garland from here; Washi tape Eggs from here; Ranunculus from here; Parisian macarons from here; Carrots in a pot from here; Pancake stack from here.