Reach for the Moon, Our Little One

We did have to photoshop the image, but that is the actual moon from that day (it was way higher up in the sky). We also did fun photos of our little 1yo girl with lots and lots of bubbles!

Then we did some first birthday portraits of her on a vintage chair (which we then used later for that tilting chair photo).

Cake Smash Photography! Dessert in the Desert

OMG I remember how tired we were, baking that cake while sleep deprived, and watching it wobble and almost fall apart during the 3 hour drive. But it made it, barely. Oh yeah, I still remember how awesome it tasted, because we did it with our cream cheese frosting, which doesn’t hold as well but tastes absolutely amazing!

And this is about the time the cake took a turn for the worse and rolled over off of the crate!

This is an example of a first birthday photography portrait session in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. We did a cake smash on top of the crate, surrounded by small, budding desert flowers. We love going out to the desert for amazing photos, like when we got engagement photos in Joshua Tree with snow! Make sure to look around the rest of our family photography blog for many more examples of 1yo portrait photography and birthday photos. We service the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, but occasionally travel to get awesome photos when possible.

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Starting on the Streets of Downtown Los Angeles

We started on the street level on Grand Ave. outside of the Walt Disney Concert Hall (WDCH) in downtown Los Angeles. Their choice of blue tones and colors matches well with the silver, gray, and blue tones of the WDCH area.

Walt Disney Concert Hall Family Photography

We then walked up to the garden level for more family photos. The garden level offers exactly that; a modern garden that’s a mixture of well-groomed green trees with silver, metallic curves of metal and concrete.

Family Photos on the Upper Level of the Concert Hall

We then walked up even higher to the highest level on top of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which is nicely more remote and quiet. Judy used this as a chance to get cute family portraits of the two daughters together, along with individual portraits of each daughter by themselves.

WDCH Stairs and View of Grand Ave.

Judy took this family photo from directly overhead, which is a very unique perspective for a family portrait. Modern. Urban.

And here is where we can see Grand Ave. in the background as the curves of the Concert Hall frame our lovely family.

Department of Water and Power (DWP) Family Photos

After the Walt Disney Concert Hall, we walked over to the Department of Water and Power (DWP) building for more family photos with the downtown skyline. What a view!

Family Photos at the Walt Disney Concert Hall

This is a great example of Walt Disney Concert Hall family photos in downtown Los Angeles. Our lovely family wore blue tones for their color motif, which matched nicely with the metallic tones of the concert hall. They have two beautiful daughters, which makes us think of our own two daughters!

Make sure to take a look around our website for more examples of family photography portrait sessions in downtown Los Angeles, Orange County, on one of California’s many beautiful beaches, or in our hometown of San Dimas.

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San Dimas Family Photography

We started their San Dimas family photography portrait session with individual portraits of the older daughter. Isn’t she just adorable!?

Then we had the mom step in for some mommy-daughter family photos.

Family Photos with the Two Daughters

We then had both of the little girls take family photos together, and how cute are these photos of them together?

You can find more examples of family photos we’ve done with two daughters in them.

And the Whole Family Together

Now we got everyone together for a family photography portrait. We love the wooden fence in the background with the trees.

More San Dimas Family Photos on a Trail

We then proceeded to walk along one of the dirt trails to get more family photos.

And of course we have to get some daddy-daughter family photos.

Family Photography in San Dimas

This is a great example of San Dimas family photos at Walnut Creek Park and Trail. We have a loving family of four with two daughters, one a toddler and one an infant baby girl. We actually have two daughters ourselves, so we relate to the family dynamic! Our family wanted a natural and green backdrop that was outdoorsy with nature. San Dimas has many hidden gems that we know of, and we thought this one would be perfect.

Make sure to look around the rest of our website for more examples of our work. Judy has a magical touch with her families, but take a look at the images themselves to get the best idea.

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I love the frosting on that pink cake. All the better to smash the cake with tiny one-year-old hands!!

Here you can see the simple cake smash setup with wooden crates, pink and white balloons, and a pink blanket. She also had streamers hanging in the background using two wooden sticks driven into the ground.

And the first birthday cake smash begins!

That’s a whole lot of pink! Pink tutu, pink blanket, pink flowers, and lots of pink frosting.

Then the family (mom and dad) got into the action for some first birthday family photos, with a lot of pink cake frosting to boot!

And that is definitely a messy, but super fun and cute 1st birthday family photo.

Judy is an experienced family photographer of over 10 years, doing family photography sessions and wedding photography. She also has done cake smashes for both of her own daughters and it very familiar with working with young children. Dreams & Darlings can capture your 1yo cake smash birthday photos with fun and ease. These photos make for an amazing memento, but also are great for promoting a first birthday party (for invitations or a website). Make sure to give the shoot ample time before the birthday party to use the images for that. Make sure to look at our website for more examples of cake smash photos and first birthday photos.

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Starting at the Huntington Hyatt Regency

We started the session at the large water fountain at the Huntington Hyatt. Here are their two loving daughters hugging each other.

And it’s always fun having the two children play during a shoot. It breaks up the family photography session, making it easier on the kids.

Family Photos at the Huntington Hyatt Bridge over PCH

We then walked over the bridge that connects the Huntington Hyatt resort with the beach (of Huntington Beach). It has great converging curved lines that frame a family photo so well.

We can see the sun starting to get closer to the horizon, so it’s off to the beach to capture that sunset.

Family Photography under the Huntington Beach Pier

We did some quick family photos under the Huntington Beach pier, right before the sunset. Again, the Huntington Beach pier has awesome converging lines that help frame a family photo so well.

Sunset at Huntington Beach

Then we caught the sunset, which was a glorious rich orange tone that day. We love how the sunlight was bouncing off the swash zone and beach face.

Huntington Beach Family Photography

This is a great example of Huntington Beach family photography, starting at the Huntington Hyatt Regency Resort and ending at the Huntington Beach Pier for the sunset. We got family photos at the Huntington Hyatt water fountain and the bridge that spans PCH, along with under the pier. Make sure to look around our blog for many examples of family photography, including more examples of family photos with piers.

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Starting with Family Photos at Bonelli Park

We started the family photos in a little hidden spot with greenery and flowers, easing the two older daughters into the family portrait session.

And it’s always nice getting a family photo of just the two parents together!

Walking along a trail in San Dimas

We then had the whole family walk along a popular hiking and biking trail that runs alongside the waters of the lake (the Puddingstone Reservoir). Our family chose blue and yellow for their color palette, which is awesome since we are a Bruin family hehehehe.

We always love getting family photos of daddy with daughters, and they sure outnumber him!

How cute are these three sisters together?

We always love kids swinging in the air, and this little one sure got lots of air! How cute is that priceless expression on her face?

Family Photography San Dimas

This is a great examples of family photography in San Dimas, at Bonelli Park and Puddingstone Reservoir. They have three daughters, and those little sisters are adorable in family photos together. San Dimas is a city on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County. Our family chose yellow and blue color tones for their clothing.

We have many articles here on our family photography blog. For example, we have a collection of family photos with three daughters, which may be handy if you are trying to visualize a session with your own family. It’s important that you have a family photographer that can work with different family dynamics, since family photos with one child is definitely different from family photos with three children.

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Starting Family Photos on the Front Steps of the Concert Hall

We started the session on the front steps of the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the two daughters. We have two daughters ourselves, so we love seeing that sisterly love in family photos.

Up to the Garden Level for more Downtown Los Angeles Family Photography

We walked up to the garden level at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which has corridors of metal panels with beautiful curves and polished surfaces.

The garden level also has many trees that add a splash of green and a natural element, contrasting with the modern, urban architecture.

Family Photography Los Angeles

This family photography portrait session took place at the amazing Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. The concert hall is an architectural marvel and makes a perfect modern backdrop to any session. It was one of the many landmarks designed by Frank Gehry, an architect known for his buildings around the world.

We have many examples of family photos here on our blog, with many tags to narrow down the style, location, and composition of the family session. For example, here are just family photos with two daughters, which we are guilty of having ourselves.

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