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
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!
Long Beach Plant and People Portraits
After a Naples family session, I had arranged to pop over to Lisa’s house, from Succulents for the Soul Instagram fame, where we met for the first time! I photographed her amazing yard and met her adorable grandson named Dean. Lisa has poured hours into landscaping her beautiful front and back yards! She has created an oasis to surround her home. <3
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
Long Beach Portraits | Art Farm
Shannon is a henna maker and the dreamer of dreams at Art Farm in Long Beach.
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.
Lake Sequoia
Lake Sequoia Family Camp has me heart! “Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and flowers…” -Hans Christian Andersen And really BIG trees. I love being surrounded by nature. In fact, to say I love it is probably an understatement. My family (aunt, cousins, and sister), have gone up to the Sequoias together for a total of four years now. We camp around Lake Sequoia, spend time with some really amazing families, eat our hearts out, hike, kayak, zip line, play in waterfalls, and watch stars shoot across the sky after dark. I absolutely love our summer tradition. What is your favorite vacation?
Csulb Graduation Session with Becca
This talented young lady just graduated from CSULB‘s Theater Department with a degree in costuming and set design. She has been interning at the Long Beach Playhouse and has already worked on a T.V. commercial since graduating last month. Whatever you dream, you can become! Congratulations Class of 2016! All the best on the whimsical and wonderful road ahead Rebecca! Bobbins, and fabric, and action– oh my!!! xoxo
Ready to make some costume design magic happen!! :)
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
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!
Dawn Altier Photography is on instagram
If you didn’t know already, Dawn Altier Photography is on Instagram! The reason I mention this is that April is this blog’s birthday month, and being that birthday’s are a time for celebrating, I thought I’d share with you how much fun I’m having on this app and invite you to join me. Pictured below is the Picante Crush, Green Crush‘s signature drink, filled with tropical fruits and lots of spice! You can check this image out and others on my Insta account here. Happy 5th birthday lil’ bloggy poo! xoxo
Lakewood Family Session with the Washburns
There is something very special about being in the presence of a brand new baby. Their sweet innocence fills me with reverence and awe. It was a privilege to get to work with the Washburn family and help them to welcome their little girl Alison into the world. Sessions at home are a great way to go because you get to be in a familiar and comfortable environment, can easily change wardrobe if desired, and it involves zero travel time for you as the client. Something to consider if you are wanting to book a family session but aren’t sure about a location. If you are interested in setting a session up or have any questions, please use the contact link above and send me an email. I’d love to work with you and your family! xoxo
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! 🙂
Los Angeles Wedding and Reception at The Aquarium of the Pacific
If you are planning a wedding and are looking for a fabulous space, hands down, let it be The Aquarium of the Pacific! I am still dreaming about Adam and Angelique’s choice of reception venue! The wedding took place at the Los Angeles LDS Temple, followed by a drive southward the the Aquarium in Long Beach. Their guests got to explore the Aquarium for an hour before reception festivities began. They were even treated to an educational talk about the resident sea otters! Those furry little guys put smiles on everybody’s faces! These two truly made their special day one to remember on so many levels! Not only did they throw an awesome party, but most importantly, they made sacred promises to each other that have the power to bind them for eternity. Here is a glimpse. Enjoy. 🙂 xoxo
December Portraits
How was your 2015? This year brought several weighty trials for my family involving the loss of loved ones. Saying goodbye has always been difficult for me in all of it’s sundry forms. I’m working on accepting what I cannot change and becoming more gracious in so doing. This is my goal for the new year; to possess grace. May this new year bring you and your families the fineries of life, laughter and much love. Creating images is still something that brings me great joy. Here are a few December themed portraits of Jackie and Gwen, Neri, Melissa, and Loraine with her beau. Thank you for following and supporting my work! xoxo, dawn altier photography!
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
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
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!
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!
