pascale wowak photoblog

Juliette, Arianna & Joshua

I've been photographing this family since the oldest Juliette was just a tiny baby.  In fact, Juliette and my Ellie are born just two weeks apart.  We are going on our 8th year of doing these annual family shoots! Deborah and I first met when they lived locally here but they soon moved to Carmel and thankfully kept having me come and chronicle their family as it grew.  And did it ever grow.  Deborah had three kids literally back to back.  And looked utterly fabulous doing it.  You'd hate her if she weren't so likeable! lol!

All three kids have very strong personalities.  Juliette is the one who I can reliably depend on to be my assistant and is very mature for her age.  She takes the job of eldest very seriously.  Arianna is unusual for a middle child as she is less interested in keeping the peace and mediating as she is stirring the pot!  She is full of fire and spunk and lots of life in that little body of her.  Joshua is more on the quiet side, probably used to being overshadowed by his two boisterous sisters.  He repeatedly tried to convince me that "he just doesn't know how to smile" and kept doing pouty faces for me.  I eventually broke that wall down.  Turns out he's a little rockstar in the making and all you have to do is ask him to sing to bring him out of his shell.  Soon, the smiles were flowing all around.  

Deborah & Charlie, enjoy your sneak peek!!!

Brendan & Claire

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting this family for the first time in the comfort of their home.   It was quite fortuitous that Brendan is crazed with Legos seeing as my 10 yr old son has been since he was about 2 yrs old and I am an official EXPERT in all things Lego.  Brendan and I hit it off right off the bat.  Baby Claire was about as sweet, happy and adorable as they come.  Mom and Dad were all kinds of awesome chill.  Needless to say, we had a great time hanging out at their house, playing, and getting to know each other.  I do so love coming to my clients homes (especially new clients) and photographing them in their element and finding the best light and locations within the confines of their property!  It's a wonderful challenge and I've found that kids are always so excited to show me their favorite spots and toys.  Makes for a great shoot! 

Janice & Jonathan, thank you so much for the extremely warm welcome and spending a couple hours with me!  It was great fun and I hope you love your sneak peek!  xoxox

Ava & Bella

I've been photographing these two girls ever since Ava was a wee pup and Bella since she was in utero.  They have such different personalities but both girls are full of spunk and fire.  It's never a dull session!  We did the shoot at their home this time and the light was magnificent and the rolling hills as a backdrop could not have been more lovely as the sun was cresting the mountaintop.  The light and scenery coupled with their effervescent personalities made for a fabulous session, despite all the characteristic Ava-antics I've come to expect.  In fact, if she ever stops being her Ava-self, I may get all depressed!  Bella was definitely trying to be the "pleaser" during this session and I feel like this was the first time she wasn't overshadowed by her super "big personality" sister.  She was owning the camera in her own right!   They're gorgeous girls and I got some really great shots including a cameo appearance from dad's old Chevy Nova!  Tiffany & Don, I hope you love your sneak peek!

Estelle & Sebastian

And their amazing wonderland they call home!  I so look forward to this shoot every year.  For starters, the kids are crazy cute and precocious.  Then, you add in some really nice parents.  A super sweet Polish Tatra Sheep dog named Sartaj. Then, the piece de resistance, you top it all off at the most stunning mountaintop home located on several gorgeous acres which comprise the property at Abounding Harvest Farm.  

This year it was uncharacteristically hot due to a heat wave and it was, like, about a billion degrees that particular day.  Seriously, it was well over 100 degrees at their home.  CRAZY HOT.  But everyone rallied like champs and we made the most of the sweltering weather by staying in the shade and maximizing the soft, stunning light once the sun crest behind the hilltop and washed their orchards in the most insane bath of luscious light you could ever ask for.  

I couldn't get enough of Sebastian, who is absolutely edible right now.  Honestly, full on nom-nom-nom material.  Too bad he wanted nothing to do with my camera.  But I still managed to get what I wanted.  I'm persistent like that. :)

And Estelle was her usual vibrant, feisty, delightful self, all wrapped into one very animated and joyous package!

Daniel and Nancy, it was a pleasure as always.  Can't wait for next year! :)