Grayson’s First Birthday: A Chef’s Dream!

Becoming a parent is one of the most transformative experiences life can throw at you. Itโ€™s full of late-night feedings, endless diaper changes, belly laughs, and the joy of watching your little one grow into their own tiny person. When Elsie reached out to document her son Graysonโ€™s first birthday, she knew she wanted to make it specialโ€”not just for him, but as a way to celebrate an incredible milestone in her own journey of parenthood.

Elsie chose the cutest โ€œchefโ€™s themeโ€ for the session, and I was instantly obsessed! With a miniature apron, a sprinkle of flour, and a rolling pin that looked bigger than Grayson, we were ready to cook up some memories that would last forever. Naturally, I leaned all the way into the theme, gathering every prop a tiny chef might needโ€”whisks, mixing bowls, muffin tinsโ€”you name it. The vibe was all about joy, mess, and embracing the chaos of the toddler years.

Before our session, I worked closely with Elsie to plan the shoot. Once she shared her vision, I created a mood board to bring it to life. Itโ€™s so important to me that every client feels like theyโ€™re part of the creative process. Whether choosing a theme, picking outfits, or deciding on locations, we collaborate to make your session unique and true to your family. When Elsie saw the mood board, she was over the moon and said it was everything sheโ€™d imagined and more.
Hearing that kind of feedback? Thatโ€™s the chefโ€™s kiss for me.

The session itself was so much fun. Grayson was the star of the show, of course. He explored every little thing we set up, from poking at the flour to crawling around like a champion. (Honestly, who knew a crawling chef could be so adorable?) Watching Elsie laugh and play with Grayson, I could feel how much love and joy she pours into being his mom. It was a beautiful reminder that first birthdays arenโ€™t just about celebrating babiesโ€”itโ€™s about celebrating parents, too. Elsie, youโ€™ve made it through an entire year of sleepless nights, new challenges, and countless memories. Thatโ€™s something worth shouting about!

When Elsie received her final images, she couldnโ€™t stop smiling. Seeing her joy made all the planning, organizing, and flour-covered chaos totally worth it. Sessions like this remind me why I love what I do. Capturing these fleeting momentsโ€”the ones that feel small but mean so muchโ€”is what Iโ€™m here for.

So, if youโ€™re a parent wondering whether you should book a session like this, let me be the one to tell you: YES. Celebrate your baby, celebrate your family, and most importantly, celebrate YOU. After all, these moments fly by, and they deserve to be remembered.


Do you have an idea for a theme or milestone youโ€™d like to celebrate? Letโ€™s brainstorm and create something magical together. Reach out, and letโ€™s get planning! ๐Ÿงก

Photographing Connection and Growth at “The Rooted Visionary Experience”

Photographing “The Rooted Visionary Experience” in New York wasnโ€™t just another day behind the cameraโ€”it felt like a family reunion (minus the awkward โ€œWhat are you doing with your life?โ€ questions). Ada Rojas, from “All Things Ada,” the powerhouse behind this event, has been on my radar since 2017 when she hosted her very first vision board workshop (see that post HERE). Back then, it was all about manifesting dreams and gluing magazine cutouts to paper. Fast forward to now, and here we areโ€”on a whole other levelโ€”spiritual growth, ancestor-honoring, and sensory meditation. Talk about a glow-up, right?

From the moment I walked in, the vibe was chefโ€™s kiss. Guests were greeted with an โ€œEnergy Barโ€ that didnโ€™t serve cocktails but instead offered custom aura mists to cleanse and ground yourself. (Who knew a spritz could feel so life-changing?) Then there was the โ€œTea Bar,โ€ complete with blends designed to open your heart and clear your mind. Honestly, it was the kind of wholesome magic that made me want to put down my camera and just sip tea all day.

But the real magic happened during the guided ancestral journey Ada led. Watching a room full of people close their eyes, breathe deeply, and connect with their roots was so moving that even I felt like my camera lens was getting misty. (No, I wasnโ€™t cryingโ€”you were!) The community altar stole the showโ€”decked out with photos of loved ones, cafecito, mamajuana, and fresh flowers. It was beautiful, heartfelt, and so uniquely Ada.

Capturing these momentsโ€”the hugs, the laughter, the quiet moments of reflectionโ€”reminded me why Iโ€™m so obsessed with what I do. Lifeโ€™s not about the perfectly posed photos; itโ€™s about the ones that make you feel something. And this event? It was packed with feeling. From the heartfelt embraces to people just letting go and being themselves, I couldnโ€™t stop snapping away. (Okay, maybe I paused for a quick sip of teaโ€ฆ priorities.)

Seeing Adaโ€™s growth from vision board queen to spiritual guide extraordinaire has been nothing short of inspiring. Her ability to create spaces where people can reflect, connect, and honor themselves and their ancestors? Pure magic. Iโ€™m so proud to have been part of her journey and even prouder to capture these moments for her.

As I packed up my gear (and maybe grabbed another aura mist for the road), I couldnโ€™t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. This wasnโ€™t just a jobโ€”it was a reminder of why I do what I do. Being entrusted to capture the essence of “The Rooted Visionary Experience” was like going through a personal journey with Ada. Ada, youโ€™re a superstar. Thank you for trusting me to document your incredible vision. Iโ€™m already counting down to the next chapter of your journey.