Oh Dani Girl

"Stuff like this always happens to me" she says. Stuff like this? As in gale force winds, blowing debris, blinding rain and 6 o'clock darkness lit only by uncomfortably close lightning bolts? I'm pretty sure at one point Dani or I noted that we felt like we were in the eye of a tornado. Two days later had we been back in that same field a real tornado actually would have blown directly over us. When Dani told me she completely trusted my artistic vision I'm sure she didn't expect to end up dodging skunks and lightning bolts... but hey... no pain no gain! The photos definitely look slightly out of the ordinary. A camera in your hand makes you a little braver than you should be... I've learned that. Dani is a good girl though!!! It was nice getting to know her a little better. Her sister Christin is a talented photographer in town too... so between ALL the beautiful photos of Dani that both she and I took she should definitely have ONE she can put in the yearbook. Good luck with that. It should be QUITE the task.

So many beautiful people... so little time!

I guess every part time webdesigner/part time photographer/full time mommy and wife comes to this conclusion eventually: all photographs are not destined to be blogged. I've finally gotten to that point where it's just not feasible to be able to put everything I do up here - as much as sharing these pictures is the greatest level of satisfaction I get from doing them. So from now on.. I'm a selective blogger. I'll do it when I have time and skip it when I don't. So Lydia is tucked in, Wes is dreaming of spinning wheels in the canyon and I could REALLY use the sleep... but here are a few from some recent shoots.


This is Jessica. That's her Grandma's red couch (her idea... I loved it!!). I've known her and her family for the past 8 years. Seems like she was just a little girl... the other day wasn't it? She's quiet and meek and has a lot of attributes I wish I had more of. She was diagnosed with a malignant tumor a few years ago which miraculously (praise the Lord) showed up being benign when further tests were done. I wondered as I focused on those big beautiful eyes what great purpose God saved her for. I almost died at 5 years old from a burst appendix and when I feel low in life I always think - "God saved me for something." Jess... I'm sure you have many great reasons to live for yourself and for others. Can't wait to watch you grow into womanhood! :) P.S. You're unbelievably photogenic... I wish I could share 50 photos on here!





A couple of my favs from this adorable family's shoot (1 year old Aidan definitely stole the show!)


And Nicki's senior pics who happens to look really good in black and white...





Night night!

Zoe

Zoe wanted her senior pictures by water and there is no better place in my opinion in Northern Arizona to get water shots than West Fork / Oak creek canyon. Zoe turned out to be great company on the drive down. She is very beautiful and has a really interesting life story. She also casually mentioned half way down that she "does a little modeling"... my afternoon turned out to be pointing and shooting... she did the posing herself! :) Here are some of my favorite shots. They aren't necessarily the "headshots" she'll be picking for her yearbook picture but the ones where she let me be a little creative that I liked so much. Enjoy.








Good luck Zoe! I hope your Princeton dreams come true! :)

Jenna

Jenna has the classic beauty of a Leonardo DaVinci Painting. ... and the kind of smile that lights up a room. No... maybe a stadium. Judge for yourself!

















Jenna... you're an exceptional human being. Your maturity and strength and grace amazes me. People don't usually possess these rare attributes at such a young age. I know it will help you through life and allow you to achieve all your dreams. You have a lot to contribute to the world and I know you'll do so with flying colors! Congrats on your upcoming senior year of high school! :)

Chasin' Chase

This kid has been a good family friend for years. His parents have been so good to us (his Dad built our house, his mom threw me all my wedding and baby showers... etc. etc.) and I truly feel honored to be able to return the favor (in a tiny way) by documenting their lives. Chase graduates from high school this year. Congrats to him! He's kept us all on our toes with his gymnastic victories over the years and he's become a really polite, wonderful young man. Kudos to him, the Lord and the parents that raised him for the way he turned out! :) Here are my favorite shots of his senior shoot.
Not too shabby Chase - we'll have to go and try this technique out where you can do some of your gymnastics tricks!

This is his late grandfather's old truck. Kind of cool to preserve it this way.