San Gabriel Valley Newborn Photographer - welcome baby Olivia!

I love the name Oliva...and I loved baby Olivia. Baby Olivia slept like a champ and was so good to Mike. Mike doesn't assist on all shoots but when he does, I pray that the babies are "nice". Even more exciting, Olivia let us VERY safely and via composite images, create the baby hanging portrait! Said portrait is now proudly adorning the wall of The Cradle Family. Now we talk about Olivia's mama...

Elizabeth is one of the completely effortlessly stunning women who completely came unprepared to the shoot (no makeup, casual clothing) But of course, I asked her to jump in for a few shots with her little because it would've been a shame to not capture this mother and her mini-me. 

As always, here's my wish for you:

May you grow up to be just like your mama, beautiful, kind, devoted, down to earth, and wonderfully engaging. May you look at the world with patience and wonder, forgiving those who trespass against you and not sweating the small stuff. Laugh at the all the days to come.

Xo,
L

Our studio will only take on 7 newborns a month due to the curated time spent with each mama/newborn family.  Book yours today to reserve a spot on our calendar.

San Gabriel Valley Newborn Photographer - welcome baby Tyler!

Oh baby Ty...you are, and forever will, hold the most special place in my heart. Not just mine! Mike affectionally calls you by "dragon" baby. That dragon bonnet was made for you! The story is this, you see, I commissioned a line of Chinese themed props since so many of my clients are of Chinese descent. Then you walked in (ok you were carried in in your car seat) and totally modeled it to exactly how I had imagined it'd look. There was never a dragon like you again...

Thank you for being lovely, and cute, and sleepy, oh so sleepy! Thank you for being my "froggy" my dragon and my everything in between! 

As always, here's my wish for you:

May you walk through life with dignity and kindness. May you always remember your roots and all those who loved and nurtured you. May roar a great big roar and swagger a great big swagger. May you take the world by storm!

XO,
Lucy (also a dragon, the ultimate dragon lady)

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Community Over Competition

Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of “befriending” in a very loose but altogether heartwarming sense of the word, a few fellow newborn photographers. One is close, so close as to be considered a local competitor, while a few are geographically much farther. All have a singularly impressive thing in common: they’ve provided help and guidance as well as much needed encouragement. 

Starting a small business is no easy task. No longer do I have the luxury of delegating any task or picking/choosing which project I’d like to involve myself. When you own a business, the work never stops. (blogpost on work/life balance post-public accounting coming soon) I’ve felt defeated and discouraged many times this year and have at times questioned if I’ve indeed made a wise decision to leave such a lucrative career. Words truly can’t describe how grateful I am for each of these women on this rocky journey this past year. 

Thank you all for the ways you’ve guided my thinking, inspired my heart, helped my business, critiqued my work, shared your secrets, and cheered me on. I am endlessly grateful for you, however new that friendship may be. I hope this year brings you each amazing blessings professionally and personally. I am excited to watch your businesses grow. A fan/friend always. Thank you. 

In case you're looking and happen to live in one of these awesome cities:

Chicago: Hannah Drews Photography

Singapore: Bows and Ribbons Photography

LA: Nurture Photography

San Gabriel Valley Newborn Photographer - welcome baby Reina

Baby Reina was a last minute appointment, at 17 days earthside, we totally lucked out in being able to fit her in one of the busier months of the year. It's so important that moms consider and book their newborn photographers way in advance. Babies never play nice with schedules/timelines/readiness of all the adults around them, thus just days old, she had us all wrapped around her little finger. 

After 14 days, sessions can get really tough and baby R was certainly not an exception and boy did she make us work. Babies usually tend to prefer certain poses over others and Reina definitely preferred to be on her stomach. She's also the first little to wear the now oh-so-popular flower halo that just about every mama requests for baby girl shoots. We can't be happier that you were our inaugural. 

As always, here's my wish for you,

May you never quiet your curiosity and follow that to the far reaches of the earth. May you desire to know a world that is not your own and embrace those most different from you. May you be intrigued instead of fearful of the new and explore the world to the full. 

We loved having you in the studio little one! 

Xo,
Lucy

Did you know the best time to book a newborn session is in your 2nd trimester to ensure a booking on our calendars?  Book yours today!

In 2016 I solemnly swear to...

• read more
• stick to my budget when updating my collection of props/accessories/fabrics
• become more efficient in PhotoShop, ie, learn all my most used keyboard shortcuts by heart
• make a really good friend in the business
• shoot 100 newborns (please book today!) heh…
• buy a macro lens
• understand SEO better
• blog consistently
• not work on Sundays
• invite one special client for dinner (they don’t have to say yes)

Personally, I'd love to try some recipes from my ever growing cookbook collection, become a more knowledgeable crazy plant lady, convince my husband to let me get a puppy, consistently keep a clean kitchen (how embarrassing is that?!), and read more for leisure. 

Bring it on '16!

What are some of your resolutions this year? 

San Gabriel Valley Newborn Photographer - Holiday Family Session for J&E

Auntie Lucy is giddy. GIDDY. My beautiful baby niece, my very first newborn client, came for her holiday session with her mama and papa. Baby J is so big I can't believe my eyes. Was there a cuter baby in the entire world? The answer is no and I'm not even sorry. 

Mike was able to assist during the shoot but to be completely honest, he did more harm than good and totally scared baby J during her shoot. She took one look at him and cried and cried. We did manage though, I mean, didn't we manage? So in love with this family and even more in love with being an aunt. 

Let's do this again soon! I want more pictures!! Auntie wants more pictures!

Did you like the photos in this portfolio?  We are so glad! Picking a newborn photographer is so much more than finding one with a style that you like.  Click over to get to know about me to see if I'm the right fit for you!

San Gabriel Valley Newborn Photographer - Holiday Family Mini Session for J&C

I met Christina when I was still a college student, living in Manhattan, studying to pass my CPA exams. Little did I know, in just two short years, I would pack up my whole life, move across the country for the man that I love, right into Christina's little neighborhood. We've been friends since and I'm so honored to be able to capture these photos for you this holiday season. 

How blessed you are my friend...this is your lot in life, to be surrounded, loved, and worshipped by 4 handsome men.

Did you know the best time to book a newborn session is in your 2nd trimester to ensure a booking on our calendars? Book yours today!

San Gabriel Valley Newborn Photographer - Maternity Holiday Session for A&A

Alex and Amelia are EXPECTING a baby boy! As of now, LLP does not book holiday sessions except for friends/family. And this session, I'm knocking out 2 birds with 1 stone and combining the holiday shoot with their maternity session. I met A&A before I even moved to Los Angeles. When Mike and I were still itty bitty babies dating-wise and one of our very first dates was a double with this lovely couple. How the years have moved us on in life and we couldn't be more happy for them. 

Now we wait....for baby boy Q, I simply can't wait. 

Congrats friends and a very merry Christmas to you!
-M+L

Do you know someone expecting who might be looking for a newborn photographer?  Share this with them!

San Gabriel Valley Newborn Photographer - welcome HRH's Bao & Xiao

Today’s a big day for me. My clients are royalties. Back in college, I started to follow a YouTube personality, HRH Collection. Never in a million years did I think that I would one day become Alex’s petite assistant. A million and 1 years later, I am a proud member of our little HRH Collection family and was recently retained to photograph the famously famous dynamic duo, Bao and Xiao.

Sunday afternoon, we rushed over to Alex’s gorgeous beachside apartment and quickly set up for the shoot. We picked to shoot in her living room as it let in the most natural light, proceeded to capture, quite comically, the two bunnies. We repeatedly chased after them as they tried desperately to escape the lens and eventually relented out of exhaustion (I think). Altogether the shoot took no more than 30 minutes and my inner fan girl danced a celebratory boogie. Currently waiting for Alex to pick a photo for a large print and can’t wait to see my work hung up.
 
Can’t believe I photographed Alex’s little angels. I’ve pretty much made it, just say’n. Also say’n I might consider pet photography….
 
Xo,
L

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San Gabriel Valley Newborn Photographer - welcome baby Sonia!

This cutie pie came to visit me on Hallow’e Eve for her newborn session! No costume in the studio but I did manage to get a “little red riding hood” set up in. Mom was completely game for any set-up and allowed me the freedom to try some more colorful props on her. Sometimes, a little comes in and you are just so inspired to try some non-neutrals. Although she took some time to settle, once asleep, baby S slept through the rest of her session.
 
We attempted the taco pose with baby but she didn’t seem to settle quite as well in that pose. But we did catch some awesome bum-ups! Allow me to digress for a moment and get on my soap box:

Not every baby will go in every pose comfortably. There is nothing more important than for newborn photographers to understand and adjust flow posing accordingly… Here at LLP, my priority is first to ensure the baby is not only safe but very comfortable during the entire session. No pose is ever worth injuring or creating any discomfort to the baby, can I get an “Amen”?!

Stepping off my soapbox now…

As always, here is my blessing for you baby Sonia,

May you always enjoy the favor of being a younger sister. May you feel the protection and adoration of your family all the days of your life. May you embrace a curious outlook and discover all the wonderful things this life has to offer. 

Xo, L

Are you currently expecting and looking for a newborn photographer? Inquire today!

Check out these other newborn galleries: Baby Zoe, Baby Cyan, Baby Eva