My son | Kirkland, WA photographer

This little guy is always on the go!  While he is very capable of down time, her prefers to be playing, pretending and imagining.  Gone are the days that he was content on the family room floor.  I miss his chubby cheeks that were even bigger than his sister’s, I miss his feet doing circles as he concentrated, I miss rocking him in the middle of the night, I miss his middle of the night visits when he was scared, I miss those tiny flip flops, and the list goes on.  Now I enjoy playing trains, making his favorite dish-macaroni and cheese, making play date arrangements, seeing his sweet face as my daily alarm, watching him imagine a world and using the most incredible sound effects! When I get out the camera, he runs or walks backwards to avoid being “caught”.  He is goofy and I was proud of this capture!

He has always been a mellow guy, eager to give compliments and make one feel loved.  He didn’t walk until he was 18 months and I was never worried-I enjoyed having him close to me for longer than normal.  It is interesting that first-borns (my daughter) get to be the experiment child.  We learn and grow as parents with them, learn when to be worried and when to let go.  After child number one, we think a dropped pacifier will be just fine, a wet diaper for more than 20 seconds will be just fine, a dirty outfit will not put us on the CPS list, and that kids will develop and grow regardless of what we want or don’t want for them.  Our passions as parents are reflected in the way we raise our children. 

I love being a mother and I am very grateful for the experience-one of complete sacrifice on one hand and selfishness on the other.  Motherhood is a sacrifice as you give up your time to serve those in your care (constantly and continually) and selfishness because rearing children can be so rewarding and an emotional gift.  My children challenge me and I often lose patience.  I have to remind myself to stay calm, talk with kindness and show respect.  But through our daily challenges, we grow closer and we love deeper, sassiness and disrespect and all!  : )

The archives | Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

I love going back, reviewing the past.  I often find pictures that didn’t stick with me the first time I viewed them.  As I change, I find myself liking images that may not have impacted me on round one.  So, you can understand why round two (maybe three and four) is needed.  ; )  So, I remember being in this family’s backyard and while some of the members were putting on shoes or finalizing their last minute preparations for pictures, I took a stroll with the ones that were ready.   We were getting a grasp on lighting.  They were so accommodating and cooperative.  Maybe there was no pressure, they were simply allowing me to “get ready” for pictures.  Typically the bottom of shoes isn’t a pleasant view and maybe frowned upon (and possibly offensive in some cultures??) but aren’t rules made to be broken? : ) 

The Amazing Gager! |Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

This cute little boy (my nephew) is quite the entertainer.  He loves Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and doesn’t go anywhere without his weapon.  He often refers to himself as Donatello (or one of the other TMNT).  As you can see, he tucks the weapon in his pants when not in use.  He sleeps this way, eats this way, and even tries to go to the bathroom this way.  ; )  This is exactly who he is at age 4! 

Let’s Dance | Queen Creek Photographer

THIS is why I love doing what I do…  Can you even look at these without smiling?  Sometimes goofy really is best.  Remember my thoughts about being REAL?  Can you argue or disagree with their cute little personalities?  They were getting ready for a recital and these little ladies needed to have pictures in their costumes. Sometime (soon) the costumes will be put away, their bodies will grow to the next costume and these days will be a faint memory that only a mother could describe.  It’s hard to imagine that these days will go by as some days feel long and full.  But, its true.  They grow up!  And, want to know the worst part?  Someday they will be “too cool” for this sort of goofiness.  Their portraits at that time will take on new meaning and it will be just as wonderful but definitely different.  In the meantime, let’s take advantage of the moments they share and give away!

Dan | Queen Creek Photographer

Dan the man (well, closer to 14) was in my studio the other day.  What a handsome fellow and quite funny!  I was playing with lighting, using the window light and flash to fill.  I am currently in love with this session because I adore this teenager look, his smile, love the soft background, the side lighting, and that blue tie.  Is it always the last session you love most?  Oh, and he chose one of my favorite colors-GREEN.  Did he do that on purpose?  ; ) 

Headshots | Queen Creek Photography

Another opportunity to do some real life grown-ups!  Sasha has a heart of gold, I could see that the first time we met!  Her devotion to family is incredible, I sorta wished she was in my family!  ; )  Our goal was to capture her true self, her real smile and her relaxed approach to business and friendship.  She made the session so simple and unique, I was able to get to know her and a little bit of her background.  You know what was even more amazing?  …Her ability to make a decision!  WOW!  I liked her goofiness, her light heartedness and her real-life-ed-ness.  I know, my words are sometimes questionable but how else do you describe it? 

Mommy | Mesa, AZ photography

I was lucky enough to be the one to snap her headshots.  She has been seen in the movie Joseph and in Emma Smith: My Story.  She is updating her pictures and guess what-she would offend me if she used somebody else.  Ha, kidding.  I won’t mention her age but I will say that she is almost 30 years older than me (and I’m 34).  : )  She looks fantastic and is embracing her age.  She never wants her hair colored, doesn’t want any magic done on Photoshop-she just is who she is!  My mom is older and wiser-how’s that? 

Birthday #8 | Queen Creek Photography

This birthday is special for her, she has turned eight and will be getting baptized.  I am a fan of the new color idea.  (there I go again, displaying my love for color.)  She had a darling white dress with white leggings and a bright turquoise cardigan and flower in her hair.  So fun, so colorful, but yet room for the traditional white.  Also, I like how times are a changing and now pictures for eight year olds are becoming more popular! 

My bro | Mesa, AZ Photography

This is my brother.  Its probably the first time I have officially taken a picture of him.  He stopped me last night-camera in hand-and said, “Hey, I need a headshot or something.”  I grabbed a stool, plopped him down and snapped a few.  My brother is five years younger than me BUT I don’t have grey hair.  (ha!  had to throw that in there T)  I often forget that he is married, he pays bills, he is a father, he has a job, etc.  I still picture him in his little cowboy boots or in our game room playing Nintendo.  BUT unfortunately, time tells me that he has completed high school, served a mission in San Francisco, married our favorite sister-in-law, graduated from college, became a father to super cute Paisley, and has nearly completed his MBA.  So weird.  Do we all grow up, really?  He is a good guy and I am proud of him and what he has done in his life.  You may see him floating around in social media world with his brand new headshot!  Here it is, hot off the press.  : )

Portraits | Queen Creek Photography

It is rare that I get a chance to do adult portraits (as opposed to children/newborn).  Children are growing and we want to capture their every move, every look, and every step along the way.  What about us-the adults?  Adults have stories to tell too, we change and grow up and wouldn’t it be nice to capture it-as if we are just as important?  : )  So, this portrait session was different-we started out with a goal of a business headshot but we ventured out and had some fun.  We wanted to capture who she was at this moment in time-her style, her smile, and those fun boots.  I was inspired to try and encourage more “adults” to take the time to photograph themselves.  BUT, I know the next problem-what to do with the photos?  Nowadays, there is social media all over…  not only do we have social media as a place to display updated pictures but we can do books, albums, image boxes or a simple slideshow for keepsakes.  I say GO FOR IT!  Schedule a fun photoshoot!  If you have children, your kids will love looking back and seeing that you too were pretty darn snazzy and cute!  Just sayin’