This photo session has been quite a while in the making – I first heard from Gaston’s mom Jackie over a year ago! She originally contacted me in November of 2014, hoping for Christmas card photos on the beach – and I regrettably had to tell her that my schedule was completely full through the holidays! Gah! So this year, Jackie was really on the ball: she contacted me in September! (Perfect timing!) We were able to coordinate an afternoon at Powerhouse Park in Del Mar, and I have to admit: I think these photos were worth the wait! Gaston was absolutely marvelous to work with! Maybe at first glance he wouldn’t seem like the easiest subject; he’s ball-obsessed and can’t take his focus off a ball, whether it’s his or someone else. (In face, Jackie tells me that she regularly brings fresh new balls with her whenever they visit the beach, because if Gaston happens upon another dog’s ball, he won’t give it back! I’m sure it’s frustrating for Jackie at the time, but I couldn’t help laughing out loud when she told me that!) So we were strategic in our photo session: the ball didn’t come out until I felt satisfied with the number of non-ball-photos of this handsome dude! Because honestly, that smile is way too cute to hide behind a ball the whole time, right?! And then, once the ball came out, it was actually pretty perfect: since Gaston was so obsess- I mean, focused – on that ball, I had his rapt attention anytime I was able to snatch it away from him! (I learned that I had to be quick, though… and he can jump WAY higher than you’d expect for a French bulldog!) So all in all, it was an amazing afternoon, and I’m loving the results so far! :)

Here’s the handsome little guy! What a happy pup!

Not pictured: the seagulls who smelled Gaston’s fresh chicken treats! They almost flew away with the tupperware container that Jackie brought! (Good thing it was a little box and not a plastic bag, or they would have made off with it for sure!)

This dog can POSE! I love it! :)

Jackie, it was so much fun to finally work with you & Gaston! Thanks for an awesome afternoon – I can’t wait to go through the rest of our images with you!

I am so excited to share this photo session with you! I got to catch up with a dog that I first met a whole year ago, for her first birthday… so it was only fitting that we celebrated her second birthday, too! Some of you might remember Savannah, the adorable little Cavalier King Charles spaniel… honestly, how could you forget her in that cute little party hat? So for this session, her parents wanted to visit a new location: Coronado! We had a great time playing & posing on the grass & boardwalk in front of the Hotel Del, and I really enjoyed catching up with them all. Savannah was definitely fluffier and a little bit bigger than I remembered, but otherwise, she’s the same happy-go-lucky, curious little pup! Seriously, I don’t think she could possibly be any cuter… and I think her sit-stay has improved since last year, too, haha! (The things a photographer notices…!)

What would a photo session on Coronado be without an image of the iconic Hotel Del? I love the way its red roof coordinates with Savannah’s red fur!

I wanted to document how Savannah is growing & changing… and this was a rare moment in which her little legs weren’t running between mom & dad! This girl is crazy about her parents… she wants to be right next to them both, at all times!

Savannah’s mom brought some amazing accessories to mark the occasion!

… Savannah, however, wanted to keep her age a secret from everyone… as all proper ladies do! ;)

Ali & Brian, it was so nice to work with you again! Thank you so much for such a lovely afternoon! I’m excited to show you the rest of our photos soon (and figure out how to display them alongside the photos you have from last time)!  :)