Just a few more weeks and this gorgeous high school senior will be graduating and celebrating with all of her friends! We did her senior portraits at my favorite field in San Diego on a beautiful evening. I really enjoyed spending the evening with Kayla and her mom. Doesn’t she have the most gorgeous eyes and smile!?! Best of luck, Kayla!
San Diego High School Senior Photographer | Jules Trandem Photography on Facebook | The Bloom Forum
I’ve been lucky to have met so many incredibly talented and wonderful photographers during this journey. People who share the same desire to capture their own families in a real and beautiful way. I’m teaming up with twelve of these women on a very personal and meaningful project called, “What ________ Looks Like.”
Our goal is to capture our own families in a real and beautiful way. Some people call it “lifestyle”, some call it “real life”, some call it “unposed”. No matter what you call it, our desire is to snatch the moments that represent the relationships, the dynamics, the reality, the beauty, the truth, and the life of our families and record them here on our blogs as well as in print at the end of the project.
Each month we will each choose to fill in the blank with our word of choice. Some of us may choose to use the same word all year and some may choose to change it up each month. We will each link to the next photographer until our circle is complete.
We hope this project inspires you to take more pictures of your own families so that those unique moments that make your family unique will never be lost or forgotten.~ Wendy VonSosen.
Each of us will put our own spin on this project, making it more meaningful to us. I wanted my monthly post to be in the form of a letter to Brooks. When the year is complete, I hope to compile the monthly letters and images into a book. My gift to him and to myself. Here is our story of April 2012.
Dear Brooks,
Where does the time go? As I write this, we only have 5 more weeks of school until summer vacation! I know you are already counting down the days, yet I’m not ready to have you move on to second grade. We will enjoy the last weeks of first grade!
Our Easter tradition is to spend the holiday with your cousins in Santa Barbara. On Saturday, we spent a gorgeous morning walking the dogs on the hill (your happiest place on earth) then a quick trip to farmer’s market for strawberries and pumpkin pie.
Uncle Joey warmed up the pool for you two and you swam and swam and swam. You and Sky have so much fun together.
When we stay at Auntie’s house, I always leave the iPad out for you to keep you entertained while everyone else sleeps in. I came downstairs to this face … so sad when you deleted your game account. Some lessons hurt more than others.
You two waited so patiently for the Easter bunny to hide the eggs. It seemed as if he would never come. You even left carrots for him out front, but we think the dogs ate them. ;)
After baths, you and Sky were ready to open your Easter basket. This year the Easter bunny left each of you beach gear … I loved it a bit more than you did … you were hoping for a little more candy.
I’m so thankful that we got these pictures with Grampy. Not long after Easter, Grampy’s health took a big dive. This past week he stopped eating except for a little apple sauce or an egg each day. It’s hard to get his medicine when he won’t eat. My mom and brother are no longer able to care for him. They had to make the tough decision that he needs to move to an assisted care facility as soon as possible. We will head to SB as soon as Grampy is moved. I’ll pray that it is a manageable transition.
You and Sky were the first to discover the Easter Bunny finally made his way to our house. This year there was a little twist to the hunt. Each of you had 25 eggs to find with your initial on it. When you found someone else’s egg, you had to silently leave it. You were such great finders!! It was so much fun to watch!
Here is a bit of our month on Instagram! You finally lost your first tooth … at 7:30 at night. You raced into my room, with blood all over your chin and the biggest smile on your face. You told me … ‘I dug my nail under my tooth, heard a crack and yanked it out!’ I had a Tooth Fairy book that I had saved for over two years, waiting for that first tooth. You also wrote the sweetest note to the TF! Just 10 days later you repeated the whole thing and yanked out another tooth because you wanted something to share at school that day.
A bee sting gone wrong … huge infection and a 2 1/2 hour trip to the ER resulted in antibiotics and a splint.
I had to get a snap of your room after a long, tired weekend … your Sunday night meltdown meant LOTS of tissues thrown dramatically all over the floor.
I missed this post last month so I’ll sneak in the only two images I have from the month… Brooks’ Character Counts Student and his Fun Run.
So proud to call you my son,
Mommy
xoxo
This month I’m so happy to continue with my talented, dear friend Becky Earl with What __ Looks Like.
If you missed the beginning, you can catch up on…
What Responsibility Looks Like
What the Last Days of Summer Looks Like
What Almost 7 Looks Like
What Making Memories Looks Like
What December Traditions Looks Like
What The Magic Of First Grade Looks Like
What Being a Tourist in My Own City Looks Like
What a fun month! It’s so fun that him and S are about the same age and can have such a great time together. So sorry to hear about your dad. The one of him and B is priceless. I will pray for a smooth transition for him and your family. xo-J
awwww that is a sad face i love how you so wisely say “some lessons hurt more than others” i just love you jules and how you capture EVERYTHING…prayers for grampy
What an amazing post! Your Easter looked like so much fun. What wonderful photos of B and your dad. Prayers for your family during this difficult time.
What an eventful month and once again you did not disappoint with your story in pictures! Inspiring!
Always love your posts. Looks like you had a great Easter too!
what a cherished set of photos you have Jules! That boy of yours manages to put a smile on my face every time I see him…especially the pool shot! I’m so glad you got those photos of your Dad and him too. I’m so so sorry about him and sending my hugs and prayers your way.
I WISH I picked up my camera as often as you do, you have such a treasure of memories. I love all these pictures, it’s always so fun to see what Brooks is up to for the month. And those black and whites are perfect 
I love each and everyone of these Jules!! Your sons freckles get me EVERY.SINGLE.Time!! You guys get to do the most amazing things as a family! I absolutely LOVE to follow you in this project and prayers for your family love!
[...] If you missed the beginning, you can catch up on… What Responsibility Looks Like What the Last Days of Summer Looks Like What Almost 7 Looks Like What Making Memories Looks Like What December Traditions Looks Like What The Magic Of First Grade Looks Like What Being a Tourist in My Own City Looks Like What Easter Looks Like [...]
It’s been months since I’ve updated my blog! Where has the time gone?!
I missed my ‘just us’ post last month and almost missed this one. Yesterday morning we had two minutes to take a quick snap before we left for school. I’m so glad we did. It’s really not too hard to get something … just a commitment. I’m thankful to my group for inspiring me to keep going with this project. xoxo
One of my favorite things about this image is that it shows off the new gap in my little first grader’s smile. He was thrilled to finally lose his first tooth earlier in the month and then the second just a week later. I also love his new summer hair cut! He was very clear with the hairdresser that he wanted tiny spikes. It’s hysterical watching him do his hair in the morning … just the right amount of gel … applied just so.
Here’s another in color … totally my ‘mini me’. ;)
I’m finally breaking out my new 5D Mark III … these were shot at 6400 without any noiseware. I LOVE how it handles high ISO and white balance!
Please continue the circle with the very talented Melissa Deakin | Buffalo, NY Family & Child.
San Diego Family Photographer | Jules Trandem Photography on Facebook | The Bloom Forum
[...] please join me in visiting my friend Jules Trandem | San Diego CA Child Photographer and catch a glimpse of how she captured her gorgeous family! This entry was posted in Personal, [...]
couldn’t love more. not possibly. and I declare – B has GOT to be THE cutest kid I’ve EVER seen. You cannot possibly look at him and not grin yourself from ear to ear.
so glad you got these Jules…the first is fun with a lovely conversion…and the second is stunning
gah! Jules, you and B are the two most adorable people in all of California! LOVE these images, love B’s gappy grin. So happy to see you two again!
I am so happy that you got these of you and your little boy. He is starting to look not so little! They grow up so fast and I know that these photos will be treasures for each of you.
These are adorable and I am a huge sucker for missing teeth! Can we also just talk about how awesome your new camera is?! ISO of 6400 and they look this great – That’s money well spent! You are making me want a new camera, darn it!
you never fail to disappoint! Brooks is so handsome and his new gap is quite charming! You are looking at him with such love, and he indeed is a mini you.
Jules you look beautiful! And B is as cute as ever! Love his gap, that is such a fun age!
LOVE them! Great to see you and you little man. Just stunning!
Oh Jules!!! You guys are so photogenic! I love the way you are looking at Brooks in that first image like you are sharing a funny moment just for the two of you. In the second image all I can see is the similarities between you guys & I love this one!
You are right, he is your mini…love..he is so cute, and so are you. Love that black and white image.
We’re back for March’s ‘Just Us twelve times’ and I have some instagram fun from an outing we took last week. You can see more of the outing in my lifestyle post from Monday. We spent a fun filled day at Balboa Park exploring a couple museums! Such a wonderful day!!!
Please continue on with the circle with my friend Jayme Franklin | San Francisco Family Photographer.
In case you’re following along on the progress of ’my story‘ for 2012 …
The breakfast green smoothie has continued to be my favorite meal of the day. I love it so much I ended up ordering a juicer, too…there are some mornings that I’m a little sick of the extra pulp in my drinks, so I may switch over to some days using the juicer. Even though I’m not on a diet and I don’t have a scale to keep track of progress, I can tell I’ve lost weight because none of my clothes from last fall fit. It’s pretty fun looking through my closet finding new/old pants that I haven’t wore in a long time. :) And, I can actually see my cheekbones again!!!
The progress of our new plan to eat close to an organic, whole food nutrition plan has been working well for Brooks, too. He’s finally putting on a little weight during his growth spurt, which I love! He also loves helping to pick out his fish from the market each week. It’s so sweet when he asks if we should have fish or chicken for dinner! He also devours huge salads and large amounts of raw veggies!! Since I’m off of sugar, he’s also doing his part to cut back. On his own, he’s decided to have fresh berries or mango for dessert many nights out of the week. Even at school he makes sure to fill his tray with extra fruit and veggies! I LOVE it!
To help make more time for me, I decided to drop out of two of my personal project groups. It makes me so sad not to be a part of these talented groups, but it’s just the right thing for me right now.
San Diego Family Photographer | Jules Trandem Photography on Facebook | The Bloom Forum
Oh, Jules, I love your Instagram photo of you guys! It sounds like such a fun day too. We love going to Balboa Park and our zoo passes just expired! I missed meeting up with you this month…maybe in March. 
I love Balboa Park! It sounds like your day was just perfect. Lovely photo of you together.
so proud of you. you look fantastic. which juicer did you get? im looking at the hurom slow juicer. i’m with you on that pulp some days…
so glad you posted. take care
I have chills. I love this natural image of you and your boy… and I love that you fill his life with activities for his learning and sense of fun/play.
Most of all, I love that you are ‘coming home’ to yourself… filling your life with wholesome goodness that strengthens your sense of self love and care. And that this positive self care message is being lived by your boy too – our job as mamas is to filter and teach, filter and teach, filter and teach…you are teaching him a life time of healthy habits and I honour you for it Mama. Brava. I am behind you 100% on the “Jules project” mwah!
I am so jealous! It has been so yucky and rainy here. Just seeing that sun streaming behind you makes me happy! So glad you guys had such a great time. Beautiful and “real” image of you two. Love it!
an can I ask a dumb question? what the heck is ‘suit and veggies’? or is that meant to be fruit? … im foreign remember lol
Jules – funny, the first thing I thought of when I saw your picture was that you have perfect cheek bones. Then I realized how feature for feature you and Brooks are twins. Wow. I’m also a huge sucker for flare so I totally love your photo this week! And – I have been secretly following your healthy eating habits…..I have thought about your comment a lot….the one where you said you are not craving sugar any more. I so crave it and have started checking out juicers….you are inspiring me….but I am old and take slow to change. Keep posting your progress please……its working on me!
BTW – what juicer did you go with?
Jules, I love the natural feel of this photo, just you and brooks! Thank you for sharing your journey to a better you and a better family. My family is on a similar journey since my Noah has been sick. I always love to hear how you and Brooks are tackling things together but in your own ways! I hope that you will share more, and I am so happy that this project was not one that you needed to put on hold. Blessings each friend!
So awesome to hear how Brooks is learning from you in regards to your healthy lifestyle! And maybe he can help you stay accountable in he long run too! I was so inspired by your yummy smoothie recipes on FB that I started making them too. But I haven’t found the right recipe yet and the pulp was making us all gag- so we stopped 
I have to stay on track! I was feeling so healthy!
[...] decided to follow in the footsteps of jules trandem, a fellow photographer and super talented friend of mine, to challenge myself for a personal [...]
you have some pretty light here, and you 2 have the most beautiful eyes. love:)
Fun capture! Oh, I want a juicer! You inspire me with your eating…I am so there with you…we are trying to eat fresh and light…:) I understand about the time…I feel like I have bitten off more than I can chew with 3 personal projects. I did not post this week as this project, for some reason seems to be the hardest one to get done!
You are one amazing mom to that boy. I hope he knows just how awesome you are. What a child hood he has and will have. This is perfect.
You two are so cute together! We love our green smoothies here too, my boys down them!
Congrats on the healthy switch, its much easier to do it on your own and not be forced to by medical issues. You and Brooks have such a special bond he’s a lucky boy to have such a loving mom!
love this! I miss you two!
I’ve been lucky to have met so many incredibly talented and wonderful photographers during this journey. People who share the same desire to capture their own families in a real and beautiful way. I’m teaming up with twelve of these women on a very personal and meaningful project called, “What ________ Looks Like.”
Our goal is to capture our own families in a real and beautiful way. Some people call it “lifestyle”, some call it “real life”, some call it “unposed”. No matter what you call it, our desire is to snatch the moments that represent the relationships, the dynamics, the reality, the beauty, the truth, and the life of our families and record them here on our blogs as well as in print at the end of the project.
Each month we will each choose to fill in the blank with our word of choice. Some of us may choose to use the same word all year and some may choose to change it up each month. We will each link to the next photographer until our circle is complete.
We hope this project inspires you to take more pictures of your own families so that those unique moments that make your family unique will never be lost or forgotten.~ Wendy VonSosen.
Each of us will put our own spin on this project, making it more meaningful to us. I wanted my monthly post to be in the form of a letter to Brooks. When the year is complete, I hope to compile the monthly letters and images into a book. My gift to him and to myself. Here is our story of February 2012.
Dear Brooks,
What a fast and furious month this has been. If feels like just yesterday that we started February and yet it will be over in just a few short days. You continue to inspired me with your thoughtfulness and your unbridled optimism. When I’m tired (or grumpy), you seem to know just what to say or do to bring a smile to my face. It makes me laugh thinking of the little inside jokes that we share. You really are a funny boy.
Our after school schedule is pretty busy with sports so by the weekend, we are happy to have at least one pj day to relax and rest. During these days, you build battle after battle after battle. Cars, animals, blocks, legos, star wars, and knights are the stars of your battles. I love listening to you act out the conversations in the battle with enhanced battle noises. You can also frequently be found building and rebuilding your many lego creations. It drives me a little nuts when I see a carefully built lego castle (always an important piece of a good battle) fall to the ground and then completely taken apart. When I ask why you destroy these (expensive and time consuming structures) this way (with just a tab bit of annoyance in my voice) you tell me it’s because you’re just a boy and that’s what boys do. Boys are suppose to build and destroy and build again in a new way. Ah. Yes. You’re so right. This is just one of the many lessons you teach me every day. Thank you.
We recently had a week off of school for what most call ‘ski week’. Instead of traveling to Santa Barbara, we had a staycation filled with lots of sleep and many things checked off of our to-do list. On Wednesday, we decided to be a tourist in our own city. February is museum month in San Diego and the best place to go is Balboa Park.
The day started with a little walk around the park before we entered the Natural History Museum. We had the opportunity to explore the ‘Titanic Exhibit’. It was fascinating to see the artifacts from that fateful trip. At the beginning of the tour we were each given a boarding pass with the name of one of the actual passengers. By the end of the tour, we found our whether or not our passengers made it off alive. Sadly, both of our passengers had died. It was a very powerful tour. The skull exhibit and the 3D shark film were also so interesting. You were so fascinated by everything. I loved watching you soak it all up!
After a delicious lunch at ‘The Prado’, we went to the ‘Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’. It’s been years since you’ve been there. The first time we were there, you were 3 and only played in the under 5 section … fun for a short time, but nothing too exciting. We walked into the museum around 1:00 and you played and explored and laughed and learned and concentrated until 5:30 … and even then I had to drag you out of there. You just couldn’t get enough!! The Keva planks were your favorites of the afternoon. We hung out there for 2 hours. I loved watching you build and create with such concentration.
On the way back to the car we passed through this darling area overflowing with gorgeous colors! You found the perfect hopscotch and even asked if I wanted to take a picture in front of the pretty doors. OK. :)
Goofy boy! Such a silly little thing. You think it’s so hysterical when you have the remote … love your pose. And this second image … one other thing that draws squeals of laughter from you … that special little sound you discovered you can make with your hand on the back of your knee. Really?! Who teaches you these things? It’s so not my favorite sound in the world!
The next day we continued our staycation with a visit to Coronado and the Loew’s Resort. We arrived super early so we could enjoy the day by the pool. It was such a surprise when we discovered they had upgraded our room to a bungalow suite when they found out we were locals. The room was huge and had an amazing view of downtown San Diego. After 4 trips to the pool and 4 baths in the gigantic tub filled with more bubbles than I’ve ever seen, you begged to stay another night. We were both in heaven simply relaxing in our own big comfy beds, me reading (finished the Hunger Game series in 4 days) and you happily reading and watching netflix on the iPad. It wasn’t possible for us to stay a second night this time, but I promised we’ll go again soon.
I loved watching you swim back and forth working on your strokes. You’re such an awesome little swimmer. I grew up swimming and it makes my heart sing to watch you. I especially love your butterfly (even though you don’t believe me that it’s called the butterfly) … cutest thing in the world. I can’t wait until summer when you get to compete in races!
The view from our room… during the day and night.
Some instagram favorites …
Thank you for being such a blessing to me. I appreciate how you can so easily make me laugh.
Love you to Tatooine and back,
Mommy
xoxo
This month I’m so happy to continue with my talented, dear friend Becky Earl with What Family Time Looks Like.
If you missed the beginning, you can catch up on…
What Responsibility Looks Like
What the Last Days of Summer Looks Like
What Almost 7 Looks Like
What Making Memories Looks Like
What December Traditions Looks Like
What The Magic Of First Grade Looks Like
This is just wonderful. Your stacation looks like the most perfect way to spend a week.
Since we could not have Brooks here in person, I loved seeing all his happy smiles and enjoyment during your week. Loved it all.
Any vacation is perfect when it is time spent with your best companion in the world! It looks like you had a fabulous time. How I miss San Diego. Love all your photos but the big air blast might be favorite!
un-be-leive-able….i am in love with this series this staycation and of course the way you captured it….WOW!!!! love that yall got upgraded for being locals that is awesome!!!! but for real the hair blowing series cracks me up!!!!
Wow, simply wonderful images. The one of your little man with the wind/fan blowing up his face — OMGsh PRICELESS!
What a fabulous week together! Looks like you had so much fun together!
what fun shots, it looks like such a great time. beautiful photos of the most beautiful boy!!! you have made me what to take my kids there–looks amazing!
You are such a wonderful Mommy Jules! I adore all the adventures and fun times you two have and how you capture them! These are going to be memories you will always have and be able to look back on!! I have to say the one of him in the tub with the bubbles is my fav…..so goofy Brooks!! And he’s such an engineer at heart, he’s always building something.
what great images. the shark photo and the face in the bubbles have me laughing out loud. they are similar in some odd way…
Wow these are amazing Jules!! I LOVE how capture all those sweet details. Really adds to the story and seriously these would make for an AMAZING photo book!!! Love the bath time photos too. Those are always my fav of my own kiddos!
I remember playing tourist in my own hometown when I was there last (3 years ago) and I had to wonder why I hadn’t done it earlier. It was AMAZINGLY fun to enjoy my own city in ways I’d not taken the time to do before. I loved SD, I thought you guys had some marvelous things to explore so glad you and Mr B had a wonderful staycation. You are the supreme record keeper of your fabulous days…. your boy will treasure all the amazingness you captured for years and years to come. Love this Jules, love it to the moon and back!
Wow Jules — what a fun vacation in your own town! Of course it helps that you live in such a cool place. You did a great job of documenting the fun and adventure with your camera. Brooks is one lucky guy!!! Love the view out your window!
Oh my adorable freckles!!! These are wonderful. I love the shot of B in the movie theater, the images of B’s hair blowing straight up, and those skyline shots. Wow! So much fun. So glad you had a relaxing vacation.
Most of us have to go on vacation to san Diego!! This is just perfect.
I love reading about the fun times that you and Brooks share. You two have such a special relationship! This is one of my favorites. You have totally inspired me to be a tourist for a day! Xo
Jules, I can see your love for Brooks in this fun-filled and thoughtful set of photos. Thank you for sharing your day and your son with us.
oh jules —
love these so, so much. it always seems that you do so much fun stuff with your son. and these so make me miss san diego. hope to connect with you when i’m out there in may.
xo
deb
[...] I have some instagram fun from an outing we took last week. You can see more of the outing in my lifestyle post from Monday. We spent a fun filled day at Balboa Park exploring a couple museums! Such a wonderful [...]
Aw Jules…you get me EVERY.TIME with these posts and these letters to B! I just adore how you give B all these AMAZING adventures and that you capture every.single.one of them…..you are the BEST Mommy!!!!!!! I love everything about your staycation and am partial to the pictures of B and the hopscotch images, especially him and the remote, too dang cute!
You always do such an amazing job of capturing Brooks. I love the bathtub shot, it’s my favorite!
Such awesome pics! The bathtub pictures are great. I love taking days to be a tourist here in Las Vegas.
© 2013 San Diego CA Child, High School Senior & Family Portrait Photographer | Jules Trandem Photography|ProPhoto4 by NetRivet Websites
by Jules
Kim Hill - She has a beautiful smile. LOVE the lighting here, Jules. Simply beautiful.
Britt Anderson - WOW, she is just gorgeous! Love that last black and white one, so classic.
Laura - Stunning work Jules. The smile of this beautiful senior is just gorgeous!
Beth Ross | Tyler, TX Photographer - These are absolutely gorgeous! She is so beautiful. I love the light and location and your processing is just fabulous.
amy grace - these are so colorful, stunning, full of life. what a lovely girl, and you captured her with such amazing light and elegance…
Debbie Wibowo - Wow..what a gorgeous portraits. Love her hair and outfit. They really go well with the colors of the location.
Mary Schannen - Really gorgeous eyes and smile! Love your colors and crisp style!
Carrie Terrones (Las Vegas Photographer) - WOW! These are just stunning images…yes, her eyes are beautiful and her wardrobe just pops in that field!!!
Skye - Gorgeous smile, gorgeous girl! I love the light and colour in these images, your composition is awesome. The second shot where she is sitting on the path is my favourite – lovely!
Melissa VanLeeuwen - Great session Jules! Love, love the color she chose for her shirt, such a nice pop of color!
Lindsay Koehler - photogentic and stylish….you got a perfect senior…..I love the color and softness!
Kelly Q - Gorgeous work! She is one lucky girl to get her senior pictures done by you!
kelly klatt - These are so vibrant and beautiful…gorgeous girl, and amazing photography!
Val Spring - These are stunning, Jules! Love the light and color combos here. She’s gorgeous and looks like a very happy girl!
Patricia - Love your black and white! She is so beautiful!!!!