Urban Whimsical Baby Shower | Published on 100 Layer Cakelet

Today, I'm delighted to share this urban, whimsical baby shower, and I want to thank 100 Layer Cakelet for publishing this fun and playful soiree on their adorable blog. Hazel and her husband, Marc, the masterminds behind Blu Bungalow, are two of the kindest, hardest working people I've ever met. It was an absolute honor to celebrate the anticipated arrival of their son, Parker, on this warm San Francisco day. Kaella Lynn's thoughtful orchestration highlighted their personalities and created a fun atmosphere for this Jack and Jill affair. The "A" list team of vendors also outdid themselves. You can read all about it on 100 Layer Cakelet. 

I also want to wish the Bourget family every blessing under the sun as they embark upon this crazy ride called parenthood. May your home and hearts be filled with God's sweet grace. xo

Photos by Sandra Fazzino Photography / Event Design and Styling by Kaella Lynn Events, http://kaellalynnevents.com / Catered by Culinary Eye Catering, http://culinaryeye.com / Flowers by Huckleberry Karen Designs, http://www.huckleberrykarendesigns.com / Cake and Favors by Pretty Please Bakeshop, http://www.prettypleasesf.com / Laser cut statues and stir sticks by 43 Layers, http://www.43layers.com / Linens from La Tavola Linen, http://www.latavolalinen.com / Music and AV by Spintronix / Entertainment, http://spintronix.com / Hazel’s hair and makeup by The Glamourist, http://www.theglamourist.com/

Cosette + Jager

I couldn't have been more excited when Jessica and Jason asked to book a family portrait session to celebrate the adoption of Cosette, their French Mastiff. Jager hasn't fully taken to her yet, but I'm hopeful in time he'll come around. xo 

Connecticut Mini Sessions | January 25th

I'll be in Connecticut to celebrate my grandmother's 97th birthday this coming January, and I would love to meet up with you for a mini session! Please email sandra@sandrafazzino.com to book. Spots are limited due to the short window of light we have during winter, so don't wait! xo

Shawna + Michael. Maternity Portraits.

Shawna and Michael, I had such a good time with you during our portrait session last weekend. Your ideas were fun and playful. Emma, your adorable pug, was a doll-baby. I can't believe how well she got along with our tabby, Zeus. And I'm so excited to learn if you're having a boy or a girl!

After our session, I felt like I was walking on clouds. You two are not only gorgeous but you're warm and easy going. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon together. I hope these hold you over until your on-line gallery is ready!

And thank you, to your equally beautiful friends, Lauren + Glenn, for their referral!!

Happy Wednesday!

3rd Annual Portraits in the Park. Child and Family Portraits.

$600 is what it costs to fund grade school and high school tuition for one year in Rulenge, Tanzania. Last weekend, Bridges of Promise along with several volunteers and thirty amazing families raised $2,005! That is enough to send 3.34 children to school!

For a minimum donation of $75, families received a 20 minute portrait session, five 4x6 artist choice prints and the corresponding digital negatives of those five images.

A big thank you to our volunteers: Marita Madeloni, Luis Costadone, Warren Jones, Amy Kight Costadone, Pete Kierhart, and Janice Jobe and to my non-profit partner Karen Schuster.

BOP West and BOP East combined are currently sponsoring 55 orphans altogether in 2011. Thank you to everyone who keeps our mission in motion. It takes a village, and we're so grateful for the generous support of our community.

If you would like to sponsor a child or have a fundraiser idea, please contact Karen: karen.bridgesofpromise@gmail.com.

The Riley's. Family Portraits. San Francisco Bay Area.

Samantha was two the first time her patient, coy eyes gazed into my lens. She was full of bubbles and laughter posing like a pro for the camera. Later, at three, she impressed me even more. If you look closely, you may recognize her from the website.

This weekend, at four years old, Sam displayed a new kind of poise. The one that says, "yes, you're only eight months old, and I'm your big sister, Charlotte, so mommy and daddy will be very busy with you for a while, and that's ok, because I'm excited you're here, too." Well, I'm ad-libbing here, but you get it, right? Charlotte looks up to her big sister, smiles so big (probably to show off those two fancy bottom teeth that came in) and beams brightly making her eyes twinkle like fairy dust.

There's nothing like having a sister. Congrats, Samantha and Charlotte! You're so very lucky, and so am I for having the honor of documenting this special time in your lives. xo

Marini's, the Sequal

Just about as darling as they come, full of energy, ready to talk with the grown ups, and letting you know exactly her stance on important world matters like when it's time to enjoy a good meal of prunes and oatmeal, at just seven months, Sofia has taken the Marini family by storm. Her mommy is brazilian, her daddy is italian, and she has the beauty and charm to prove it.

Like the Marini's, many of us live far away from our loved one's. To say we miss our family and friends is an understatement. We sacrifice important moments and all of the mundane day to day activities in between that we know would somehow feel better if we could share them with our best friends and sisters, brothers and cousins. For the Marini's who have family in Brazil, Italy, Los Angeles and Canada, family photos are even more important to far away grandmothers like Sofia's who hasn't been able to meet her yet. I can't even imagine the heartache and what that must feel like? The way I see it, when these portraits arrive in her home, she has something to daydream over, a way to connect and imagine what it must be like to be with her granddaughter in person holding each other, laughing together. And it's an opportunity to see her daughter living her life happily - a way to cherish the blessings in all of their lives. It's one more way for their hearts to be close even though they live time zones apart.

I was so excited when the Marini's booked their second session (just before Sofia was born, we had a maternity session at the Presidio in San Francisco). Now that baby Sofia is sitting up and sporting all kinds of smiles and laughter, it was the perfect time to capture their growing family, the love, and the laughter - the joy that a baby brings.