Jag is ONE!!
Posted on May 17, 2010
This past weekend, I had the privilege of working with the Gaeta family… all the way from Nebraska! We had some fun chasing kiddos around in the Arizona sun at the Anthem Park. Jag, who turned one while here in AZ visiting family, is a little stud-muffin. Sorry, that is just the only way to describe him. Rian is about 3 days older than my little Sydney… and just as elusive when it comes to picture taking. 
So cute! I kept reassuring Stephanie (Mom) that I totally, TOTALLY understand. As you can see, most of Rian’s images are in motion. Most of the pictures I get of Sydney these days are from the backside of her as she JETS away. Anyhow, Stephanie, it was GREAT to meet you all and I am so pleased that we were able to make this shoot happen on such short notice. Blessings to you guys in Nebraska!
Sometimes you just need to getaway…
Posted on April 24, 2010
… and get away, I did. A couple of weekends ago, I flew, SOLO, to Miami to meet up with some dear girlfriends for a weekend of girl time and photo ops. I mean, hello, its South Beach.
For those of you who don’t know me, I used to L O V E to fly…. anytime, anywhere. I even used to say that i “loved turbulence.”
** insert beginning of tangent ** Of course, that went out the window one fateful 30 minute flight from San Antonio to Houston in 2002. It was the flight from hell. I had just watched “Castaway” that Christmas break and remember specifically telling my mom how unafraid of air travel I was… I believe the words “hey, if its my time to go, might as well be on a plane,” even came out of my mouth that conversation. However, at 25,000 feet on the flight from hell, I quickly recanted, repented and begged God not to say “times up.” I also got incredibly nauseous and felt like screaming with the rest of the plane (oh yes, there was much screaming and dry heaving into barf bags on this flight). When we landed, my legs turned to jello and all I remember is wobbling my way to the airport store and grabbing some Dramamine and taking a double shot of it. You see, I was about to get on leg two of my journey… back on the plane, back into the vicious skies. Ugh. I feel sick remembering it. Of course the absolute highlight was landing in Tulsa and being met by the guy of my dreams (aka my now husband) who I was just starting to dig and who I was hoping was digging me. The only problem is that I was WAY over-medicated with motion sickness medicine. And I looked the part. John’s first words were, ” Man, you don’t look very good.” Yeah….. Charisma isn’t his strong suite. Granted, he was with it enough to totally regret saying that and tried to back-pedal, but alas, it was done. Let’s just say it was a memorable meeting.
And ever since then, every time there is the least little bump in the air, my heart starts racing and my stomach threatens to jump ship. Its awful. One stinking 30 minute flight ruins years of turbulence enjoyment for me.** end tangent **
Anyhow, what I was trying to say is that turbulence aside, I L O V E traveling/flying alone. OMG. Its like a vacation in itself. No diaper bags, no strollers, no checked luggage, no lap baby, nothing. FREEDOM. Its beautiful. And I love flying places.
So I flew to Miami. We lived in Miami for 7 months back in 2004 right before moving to Europe. One of my dearest friends ever was made during that time in Miami (we bonded while barricaded in a house a couple of times during hurricane season). So I needed to get out and see my friend Shannon. At the same time, another dear friend, Alyssa, and I had been talking about doing a photo trip for a long time. She is a mom of seven. She needed the getaway even more than I did. So she met me in Miami and we both crashed at Shannon’s house. It was a great time had by all to be sure. Lots of chilling, talking, walking, driving, eating, walking, hanging out, laughing, and sleeping. Well, sleeping for everyone but me…. my cough decided to take over at night and robbed me of much sleep over the weekend. But the fellowship with mom-friends made up for it in a big way.
Lakelyn loved Miami. Thought she was in a parade the whole time and just waved excessively to everyone on South Beach. She was a hit.
welcome to SOBE yo.
ok, what you don’t see in this next pic is the 4 other containers of dessert that Lys treated us to on our last night. Mmmmmmmm……..
On the last day in Miami, Shannon arranged a fun shoot with two models from her/our (we used to go to the same one) church. These gals were the best… very chill, very fun, very laid back, and of course knock down gorgeous. They let us dress them up any which way we wanted, which was way fun. Alyssa is the fashionista of the group and it was fun seeing her throw together outfits that would have taken me a week to piece together. The only unfortunate thing is that a storm blew in and dumped on us literally as we were getting into our cars and heading to scout out some photo locations. Well, we thought it was a bummer, but when we found this abandoned parking lot under a bridge with reflective pools of water and funky colored walls all around, we realized we just scored a fantastic photo op.
Meet Sierra (yup, she models and acts… look for her on the big screen, yo!)
And Kirah (uh, huh…. amazing model)
Comments
2 Comments so far-
April 25, 2010 at 7:08 pm -
awesome. Every bit of it.
you and Shannon are the real deal. It was so great getting to know u both better~ -
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Baby Harlow ~ Scottsdale Newborn Photography
Posted on March 31, 2010
Wow - what a doll!!! Although Harlow didn’t want to cooperate with us and slip into sweet sleep for most of the session, I outlasted her. But seriously, as cute and timeless sleeping baby pictures are, Harlow’s expressions and smiles were to die for. Molly and Doug, thank you both so much for allowing me to capture this precious stage in your beautiful baby’s life, as well as your lives as a new family of three. I hope these bring joy to your heart each time you look at them in the years to come! Blessings to you guys!
Oh yeah, and Molly? Your props and accessories were simply perfect!
Sneak Peak: Jenny and Topher’s Wedding
Posted on March 20, 2010
Yeah…. running behind here… Jenny and Christopher got hitched last weekend at Starfire Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. The weather was amazing. The light was just golden. There are so many images I want to share, but until I get caught up, the following handful of images will have to tide you over!
Jenny and Topher had to be THE most excited bride and groom in the history of the world. Totally serious here. I have never seen anyone so giddy with anticipation and excitement. They worked overtime to make their day the most memorable of their lives thus far. Two examples of this… First, they each wrote part of their vows to surprise the other with. But instead of sharing them with each other (and the other couple of hundred guests) for the first time during the ceremony, they chose to share them with each other while we were doing a “first look” session before the ceremony. It was so sweet. So tender. Secondly, they took each other’s rings and had something special inscribed on the inside as a surprise. After the ceremony, they were sitting in the golf cart and ripped off their rings as soon as they could and read the special messages. How cool is that? I love it.
There were many examples of that special touch throughout their wedding day. More on that later… for now, the images! Aren’t they just FUN?
nothing screams SPRING WEDDING like tulips!!
did i mention that jenny and topher are just plain FUN? fun to be with, fun to be around, fun to watch them having fun together.
i love the symbolism of their joined hands leading them into their new life together!!
the light was DELICIOUS!
I LOOOOVE the next two. OMG. Look at each “pose” in the air. The perfect jumping pic!
Victoria || Phoenix Christian School Senior
Posted on March 5, 2010
I had such a pleasure shooting Victoria’s senior pictures at her family’s dairy in Tolleson. Victoria had her eye on the oat field across the street for some time and dreamed of having her senior pictures taken there. And geez, when I saw the green field I started salivating. You don’t find green grassy fields in the Phoenix area very often. What fun! Victoria’s cousin, Angel, joined us for pics as well. What fun to have such close cousin-friends! It was really fun to scout around the dairy and pic some cool places to take the photos. I think the girls had fun, too!
meet Victoria:
and Angel:
cousin-friends:
i {heart} faces
Posted on February 23, 2010
when i saw the title of this week’s i {heart} faces blog, HANDS ON FUN, i immediately thought of this image i took of Adelaide’s sweet hands during a tea party we had. to participate, head over to i {heart} faces site.
Megan & Jamie ~ ENGAGED!
Posted on February 16, 2010
I met up with Megan and Jamie E A R L Y sunday morning at the Tempe Center for the Arts. It was my first time to shoot there and it was just awesome… What is even more awesome is that it is the location of Megan and Jamie’s wedding reception in June. Oh yeah baby. Loving it! You know, some people just work so well in front of the camera. Not that they are “working it,” but more that the camera just seems to love them and they are natural and comfortable in front of it. That was the case with my 5D and Megan and Jamie. The session was short and sweet, super easy. I think the pictures speak for themselves here, and i couldn’t be happier to work with this couple in the months to come!
Camden is ONE!!
Posted on February 16, 2010
What a load of cuteness. Seriously. I think I said something like “OMG that’s perfect. Wow. It doesn’t get any cuter than THAT…” about 20 times during the session. It has been so fun to see Cam grow up. He even lived with our crazy family (with his parents of course ) for a month this summer. We have some incriminating photos (that I will reserve for some significant milestones in life… like his rehearsal dinner slideshow for one) of him wearing princess paraphernalia in our house.
Enough talking…. you just have to see the pics!!! We love you guys, Grove family, and are really thankful for your friendship as fellow transplants in Phoenix!
I WON!!!
Posted on February 16, 2010
Thank you all for voting for my image of Kyndle and Layne on Me Ra Koh’s blog recently! You all are the best!!! This totally made my day today.
Definitely check out Me Ra’s blog and check out her upcoming contests. They really are a great way to challenge yourself creatively and technically (depending on the theme) and just to have alot of fun. The photography community is a very welcoming place and a fun place to hang out.
YEA!!!!!!
sugar and spice
Posted on February 13, 2010
definitely what my girls are made of… ones a little more sugary and the other a little spicier. i think from these pics you can tell who is who. these were taken as the girlies dresses up in their respective dress up clothes and proceeded to have a dance party in the living room area. i just love having girls and love seeing their very distinctive personalities emerging. and as the country song goes… when they get the choice to sit it out or dance,
i hope they dance. always.
you can see more of these images on my personal blog HERE.
Could they be any cuter??? Could they be any better??…NO!…Thank you from the bottom of my heart for stepping in on such short notice, (God always has a plan….and YOU were it!:)…..the photos are absolutely the BEST I have seen in a long time…I can tell I will be ordering a bunch…every photo I came to was…”Oh, I love that”….You have a special gift and I can’t wait for you to do our “Kohner” family portraits…I won’t have anyone else do it!!! Thanks again, Chelsea!!!