"Too close... a little too close."

Name that movie...

Aladdin... very beginning. Right after "Arabian Nights." Great movie. One of my faves.

It's time...

The time has come for me to start really trying to sell prints. I have had a few clients lately want to buy big images. They are SO beautiful!! So, I am going to really start trying to sell them. I don't think (in fact, I know) people do not see their family pictures as art. When in reality, pictures of your family are the most beautiful pieces of art you can put on your wall.
I also know it's hard to spend a fair amount of money on a canvas or a large print (I'm talking 24"x36") so I am also doing story boards. To show everyone how cool story boards are, I am going to start posting my previews in story board form. They are so pretty and tell such fun stories!! Let me know if you are interested in ordering a canvas or story board and I'll give you a price.
So, that's my soapbox. :) Without further adieu here is my super duper awesomely cool cousin and his family. They have been featured more than once on my blog and I'm sure will be featured for years to come... unless they fire me.... (which probably won't happen since I give them a screamin' deal!)

Bradley and Jessi

A long time ago when Bryan and I met, his baby brother decided he didn't like me. (He now denies this but actions spoke louder than words.) It took me a while to win him over but I finally did and he has had a special place in my heart ever since. (Carter is named after him, in fact.) He is just as much a little brother to me as my own brothers, if not more so because he's so much younger than me. I have told Bryan so many times it's been fun watching Bradley grow up because I some how imagine that is how Bryan was, although Bradley is definitely more confident than Bryan was at his age. It's like getting a little peek into what Bryan was like as a teenager. I can't believe the days of watching him grow up are all gone... now he's a real life adult making really important decisions. Scary!

This is Bradley now, and his darling soon-to-be wifey. She's so very sweet (and obviously beautiful) and we are all excited to get to know her. I seriously canNOT believe that Bradley is old enough to get married. Sometimes I still can't believe he can even drive. Yesterday we went out and spent a few hours taking pictures. These are some of my favorites. The reason I posted these ones is because, aside from the first, they are not "announcement" pictures. I will post some more once they pick their favorites.

My Old Roomie

I have known this girl for YEARS! We met on a semester abroad in New Zealand and have been great friends ever since. Her little ladies are SO cute! They were troopers in the freezing weather and an absolute dream to photograph.

The L Family

I did pictures of this darling family last year and my, how things have changed! Last year, Mommy was super pregnant. Now they have another little boy who, while FREEZING, did wonderfully for the camera. These pictures just melt my little heart. Can't you just feel the love?

17 Again

I cannot even tell you how much FUN I had with these girlies. The one below on the right is my super beautiful SIL. These Seniors have the CUTEST personalities... but I gotta say, being 17 is tiring and I'm glad it's over for me. One thing's for sure, I've never have a photo shoot that has received so many cat calls.

Ok, One More

I felt bad leaving Ryan out so here's one of the perty couple. (now you know why their kids are so cute.)

Our Closest Friends

Last month when we went to San Diego we went with our closest friends. I know I have talked about these guys on my family blog as well as this blog, but I just love them. They are the best!! Now, if only they would get on it and have another babe so Preslee would have a friend. ;) I figure if I'm the squeaky wheel eventually I'll wear them down enough that they'll consider it.

Sorry your face didn't make the cut, Ryan... what can I say... :)

I Literally CANNOT Stand It!!

I'm the first to admit I haven't been doing this photography thing for a million years... but I have seen my fair share of families... cute families... but this one? Well, this family just might take the cake. They were SO well behaved. I can't even stand how cute these kids are! Seriously, the FIRST picture I took could be on a Christmas card. I had so much fun and hopefully so did they.

I don't know what it is about jumping pictures but I just LOVE them. It just allows everyone to loosen up, laugh, and be themselves. And that is what pictures are all about.

Bebe

I love photographing babies! I just do. It's challenging and always a learning experience. Last night while I was talking to this new mommy on the phone she said, "Oh, she's sleeping ALL the time still." Ummm... yeah.... not so much during the session. This little one didn't want to miss a minute of what was going on. But we got some darling pictures and I can't wait to get the whole family in front of the camera next week.

Quick side note: Even though my little squirt is only 2 1/2 months older than this one, there is already such a difference. It makes me sad she's growing up so fast!

The J Family

This family wanted their pictures done at the Temple so they could get a "desert" landscape... I literally started laughing when the Mom told me this. They just moved here from Utah so it makes sense why she thinks this is "desert". To me (and probably most of us) this is as lush as it gets out here in the desert. :)
Anyways, this one is to prove that we got at least TWO good family ones. Little Miss P was SO uninterested in the camera and sitting still it wasn't even funny. But she's so cute it makes up for her wandering. (Including trying to leave the temple grounds with all the Fruit Loops.)

Family

One of the great things about being from a big family is that you get to take pictures of them all around the holidays. I really love it. And I'm lucky because they are all very considerate of my schedule and aren't annoying about getting their pictures back within 20 minutes. :) Plus, it's always fun to take pictures of the people you love.

Nic, this one's for you.... kissing. (Plus, I love the way their cute baby is peering over Daddy's shoulder.)

It was so cute to watch Mommy and Daddy's smiles to go from fake to real the MOMENT their baby started laughing.

I absolutely LOVE this picture! I don't know if I love it more in color or black and white. Isn't she beautiful?

I love getting pictures of babies (especially girls) with their fathers. Daddy's miss out on so much while they're working and that sucks for them. Plus, I know how much is melts me to watch my husband with my girls.

In a Nutshell

This was the photoshoot. But I got some DARLING pictures. More to come.

The C Family

I did family pictures for this beautiful family last year. It's so fun to see how big the kids have gotten. They are such a fun family who made me work hard to get smiles from them. Totally worth it though. :)

The Savvy Photographer

For those of you into photogrpahy, check out The Savvy Photographer. It's a cool blog with some useful info.

Can't Argue with the Arizona Sunsets

They're the best in the world.

Back in the Saddle

Gotta say, it's good to be back out shooting again. Not that I don't TOTALLY adore taking pictures of my kids but it's nice to have a challenge and change of scenery. (Clearly that didn't come out right because my kids are definitely a challenge.) This hot blond number is one of my closest friends from high school. I ADORE her, and her entire family. In fact, she and her hubby (also a really close friend from HS) have been together since they were 15. I've known them all forever. (And boy, do I have stories I could tell about those two...)
Funny story, the first time my friend and I went to her boyfriend/husband's house his younger brother (in the entire family shot) shamelessly flirted with us both. He's... three (?) years younger than us. Now he's a big hot shot but EVERY time I look at him I see that little kid who asked if we were swimsuit models. (Can't remember which of us he asked but I remember we got a real kick out of it.) Good news: He's now an adult... a sweet one.
I LOVE this entire family. All three generations.