Hi, I'm Sarina.
I'm so glad you're here.
If you're here, chances are you're celebrating one of life's biggest milestones. Whether you're expecting your first baby, welcoming a newborn, updating family portraits, or simply wanting to hold onto this season a little longer, I'm honored you're considering me to tell your story.
I've been a portrait photographer in Modesto, California, for over 20 years. My journey began with film photography, Everything changed after becoming a mom. Like so many parents, I suddenly understood just how quickly childhood passes and why preserving memories matters.
Today, I specialize in maternity, newborn, and family photography, while also offering professional headshots, boudoir, and outdoor portrait sessions throughout Modesto and the Central Valley.
More Than a Photographer
As my business grew, so did my passion for supporting families. That journey eventually led me to become a birth doula.
People often ask how photography and birth work fit together, but to me, they've always been connected. Both allow me to be part of some of the most meaningful moments in a family's life.
Being a doula has strengthened the way I photograph families. It has taught me patience, confidence, and the importance of creating a calm environment where people feel safe, comfortable, and cared for. Whether I'm photographing a newborn, guiding a maternity session, or documenting a growing family, my goal is always the same: to create an experience that feels just as meaningful as the photographs themselves.
My Approach
I believe the best photographs happen when people stop focusing on the camera.
That's why I guide every session from start to finish while keeping the experience relaxed and natural. You don't need to know how to pose or about getting everything just right—that's my job.
Some babies need an extra feeding. Some toddlers need a few minutes to warm up. Some of the best moments happen in between the poses.
After more than two decades behind the camera, I've learned that perfection isn't what makes a photograph meaningful. Connection is.
A Few Things About Me
Outside the studio, life is wonderfully full. I'm a wife, a mom, and now getting ready for one of my favorite new role—becoming a grandma. My family has always been my greatest reminder of just how quickly life changes and why preserving these seasons matters so much.
When I'm not photographing families, you'll usually find me tackling another home project, spending time with my family, or hanging out with our four dogs and four cats. It's a little chaotic, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
A few things I believe:
Photographs deserve to be printed, not forgotten on a phone.
Children don't have to sit perfectly still to create beautiful images.
The best photographs usually happen between the poses.
Every family has a story worth preserving.
You don't have to know how to pose—that's my job.
If you're worried your toddler won't cooperate or your newborn won't sleep, take a deep breath. After more than 20 years of photographing families, I can promise you one thing: the sessions that don't go exactly as planned often become the ones people remember most.
Whether you're celebrating a new baby, updating family portraits, or simply wanting to freeze this season of life for a little while, I'd be honored to welcome you into my studio and help tell your story.
