Balboa Park Cactus Garden Family Photo Shoot

Meeting Tali, Joe, and Ezra in the Balboa Park Cactus Garden (technically the Desert Garden) for their family portraits was such a treat! This was the second year that Zack and I got to spend with this amazing family and we had such a great time! Ezra had grown so much in a year and changed so much physically, but he was still so incredibly sweet. Just has he had been last year. He was so easy to work with and so snuggly and playful with his parents. Another thing that had not changed in a year was his love of soccer! He is going to be a superstar when he gets older!

This family is so kind and warm. Being chosen as their family portrait photographer is such an honor! We look forward to watching Ezra grow up through the years and helping them document his life. He is such a sweet little man and I am sure that is in large part due to the influence of his parents. What a wonderful family!

Balboa Park Cactus Garden (Desert Garden)

I absolutely love shooting in the Balboa Park Cactus Garden! Technically, this are is called the “Desert Garden,” but either way, it is lovely! It may seem like a strange place to choose for a portrait session since Balboa Park has so many beautiful locations, but it is one of my favorites. The reason I love it here is the LIGHT! Since the ground is a pale color, it reflects clean light up onto the faces of my clients. Also, the harsh sunlight is defused through the trees on the hill. However, just enough light gets through the leaves in order to have beaufitul, glowy backlighting on my clients.

The color of the cactus is also one of my favorite things about this garden. The muted greens are so lovely and soft. One doesn’t usually think of the word “soft” when it comes to cactus, but truly, it is beautiful here! Not only is this location picturesque, but it is peaceful as well. Balboa Park is frequently one of the most crowded places in San Diego, but not in this garden. Here in the Balboa Park Cactus Garden, I am usually alone with my clients and don’t have to fight the crowds for a great portrait. So worth the walk across the bridge from the main part of the park. The rose garden is also close, so shootiing in both locations gives my clients more variety for their portraits.

Ezra is just the cutest little man. He is so sweet and cuddly and adores his parents.

Can he be any cuter? I don’t think so!

Ezra’s love of soccer has not changed in the last year. He is going to be spectacular when he gets older if his passion continues as it is.

We found a beatle on one of the roses and he was completely unafraid. Love that!