Kristy and Phil Wedding Images

Kristy and Phil finally got hitched! They've been together for a few years and are high school sweethearts :o) Their family has always been so kind to me, so it was an honor to be there for this sweet and photogenic couple! Congrats guys!

Kristy's Bridals

Kristy and Phil were married over the weekend in an intimate little ceremony on an old farmstead in Utah, Wadley Farms. NOW I can finally post her bridals. I'm still playing with different editing techniques, so their kind of all over the place as far as look goes. I love 'em, hope you do too ;o)

Kristy and Phil Engagement Images

This is my most favorite engagement session yet! Kristy's oldest sister was married two years ago and was my favorite wedding... everyone involved was so kind, Ashley and Kyle were absolutely in love and the colors were just delicious (greens and pinks). I'm thrilled with how these turned out, not being able to narrow them down to just a few. Next weekend I'll be taking Kristy's bridals then she and Phil are getting hitched December 15 (thus the #15 in one picture).

My Friend, Colby

You've seen some of my other cute boys from Sunday school class. I've taken headshots of Rex, Danny and Brenen for their missions and Jared for prom (I've searched and can't find that yummy picture right now - his mom has an 8x10 on her living room wall that gets lots of gasps and compliments then they ask "who is that?" not realizing it's Jared - he gets a little miffed that it's not obvious, hahaha, he should wear a tux more often). We've been planning to take Colby's football pictures for a while except he didn't have his uniform until after we moved and football season is just about over.

Oh, p.s... I didn't know a lick about football (I pick my favorites based on the uniforms) but finally got to see Colby play last Friday (against a team with REALLY ugly uniforms). His dad explained enough to me that I was catching on and really liking the experience (a little chilly, luckily they brought me blankets). Tough part was finding the ball (that sucker is TINY) and watching Colby limping on his swollen knee he twisted earlier. The momma bear in me wanted to run down there and demand he stay off it and ice, ice baby. His mom said the same thing and dared me to do it. I was THIS close to running onto the field. Anyway, it was a whole lotta fun, he was fun to watch (makes it more interesting when you KNOW someone on the field) and I I might get to see him play next weekend when I'm in Utah again.

So, my flight out of Utah was Sunday afternoon. Most of the people around my neck of the woods were still in church so I got Colby to give me a ride (and gave him an excuse to get out of the third hour of church). With a few minutes to spare (wasn't checking luggage and already had my boarding pass, yay Southwest airlines!) we pulled over into the cell phone waiting lot next to the airport and I snapped a few headshots under the hatchback door at the back of the car because it was straight up sunshine.

Oh, I should take this moment to mention how lucky I am to have such great boys in my life (they've taught me WAY MORE than I've taught them, that's for sure)! I am glad we're friends and not just teacher/student (they've gotten a rippin' when introducing me as their "teacher" and don't do that anymore). These are great men that can do great things!

Colby, my friend, I'm so very proud of you and am honored to know you and your darling family (squeeze your little brother for me, not too hard though). Be good or I will kick your arse. That's a promise! And next time, help me catch the horse.

Susie's Cutie's

Who could ask for more in cute kids? Holy smokes, these guys are darling and I have the best job! I had fun hanging with Susie and her family at Sundance (why go anywhere else... it's so BEAUTIFUL there; man, I'm gonna miss being able to just hop on over there whenever I want). Hope you like these... they are some of my favorites :o)

I have more pictures coming soon. So much to do, so little time... ieieieieieieie!

My Friend and Her Girls

Holy smokes, Batman, I am so excited to show you the fun images I have captured recently! So many more to come but here's one family to get you started...

This Girl is NOT Ugly

Who's ugly? NOT THIS girl :o) Click on the "ugly" link for a riveting read. Hear, hear!!!

Love, Lucky

Missionary Pictures

These are some of the boys I teach in Sunday School at church. The first two are in the mission field now and the last one pictured is about to turn in his paperwork to become a missionary.

For the class I teach (there are about 6 in there from 16-18, only one girl), I've offered to take their senior or missionary pictures. For payment, I ask that they serve an honorable mission (or if they're not going on a mission, then I just want them to be good kids).

The first 2 boys turned in their own snapshots with their paperwork (I was out of town) and I took these afterwards for their plaque that's on display at the church while they're gone for 2 years.

But for this one I took the picture to turn in. The first was our favorite but you gotta turn in a smiling picture so we used the 2nd one.

Nice smiling picture, right? Well, they asked that we do it again and this time have a lighter background, better lighting (who says MORE light is BETTER light? pshaw) and the shoulders need to be visible. Tie me up, why don't cha... restrictions.


I wasn't looking forward to how the picture would turn out because I thought it'd end up stale. But I think we did alright (my favorite is the 2nd but he'll turn in the first).

Top Scholar 2007 MBA program University of Nevada, Reno

This is my daddy (hi, daddy). I am very proud of my dad.

He married my mom when I was just 5, moved us around the country (California, Florida, New Mexico 5th grade through junior in HS & Washington for senior year plus a couple years) and out of it (Germany for 3) while serving in the armed forces long enough to retire a Lt. Colonel (he once had a job that was so top secret that his office was in an actual vault - pretty dang cool).
He graduated with his bachelors degree from the University of Washington in his early 20's, flew as a navigator in fighter jets (went to the REAL "Top Gun") and aerial refueling tanker aircrafts. He worked with the DEA tracking drug dealers and was offered a job as dean of a state university (but it was in a farming state so I'm glad it didn't work out because I thought I'd have to walk my cow to high school). His nickname in the military was "Doc" because he's so friggin' smart. With all that experience, expertise and training he decided after retiring that he'd go get a job to keep him busy, supplement the retirement pay and have fun with people... so he went to a casino to be a game dealer.

Craps is our family specialty but he can deal anything. Seriously, what some call "family night" we would set up the craps table downstairs and double down and yell for 7 or 11 :o)

Anyway... he didn't last long dealing (which is too bad because he has fun doing it) and soon moved into supervisory type positions because he was over-qualified.

Long story short he decides to sell the house in Spokane (Mead, technically, but more people have heard of Spokane... just like we say we're from Seattle but really it's Redmond or Woodinville), move to Reno, Nevada (Fernley, technically), and attend UNR to get his MBA, concentrating on Casino Management plus work full-time at a casino.

On May 18, 2007, my dad graduated with a 4.0 as the TOP SCHOLAR (number 1, as in no other nor a tie) in the MBA graduate program, summa cum laude, at UNR.

I wish I could've been there cheering him on but since I wasn't I dedicate this post to my daddy.

"Way to go, daddy!"

Another Groomer with Pet Picture

Yesterday I shot the latest member of our local dog grooming shop with her pug (I'm still not sure if the dog was looking at me but we think she was). Love the colors!

P.S. If you're a new reader and don't know what I'm talking about... we take our Shih Tzu/Maltese doggie to our local groomer every other week and I take 8x10 headshots of all the groomers with their pet for the shop wall.

Miriam's Bridals

Ahh, finally... Miriam's bridals! I was saving these for after the wedding so Nick wouldn't see them but I guess it was inevitable that he would (they're TOO cute).

Miriam and I drove down south to Eureka, Utah on Memorial weekend to get some rustic lovin' in a town of about 800 residents. There weren't many people to be seen but a silver Dodge truck kept driving past us then turning around at the end of the street to do it again. A little girl came out of an antique store holding an "open" sign pointed at us ;o) Another little girl came over and asked Miriam why she was dressed like a princess. She explained that she's getting married. Then the little girl said, "I am going to get married someday, but not until I'm older... like 16." hahaha We laughed inside until she was out of earshot.

Then we drove further south to the sand dunes to duck and dodge out of the way of all the ATV's and 4-wheelers. After climing up the steep hill carrying my black chair, we had a hard time seeing anything because of the high afternoon sun but Miriam managed by closing her eyes until I said "three" and I just hoped for the best because I couldn't get a very good reading. I think we did a'ight and I LOVE that we had some clouds in the sky.

Too many favorites, again, but I hope you like them...

Nick & Miriam Engagement Pictures

These are my friends, Nick & Miriam. We've known Nick since we moved to Utah (he's Cathy's BIL). He's a good man who's first wife died of a rare liver cancer about a year ago. Miriam is a school teacher and looking forward to becoming a mom to Ally! They are getting married this summer in New Mexico (hey - I'm from Clovis!). We had fun taking pictures at Memory Grove in Salt Lake City then going for Thai afterwards (the way to my heart is sometimes through my stomach). Hope you like them...

Q: I am having trouble narrowing down my favorites which results in posting a lot of pics. Should I post less or do you think the more the merrier?

Family Pics ala Bek

Have you been itchin' to see more images from Lucky Red Hen? Me too! I was lucky (get it?) to shoot some family pics for our beautiful friend, Bek, when they were here finalizing their latest adoption.

CJane Turned 30 A While Ago

Recently, our dear CJane turned 30 and I got to take some darling (in my not-so-humble opinion) images of this transition. If you ask me, she doesn't look a day over 20-something! The first is her and Chup's favorite (2nd to last is mine).

Q: Do YOU have a favorite? Would YOU hire me to take your portrait if money was no object? If so, would YOU like to take advantage of my LUV discount for a limited time offer (depending on availability) for a portrait session?

Geo's Birthday Wish Come True

I consider myself to be thoughtful in my gift giving.

If I cannot come up with a gift that is a) needed, b) desired or c) thoughtful beyond measure then I will give nothing at all. My thoughts are there, and it IS the thought that counts, right? However, nothing material will come from me unless I find it to be perfect (ask igottab. about her mousse).

I've been known to find the perfect gift for someone and hold onto it until there's a reason to give. However, it's really hard for me to have something to give and not give it right away or spoil the surprise and tell the recipient what it is.

Wanna walk with me in my mind and figure out WHY I am so particular about this? Come, walk and I'll explain.

(we're walking, we're walking, we're walking...)

If we are to be friends, or you're a stranger that wants to give me a gift (which I'm FINE with, really), then the following is VERY IMPORTANT for you to understand.

I do NOT like receiving a gift that isn't a) needed, b) desired or c) thoughtful beyond measure... but most of all (here's the clincher) I really don't like getting something unless it's EXACTLY what I've asked for.

GASP - shock - RUDE! I know.

Yes, I said (typed) it for all to see. I know I'm supposed to be grateful for whatever I am given, but isn't it easier to be grateful when it's EXACTLY what I want?

Here's the thing though... you won't be penalized for NOT giving me a gift. Your presence is present enough. Really. If it bothers you that you can't GIVE me anything, then you could DO something for me instead: weed my flower beds, shovel the snow from my walks, take me to lunch (you don't even have to buy mine), write me a love note (doesn't need to be romantic to be a love note, silly), send me a text message, plan a get together or come visit (the kids can play downstairs). I don't need stuff that I don't need... know what I mean?

When Geo posted her birthday wish list I figured it's about time I do something thoughtful & keep myself from becoming too self-absorbed (especially in the gift receiving department). She asked for 4x6 pictures of her friends for a "Who loves ya, baby?" album. I take pictures so this request is right up my alley!

I emailed a handful of our bloggy friends with the invitation to come over for a quick mug shot and this is what we got...

The last four were from other shoots... the first of the last 4 is CJane's 30th birthday portrait (which reminds me I need to post her cute shoot - I'll do that this week), the 2nd is Azucar at her baby shower, the 3rd is also from the shower and the last is yours truly using the timer on my point-n-shoot when I was still stuck in Vegas.

Q: What are your thoughts about gift giving/receiving?

Vegas Shoot with Alyson & Ryan

This couple is SO darling - Alyson's absolutely gorgeous and SUPER nice and Ryan is a hunka hunka sweetness. They oozed loveliness. I had SO much fun shooting them in Vegas with Chris + Lynn, and a few other forum friends, that I'd shoot them any day of the week! We were outside Bally's at 8pm in low-light conditions with only a hand-held mini light. I think I'm getting a handle on these tricky lighting situations!

1. I love this B/W version... sultry.

2. This wall with the yellow curb line... fun!

3. Love these moments.

4. LOVE the lines in this one!

5. Love the COLOR in this one - and their SMILES!

6. I think I'm enlarging this one for my wall. LOVE the light playing off the shadows.

7. Moments. "How does it make you FEEL?" the great Joe Buissink says. Plus I am a sucker for the mans hand on a womans neck and cheek like that. Yummy!

8. This silver/red conversion is tasty. LOVE her look in this one!

9. Yet another moment. LOVE these shots!

10. My other favorite. LOVE the lines, colors and how she POPS there at the bottom.

Q: Have any comments? I'd love to hear what you think!

OneLight Workshop with Zack Arias

Alright. I am BACK. Missed me? I missed you.

First thing's first. The ROCKIN' OneLight Workshop with Zack Arias, some old friends and some new ones. Zack coined the phrase "Tiger Flash" for those who are scared of it (like a tiger is attached to it). With the get-together the night before (thanks, Jeremy, for the asparagus and Kate for the salmon) then the next day until almost 2am, about 10 of us soaked in all Zack's lighting goodness. Here's a few images that I've finally edited...

As a side-note: I'm not a fan of Ford vehicles in general (the T150 trucks are a'ight) but I AM a fan of old stuff... in case you were wondering where the Ford picture came from.

***After the OneLight Workshop I rode to Las Vegas for the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International conference. I am THRILLED with the images I got from a shoot last Monday and will get them edited today (hopefully). Took some other fun picks from the trip so check back often!

Kate & Matt Wedding in Arizona

When I was in Arizona I had the pleasure of 3rd shooting Kate & Matt's wedding with Studio Aimee in Scottsdale. These 2 are SO in love and absolutely sweet on each other. Everyone in the wedding party was exceptionally nice which made it a breeze for taking pictures. Thanks, Aimee, for letting me tag along. This is what I saw...

Jockey's & horses were playing polo throughout the ceremony.
Reminding me a little of James Dean, I couldn't help but take this one.Kate's about to walk down the aisle. A close friend singing a Tracy Chapman song; it was beautiful.
Kate's mom and grandmother wore this veil at their weddings.

As soon as I pressed the shutter button I knew this would be my favorite.
Kate and her mom.
I was in charge of the groomsmen...
Ben, he caught the garter & is engaged to a bridesmaid.
Josh, the best man
James
Patrick, he was my helper to gather the fellas.
What helpful groomsmen.

Rainy CA Beach eSession... a la Fireman

This couple was really sweet and willing to do anything (well, almost) for our cameras. They got soaked from the get-go and were real troopers through it all. We had the fabulous John Michael Cooper leading this shoot and learned a lot from him (don't touch the sand was a big lesson). He wasn't as nervous about his gear getting wet as I was (mine was only a few days old; had it covered with a plastic bag and stuck an umbrella into my jacket, trying to keep it balanced against my head and not poke into the other photogs all around) nor did he mind rolli