Watching Him Grow

Let me re-introduce Bennett (you can see his newborn pictures here). I mentioned in that post that he wasn't a big fan of the camera, but mom and dad have done a great job the last few months preparing him. I could photograph this cute face all day, Bennett is one happy kid! I can't believe how fast he is growing. He was trying to crawl during the whole session, I have never seen a kid more determined to get to something. I told Debbie he'd be crawling any day, and sure enough a few days later and he's off.

Mom and Dad are Disney fans, so we had to get a few shots of those mouse ears!

Debbie is a wonderful mother and so full of life. I could photograph her all day long too, such a natural beauty. It's fun to watch her interact with her new treasured baby boy. There is something so sweet to me about  photographing mother and baby together. You can feel that loving bond.

Catching Up

I am trying to update our family blog. Just made it to October and realized I never posted any of the costume pictures here. 

If you want to see more, check these out!

Peas in a Pod

These two cuties have always been best buddies. I'm trying to sell this background and found these images when I went searching for examples; This time with a fresh edit. I can't believe they were ever this little!

Adoption Exchange

Every year I do a shoot for the Adoption Exchange Heart Gallery program. I feel honored to photograph teens looking for a permanent, loving home. This was a really fun shoot with Emily. She was very positive and easy going. I wish her all the best for the future!

Like a Queen

I got to do one of my favorite things... photograph a beautiful lady, wearing a beautiful gown. This is my sister -in- law Jamie, I have watched her grow into the remarkable woman she is today, filled with grace and loveliness. The details on her dress are just stunning, and she wears it beautifully!
We ventured to the salt lake city library for this shoot, I'll be sharing more of these images soon.

Love is in the Air...

Stay with me, baby stay with me,

Tonight don't leave me alone.

She shows me everything she used to know,

Picture frames and country roads,

When the days were long and the world was small.

Oh, I'm not sure what this is gonna be,

 But with my eyes clenched all I see

Is the skyline, through the window,

The moon above you and the streets below.

Hold my breath as you're moving in,
Taste your lips and feel your skin.
When the time comes, baby don't run, just kiss me slowly.

Kiss Me Slowly

Parachute

My harbor has a boat in it,
The water makes its way around here,
And when the sun shines down the hills winds blow
I miss you more!

You said I’m young, but I’m yours,
I am free, but I am flawed.
I’m here in your heart,
I was here from the start.

Box of Stones

Benjamin Francis Leftwich

Nicole is 3!

And she was ready to party!

Nicole is our "Wild Child" and this outfit compliments her personality perfectly! Thanks mom : )

Happy 3rd birthday Nicole!

New Beginnings

It's been pretty quite here on the blog for a while now, I've been busy with life, and a job. A while back I decided to slow down my photography career and focus on my little ones. Then...my husband lost his job. I stuck to my decision on the photo business, but started a new job instead (one with a regular paycheck).

I started teaching 6th grade orchestra. It was a job that I didn't really want at first (I just didn't want to be working at all); one that I felt I had no skills, experience, or talent to pull off. It had been years since I had played my string instruments. But I took the first step and started something. I took it one step and one day at a time. 

Well, I really started to like my job. I got to know my 20 students and was having fun teaching them.  I was learning about myself and my talents all over again. It was really fun!

But life doesn't always work out the way we plan. My husband finally found a job (after 8 months), and I was super excited!! However, our world had shifted again. The job I didn't want, that turned into the one I loved, wouldn't work with our family situation anymore. 

I tried and tried to make it work. I worried about my students; I owed it to them to finish the year. I also didn't want to burn any bridges. It wasn't until I sat down with the people being effected by this transition (my own children), that I had a concrete decision.

They begged me to stay home. My family is the most important thing to me, I've said it before and I'll continue to say it. So, for now, my resume is: mom! There will always be time for works, but my kids won't always be little.

I will miss these 20 kids though! Good luck everyone, I'll see you at the next concert. And maybe once or twice in class. ; )

Burr Family Sneak Peek

This family is awesome, I have so much fun photographing them. We rocked this photo shoot out in 35 minutes! They all know me so well that it was super quick and a lot of fun. It was freezing cold outside, but as promised, it was well worth it. What a beautiful family!

Baby Bennett

Our dear friends just entered the realm of parenthood when they welcomed baby bennett into this world. We are thrilled for them and this new adventure they are beginning.

Bennett is such a cutie, yet he doesn't seem to be a big fan of photo shoots thus far (but we'll change that soon enough).  I've never heard a baby snore until now, but let me tell you it is the cutest thing ever! 

My children are smitten with this kid, too. It will be exciting to watch them grow up together.

Congratulations Steve and Debbie, he's beautiful!

Pickin' Pumkpins

The pumpkin patch near our home has been upgrading it's features every year and I think this year was the best yet. They had a petting zoo, a maze, a hay bale tower, hay rides and a corn pit.

Natalie loved the corn, especially sticking it in her ears! Every time I turned around she was trying to stuff more in her ears. She even tried to stuff some in Kai's ears when he was buried.  Kai also liked climbing the tower.

Trying to get pictures of my own three kids is so hard. Here are my best attempts: on the hay ride, in the corn, and out in the field. Kai with his pumpkin.

Cedar

Isn't that the most beautiful, unique name? I grew up as a one and only with my name and loved it. I think she will too, with a name as pretty as she is.