Stop and smell the roses -{Inspiration of the day}

I adore roses! Well, flowers in general. The colors! So many styles, lots of petals, thorny(not so much), buds, 

multi-colored and many more. My favorites are the scented ones! They make my nose hairs dance:))).  

I am naturally a busy person. I enjoy a full schedule and getting my to do list done (most of the time), but every so often. I make time to stop and smell the roses, if you will. 

They are delicate, fragile, and yet hearty. They remind me to take time to enjoy what I am doing, not to worry, stress, or feel overwhelmed. 

So, this weekend guess how I am going to stop and smell the roses? 

I am taking time with my family and revel in the moments of life. My grandpa is turning 85 tomorrow and my grandma is throwing him a big birthday bash! I am sooooo excited to see him! And the best part he has no idea we are driving to AZ to see him. It is a big surprise! shhhhhhhhh! 

I encourage you to take time for yourself and do something you love this weekend. 

Happy early Friday and I'll see you Monday with a fun family session I have this weekend too! I told you I like a full schedule. 

 C'est la vie!!!!!

The sounds of the morning...

Today has been an interesting day thus far. Why you might ask? First, I was peacefully sleeping WHEN I was unceremoniously awoken by a fire alarm check in my apartment...you know what is not fun? A fire alarm check when I'm in a calm, peaceful sleep and then BAM! I hear piercingly loud beeping noises and freak out in front of two strangers installing a smoke detector. Who was embarressed beyond belief? This girl right here.

Second, I finally fell back asleep and then I heard the lovingly soothing sound of a jack hammer outside my window. Thats okay though because eventually the jackhammer was drowned out by the garbage truck banging around our parking lot while it picked up our trash.

Conclusion, I am awake and figure God is trying to tell me to get up and be productive or something.

Hope you had a better sleep than I did.

Have a great Wednesday!

A few left- {Holiday Mini-sessions}

Our mini-sessions are filling up quickly and we have a fews spots left.
These sessions can be any type of portrait session you want.  

Dates Available:

Wednesday, October 27^th- 

Wednesday, November 3rd

Wednesday, November 10th  

Saturday, November 13th

Sunday, November 14th- New date added

BOOK ONE OF THESE DATES AND GET A SPECIAL RATE OF $75

INCLUDED IN THIS SPECIAL SESSION…

·        1  HOUR AT A LOCATION OF YOUR CHOICE IN SAN DIEGO AREA

·        ONLINE GALLERY TO VIEW AND PURCHASE PRINTS FOR 3 MONTHS

·        A DISC WITH HAND RETOUCHED HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS 

·        15% OFF ANY PRINT ORDER WITHIN THE FIRST 30 DAYS

***These make great Christmas cards and keepsakes

*** I am happy to custom create Holiday cards for an additional fee

Please email me at nataliebrayphoto@gmail.com

for more info and which date you would like! We look forward to meeting  you!

Kathleen + Paul + Jameson {Family/One year portrait session}

In life we meet people who have joy. A true joy that resonates out of them like  heat out of a furnace.Who when you are around them you get happier, you feel like you have more energy, and you feel like you can do anything. It's like getting your second wind at 10pm at night...where you want to reorganize your entire closet by color and  style. Well, maybe I just do that, but you get my drift.

The McKerry Family gave us that feeling. Full of life and love, especially for their adorable daughter Jameson.

She is almost a year and this is her photo shoot/ family session. 

Jamseson has the brightest blue eyes and sweetest smile and those cheeks.

 Thanks Kathleen you did a fabulous job styling your daughter with the greatest outfits...too cute!

Jameson is a 2ft tall knock out! She was so happy the entire session...

Daddy and daughter...

Jameson decided the bow was a fun toy...so she took it off for all to see.

Mom and daughter...Jameson lights up around her parents. 

Hold my hand momma...

What a cute family!

Angelic and look at those eyes...

During our session Jameson was walking all about...she is on the move and she was intrigued with all things new...

I adore this tutu!

Bubbles anyone?

Check out the slideshow fore more photos from this session.

Thank you Kathleen, Paul, and Jameson for a lovely session. We truly had a wonderful time capturing these moments with you! 

Happy Tuesday!

Keep going...

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
From the mountains of faith
To the river so deep
I must be lookin' for something
Something sacred i lost
But the river is wide
And it's too hard to cross
even though I know the river is wide
I walk down every evening and stand on the shore
I try to cross to the opposite side
So I can finally find what I've been looking for
In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the valley of fear
To a river so deep
I've been searching for something
Taken out of my soul
Something I'd never lose
Something somebody stole
I don't know why I go walking at night
But now I'm tired and I don't want to walk anymore
I hope it doesn't take the rest of my life
Until I find what it is I've been looking for 

Lyrics by Billy Joel "River of Dreams"

Chloe 1st Birthday- {Mac n' cheese & making friends Part 2}

Have an awesome weekend! Happy Friday!

Chloe 1st Birthday- {Mac n' cheese & making friends Part 1}

To be 1 again! I think I might need to have a Halloween food fight. Parker look out!

For the love of dresses...

There is something transforming about a wedding gown. When you step into "the one" and look  into the mirror, tears stream down your face, smiles are on all your friends faces, and you know this is it. A wedding gown should definitely be a reflection of the bride. Whether you like short, fluffy, or unabashedly elegant. It is yours to choose and yours to love. Personally, I bought the first dress I tried and loved loved loved it. And what better way to celebrate the start of fall by having tulle, lace, satin, silk, and bridal shows galore for the spring 2011 season.

Top 2 Images by firstview and dresses by Reem Acra

Reem Acra designs are simply divine this season...

Images by firstview 

What would a wedding be without a Stunning Monique Lhuillier gown! How fun and flirty!

And synonymous with Wedding is of course the lovely Vera Wang. 

All girls swoon and the thought of wearing a Vera Wang couture gown. I know I do! This previous dress stood out because of its beautiful construction and creamy color.

 I love this dress above by Lelarose found via The Brides Guide. I adore the intricate design with a simple silhouette and a classic feel.  Be unique! Be you! Actually, all  images were found via the bride's guide. They have sneek peaks of many designers. 

Claire Pettingbone is one of my favorite bridal designers. Her construction is impeccable, the details whimsical, and every dress is simply a work of art. Check out her latest work here.

Happy Tuesday!

{We went to Disneyland...}

Hello Everyone! I know I've been away awhile, but we went to Disneyland! We haven't been in over two years so we decided to take a Southern California Vacation...we drove up the coast and stopped at Newport for lunch, then to Disneyland we go! 

"In the Tiki Tiki Tiki room..." it's so happy, so endearing, I love it!

And you know I love my ice cream...and this one is amazing! There is a little place in California Adventure that is not soft serve...wait for it...it's soft serve ice cream and it is delicious!

If you haven't  been on the steam boat it is a treat...

Do you recognize these? 

I love the look of the tea cups, but they make me sick :( .

Dumbo is a great ride to people watch...the kids get so happy!

And they brought back Captain EO! I was 6 when I first saw this and I was taken to a new world...I was sad when they changed it, but now we can change the world :). 

(Don't you just love the glasses:))

Happy Tuesday!

Paul+ Kathleen + Jameson- {preview}

I had the honor of meeting Kathleen, Paul, and adorable Jameson today! They are the sweetest family...so laid back and really amazing parents. Jameson just lit up every time she saw them. Here is a sneak peak...

I can't wait to blog the rest of this session! 

Happy Thursday!