Poppy's 1st Birthday Cake Smash || Dana Point Infant Photographer
Well guys, my little tiny baby girl is officially ONE. Can you believe it?
I’m still in shock but I have felt like I turned a corner on being happy and content with it. I am just so thankful that she’s healthy and thriving and she’ll always be my baby.
One or 100 - age is really just a number.
So for her first birthday, we had a big party planned but then she had a double ear infection and was soo sick. So we canceled everything and just invited family to our house. It was 8 people, absolutely tiny but perfect! Later that day, we took her to my favorite flower field and let her dig into her cake. If you read my tips to a successful cake smash session last week, you’ll know I gave her a cookie last week. That means she was prepped and ready for the good stuff.
You can always count on your older brothers to help you eat. Her fav boys loved ‘helping’ her dive in.
And I couldn’t end this post without showing her “It’s my birthday, I can cry if I want to” face. I know this isn’t super cute but this face is her pissed face and we see it a lot so I’m glad we have it on film to remember. Here’s to hoping we don’t see it again in 15 years! 😜
Dana Point Infant Photographer
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
Tips for Photographing Babies, Toddlers and Young Children || Dana Point Photographer
Babies are kind of my thing…
I should have a t-shirt or license plate made with this saying because I say it allllll the time. I know babies, toddler and young kids are SUPER hard to photograph for most people, but not for me. For me it’s eassssssy and I love every second of it. I think that has in part to do with my immense amount of patience but I also just think they’re funny. I get them. I have also done tons of research on child development which is a big role in their behavior.
Being a Dana Point Photographer I know all too well about the good, the bad and the ugly of photographing small children. Today I’ll give you a couple tips to making them happy and getting beautiful images from your session.
Give them 10 minutes to warm up to you. It usually takes 10-15 minutes for them to start to relax and smile. That’s totally normal. When a client first arrives to a session, I go say hi and smile and then just hang out as mom and dad get them dressed or out of the car. They usually just STARE at me the whole time! For babies, they will look at you usually but not smile for a little while.
For older kids, get them involved. Let them see the back of the camera or take a picture of mom and see the photo. They are just curious little beings.
If baby or toddler is getting fussy, give them a break. No more dancing, yelling, silly sounds. Let mom or dad take them for a walk, without the camera around. Sometimes just the constant sounds is too much so that break helps! Try offering a calm, quiet environment when they return and you’ll get some sweet images of them exploring.
Bring water and snacks! I always bring fruit snacks as bribery (with mom and dads approval) but puffs are great for babies because they’re small and not messy.
What are your biggest struggles photographing little ones? Tell me over on my Instagram.
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
Henry's Newborn Session || Newport Beach Newborn Photographer
This sweet mama contacted me in a panic as the photographer she had used for her older girls told her she was booked up until sweet little Henry was 3 weeks old. I’ve had this happen 2-3 times where a new mama calls me frantic because another photographer flaked on them. I seriously don’t get it and I know these photographers are not being malicious but I am just so sensitive about it. The first 3-4 days home with a new baby are SO FREAKING HARD and I will do anything I can to make sure that I am making this mamas life easier during this time. I come to you, I bring you coffee, I take baby off your hands for a much needed break, shower, nap. The last thing in the world you should be worrying about those first few days is finding a new photographer. So just rest assured if you hire me for your newborn session I will be there, without a doubt.
Anyways rant over!
Little Henry has two beautiful older sisters who love on him like crazy! His oldest sister is such a little helper and loves him sooo much, she is going to be great for mama I’m sure. The middle daughter is just 2.5 years old and not so sure about Henry yet. She’ll warm up to him and before I see them for Henry’s sitter session, I bet she’ll love him so much. This beautiful family took the last spot I have open for The Collective and I’m so excited to watch this family evolve!
Because Henry’s session was last minute, we squeezed it in at 7:30am on a Saturday morning and I had a hard out by 9am for another session. A typical newborn session can be up to three hours but I knew we were going to make magic in a short time. Boy was I right! We finished Henry’s alone, sibling shots, family and extended family all in under an 80 minutes. 🙌🏼 I walked away with over 500 images taken and edited over 150. 😱 For reference, I normally shoot 200 for a newborn and deliver 40 edited. Talk about it being a dream session! Because I have so many, I’m breaking this session into two blog posts. Today’s will be just Henry’s newborn photos and then I’ll post a follow up with family and sibling shots.
I have started offering newborn photos in color and black and white, what do you think? Love it or hate it?
Newport Beach Newborn Photographer
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
Tips for Successful Cake Smash || Orange County Baby Photographer
Cake smashes are alllll the rage. Or at least they were 2-3 years ago, now they’ve died out a little I think but if done correctly, they can still be cute and a fun milestone to capture. As an Orange County Baby Photographer, I offer a cake smash with any milestone birthday session free of charge. We’ll start the session with some family photos and sibling shots, do some with the birthday baby alone and then finish the session up with the cake smash. The cake smash portion usually lasts 5-10 minutes. Hopefully baby loves it and digs in, (in which case you probably don’t want baby eating a whole cake anyways) or they’ll have a few tastes and be over it. Honestly most babies don’t love it (unless you follow my advice below, that is!) Even if baby hates it, we’ll still capture those first moments of sweetness and I personally still love the ‘yuck’ faces.
After the cake smash you can add-on a bath and splash, which is a cute way to get baby cleaned off and let them splash around. Most babies love the water so this is a sure fire way to get some good smiles and there’s nothing quite as cute as naked baby buns!
I do have a couple tips to make your cake smash session more successful so keep reading…
A couple days before our session, give baby a cookie with icing or a little cupcake. My personal favorite to suggest are swig cookies but anything that’s extra sweet will do. Most babies have never had this much sugar before and they’ll hate everything about it, from the texture to the taste unless they’ve had a little exposure before. If you choose not to give baby a taste of sugar before, you can expect baby to gag and cough at that first taste and be completely over it. It’s a little scary if you don’t know what to expect so just know that is normal and happens all the time.
Bring a towel and water bottle or lots of wipes and a change of clothes. If baby really digs into the cake smash and you choose not to add the bath and splash, they will be MESSY! Like in their hair, between their toes, all over messy. You’ll most likely pick them up and cover yourself in icing as well so bring a change of clothes for yourself too.
Be flexible. A cake smash session isn’t meant to force your kid to eat sweets, it’s only to capture that first moment of tasting something new. If baby hates it, we are done. If baby cries, we are done. If baby shows any distress, we are done. These are only photos and your baby well being is far more important. It may not go the way you planned and that’s okay. Be flexible with the situation and everyone will be happier.
Orange County Baby Photographer
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
A letter to my last baby on her first birthday || San Clemente Baby Photographer
Newborn
6 weeks
The weeks leading up to your first birthday were full of emotion for me. You are my last baby so every milestone you reach is met with the same joy for you and little heart pulls for me. Selfishly I want you to stay a baby forever, I want those cuddles and giggles and obsession with me forever. But in reality, I don’t. That’s what I keep reminding myself of. I want you to thrive and grow and learn new things and words and emotions. I want you to grow up ad become a beautiful little person and I want to be there for every single part of it. Every single night of your life (as with every single night since I’ve had kids), I pray to God for your health and safety. I pray that I will get to watch you grow up and become a mama yourself. I pray for our family.
3 Months
4 Months
5 Months
6 Months
For years before you were born I prayed for you, I prayed to be blessed with a baby girl in our family. Honestly I prayed more than I can even remember and God answered my prayers. He gave us the best gift we could have asked for. YOU.
7 Months
7 Months
8 Months
9 Months
You my dear girl are going to be fierce. You will run our house, you will run the world. You will boss us all around and we’ll love every second of it. You my dear girl are strong and determined. You are smart and kind. You are beautiful beyond measure. You are one of a kind!
10 Months
On your first birthday, I want you to know one thing. You can do anything!
11 Months
You can achieve anything you want. You can be whoever you want. You are you, that is truer than true. Shout loud from the rooftops, I am I! And that’s a great person to be!
The world is a harsh place but your home is your safety net. We’ll always catch you when you fall, love on your when you’re broken, pick you up when you are down and shelter you from the storms. We are your people. We will always be there for you, to protect you, to love you, to heal you and to make you shine. Your family loves you more than anything in the world and we cannot wait to watch you grow.
Poppy Camille Herzog or Poppy Girl as we call you, (or Nuggalita Johnson as your dad calls you🤷🏼♀️), thank you for choosing us to be your family. Thank your for choosing us to watch you grow and love on your endlessly. We are proud to call you ours and proud to see the world you create! We love you more than you’ll ever know. Happy Birthday baby girl!
What to Wear - Summer Edition || Dana Point Family Photography
Summer vibes are relaxed and fun and so should your photoshoot wardrobe. Think flowy dresses, loose beach curls and tan skin. For little ones, let those sweet rolls shine and tiny little piggies free. That means shorts and rompers with bare feet. Here are some great wardrobe choices for your Dana Point summer family beach session, see the links below to buy them.
Dana Point Family Photography
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
Planning your summer photoshoot || San Clemente Family Photographer
Summer is officially here for my boys in 9 school day, not like were counting or anything. We are so ready, well the boys are ready, I’m never really ready. My husbands job makes him basically non-existent during the summer so I’m going into pseudo single mom life. I’m used to it, it’s fine and for now, I’m just embracing this crazy life. Long beach days, late night bonfires, morning spent hiking the hills, and best of all sleeping in! 😂 Oh wait I have three small children so that’s out but the rest is real. Even with the late nights, cranky kids, messy house and long days, summer is still my favorite!
Summer photoshoots are honestly the best, especially for older kids! Warm beach air, tan skin, sun kissed highlights in your hair, happier kids because no school and all fun. The sunset is so late in the summer, so your session will be later too so that’s why older kids usually do better.
My summer schedule is also insane so if you’re thinking about a summer session, make sure you book it asap. I only have a handful of sessions left for the entire summer and the difference between summer and the rest of the year is I will not add days or over book myself. So don’t wait! You can book your session and see availability by clicking here.
San Clemente Family Photographer
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel
What to know before your newborn session || Orange County Newborn Photographer
When I had my first baby, I had absolutely no clue about newborn photos. I had no clue what to wear, what to expect, how long it would take, what to bring, etc. Basically I knew there would be my baby and a camera. Everything else was 🤷🏼♀️. As an Orange County Newborn Photographer, my hope is to answer all those questions prior to your session. Knowing exactly what to expect not only helps you better prepare but allows you to relax and enjoy the few hours of someone else holding your baby. You can watch the session, take a shower or even nap! 🙌🏼
So let’s dig right in…
What to wear? I provide wardrobe for all of my clients so if you’re booking with me, no need to worry about this part. If you’re not however, there are some things to keep in mind. First of all, keep the colors neutral. No bright colors or graphics. Simple white sweater or blouse paired with maternity jeans is perfect. Make sure your top is nursing friendly and comfortable. If it’s not, bring a change of clothes to change into after your portion of the session is over.
But what if I don’t want to be in the photos? As a mama myself, I know exactly how you feel after going through a hard 36 hour labor. Swollen, sore, tired, and Not. Photo. Ready. Buuuut that being said, there are ways to make yourself feel better and you’d be surprised at how good it feels to actually out makeup on after days of full mombie (mom zombie) mode. First of all, I highly suggest hair and makeup, I have a great list of referrals and I promise you’ll be much happier with the end result. If after all my attempts at talking you into don’t work and you still don’t want to be in photos, don’t worry. I have some easy poses that don’t actually show your face but still show you’re there.
What to expect? My newborn sessions are typically done in your home and can be between 1 and 3 hours. It all depends on baby’s temperament that day and I am very patient - diaper changes, multiple feeding breaks, etc are all normal. I arrive at your home and will do a quick walk through to find the naturally brightest area for our shoot. I try to avoid the main living room because I do ask for a quiet area so baby can stay asleep. The area we choose will get HOT, I bring a space heater and I also ask you to turn up the heat in your home to 75º-80º. Baby will be happiest if he/she is warm. I’ll have you feed baby right before I arrive and if baby takes a bottle or pacifier, have that ready as well.
How long will the session take? Like I said they can last between 1 hour and 3 hours. Although I shoot very quickly and typically only take 1.5 hours total. If there are siblings, I usually start with them, then do full family and finish up with baby alone. After family photos are done, I always suggest someone takes the siblings to a park or out for ice cream so we can focus on the baby and siblings will feel special for doing a great job with their part of the session.
What to bring? Just baby in a loose fitting white onesie, a loose diaper (so there are no lines on their skin), a pacifier or bottle or both. If you have any special requested outfits or swaddles please have them ready as well.
After your session, your proofs will be ready in 1-2 weeks. We’ll plan a time to meet again in person to look over them together. This is when you’ll choose your favorites and create a collection to purchase. Please have all financial decision makers present or discuss your budget prior to our meeting. Prints or albums will be custom made and ready in 6 weeks at which time, I will drop them back off to you. Digital image purchases will be available for download 1-2 days after your ordering appointment.
Lastly, babies pee and poop on my stuff, on me, on the floor and it’s fineeeeee. I took off their diaper knowing it was likely going to happen so please don’t feel bad. I have three kids of my own so believe me, I’ve seen worse! 😜
What was the biggest surprise to you at your newborn session?
Orange County Newborn Photographer
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
Hi, and thank you so much for reading this blog post. I love featuring my clients images here, and this will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me to be your Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2019, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
XO- Laurel