Utah Family Photographer | June 11 on 11

(This is the sixth post in an 11-on-11 project I am participating in this year with a group of insanely talented photographers from around the world. 11 pictures, on the 11th of each month. The only “rule” is one of the images has to be a self portrait.  To see last months post click HERE) 

If you are here from the fabulous Square Balloon, welcome and thank you for stopping by!

Summer is here and with it comes fun and relaxation.  Now, I'll be the first to admit that summers can also be long and slightly agonizing...but this post I'm going to focus on some of the positive happenings and favorite activities around my house while summer is still shiny and new.  I really love the chance to spend more time with my kids and doing things that tend to get pushed off during the hectic school year.  

Hope you enjoy our early summer days of...

Soaking.

Water ballooning.

 Stopping to smell the flowers.

 Sibling bonding.

Rainbow chasing.

4-wheeling.

Nap time evading.

Destroying...aka hanging with dad.

And of course, bumping and bruising.

The selfie.  Baring it all here - no makeup, no editing magic.  Complete with wrinkles, age spots and uncombed hair.  Figure I've earned all of it...

Thank's so much for looking!  Now please continue your blog circle journey and visit the wonderful Sarah Cambio of Sarah Cambio Photography.

If you are interested in booking a session with me, I would love to CHAT or feel free to visit my information page for details and pricing.  I post all of my current work as well as pictures from my 365 project on Facebook so feel free to "like" and follow along!

Utah Family Photographer | May 11-on-11

(This is the fifth post in an 11-on-11 project I am participating in this year with a group of insanely talented photographers from around the world. 11 pictures, on the 11th of each month. The only “rule” is one of the images has to be a self portrait.  To see last months post click HERE) 

Last weekend we drove up a local canyon looking for a field I had heard about that blooms with wildflowers in the summer months.  I knew the field wouldn't have wildflowers right now, but wanted to find it and see if it had potential for later use.  We made it almost all the way to the top of this "curvy, wurvy mountain" (from the mouth of my 6 year old) only to discover that the road was closed.  Bummer. Since I'd gotten my boys dressed up in matching undershirts and wife beaters, I didn't want to let the opportunity go to waste, so we initiated plan B - which was to turn around, shoot from the hip and find an alternate location before we reached the bottom of the canyon...

I'm actually glad the supposed wildflower field didn't work out.  At first glance I don't think I would have considered this location because it's a popular view area that overlooks the valley we live in.  But I was feeling a little desperate, so we parked, followed a small dirt trail and found this gorgeous little area that could have been used to film "The Sound of Music".  After the initial grumblings and a few dreaded "posed" shots, I cut 'em loose and told them to go explore.  They raised their eyebrows and looked at me with disbelief for a few seconds and then took off down the trail and never looked back.  

To me, these pictures are spontaneous, carefree and just plain lovely.  An unexpected location filled with adventure and happiness.  Hope you enjoy our little mountain field.

This girl lives to twirl...

When all else fails...kick up your skirt and run.

My junk treasure finder...

With my camera balancing precariously between two rocks, I managed to snap the selfie for this month.  

This one picture cost me $8 in bribery money at the dollar store.  Haha

I just adore these crazy, finagling kids.

Thank's so much for looking!  Now please continue your blog circle journey and visit the beautiful and fabulously talented Columbus Ohio photographer Fran Barker Photography.

If you are interested in booking a session with me, I would love to CHAT or feel free to visit my information page for details and pricing.  I post all of my current work as well as pictures from my 365 project on Facebook so feel free to "like" and follow along!

Utah Lifestyle Newborn Photographer | Baby C

So, I've started considering myself a lifestyle-ish newborn photographer.  Not sure if that is an official category of photography, but it's where I feel like I fit.  I left behind my traditional studio about 6 months ago and haven't looked back since.  Photographing newborns in their own home as given me reign to embrace my more artistic side when it comes to newborns.  I love capturing unique angles and using natural light to give my pictures an airy and emotional feel.

This session is one of my recent favorites.  The little peanut is the 5th boy in his family!  The last picture with all the boys I consider a miracle shot, since we were able to get all 4 older boys looking at me at the same time, with somewhat decent expressions on their faces.  I admit may or may not have had to remove a fruit snack that was stuck to the 18 month olds face, since that was the only way we could get him to sit still for more than 2 seconds, but fruit snacks can work wonders with toddlers and whatever works right?

If you are interested in booking a newborn session with me you please visit my information page or contact me, I would love to hear from you!  If you would like to see all my current work check out my Facebook page.  Thanks so much and enjoy this sweet little chub and his handsome big brothers.

Bloom and Grow Photography | Day 100 (Utah Family Photographer)

Here it is, day 100 of my "365 - a picture a day" project.  First of all, I can't believe I've made it this far.  When I set this goal back in January, I really wasn't sure how well I would do.  I tend to be a tad lazy about pulling my camera out unless I'm on a scheduled photoshoot...

I admit that some days I dread having to come up with a picture, but I can also say that this has been such a rewarding experience.  Not only do I feel like I've grown as a photographer, but I've also captured moments that are so precious and special to our family.  My kids love looking through these pictures and laughing at themselves.  These images have captured our everyday lives and are memories that I know will be cherished.

So, in honor of day 100, I've posted some of my favorite images so far from the year.  Each picture has a story behind it and I sit here and smile as I look through.  If you've have ever considered a 365 or something similar, I encourage you to give it a try.  I think you will be surprised at how much you can end up enjoying the challenge.  Hope you enjoy a recap of my 100 days.

Bloom and Grow Photography | Baby C (Utah Birth Newborn Photographer)

(This is the fourth post in an 11-on-11 project I am participating in this year with a group of insanely talented photographers from around the world. 11 pictures, on the 11th of each month. The only “rule” is one of the images has to be a self portrait. To see the previous posts click HERE or how about HERE.)

Something a little different this month.  This is my bestie, best friend, BFF or whatever you want to call her.  We met a few years back, okay more like 8 years back, when she moved into the house two doors down from me.  I brought her a plate of cookies (because I'm an awesome neighbor like that) and we have been inseparable ever since.

She recently gave birth to her one, two, three, four... oh yeah, FIFTH BOY and asked if I would be willing to take birth pictures.  I jumped at the chance to seal our friendship in stone and be a part of this special moment.

I can't even begin to describe what an incredible experience this was.  It's very different being a spectator during a delivery instead of the one in labor.  These pictures are intense, tender and real.  Like truly moments that will never happen again even if you have multiple pregnancies because each one is so different.  I look through the pics I took and even I want to start crying.

It was impossible to narrow over 400 hundred pictures down to 11.  As you can see, I ended up with 11ish...for this post groupings of pictures count as one. :)  Hope you enjoy the birth of Baby Cohen.

And the selfie...one day this will get easier to take, right??

Thanks so much for browsing!

Now continue the circle and head on over to visit the lovely and incredibly talented Taryn Boyd with Blu Hippo Photography.