Lauren and Her Beautiful Boys

 I've known their mom when they were not even in project:  a bright, charismatic redhead got my full attention at the group job interview about 4 years ago. I instantly liked Lauren and was absolutely right, as she turned out to be an amazing Human being. She was well traveled, real, smart and hilarious...

 I was keeping up with her life changes on Facebook as she had her first son Ethan. I have to say, those posts would make me smile as I was trying to relate to the whole concept of having a kid, experiencing unconditional love and trying to cope with the daily challenges life had to offer. It didn't seem to be easy, yet was completely worth it on many levels.

 About a year and a half ago Lauren asked me to take her family picture for a Christmas Card. I was super excited: it was a Christmas gift for me to hang out with such a lovely family, see Ethan in person and give a gift of precious memories to such wonderful people. At the time, Lauren was already pregnant with the second child, glowing and beautiful. 

 Photo shoot in Art Village at Balboa Park turned to be fun: Jonathan, Lauren's husband, would ride Ethan on his back, which little boy enjoined enormously, they would kiss, hug, and play, and have a good time, which resulted in some nice images. Special cheers and thanks to Jonathan for making it so easy for me!

 That day was a beginning of my photo journey with this family: I took Lauren's maternity pictures when she was nine month pregnant with JJ, then there was a photo shoot on the beach for Christmas Card 2012 for Hardy family, and, afterwards, the shoot of boys and their happy mommy on a playground.

The question is: how do you photograph a two year old boy, who doesn't want to sit still even for a second? What if he wants to do only what he wants, which is to play, and has no interest whatsoever in looking at your camera? 

First of all, you don't make him to sit down and say "Cheeeeese".

Second, you run along and play with him, until one of you needs a break (hopefully him, so you can take some more shots:)
You join him and enjoy being a kid yourself!

I decided to release my creativity and let myself run with the wind, frolic and shoot. I wanted to express the spirit of play, Ethan's constant movement, and expressions of joy, which he had on his face.   

Let me tell you about JJ now...

JJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Such a sweet heart! The cutest, most adorable and precious baby on  Earth... 

 Now, when I look at the pictures, I can't help it but smile over and over again....

Enjoy!