• 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!

Jun 15 2012

{Cameron at 9 days old} – Newborn Portraits by Los Angeles Newborn and Family Photographer

I loved working with this family to photograph their maternity images and their newborn portraits!  They were so much fun at the maternity session, so I knew that the newborn session would be a blast – and I was right. I enjoyed hearing her stories of labor and getting to meet and photograph this cute little guy, Cameron.  He was only 9 days old when he came for his newborn session.  As soon as I met him, I fell in love with his LONG eyelashes – just like his older brother!  During the session, they were extremely patient with me – allowing me to spend over 3 hours to get all the shots that I wanted.  Cameron’s daddy requested some detailed shots, and I enjoyed capturing those little toes, feet, hands, etc. from different angles.  But of course, Cameron drove the session, meaning that his needs came first.  We took as many breaks for nursing and diaper changes as he needed.  I usually don’t schedule more than one newborn session per day so that we have plenty of time and that we won’t need to rush.  With newborns… patience is the key!  I just love all of the joy that we captured and had a really difficult time narrowing down the images to post here!  It was nice seeing them happily pregnant and then seeing the new baby in their arms!  I look forward to seeing Cameron grow up with his older brother!

If you are expecting and interested in having your newborn portraits taken, be sure to contact me before your due date.  Babies grow incredibly fast especially in the first few weeks of life.  I would love to capture the first newborn portraits that will have an extra special place in the hearts of your family for a lifetime.
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Jun 04 2012

{Maternity Session at Santa Monica Beach} – los angeles maternity photographer

This sweet and loving couple, Brittney and Brandon, were glowing with excitement and happiness about their first baby. Don’t they seem to be beaming with happiness at the thought of becoming parents? We had fun photographing the baby bump on a perfect evening at Santa Monica beach. Brittney was hoping to capture the memory, journey, joy, love, and anticipation of her first pregnancy, and I hope I was able to accomplish her goal. They were very relaxed and at ease in front of the camera and were open to try whatever came up in my mind. They were just smiling non-stop throughout the session and I was happy to be a part of this joyous time in their life!

Thank you Brittney and Brandon for allowing me to capture such a precious time in your lives! I am so excited to meet your first baby for the newborn session soon! Here are my favorite photos from the beach maternity session.

couple maternity photo at Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles
couple kissing during maternity session at Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles
Beautiful mom-to-be at Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles
Couple Maternity Session at Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles
Couple Maternity Session at Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles
The bump at Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles
Maternity Photography at Santa Monica Beach in Los Angeles
Maternity Session at Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles

Maternity is a joyous time in a woman’s life and what better way to memorialize this feeling of happiness and overjoyment than capturing your changing body as it gets ready. Our session not only focuses on capturing your baby bump, but we also try to capture how you feel during this joyous time of your life and are open to any suggestions that you may have to best accomplish this. If you have a significant other or other children, they are more than welcome to come join in on the session too! Pregnancy is an important time of your life and is best to capture its significance with the ones you love. Maternity sessions are best held during the last 2 months of pregnancy so that you can show off your beautiful big belly. If you are interested in having a maternity session or have any questions, feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to helping you make your special day perfect.

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Sunaina - May 7, 2016 - 2:44 pm

Hi- I wanted to get a maternity shoot. It will be me and my husband. If you can send me the complete package details including the prints etc. that would be great. I am looking to get a shoot done tomorrow 5/8 or 5/21-5/22

I live in Culver city, CA and wanted to get a shoot done in Santa Monica beach or any other beach in Los Angeles.

Thanks,
Sunaina
706-201-9386

    
May 30 2012

{New Baby Brother} – Los Angeles Newborn Session

I love getting invited back by my clients/friends when they welcome new additions to their families.  When I was asked to photograph this handsome baby boy, Shane, I just couldn’t wait for him to be born and was looking forward to this session for months!  But when I received a text message from his mom at the hospital that he was born early, I freaked out, because my friend and I just threw a baby shower for her TWO days ago!  I understand that babies are unpredictable and run on their own schedule, but it was just so unexpected!  As the best time to photograph newborns is within the first 2 weeks of birth, while they still sleep well and make those cute curly poses, we rescheduled his session earlier.  I finally got to meet Shane when he was 10 days old and it was amazing how identical he looked to his sister when she was born!  Unfortunately, his sister was not able to join us for the session, but hopefully, I’ll get the opportunity to photograph the whole family together sometime soon!  I absolutely love newborn sessions.  It was a blast capturing these precious moments that pass by so quickly.  I was happy when his mom picked the new lion and giraffe hats that I made!  Don’t they look cute on him?  Shane and his family will be moving to a new house soon and I can’t wait to decorate his new home with his adorable pictures!
Sleeping newborn
Newborn with a lion hat posing
Sleeping newborn with a giraffe hat posing
wooden blocks on newborn
Newborn baby in a vintage bucket
Baby Boy sleeping
Baby Boy sleeping on the white fur
Newborn posing on the vintage soda wooden box
I often get asked how I schedule a newborn session in advance when we don’t know the exact date their babies will be born.  And here is how it works!  The best time to schedule a newborn session is while you’re pregnant.  I will schedule a “tentative” session based on your due date.   And as soon as your baby is born, please contact me so that we can reschedule the newborn session, if necessary.  (5-10 days after the birthday)  Simple as that.  So  if you’re interested in a newborn session, please contact me before your baby is due and we can schedule a tentative date for the photo shoot to make sure you get on my calendar. I always try to work newborns in if my clients book with me after the baby is born, but those on my calendar take priority.
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May 17 2012

{Maternity Session with a Sweet Growing Family} – Los Angeles Maternity Photography

Yay! I finally converted my website into a blogsite!  It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for such a long time.   I have been working long hours on this blogsite for the last few days, so I am excited to see it go live!    Through this blogsite, I am excited to showcase recent sessions, share things that are going on behind the camera, as well as updates on new services and products that I offer.  As you read my blog, I hope you’ll get to know me better and connect with me personally and professionally.  You can subscribe to my blogsite via email  using the email subscription box at the top  :)

Today, I want to share some of my favorite images from my recent maternity session.  I was referred to them by a previous client, which is my favorite way to meet new clients!  I had so much fun getting to know and photograph this gorgeous  mom-to-be, Ana, and her family!   I love it when the entire family are involved in the maternity session. It shows how supportive and excited they all are about the baby on the way, and I was happy to capture the love behind the special experience of pregnancy.  What was special about Ana and her husband was that they intentionally did not find out the gender of their baby, so that they can be surprised.  I don’t know how they were able to do that for about 9 months!   I would be so curious!!  But I am sure it creates much more excitement and anticipation!

Right after the photo session, Ana told me how comfortable she was during the photo shoot and she decided to also book her newborn session with me =)  It truly made me happy because my clients’ comfort is my number one priority, especially with pregnancy portraits.  As you can see, Ana is so beautiful and I am sure her baby will be gorgeous (or handsome) too!

Thank you for reading my first blog!    And please feel free to leave a comment, I’d very much appreciate it. :)

 

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Jeanine - May 17, 2012 - 5:43 pm

I am intetested in doing a family photo session with my husband, 4-month old baby and dog. Please provide me with pricing information on photo packages. Thank you.

cathy - May 17, 2012 - 11:25 pm

Hi Jeanine! Thank you for your interest in my service! I would love to capture your family portrait! I will email you now.

Louella Allen - May 18, 2012 - 8:51 am

Your sweet personality comes in your work!

Mylee - January 20, 2013 - 12:35 pm

I am 33 weeks pregnant. would like some info on pictures with my husband and 4 year old son.i love your portfolio.

cathy - January 20, 2013 - 9:29 pm

Thank you Mylee for contacting Cathy Murai Photography and for checking my work! Will you please email me at info@cathymura.com? I look forward to working with you and your family!