I'm a simple person who loves photographing people and spending time with my husband and two little girls, Ellie (4) and Emmeline (1). My girls are my world and every day I wonder how I became so blessed to be their Mama.
When I'm not behind the camera I love to knit and sew cute things for my girls and bake cookies. My husband likes to say I'm a granny at heart, but I like to say I'm a woman of many talents. ;)
I also enjoy snowboarding, traveling and immersing myself in books. One day I will conquer Cornice and get down without snowplowing my way. I dream of traveling to Greece, Italy and Paris one day, but I have yet to convince the husband that traveling abroad with two little ones would be aweome. I'd also love to go camping and show my girls the joys of a perfectly toasted marshmallow and walking barefoot through an icy cold creek bed. And although I said it would never happen, I now read most of my books on my iPhone or iPad instead of a book. Have kids and you'll soon realize the gift of a built in light and always having your book with you.
I'm based in Orange County, California and ocassionally travel for shoots.
I’m so in love with this family session I photographed for my friend Caroline and her family. We’ve been friends for years and it’s such a joy to see her and Jonathan as parents to one super cute, happy, and very active boy. I love that she brought along her parents as they are so incredibly cute together. You can just see how sweet and kind they are through their eyes and happy smiles. And the icing on the cake was the most beautiful light ever at the Arboretum! Enjoy!
December 3, 2012 - 6:44 pm - Sarah, what wonderful work!! The light was beautiful! Caroline + Jonathan, y'all look adorbs! :D Cutest family!
I am so excited to share this beautiful engagement session with you all! Karen and Alan are getting married in a few short months and we recently did their engagement session at the LA Arboretum. The light was amazing and my couple just too cute for words. I am so in love with these all! Karen and Alan, I am so excited for your big day!
Hair and makeup by the lovely Kelly Zhang!
October 31, 2012 - 1:34 pm - These are soooo beautiful (as usual!), Sarah!
December 30, 2012 - 4:37 am - The Balloon photo is pretty cool, great photos and brilliant looking couple.
January 10, 2013 - 1:15 pm - what a beautiful session! was a permit required to get photos taken here?
January 15, 2013 - 9:20 am - yes, an appoinment and permit are required to shoot there. it's worth it!
Just wanted to share some of the images I captured during one of my recent mini sessions. You may recognize this beautiful family. I’ve had the honor of being there on their wedding day to capture the start of their new life together, I photographed their brand new baby Sydney when she was just born, I did family portraits for them last year which graced their Holiday cards, and now they’re expecting a boy soon! It’s been such a blessing to watch Rachel and Dan’s love bloom and family grow over the years. These two are so supportive of one another and make such amazing parents. They also make some really cute kids!
Mei and Hon are also expecting baby number two soon! All these glowing, amazing Mommas make me want another baby. How sweet is this? Cayleigh is going to make the best big sister ever. It is one of the most heartwarming things to see your children love, laugh, and play together. Mei and Hon, I am so excited for you two to be growing your family!
When I look at Peggy and Aric’s family, I can’t help but imagine my own girls all grown up. It seems so far away, but I know it will go by in the blink of an eye. Peggy and her family have become friends to my own family and Ellie absolutely loves playing with Ashlyn and Summer and is a huge fan of Peggy’s pasta. 
When Jeff went on a business trip soon after I had Emmeline, Peggy was kind enough to come over with a hot, homecooked meal for me and Ellie. She is such a kind, thoughtful, and amazing person and I hope her family recognizes and appreciates her to the fullest.
Meet Joanne and Will’s little family! Their session was gifted to them by Joanne’s younger sister, Tammy, who is a friend of mine. It was so fun meeting and getting to know the Yeh family. Brooke is such a great big sister and baby Skylar? I could just eat her up. I loved seeing Joanne and Will dote on their beautiful two girls. They all smile so easily and were all a dream to photograph!
October 29, 2012 - 10:47 am - Thank you, Sarah! your work is simply amazing! we had so much fun with you during our session! love you!
My mini sessions have sold out! I’m really excited to be photographing so many families and couples for the upcoming holidays this year. I just did my first weekend of mini sessions and it was refreshingly fun and I loved getting to meet so many families and to see and catch up with people I’ve photographed for in the past.
Some of you may follow me on Instagram, but I just wanted to share a little bit of what our summer as a family looked like. They say that the best camera to have is the one that is with you. I’ve been shooting with my iPhone more and more these days and love capturing candid moments throughout the day and being able to share them quickly and easily with friends. I started sewing last year around this time and have ventured into making clothes for my girls. I just finished a Tinkerbell costume for Ellie and a Tiger Lily one for Emmeline and can not wait to take them to the woods to photograph them. We took a mini vacation to Lake Arrowhead where we all had such an amazing time in the short time we were there. We went boating, swam in a frigid lake, I tried paddle boarding for the first time and even took Ellie on a few rides. We also recently traveled up to the Bay Area to visit family and friends for a weekend.
I can’t believe my little baby is growing up so fast. She started crawling at 5 months, dragging herself all over the room and has been on the move ever since. This girl is so determined to get what she wants. It makes me laugh when she’s grunting and twisting and trying SO DAMN HARD to get whatever she’s got her eyes on. She’s a happy girl who smiles easily and has the chunkiest thighs I’ve ever seen on a baby. She’s definitely not the mellow baby that Ellie was! I adore her through and through and feel so blessed to be her Mama.
My big girl is still the sweet, sensitive one, but now she talks non stop. I always tell my husband that it’s a good thing we had her first. She loves her baby sister so much and is so great with her. Even one of the Mom’s at her preschool mentioned how great she is with babies. This Mom sometimes brings her baby with her to pick up her son and the kids will all swarm to check out the baby. Ellie will tell the others to be gentle with the baby because he’s little. Is that not the sweetest? Her life as an only child changed 7 months ago, but she has yet to show anything but love for her baby sister. In fact, she keeps asking for another baby. HA!
Ellie will be turning 4 soon and I’ll have to start planning a 1st birthday for Emmeline. I take a ton of photos and videos of my girls, but I still feel it’s not enough. I want to freeze time and just hold on to their littleness for just a bit longer. There was this great article in the Huffington Post that really opened my eyes (ok, it made me cry) about the importance of Moms (and Dads!) to be IN the pictures with their children.
I’ve always wanted to take family portraits, but just wanted to lose some weight first. But the time went on, I lost some weight, but still wanted to lose more because I still feel frumpy….and my girls just kept growing up. After reading this article I realized something. My girls look at me as if I’m the best thing in the world. Seriously, they smile and run (ok, Emmeline crawls) and their eyes light up and … I can’t even begin to describe how much they adore me. ME. I’m imperfect and human and with my faults, but to them, I’m still their Mama whom they adore. And it doesn’t matter if I haven’t showered or if I’m wearing the same milk stained shirt from two days ago, or if I’m still sporting some baby chub. They LOVE me unconditionally. I decided on the spot that we will do family portraits this year because it’s that important. So excited!
It was my first time shooting at the California Club in downtown Los Angeles and I have to say that I am completely smitten with this amazing venue. Mimi and Alan’s wedding was incredibly beautiful, romantic and just so elegant. I loved everything about this wedding from the dramatic first look, to the red gown Mimi wore for their tea ceremony, to the city sky line of their rooftop wedding ceremony, to the late night donuts table that was set up for the guests as a parting treat. I feel as though my words truly cannot describe how beautiful their wedding was, so I’m going to let the images speak for themselves. Mimi and Alan, congratulations on your wedding and start of a new life together. I am so thankful to have been there to witness and photograph the day for you and your families. I hope you both enjoy these teasers!
Photographer: Sarah K Chen Photography
Second Shooter: Brian Wright
Assistant: Luis Arturo
Venue: The California Club
Coordinator: A Good Affair Wedding & Event Production
Hair & Makeup: Kelly Zhang
Videographer: Chris Ace Films
DJ & Lighting: Elevated Pulse
Rentals: Imperial Party Rentals
Bakery: Van’s Bakery
Florals: LV Floral Events
October 3, 2012 - 7:19 am - This wedding is so beautiful, Sarah! Love all the images!
October 4, 2012 - 12:04 am - What an awesome location! Seriously cool! This looks like such a lovely wedding, and you've captured it so beautifully!
October 8, 2012 - 8:07 am - small world. i went to high school with one of the groomsmen!
October 17, 2012 - 9:20 pm - Gorgeous venue, great set!
October 20, 2012 - 10:09 am - Gorgeous wedding! You did a great job!
I am so excited to be offering Mini Portrait Sessions this year for the upcoming holidays! Did you notice that I used “portraits” instead of “family?” I want to extend these mini sessions to anyone and everyone who would like to be photographed. We can do a mini engagement session, family session for holiday cards, couples portraits just because or portraits with your favorite four legged friend.
All three outdoor locations that I chose are favorites of mine and make gorgeous backdrops for pictures. Sessions will be booked on a first come, first served basis. If you’d like to book a session with me, just email me with “2012 mini session” in the subject line and let me know which date/time slot you’d like. Contracts will be emailed to you and full payment will be required to book your session. Emails will be sent to those who book with more information!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Orange, California
3:00 – 3:25 PM (JP Family)
3:30 – 3:55 PM (LH Family)
4:00 – 4:25 PM
4:30 – 4:55 PM
5:00 – 5:25 PM
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Orange, California
3:00 – 3:25 PM
3:30 – 3:55 PM
4:00 – 4:25 PM
4:30 – 4:55 PM
5:00 – 5:25 PM
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Irvine, California
3:00 – 3:25 PM (RL Family)
3:30 – 3:55 PM (PS Family)
4:00 – 4:25 PM
4:30 – 4:55 PM
5:00 – 5:25 PM
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Irvine, California
3:00 – 3:25 PM
3:30 – 3:55 PM
4:00 – 4:25 PM
4:30 – 4:55 PM
5:00 – 5:25 PM
Saturday, November 3, 2012
San Juan Capistrano, California
3:00 – 3:25 PM (DT Couple’s Portraits)
3:30 – 3:55 PM
4:00 – 4:25 PM
4:30 – 4:55 PM (CB Couples Portraits)
5:00 – 5:25 PM
Sunday, November 4, 2012
San Juan Capistrano, California
3:00 – 3:25 PM
3:30 – 3:55 PM
4:00 – 4:25 PM
4:30 – 4:55 PM
5:00 – 5:25 PM (AC Couples w/Dogs)
October 26, 2012 - 5:26 pm - hi sarah, do you have any more spots? do we get the images from the session?
October 29, 2012 - 10:11 am - Hi Victoria, I may actually open up another date as I have a previous client wanting to do a mini session. Email me at sarah at sarahkchen dot com for more info! You'll receive an 8x10 print of your choice and can either order the rest Ala Carte or purchase all the digital files at a discounted rate.
I remember meeting with Tracy at our consult and hearing about her fiance Jeff. What struck me was how much she truly appreciated him. The way he looked after her, how he treated her family, the effort he made to see and be with her even when they were hundreds of miles apart. It was those little things in their daily lives together that counted the most and what really touched her heart. It was this love that I got to witness and photograph on their wedding day and I loved each moment.
And a big thanks to Connie M Chung for flying up with me to second shoot! It’s always a blast spending time with you.
September 15, 2012 - 12:07 pm - Amazing! Gorgeous photos as always, Sarah, and we just have to say... what a unique bouquet! You captured it beautifully.
September 19, 2012 - 3:35 pm [...] This chicly unique bouquet, captured beautifully by LA-area photographer Sarah K Chen. [...]
Do you remember these two little ones? Well, they were back on the West Coast and ready for some more portraits! Ronan is such a smart and sweet older brother and Chloe is still her sassy self. I really couldn’t believe how much these two had grown in a year! The last time I’d seen them was at Debbie and Rob’s wedding and they were still “little” to me. Now look how much they’ve grown! I also got to photograph these two with their baby cousin Paul. He’s the brand new baby boy of Debbie and Rob whose wedding I photographed last year!
And just for the record, I am still insanely jealous of Chloe’s hair.
Best series ever. I love the honesty in kids and their reactions. I also forgot how bright red newborn babies with their delicate skin turn when they cry. Looks totally different once he was back to sleep.
Sweet baby Paul. He slept like a champ through our session! I love chins on newborn babies. They are oh so cute and oh so kissable!
It’s always so amazing to see my past couples become parents. I’ve had the privilege to photograph Natalie and Jason engagement and wedding portraits at a time when they were just starting their lives together as husband and wife. Now look at what gorgeousness these two created. Welcome to the world baby Grant, your parents are so blessed to have you in their lives and you are so lucky to have these two amazing people as your parents.
Seriously, does he not just make you want to have a baby?
I love baby Grant’s nursery so much. It’s a little vintage with touches of nautical flair that’s not overtly babyish and not over the top with a single theme. It’s gorgeous. I made the mistake though of dropping down to the floor while holding the baby to show Grant the lion in his room which resulted in some tears. Oops! I felt horrible for scaring him, but it was nothing his Mama couldn’t soothe away. Yay for Moms! Boo for clueless photographers. LOL! Natalie made each of those little hotair balloons. And I love the illustration cloud prints behind them.
I love Constance and Jesse and the two of them together are even better! They’re sweet and silly and oh so happy all the time. Their love was so much fun for me to capture on their wedding day which was mostly planned by the groom! Way to go Jesse! And of course a big thank you to Caroline of Serenity Events for coordinating a flawless event, Connie M Chung for second shooting and Luis Arturo for assisting me. You guys are the best!
I love walking into the bridal suite the day of the wedding to get a glimpse into what the rest of the day will be like. The dress, the shoes, the flowers, the jewelry, the giddiness and excitement… it all makes me swoon and want to get married all over again. I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but I loved the pop of red on Constance’s nails that perfectly matched the red soles of her Louboutins.
I didn’t know this prior to the wedding, but Jesse is a big time Iron Man fan and you know what? SO AM I! Ok, maybe not Iron Man, but Tony Stark. He’s arrogant and quick witted and smart. What is this Shakespeare in the park? And did I mention funny? Jesse and his groomsmen wore Marvel comic character cuff links and there was an awesome Iron Man movie made as a surprise for their grand entrance.
The light inside Segerstrom is pretty amazing thanks to a huge wall of glass and white walls and floors to reflect all of that natural light.
Loved this little area we found to shoot portraits in. SO beautiful and classic.
The reception was held at Pinot Provence. If you’ve never eaten there before, you should go. Their mushroom risotto is to die for as is their braised short rib and truffled mac n cheese. The atmosphere is romantic and the service there is impeccable.
Thank you Constance and Jess for having me there to capture your day!
August 8, 2012 - 10:29 am - simply breathtaking. The bride's ease and elegance, the groom's warm joy ... everything. Great job capturing it all!
by Sarah K Chen
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