• Cathy Murai Photography specializes in maternity, newborn, and baby photography in Orange County areas including but not limited to Irvine, Tustin, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach... The studio is located in Irvine, CA.

  • If you would like to book your custom photography session or have any questions, please contact me. I would love to hear from you!

Sep 23 2013

Maternity Portrait Session at Manhattan Beach, CA – Expecting Twin Baby Girls | Los Angeles Pregnancy Photographer

This post is way overdue… but I still wanted to share it cuz it’s one of my favorite sessions that I have done.  I was thrilled when this beautiful mama M contacted me and asked me to document this special time, waiting for the arrival of twin baby girls.  Yes, TWINS!!   The mom really wanted to have a girl and it turns out that she’s having two!  =)  For our session, we met at Manhattan Beach (where they both love to surf) a couple months before the big arrival, while mama M was still comfortable enough to move around.

I loved the colors that mama M chose to wear.  They really pop-up in the images with the beach in the background! With the combination of a beautiful beach setting and an absolutely adorable and incredibly sweet couple, I had a wonderful time capturing the glow, the joy, and the excitement of the parents-to-be!  Here are a few of my favorite shots from our maternity session…  Stay tuned for their newborn session!

Adorable and sweet couple looking at each other and smiling at Manhattan Beach during maternity portrait session, mama-to-be, parents-to-be, blue maternity dress, Los Angeles Maternity photographer, Beach Session, Beach Maternity Portrait Session, Maternity Session at Beach, Cathy Murai Photography
Daddy-to-be is holding a gorgeous mommy-to-be
Daddy-to-be is holding a gorgeous mommy-to-be
Daddy-to-be is kissing a gorgeous mommy-to-be in front of the beach at Manhattan Beach during maternity portrait session, mama-to-be, parents-to-be, burgundy maternity skirt, Los Angeles Maternity photographer, Beach Session, Beach Maternity Portrait Session, Maternity Session at Beach, Cathy Murai Photography
Daddy-to-be is hugging and holding a gorgeous mommy-to-be in front of the beach at Manhattan Beach during maternity portrait session, mama-to-be, parents-to-be, burgundy maternity skirt, Los Angeles Maternity photographer, Manhattan Beach Session, Beach Maternity Portrait Session, Maternity Session at Beach, Cathy Murai Photography
Daddy-to-be (expecting dad) is holding and kissing a gorgeous mommy-to-be

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Lori - September 23, 2013 - 5:57 pm

Beautiful! Love them! Congrats to the parents to be!

Michelle - September 23, 2013 - 7:30 pm

Amazing work! Mom is beautiful too!

Eden - September 23, 2013 - 10:36 pm

Gorgeous, Cathy!

Maggie - September 23, 2013 - 10:53 pm

Beautiful couple, locations and portraits! How fun to be expecting twins. Congrats to them!

Audrey - September 24, 2013 - 5:59 am

Beautiful lighting! Congrats to the mom and dad to be! :)

Lai - September 24, 2013 - 6:25 am

Beautiful maternity session! I love beach sessions too! The last image of him kissing her belly at sunset is just gorgeous!

Carol - September 24, 2013 - 6:43 am

Wow! These are fantastic!

Maxine Evans - September 24, 2013 - 6:58 am

So beautiful Cathy!

Keely Julson - September 24, 2013 - 6:59 am

Beautiful!

Donna Beck - September 24, 2013 - 9:07 am

Gorgeous pictures!

Jennifer Wilcox - September 24, 2013 - 10:38 am

She looks fabulous. Great work!

Angela - September 24, 2013 - 1:07 pm

Beautiful…both the day you caught and the couple!

Jason - September 24, 2013 - 5:32 pm

Great looking couple..and beautiful mom to be, nice job capturing these images!

Tomo - September 24, 2013 - 9:27 pm

As always, great work!!! The photos are beautiful!!!

Adriana - September 26, 2013 - 6:33 pm

So beautiful , love that location

Jackie T - October 1, 2013 - 5:03 am

This couple looks fantastic–they are so well-styled. The colors are gorgeous, the people are gorgeous and the photographs are gorgeous. Gorgeous!

    
Sep 12 2013

Meet Isabel at 6 Day New! | Alhambra Newborn Studio Photographer

There is no greater joy than having a new life coming into a family.  Isabel’s mom contacted me  when she was only 5 months pregnant, which was perfect!  The best time to book a newborn session is during second trimester –  the sooner the better because I only book a limited number of newborn sessions per month due to the unpredictability of due dates and actual birth.   I still remember how excited Isabel’s mom was about her baby and the process of choosing her name.  After 4 months passed by, I finally got to meet this adorable sweet little girl at 6 days new, and I absolutely loved working with her.  Her chubby cheeks melted me completely during the session and I couldn’t stop touching them while I was posing her.  Isabel’s parents brought an adorable headband that was handmade by one of their close friends and a cute turtle outfit that was crocheted by Isabel’s mom, while she was still pregnant waiting to meet her!!  (see the last two images)  I love to incorporate any special items that are meaningful to the family!

Isabel’s parents, thank you so much for bringing Isabel in!  I am sure she will fill your house with love and change your lives forever.

A cute newborn baby girl with chubby cheeks is wearing a cream diaper cover and headband. She is posing and sleeping on the pink peach backdrop on the beanbag, Cathy Murai Photography, Newborn and Baby Photographer in Alhambra, San Gabriel Valley, and Los angeles Area
A cute newborn baby girl with chubby cheeks is wearing a cream diaper cover and headband. She is posing and sleeping on the pink peach backdrop on the beanbag, Cathy Murai Photography, Newborn and Baby Photographer in Alhambra, San Gabriel Valley, and Los angeles Area
A cute newborn baby girl with chubby cheeks is wrapped with a pink wrap and wearing a pink flower headband is posing and sleeping on the white blanket backdrop on the beanbag, Cathy Murai Photography, Newborn and Baby Photographer in Alhambra, San Gabriel Valley, and Los angeles Area
A cute newborn baby girl with chubby cheeks is wearing a brown diaper cover and cream headband. She is posing and sleeping on the white blanket in the brown basket on the wooden floor. Cathy Murai Photography, Newborn and Baby Photographer in Alhambra, San Gabriel Valley, and Los angeles Area
A cute newborn baby girl with chubby cheeks is wearing a pink diaper cover and a pink handmade headband. She is posing and sleeping on the white blanket on the beach bag. Cathy Murai Photography, Newborn and Baby Photographer in Alhambra, San Gabriel Valley, and Los angeles Area
A cute newborn baby girl with chubby cheeks is wearing a handmade turtle outfit knit by her mom. She is posing and sleeping on the white blanket on the beach bag. Cathy Murai Photography, Newborn and Baby Photographer in Alhambra, San Gabriel Valley, and Los angeles Area

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Angela - September 12, 2013 - 5:46 pm

What a sweet baby! So cute :)

patty - September 12, 2013 - 8:13 pm

Oh these are lovely! I love the turtle!

Jennifer Batz - September 12, 2013 - 9:14 pm

so sweet! love the little smirk!

Eden - September 14, 2013 - 1:05 am

Beautiful capture! Love your processing!

elly - September 14, 2013 - 6:41 am

awww, she’s adorable!

Sarah - September 14, 2013 - 7:31 am

What a precious little girl.

Christine - September 14, 2013 - 11:33 pm

These are beyond stunning – so soft and perfect!

    
Sep 10 2013

Baby Batman with Wild Hair – 100 Day Celebration | Los Angeles Baby and Family Photographer

To celebrate Ryan’s 100 day milestone, he came to visit me as Baby Batman with his family for his first portrait session.   A few weeks prior to the session, Ryan’s mom contacted me and told me that Ryan’s hair was way out of control and she was debating whether to give him a haircut or not.  I was curious to see how a 3 month old baby can have so much hair, and I told her that I would love to capture him as he is now!  And I am glad that she agreed with me. OMG… Look at him!!   As soon as I met Ryan, I thought he was Wolverine, not Batman!   =)  Don’t you love his stylish hair and those chubby cheeks?  I couldn’t stop smiling at him throughout the session!   I made Ryan a Batman mask, and I am glad that it turned out great on him!  Ryan’s dad is a big fan of Batman, which also was their baby shower theme, so I am happy that I was able to capture these images of Ryan for them!

Baby Batman flying in front of the building at night to save the world, Superhero baby photography, 100 days old celebration, Asian Baby with a Batman costume, 3 months old baby portraits, 3 months old baby picture, 100 day old, baby boy, 3 months old baby image, Cathy Murai Photography, Alhambra, Baby, Photographer, Photography, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, Batman costume
Baby Batman flying in front of the building at night to save the world, Superhero baby photography, 100 days old celebration, Asian Baby with a Batman costume, 3 months old baby portraits, 3 months old baby picture, 100 day old, baby boy, 3 months old baby image, Cathy Murai Photography, Alhambra, Baby, Photographer, Photography, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, Batman costume

And of course we must photograph this little man’s handsome face as well for some family portraits.   Ryan’s parents were well prepared and brought some of his favorite stuffed animals for him.   We moved from one pose/setting to another very quickly and Ryan seemed to be happy throughout the session, except when he rolled over and cried.  (Ooops, I was still photographing him rather than helping him!! LOL)   My favorite image is the very last one, which I photographed right after I took off his hat at the end of the session.   It looks like he’s saying “Oh, my hair!! It’s out of control but I am glad you love it cuz it’s giving my mom a headache!”

Thank you Ryan’s family for allowing me to capture this moment of his life.

100 days old celebration, Asian Baby, 3 months old baby portraits, 3 months old baby picture, 100 day old, baby boy, 3 months old baby image, Cathy Murai Photography, Alhambra, Baby, Photographer, Photography, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, baby wearing a blue and grey knit hat looking at the camera
100 days old celebration, Asian Baby, 3 months old baby portraits, 3 months old baby picture, 100 day old, baby boy, 3 months old baby image, Cathy Murai Photography, Alhambra, Baby, Photographer, Photography, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, a baby wearing a blue and grey knit hat and grey diaper cover is holding his stuffed animal (monkey) and looking at the camera, Baby Photography Session
100 days old celebration, Asian Baby, 3 months old baby portraits, 3 months old baby picture, 100 day old, baby boy, 3 months old baby image, Cathy Murai Photography, Alhambra, Baby, Photographer, Photography, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, a baby wearing a blue and grey knit hat and grey diaper cover during a Baby Photography Session
100 days old celebration, Asian Baby, 3 months old baby portraits, 3 months old baby picture, 100 day old, baby boy, 3 months old baby image, Cathy Murai Photography, Alhambra, Baby, Photographer, Photography, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, a baby wearing a blue and grey knit hat and grey diaper cover during a Baby Photography Session
100 days old celebration, Asian Baby, 3 months old baby portraits, 3 months old baby picture, 100 day old, baby boy, 3 months old baby image, crying, Cathy Murai Photography, Alhambra, Baby, Photographer, Photography, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, a baby wearing a blue and grey knit hat and grey diaper cover during a Baby Photography Session
100 days old celebration, Asian Baby, 3 months old baby portraits, 3 months old baby picture, 100 day old, baby boy, 3 months old baby image, Cathy Murai Photography, Alhambra, Baby, Photographer, Photography, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, a baby wearing a blue knit hat and grey diaper cover smiling during a Baby Portrait Session
family portraits, family picture, 100 days old, baby boy, family image, Cathy Murai Photography, Alhambra, Baby, Photographer, Photography, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles
A mom kissing baby
100 days old celebration, Asian Baby smiling next to his favorite Mickey mouse stuffed animal, 3 months old baby portraits, 3 months old baby picture, 100 day old, baby boy, 3 months old baby image, Cathy Murai Photography, Alhambra, Baby, Photographer, Photography, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, a baby smiling during a Baby Portrait Session
A cute Asian baby boy smiling and laughing during his 100 days old portrait session, 100 days celebration, 3 months old baby portraits, 3 months old baby picture, 100 day old, baby boy, 3 months old baby image, Cathy Murai Photography, Alhambra, Baby, Photographer, Photography, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, a baby smiling during a Baby Portrait Session

 

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Eden Bao - September 11, 2013 - 12:31 am

OMG, his hair is to DIE for! I love it!

Jackie T - September 11, 2013 - 5:37 am

The series of photographs that capture this little man rolling over into hysterics had me laughing out loud. What a fantastic triptych. (BTW, love the hair!)

Angela - September 11, 2013 - 6:46 am

Oh. My. Goodness. Cutest thing ever! What a great smile!

Jennifer Wilcox - September 11, 2013 - 8:24 am

What a smile!

Cari H - September 11, 2013 - 10:11 am

absolutely adorable! what a fun idea!

Tia Goodnight - September 11, 2013 - 11:49 am

Such a cutie! Your images are gorgeous, lighting and composition and everything is perfect!

Maxine Evans - September 11, 2013 - 3:00 pm

Dying over these images, beautiful shot, beautiful family… stunning child!
Love them all!

Carol - September 11, 2013 - 3:05 pm

Too much . . . TOO MUCH!! These are crazy adorable! I’m still smiling . . .

Christine - September 12, 2013 - 1:50 am

OHMYGOSH! I cannot even tell you how much I love these! They are incredible, and what a cutie!!

Tia Goodnight - September 16, 2013 - 10:38 am

Oh MY GOSH BABY BATMAN?!?!?! Love Love Love

cathy - September 16, 2013 - 11:51 am

Thanks for your nice comments =) I really enjoyed capturing this little man!

Winni Choi - March 25, 2014 - 1:27 pm

I am looking for a studio photo shooting session for my 9 months old baby. can you send me the details

    
Aug 07 2013

Introducing the Beautiful 8 Days New Baby Ashley | San Gabriel Valley Newborn Photographer

Look at her gorgeous hair!!   I had the honor of meeting and photographing Baby Ashley and her wonderful parents 8 days after she was born.  Ashley pretty much slept through the entire portrait session (and during the viewing session few days later as well) that I don’t remember her crying nor fussing!   Ashley was the perfect model for me to capture those sweet and precious baby moments.  In fact, she was cooperative from the start when she was born on her due date so that we didn’t have to reschedule her session!  Ashley brought along a special ivory blanket, which was crocheted by her Grandma, who also joined us during the session, and a patchwork blanket & knitted stuffed animal, which were made by her family friends.  What a lucky baby to receive all those beautiful handmade gifts with love!  I adore them all and couldn’t resist ending the session with those special props!   I usually advise the parents to relax on the couch and most parents take turns catching up their sleep.  However, since I was photographing with a belly, Ashley’s parents were more concerned about my health and they helped me soothe and pose Ashley throughout the session.  This definitely allowed me to capture a more variety of shots, and I really appreciate them for being so concerned about how I was feeling throughout the session.

Congratulations to Ashely’s family! You’ve been blessed with such a precious gift in sweet  Ashley!   I am so happy for you all and am looking forward to seeing Ashley grow!  Also, thank you for trusting me to capture your little one. =)   Here are some of my favorites from the portrait session.

A family portrait of Asian parents and a beautiful 8 day old newborn baby girl wearing the red halo and the cream lace romper. Baby sleeping while the parents are posing in the studio for their family portrait. Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Alhambra Newborn Photographer, Cathy Murai Photography
A family portrait of Asian parents and a beautiful 8 day old newborn baby girl wearing the red halo and the cream lace romper. A family portrait taken in the studio during newborn portrait session, Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Alhambra Newborn Photographer, Cathy Murai Photography
A beautiful 8 day old Asian newborn baby girl posing on the father
A beautiful 8 day old Asian newborn baby girl smiling wearing a purple lace romper and a purple head band on the bean bag covered with a purple blanket. A newborn baby portrait taken in the studio during newborn portrait session by Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Alhambra Newborn Photographer, Cathy Murai Photography
A beautiful 8 day old Asian newborn baby girl sleeping necked on the peach pink bean bag blanket. A newborn baby portrait taken in the studio during newborn portrait session by Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Alhambra Newborn Photographer, Cathy Murai Photography
A beautiful 8 day old Asian newborn baby girl sleeping necked on the peach pink bean bag blanket, Taco pose, A newborn baby portrait taken in the studio during newborn portrait session by Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Alhambra Newborn Photographer, Cathy Murai Photography
Close up image of baby
A beautiful 8 day old Asian newborn baby girl wrapped with a handmade blanket crochet by the grandma. A baby sleeping on the handmade quilt blanket. A newborn baby portrait taken in the studio during newborn portrait session by Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Alhambra Newborn Photographer, Cathy Murai Photography
A beautiful 8 day old Asian newborn baby girl wrapped with a handmade blanket crocheted by the grandma. A baby sleeping on the wooden puzzle bowl with a stuffed animal. A newborn baby portrait taken in the studio during newborn portrait session by Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Alhambra Newborn Photographer, Cathy Murai Photography
Close up black and white image of family

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Audrey - August 7, 2013 - 1:47 pm

These are GORGEOUS! My favorite is the purple background one, what a cutie.

Jennifer Wilcox - August 7, 2013 - 1:59 pm

The one of her on the quilt and with their hands make my heart melt. I love them!

Carol - August 7, 2013 - 2:28 pm

These are fantastic! The image with the purple was a complete WOW! Great work!

Eden Bao - August 7, 2013 - 3:25 pm

Aww, love these images! The last one with the hands is great!

Maxine Evans - August 7, 2013 - 3:26 pm

Cathy, these are amazing! I love ALL of them!

Kim Kravitz - August 7, 2013 - 3:27 pm

Oh my! What a precious little baby!!!!

cathy - August 7, 2013 - 3:37 pm

Thank you ladies for your kind messages!

Lai - August 7, 2013 - 6:38 pm

Great studio newborn session! I’ve been wanting to do the baby hand pictures for my own kids, but never happened. I wish I still get a chance to take a picture like that for my own family.

Starla Wise - August 8, 2013 - 9:06 am

Oh I LOVE the hands… and the image on the quilt. Such beautiful images!

Jackie - August 8, 2013 - 9:13 am

Beautiful family–beautiful photography!

Lana - August 9, 2013 - 9:28 am

Perfection! Just love this set.

Sarah - August 12, 2013 - 8:41 am

Beautiful family. Love the purples. :-)

Niedrigerer preis von Nike Herren Air Jordan XIII Running Schwarz Weiß - June 11, 2015 - 1:44 am

Heya! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the excellent work!

    
Aug 01 2013

Maternity Leave | Los Angeles Newborn & Baby Photographer

A yellow labrador, who is expecting a baby sister, reading many books about pregnancy, newborn, and child care

 

As I’ve announced about my pregnancy here and on my Facebook Page, we are expecting our first baby in October.  Although my baby is not due until 2 1/2 months later, I already decided to take maternity leave since my belly has gotten bigger, which makes it harder for me to get down to photograph and move around during sessions.  I’ve been so busy editing a lot of images that I captured from the last few sessions that I haven’t yet had a chance to read all those pregnancy & baby books that I got from my friends and clients, so, my dog, Charlie, is helping me get up to speed about having a baby!   =)   Although I will not be able to photograph any more sessions for the rest of the year, I will still be updating my website (as I still have a lot of images to share from the past sessions!).

I haven’t decided how long I will be on maternity leave, but I’ll keep everyone posted!  I am sure I will need some time to get adjusted after our baby is born…  It has been a joy  watching many of my clients begin the journey of motherhood, and I could not be any more excited to begin this journey myself.  Thank you for your understanding and support!    I hope to photograph you and your families in the future!

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Maxine - August 1, 2013 - 7:48 pm

Best of luck to you beautiful Mama!

Jennifer Wilcox - August 2, 2013 - 12:18 pm

OMG! How precious. Congrats;-)

cathy - August 2, 2013 - 12:26 pm

Thanks, Maxine and Jennifer!

Carol - August 2, 2013 - 12:48 pm

Completely ADORABLE! Best of luck to you!

Wendy - August 6, 2013 - 12:12 pm

Congrats!

cathy - August 6, 2013 - 5:48 pm

Many thanks~!!

Jackie T - August 20, 2013 - 5:06 am

Congratulations–and I love this announcement. So cute!