Technicolor Dreamy :: Orange County Family Photography

So many fabulous puzzle pieces had to fall in place for this session to happen.  Firstly, Big Rey had to fly home from the Middle East to surprise his girls.  Then Big Rey had to be surprised by “Little” Rey who was home between fort transfers.  Then they all had to drive out to SoCal for Thanksgiving with family, along with a drive to the Pacific so I could take pictures.  And finally, the morning rainstorm had to pass and leave behind lovely clouds just to add the cherry on top of all the specialness:  this family, all together, safe & sound, full of love.



The waves were dogging us the whole time at this particular beach.  Not that the girls minded.  Their motto:  these boots were made for splashing…



… and for dancing. Of course.



Oh, these lovely rocks?  I had awesome visions of “Riveras on Rocks” in my head before we arrived.  The waves had a different vision.  No rocks for us this time.



Funny aside, with a little bit of background:  Julie and I met way back in the early days of I Heart Faces.  She’s an amazingly talented photographer who takes the most delightful, intimate pictures of her family’s day-to-day living, the kinds of pictures I wish I’d known how to take when my own dudes were young.  Anywhooo, girl knows her way around a camera.  Which is why it was so funny when Julie asked me my f/stop settings out at the beach, and when I replied f/8 or f/11, she was more than just a little incredulous at what she considered my unorthodox aperture choices.  I matter-of-factly explained to her that there was a big landscape around her that I was trying to keep in the image. (grin)



The waves were unrelenting enough at Beach 1 that we hightailed it to Beach 2 …



… where “Little” Rey was not opposed to jumping in the frame with total strangers.


Oh, and if you didn't already notice, Julie is kinda stunning. And she's largely missing from her own family photos (for obvious reasons, usually behind the lens).  Thus, my only real goal for this session was to put Julie in just about every frame I took.  Goal accomplished.



Rey & Julie’s darling daughters have perfected what they appropriately call the “Power Pose.”  Take note:  Power Pose 1.



And Power Pose 2.



Power Pose 3?



This is perhaps the best “Power Pose” of all.  In fact, not a pose.  Just sisters.  Best Sisters Forever.  BSF.



Whoops.  Looks like the waves are going to dog us here, too!



Riveras, it was truly my honor and pleasure to dodge the waves and share a sunset with you all.