Happy New Year

Best wishes for a safe, fun

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Happy New Year!

A Very Merry Holiday

Christmas is one of my very favorite times of year. (minus the cold snow) I love the colors of the season, Christmas music starting the day after Thanksgiving and the focus on why the season is celebrated. Every year Craig and I say that we will go look at the lights on Temple Square in Salt Lake City and unfortunately have not made it there...until this year! I was in awe of how many strands of lights are used, the various colors and the great attention to detail. We were lucky to go after a snowstorm that melted and I loved the reflection of the lights on the pavement.

I loved the simple glow the lights provide around the Square.

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the chance to decorate my Christmas tree. This year I decided to spruce up my little 'Charlie Brown Tree' with one of my favorite photography props as seen here. I smiled when I saw that one of my favorite photographers, Jasmine Star, displayed her tree in a similar way.

One extremely touching opportunity that I had at work this Christmas was to be in charge of sponsoring a family to provide Christmas for in our area. The family we were able to help has suffered many trials this year as the father/dad was diagnosed with Sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, earlier this year. I was slightly nervous as I set up our tree with various ornaments that were labeled with the family's needs.

Just a few days before Christmas I gathered all of the donated items and you can see how they filled my living room! I was extremely humbled and touched seeing all of my co-workers come together to help people they didn't know. After all the presents were wrapped, I drove to their home with butterflies and anticipation to see how the family would react to our items. Seeing their positive outlook on life and great love for strangers that were willing to help them brought tears to my eyes. I left their home with a feeling of reverence, truly grasping the meaning of the season and complete love for a family that I just met. I hope that their battle with cancer is one with a positive outcome with many happy years to come.

Nash Family -- Logan, Utah Family Photographer

Meet the Nash family.

I have known Mike & Jessie (top right corner) now for several years. You will never meet a more kind, compassionate, caring person & baker extraordinaire or a fun loving, sarcastic, goofy person. {I think you most definitely know who is who} I really miss having them as my neighbors.

It was fun to spend time with the entire Nash family. Even Ariel was extremely cooperative after his first curse word for the session which brought giggles from everyone around :-)

One thing that I love about the Nash family is the annual pumpkin blow that they hold each Saturday after Halloween in Weston, Idaho. If you're ever in the area it is a must...here is the 2009 pumpkin blow for your viewing pleasure.

Hundreds of pumpkins+several dozen sticks of dynamite=AWESOMENESS!

Baby Blue Eyes -- Logan, Utah Child Photographer

There are many things that I love about newborns and infants. The perfect little curl to their eyelashes, the way they yawn and stretch at the same time, rub their eyes, their little cooing noises and intense love to snuggle.

One thing that I love on e-v-e-r-y baby are their toes. I love the way they curl. When parents ask me if they should have socks and shoes on for a photo shoot, I smile and say how much I prefer naked little toes . . . unless it's a colorful pair of shoes, especially See Kai Run. I love those too.

Future Aggie -- Logan, Utah Newborn Photographer

When someone calls to schedule a session I always encourage them to find something to make the session unique and personal for them. Mandy decided that she wanted to do a few 'Aggie Family' shots. I was really excited about that, being an Aggie myself. When I saw this little Utah State bow I absolutely melted!

As I was shooting these I knew that I wanted to do a little black and white 'vintage' feel. I love how they turned out.

Here is one of very my favorites from the session: