Love shack “Eleven” party!

Photographer Alison Bernier | Design and Planning Kristen Dimond | Florals MV Florals | Crafts and Perfume Bar Create and Celebrate Kids | Sleepover experience Wondertent Parties | Rentals MTB Event Rentals | Balloons Cynthia Romo | Invitation and paper details Chelcea Creative | Acrylic Details Creative Amme | Graze Table Elysian Eats | Cake and desserts Sugar Crush Sweets | Cookies Danielle Keen | Milkshakes Gourmeletas | Candy Cubes Candy Angeles LA

There are birthday parties, and then there are birthday celebrations that feel like they've stepped straight out of the pages of a fairytale. This unforgettable "Love Shack Eleven" birthday party was exactly that—a dreamy, sun-soaked celebration inspired by the romantic world of LoveShackFancy, designed for one very special birthday girl and her closest friends.

Designed by mama of the birthday girl Kristen Dimond and hosted in their beautiful backyard, every detail was thoughtfully curated to create a magical afternoon that transitioned into the ultimate sleepover experience. I love documenting the Dimond family parties so much! There are always so many thoughtful tiny details and actives which create unforgettable moments and genuine laughter between friends and family.

Guests were welcomed into the backyard transformed with soft florals by MV Florals, vintage-inspired décor by MTB Event Rentals, and endless sunshine. Every corner offered something special to discover including a tower of sweet treats including flower cookies and cake pops decorated with bows by Sugar Crush Sweets and Danielle Keene . A cute photo booth by Create and Celebrate Kids became the backdrop for countless giggles and group photos, while a custom charm bracelet station invited each girl to design a keepsake.

One of the biggest hits of the afternoon was the DIY perfume bar brought to life also by Create and Celebrate Kids , where guests blended their own signature scents in sweet little bottles to take home. Nearby, a nostalgic milkshake cart by Gourmeletas served sweet treats that perfectly complemented the girly, garden-party aesthetic. Perhaps the most exciting surprise of all was the mock LoveShackFancy boutique, beautifully styled so each guest could "shop" for her own carefully selected party favor—a thoughtful experience that made every girl feel extra special.

Inside the home, an abundant grazing table by Elysian Eats awaited the girls, overflowing with artisan cheeses, fresh fruit, gourmet sandwiches, charcuterie, crackers, sweets, and all the delicious bites needed to fuel more fun. The beautiful display was as much a centerpiece as it was a feast.

One special detail not to be overlooked was that each guest had her own beautifully styled sleepover tent by Wondertent Parties complete with soft floral pillows, custom name tags and acrylic details by Chelcea Creative and Creative Amme, plush bedding, and thoughtfully assembled self-care goodies for facials and pampering. The rows of matching tents created a picture-perfect scene —a dream setup for any eleven-year-old celebrating with her best friends.

Throughout the afternoon, the focus wasn't simply on beautiful décor, but on creating experiences the girls would remember for years to come. From shopping their own party favors to crafting bracelets, mixing perfumes, posing for photos, sipping milkshakes, and ending the night in their own cozy floral retreat, every detail bringing more bubbles of excitement!

Photographing celebrations like this is one of my favorite parts of being a photographer. My goal is always to preserve not only the carefully designed details but also the authentic moments—the excitement as friends discover each activity, the spontaneous laughter, the heartfelt hugs, and the memories that become part of a family's story.

Happy birthday Piper! Thank you for inviting me back to capture yet another incredible day filled with so much fun!

If you're dreaming of documenting your own luxury birthday celebration, sleepover party, or milestone event in Orange County or Los Angeles, I'd love to help tell your family's story through timeless, heartfelt photography.

Kids Barbie Party!

There’s something extra magical about turning six—and this Barbie-themed birthday party for Harwell in Orange County, captured every bit of that joy. From the first pop of pink to the final slice of cake, the entire celebration designed and planned by Beijos Events and photographed by me ( Alison Bernier ! ) felt like stepping into a real-life Barbie dream.

Lush floral arrangements by Earth and Grace Co in soft pinks and pastels were paired with lots of fun balloon installations by Balloon Works that framed the space perfectly. Every corner felt thoughtfully styled, creating the ultimate backdrop for both play and picture-perfect moments. With rentals by Sweet Salvage, back drops by Goldie Crew Creative, signage by Chelcea Creative and Creative Amme .

The pool party vibe brought the energy. Bright, colorful floats filled the water, inviting kids to jump in, splash around, and soak up the sunshine. Between swims, little guests bounced their way through the bounce house and tumbled into the ball pit by Play Play Zone.

One of the standout features of the day was the glam squad station by The Tangled Braid Bar. Here, Harwell’s friends and family were treated to Barbie-worthy makeovers with colorful braided extensions and sparkles!

For a quieter creative moment, the craft and bracelet station by Create and Celebrate gave everyone a chance to design their own accessories. Bright beads, playful charms, and lots of imagination turned into sweet keepsakes to take home.

Of course, no party is complete without a little hands-on fun—and the slime-making station delivered just that. With vibrant colors and stretchy textures, it added the perfect mix of sensory play and excitement.

When it was time to sing happy birthday, Harwell’s giant pink birthday cake ( made by Sugar From the Heart Bake Shop ) got all the kids out of the pool looking for a slice.

Every detail of this party—from the flowers and balloons to the laughter and tiny glitter-covered hands—came together to create a day full of lots of giggles, creativity, and unforgettable memories. It was the kind of celebration that will be cherished for years to come big little and big kids alike!

Friendsgiving with Sur La Table and Beijos Events

This Friendsgiving styled photoshoot was for the brand Sur La Table which they used for their seasonal holiday campaign promoting their product via web ads, email mailers, and social media. I’ve been working with Sur La Table for a few years now and their photoshoots are always a fun time!

This shoot which was styled and designed by Beijos Events highlighted everything needed for hosting a beautiful Friendsgiving dinner — from cookware and serving dishes to elegant entertaining essentials.

Thyme Well Spent Catering cooked the gorgeous and delicious food to pair with the products, Not Just in Novels designed the stunning florals and Sweet Salvage Rentals provided the beautiful setting and furniture.

A family portrait session at the beach bursting with joy!

These girls bounce up to me each time ready to go at every session! For people watching us I’m sure it looks like chaos but we always get the most genuine smiles and sweetest moments captured!

I specialize in natural light, lifestyle photography that highlights authentic connection — especially during beautiful beach sessions. Families with young children, especially energetic little girls, thrive in outdoor sessions. The beach provides space to explore while I gently guide you into flattering, natural poses that feel effortless and sometimes unstructured and completely hilarious.

We’re so lucky to have so many beautiful beaches to choose from in Orange County and it’s definitely one of my favorite places to photograph families.

Wheeler Neverland Party!

This was one incredibly special party for 3 lucky siblings all celebrating their birthdays together with one big bash which was definitely as fun for the adults as it was for the kids!

No detail was left behind by Beijos Events and their talented group of vendors who all brought the magic. Everything from bounce houses, craft stations, reptiles, mermaid make overs, a visit from Tinker Bell and Captain Hook as well as multiple bars serving specialty cocktails for the big kids.

This magical Neverland-themed birthday party unlike any other, celebrated the three siblings ages 1, 3, and 5 at the stunning Newport Beach Country Club. This lavish Peter Pan-inspired celebration transformed the venue into an enchanted world filled with lush floral and balloon installations, whimsical décor, and immersive entertainment. Young guests met Captain Hook, Tinker Bell and multiple friendly reptiles and enjoyed face painting, bounce houses and craft stations while parents sipped on craft cocktails. Every detail was thoughtfully designed to create an unforgettable luxury children's birthday experience filled with adventure, imagination, and nonstop fun. Browse the full gallery for endless inspiration for an elevated Neverland birthday party.

Vendors:  Design & Planning Beijos Events / Mama & Host @shanelwheeler_ / Photographer Alison Bernier / Venue Newport Beach Country Club / Videographer Atlas Rose Studios / Rentals Sweet Salvage Rentals / Florals Not Just In Novels / Backdrops Goldie Crew Creative / Balloons The Pop Shop and Balloon Works / Arts & Crafts Create and Celebrate Kids / Signage & Details Design Chelcea Creative / Laser Cut Items Creative Amme / DJ @adm_entertainment / Desserts Danielle Keene / Black Bounce House & Ball Pit Tots of Fun / Pink Bounce House & Bubble House What’s Bouncing / Soft Play Oh Baby Co Soft Play / Indian Camp Tent Wonder Tent Parties / Cotton Candy & Churro Carts The Cloud Cart Co / Characters The Entertainment ContractorSheroes Entertainment / Reptile Show Kids Reptile Parties / Mermaids Once Upon an Island

A very special session at a very magical beach!

So much twirling, running, giggling, jumping and flying… it was almost impossible to edit this one down to 32 pictures! The joy just beams out of the photos!