Stella is ONE || Newport beach first birthday party

Let's talk about this adorable girl's first birthday for a sec...

Stella is SO stinkin' cute, I just can't even.  They celebrated her first birthday at their beautiful Newport Beach home with friends and family. It was complete with all shades of pink and sparkle, two of my favorite things!

I knew when I walked in, this was going to be gorgeous. Their home is stunning and Stella's parents are stunning and , like I said, Stella is the cutest thing ever! First birthday parties are always so fun, tons of babies, great food and drinks and lots of entertainment! 

They offered these cute little boxes with cookies inside and tons of stuff to decorate them! I thought that was such a fun idea plus everyone (even adults) loved it!

We ended the party with a little cake smash session for Stella! It was simple and classic with oversized balloons and lots of pink. Stella loved her cake and the crowd loved watching her dig in!

Wildflower Maternity Session with Taryn || San Juan Capistrano

This gorgeous mama made my job easy! Not only beautiful but she's cool and comfortable in front of the camera too! She opted for my newborn & maternity combo package so for her maternity session we did them at this stunning wildflower field in San Juan Capistrano. Yellow wildflowers galore, rolling hills and that beautiful baby bump made this the perfect scene for her maternity session. 

They brought their cute pup too! I always love when new parents bring their first 'baby' along with their sessions. That little pup is such a huge part of your life before baby comes that I love this moment being captured. Plus this golden doodle was SO well behaved! 

Millie & Maddie || Newport Beach Newborn Twin Girls

When I first chatted with this twin mama on the phone, she was so laid back and easy I knew this was going to be an epic session. Didn't you know relaxed mamas makes relaxed babies! 

It did not disappoint. The whole family is gorgeous and stylish to boot. Their older daughter was PERFECT! She is barely two years old and she was an absolute dream! Putting newborn twins in the hands of any other two year old would give me a serious heart attack but this little one handled it like a champ! I mean look at that face!!!

Miss Millie & Maddie were sleepy and content the entire 3 hour session. I love the bond twins share and the comfort of the other close by. You could tell these girls really were happier when they were close.

Oh my goodness! Aren't they toooooo cute! I can't wait for their 6 month sitter sessions! 

Birthday Club || Orange COunty

I'm absolutely thrilled to officially announce the launch of THE BIRTHDAY CLUB! The BIRTHDAY CLUB is an exclusive opportunity available only to members of the Poppy Lea Baby Plan. 

The Birthday Club offers a free session each year during their birth month! Each year we'll capture the essence of their current age; their sass, their spunk, their cute silly smile, everything! The session dedicated to them and their new age, it makes them feel so special to have that time uninterrupted. 

The Birthday Club is something I've personally done with my kids since they were born. They both absolutely love it and this mama loves the special photos I get from this age. Besides the actual session, we all love looking through the keepsake album I create each year. The most popular purchase after a birthday club session is an 8x8 album titled accordingly Vol I, Vol II, Vol III, etc.

The Birthday Club is an added bonus with the purchase of a Baby Plan membership. If you have an older baby and would still like to purchase the Baby Plan we can customize your sessions to fit your families need. Send me a quick note to Laurel@PoppyLeaPhotography.com for more info.

Mothers Day Mini Sessions || Newport Beach

Being a mom, the most cherished items in my possession are my photos with my kids. I'm rarely in front of the camera but when I am, I always love those moments. I often make excuses like "I don't have makeup on", "I'm in yoga pants", "I haven't washed my hair in days" <<<< real life By the way!  

No more excuses! No more hiding from the camera. 

This is as much a mantra to myself as it is to all the other moms too. 

For Mother's Day this year, I'm hosting indoor and outdoor Mommy & Me photos. Indoor sessions will be at the New Mom School Studio in Newport Beach, while outdoor will be at Victoria's Beach in Laguna. Both options are beautiful! I offer indoor session because timing wise, beach sunset sessions can be hard with little babies. I have an array of dresses for you to wear as well as flower crowns to add.  This year I'm thrilled to join forces with Flawless Faces in Costa Mesa to offer both hair and makeup at your own home prior to the session. (That's the whole no more excuses part!)

Indoor sessions are Saturday 3/29 from 10am - 1pm

Outdoor sessions are Thursday 3/27, Friday 3/28 and Saturday 3/29 at 6:30pm.

SESSIONS ARE BOOKED... Keep an eye out for future styled session availability.

Update: Here are a few photos from the sessions! I love the bright and airy look that these photos portray! Plus that emotion, I love the bond between a mom and her babies!

What to wear for Spring Photos

Spring photos are some of my favorites! With lush greens and yellow wildflowers galore, you just cannot ask for more! "What to wear" is always a question I'm asked so I put together this quick reference guide. If you've had a session with me before you know I love neutrals - cream, white, & grey. During spring I like to incorporate muted pinks, blues and greens too!  I have a variety of vintage dresses available for my clients to wear as well, just ask about my Client Closet!

Xo- L

Louis VI Newborn || Irvine, California

Little Louis was honestly the easiest baby EVER! He snoozed the entire time, loved every pose I put him in and was just perfection in every way! His sweet parents were so laid back, so sweet and so stylish. You could see their eyes well up with love every time they looked at him, it was absolutely adorable! 

Spitz Family Lifestyle

Alex from New Mom School is one of my dear friends and I was beyond excited when she asked me to come do a lifestyle session with her beautiful family! She has two sweet young boys, two feisty pups and a hilarious husband. This session was so fun!