Rosemary contacted me because she wanted a few current photographs for her social media profiles.  She wanted her images to look friendly and approachable and I think we captured just that.  As we wandered around her home snapping photos and chasing the light, she told me that she felt like a celebrity.  I loved that!  But my favorite part of the day was the quiet smile she gave me after I showed her one of her images on the back of my camera.  I think she saw herself as a beautiful woman at that moment … and that is the very reason I do this.

Hubs: “How’d it go, Babe?”

Me: (In really fast excited voice) Oh my gosh!  It went SO great!  Kenyn was so much fun to be around!  She laughs easily, is intelligent, beautiful, engaging, and I just really liked spending the day with her!

Hubs: “So, she’s a lot like you?”

Awww … points for the Hubs!

Really though … that actually IS how it went.  But, I also told him that Kenyn was a dream in front of my camera, that the styling and lighting was amazing and I couldn’t wait to dive into processing the images!

And, I’m in love with every last one of them … so I thought I’d just share them all!

Enjoy!!

It really comes down to time.  Or, the lack of it actually!  Like you, I spend my time on what is most important to me.  For me that includes my family, my faith, my friends and my photography …. funny that they all start with the  ”f” sound!!  Hahaha!

The truth is, I know how important it is to have a regular presence on a blog.  It’s important for me to stay current and to highlight sessions that showcase my best work.  This is such a personal business, one built on relationships, and I really want you to know me.  I want you to hire me!  I know all this, but keeping a blog updated regularly requires time.  Lots of precious and valuable time … of which I have very little extra.

Many photographers that struggle with this problem.  I am not alone.  But I still don’t have the answer for how to make it happen all the time.   I’ll keep working on it and do my very best to have a little presence on this big world wide web!  Just check back every once and a while and I’ll do my best to have something to show you!

Now, enough of all the personal stuff … let’s get to this handsome guy I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing a couple weeks ago.

Meet Mitch … football and basketball star.  World traveler.  Heartbreaker.  And, basically a cutie pie through and through!

I had a great time meeting you Mitch!  Wishing you the very best!

Check out the random dog that wandered into this image … too cute!

I’m absolutely in love with the images from this session.

Lily is an amazing gal … she’s the youngest of three sisters, runs track for Xavier, and is a self described silly girl.

She was a dream to photograph at this great spot in the warm light.

Go chase your dreams Lily and change the world!

Hugs!

I love my Senior b{Styled} Sessions for so many reasons!  One of those reasons is because they give me an opportunity to spend a little more time with my clients ahead of their session.  We chat over cookies, dream up looks for the session, and shop together.  Everything about it is super girly and I can’t think of a better way to start a friendship!

Rachel was seriously so fun to work with.  She already had a great sense of style and she knew exactly where she wanted to go with the looks for her shoot.  Her inspiration was Julianne Hough, long maxi skirts, cowboy hats, and gold glitter Converse.  Adorable, right?  We couldn’t wait to put it all together!  And Mom, JoEllen, was there every step of the way.

Thanks to the awesome hair and makeup work by my stylist, Adrianne, I think we totally nailed the looks.  Rachel looked amazing the day of her session and I know she felt beautiful … she was literally bubbling with excitement!   And, that confidence came through in every image … what a treat it was to photograph her!

Thanks for the playing dress up with us, Rachel, and for letting me capture these gorgeous images of you.    And a WAY BIG congrats on your nomination for “Best Eyes” of Chaparral HS 2012.  I think you might just win

Hugs!

I met Hana and her Mom for the first time on a hot summer afternoon a little over a month ago.  As we chatted over an InStyle Magazine and chocolate chip cookies, I fell in love with her instantly.  Hana booked one of my Senior b{Styled} sessions and told me that she loved country music, community service, friends, the color purple, and that she wanted to look beautiful for her Senior pics.  I knew we were gonna have a blast together.

Together with her Mom and Adrianne, we put together a style board, shopped, and planned hair and makeup.  Hana was in love with the current tribal trend, boho chic, and blocked color!  So, we planned three looks and our first amazing find was this super trendy and fun dress.  It looked INCREDIBLE on her we made it pop with some adorable accessories. Each look fell into place from there and I knew she was gonna feel really special at her session.

Despite a rain delay, the day of the shoot finally came and I was so stinkin’ excited.  Adrianne did an incredible job on hair and makeup (as always!) and it was so much fun to see her look come together.  Both of Hana’s parents joined us on location … Diane brought water and silly faces and Dwight worked as my assistant!  Great job with that reflector, Dwight!!  I literally squealed with excitement a few times as I watched Hana work the camera … she felt beautiful and she looked beautiful and it was a such pleasure to photograph her.

Thanks so much for a wonderful experience Hana … you are one amazing gal with a big heart and an awesome family.  I loved being a part of it for a while.

This handsome man in this couple has been in front of my camera before.  In fact … our last session was to celebrate his return home from a two-year mission for church just a few short months ago. But since then, he met and fell in love with this beautiful gal, Lindsay.  I guess when you know, you know and why not just go for it?!  Oh, how I {LOVE} love!!

Well, these two are IN looove … the yummy, ooey-gooey, gaze at each other, smooch a lot, snuggle up close, and giggle kind of love.  And just thinking about them now, makes me smile all over again.  I loved how he couldn’t stop looking at her and how he always opened her door.  I loved that she asked his advice on her outfit and giggled as he whispered in her ear.  My heart raced with them as I made them pause before a kiss – it was a hot moment – whew!  And, really!  I’m not even sure it’s legal to be this gorgeous of a couple.

It was a really great session.

I’ll be a guest on their special day, so I won’t be the photographer … BUT, I can’t wait for the Bridals later this month!

Hugs!

Fashion.

This has been a year of photography self discovery for me.  I’m learning.  Growing.  Putting myself out there more.  Taking risks and trying new things. And … eeeek!  It’s so exciting!!

In my process of moving toward this goal I had the awesome opportunity to spend last weekend with three amazing fashion photographers; to be mentored, taught, and coached by the best in the valley.  I seriously could not stop smiling all day.  I felt like a sponge … trying to soak up all their experience, advice, tips and tricks.  I loved watching them work and then getting the chance to work next to them gave me serious butterflies in my stomach!

As a completely self-taught photographer, I always have this looming question in the back of my mind:  ”Am I doing any of this right?  Am I making all of this up?”  It can be super destructive at times.  But other times it pushes me.  Pushes me to keep learning, refining, and growing.  And thank goodness, because I know that it’s my thirst for learning that drives me to change and try new things.  Bring it on I say!

So, here are a few images I snapped last weekend as I tried something new … in studio, tethered to lights.  Didn’t think I’d ever do it.  But fashion photography will sometimes take me into the studio … so learn it I must.  And ya know?  It was way cool.

More images to come … I photographed five models that day.  Super rad experience.