Bring me back to beautiful Brentwood - Multi-Generational Joshi Family Photos

Once a year, families jump on airplanes from different parts of the country to reunite for a very special occasion. The Joshi family came together in California where Gautam and Neha live, and there was no better location to capture some photos of their reunion than in beautiful Brentwood. 

With rolling hills, beautiful old trees, and leisurely walking paths at Round Valley Preserve, I was able to arrive early for a solo hike to find specific scenes to shoot. A sign of a good time is wanting to do more than time allowed, so I'll definitely look for a reason to come back. East Bay kids, look me up!

Here are a few favorites from the Joshi family session. Thanks for inviting me along! I felt like an honorary Joshi for a small amount of time. :)

How to Choose Your Wardrobe For a Family Photo Shoot

Have you ever heard of Awkward Family Photos? As much as I love the laughs, let's not land in volume 2.0, ok? :)  

When looking through your family's closets or shopping, keep these 5 tips in mind:

1) Choose a family of colors and textures, not a single shade or pattern
I absolutely looooove this family's style (see gallery below). We went for pink, but you'll see a variety of shades and brightness. We've got blush, coral, patterns and neutrals mixed together, showcasing unity between unique individuals. Some tops have patterns, some are solids, and some have texture. 

2) Add contrast with your background
My easy little formula -- if we have neutral backgrounds, we're adding great color to the wardrobe. If we're working with busy or very colorful backgrounds, we're going for neutral colored clothing. Contrast is the key... unless you're Zach Braff in Garden State. Then it's awesome. 

3) Don't be matchy matchy
I know it must be tempting to buy 4 matching sailor shirts for your kids -- my siblings have THAT photo! It might be cute, but it's not timeless. In a few decades from now, your kids will be happy to see their unique personalities early on in life. Gravitate toward relationships instead of duplicates. 

4) When in doubt, dress UP
It's easy to go casual, because everyone has tshirts and jeans, but when you're doing a family photo shoot, you will never regret wearing the dress or the button up shirt. Wear something that moves well in the wind and gives you confidence, because these photos are special and will last a lifetime. Wardrobe should reflect that as best as you can. Wear the nice watch. Put on the good shoes. And dazzle in the special occasion earrings.

5) Above all else, the clothes must fit the body
Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. When I was young, I used to hide under sweatshirts and baggy pants (don't ask for pictures, because I burned them all). Not matter what size you are, put something on your body that feels comfortable and fits well. Try to get the right waist and length for pants. 

I had an amazing time capturing the laughter and clear abundance of love in this family in their new home. The children have grown before my own eyes, and their moms have done an incredible job raising vibrant, happy kiddos. Luckily, the extended family was in town and it was definitely a party in front of my camera. :) Here are a few of my favorite shots.

Life and Love in the Lim Family's Concord Home

I had the great pleasure of taking a peek into the Lim family's Concord home, where they've made so many memories together -- especially those that include their daughter, Naima. We did a quick lifestyle session to capture their life & love. Here are a few of my favorites... 

We made sure to capture all the small details of this home's personality... these two have an impeccable eye for design. 

Thank you for inviting me into your beautiful home, Paula and Bing! xoxo