Teri Genovese Photography Blog » Los Angeles Baby, Child, and Family Photographer

i met alexis about 3 1/2 years ago at santa monica gymnastics center, where we both coached. i was a newcomer to los angeles at the time and meeting people in the gymnastics community was a much needed home away from home. alexis and i soon realized that we grew up just a couple of hours away from each other in michigan and were probably unknowingly at many of the same gymnastics competitions. how funny that our paths finally crossed as adults so many years later on the other side of the country.

alexis traveled in for this photo session from las vegas on the last possible weekend before she’ll have to stay put and wait for her little guy to arrive. we were so lucky to have missed the rain by one day. it was totally worth tromping down the muddy path, as we were delighted to see such clear skies and green landscapes that can only result from a rainy winter in LA.

i’ve been envisioning these maternity photographs for quite some time, patiently waiting for the perfect opportunity.. and this was it. the first image is one that i specifically had in mind, a simple and serene moment in time, the shape of the hillsides ever so subtly echoing the beautiful form of an expecting mother.

as i look at these photographs, i am at a loss for words. it fills me with great honor to be asked to document such special moments in life. i am so appreciative to be able to spend time with lovely people in magical places like this one.

thanks so much, alexis and justin!

this tiny, beautiful, wide eyed little girl made my last photo session of 2009 a very special one. here are a couple of my favorite photographs at first glance. i just had to share before the holiday break, since her parents will be waiting so patiently for their proofs until after the new year!

“It doesn’t cost a thing to smile
You don’t have to pay to laugh
You better thank God for that
There’s hope…”
-India Arie

I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to photograph this adorable 8 month old, because she certainly made me smile and brightened my week. This age (6-8 months) is such an absolute joy to document. They are not yet crawling away, but their personalities are so bright and playful. Babies at this stage are a perfect reminder of the simplest joys in life, and this little one was no exception. They amaze me every time.

This little one makes me smile ear to ear everytime i see her. This first image is from our photo session last year when she was just 6 1/2 months old. I was so happy to see miss della still had this incredible face scrunching giggle one year later. How adorable is she? I must add, she also happens to have the nicest parents ever!

then:

now:

Her mom wanted to capture one of her newest skills and it was just too cute for words:

I traveled down to Encinitas a couple of Saturdays ago to meet the most awesome family! Both parents not only grew up in Southern California beach towns, but they currently live on the beach… so, it only made sense to photograph them there. Encinitas happens to be the coolest beach I’ve ever seen, so taking pictures there was a treat. Tide pools and a mossy rock backdrop put a spin on the typical beach session. It also took this adorable 9 month old to make these photographs so special:

this family is wonderful.. just simply sweet, special people. i mentioned before in their maternity photography post that they first contacted me in the fall of 2007 and it wasn’t until this summer that we finally met. i am so glad we did. their newborn baby boy was born on June 29th and i showed up at their redondo beach home 10 days later to document this time. my heart goes out to them, as just a few days after our session, this proud dad was deployed across country.

i also have to share this message i received from this newborn’s mom – these notes make my day. Thank you!
HOLY COW, Teri! Once again your talent amazes me! How you got these shots with a non-sleepy newborn with a horrible rash and a 3 ½ year old with a 104 degree fever I will never know!