Family Portraits :: A New Addition

Family Portraits :: Tobin Turns One!

Gosh, do kids grow up fast. It's a cliche, but so true! I can already tell I'm going to be the aunt that kids get annoyed at -- the one that constantly tells them how big they are and how it wasn't too long ago when she held them as wee little babies.

Has it already been a year since I visited this sweet boy in the hospital, the day after his birth? Now he's walking, laughing and looking more like a handsome little boy.

One Frame :: Big Blue Sky

Just one frame to share with you while I work on this cute family's session. Can't wait to share the rest!

The Lush Green Desert :: Family Portraits

Did you know that the desert can be surprisingly lush and green? I didn't, until we happened upon this little oasis at the Salt River.

Maybe it's just that this is one of the kindest families I know, or that there was just a touch of magic to the light that day... but I an currently in love with this session and I think I will be for a while.



Can you blame me? How adorable are they?!



To me, family photography is about capturing your life. It helps to have a beautiful backdrop and cute photo props, but nothing beats authenticity. Being present with those you love and letting your love show. That's what it's all about.

Thank you for letting me be around for these moments. Your joy fills me with life.

Family Portraits :: A Summer Treat

What do you do in the middle of summer, when it's too hot to be outside for more than 10 minutes? You do your family photo shoot in an adorable frozen yogurt shop and dress your family in equally adorable outfits.

Somebody in the fro-yo shop said that we looked like we were shooting a magazine spread. I think they are pretty magazine-worthy. Don't you think? 

This is my second shoot with them. The kids have already grown so much since our first shoot (I know, Amanda has the most creative ideas and outfits for her family)!

Just a year ago that kid was just a babe and sleeping in that buggy. Now he's standing in it?!
After some cool treats, we mustered all of our energy for a quick 15-minute shoot downtown. I love all the new murals that are popping up in the arts district! So colorful and fun.

Family Portraits :: Edgells

It's the middle of summer. Triple digits. The sun is suddenly our enemy. It's about this time of the year that we Phoenicians are asking ourselves why the heck we live here. Are we crazy?

It is now that I have to remind myself of the rest of the year, the days where I don't curse at the sun every time I go outside. I maybe even liked being outside and in the sun. Do these day exist? It seems like I can't even remember anymore... until something as sweet as this family session brings me out of my silly melodrama and into reality. ;)

This beautiful family session took place this spring. The Edgell family met me at South Mountain for a mix of edgy old ruin and desert landscape. That sweet desert sunshine gave us the perfect afternoon light!






So gorgeous, Becky. Love your eyes here!




Love love love this one of A. Something about her expression says so much about how it feels to be 5 years old. A lot of times, I talk to kids as I'm snapping their photo to get genuine expression out of them.
"A, I love your smile. You look like a princess. Does anyone ever call you a princess?"
"Yeah," she said as she looked down with a sly smile.
"Really? Who?"
"My daddy!" she beamed as she looked up at me.
That exchange just about killed me with sweetness. At that moment, I decided that I needed to have a daughter someday. :)

And now, I leave you with this beauty. This image begs (and demands!) to be blown up on a canvas and put up in the living room!

Alright, so this is why I love living in Phoenix. That gorgeous sunshine.

Splishy Splashy

A few months ago a introduced you to baby Nathan and his adorable DIY nursery. You already know that Amanda's got skills in the craftiness arena. When it came time for her family shoot, she wasn't going to settle for a standard one.

One of the things I love about Amanda is that she's always looking for ways to create sweet memories with her kids. Why not make the photo shoot one of those memories?

When she emailed me about the idea of a family painting session, I was totally on board. Sometimes it can be challenging to get three little ones to sit still and smile pretty for photos. One good way to get around that is to plan the photo session around an activity. I love doing lifestyle photography because I get to be there to capture real smiles, real moments, real emotions. Trends in styling and photo editing can come and go, but photos that are honest and real are timeless.

To be on the side, we first did a few "normal" shots in case they decide to go with a more traditional look for Christmas cards.


Yeah, I know... photogenic much?!


Love these of James. Look at those cheeks!



And now for the fun!