OMG so much fun. I’ve been shooting in my studio – a dream forever and having a blast. This little lady here wasn’t messing around. She barely touched the cake with her hands but she was definitely ready to dive in. Have a 1st birthday coming up, lets design a session together. Have a 30th birthday coming up cake smashing is still fun!
There is so much that happens behind the scenes for a photographer after the session is over. The desired affect is to get the image s close to perfect within your camera but there are some magical things that are done right here on my computer. Above is my nephew – who of course I feel is perfect in every way – as I think about his parents hanging these images on their wall I want there to be a simplicity in looking at his details at the tiny things that are so precious while he is this itty bitty. Through editing I simply want to remove distractions and create a cohesive image.
If you watched my work and the direction of it over the years I hope you have continued to see what truly matters, connection. I want there to be a connection in every image I deliver so that is what I strive for. When I bring the images home and look at them on my computer screen I want to feel the connection between the subjects or with me and the camera. Once I have that I already have a beautiful image through editing I just hope to enhance what is already there.
Editing is as much of the art form as the time behind my camera. It takes time and passion to create the final photograph that I deliver but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
So I was excited when momma contacted me to do this little man’s ONE year photos because you see we worked together to create a fun announcement about his momma’s pregnancy with him. His momma is always creative and fun to design a session with. And with a name like Jett nothing like airplanes to create a gorgeous set of images.
Unfortunately his session was scheduled on a cold, blistery day here in the desert so some modifications to his session were required. Jett gave several great pictures, smiles, tears and all but he decided he was done with the weather before he smashed his cake. Cue a 4 year old sister, who was dying to get her hands and taste buds on that cake, to have a fun cake smash with the best cutie pie pictures and it all works out.
2017 has BIG things coming, I am beyond excited but before we move forward let’s take a moment to look back through this year of awesomeness!
Every year I am amazed at the collection of experiences I have through my lens. The emotions, the connections, the relationships, reunions, new life and existing bonds, the moments captured; I am never quite prepared for all that it is. The images before me never cease to inspire me to want to work harder for this business and for you my clients and friends.
Throughout the years, I have watched your families grow, change, send loved ones off to new adventures and reconnect again and again. I have met so many new people, made new friends, hung out with those visiting our beautiful desert while on vacation, snuggled the newest of babies, so many of my own stories and experiences are because of all of you. Capturing your love stories, your birth stories, your history and your hopes for tomorrow is always my honor and my goal.
In this year, I have shared with you 39 families. 4 weddings, 1 vow renewal, 2 military retirements, 7 life events, 1 birth, 8 mommas & daddies to be, 11 newborns, 6 seniors, 3 military families reunited, 6 cakes smashes, 1 tea party birthday celebration, 1 sunset father/daughter dance session and 8 sessions celebrating childhood milestones. I look at these collages and I am astonished at this year and the beauty that it has held.
Thank you for choosing Memories by Tasha Photography. Can’t wait to see you in 2017!
Almost a year ago I met this little lady, she was brand new to the world! Her father and I walked into the operating room where her mother laid in anticipation of the biggest moment in her life. Nathan and I watched, I also photographed as she took her first breathes. The opportunity to capture these moments in time are beyond blessings to me yet this family has continued to bless me. Nathan said that day we were tied for life because the 3 of us shared in that moment.
Here we are a year later, I have photographed them many other times, Hannah and I have shared cups of coffee, parenting stories and ideas. They have become more than clients to me as I have watched them blossom as a family.
This perfect little girl will be one next month, she is celebrated and loved. Thank you for once again allowing me to capture these times in your lives #keypartyof3
To check out Savannah’s birth story click the link below….
{ Key Birth Story } – Twentynine Palms Maternity and Newborn Photographer
It’s kind of fun that I am writing this post about celebrating birthdays when today happens to be my daughter’s 19th birthday! Capturing these milestones, the 1st birthday and cake smash, are always fun and exciting; for parents and the photographer at least. I have yet to have a one year old just dive in and enjoy the moment of cake without the “no”!
Wyatt’s mom came to me with a great theme and idea for his one year session. I love when parents are excited and have these fun ideas; so superhero it was. She not only prepared Wyatt for some great photographs but also the siblings. Making a great dynamic trio they were ready to fight crime or maybe play at the park and eat cake. Wyatt wasn’t so sure about the cake or the grass but once his brother and sister joined him he seemed to settle right in. This session eventually ended with a family cake picnic. Awesomeness!
With major thigh rolls and big blue eyes we started our session at the Morongo Preserve to capture him with all his handsomeness. We did some sitting, crawling and even some sort of standing/walking to memorialize this time in his life; I am lucky to help families capture these moments forever as they are so fleeting and easily forgotten.
Milestone sessions are so important to me as a mother and a photographer. I love the natural flow of capturing these times for the families that I serve. Sometimes it includes a fit, they are cute when they are not yours, but it captures your reality in these very moments as you experience them. I can say that I wish I had more images like these of my own children; my poor grandkids, someday when they arrive, will grow to hide from the camera I am sure as the lesson has been learned. While of course I will always advocate for my profession as I completely believe it is important to let someone else, a professional, capture these moments and memories for you I am often asked what the best camera is for a parent to carry and I will tell you every time; the one you are going to use! Take it out and capture something amazing today, you, your family, something that will bring you right back to a moment in time and make you smile.
Thank you for allowing me to capture these moments in time for you, for the experience, and the cool opportunity to work with such sweet and cute superheroes. 
So here we have lots of cuteness, some pink camouflage, a great setting and cake; what more could a girl turning one ask for! Thy stylized cake smash was fun, we might on Annie’s 1st birthday to wonder the Morongo Preserve, capture some pictures and eat cake. She wasn’t the biggest fan of cake but she looked good hanging out with it 🙂
When Lucille’s mommy contacted me about scheduling a Cake Smash session I was super excited. With ideas in hand we scheduled her session for a gorgeous local preserve and park; one that the family frequents often so it made for a perfect backdrop to memorialize this occasion.
I met Lucille’s mom through business dealings about two years ago so I was lucky enough to see her transition from wife to mom as her belly grew. We lost touch for a bit but when she emailed me to capture the First Birthday images I couldn’t wait.
Lucille with her beautiful porcelain skin was delightful to photograph as we moved through a few different set ups. She definitely wanted to be on the move and was very serious the entire time we were shooting. With family all over, including Canada, I know all be excited to see this stuffed animal party and Lucille’s cheek. When not looking at her beyond poofy cheeks you may be caught in those blue eyes. I know I was. She wasn’t a huge fan of the cake which in the long run always makes mom happy she played along for us so we could get some adorable shots with lots of facial expressions I am sure will make everyone smile.
Thank you again Dusastre family for letting me capture this exciting day!
So this big guy, Frank the Tank, and I have been hanging out for a while now. I have had the pleasure of photographing his family for years and him since his newborn session! If you look closely you will see he carries the nickname Frank the Tank but he is just a big love except when we feed him cake or try to take his picture. Now in all fairness to him I think his dad conspires against us to get this guy to smile on picture day but that’s ok we always make it work and we always get the picture 🙂 I’m so glad I have been able to watch him grow and look forward to being there when it’s time for his Senior Pictures ❤
I had the fortune of photographing this guy as a newborn and on his 1st birthday! He loved the balloons and roaming the pathways of the Morongo Preserve. Cake smash sessions are always, a little messy and unique. He wasn’t sure what to think but ultimately his mess came from throwing the cake in the air and feeding his mom. Thank you for sharing this moment with me Meza Family!
Memories by Tasha Photography 