Each time I became a mother with each of my kids, I was changed and new all over again.

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before.The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” - Osho

This strong mama had her baby a few months ago.  I loved being a part of documenting this lovely part of her motherhood journey. Read through Page's thoughts on becoming a mother.  It is a sacred time of life.

"Cliches have always been corny, or so I thought, but becoming a mother made all the cliches true. It has been the hardest, yet most rewarding thing I've EVER experienced, and I've never loved anyone as much as my daughter. Becoming a mother has brought me closer to God, because the love I have for Charley is the unconditional love Christ has for us all, and up to this point I didn't know what that was like. My experience hasn't been easy, but it's has been refining. Because of the work God has done in me I have never been a better version of myself, and for that I am so grateful. Becoming a mother has made me grow into the person God has always meant for me to be, and I will always strive to be the mother Charley deserves."

They started the day piled in bed.  If you don't know....that's what happens when you are a parent.  No longer are you awoken by an alarm at a time you planned. Nope, you have built-in unpredictable roosters now! 

They pile in bed, giggling so loudly in a room that was deliciously silent 5 seconds before.  Sometimes though your grumpy grogginess you force yourself to remember painfully soon, it won't be like this.  So, right now, the moment you will dream of 50 years from now is here.  Right now.  It is lovely, filling when you choose to be present.  Their cold morning feet press on your legs, and their little faces so close you can feel their eyelashes brush against your cheek. 

And some of those mornings you meet the eyes of your spouse with a look that says...these are the days.  These are the mornings we will talk about.

**Home Sweet Home Sessions are 2 hours where we document your favorite parts of family life, as it is. 

Fun activities and most importantly small moments. 

Text me to schedule 206-398-9923

This session took place right after most of the blooms had gone in most of the orchard...but then you get these amazing blooms on the taller trees! There really there isn't a bad time to take pictures at this amazing place.

The Nash Family went to the same church as my husband and I during the fist few years we were married. (like 10 or so years ago) I remember the first Sunday they came to church....We lived in an area that didn't have alot of young couples, so when we saw the Nashes, we had a couple crush on them! They were fresh victims for us to force into friendship...haha is that soo creepy? (yes, yes it is) Alas, they didn't live there long, so our hearts were broken.

I was so happy when Karyn contacted me 10 years later to do this shoot! In fact, we are doing another shoot with them later this year and I am sooooo excited! I have 2 more spots left for session at this pretty orchard. Text me to get on the schedule!

My favorite thing to photograph is my children exploring!  I don't know about your kids....but if you put my kids in a field they will have a hay day! Picking flowers, finding bugs, pretending the shelter of trees is an enchanted tent...  

Big changes are happening with my business.  I want to focus more on photography with depth and emotion.  I want to photograph things that matter. Remembering your children playing matters.  Recalling their free spirits and rich imaginations matter. 

The pictures below are only very lightly directed.  They led the way and we followed.

ADVENTURE SESSIONS- introductory price- $350 plus tax  (Can be done with just children or include parents as well)

I have my last session of the year this week, so for the next 5 months that I will be taking off I will be focusing on getting caught up on the INSANE amount of blogging I should be doing all along!

This is Clara and Eric!  I did their engagements about a year and a half ago in spring 2015.  They were so cute and in love.  I saw them a few months ago again at a wedding I was shooting.  It is always fun to see people again!

His mother, young and beautiful. Him, during a time when she was his whole world.

And the last, yet most important aspect of being at my grandparents house is that they are there....  My grandpa telling jokes that I only sometimes understand.  My Grandma working so hard in her garden, making macaroni and tomato juice soup (I know it sounds gross, but it is THE BEST.) My Grandpa mowing the lawn with whatever toddler is there at the time. My favorite laugh of Grandma's that sneaks out when she really thinks something is funny.  

I can hear her chuckling now thinking of telling them that this is the most special place in the world.  I think she would believe me, and yet the other part of her would think of all the hard times that I don't really know about.  I have experienced the ideal version of this home; the one were my troubles can be forgotten, and my heart can feel light.  However, I know that there have been hard times.  That they have worked together to make this the home that it is.  They have worked, prayed, laughed, cried, dealt with loss, and gone through so many phases in their life in this house.  What I have appreciated the very most is the love I can feel they have for each other. I wouldn't say that they are excessively mushy together, but it is one of those things you can feel tangibly when they are near.

Their children and grandchildren rotate through their home ALL SUMMER.  They have given us so much throughout the years, just by being there, and always making us feel wanted and welcome.  I feel certain when they meet our Father in Heaven again, that He will tell them He is so immensely proud and pleased to call them His own; for they fulfilled their mission here by creating a place of peace for their family.  A true Heaven on earth, for us, their children, to call home. 

1) THEY TRUSTED ME COMPLETELY - This is the MOST important thing.  When I am at a shoot and I feel that the couple totally trusts me and isn't worried about controlling the situation themselves, it unleashes my confidence and creativity!  So, pick a photographer you LOVE and trust them.  They will feel it, and you will be allowing them to do their VERY BEST job!

2)They came with a GREAT ATTITUDE -  Nothing will kill a shoot faster than if you have someone who is not happy about being there.  Not only will it effect the pictures, it will effect the way your fiance' feels when they go back and look at the pictures.  They will remember how unhappy you were and that will always cast a shadow on the experience and pictures.  Also, kind of the same with the first point, your photographer will feel it and although they will probably still do a great job, a poor attitude will not help unleash their full potential.

2)Their CLOTHES FIT -  Nothing will look worse than if your clothes don't fit you well.  I always suggest that as you are deciding what outfit to wear, to have someone take some pictures of you in them Then you can see how they look in a picture.  Also, wear something that you FEEL amazing in.

3) They wore outfits that MADE A STATEMENT!-  Personally,  my favorite thing is when the girl wears a dress!  Dresses just make the shoot feel high-end and really make a session pop!

4)Kaitlyn got her HAIR and MAKE-UP PROFESSIONALLY done-  I cannot emphasize enough what an impact this makes!  Sure, you think you do your make-up just fine....but I PROMISE you that a professional will do a better job. #fact :) same goes with your hair.  Cassie Brimhall (instagram @cassie_brimhall , 801-341-5041)  did Kaitlyn's beautiful hair and Make-up and it looked FANTASTIC.  It is an investment into your pictures....and I promise it is worth the money.

5)They RELAXED and had fun!  I realize this one is a little tricky since everyone has different levels of comfort with getting their pictures taken, but just try your best.  It really will show in your pictures.  Also, a good photographer will be able to help you out with this.  Pick someone who you can feel comfortable with and enjoy their company.  

6) Last, but certainly not least, pick a PHOTOGRAPHER THAT LOVES their job.  I am pretty sure that clients never question when I am doing an engagement session if I am having a good time.  My husband occasionally has come to assist me and he has asked me before, "Are you REALLY that excited?  Or is it just to make them feel good?"  Although I do love that it makes the couple feel excited and confident... YES, I REALLY AM THAT EXCITED.  I sincerely have a BLAST when I am shooting, and I think is has a huge impact on my client's experience.

NOW without further adiue............

    We had quite the adventure getting to our location.  There was a little (aLOT) more snow than I was expecting, and we took Mattson's little sedan.  We might have  definitely did get stuck in the snow and a couple of kind Utah truck drivers had to pull us out.  haha- Makes for a good story later, right!?  This is the first half of the session.  Mattson was a trooper.  Both Ally and I had boots on, but he was walking around in dress shoes!   He was quite cold, but was a great sport and didn't complain one bit.  (Which you photographers out there know.... we REALLY appreciate that!)  He seemed to just be content to get to cuddle with his bride.   We drove to a second location; I'll share that half another day!

"Mitch and I met in beginner social dance class at BYU.  Both of our inspired mothers forced us to sign up and we agreed under certain conditions. Mitch said he would stay if there were some cute girls and I said I would stay if there were some fun guys.  The first time we met, we were trying (and failing) to dance to 'Shake it off'.  After half of a semester of dancing and flirting, Mitch FINALLY asked me out and we have spent every day together since!"

“Longing for a child to love,
We wish upon the stars above.

In our hearts we always knew,
A part of us is meant for you.

I think how happy we will be,

Once we adopt you, making us a family

we dream of all the joy you’ll bring,

Imagining even the littlest things.
The way it will feel to hold you tight,

And tuck you in every night.

The drawings on the refrigerator door,

And childhood toys across the floor,
The favorite stories read again and again, 

And hours of games with make-believe friends.
The day you take our outstretched hands,

A journey will end, but our lives more complete.
 

thinking of memorizing your sweet face, 

We dream of our first embrace.
  We promise to give you a happy home,

And a loving family all your own.

A house you'll make more complete,

With laughter, smiles and tiny feet.

A parent is one who guides the way,
Know I will be there everyday. You'll rest easy as each night you sleep,
A lifetime of love will be yours to keep. Longing for a child to love,
We wish upon the stars above. In our hearts we always knew...
A part of us belongs to you.” 

"Spencer has always kind of walked funny and I always thought I was the paranoid mom because friends, doctors, and other moms would say, "oh, he'll grow out of it."  Spencer never grew out of it.  It wasn't until I started to get him ready for pre-school that a teacher noticed.  The rest is history.  After years of going to doctors and asking what was the matter, one doctor finally decided to check a 'what-if'...  Her 'what-if ' became and 'it is'.  June 2014 Spencer was officially diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  We had no prior history in my family and yet here we are. Duchenne affects one in every 3500 boys. There is absolutely no cure....and it is 100% FATAL. It affects every single muscle in his body including his heart, because, as luck would have it, the heart is the most powerful muscle in the body.  How do you move on knowing that's your fate?  You just do.  You have to, for him.  So, for now we live life like it's normal.  We let Spencer do whatever 5 year old boys do; he runs (albiet slowly) because he won't get to later in life, he rides  his bikes, plays with cars, and dreams big dreams."   ---Dawn Jones

They sell shirts annually during his birthday month (JULY!!) to help with his medical expenses. If you would like to be a part of helping Spencer and his family, you are in luck!  Go to www.savespencerdmd.bigcartel.com and buy a cool shirt.  It's a small gesture that can go a long way. 

Then I wonder why and give thanks

that I was chosen to be your mother.

I speak your name in each tender prayer.

So reach for your dreams, for every good thing,

depending on my love, my dear daughter.

 I’ve watched you, dear mother, each day of my life;

I’ve seen how you smile through the joy and the strife.

I’ve needed your love and have known you were there.

I’ve seen how you help to bring answers to prayers.

The world that surrounds me is blind and unsure;

But with you as my mother, I’m safe and secure.

Then I wonder why and give thanks

that I was chosen to be your daughter.

In the picture on the left, I told him to come up behind her and tell her why he loves her.  It was wonderful...I don't know what he said, but her reaction made me tear up.  So sweet.  Engagement sessions are my favorite.  There is just so much excitement, anticipation, and love.  It is infectious and I always walk away feeling so honored to have gotten to play a little part in of the beginning of their life together.  

We did the last shot to demonstrate how WINDY WINDY WINDY it was!!

This summer was my first summer to do weddings!  I have been asked to do weddings before but have always turned them down.  I was very hesitant because I didn't want to do a wedding till I knew for sure that I could do a fabulous job.  Because, well, you can't re-do a wedding!  So, I finally felt ready this summer!  And I am so glad I waited!  I LOVED this couple, LOVED this wedding, and LOVED the pictures!  I feel so great about waiting till I could really do justice to someone's most special day.  I will be blogging this couple kind of out of order, I will blog thier "first look " next.   But I really wanted their wedding day to be my first blog post.

Amy and Nathan are AMAZING.  They are so fun and relaxed.  I couldn't have picked an easier to work with couple.  To be honest, I am a little sad they are married now cause that means I don't get any more couple shoots with them anytime soon!  :'(  We did like 5 in total.  And let's face it,  they are both gorgeous!  I could feel their love and joy throughout the day, and they certainly prepared a day that they will never forget!  Thank you so much for asking me to be a part of your day! 

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