Newborn Dawn Altier Newborn Dawn Altier

Cerritos Newborn Session

Can there be anything sweeter than bringing a healthy baby into the world and holding that child in your arms?? This Cerritos newborn session was a true celebration of life! Good things do come to those who ask… and wait! Baby Dean was a trooper the day of our shoot and Lindsay and Mike are taking on first-time parenting like pros! Please enjoy these highlights! xoxo

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San Pedro Engagement Session

This San Pedro engagement session will forever hold a special place in my heart; not only because these are my brother’s engagement photos, but they were taken just two days after our father passed away. I had considered rescheduling this session, but felt our dad would want us to keep our plans and enjoy the day. 

In addition to the emotional charge of the circumstances, this was also a mentoring session for off-camera flash. I had the opportunity, (thanks to Eve Rox Photography), to teach one of the sweetest photographers, Bora Chan; you can find her beautiful work here

We courageously fought domineering gusts of wind and the chill of the fading afternoon sun and captured some beautiful images as a result! I am excited for Justin and Tiare’s wedding in September! 

If you are a natural light photographer looking to develop your flash technique and skills, lets connect! I would love to teach you what I know! You can get in touch with me through the “Contact” link above! xoxo

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Griffith Park Engagement Session

It’s true that the best sunsets follow the rain. This Griffith Park engagement session started off with stormy skies and some serious drizzle. We were pumped to adventure out in the inclement weather, but I have to say that I was grateful when the sun burst through the clouds and the sky “caught fire”. Seriously the best sunset on a shoot yet! And so glad we got to catch it with this sweet, laid back couple. Looking forward to their wedding in June!

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Downtown Long Beach engagement session

The sky couldn’t have been more in our favor for this downtown Long Beach engagement session. With Shoreline Aquatic Park as our backdrop, we had an array of stunning scenery to work with, not to mention Jenny and Matt make such a dang cute couple! I’ve got a lot of love for these two, dating back to the days we worked together at the Isabel Patterson Child Development Center, connected to CSULB (our alma mater). It was there that I found my love for photographing people and Jenny and I worked on creating visual yearbook dvd’s for families to take with them at the end of each year. I learned so much from my experience at Is Pat and from Jenny. I don’t have the words to express how grateful I am for the time I worked there. It is an honor to be chosen as Jenny and Matt’s photographer. I’m looking forward to their wedding in June! Enjoy the photos! xoxo

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Couples, Portraits, Lovers Dawn Altier Couples, Portraits, Lovers Dawn Altier

Costa Mesa Portrait Session

Light and shadow were in full effect for this Costa Mesa portrait session. This couple had been wanting to have professional photos taken for some time now to celebrate their love. I am a huge supporter of documenting relationships at any and all stages. Whether you are celebrating 6 months together or 60 years… I am ready to document your love! Thanks for trusting my process and experimentation Mary and Jordan! SO happy with this first “ring of fire” shot!!! It was a blast working with you both! Enjoy! xoxo

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Swami Beach Family Session

It was 62 degrees and raining when I arrived, but this Swami’s Beach family session turned out beautifully. Baby Ronin touched sand and the Pacific for the very first time. The low tide gently lapped at our feet. Mom and Dad grinned as they watched Ronin’s reactions to the ocean water washing over his toes. The sky was overcast and the sun finally popped out 5 minutes after we were packed up and piled into our cars. No matter. It was a morning spent in the best possible way: documenting a family’s love for each other.

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Arlington Garden Engagement Session

This Pasadena engagement session at Arlington Gardens was filled with lush landscapes and native California flora. I loved exploring the garden with this sweet couple! Notable details included a plethora of passion flowers, (ooh la la!), an agave larger than us, and a super cool walkable meditation labyrinth!! (Insert heart eyes here.) Enjoy! xoxo

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Los Angeles Wedding Matt & Mayra

Matt and Mayra were given this advice on their wedding day: Become best friends. Become one (in heart and mind). Keep God and prayer in your marriage. I can think of no better recipie for a happy marriage. Thank you Matt and Mayra for hiring me to be your wedding photographer! It was a joy working with you both and I wish you all the love and success in this new journey together. xoxo!

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Wedding, Portraits, Couples Dawn Altier Wedding, Portraits, Couples Dawn Altier

Los Rios Historic District Wedding Portraits

A beautiful couple and a stunning location produced the results of this quick session that was sandwiched between the ceremony and temple portraits in L.A. and the drive southward to Meridith and Troy’s reception in San Clemente. The first time I visited the Los Rios Historic District, I knew it was a prime location to photograph. I’m so grateful I got to return with these two and create these images with them. Meridith is wearing one of her three wedding day dresses. I will be posting more on Instagram and Facebook! 🙂

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Pasadena City Hall Engagement Session

It was so much fun to shoot at Pasadena’s prestigious City Hall. Talk about a stairway to heaven! Mayra and Matt are such a sweet couple, full of generosity, knew exactly what they wanted, brought their own ideas to the table, and were a breeze to work with. I don’t think a photographer could ask for anything more. Looking forward to your wedding in March!!! xoxo

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L.A. Arboretum Engagement Session

We had such a great afternoon creating these images at the L.A. Arboretum! So many beautiful plants in bloom and fun spots and sculptures to add character to the shoot. That said, have you ever met a couple you knew were undeniably right for one another? This is how I feel about Adam and Angelique. They get each other on so many levels! I love the way their humor and intellect mesh so seamlessly. If you are familiar with the song “Such Great Heights”, the lyrics fit: “I have to speculate that God himself did make us into corresponding shapes like puzzle pieces from the clay….” I’m so happy these two connected, fell in love, and have welcomed me to be a part of the most important day of their lives! Looking forward to the wedding in January! xoxo

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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!

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Summer 2015 Portraits

It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to a close. I look back over the past few months and feel most grateful for two things: 1.The intense temperatures will soon be on hiatus, and 2. for the fun I’ve been able to have behind the camera with Andrew and Becca, The Walkowskis, Ana Sophia and family, and the Gleasons. Here are a few highlights. Enjoy!

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Los Angeles LDS Temple Wedding

I’m so excited to be able to feature Lindsay and Mike’s wedding day! Their ceremony took place at the LDS temple in L.A., followed by a yummy dessert bar and tons of dancing in Mike’s hometown of Lancaster. I was especially fond of all the beautiful details they incorporated into their day! Lindsay’s tiara and the guys’ cuff links were top of my list! Thank you for your patronage! I had a blast photographing all the fun! May love fill your days and nights always!

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Disneyland Engagement Session

For a romance that budded and bloomed at Disneyland, it wasn’t hard for Lindsay and Mike to pick a location for their engagement session. Their first kiss happened on the tram that takes guests to and from the park and it seems as if all the major dating milestone moments could be connected to a ride, a restaurant, or location within the park. What a fun place to fall in love! Mike even proposed to Lindsay at that scenic walkway next to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. When they asked me if I’d be opened to shooting at Disneyland, how could I resist? It was a blast! Here are a few of my favorites from the day. Congrats Lindsay and Mike! Looking forward to your wedding in October!

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