In a field of grass...on top of a mountain

Usually, when consulting with clients, I ask if they have an idea of the kind of location they'd like. My suggestions are mountains, near water, field of grass, city, park, etc. These two had planned on their pictures being taken at Tibble Fork canyon, but when I needed to move someplace closer to home, we all took a chance on a photo location I had never visited. Turns out, it's a pretty spectacular field of all kinds of grass. Which also happens to be at the top of a mountain. As Hannah Montana sang, it's the best of both worlds. There was a lot of trust in this session: new location, I was a stranger they found on Facebook, light was a little harsher than I would generally want because of scheduling issues. But all of that trust paid off. I am no longer scared of harsh light, I have a new favorite photo spot, and I love these two beyond words for gifting me such a beautiful session.

Early Start on Senior Sessions

Way back in my days of second shooting for my dad, spring was always senior portrait session. Something surprising to me here in Utah is how many seniors get their pictures done in the fall. I think it's got something to do with yearbook photo submissions (we couldn't submit our own in PA...I don't think...I moved right before senior year so I don't really remember. I think I am in two different Washington yearbooks as a senior, though. But that's another story). Anyway, today I delivered my first senior session of the year.

Pro tip: I told my senior before I took the first picture that I needed him to pretend that he had known me for a really long time, so his pictures didn't have that awkward glaze of "who is this strange girl taking my picture?" Totally worked!

Bonus round! Right after this one an elderly gentleman next to the slide asked if we were married. When I quickly responded, no, we're taking his senior portraits, he replies, "So you're the mom?" 

So apparently my age is incredibly flexible. 

Wedding Bells in Seattle (Alternately titled: Reality Check)

Look at this gorgeous bride: Fantastically beautiful, right? 

Trouble is, when it's your youngest cousin getting married, it doesn't matter that she's an adult now and is definitely old enough to be getting married--she's still going to look 13! So after repeatedly coming to terms with the fact that, yes, Mollie is actually getting married (as opposed to this being the world's most elaborate game of dress up), I was so glad to be part of capturing this beautiful wedding over such a fun weekend. Congratulations to Mollie and Ryan! Don't mind me, I'll just be in my corner, telling myself over and over that we all grew up, even the baby! 

No, Uncle Mike...I didn't take this one...someone with an inappropriate sense of humor stole the camera...

Cutest thing that should be standard at all weddings: during the father/daughter dance, all of the daughters joined in, resulting in several father/daughter huddles. I LOVED it. So cute. 

Congratulations and love to both of you!