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!