Articles and photos to inform, inspire, entertain and empower. Portrait photography that Captures true emotion in every stage of your familie’s life. Family portrait, high school senior pictures, wedding photography, corporate headshots and much more. Lifestyle portrait photographers Val & Stephanie Westover serving families and businesses in OC Orange County California and Reno, Nevada since 1994.
Inform • Inspire • Entertain • Empower
Introducing Our Extraordinary Radient Light Portrait Photo Sessions - Our radiant light portrait sessions are a testament to the power of light and creativity. With the combination of Val Westover’s mastery of the use of light and creative vision, we are able to create a uniquely captivating and artistic atmosphere for your portraits.
Read MoreA Story About The McAllister Family Portrait Session - The McAllister family had always been close, but as the years went by, their busy lives seemed to pull them in different directions. So, when they decided to schedule a family portrait session, it was a chance to reconnect and create new memories together. The day of the photo shoot was a beautiful sunny day, and they had chosen a picturesque park with majestic trees, lush green grass and rustic bridges . As they arrived, they immediately felt a sense of peace and calmness wash over them.
Read MoreMy mother has been asking for years for photos of her entire family. With the recent loss of my father and with an extended family of 50 people scattered throughout the country, this seemed like an impossible task.
Read MoreYes we have many outdoor locations to choose from, but haver you considered using your own backyard for your next family portrait session? Well, the Clayton family took advantage of using their beautiful backyard as the backdrop for their last photo session.
Read MoreA cold rainy day at the Mission SJC was the perfect setting for Jean to be surrounded by her handsome men. This gave her the unique opportunity to dress in winter fashion, which is rare for the usually warm and sunny Southern California.
Read MoreDana Point, California
I’m fortunate to get to see the Baird family every year. We update their family portrait each year at the beach. This year, they broke tradition and used the Dana Point Harbor instead of Laguna Beach. With the golden light of the sun hitting the cliffs and water behind them, they outdid themselves again with another beautiful family portrait.
Read MoreWe don’t remember days, we remember moments. It’s one thing to have a family portrait, but it’s pretty special when you can bring the extended family to join in on capturing important memories. The Coulston’s are the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Their expressions captured are a reflection of just how kind and awesome they are.
Pines Park in Dana Point, CA is one of the locations that we use for family portrait sessions for those who want a green lush backdrop
When it comes time to update your family portraits, one of the most important things to consider is location. The location you choose will become the backdrop to portraits of you and your family that will most likely be seen for generations to come.
According to our family portrait clients, here are the top 5 most desired Orange County outdoor family portrait locations.
Read MoreIf you’re looking for an alternative to the studio, the beach, or the manicured parks for your next family portrait, consider using a rustic outdoor location. With indigenous plants, ancient trees and untouched landscape, these rustic backdrops can be found in almost every Orange County, California and Reno, Nevada city.
The Chang family portraits are such a great example of adding formal to a rustic backdrop. By keeping it simple with light colored clothing, their family portrait pops from the wild, untamed wilderness backdrop. It has turned their beautiful family portrait into an elegant piece of art that can be displayed in the finest room of their home.
Read MoreOne of the most rewarding parts of my job as a family portrait photographer, is watching my clients children grow up over the years. Kelly Jacobs and her crew of guys always pull off a great photo session. I don’t know how she does it though, because it’s not like the old days were she would just show up for her family portrait session with all of the kids in one car. Nope, with boys of all ages, they now come to their photo session in several cars, all coming from different directions.
The Jacob’s most resent family portrait session was at the beach in Laguna Beach, CA. Kelly (“Super Mom”) did a spectacular job in making sure that each of her boy’s shirts matched her dress. The soft light created
Read MoreEvery time that we update the Hayden’s family portrait, we use their beautiful home and we always end up with amazing accomplishments.
Lori Hayden had three things that she was hoping to accomplish for this years portrait session. Her son’s high school senior portraits, update a special moment with her daughter and her horse (taken ten years ago,) as well as an update of their family portrait. So, my goal was to pack three photo sessions into one.
I was so eager to share this experience, so you get to see their family portraits straight out of camera.
We started with Charlie’s high school senior pictures. Here are a few of his mom’s favorites. Charlie is such a great person. Besides being super handsome, he is really down to earth and loves his fa
Read MoreAnyone that knows me, knows that I’ll go anywhere for the opportunity to photograph a family with their dogs and their horse. So, when I was approached by the Beadle family to photograph them, I was happy to travel to the Empire Polo Club in Indio California. Besides photographing their family with their beautiful children and their spectacular pets (two dogs and a dappled horse), I also dedicated a large part of the photo session to capture photos for their recent wedding engagement. The Empire Polo Club offered a tropical Southern California look with palm trees and lush tropical gardens. As you can see in the images below, it was pretty awesome that the entire family took part in this special time of their lives.
Read MoreAs we all know, life is filled with ups and downs, gains and losses and that is what keeps it interesting and exciting at the same time. Life for us is a constant adventure and I feel grateful for all of the positive and negative experiences, our life is anything but dull!
A year ago we lost our beloved Monty to an unfortunate accident on our last photography “Ranch” project in Northern California. Both Monty and Val had severe heat-stroke and Val pulled through and Monty did not. Monty’s tragic death was one of the most devastating and traumatic happenings in Val and I’s life together. Even though Monty was not human... his friendly and loving personality captured our hearts and won the admiration and love of many....he was a “superstar” used in our photo sessions, and going everywhere with us. Monty was my life and that kind of spirit can never be replaced.
Read MoreThis stunning family at the beach with their cute dog is what people can expect anytime they're photographed by Val Westover at Laguna Beach, California.
We've been photographing the McFarland family since the girls were very tiny. It's so great to watch them grow up and it was extra special to see their cute little dog.
The McFarland's annual family portrait has become a very important family event in capturing cherished memories that their girls will come to appreciate later in life.
Check out some of the McFarland's photos below from their family portrait at the beach with their cute dog...
Read MoreWhen you book a photo session in a studio you have many options to create a memory that you will enjoy forever, because a family photograph captures the spirit of your family. It is a keepsake that will remind you of the thought that you put into creating that moment. Finding the right setting, the appropriate outfits and the best photographer.
There are so many portrait ideas to choose from and to showcase that your family is one of a kind. It can be an outdoor session celebrating a season, a place or an occasion. Or it can be a choreographed indoor shoot designed for you. Either way, the ones who make it unique and memorable are the people in the photo, your family.
Let your clothing choice enhance your family portrait by keeping it simple. Parks are filled with greens and earth tones, by wearing multiple colors and patterns, it's difficult for the eye to stay focused on your beautiful family.
White looks spectacular against a green backdrop and will create a timeless family portrait that will stand the test of time. A splash of denim breaks up the white nicely and creates the necessary contrast.
To make your family portrait color choice look less uniform, use tonal variations with your whites and your denim. to maintain that classic look, either go barefoot, or select shoes that won't date your family portrait.
Read MoreWhether it’s an annual occurrence or you’re decided to have a one off photo session for the family, the fact remains: you want a set of photographs that you can look back on and cherish. Get ready to throw caution to the wind.
Coordinated Clothing
You don’t necessarily have to be totally matching, but having a color or a theme can really add to the flavor of your photos.
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