A Little Bit of Joy | Logan, Utah Newborn Photographer

I love photographing newborns! Each newborn no matter how old, has a distinct personality. This beautiful little newborn had a sweet, precious, calm demeanor even before she was born. Take note of the cute little mark on her left forearm. When Miss J was in the womb she would suck on her arm at that little spot. It was so cute to see and hear the story behind it.

One of my favorite things about photographing newborns is watching them sleep. There is such a calm and peaceful feeling about them. Miss J made sweet, soft cooing noises while she was sleeping that made me smile. Photographing this little girl was such a treat. I also enjoyed photographing her brother that you can see here. Her beautiful older sister we be on the blog next week!

The Maceys Crew | Logan, Utah

Continued from my post last week is an extended debut of my supervising team from Maceys. After we were able to take our group photograph, I pulled each supervisor aside one at a time to have their portraits taken. We started with some simple, classic and wintery images.

Next we started playing games. We imagined it was a warm summery day in cold Cache Valley. Then we saw the neighboring giant mound of snow and dirt to play 'King of Bunker Hill'.

The more we photographed, the more we cheered each other on to laugh, relax and have a great time. I couldn't stop laughing when Suzanne decided to jump into the snowy reeds and play peek-a-boo :-)

As we wrapped up our photo shoot we jumped on generators, poles and had Voguesque posing moments from the jokesters of the group.

To my dear Maceys friends I love you all! Thanks for the fun!

An Exciting Change!

I'm really excited to be going through some changes! This Wednesday will be my last day at my current day job. Life has been a little bit crazy for the past three weeks while I've been training my replacement and training at my new location. (at the same time!) After eight years of working there I have bittersweet feelings about leaving . . . but I'm excited for my new opportunity! I'm going to a place where my photography artistry is embraced and encouraged. I've had the opportunity to photograph a few commercial projects for by new employer and am excited to photograph a few more for them :-) I will have a super flexible schedule and all Saturdays off making more time for my husband and then you, my clients & friends!

The thing that I am the saddest about is not working everyday with one of the best supportive staffs! I had twelve amazing supervisors that I worked with one on one, coached and trained to support the rest of our growing team. We always found a way to make work fun and laugh along the way. My last official meeting with my team of supervisors, we decided to have 'family' pictures taken. I was able to convince a girl in another department to take a few group shoots of us attempting to be serious and 'normal'. After our group picture I had the opportunity to do a few individual portraits. (which I'll show you soon!)

To my amazing team: Thanks for the late night cart races, invention of new colors, willing attitude, the heart to heart chats, being a voice model, keeping a journal of crazy situations to make us laugh when the hard days came, thoughtful notes around my desk, best baked goodies, practicing new high five variations, hilarious adapted song lyrics and (of course!) constantly quoting 'The Office' to make me laugh. I loved our Christmas variation of the Dundies with our own gold plated Mrs. Butterworth's syrup. Live on 'Blaineys' :-) I love you all!

Little Cowboy | Logan, Utah Child Photographer

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm sorry for my absence in on the blog! I've started a new day job which will allow for me to be off on the weekends which will allow for more PHOTOGRAPHY time! I'm really excited and feel this is a good decision for our family and for my clients!

I wanted to give just a quick glance at one of the cutest cowboys ever! I had the opportunity to be in Fillmore, Utah and photograph this cute little guy and his siblings. I'm excited to feature each of their pictures. I've never seen blue eyes like this! At first Mr. L was a little shy. He asked if he could wear his Woody hat, from Toy Story and I said of course. He was so excited that he also brought out his cap gun and shouted 'yee-haw' from the top of his lungs. :-) This is just one reason why I love photographing children!

Organically Creamy | Logan, Utah Newborn, Child & Family Photographer

I love participating in Marta Locklear's hue and texture challenges. This week has been my favorite one to photograph. As I was searching for locations I found the very best color to be on the side of the road! I had several people stop to see what I was doing or if I was alright. I was glad to know that people still care! Happy Monday!

Hue: Cream | Texture: Organic

This is part of a weekly series of hue and texture photo challenges.

Feeling A Little Gray | Logan, Utah Newborn, Child & Family Photographer

I was really excited when I saw this Marta hue & texture challenge. I wanted to stay within the own proximity of my yard and was surprised by the various colors and textures that could be found on just one tree!

hue: gray | texture: wood

I'm Back . . . | Logan, Utah Newborn Photographer

I'm back from my adventures in Vegas at WPPI {Wedding & Portrait Photographers International}. I'm embarrassed to admit that I went to a photography convention and didn't take very many pictures :-/ I am now on the quest for a point & shoot camera that I can easily slip in my purse and use more often. Despite having a great camera I feel that having a point & shoot is a must for documenting everyday life when I can't haul around my camera in my purse.

I did manage to run and grab my camera when we went The Venetian one evening and was taking a picture of Chelsea & Kristin photographing me while I was photographing them. On the right Chelsea was being our model and Cindy was trying different lighting techniques in our few minutes before sunset.

Las Vegas 2011 | Logan, Utah Newborn, Child & Family Photographer

I'm on the road today headed to WPPI {a convention for Wedding & Portrait Photographers} in Las Vegas for the next week! I'm really excited to be headed there with Kristin, Cindy & Chelsea. I'm excited to be completely surrounded by people who get me. They are all photography 'nerds' like I am. Already on the drive that has been the topic that has dominated our conversation. It. Has. Been. Great! I'm excited to look at new equipment, LEARN, get new ideas and be inspired. I can't wait to tell you about what I learn!

Winter Blues | Logan, Utah Newborn, Child & Family Photographer

I know that I complain about the cold Cache Valley winters . . . they are cold after-all. I woke up early yesterday just after we had nearly a foot of fresh snow to watch the sunrise. I had to eat my words yet again because I really like the way these winter blues turned out. I had a lot of fun traipsing in the snow. Next time I just need to buy a pair of my dream snow boots!

My Favorite | Logan, Utah Newborn, Child & Family Photographer

I've been a little busy lately. I don't have a lot to show for my time being away from my camera or blog other than this one photo. While other people were enjoying Valentine's day I was working as a florist helping convey love through flowers. (at least that's what one really cute old guy told me when he came to pick up his arrangement) I really enjoyed spending time with great ladies, surrounded with beautiful flowers. I was really excited when I received this beautiful orchid plant. Most of all I really enjoyed spending valentine's day celebrating my husband's birthday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's day!

Chocaholic | Logan, Utah Newborn, Child & Family Photographer

I am a nerd when it comes to cooking & baking! Here are my cooking/baking confessions:

-I rarely measure anything

-when a recipe calls for 1 tsp vanilla, I use almost 2 and I only use Mexican vanilla

-kosher salt is my favorite (thanks, Ryan!)

-I also rarely use &/or follow a recipe

-I love to experiment when I cook . . . which doesn't always turn out the best

-I used to teach cooking classes

-you can never have too many kitchen gadgets

-the harder the ingredient or spice is to say the more I want to try it

-I love experimenting with spices. My current favorite is cardamom. I would love to try some great saffron

-I would love to take a food photography workshop from Lou Manna, Lara Ferroni, Quinn Curtis

-my google reader is full of photography blogs, craft blogs & food blogs. My favorites are bakerella, joy the baker, smitten kitchen & the pioneer woman.

(I love to see their photography too)

-garnishing a dish is yet another one of my favorites

I was extremely flattered when my little sister asked me to make her birthday cake: the triple chocolate cheesecake you see above. My husband said it had too much chocolate...I say nonsense!!!

This Weekend | Logan, Utah Newborn, Child & Family Photographer

Here's a quick run down of some of the things I've done/need to do this weekend:

-Laundry...Need I say more? (except I was really proud of the fact that it is ALL folded & put away!)

-Spent time reading a little bit in three different books: The Martha Rules, The Sound of Paper & Purple Cow

-Made a Chocolate New York Cheesecake for my brother & sister's birthday/superbowl bash tomorrow

-Studied for my Sunday School lesson I am teaching tomorrow

-Made housing arrangements for my gal pals & I at WPPI, a photography conference

-Ordered a few new props for an upcoming newborn session

-Processed a photo card which had this cute little cowboy on it:

Weekends are the best!

Congratulations! | Logan, Utah Wedding Photographer

I wanted to give a big congratulations to my cousin who got engaged over the weekend! I love this picture of two of my beautiful cousins (Sarah on the left & Mandy on the right) while we were at a family reunion in California last summer.

Congratulations Mandy, love you loads!

Change | Logan, Utah Newborn Photographer

A few months ago my husband and I moved. There were several aspects of the change that were bittersweet. I was contemplating the things that I was looking forward to and other aspects that I was nervous about. I was standing in my bedroom packing up my latest etsy finds for an upcoming newborn session and looked outside my window. It was something that I had done hundreds of times, yet none were as impactful as this one. I looked out the window and smiled knowing that everything would be okay.

Yesterday we experienced some pretty impacting changes in local church leadership. I was experiencing those same feelings of bittersweet change. As I was looking through some images on my computer to prepare this upcoming week I found this image. I was reminded of the feelings that I had when I took this picture. It's not the worlds most beautiful image. It's shot through my blinds for goodness sake! But this image represents a sense of peace, calm and hope. Despite these changes which were very bittersweet everything will be okay. I know that things change sometimes because they are supposed to.

This morning I am grateful for the people who come in and out of my life leaving me a better person than before simply because I have known them. Thank you Scott & Kathy Wilcock!

Look Who's One | Logan, Utah Newborn & Child Photographer

Look who turned one this week! Time has gone by extremely fast! I can't believe that it was one year ago that Cannon was just a little newborn baby and now he's a little one year old boy. You can see more of Cannon's newborn session here and his second session with here. I love Cache Valley and having great friends like the Rodemacks nearby.

Happy Birthday Cannon Ball!

Simply Styled Newborn Edition | Logan, Utah Newborn Photographer

For this edition of Simply Styled I have a few ideas of what to have your newborn baby girl wear for a photo session. I love to have newborns in a variety of diaper covers and headbands to help keep them comfortable in just their diaper for as long as possible. I love it when moms bring things that they have handmade for their newborns. These props allow for truly custom photographs. A few of my other favorites for newborn girls are leg warmers, tights, hand knit hats and tutus!

Some parents opt for newborns only wearing their birthday suits for a few of their photographs. I only capture these kind of images if a parent requests them. I always ensure that things that should be kept private are! No matter what you like your newborn to wear for their session, I love to photograph it all!

I personally like to make a new headband before any little girl newborn photo session I do. You can see my most recent handcrafted headband here {it's the bottom photograph}

Happy Thursday!

All clothing featured from Pink Bowtique

Adventures Of Macro | Logan, Utah Newborn, Baby, Child Photographer

hue . greens . texture . piney

I have a friend, Kristin, who I love to talk photography shop with. We have chatted a lot about the importance of challenging ourselves, learning new techniques to offer our clients and various things to keep the creativity coming. She stumbled across the blog of another photographer, Marta Locklear. Marta is the queen of macro photography! She has started this weekly challenge for photographers to participate in. Each week has a different hue and texture to focus on photographing. I started a little late and want to go back and do the past challenges that I missed on. Thanks Kristin!

Vintage Chic | Logan, Utah Wedding Photographer

In honor of wedding week I have a preview for Miriam and Adam of their fun and unique wedding. I'm really excited to share the details from their reception in a few upcoming blog posts! I love Miriam's style...1950's vintage glam!

3 Years Ago Today... | Logan, Utah Newborn Photographer

Three years ago today my husband and I were married in the beautiful Logan LDS Temple. It was one of the coldest days in January. I was full of butterflies and excitement. I had never been happier in my life! We were fortunate enough to have our family and close friends there with us.

To celebrate, we spent our three day weekend reminiscing, goal setting, and dreaming. I am extremely fortunate to have my married best friend!

Thank you to Kellee Smith of Moments by Kellee for these beautiful images!

Wedding Week | Logan, Utah Wedding Photographer

This week in honor of my own wedding anniversary I have deemed in 'Wedding Week'. Today I have for you a glimpse of a formal session that I did with Mandy & Andy. They chose to have me photograph one of the most personal wedding moments...the first time the bride and groom see each other.

I love this moment where Andy is waiting in anticipation simply beaming.

I loved the orchard setting where they chose to see each other for the first time. This was a beautiful location where it really felt that Mandy & Andy were alone in the world.

Of Rain-boots & Snow| Logan, Utah Senior Photographer

There are many ways to spend your Christmas break for a senior in high school...Madi spent a day of her break with me. :-) After our session I was curious to see what the weather was like the day. It was a chilly 7 degrees! Madi {and her sweet Mom} were both such troopers as we were out in the cold.

I loved chatting with Madi about the various interests that she has: photography & collecting vintage cameras {I love adding to my camera collection too!}, swimming, running, service activities, playing the piano and her love for the color purple. Madi was extremely photographic and I had a blast shooting her session!

You can see more of Madi's session here and here.

Finding Beauty | Logan, Utah Photographer

Winter is not my favorite time of the year. I have yet to find a good coat to keep the cold from piercing through. Today I had a few minutes and wanted to find something positive in winter. I challenged myself to go to a grungy area I venture past everyday to capture these images. I had fun! Winter might not be so bad after all :-)

What I'm Working On | Logan, Utah Senior Photographer

Here's a quick peek of what I'm working on now. This beautiful senior from Logan High reminded me of how much I really enjoy senior portraiture. I'm really excited to share more of this beautiful senior session with you later this week!

Simply Styled: Gray & Orange | Logan, Utah Photographer

I'm going to start a few segment called 'Simply Styled'. One thing that many families regularly ask me, WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?!?! I'll keep my list really simple and each time give a few different tips:

-Let your clothing reflect your style. If you like cowboy hats, wear cowboy hats! If you never wear a suit and tie...you guessed it, don't wear a suit and tie. It's important that your portraits reflect your personality!

-Try to have similar color tones in your family's clothing selection. You don't have to all wear the same shirt! In my example above {I love gray and orange right now} everyone's color tones are complimentary and similar.

-Dress to match your walls. What I mean by this is if your front room {where you will be displaying your photos} has an olive green couch, deep mustard accent pillows, black accents have your clothing choices be similar. Wear rich earth tones that come from the same color family. You do not have to wear the exact colors of your home decor but your family portraits will not blend into the feel of your room if you wear bright colors.

Happy Friday!

Miss A | Logan, Utah Newborn Photographer

While doing some work on my blog, I was looking at posts that I had set aside to come back and write and found these images of Miss A. I love when it is warm enough in Cache Valley to do a newborn session outside :-) Miss A was two weeks old for our session and was very reluctant to sleep. Because she was awake, I loved her beautiful eyes and the way that she would follow the sounds of my camera as I moved around her.

I really enjoy seeing the intricate design and patterns of the handmade blankets that parents bring with the to their photo sessions. The blanket on the right was a beautiful crocheted blanket that Miss A's mom received from one of her best friends. {I would like to learn to crocket. I have that added to my bucket list of things to learn! If you'd like to check out an interesting website visit http://bucketlist.org/ and see what items are on other people's lists!}

The Bond | Logan, Utah Newborn Photographer

I had the opportunity to photograph the C family and instantly fell in love with these images. I look forward to photograph the relationship and bond between a parent and their child. There is such beauty in the calm, quiet moments where no one else exists . . . these are the times that I melt into the background.

New Year, New Me | Logan, Utah Photographer

"There isn't a single one of us who has overcome the human condition of self doubt."

- Leo Baubata

I heard this quote during a photography workshop {thank you CreativeLIVE} from one of my favorite contemporary children's photographers, Tamara Lackey. I was humbled to hear her talk about some of her failures and lessons learned. One reason I love being a part of workshops is the personal growth and having personal lightbulb moments.

I think it's natural for most people to evaluate their goals, hopes and dreams as a new year is beginning. The same is true for me. {prepare yourselves for 100% raw & candid me. I have deleted, revised, reposted this post several times now and feel I need to post this to hold myself to it!}

In 2011 there will be several changes for Belinda Olsen Photography. Some of those changes will include a new look and feel to BOP. Even more than that, I am excited and looking forward to sharing more of me and what I am inspired by. I pour my heart and soul into photography. I love the timelessness of it. I love capturing relationships. I love the details. I love seeing a child smile and light up with excitement.

One huge change for 2011: I no longer want to be mortified of personal criticism. Elbert Hubbard said,

"To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing."

I don't want to be nothing! I am me. Criticism will come. It has come. I want to attract clients who are drawn to me and who I am . . . This year I will share more of my day to day photography, share past images that I haven't blogged yet, behind the scenes of my client sessions, fun products that I offer, things that I learn in my own photography education . . .

More importantly I will share: who.I.am.

Happy 2011!