My Baby

My baby turned eight last week….

Eight.

Maybe it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but for me, it is. He’s halfway on his way to being 16. He’s twice as old as 4. He’s getting big.

I can’t really explain the feelings I have for him. Sometimes I find that I am just staring at him and smiling with this expectant look on my face, like, “what awesome thing is he gonna do next?”

There was a time that he was incredibly agreeable to having his picture taken. I could go anywhere with him, pull out my camera, and the angels sang while he cooperatively played where I asked him to play and looked at me when I asked him to do so. That has changed. He’s not a fan of my camera lately, so I feel like all of these pictures are sort of extra-magical. Somehow the planets aligned perfectly for this shoot.

The night before, I had him try on some clothes that I had bought him. He put on this entire outfit, and I ooooohed and ahhhhed and then had him put them away, quietly thinking that I had to figure out a way to convince him to do an eight year old photo shoot with me. The next day, he put this whole outfit on without me even asking him to. I knew I had to strike when the iron was hot and take pictures of him THAT DAY. I didn’t think it would go well. I really didn’t. But for some reason, the stars aligned and these pictures happened.

I am smitten. I really am.

We’ll start with a picture shot the week before he turned 8. He cracks me up, and I love this because he still looks like a little boy to me.

Laura Morita Photography | Editing Mentor

But then a week later, I swear he just grew up.

The trees are confused here in California. We’ve had such sunny weather for January, they decided to just go ahead and bloom. Oh my.Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorI may or may not have given him a piece of chocolate to keep him interested in taking pictures. Here he is licking the last bits off his finger.

Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorIf there’s one thing I can say about my son, he is expressive. As I was taking his picture, he saw a bee. And this is how he let me know about it. Good gracious, I love him.Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorLaura Morita Photography | Editing MentorLaura Morita Photography | Editing MentorMick Jagger meets Austin Powers. Lol. Love it. Did I ask him to do this? No. He just did because, well, because he’s awesome.Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorLaura Morita Photography | Editing MentorLaura Morita Photography | Editing MentorLooking for something in his pocket.Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorI seriously love this one. Just something about it.

Laura Morita Photography | Editing Mentor

I love this one…. There he is marching up to his future as….Laura Morita Photography | Editing Mentor

…King of the World.

Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorI swear, he’s such a beautiful boy. Full of adventure. Full of love. I adore this child. And if anyone was wondering, the sky was added in Photoshop. I like it better this way. Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorHe was yelling at some friends way down the hill. I hope his jugular doesn’t pop from doing that. Sheesh.Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorAnd because the stars had totally aligned, I got my blue skies with clouds. Perfect.Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorWhenever he gets hot, he starts to strip down. Luckily, I was able to convince him to just air out for a little bit. Lol.Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorMr. Personality.Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorLaura Morita Photography | Editing MentorJUMP, dude. JUMP!Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorLaura Morita Photography | Editing MentorLaura Morita Photography | Editing MentorHe was getting to the end of his rope by this time. Fake smile, anyone?Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorAnd, just like that, he’s DONE.Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorPoor guy being forced to stand in the pretty light.Laura Morita Photography | Editing MentorLaura Morita Photography | Editing MentorStill can’t believe we have trees blooming in California right now. I’m sure the rain we just started having will knock these blooms away. Glad I was able to get a picture of them before that happened.Laura Morita Photography | Editing Mentor

That’s all for now. Happy Birthday, my sweet baby. I love you.…

Family Photographs | December 11 on 11

I can’t believe I only missed one month of 11 on 11 this year! It’s been a great way to keep me taking pictures of my family and forcing me to get in front of the camera! Every month on the 11th, my insanely talented photographer friends and I post 11 pictures shot in the past month. The last one being a picture of ourselves! You can see some cool underwater ones here, or some other fun underwater images here, or some funny ones of my daughter’s hair right HERE!

This month was kind of a fun month. But I didn’t take my camera out too often. Pretty much my kids and husband are completely over my camera, so I try not to torture them too often. So, without further ado. The last 11 on 11 or um (ahem) 18 on 11….

We went to The Exploratorium in San Francisco.  

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer

That’s an amazing place to learn and discover. We had a blast!

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer

We spent the day there. Had to take some breaks.

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer

A big celebration this month was Thanksgiving. Last Thanksgiving, my mom was in the hospital getting chemotherapy for brain cancer.  It was a tough time for the whole family. This year, she’s home and has had clean scans (MRI’s not showing any cancer), so it was a much more celebratory Thanksgiving!

We ended up celebrating The Morita Family First Annual Pig Out Wig Out, or as my friend dubbed it: Thankswigging.

The wigs are an interesting story. It started off with me buying a black afro at the 99 cent store. I brought it home, tried it on, and was immediately smitten. hahaha! After posting some gorgeous phone snaps with various members of the family, including the cat, wearing the wig, my sister-in-law suggested I get more so that we could wear them to Thanksgiving.

I tell you. My brother married a genius.

So, back to the 99 cent store I went, and I may or may not have bought every single wig they sold.

Before Thanksgiving, I brought them over to my mom’s house only to discover that she LOVED them. We had SO much fun wearing them that I was now certain that Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without the wigs.

And I was right. Wigs are awesome.

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer

I love my crazy family.

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer

After Christmas, my sisters will be in town too. Can’t wait for the next family photo shoot!

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer

 

My genius sister in law definitely got into character.

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer

Sort of.

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer

My brother is tall.

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer

My dad, or should I say, the Asian Richard Simmons, was a good sport. He was cold and just wanted to go inside and eat dinner. So we did. IMG_2San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer

My little family also went to the Christmas tree farm in Castro Valley. They are all rather sick of my camera, but I managed to get a few pictures anyway.

My beautiful daughter.

San Francisco Bay Area Family Photographer

My son… well, he hates my camera. When he was younger, he was SO good in front of the camera, but as he’s grown older, that has changed. Makes me sad. I need to figure out some better bribes. I still love this picture.

San Francisco Bay Area Family Photographer

And this one too. It’s him. And I adore him.

San Francisco Bay Area Family Photographer

As we were ready to head out, I forced my three loves to let me take their picture.

San Francisco Bay Area Family Photographer

Hear No Evil, See no Evil. Say No Evil.San Francisco Bay Area Family Photographer

Or is it Hear No Evil. See No Evil. See No Evil?San Francisco Bay Area Family Photographer

I love them.San Francisco Bay Area Family Photographer

So, there you have it. My pictures from this last month…. But let’s not forget my image! I know… I know…. I look fabulous with long wiggy hair. hahahaha!

San Francisco Bay Area Family Photographer

Not sure yet if this 11 on 11 thing will be continuing into the new year, but you can always follow me on Facebook!

Up next is the completely amazing and wonderful Columbus Newborn and Baby Photographer, Fran Barker of Fran Barker Photography.

Her work is amazing. And she’s uber awesome as a person too. Go check her out!

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Family Lifestyle Photography | November 11 on 11

On the 11th of each month, I post 11 images shot in the past month, with the 11th being a selfie. You can read more about it HERE.

If you follow me on Facebook, I’m afraid many of the images you’ll be seeing here are repeats. I’ve been super busy and haven’t been shooting as much as I like. But, here I am on the 11th hour the night before the 11th, getting my post together. I just couldn’t stand to miss out on being part of this amazing blog circle with my talented friends.

So without further ado… 11(ish) pictures shot in the past month, posted on the 11th, with not one, but TWO self portraits. Go me.

The boy melts me. LOOK AT HIM. Looooove.

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita Photography

This little guy is Mr. Personality. I swear. San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita Photography

Does this count as a selfie? Those are my legs. LOL. San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita Photography

I love his little Adidas. That guy has put a hole in a shoe in 6 weeks. The Adidas hold him. Solid shoes. But I warn you not to get too close to them. They smell like death.

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita Photography

We went to Trader Joe’s. We love that store. San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita PhotographyHe had a lot of fun at school on Halloween. Here’s a mask he made during class. I love how he put the spider riiiight in the middle.

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita PhotographyAnd let’s not forget about my pretty gypsy. She melts me too. Such a sweetie. Here she is at school.
San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita PhotographyAnd then at home right before we left for Trick or Treating.
San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita Photography

 

We had some gorgeous weather this month. And she discovered those rubberband dealies that you make into bracelets and stuff. Dang, I wish I had thought of that. I’d be rich.

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita PhotographyAnd I know he doesn’t have a helmet. He actually grabbed his dad’s skateboard and rode VERY slowly for about a minute. Skateboards sort of freak me out. lol.
San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita PhotographySan Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita PhotographySan Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita Photography

We played at the park, then lay down to read for a bit. My sweetie and me….

San Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita PhotographySan Francisco Bay Area Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Morita Photography

 

 

Next up is the beautiful and insanely talented Marie Sant from Bloom and Grow Photography.  I just had a peek, and OMG, so many beautiful images. Go check her out!

And if you like my work, you can follow me on FACEBOOK!

If you want to learn how I edit, I teach editing workshops. I haven’t figured out my next one yet, but if you sign up for my NEWSLETTER, I’ll let you know when I know!

 

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