Dawn Altier Dawn Altier

Laguna Beach Family

Montage Laguna Beach is a wonderful destination for a professional photo session because it provides beautiful scenery and an atmosphere that is made for relaxation and rejuvenation. It just might become the place you go when you need to recharge your batteries. Your session will have a rich variety of backdrops to choose from as we meander along the coastal bluff and then descend onto the white sands below.

Annual family portraits preserve precious moments that remind you how quickly your children grow up. This ocean landscape is the perfect setting to play and create artistic portraits while doing so. Here are a few favorites from a recent session with a sweet family of three who traveled from Utah specifically to update their family photos at this Mama’s favorite ocean view! Enjoy! xoxo

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Newborn Dawn Altier Newborn Dawn Altier

Huntington Beach Newborn Session

I am so excited to be sharing this Huntington Beach California at-home newborn session on Christmas Day. What is more precious than the gift of life? And the innocence and divinity of a a newborn baby? This session was especially meaningful to me on a personal level because the beautiful momma and I are the same age— This is her first and only baby. A miracle that was hard fought for and granted. The fact that she had a successful pregnancy and birth renewed my hope in becoming a mother. It was an honor to be a part of this sacred experience— documenting this special time in this family’s life.

At home newborn sessions are truly unique. They provide a laid back, cozy and quiet atmosphere for a meaningful photo session without the stress of trying to get everyone out of the house. Whether we take photos in your forever dream home or your right now home, your space is special. It’s bound to be filled with many milestones and memories of your baby’s life. And what better reason to capture beautiful images that will always remind you of this moment in time? You don’t need a large, perfectly manicured home and yard to have a home session. The following images were shot in a single room. If you’ve been considering having photos done at home and have questions, message me. I’d love to collaborate with you! I give thanks for those who have already trusted me to document their lives! Merry Christmas to you all! xoxo

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Family Dawn Altier Family Dawn Altier

Montage Family Session

Despite the roller coaster that 2020 has been, there have been many beautiful moments. Reconnecting with returning clients who have become friends, is always a highlight! I’m so thankful for the Case family! Please enjoy my favorites from their Laguna Beach family session. Please stay safe and well! And let’s plan to shoot together in 2021! xoxo

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Family, Maternity Dawn Altier Family, Maternity Dawn Altier

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

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Family Dawn Altier Family Dawn Altier

Newport Beach Family Session

It’s a pretty great feeling to have clients hire you again to make pretty pictures with them! This Newport Beach family session was my second time working with Rob and Emily, as I had the privilege of photographing their wedding in 2016. We had a ton of fun! I send my gratitude to them and all the families and individuals I have the honor of working with (including those who work as my assistants)! Thank you so much for supporting and appreciating my art! Much LOVE! XOXO!!

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Wedding Dawn Altier Wedding Dawn Altier

Newport Beach Wedding and Five Crowns Reception

This Newport Beach wedding was lovely from start to finish! Emily and Rob, along with their family and friends, filled the day with warmth and love. Their ring ceremony and reception were held at The Five Crowns in Corona Del Mar, and let me just say, the prime rib lives up to every expectation! I loved all the details that went into making this day special!

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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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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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Wedding Dawn Altier Wedding Dawn Altier

Newport Beach Lds Wedding

My heart is full as I reflect upon Emmi and Matt’s wedding day. So many heart-felt details were incorporated into this celebration of love. The honoring of the eternal nature of love, the revisiting of the couple’s first date locale, a brush with the beach (where Matt proposed)… it was like taking a trip in a time machine– spanning the entirely of their relationship up to that present day. Speaking of which, (not to spoil the romantic musings), they happened to be married on National Donut Day! Hence a few of the following images. And the icing on the cake… (no pun intended). Emmi is a native of Peru. Her family was not able to make the trip to California for the wedding. As a special surprise, Matt arranged a Skype session with Emmi’s family during their reception! Her reaction was priceless! These two have so much love for one another! I am so thankful I was invited to be a part of it! I wish you both a world of happiness! Thank you for your patronage!!! xoxo!

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Family Dawn Altier Family Dawn Altier

Newport Beach Family Session

This shoot took me back to my days as a preschool teacher at the Isabel Patterson Child Development Center. That was where I discovered I loved photographing people. (I’d been photographing landscapes and still life as a hobby up until that point.) I began bringing my camera to work so I could photograph the children I had grown close to and wanted to remember after they graduated and moved on. This endeavor turned into a project that I collaborated on with my supervisor: making an end-of-the-year slideshow dvd of portraits, details and activities for the families to take with them; a multi-media yearbook if you will. My love for photographing children expanded to include a love for photographing couples, then I landed my first paid wedding– and the rest is a continuing history in the making. So now we’ve come full circle. Meet Stacy! She ad her dad left their home in Texas for a two week vacation that included Disneyland, a tour of Dave’s home state of Oregon, and concluded back in California with this photo shoot just in time for Father’s Day. Dave’s not big on pictures, and was perfectly fine with letting Stacy steal the show! (She totally did!) 😀

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Engagement Dawn Altier Engagement Dawn Altier

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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Family Dawn Altier Family Dawn Altier

Orange County Family Session

I worked with children at a Child Development Center for 6 years. Being surrounded by little ones has taught me so much about myself, relating to others, and life in general. I am endlessly amazed at children’s ability to love and forgive freely. Their creativity and spontaneity is absolutely refreshing! It was great getting together with Becky and her boys to photographically welcome Baby Sami (2011) into the beautiful bright world! It was especially fun getting silly with big brother Zain. Much love to your family!

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Portraits Dawn Altier Portraits Dawn Altier

Crystal Cove Portrait

For several I had a wonderful photography assistant named Ana. We drove down to Crystal Cove one day to scout out a location for an engagement session and I snapped a few photos of her along the way. Here was my favorite:

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Portraits Dawn Altier Portraits Dawn Altier

Mayfair Park Portrait Session

The date is currently Saturday March 12th 2022. I am looking at my old Wordpress blog that is about to expire… I had little knowledge about updating themes, etc. when I purchased the template back in 2011 and soon I won’t be able to update or change my blog. I am switching over to Squarespace soon and am going to salvage what I can from my old blog. My first post was made on April 5, 2011. It read:

I am so excited to finally have a photo blog. It is something I've been talking about for over a year, and now it is a reality! My introductory post is a homage to my first paid shoot; a haircut, a park, and a sweet girl named Sudie. Enjoy! :)

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