So excited to finally reveal this portrait session!! I’ve had to wait because Maggie wanted to have the first reveal at their Ice Cream Social Anniversary party …

Our friends Josh and Maggie recently celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary and wanted portraits to celebrate.

I love this idea – and confess I have already planned on professional portraits for every 5 years of Andrew and my anniversaries.

First of all, you should never (ever) forget about professional photos after you get married. Even if you are a photographer yourself, it is always worthwhile to get in front of the camera, hand off the shooting-responsibility to someone else and get photos of yourself.

Second of all, Maggie and Josh (like Andrew and I) didn’t get engagement pics 5 years ago so other than their wedding day don’t really have any really good images of just the 2 of them.

I love love love these images (more on Friday) but have to give all the credit to Maggie for how they turned out.

She totally styled her family – Maggie’s shoes match Josh’s socks and tie and Eleanor’s shoes. She took the time and extra couple bucks to get her hair done and go dress shopping just for this. She suggested the location and bringing the black chairs (which I LOVE).

Seriously, Maggie is amazing. When you have your own portraits done, think about details like this because they totally make the images.

On to the shots …

All taken in an orange grove just off the 126 freeway here in SoCal.. …

These next to are some of my FAVORITES ….

As Maggie told me, while they wanted the portrait session to be about Josh and Maggie, and their relationship, celebrating 5 years of marriage – they couldn’t possibly forget about their little girl … “the most important thing in the last 5 years”

As you can imagine, though, a year-and-a-half-old is not necessarily cooperative for posed family portraits.

We got her in the shot at all just by distracting her with an unripe orange that she brought to and from her parents …

Ah, but all children are bribe-able …

Eleanor loved being lifted up by either arm and her undeniable joy is so plain on her face …

As I mentioned, more photos to come on Friday ….