brienne michelle {blog} » photography for life

01.25.12

— lizz + luis : maternity —

I think I just go so wrapped up in the excitement of finally getting to see good friends that I missed like crazy (who had the nerve to move out of state) that I forgot about things like, oh, the weather. I mean, seriously. Let’s be honest here people. How often does a southern California photographer really have to think about the possibility of a shoot being rained out? Even in January, it’s not exactly that often. Add to that the media coverage about how this is, nationwide, the DRIEST January EVER recorded… well, let’s just say I was stunned to look out my window on Monday at the pouring rain. Umm, hello, doesn’t the weather know I have a shoot to do with people who left Seattle and her rain to be in California where that just shouldn’t be an issue? Being rained out happens so infrequently that it’s like its brand new to me every time. I feel like I scramble in what-do-I-do-now mode for a good 20 minutes before I figure something out. It’s sort of pitiful actually.

Fortunately, Lizz and Luis had just enough time this morning – this glorious sunny NOT RAINING California morning – before having to catch their flight home. And I can’t tell you how glad I was that they did! You see, when Lizz texted me the photo of her positive pregnancy test last September, I was completely overjoyed for them. Truly. Because they’re the kind of people that I think are really going to be good at this whole parenting thing. And let’s face it, they’ll have incredibly cute babies. But I had no idea that just a few days later, I’d be texting her the same thing back… Yup. Lizz and I are only a week apart in our due dates. Even though it’s 90% via text, it’s be soo much fun to share this pregnancy with a friend (even across 1,135 miles…).

So L+L, thanks for letting being so flexible and for letting me capture a little of this totally unique time in your lives. Me and the fam, we pretty much love you guys like crazy! And if you ever feel the urge to move back to California, you know you’ll find a whole cheering section ready to talk you into it.:)



Posted in Maternity

no comments

add a comment
01.24.12

— baby j : ventura newborn portraits —

I love working with newborns. It’s one of my favorite things. And quite possible, my pregnancy hormones are adding to my adoration of those itty-bitty tiny baby bits (sidenote: how did I already forget just how itty-bitty they are!?!?). During the past year I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Kyle every month to document his first year. We wrapped up the final session this past weekend and, lucky for me, his cousin happened to be born right around the time of the last shoot! I was so excited to learn that I’d be getting to do the same thing with Baby J, who had his first session just an hour after Kyle’s last one. How perfect is that? Take a look at the images of this brand new family of four and all those wonderful new baby bits!

PS – if you’re interested in doing a First Year pack of sessions, definitely email me – briennemichelle (at) gmail (dot) com – for information. You can pay month-to-month and there’s a massive discount per session (over 50%!) for contracting out the whole first year.



Had to get some of Big Sister too!

Posted in Kids and Family

Show Hide 2 comments

add a comment
Jen FrancisJanuary 24, 2012 - 3:19 am

I got to hold him for the first time this weekend!!! He is such a love. And that pic of Brian and K running around is exactly how they are everyday. Awesome job!!!

BrienneJanuary 24, 2012 - 6:01 am

He’s a total sweetie! And she cracked me up. Kept asking me if they could do “running pictures”. Such an awesome family. AND I got to see your great grandparents again!

01.22.12

— deciding her name wasn’t easy… —

It wasn’t easy this time. During my last (and first) pregnancy with my son, picking his name was easy. We’d had it selected (well, my husband actually picked it, but I loved it instantly) since before we were even married. When we learned the baby was a boy, it was a done deal. No hassle. No debate. No “what about this” to go back and forth.

Not so this time. At least not on the first name. Her middle name was a done deal since before we found out Cameron was a boy. But the first name? Lordy-be.

Fortunately it only took about 2 weeks of real actual debating, but we finally settled on a name my husband and I could both love. The top two names were my choices (Piper and Paige), the bottom two were his (Addison and Avery). We had rules – nothing in the top 20 most popular names FOR SURE, and the lower down the list the better. Plus it had to have a fairly common spelling (since we’ve both grown up with constant mis-pronunciations/misspellings of our own names).

And so we chose Elena.

Elena Phoenix. And I already can’t wait to meet her.

And in case you were wondering, the pronunciation is Eh-LAY-nuh. Just thought I’d clear that up in case anyone was curious.

Posted in Baby News

no comments

add a comment
01.18.12

— kyle turns one : ventura portraits —

Can you believe it!? This little man, who I first met at just 2 months old, has been so. much. fun. to work with! Lisa + Steve (Kyle’s awesome parents) contacted me and arranged an entire first year of portraits, one session ever month, culminating in this month’s ONE YEAR celebration. I truly enjoyed getting to watch this little man grow up right in front of me. He’s such a sweet little guy and has really changed so much. That first year in a baby’s life is so unique, so dramatic in it’s changes, and it’s really fun to capture it all on film (well, on a CF card I guess…). Lisa and Steve made a whole fun to-do about it for his final session too, complete with the entire extended family and of course my favorite part, CAKE SMASHING! Kyle was much too mature to demolish the cake, but he didn’t mind his first taste one bit.;)And aren’t you dying over that awesome little car of his?!? I know it’s not just me people. So stinkin’ cute. Check out a few more of the big 1-year-old boy! And since his real birthday is TOMORROW, feel free to leave him some birthday love in the comments!


Posted in Kids and Family

Show Hide 1 comment

add a comment
Alicia -- Beba PhotographyJanuary 20, 2012 - 2:19 am

What a cute kid! Stop the cuteness! Precious!!! : )

01.12.12

— tim + april : wedding album —

I’m proud to say that I’m FINALLY completely caught up with all album orders. All designs complete and sent, all corrections revised, all orders placed and mailed. It’s a seriously wonderful feeling – and I’m only just past a week into the office being open for 2012! Woot! It’s a good feeling all around.

Take a minute to revisit Tim + April’s awesome wedding from this past summer (aren’t the details so awesome!?). I’ve included a few of the spreads here. And to see the full design, just *click here*!





And in case you want to check back on their awesome engagement session in downtown Pasadena, you can revisit that here.:)

Posted in Albums, Weddings

no comments

add a comment
T W I T T E R
F A C E B O O K
UA-5203871-3