happy new year!

is this a post? REALLY??! due to this busy, busy season, i have gotten so behind! has it really been two months?!
well it's about time i play catch-up. here's a quick peek at what i've been up to this christmas card season. much, much more to come!
i am so excited for a new year! new experiences, creating new friendships and continuing to learn, learn, learn. thankfully my job allows me all of these opportunities.
thank you to all of you who check back to this little blog. i love your comments and opinions.
and for those of you who are new here, i can't wait to meet you!
happy NEW YEAR!



ummm, it looks like i have forgotten how to post normal. enjoy these giant pictures! haha.

LUV!

here are a few more photos from my snuggle luv shoot. gorgeous kids! gorgeous products! how lucky am i?
these costumes are seriously so creative and fun!

isn't she beautiful?! and only 13 are you kidding me? her dad better watch out!

bribery, gotta love it!

this is my cute cousin, kara and her family. i adore them. her little guy was so smiley and easy. what a concept! we didn't even have to make big promises or bribes... until the very end of the session. (yes, i'm a huge advocate of bribing children for smiles. i've said it before and i'll say it again. it works!)
i'm pretty sure they told him they'd take him swimming that night, go to chucky cheese and drink a bottle of "bug juice," possibly simultaneously. that's how we got that adorable smile at the end. haha.
thanks kara, love you guys!!






this one cracks me up.




i'm pretty sure he's gonna be breaking some hearts. the kid is only five and he can pull off a look like that? are you kidding me?!

PHOTO TIP of the WEEK!

Experiment with different lighting situations. Don't settle on open shade, but embrace it all! Now, please remove my soapbox. :)



Midday sunlight used to scare me (and i still would never schedule a shoot for this time of day) but I've realized that I can get some really cool shots even at the "worst" part of the day, with regard to lighting.
Moral of the story: Have fun and don't limit yourself!

i heart snuggle luv

if you haven't heard of it and you have a girl, run, don't walk to the mall and get ya'self some luuuv. they have some cute stuff for boys too. in fact before i did this shoot i bought my boo some green and white striped stockings from them and love them!
i had so much fun on this shoot. i couldn't believe how ridiculously cute their accessories are.
check 'em out! www.snuggleluv.com

i know you're anxious to see these, alisa!

ok, so every photographer knows the "fake smile" every kiddo masters due to shyness or too much coaching from mom in front of the mirror... (gasp!) But, every photographer also knows how to get away from the dreaded faux grins and get those belly-laugh smiles none of us can get enough of!
just talk to them, make them laugh and make them forget they're in front of the camera, and wahlah....



and again...


mmmhhhmmm...


....aaaand again...i think they like each other.

two is always better than one.

I couldn't help but post about a zillion pictures. My sister and her family are too adorable and perfect. I'm pretty sure my niece Jaydee-bug is going to grow up to become an actress or model or both. They all are crazy beautiful. Poor dad is really going to have his hands full in a few years, surrounded by all those girls. I'm sure he would say he already does!

This little girl is seriously gorgeous! I couldn't get enough of her. And talk about personality. They were all so much fun.

This little one was the star of the show...

I have quickly learned that in every family there is a camera pleaser. I think it's safe to assume who it is in this family. What a doll!

For Tiffanie

Your beautiful girls...

TAG ALONG SESSION WITH JESSICA KETTLE

Jessica Kettle, a talented photographer in Northern Utah, invited me along on a day-long photo shoot yesterday. It was actually a bunch of mini shoots, but she needed some help throughout the day. In return I learned A LOT and took some beautiful pictures!
We spent the morning at some fun, urban locations in Salt Lake and the afternoon was spent at Wheeler Farm for a more country chic location.
She gave me some awesome tips and pointers about in-camera and post-production techniques.
Here are a few of my favorites from yesterday!
Thanks Jessica, you rock!

Here's just a little taste...

OK, so I LOVE these kids. I am so happy that in every picture each of their little personalities shown through. That's why I do photography!
I have to say though, photographing five kids under the age of four is not easy! Especially when one of them has mastered the art of escape! :)

Notice the beautiful, blue-eyed blond standing up? He's planning his next escape. I love it.

I gave them a little buggy to push around to direct the focus of the shot a little and I love the way it turned out.

Can you say, kissing cousins?