PHOTO + DESIGN

BY MAD

slc family photographer

Johnson Family + Tunnel Springs Park

James is my husband’s brother. If you already know my husband, then I probably didn’t have to tell you that. They get mistaken for each other all the time! I love his wife Shawn, she’s so fun! I’m not sure how I got such amazing sister-in-laws, but they are honestly all incredible! This is my third year taking James and Shawn’s family photos, and I always have so much fun at their sessions! I wasn’t sure the weather was going to cooperate, but I’m SO glad we didn’t cancel. I have shot many sessions at Tunnel Springs, but this was definitely the prettiest I have ever seen it! Those stormy skies were gorgeous! I couldn’t love how their photos turned out more. I’m so grateful to call these people family.

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The Hurst Family + Cleveland Utah

I’m not even sure where to begin with this family. I have known Frank and Tara since I was young. Frank was my bishop during my teenage years and Tara was the most fun at girls camp! I adore them both! They have the most beautiful family and I really look up to them as they are raising their four kind, hard working and beautiful daughters. Their oldest Erin (in the black dress), is 21. She is an amazing long distance runner at Dixie. I have loved watching her running journey since she was competing in high school. She continues to amaze me! Earlier this year she noticed a lump on her hand. When she got it checked out, the doctors were pretty sure it was benign but when she woke up for her biopsy they told her otherwise. It is cancerous. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is the diagnosis. She is getting a scan today to see whether or not it has spread to other areas. She will be undergoing intense chemo and so we wanted to give them some beautiful family photos before she loses her hair. If you are the praying type, PLEASE pray for this sweet girl. She is a fighter and in her words, a badass that is going to beat cancer! I know she can! She has a long road ahead of her and her family. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they conquer this together.

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Strang Family + Raleigh North Carolina Family Session

This family has my heart! Joanna is my sister-in-law and she has the sweetest family! They used to live close to us, but last year they moved to North Carolina. We were recently able to visit them and it was so fun! We loved being able to spend time with them. I’m so glad I was able to get in a family session while I was there. We went to a local Arboretum and it was so beautiful! Thanks Strang family! Love ya!

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Martin Family + Memory Grove Park

The Martin family was so sweet! Their beautiful little Serena was so laid back and relaxed during their session. I was completely shocked! Usually at her age, they just want to crawl away and do anything but pose for the camera. Courtni and Kade make such a cute couple and their interactions were so sweet! I could tell they just adore their baby girl. Here are some of my favorites from their session. Thanks Martin family!

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Personal Photos + Black & White Film

Sometimes I shoot film for fun. Mostly for personal work. I love how it pushes me to try new things, learn more and slow down a little. It’s fun not to be able to see the final image right away. I just got back some scans today and thought I would share some of my experiments with you. While there are quite a few that turn out blurry, I got a handful that I really love! Technically, most of them are still really bad haha but they are of my people so they still give me all the feels!

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Spring Break

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

Nelson Family + In-Home Session

My husband and I met Kensey and Alex through mutual friends. They are such an awesome couple and have the most beautiful family! My family took a trip to St. George over spring break and I’m so glad I was able to do this session while we were there! In-home sessions make my heart happy and the Nelson’s dreamy home topped it off for me! I’m in love with how this session turned out. It was such a great mix of smiles, tenderness and playful moments. This family loves to spend time together and just have fun and it shows!

I want to throw in a disclaimer here. When you look through these you might think, “These seem so perfect. My family session would never go this smoothly. I’m terrified of how my kids might act.” You might think this session was just smooth sailing the entire time. It wasn’t. There were times it went perfectly and then there were times none of the kids were listening, the baby was crying and lots of bribes were involved. This isn’t the exception, this is NORMAL! Expect that your kids will have meltdowns and trouble listening. They are kids after all, it happens! Family photos might be a totally new experience for them. There is no such thing as a family session going perfectly. The important thing is to try and not let it ruffle you. Keep smiling and having fun and the kids will feed off of you! We will push through it together and I promise the end result will be worth it! Thank you for having me Nelson Family! You were champs!

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Where to print your photos + It Matters!

Nothing makes my photographer heart happier than to see my clients print their photos and display them in their home. I love when my clients send pictures of my work framed on their walls! I also love printing my own family photos in a photo book and hanging them on my walls. It brings me so much joy to see them often! If I don’t print them, they end up stuck on my computer where I rarely see them. It makes the cost and preparation of getting family photos done feel like a waste! I get asked often where the best place to get photos printed is. My number one response is to use a professional photo lab. It is soooo worth it once you see the difference in quality between them and your typical one-hour photo lab! I offer professional prints and I try hard to keep them affordable because I want all my clients to be able to have quality printed photos. If you are interested, just shoot me an email at madison.jj@hotmail.com and I will send you my pricing list and answer any questions you might have.

I have seen print comparisons online before (this one is great if you want to see a comparison to Costco), but I wanted to do an experiment of my own. I chose the two photos below and printed each of them at my professional lab, Wal-Mart and Target to compare. I know we have all been in a hurry to order photos and have ordered them at the closest one hour photo lab to save a little money…. but I’m hoping this post will make you think twice the next time you choose where to print your precious photos. Especially if you will be framing them for your walls!

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Favorite Makeup Artists

Getting ready to be in front of the camera can be stressful! One of the best ways to reduce that stress is to get your makeup professionally done. All of a sudden getting ready is relaxing! You just show up and let the pro take over. They know exactly how to apply makeup in a way that looks AMAZING on camera, but still looks like you. I hired Jill Marie the last time I got my photos taken, and I can’t say enough great things about her. She is so sweet and talented! Utah has so many talented makeup artists and I included a list of my favorites below so you can refer back to it next time you schedule a photo session!

Makeup by Jill Marie. Photo by Melese Miller. [Read more…] about Favorite Makeup Artists