and baby makes three.

I have been apart of Abi & Ryan's photo lives since the year they were married when we shot her bridal fashion.

Then I shot their one year,

Then I shot Ryan's brother's wedding in Mexico.

Then it was their two year,

...missed their three year because of distance. :[

But now they have added a little man to their lives and we were at it again!

Abi & Ryan adopted little man Finley from Uganda this past November. I FINALLY got to meet him while out in California a few weeks ago and I remembered back...

I remember getting the phone call they decided to adopt their first child.
I remember the loooong agonizing process of waiting and waiting to be matched with a toddler
I remember getting the call they got a BABY! not a Toddler, a baby!
I remember getting my first text from Abi with his photo that his foster parents sent from Uganda.
I remember following the whole process via her adoption blog flooded with letters to baby... then letters to Finn.
I remember how much he was loved long before he was even born.

And now, I can say this... Finn, you are quite possibly the most loved child in existence. And the life you have been given will far exceed your expectations. The mommy and daddy God gave you are truly quite special. Some day when you are grown, whether you are the next football star, soccer star, or R&B singer (we have all made our wagers by the way), you will probably argue with your parents over who has made the most impact in each others life. You are all a gift to one another and the three of you combined are a marked gift in my life as well.


So cheers to family Q and cheers to fun new photos.

I chose to shoot the entire session in B&W so for all you color-blind blog readers, this post is for you ;)

you must know that neither of the below photos were posed. Finn did that all on his own. [my $ is on the R&B singer by the way - and the shot on the right will be his first album cover]

Ohana means family!

While in LA for Thanksgiving I had the privilege of spending time with the wonderful SD Ohana Family!
Now if you are anything like me, you have seen and memorized every cartoon Disney movie (and if they are musical the songs as well) so it came as no shock that the whole time I spent with them I kept randomly blurting out... (in a high pitched voice) "Ohana means Family!"

yup, Im a dork... I know this. ;)

Anyway, Most of you already know them but if you don't.... meet my friends the Baxters...

This would be Rain... David and Kimi's little model. She made my life easy! haha

And this would be the photo rockstar April. Look out world because this gal is the photo dark horse that will put us all out of jobs some day! ;) This whole time I thought she was like 14 or 15 but NO... I made a fool of myself. She's 20! oops.... sorry April love. Anyway, she is quite the little shooter, check her out!

Mr. Ohana himself.

And Mrs. Ohana.

and a totally random moment that I just loved. I think its because this is what I saw several times when the camera wasn't pointed at them and it sums up the two of them to me :)

THE END :)

(ps) they shot OUR family photos too! but you will have to wait for those until mom gets to see them ;)