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PHOTO + DESIGN

PHOTO + DESIGN

BY MAD

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family photography

Sia + Photos for Jamie Session

October 11, 2020

Sia was nominated for one of my Photos for Jamie sessions last year. She has been through a lot, making it difficult to schedule this session until now. I really wanted to make this session happen for her, so I recently reached out again. This was her response to my email:

“Yes please! Oh my goodness, you’ve answered a prayer. Thank you. I’ve been thinking about you because I’m terminal now, and boy. Nothing makes you stop and say we need pictures like, ‘you’ve got months to live.’  But I didn’t want to ask because of COVID. So thank you for reaching out. And thank you for this incredible work you do. Pictures are so priceless.”

My heart sunk. I was hoping for better news. Her and her family have been on my mind ever since.

A few days ago, I was finally able to meet Sia. She is so beautiful and strong and just a joy to be around! She has been able to keep her sense of humor through it all and I could feel how much she adores her kids and her husband! I was excited for this session, but a little nervous that it would be too emotional for me. I made it through, but definitely cried on the way home. Cancer is so unfair and it just makes me angry when it threatens to break up beautiful, young families. Seeing how she finds beauty through the pain has given me hope. I’m so grateful for her influence and that she allowed me capture this precious time.

[Read more…] about Sia + Photos for Jamie Session

Categories - Family Portraits, Passion for Peace, Passion Portraits, Uncategorized Tagged - breast cancer photo session, fall family session, family photography, passion project, photo by mad, photos for Jamie, slc family photographer

Spring Break

April 8, 2019

We spent spring break in St. George and the weather was perfect! We saw friends and family, fished, covered ourselves in sand, swam and ate delicious food. It’s always so nice to get away for a few days and just play together. I actually didn’t take many photos, but the sand dunes were definitely one of the highlights! Love my people! [Read more…] about Spring Break

Categories - Personal Tagged - family photography, personal post, slc family photographer, slc lifestyle photographer, slc photographer, snow canyon state park, spring break, st George, utah family photographer

Finding the Light

February 4, 2019

These photos were taken in just a few minutes in my living room one morning. Ava is at the age where she gets really excited when I want to take pictures of her, so it’s fun. Tess is hard to get to cooperate haha. I swear she has the energy of 5 toddlers some days! Today was kind of a rough mom day. The kids fought a lot and did very little listening when I tried to break them up. It was a long day! I edited these photos after I put them to bed, and it was such a nice reminder that they do actually love each other and get along really well most days. And they are pretty dang cute if I do say so myself! I’m so lucky I get to be their mom. I think I will go sneak an extra kiss from these sleeping angels before I go to bed.

[Read more…] about Finding the Light

Categories - Personal, Portraits Tagged - family photography, jess kettle presets, slc family photographer, slc portrait photographer, studio portraits

Jensen Family + Desert Session

September 19, 2018

Jeremiah is my second cousin and our families used to go camping together when I was younger. Not sure why we stopped because it was always so fun! It’s exciting when everyone starts their own families, but the downside is that it gets so big we gradually stop seeing our extended family as often. I was excited when his wife Melissa contacted me about a family session because it gave me a chance to catch up with them and to see their kids. I can’t believe how old they are! They look so grown up. Jeremiah picked out this location and it was perfect! He had gone here growing up and I’m so glad he suggested it. Basically they made my job super easy and I love the results!

[Read more…] about Jensen Family + Desert Session

Categories - Family Portraits Tagged - cedar mountain, desert family session, emery county photographer, fall family photos, family photography, family photography outfit ideas, madison johnson, photo + design by mad, photo by mad, slc family photographer, utah family photographer

Petersen Family + Cleveland, UT

June 26, 2018

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!

[Read more…] about Petersen Family + Cleveland, UT

Categories - Family Portraits Tagged - emery county photographer, family photographer, family photography, family portraits, family session, lifestyle, lifestyle family photographer, lifestyle family photography, lifestyle family photos, lifestyle photography, madison johnson, photo + design by mad, photo and design by mad, Salt Lake City photographer, slc family photographer, utah family photographer

Desert Family Session + Player-Timmons Family

April 3, 2018

Desert family sessions are one of my favs for sure! The kids love them too because afterwards they have a blast climbing all the rocks! This location is so close to where I grew up and we still spend time here for picnics and Easter camping.

Shannon was a good friend of my mom’s; they bonded over their mutual love of yarn and crocheting. Anyone that had a place in my mom’s heart, has a place in mine. Shannon hand-dyes and spins her own yarn and she is so talented! You can check out her gorgeous creations here. Thanks for giving me the chance to capture your beautiful family. I love this session!

[Read more…] about Desert Family Session + Player-Timmons Family

Categories - Family Portraits Tagged - desert family session, emery county photographer, family photography, lifestyle photography, Madison Johnson photographer, photo + design by mad, san rafael swell, slc family photographer, slc lifestyle photographer, utah family photographer

Comer Family + in-home session

January 10, 2018

The Comer family. So sweet and laid back. It turns out, our families are at similar places in our lives… both been married 5 years with two kids almost the same ages. Down the road I’m thinking we could set up their boys with my girls! I think it would be perfect… my husband would probably fight me on it though. I don’t think he will ever let them date, but maybe he will make an exception for adorable Sonny and Wells?

I love the way Brinley decorated her home, so simple and modern. It was right up my alley! It really allows their personalities and love for each other shine through. And Brinley’s style! If it wasn’t for her cute kids, her overalls would have stolen the show! I saw so many qualities in them as parents that I hope I can emulate with my girls. Sometimes family pictures can stress parents out (especially when toddlers are involved haha), but they were just easy going, lovey, patient and playful the whole time. I could spend the rest of my life only photographing moms and their babies and I would be completely content. When you see the look on Brin’s face, you’ll see why. Pure love and adoration. It’s just so good! And it’s all that really matters.

[Read more…] about Comer Family + in-home session

Categories - Family Portraits, Lifestyle Session Tagged - at home family session, family photography, family portraits, family session, in home session, lifestyle, photo + design by mad, photo and design by mad, photo by mad, Salt Lake City photographer, slc lifestyle photographer, utah lifestyle photographer

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Tunnel Springs Park + Burghardt Family

Russian Olive Trees + Frandsen Family

Russian Olive Trees + Frandsen Family

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This family came to my summer minis this week. The This family came to my summer minis this week. They’ve hired me several times, and it means the world to me! They’re so sweet and I love photographing them together. This location really showed off for them. It was perfect!
I blogged this session! I’m trying to get back i I blogged this session! I’m trying to get back in the habit of blogging regularly. This session is a favorite of mine. I’m dying to shoot here soon! These were taken in October last year, but it’s so green and gorgeous right now. There’s even some scattered wildflowers! The flowers won’t last long, so don’t miss out.
✨ Demi ✨ I have so many favorites to share fro ✨ Demi ✨ I have so many favorites to share from this senior session! #utahseniorphotographer #classof2025 #utahseniorportraits

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