First Lap Around the Sun: A Stellar First Birthday Party for a Little Boy

Celebrating your little boy’s first trip around the sun calls for a party that is just as magical, memorable, and extraordinary as the milestone itself. Which is what this family did! Party was designed and planned by Lavish Littles Events , photographed by Alison Bernier and held at The Pendry Hotel in Newport Beach. This “First Lap Around the Sun” first birthday party was a dreamy celebration filled with rocket ships backdrops by Kre8 Workshop and NASA-inspired details, elegant blue and silver florals by Bloomsz . The stunning balloon installations were created by Events by Cil , and they brought the entire outer space theme to life. Sweet Salvage Rentals made sure there were plenty of comfy spots to lounge and sip on a craft cocktail and Blissful Playland provided the soft play area for the littles.

One of the big hits of the day for the big and little kids were the giant bubbles by Coast to Coast Bubbles. Bubbles bigger than the kids themselves brought out all the smiles!

This fun party was designed to feel playful for the little ones and sophisticated for the adults, it was celebration full of the perfect blend of whimsical childhood wonder and elevated party styling.

Moroccan Market themed 11th birthday party.

Two birthdays, double the fun, and a whole lot of color! This Moroccan-inspired 11th birthday celebration designed and planed by Beijos Events and photographed by me, was bursting with personality, playful details, and unforgettable moments.

The party welcomed guests with a joyful explosion of color. Oversized pink and orange balloons by The Pop Shop created a playful scene alongside backdrops by Goldie Crew Creative , while bright floral arrangements by Sherwood Florist and touches of gold added a little Moroccan-inspired magic. Disco balls were scattered throughout the space, catching the light and adding a fun, unexpected sparkle to the celebration.

The overall look was vibrant and energetic, with layers of color, texture, and personality everywhere you turned.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the collection of hands-on craft stations with Create and Celebrate . The girls had so much fun creating personalized accessories and keepsakes to take home.

Guests could design their own bags using an assortment of fun patches, mixing colors, patterns, and playful designs to create something completely unique. Keychain-making was another favorite, giving everyone the chance to create a little accessory that reflected their own personality.

With a beautiful pool as part of the celebration as well, the girls enjoyed the perfect combination of sunshine, swimming, and birthday fun. The pool added a relaxed summer-party atmosphere, giving everyone a chance to cool off between activities and enjoy the day together.

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.

Examples on what to wear for Family Portraits

I always recommend to wear clothing you’re comfortable in. Clothing that you can move and play in! That goes for the parents as much as the kiddos. The idea of having a Mama not be able to play with her kids because her dress is too restrictive or precious makes me sad! If your little girl is in a dress make sure you have cutie bloomers or shorts underneath so she can twirl and spin and jump without the worry of underwear or diapers showing.

One good rule to follow is to have Mama in something flowy and patterned ( fabric and clothing styles with movement can add a fun element to photos ) then kids in either solid colors or simple patterns like stripes and spots and Dad in solid neutrals.

Make note of the different patterns in your outfits and make sure they compliment each other rather than create visual chaos! Of course if you prefer to have your partner or kids in patterns that works too! Often Mother’s have the hardest time finding something they like for themselves so start there and build everyone else around that.

In regard to color palette generally lighter more pastel colors work in most locations. Light colored snuggly cozy fabrics are always great for newborn sessions and black sometimes doesn’t photograph well when indoors.

I'm also a big believer in the idea that rules are meant to be broken. If you want to wear a bright pink fluffy dress to your beach session do it!

Lastly try to avoid shirts with graphic logos or text as it can become distracting and can pull focus away from faces.

Feel free to email me with your ideas if you are looking for a second opinion when it comes to putting outfits together.

Tulip Color Crafts branding shoot

This recent branding photoshoot for Tulip Color Crafts perfectly captured the magical spirit of childhood, blending branding and lifestyle photography into a vibrant, joy-filled story.

As an Orange County photographer, my goal is always to create imagery that feels authentic, elevated, and full of life for any brand I work with. This session brought all of that and more.

Set against a backdrop of soft florals and natural textures designed by Beijos Events, the children were invited to create, and express themselves freely and be generally be as silly as they wanted! With hands busy crafting and imaginations running wild, every moment unfolded organically. No stiff poses, no forced smiles—just genuine laughter, quiet concentration, and those fleeting in-between moments that tell the most beautiful stories.

The natural light played a huge role in bringing this session to life. Soft, glowing sunshine filtered through the outdoor setting, illuminating every detail—from the gorgeous florals by Earth and Grace Co. and colorful set by Sweet Salvage Rentals, to the little hands at work painting and glueing anything they could get their hands on! The result? Bright and joyous images that feel both timeless and full of energy.

This is what I love most about being a branding and lifestyle photographer: creating space for real moments to happen. Whether you’re building a brand or simply wanting to capture your family in an authentic way, these sessions are designed to feel fun, relaxed, and meaningful.

Branding sessions like this go beyond traditional portraits. They tell a story—your story. They showcase personality, connection, and emotion in a way that resonates deeply and visually. For creative brands, especially those centered around children, family, or education, this kind of imagery creates an inviting, relatable presence.

If you’re looking for a professional, fun, and candid approach to photography—one that embraces natural light, movement, and real connection—you’re in the right place. As a Costa Mesa photographer serving all of Orange County, I’m here to help you create something beautiful, bright, and full of life.

Let’s tell your story in a way that feels as joyful as it truly is.

Fairy Princess Party

So many gorgeous colors and details at this little girl’s birthday party! Lia was turning 5 and her Mama decided this was the time to go all out with a party that was as fun for the kiddos as it was for the adults!

Step into this magical 5th birthday fairy party featuring lavish balloon installations, enchanting backdrops, floral details, custom cookies, a stunning tiered cake, and real-life fairies bringing the celebration to life.

Designed by Armene Events and photographed by Alison Bernier . The three dimensional back drop complete with fairy wing was made by Nize Printing , soft pastel floral installations by Design by Christine. The gorgeous color palette continued with the furniture rentals done by Platinum Prop House . Sweet treats including that giant cake were made by Shirin Bakery and Cookies by Nat LA . Fairies flew in from My Party Zebra !

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