Dawn Altier 10/19/22 Dawn Altier 10/19/22

Irvine Maternity Session

These two Orange County love birds are expecting their first child! I am so happy for them and grateful I got to document this special moment at Jeffery Open Space Trail! Here are some of my favorites from that hot summer afternoon! (Momma was such a trooper, braving the 90 degree heat at 8 months pregnant!)

Dawn Altier 4/6/22 Dawn Altier 4/6/22

Old Ranch Country Club Family Session

I love this family! This is our third family session together and each one has been a unique and wonderful experience. We shot this latest session at the Old Ranch Country Club. You may notice that mom is pregnant in these photos and just gave birth to their second child, a baby boy, earlier this month! Congratulations to the Soko family! I hope you enjoy my favorite images from this session! xoxo

Dawn Altier 4/6/22 Dawn Altier 4/6/22

Los Angeles Maternity Session

Southern California was having a heatwave the day we ventured out for this maternity session! ‘Ave wore the perfect summery dress, and she and Quincey handled the afternoon like pros! It was so much fun working with this sweet couple and I look forward to the arrival of baby girl Kennedy! Please enjoy these highlights from our session! xoxo

Vogue all the waaaaay! #calvinklein

Dawn Altier 4/6/22 Dawn Altier 4/6/22

San Pedro Maternity Session

There is a story behind every photograph. This San Pedro maternity session is no exception. When I first met Claudia as fellow Grad students at CSULB, she was grieving the deaths of her firstborn child and father. I was in the throes of my dad’s battle with cancer. Our experiences brought us together and we were able to be a source of strength and comfort to each other.

The shoes above were bought for their first son Sebastian.

You can imagine the joy I felt to learn, two years later, that Claudia was expecting another baby, Santiago! We rejoiced together and this session was truly a time of celebration!

Love this next one!!! Erik’s expression is priceless! I truly love getting to create moments and memories like these!!

Congratulations Claudia and Erik on the new addition to your family! You have been through so much together and are still smiling! Your strength is inspiring! Looking forward to meeting baby Santi!!

Dawn Altier 4/2/22 Dawn Altier 4/2/22

Gum Grove Maternity Session

On a hot sticky summer’s afternoon, we braved an unexpected battalion of vampiric mosquitos to capture images of the little miracle growing inside Ariel’s belly. Eucalyptus oil pierced the breeze as we strolled down the path at Gum Grove. Despite the pouring sweat, we had a fun session! When we first met up, I asked Sam if he had a pocket knife. I wanted to cut a clean edge at the bottom of some reeds I’d picked on my way to the shoot. Sam went back to his car and emerged with a bowie knife!!! 😀 The thing was HUGE and came in SO handy! (No pun intended!) We cut out way through the rugged terrain again and again. It was totally worth the heat and bugs! Here are some of the results! Enjoy!

Dawn Altier 4/2/22 Dawn Altier 4/2/22

Seal Beach Maternity Session

My heart is full as I write this post. This maternity session celebrates the astounding joy that can only be embodied by *first*time* parents to be. Imagine the anticipation; the waiting for your new little wonder and creation to join you in full-fledge physical presence. Then multiply it by 100! Or even 1000! Through the help of modern medicine, great effort, and periods of heart break, Jackie and Scott are realizing their long-held dream of parenthood! I remember the day Jackie shared the news with me. It was around Christmas time last year. Jackie was then 6 months pregnant, but it was hard to tell. (She didn’t want to spread the news until they were certain this little girl was going to make it to full term.) As I sat across from her in her living room, she revealed the precious news. I wanted to sing! I wanted to shout for joy, cry, laugh, give her the biggest hug I could manage… I was ecstatic for her! Words can not do justice to the emotions I felt then, or the emotions she and Scott must be feeling. It was an honor to commemorate this special time in their lives. XOXO!

Dawn Altier 4/2/22 Dawn Altier 4/2/22

El Dorado Park Maternity Session

This post is close to my heart. It’s Mother’s Day Eve and this post is about Rachel, the first friend I ever made in public school. Her mom saw me in tears in the doorway of Mrs. Nerell’s kindergarten classroom and brought Rachel over to introduce her to me and my mom. Minutes later, Rach and I were off exploring the dramatic play area and picking out squares on the story-time carpet. Life in a foreign environment was suddenly bearable thanks to her! Many years have passed since then… and she is now a wife and a new momma! She and her hubby Jesse welcomed a son into the world last month! It was awesome to reunite with her through this photo shoot! Happy Mother’s Day Rach– to all mothers! And a special thank you to my Momma! You are my voice of reason and I love that we can have silly moments together! Much Love! XOXO

Dawn Altier 3/29/22 Dawn Altier 3/29/22

Lakewood Maternity Session Ron and Ivonne

Lets go for a walk down Memory Lane:) Meet Ivonne and Ron. The following image is one of my favorites from their engagement session, shot 7.31.10. Their engagement session was the official start of my photography career! I had spent a couple years building a portfolio and Ivonne had kept an eye on my work. It’s hard to believe it’s been over two and a half years since our Seal Beach adventure!