Grant: Mesa Children's Photographer

This cute boy is two years old! I can admit that I was nervous when his momma told me she wanted to plan a session for Grant's second birthday. Children have really become my favorite part of photography, but I think we all know the bad rap this age gets. Despite his newly instated terrible two status, Grant boy was sure fun. A ball of neverending energy and slightly grumpy when I got too close, but still tons of fun to be with.

Grant is pretty much obsessed with trains, (he even brought Thomas along for the adventure) so we knew the train tracks would be a must for this kid. Doesn't he look like a little train conductor? Adorable I tell ya. And I loved that he found some sort of excitement in everything around him, not only the train tracks, but also a stick, the rocks, our sunglasses, the suitcase, a big log. Little boys are rad.

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The Christensen Family: Mesa Family Photographer

This is another oldie, but still a goodie for sure. Two words are all I get when I think about this family. Absolute. Perfection. From the way cute headbands and handmade dress, to Gracie's gorgeous curls, not to mention William's obvious adoration for his sister, and the sweet love felt between Russ and Debbie. I hope I can be like Debbie someday. She not only manages these two energetic kiddos all day every day, (I could hardly get William to stand still for any length of time) but she also takes time to craft and sew, plus she has great style. Her husband actually wrapped her birthday gift using pages from the Anthropologie catalog. How cute is that? Oh and Russ and Debbie are expecting baby #3! Check out more of this rad family HERE. I'm in love with the vintage twist we were going for with these, but I hafta say, it's definitely the family that makes these photos beautiful.

Can you believe the cute little cottage this family calls home???
Go ahead, feel jealous with me.








Isn't she a doll? Still can't get over the curls.


That cute home they live in happens to be just down the street from this lovely place.


Don't mess. This family is super.

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The Wright Family: Mesa Family Photographer

Finally catching up on some oldies, go me. This is one of the first families I worked with over the holidays and what a great way to start the season! Just look at how stylin they are. Really, go look! Did you see? Ok good. When we met up at our spot, I knew right away that this was going to be a great time (despite the butterflies I get each time I shoot!).

I’m in a drunken kind of love with Tiffani’s gorgeous headband. She said her sister made it. I said I want one. Naturally. But I also love the other little details. The layers, the polka dots, the colors, the cute boots. Not to mention the fun personalities in this family. Oh and the train! How could I forget well, a train. Such a fun, spontaneous, and very loud end to this shoot. Maybe I can talk the railroad engineer into showing up with his train during every session?

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Goal #2 and Another Preview

Next goal for twenty ten - perfect a black and white edit for myself and put it to good use.

My true loves have always been bright colors with a little bit of vintage thrown in the mix. I guess I've just never thought of myself as a black and white kinda gal. Lately though, I've had a serious infatuation with the drama and poignancy of black and white. Thus the goal. So I tried starting from scratch, I tested actions, tweaked presets, and got nothing. I became (more than) slightly obsessed with making a BW edit all my own. My foremost personal goal this year is to be more ME, and that's everything I wanted for my black and white. Something me, something I’m truly proud of, something I can really feel. Lucky for Scott who has to deal with me when I'm on one of my very important don't-bother-me-or-else missions to accomplish something, my edit is finished, and I'm in love.

(Mmm makes me so warm and fuzzy.)

Another preview from a recent session.

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While You Wait

For the blog to be finished, that is...how about some pictures of the cutest almost one year old you've ever seen? I posted these on my family blog yesterday, but I like them so much, they're making a second appearance.

So proud to call her mine.

Blog Redesign and Last Few Holiday Cards

Hopefully you're noticing that things are looking a little different around here! It's a work in progress, but my blog, or more accurately, my entire business is going through a major revamp. I guess when I first started this blog, I didn't know exactly where I was going in photography, or how I wanted my business to be. I had a few ideas of course, but I feel like finding my niche has been a process. It's so nice to finally feel comfortable with who I am as a photographer as well as where I'm headed. I've got some hefty goals for the year (to be blogged soon) and obviously some changes in the works, but the ultimate purpose behind each of these goals and changes is to make everything in my business more ME. It's going to be a great year! Now take a look around, check back often to see more, and most importantly, let me know what you think about the new look. I'd love some feedback.

And now my last few cards of the year, including my parents' card, and my own family card. But first, a card for my cute sister-in-law's little family:

Now my parents' holiday card featuring yours truly :), We actually made up a few different versions of this one, but this was definitely my favorite.

And because I obviously saved the best for last, I'll end with my own family card, and really our first ever family picture. We went old school with the tripod and self timer this year, and you can be sure to see more of this chair in the coming months!

The Coleman Family: Mesa Family Photographer

This post has been a long time coming. These photos were finished shortly after I put up the sneak peek a ways back. And you thought I'd forget about the full post. (At this rate, I'll be blogging for months before I'm caught up.) I have to start somewhere though! And what a sweet family to begin with. Check out Matt, Elyse, and cute little Emmie!

Scott and I have known Elyse for quite a while, and her parents are dear friends of ours. They actually paid for a good chunk of our honeymoon, and we were SO impressed by their generosity. That's typical of this family though. They're just dripping with kindness. I hope I captured that in these.

I'll admit, I got a serious workout chasing Emmie around! She might look like a cute, dainty little thing, but don't be fooled. This girl is NOT afraid to get dirty. She certainly wasn't above flinging dirt all over the place! Isn't her little skirt just darling? It's courtesy of her super crafty mom, another contributor to this blog. Oh and can you believe Elyse is several months pregnant in these? She looks awesome! Can't wait to meet her new little BOY soon!

^Used new textures/texture plugin on this image, loving it!
























{Love you Coleman fam! Hope you enjoyed these :)}

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