A Love Letter to the “Ber” Months

Every year, when the summer breeze begins to blow a little cooler and those final pool days are here, I find myself planning one of my favorite seasons of the year.

There’s a feeling that settles in my heart, something nostalgic, warm, and familiar, and it’s not just the August heat.

As soon as the “ber” months arrive, September, October, November, and December, my calendar begins to fill with fall portrait sessions throughout Southern California, cherished traditions, and new adventures. I can’t help but think these months hold some of the sweetest moments of the entire year.

Time seems to move right alongside that summer breeze, and before we know it, we are trading beach days for fall bonfires and football games. School begins, schedules fill even more, and suddenly Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Christmas cards are being created, gifts are being purchased, and then, in the blink of an eye, they are exchanged with the people we love most.

One moment we are looking at Christmas lights, and the next we are counting down to a midnight kiss.

The “ber” months pass by in a beautiful blur, and we are left wishing time would slow down, even just a little.

And the beautiful thing is… it can.

Because I have a magical pause button on my camera. A way to freeze these fleeting moments in time and preserve the laughter, connection, and little pieces of life we never want to forget.

The Magic Begins Before the Camera Comes Out

It’s the drive for me.

The first fall drive of the year, when the leaves are barely beginning to change and I bundle up in a cozy sweater, convincing myself it’s 50 degrees outside when it’s really closer to 70.

That’s Southern California for you.

It’s the little traditions that signal the season has arrived.

An early morning drive to grab a hot Caramel Apple Spice from Starbucks, except not anymore because they discontinued it, and I’m still processing that loss. So, I suppose we are entering an Oat Milk Cinnamon Dolce Steamer era…

Ed Sheeran’s + album is playing softly in the background, my editing queue is clear, and my heart is already dreaming about all of the sweet moments I get to witness.

I pray over my clients and their experience. I walk through locations, test the light, and imagine the stories that will unfold in those little pockets of beauty.

Then suddenly, I find myself alone in the middle of the forest, surrounded by a crisp breeze, golden light, and a quiet moment to take it all in.

It’s freeing, really.

I even have a little tradition where I spin around with my arms stretched out, soaking in the joy of it all.

And then the setup begins.

A table with little treats. A cozy space to relax before your portrait session begins. A place that feels welcoming before you ever step in front of my camera.

And then I hear it.

Little giggles. Tiny footsteps.

And my favorite sound:

“Jenny!”

We wander through the woods together, catching up on life and settling into the moment. Then, almost always by accident, our session begins when I catch a glimpse of something beautiful I wasn’t expecting.

A genuine laugh.

A quiet embrace.

A little hand reaching for yours.

A moment that wasn’t planned but was completely perfect.

Of course, we capture the traditional photographs, the ones you’ll frame and treasure for years to come.

But then the fun begins.

We laugh. We play. We explore. We enjoy the atmosphere, the season, and the little moments unfolding around us.

Every Story Has a Place Here

Over the years, these fall portrait sessions have held so many different stories.

They’ve been intimate family reunions where everyone traveled from near and far to be together. They’ve been proposals where one person nervously asked a life-changing question. They’ve been newborn snuggles, birthday celebrations, growing families, and timeless Christmas card traditions.

Because these sessions were never meant to be just for one type of family or one specific moment.

They are for the family who wants to remember this exact season before their children grow another year older.

They are for the parents who want to hold onto the way their children laugh and scrunch their little nose right now.

They are for the couple celebrating a new beginning.

They are for the moments we know we’ll want to remember, and even the ordinary ones that become extraordinary with time.

Every story is different, and that’s my favorite part. No two sessions look the same because no two families are the same.

And as the sun sets, I drive down the mountain with a camera full of memories and a heart full of gratitude.

I arrive home, light a candle, make another cup of tea, and watch as the photos continue backing up.

And I’m reminded once again.

My magical pause button worked.

And it captured something beautiful.

Fall Portrait Sessions in Southern California

As I begin booking my fall portrait sessions this year, I feel an extra sense of anticipation and wonder.

My little guy is almost two, and seeing the world through his eyes has completely reshaped the way I approach photography. I notice the tiny details more. The little moments. The curiosity, the joy, and the magic hidden in the ordinary.

For my families who love the tradition of Forest Falls, those cozy mountain sessions will always remain. The crisp air, the golden light, the familiar paths, and all of the memories we’ve created there.

But for those looking for something new, a different backdrop, a change of scenery, or a fresh way to tell their family’s story, I’m excited to be offering a few additional locations this year.

Because every season of life looks a little different.

And I love creating spaces where your family can be fully present, have fun together, and make memories that feel uniquely yours.

Preserving this Season

If you’ve been dreaming of slowing down time just a little, of remembering the way your children laugh right now, the way your family fits together in this season, or the simple moments you never want to forget, I would love to welcome you into this year’s fall portrait sessions.

Fall portrait sessions will be opening soon, with returning favorites at my beloved forest locations along with a few new locations thoughtfully chosen for a fresh experience.

I can’t wait to create something beautiful with you.