PHOTO + DESIGN

BY MAD

Blog

Walker Family + Big Cottonwood Canyon

I sat down to edit a sneak peek of this session and ended up finishing the entire thing! This family is just too gorgeous, I couldn’t make myself stop. Val and I know each other from design school and I love each time I get to see her and her family. Their sweet Gavin is growing so fast! He looked like such a little man in his outfit. He has grown so much since their session last year (see it here). Gav definitely has a future in modeling if he wants it. He had so much fun exploring, running, and was mesmerized by the river nearby. Hopefully we wore him out and he slept like an angel that night.

This beautiful family has an exciting announcement and they let me in on their secret a little early….

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Streeter Family + Neff’s Canyon

I was lucky enough to photograph Elena and her adorable kids last year (see that session here). Her husband was deployed and she wanted updated family pictures to send to him. They are so sweet! I loved being able to see them again and their daddy got to join them this time! Yay! Kids grow and change so quickly… it’s fun to see them each year.

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Gines family + snow basin

Motherhood. It’s intense, difficult, exhausting, incredible, fulfilling, joyful, heartbreaking, challenging, messy, and a million other things. I think all mothers wonder if they are doing it right, get confused about where to go for help and information. There are so many conflicting opinions out there when it comes to parenting. Just remember we all screw up at times but we are doing our best. Give yourself grace. Kids are so loving and can forgive in an instant. It seems they give us endless chances to get it right, love unconditionally and continue to look up to us. Kids are the best. I know none of us are perfect, but this beautiful mamma might be the exception…. She is so involved, loving, present and selfless despite life’s challenges (that we all have). She has an Instagram account under @thisnewlifeofmine_  (you can find her blog there too) where she shares respectful parenting, kindness, her adorable kids, great tips, and support for other parents of kids with disabilities (or rather different abilities). I look up to her and love how positive she stays!

My husband and I met Addison and Jenna about 6 years ago, well before either of us added sweet babies to our families. We were all living in Logan at the time, but didn’t meet until we moved to Little Rock, Arkansas for summer sales. Funny how life works. I’m grateful they gave me the opportunity to photograph their beautiful family!

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Hammocks + Summer

Sometimes I shoot personal work on film. Since all the pictures from my childhood are on film, these instantly feel like old memories to me. I love that about it. And the colors are just so perfect. I will always remember summers hanging out in the back yard after John gets home.

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The simple things

Bought a bubble machine today. It was a good choice. I love summer.

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Personal + Camping

We went camping over the 4th of July and it was so great and so dirty. I have never seen my kids get so dirty! They were actually pouring buckets of dirt on their own heads. Toddler heaven! I only pulled out my camera once, but I took some cute videos on my phone and I’m working on making them into a home video. I’m definitely not a pro, but it has been so fun to make something meaningful out of all the random videos on my phone. I will share when it’s finished!

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Why I am a Photographer

I loved photography long before anyone paid me to do it and I will love it even if I never get another paying client. It has always pulled at me, but since having kids that pull is even stronger. To capture them just as they are. Right now. Sometimes I look at them and they seem so small and the next minute I can’t understand how they have already gotten so big. I think the most important photos I can take are of my own family. No they are not perfectly styled, and my home is far from perfect but what matters is capturing the little details I never want to forget. I took these shots of Ava the other day because the summer weather is making her natural curls perfect and I love them. Please never go away. These photos make me want to cry happy tears of love, so I can only imagine the treasures they will be years from now. (Tess is getting some cute curls too, but she is far less cooperative in front of the camera at this age.)

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Player Family + Desert Session

I can’t believe I haven’t blogged this session before now because it’s a pretty one! I really love the desert tones and think its the perfect backdrop to showcase families. This family was so sweet and I loved watching them interact with each other. They were so kind and loving. We did their family photos as part of their extended family session with Kirk’s side of the family. I was blown away by how cooperative all the kids were. Seriously, they won my heart. They were so sweet and too cute for their own good. Wait until you see their little boy… I met him once and I love him! Their girls were glowing from the inside out and I could tell they have beautiful little souls. The shots of them dancing in the desert feel so carefree and make my heart happy.

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Petersen Family + Cleveland, UT

I absolutely love when I get to photograph people from my home town! Cleveland is tiny, and off the beaten path and it will always have my heart. Brooke also grew up in Cleveland, moved away for a bit, and now she and her gorgeous family moved back and built a beautiful home together. I hope to move my own family back there someday. Brooke is so easy to work with and the whole family made this session fun and easy! Their oldest will be leaving on an LDS mission to Arkansas soon and he is pretty excited (his mom isn’t talking about it). I loved documenting their family dynamic how it is right now. It will be so fun for them to look back on when things have changed and the little ones have grown. Thanks Petersen family and good luck on your mission Brans!

I visit Emery County often, so if you are interested in booking a session don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you have!

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Fromm Family + Saltair

My husband went to high school with Casey, but this was the first time I met him and his wife Kendra. They immediately felt like old friends and I had a blast hanging out with them and meeting their little guy, Stone. He was THE sweetest! I don’t think I have ever photographed a more cooperative one-year-old. He was a dream and was giving me hugs by the end of the session. I loved watching them interact with each other. You can just see how much they treasure Stone. And I mean, who wouldn’t? Just look at the handsome little guy!

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