an independent eater

I've been struggling with keeping up 2 blogs - my personal blog and this photography blog - for quite some time.  So, every now and then, I will be posting some personal things on this blog... in an effort to share more of my life through pictures, and also to help my readers/clients get to know me better.

Among the all the busy things happening in my life as a mom to 4 boys, is that I am learning to "let go" of my control issues (never thought I had control issues until I became a parent!) when it comes to meal times with Aleksander.  He is nearly 16 months old, and so badly wants to be an independent feeder/eater.  He is starting to have very strong opinions about what foods he will and won't eat, as well as putting his foot down on who does the feeding -- NOT ME.  This means lots of big messes...squishing food between his fingers...sticky table...sticky floor...sticky hair...etc. etc. etc...

What's the big deal?

Exactly.

That's what I've finally settled on.

What. Is. The. Big. Deal?

Why am I not letting my little guy enjoy the experience of feeding himself?

So...I decided to document breakfast today...because seriously, he is just so darn adorable!  I want to remember him learning to feed himself and delighting in mess making.

It's the small things that matter most, friends...

At the request and smart suggestion of my friend Kristen over at Capturing the Joy (a super fun blog! go check it out!) I am attempting to get into more pics with my kiddos...even early in the morning, with bed head and no make-up.  This is real life!

If you're on Instagram, look me up:  @sharibeth78

I'd love to see what you're posting too!

Happy Thursday!

xo,  Shari

Baby Brecken | Orange County Newborn Photographer

This is my sweet neighbor and friend, Amanda's new baby boy.  (see their family pics HERE)   Well...he was brand new when I took these photos back in October!  He's HUGE now in comparison to how tiny he is in these images.  Darn time!  I wish it would stop whizzing past!  I absolutely, 100,000% love, LOVE, LOOOOVE newborn babies.  There is just nothing that compares to a sweet new baby, fresh from Heaven.  Being the awesome friend that she is, she agreed to let me invade her peaceful hospital stay to capture some images of her new little one...just shy of 36 hrs old!  Enjoy...

Steve and Amanda, congratulations on another beautiful baby!  Thank you so much for letting me intrude into your life with your new little guy...  Love you guys and hope you love these images!

Friends, one of my photography goals for 2013 is to learn the art of birth photography.  If you are pregnant (or know someone who is) and are interested in having your baby's birth documented (tastefully!) please don't hesitate to call or email me for more information!  714-865-3885 or sharihansonphotography@gmail.com

Not quite sure you want the actual labor/delivery documented, but interested in photos like these?  email me! call me!  Let's do it!  These are the moments that deserve to be documented...and so often are not.

xoxo,
Shari

Sandals In The Snow: An Animated GIF

I just couldn't resist showing this cute combination of pics...  This is from my sister's wedding in December at the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  Her friends have a tradition of taking a picture holding the bride...  I love that my sister (a beach girl at heart) is wearing SANDALS in the snow.  XOXO  Enjoy...

Dahl Family | Fall Mini-Session

This family is just so sweet!  We met for a quick mini-session a few months ago, and the light was just so yummy!  I loved the color scheme that Collette picked out...it looked gorgeous with the green background.  I love this last picture of the kids running...  I love that is shows a healthy, happy Mason who is cancer-free right now!   I also want to take a minute to pay a huge congratulations to Shane, who over the last year lost 185 lbs!  I took their family photos last year around the same time (you can see them HERE) and when he saw himself in those images, he didn't like what he saw and decided to make some drastic changes in his life.  I am so inspired by his dedication to get healthy, and happy that he is feeling better than ever!  Way to go Shane!

Best of 2012

 It's always a treat to review my work from the past year...  Here is a small collection of some of my favorites from 2012, in no particular order:

I want to give a HUGE thanks to all of my fantastic clients...for trusting me to capture special moments of your lives.  I am truly honored to know you and to have felt of the love you share for each other.

As a photographer, my goal is to capture true emotion...that is what draws me in and keeps me coming back to the photographs in this collection.

I am looking forward to more connections and growth in 2013!