jessica B photography

The Great Unveiling!

2011-11-25T22:13:00.000-08:00

And the winner of the Giving Giveaway is.....

you'll have to go here to find out.

I have a new website & blog so please follow me over there! I appreciate your readership thus far. It's been really fun to meet people that read my blog and I appreciate your support. So please update your blogrolls and favorites and google readers, etc with http://jessicabphotography.com/blog/

It's almost sad to make the move, like I don't want to let go of this one... but it's time....

LAST DAY OF THE GIVEAWAY!

2011-11-25T12:14:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day to get your votes in for the Giving Giveaway! The big unveiling will be tonight!

Click Here to VOTE!

Out of the Office - See you on Thursday

2011-11-11T16:38:00.000-08:00

Love.

2011-11-02T00:32:00.000-07:00

Yes, I love this location. Isn't it gorgeous????

Ok, having an adorable set of twins and a precocious four-year-old doesn't hurt either.

The Giving Giveaway: Part 2

2011-10-26T00:18:00.001-07:00

Well, time for the nominees.....

Allyson was nominated by her sister-in-law. She says, "It's been a rough couple of years for our family since we lost her dad in a tragic motorcycle accident. More medical issues surround our close family members. Her husband is an officer for Metro and they are BOTH going to school with a full schedule! They are making great grades and still manage scouts and more with their three kiddos! They show me how to be the glue that binds when everything seems to be falling apart. I love that they only bond closer when times are tough. They just got into a new home in Henderson and I think a lovely family portrait is just what they deserve to make their house a home."

Christy was nominated by her neighbor. She says "I have a new neighbor who has a son my son's age, along with 2 other boys. They get together quite often to play and they are good friends. His mom, Christy, came over today to chat while the kids played. We got talking about Christmas and she mentioned that they are really struggling financially. To make a long story short, she is a waitress, only working 3 days a week and her husband is unemployed. She was even telling me today that her camera broke and so she hasn't been able to take pictures of her children for about a year because they can't afford a new camera. Well, that was when I thought of this giveaway and I knew I wanted to nominate her."

Alex was nominated by a friend. She says "Alex is a childhood friend of mine. She and her husband have two cute little kids together. Her husband was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and is on his second round of treatment. The first time it went really well but within a month of stopping the cancer was back and had spread, so now they are starting over again. He's currently receiving treatment in California, but their family is here in Las Vegas. It's a big strain on their family to be apart. Alex is an amazing mom and has been somehow holding it all together and trying to keep everything "normal" for her kids, but they know something isn't right. She's just so upbeat and positive about the whole thing, even though the odds are really stacked against them and the possibility of a happy ending is pretty dismal. She could be a single mom just like that and it just kills me to think about how young she is. I just think that of all the people I know, family pictures would mean the world to them."

You can vote twice. Comment here on the blog, and vote on Facebook (click here) by liking the corresponding "photo". "Anonymous" voters please leave your name, so we can regulate the votes. Thanks!

Zach + Brooke. Just Married.

2011-10-22T23:46:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Zach & Brooke!!! This was an absolutely beautiful wedding! The bride was gorgeous (of course!), her dress was amazing, the bridal party was so fun, the floral arrangements were stunning, the DJ was hopping, the food was delicious, and the details were just perfect. Seriously, this was one fantastic wedding.

What good bridesmaids!!! They laced and they laced and they laced.

I'm a Vans fan myself, so of course, I was totally loving Brooke's choice of shoes. And so smart to to bring a pair of flats for the reception, especially when you plan on dancing as much as Brooke did! She rocked the night away!

Seriously, the flowers and decorating were just out of this world! Pink peacock feathers, black feathers, zebra print ribbon, black calla lilies, crystals, and tree branches instead of an archway?!?!? I think the trees were my absolute favorite part of the decor.

I love the shot!

Look closely. You can see Brooke's tear-streaks. So cute!!!

Thanks again, Bridesmaids, for lacing that dress!

See? The decor is just fantastic. And the tables were named after motocross race tracks that Zach has raced on!

My favorites from the First Dance. I love Brooke's one eye peeking over.

DJ Bill Tobler of Twist & Shout Mobile Sound kept everybody in the house on their feet. These people danced and they danced and they danced. And even when the reception was over they were still dancing. The music was fantastic and everyone was having a great time. Not sure where Zach is on this last picture (it was actually taken in the middle of the reception) but he was dancing too. Venue: Boulder Creek Golf Course

Florist: Iron Heart

DJ: Twist & Shout Mobile Sound

Photographer: Jessica B Photography

It's My Birthday

2011-10-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

It was a brutally hot day, almost high noon. We had spent the morning chatting with friends and were not too far from this fun location. Since his birthday was coming up, I said to my son, "Want to get your picture taken?" Surprisingly, he said yes. You never know with my kids. Often one of them will say no, which of course gets the rest of them saying no. We lasted about 5 minutes, plus I had other time constraints. And so his Fourth Birthday Portraits were made. Four years ago today, he was born into our family and was immediately welcomed by his older siblings. He is such a sweet boy and I am so glad I have him. He's looking awfully tall these days.... not a baby anymore... :(

BTW I looooove his Westmama Designs shirt. I think I want one for myself. I love all her shirts.

Choosing a Midwife/Is Homebirth Safe????

2011-10-18T23:39:00.000-07:00

I often get people asking me for recommendations for midwives. I also often get the “What if something happens???” -type questions. I have got a great story that answers both these questions.

It was Labor Day Weekend. Sarah thought “this might be it!” A walk, a shower, some rest, it wasn’t. A week later, Sarah thought “this might be it!” Again, it wasn’t. Another week goes by, and Sarah is now past 41 weeks. Any pregnant woman knows those last few weeks seem like the looooongest ones. I was pretty sure she meant business this time when she sent me a text at 1:30am

Sarah had prepared wonderfully for her homebirth. Mentally, she wanted a non-invasive, unmedicated birth for her child. Emotionally, she desired this to be a beautiful journey she & Dan would take in welcoming their daughter into their family. Physically, Sarah is a yoga instructor and she & Dan had attended a Hypnobirthing class. Sarah could meditate and breath like a pro.

A quick side note here about Moose. I love Moose. And I am not a “dog person.” When I came to Sarah’s house a few weeks prior to her labor day, Moose very calmly put his head in my lap. He was very snuggly in a nice, non-overbearing way. On the day of the birth, Moose was aware, slightly concerned, and just loving. He had a very calming presence. (I even felt bad asking him to leave the room as things got towards the end!)

Sarah’s labor progressed, and then she was ready to push. And she pushed and pushed and pushed. It seemed that this baby was going to make her mama wait just a little bit longer before making her entrance! Throughout this prolonged pushing stage, Sarah and the baby were constantly monitored by midwife April & assistant Marcie. Eventually, April said the words “We need to go to the hospital.” April assured Sarah it was not an emergency, but she wanted to get to the hospital before it turned into an emergency. The baby’s heart tones weren’t as chipper as they once were, Sarah was getting exhausted, and the baby’s head just wasn’t coming out. April figured the baby just needed a little help from a vacuum, and that’s something midwives don’t do. So, we quickly packed up and got to the hospital.

At St. Rose Siena Hospital, Sarah had wonderful nurses and Dr. Sauter was on-call. A few more pushes and a little vacuuming and the baby was out! It turns out the little miss Kate decided she was coming into the world how SHE wanted to – face up and slightly crooked! It was her head position that was making the labor so difficult. In the end, Sarah still had an unmedicated birth, she was surrounded by three times as many supportive people, and she was tired but ecstatic! Sarah’s positive, easy-going attitude and never-ending pleasant-ness really made the difference in this birth. With how long the labor was and how long she was pushing, it would be very easy to get discouraged. Not Sarah! She was upbeat the whole way through (ok, in between contractions!)

Homebirth is a safe option for healthy, low-risk mothers. Hire a midwife who is knowledgeable and experienced. An experienced midwife can recognize “problems” before they become problems. So “what if something happens???” Notice that Sarah’s midwife did not wait until the last minute to say “Let’s go!” She did not wait until the situation was beyond her abilities to care for. She assessed the situation calmly and made the decision. The birthing party was moved to the hospital quickly, but not recklessly. Kate, due to her position, was having a long, hard labor and just needed a little help. Sarah is an amazing woman for laboring as she did, and staying so positive the whole time. Dan, while concerned, was beautifully supportive and strong for his wife. This is a wonderful new family and I am so pleased to have been a part of this experience. I know Sarah and Dan are stronger because of these events and they now have a darling baby girl to cherish.

Midwife April Kermani with assistant Marcie Webb

Doula and Photographer Jessica Benson

Hypnobirthing class with Mandie Medford

Transfer to St. Rose Sienna Hospital with Dr. Timothy Sauter

More Business of Being Born Screening

2011-10-15T14:57:00.000-07:00

Well Rounded Momma is hosting a special screening of More Business of Being Born, the sequel to Ricki Lake & Abby Epstein's ever-popular Business of Being Born. Two showings will be held on November 5th at Emerald at Queensridge.

Visit my table while you are there! I would love to meet some of my blog readers!!!

For more information click here.

Watch the trailer! See you at the show!!

Abigail {Utah Family Photographer}

2011-10-10T21:19:00.000-07:00

Abigail came to live with my brother-in-law's family when she was just a handful of days old. They had fostered other kiddos before, but Abby's situation was different. After a few months, their hopes for this baby turned toward adoption. This hope became a reality over the summer and Abby officially became part of their family. In August, Abby's family took her to a Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where they were sealed to each other for time and all eternity. Their family relationship can now continue beyond death into eternity. Abby, we are so happy to have you in our family!!

There is a pretty cool story about how Abby got her name. The social worker had called and asked if my brother & sister-in-law were willing to take a baby boy. Having three girls already, they were kind of hoping for a boy, so of course they said yes. A little while later the social worker called back and said "I'm sorry, I was mistaken, it's a baby girl. Do you still want her?" My SIL said "yes, of course." Then she called my BIL and said "it's a girl." He got real quiet, which made her worry. He got quiet because he was thinking. He had just read The Peacegiver which features the story of Abigail & David (1 Samuel 25) and had the thought 'if we have another girl in our family, her name should be Abigail.' And so, they welcomed this baby girl into their homes, and when she was officially adopted they named her Abigail.

The sisters!
I love how the family hands are creating a safe place for Abbey's hand, a protection.

Rockin' the Car Show

2011-10-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

Would you believe Miss Amelia was not too happy about getting her portrait made? Not until we found a girl-colored car - or truck! We didn't see any pink cars, and it was quite a relief to finally come up to this purple truck!!

The owner of the purple truck was so sweet, she didn't even mind that Amelia got a little cozy with the truck! Whenever I take my kids to a car show, we have plenty of "Don't touch the cars" conversations, and I knew that this might be an issue with doing these portrait sessions. Thank you for your kindness!

Amelia's brother Jack is so good at the "tough guy" pose! :)

This was a little bit different of a shoot for me, but it was very fun to try something new. And plus, I had darling kids to work with!! Thanks!

The Carousel at the District and What to Wear for Portraits

2011-10-03T13:37:00.000-07:00

Since spring I've been wanting to do a shoot at the Carousel, so when Victoria emailed me and said "How about at the Carousel, and I'll bring balloons" I said YES! Adrian just turned one and the setting was just perfect. The balloons have a bit of an Up! feeling to them and and a bit of a "watch me grow" feeling as well. I love Adrian's look of wonder as he rides the Carousel and the paradox of how big he is, yet how small he still is - again the feeling of "watch me grow".

Also, a word on wardrobe. People often ask what to wear. I answer "something that you like, that fits you good, and coordinate with each other (if it is a family or couple shot)." We've come a long way from the '90s where everyone wore matching shirts. I think a lot of people are afraid of being "matchy-matchy" and "twinners" that they run in the opposite direction and end up completely not coordintating at all. I'd like you to notice Victoria's choice of wardrobe. The orange on Adrian's sweater vest matches her dress, and the lighter blue stripes match Manny's shirt. Because everything else is solid blocks of color, the design on Victoria's dress is a welcome sight - it's very pretty! - and not distracting at all. Her accessories - her necklace & earrings - are just the right touch. And the balloons (although not exactly the same orange) also coordinate well. Well done, Victoria!! So, to everyone reading this, you don't have be twins, but it is very lovely to coordinate! :)

And don't forget to submit your entry for the Giveaway!!

A Very Giving Giveaway

2011-09-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

It's the First Day of Autumn, the Autumnal Equinox, the First Day of the Harvest, and to me that means the First Day of the Giving Season. Sure, some stores have had Christmas and other holidays on the shelves for a week or two, but now is when people really start looking forward to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, etc. And although it's 100 degrees today in Southern Nevada, Fall is in the air.... somewhere.... it's there, I know it's there! And so, to kick it all off, I'm having a GIVEAWAY! A very special giveaway, a GIVING giveaway. You see, you can't win this for yourself. You win it for someone else.

How it works:

Phase 1: You nominate someone to win. You send me an email (jess @ jessicabphotography . com) telling me about someone who you feel deserves to win a portrait session with me. This could be a "mother of the year" PTA soccer mom, a hardworking family that is trying to survive this economy, a cancer fighter, etc, etc, the possibilities are limitless as we are all unique. Pick someone who inspires you! Include as much detail as you would like in your story - it just may be the thing that helps your nominee win! Submissions will be accepted until October 23, 2011. And BTW there are no geographical restraints - I like to travel ;)

Phase 2: A panel of lovely judges will have the daunting task of narrowing down the choices to a small handful of final nominees. Public voting will take place on Facebook and on this blog. Winner will be announced November 25, 2011 - the day after Thanksgiving.

Spread the word about the Giveaway! Someone just might nominate you ;)

This giveaway is inspired by a previous giveaway I ran, in which three people who were trying to win volunteered their entries for someone whom they thought deserved it more than they did. Read the original contest & entries here and the winner here.

And a family photo from years ago. I couldn't find the one I was looking for :( but found this one instead. Good bye summer....

Noah {Las Vegas Child Photographer}

2011-09-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

This is Noah. He's so precious and incredibly handsome.

Noah's mom is a fantastic decorator. Every room was beautiful and so well put together.

I enjoy the bare honesty of this first image. The "mom, I need you" with the little hand holding on tight. And the second image, I love a good window. And this one was covered in finger smudges which was perfect to show how big Noah is getting now that he is one year old.

This is Bobby, Noah's friend. Noah loves Bobby.
I've probably said this a hundred times, but I really love eyelashes. I really do.

Noah's dad is a bit of a Steeler's fan. Just a little bit. ;)

Lol Noah is so happy his portrait session is over!!!
And if you need a plumber, call Noah's dad! Butter Plumbing will take care of you!

Announcing: Orchard Sessions + St. George

2011-09-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 15th

Sessions beginning at 8:00am.

Sessions are $350 and include 50 custom designed Christmas Cards, and a disc of your best images.

Contact me to schedule.

AND

Saturday, November 12th I will be in St. George, Utah.

Family Time

2011-09-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

I recently spent the evening with this lovely family.

Katie is a senior this year, so we worked in some of just her. But we couldn't leave her siblings out either :) Check out the girls' beautiful hair!

Family dynamics are very interesting. Some siblings tease each other. Others don't even want to stand next to each other. I immediately noticed how *quiet* these kids were. But then as I was photographing I could hear them whispering things to make each other laugh. And then... as the kiddos were sitting for a nice portrait... the girls leaned over and gave their brother kisses on the cheeks!! I didn't expect it, but I love it!!! So fun!

Sigh. Isn't she gorgeous?

Olivia {Las Vegas Newborn Photographer}

2011-09-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Olivia was the first of three births I attended in August. Interestingly, each was born on a Friday! Olivia was 2.5 weeks old at the time of her session and is already a daddy's girl!

8 pounds of lovely-ness!

This darling ballerina piggy bank was a shower gift.

Olivia's great-granddad's ring, who she is named after.

I think this one might be my favorite :)
April & Jaret painted this beautiful mural by hand. It matches the bedspread perfectly and it's just gorgeous!

Announcing: Rockin' Car Show Sessions {Wurstfest 2011}

2011-09-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

Calling all pettiskirts & faux hawks, hepcats & Betty's! Rockin' Car Show sessions are here!!! Whether this is your day-to-day style or you just want to dress up for fun, these sessions are for you!

$200 session will include 5 images on a disc, one 8x10, and 50 personalized brag cards.

Up to four people per session (could be just kiddos, or a small family).

Saturday, September 24th

Half-hour sessions from 11:00 to 2:30

Do not be late! :)

Contact me to schedule jess @ jessicabphotography dot com

Little Black Dresses and Shoes that are hard to walk in....

2011-09-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

I think this post is a as long as my last birth post! Well, I guess that's what happens when you have fabulous sessions. Carla & Colleen's mom had been planning this session for months. She said, "It's their birthdays, and I want to do a really fun portrait session." She took the girls shopping and they shopped and shopped and shopped. The shoes, the dresses, the hair, even the pedicures! This is the kind of planning that portrait sessions deserve!!! And let's not for get the "props." These are some talented girls and their mom wanted to highlight those talents as well.

Little brother Mike joined in for a few shots. He was serenading us with some really fantastic ballads.

Then we headed outdoors. If I remember correctly, it barely started to sprinkle on us right as we were finishing up!

Happy Birthday girls!!!!

A Sneak Peak

2011-08-31T21:32:00.000-07:00

If I'm not mistaken, this guy is off to college and this girl is probably missing him!! :(

More from this session soon... Mike's got twin sisters and they're GORGEOUS!

Home Waterbirth fit for a Queen

2011-08-29T21:53:00.000-07:00

It's taken me much longer than I've intended to blog about this birth. August was a bit of a busy month and with the kids home all day, my work hours were very limited. So since school has officially started, I can get back into the groove!

This is Nikki's third birth, but first homebirth. Her second daughter was born quite fast, and so of course we all expected another quick birth, but you never can plan these things! I got a phone call around 11:00pm. The midwives and I stayed with Nikki and her family through the night. By morning we knew everyone, most importantly Nikki, needed some rest. And so I was called back around noon that day, and a few hours later Nikki had herself another girl! And Nikki has given them each a name of a Queen, which I think is very fun.

I thought it very appropriate to have these two figurines in the bedroom.
11:46pm The little ones are fast asleep.

By the way, Byron was introduced to Angry Birds tonight.

1:02pm

2:02pm

3:36pm I quite like this image.
3:45pm

3:47pm

She definitely has Nikki's lips!

A true knot.

Grandma sending out a text saying "She is here and beautiful. Momma did great!"
Meeting baby sister!

Congratulations Nikki & Byron!

Home waterbirth delivery attended by midwife April Kermani and assistant Marcie Webb

Celebrating with a Sale!

2011-08-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

To celebrate my last few days of being 30, I'm having a sale!! Now until midnight on Saturday, September 3rd - my birthday - take $30 off any size canvas! Thanks for celebrating with me :)

Hold Me Maternity

2011-08-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

Christina has got a teeny tiny baby belly. She's 35 weeks along in these images. And those are her regular jeans. I know, not fair, eh? :) Unbeknownst to her, Christina belongs to a group a pretty cool girls who all have had a few kids, then waited a few years, and then had another! With Heather, Mary, and Kellee in the club, Christina is in very good company. (Yes, I just made up a club for ya'll. You can thank me later!)

This is where I got the idea for the name of this post :)

It's a Girl! Homebirth at the Neighbor's House! {Las Vegas Birth Photographer}

2011-08-16T23:30:00.000-07:00

So, I like surprises and I think it's fun to not find out what the baby's gender is until the birth day. For the last few of my children, I've wanted to put out a big bouquet of pink or blue balloons. But I didn't ever really plan it so when it came down to it, I didn't ask anyone to run to the store and buy balloons for me ('cuz I sure wasn't going to!!) so I've never made the "yard announcement" I've wanted to. But Heather and Jared did! And wow, it was a good one!!! After three boys and a nine year gap, Heather gave birth to a precious baby girl!Now, Heather actually had gotten an ultrasound and she knew the baby was a girl, but Jared didn't want to know. So Heather kept this fantastic secret to herself (ok, and maybe a few others). She did go shopping though, so they would be prepared with lots of PINK, and she hid it underneath the green (read: neutral color) blankets in the drawer! LOL!
Baby Girl is literally just minutes old here. She's still resting from her big journey to the world!

Heather resting beautifully, and the midwife Margie Dacko talking to Jared.
The big brothers meeting their sister for the first time!

Heather's house has fantastic light!
The neighborhood kids meeting the new baby! Heather & Jared live in a small community. What an amazing opportunity for the kids there to be exposed to birth as a normal, healthy occurrence!!

Baby's first portrait session! Barely an hour old!
Hello Sweet Pea!
Congratulations Heather & Jared!!!

I Hope They Call Me on a Mission!

2011-08-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

Jon is going to Peru to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Jon comes from a fantastic family of six kids. His older three siblings have also served missions, and I don't doubt his two little brothers will serve missions as well. And Jon has the most perfect smile. Ever.

We're missing another brother who is also currently on a mission and a sister who just welcomed another baby to her family.

We'll end with Joshua 24:15 "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

The Birth of Olivia

2011-08-09T23:06:00.000-07:00

April & Jaret met in their hometown in California, dated for a good long time, and have been married for two years. Up until last week, it was just the two of them. Early Friday morning, they welcomed Olivia into their arms and they became a family!

At 38 weeks, April's doctor recommended an induction so off to the hospital they went.

April & Jaret are comic book fans and a few friends joined them for the early stages of labor, bringing with them some light reading material. :)

6:51pm Catching a nap before the long night!

8:03pm Waiting... waiting.... April is dilated to 4 cm.

There was a LOT of hand-holding going on! And it was sooo cute. I love hands. There are very symbolic to me in many ways. Hands give support and help and love. Hands are strong and soft and gentle and caring.

10:13pm Watching the monitors.

April labored quite well, until her doctor broke her water. This combined with the effects of the pitocin soon made contractions unbearable. She was dilated to 5 or 6 cm. We were asked to leave the room when she received her epidural. Afterwards, we all welcomed the chance to get a rest. April had been wanting a nap (and a snack, which she didn't get) all day!

4:16am Jaret and his mom in the wee hours of the morning.

Jaret just minutes before and minutes after the birth of his daughter.
See? Hands. I love them.

Jaret's mom with tears in her eyes.

I realize there are a lot of pictures of Jaret on this post. Yes, April was there, too!! As strong as April was on her own, Jaret was there to support her even more. He had so much concern for her, constantly watching the monitors, spooning her ice chips, stroking her neck, swaying with her, telling things that he knows would make her laugh - she said he was "flirting" with her! So super cute! I think the image of Jaret in the hallway says it all - the love and concern for his wife and child is just overwhelming. So while I didn't intend for this to be a post about Jaret and how great supportive husbands and fathers are... it is. Thanks Jaret!

What a gorgeous new mama!

Jaret just told his grandmother that Olivia's middle name is after his late grandfather.Welcome Olivia!

St. Rose San Martin Hospital

Dr. Keita Sakon

Lamaze class Well Rounded Momma

Doula & Birth Photography Jessica B Photography

Nine Months of Waiting....

2011-08-03T23:16:00.000-07:00

Isn't pregnancy so fun? The excitement, the anticipation... Gorgeous Heather and her family have chosen to wait until the birth to find out the baby's gender. Personally, I have done this (waited) four times, so I can say that it never gets old! It's always exciting, after all the labor and birthing the baby and then there is that moment of "It's a....." and everyone cheers and is so excited! So fun.

The linea negra. Aren't our bodies fascinating?!

Look for more of Heather in the next few days, so you can find out if she has a boy or a girl!!

Model Shoot

2011-07-21T16:07:00.001-07:00

A long long long time ago.... ok, last November.... I went to a model shoot put together by a friend. Yes, it was November, which means super busy time of year for me. In the same week that I attended this shoot, I did a maternity session, an Eagle Scout, a newborn session, and a family. So while I was standing with a handful of other photographers watching and directing and photographing our lovely models, I thought to myself "When am I EVER going to edit these images??" And for months they have been continually pushed onto the back burner. Well, lo and behold, I have a small break and thought it was time. These poor images deserve it, they've been waiting so long!

We actually had 5 sets of models, 5 different "stations" we could rotate through. However, it is a little different (huh, a little?) than a regular portrait session in that there are a number of photographers all trying to photograph the same person you are!! Where does the model look? Which directing voice does she listen to?? And now, months later I am super picky about which images were even worth editing, since this shoot was for me and not a client. Wow, this is an interesting process. Ah well, I'd do it again. Model shoots are fun and chatting with the other photographers is fun and making new friends is always good. :)

First Birthday Party {Las Vegas Children's Photographer}

2011-07-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

Ace's mom contacted me in January to "save the date" for his First Birthday. I was excited then, and am still excited now. I want to have a photographer follow me & my family around for the rest of my life!! Ok, maybe not the rest of my life, but all major and minor and lots of everyday events. :) There are just so many moments that truly are special, and sometimes they are noteable days like a child's first birthday and sometimes they are random times like tucking into bed at night. Plus, I need to be in the pictures once in a while.

Now, on to Ace's birthday! Friends & family came from far & wide, the decor & party favors were super cute, the cake was so an engineering feat!, and the light on the staircase was divine. Happy Birthday Ace! Thanks for letting me celebrate with you!!

A few fantastic details from the Baby Einstein-themed party. Ace loves Baby Einstein.
The caterpillar cake. WOW!

The Ace Blanket.

Liam {Las Vegas Family Photographer}

2011-07-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

You know, portraits are a lot of work for moms. We stress about things like clothes, shoes, hair, make-up, a clean house or the perfect location, and mostly that we'll have happy, co-operative family members. And then.... the baby chooses to fight his naps on the day of the portrait session, the kids fall asleep in the car on the way to the location, little brother got a goose egg a few days before and now it's a lovely green bruise on his forehead, someone spilled on their shirt or forgot an important accessory, etc, etc. In spite of all the careful planning and preparation, stuff like this happens all the time!! Honestly, I've had many moms look at me at the end of the session and say "Well, I hope you got something." Rest assured mamas, yes I got something!!

Little Liam was one who was off his nap schedule the day of his session. After a few minutes of waking up, we hit it off just fine! Say hello to this darling face!!!

Christmas in July {Las Vegas Family Photographer}

2011-07-07T14:20:00.000-07:00

Let's CELEBRATE this incredibly hot summer with a SALE!!!! All custom designed cards on are now on sale BUY ONE GET ONE FREE until July 31st. I've found that things go much smoother when a person plans ahead, and this is a fantastic opportunity to plan ahead and save money at the same time. Make the back-to-school-and-all-the-holidays season less stressful by investing now! Using images from your recent session with me (either already taken or scheduled for the fall), your custom cards are not limited to Christmas greeting card usage. If you are expecting a baby, moving, getting married, celebrating a birthday or anniversary, etc, I'm flexible. Cards must be ordered by November 30, 2011.

This is just a small smattering of what's available. There's the traditional cards - horizontal, vertical, and wide folded cards and flat postcards in 4x5 and 5x7 sizes. The tri-fold is a 5x5 square. New this year are the Mod Card shapes, which I do not yet have a sample, sorry. These come in 5x5 and 5x7 sizes and are circles and ovals and other fancy-edged cards. Very fun if you are looking for something a little different. Custom cards are $70 per set of 25 traditional cards and $85 per set of 25 mod cards and the tri-folds, so with the sale that's $70 for 50 traditional cards, $170 for 100 mod cards, etc. Yeah, pretty good sale if you ask me! Prices do not include tax.

Steve + Katie

2011-06-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

Steve & Katie had a mutual friend. This friend, who happened to live out of state at the time, suggested that Katie look up Steve and give him a call. Katie says "like Facebook stalking!?!?!" Finally after much pushing & prodding the two finally met. And the rest is history...

Katie & Steve actually aren't married yet! July 9th is the big day, but this is their Open House at the Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City, NV. Katie planned some lovely vintages details, such as the antique spoons and feathers in her bouquet, the teapots for table centerpieces, and the use of silver/pewter throughout. Katie herself is a classic beauty. Congrats you two!!!

It was sooooo super windy. We tried to hide, but the wind found us even in the tunnel!

Published in the Wyoming Woman Magazine!

2011-06-27T14:21:00.000-07:00

I love breakfast. I really do. But I hardly ever make it. Yep, it's cereal & milk at this house. I'm not fully awake and, ahem, pleasant until after I eat breakfast, so I usually go for whatever can be made fairly quickly. But I do love breakfast. French toast... sausage... scrambled eggs... and fruit of course. I need a personal chef, I think.

A few months back, I had the opportunity to shoot for the Wyoming Woman Magazine. Chef Extraordinaire Sylvia Harber regularly contributes recipes, and wow, are they delicious. The Pecan French Toast was just divine and the Sunrise Strata has just the right amount of kick to it. And Sylvia & I have the same place settings (the orange fireflower plates). She received her set as a wedding present, I inherited my set when my great-grandmother passed away. So fun!
The recipe for the quiche-style Sunrise Strata can be found here.

Out of the Office

2011-06-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

I will be on holiday this entire week. Emails & voicemails will be returned on Monday. Have a great week!

Growing Up

2011-06-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

This guy is growing up fast. I had an idea for his birthday session and it morphed into a sibling session. With this year's Primary theme being "Putting on the Armor of God" and the recent Peter Pan show, the "imaginative play" session was born and grew into super awesome baptism announcements and a giant canvas!!

One of the things I find so appealing about the canvases is that the image wraps around and there is no need for a frame. Artsy, yet minimalistic at the same time.
She loves playing dress up these days...

Ina May is a Fan of Birth Photographers!

2011-06-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

....in a round about way :)

I just finished a fantastic book - Birth Matters by Ina May Gaskin. (I love her books and her Guide to Childbirth I refer to everone I know!) Chapter 7 is devoted to the dads! A paragraph on page 172 particularly stuck out to me:

"Our mainstream culture outlines a rather limited role for new fathers: the distibution of cigars to relatives and friends. We have also seen a role that is frequently shown on the television birth shows - father-to-be as photographer. I have observed (and have also heard several fathers report) that being the photographer of the labor and birth often has the effect of separating him from the feelings and the reality of the event. Maybe it feels safer for him at the moment, but while he may be happy to have a few photos, he often feels a sense of loss from having separated himself from the immediacy of this important event in his life. At any rate, this is something to think about. "

I'll be the first to say, it is very easy to hide behind a camera, no doubt about it!!! After having my husband as the photographer for three births and hiring on the fourth, I can also say it's much better to assign that job of photographing to someone other than Dad. Laboring Mama's need their men.

Miss Danika

2011-06-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

Miss Danika came to see me for her 9 months session and she brought with her her great-grandmother's necklace, whom she is named after! I love the ways people find to really personalize their portraits!!

Little Moments at Home

2011-06-11T21:51:00.000-07:00

Have you ever just watched, I mean really watched, a kiddo's face as he's telling you a story or playing with his favorite toy, or smiling at his mama? I am amazed everytime I stop and take the time to watch. Kids are sooooo cool and do the funniest, cutest, smartest things.

Love it!

Two Little Trouble-Makers

2011-06-08T22:23:00.000-07:00

Honestly, these two are super sweethearts, but really, doesn't this first image just feel like you caught them red-handed???? :)

Mischevious, I tell you.

Christa wanted to use the apricot tree in her backyard. The tree was so full and the fruit so ripe, Poor Cash was sitting amongst fruit flies and squishy fruit! It was slightly unpleasant, but it did make gorgeous images!

See? Sweethearts, I tell you.

From Head to Toe...

2011-06-06T21:20:00.000-07:00

What's your favorite "part" of a newborn???

The swirl of the hair.... the tiny toes.....The curve of the lips....

The peach fuzz shoulders....

The folds of the skin....

Welcome to the family!! Congratulations, CJ & Craig!

Chloe. Senior Portraits.

2011-05-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

Miss Chloe needed regular Senior Portraits in addition to her Ballerina Senior Portraits, of course... but I asked her to bring her toe shoes to this session as well! I am learning sooooo much doing these senior sessions. Football, wrestling, basketball, and now ballet. Did you know traditional toes shoes have wood in them and new age toe shoes have plastic!?! Chloe prefers traditional, of course, and during busy dance seasons she can go through a pair every two months (or sooner?). Wow. We also had a visitor in a black & white car with lights on top. He was wondering what kind of mischief we were getting into here in the alley. Lucky for us, he & Chloe recognized each other. He had recently pulled Chloe over! She got off then, and this day he told us to "carry on" with our session! Ahhhh, good times.

She has a rather Mona Lisa-esque expression in this image on the left. And here on the right is how I imagine that most everybody know her: fun to be around and has got spunk & zest for life. Everyone needs a good serious photo (ie. thoughtful, solemn, content, relaxed, etc) of themselves and also a good happy photo (ie. excited, enjoying life, HAPPY!). We all have both sides to us, even if one comes out more than the other. It's good to see both sides.

Stretching out the painted shoes. Lots of shoe shots. We like shoes.

What you can't see in this photo is that the wind was just ripping. We nearly lost the umbrella and even Chloe almost blew away!!

Trevor. Senior Portraits.

2011-05-20T15:18:00.000-07:00

Trevor's mom scheduled his session. She said, "He'll dress nice and we'll meet you at the golf course." For some reason, I had it pictured in my mind that he would be wearing a suit & tie. I'm not sure why I thought that... because what teenage boy willingly puts on a suit & tie... but I did. He showed up, very nicely dressed, and was even sporting some Ray Bans! I must getting old....

BTW Trevor DOES smile, he just has a handsome "serious" face, and these are my favorites. Oh and for all the ladies out there, Trevor likes soccer and will be attending BYU.

At this point in the session, I was thinking "I need a sailboat!!! This session needs a sailboat!!!" :)

The cross-processed look is very fun, but I don't do it very often, because I feel like I need just the right image to pull it off. I was feeling it on these ones. What do you think??

Ballerina Senior Portraits

2011-05-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

Chloe has been dancing since she was teeny tiny. She's been on pointe for quite a few years and now teaches at the dance studio that she has grown up in! Her little sister is even one of her dance students. The sibling shots are a good way to bring a tear to your eye, eh? (More sibling images here)

Chloe posed for me a few times and then just started dancing. Wow. Ballet really is quite beautiful, and Chloe has got skills! Not to mention legs!!! And yeah, she's gorgeous. I'll have more of her in a few days.

Bleu. Senior Portraits.

2011-05-10T00:38:00.000-07:00

Can you believe we are to the end of the year already?!?!? Wow. You've seen Bleu, Mr. Scholar Athlete and State Champion here and here. And we did this last session to round things out. On the way out, he asked how I chose the dry lake bed. Well, with all my portrait sessions, and especially senior portraits, I prefer to tailor them as much to the client's style as I possibly can. My answer was this - about 6 years ago I did his family portrait for the first time. His mom told me "I don't want a waterfall, I don't want pretty green grass, I want the desert. I like the desert!" and so we did the desert! We did their family portraits on a mountainside overlooking Lake Mead. Now a few years later, and one other family session in between, I think I've got a pretty good idea of what his mom likes. :) I was pretty sure Bleu wouldn't mind doing the dry lake bed either. Doing three sessions over the last few months has been really fun and has really given us the opportunity to focus on Bleu and capture the essence of those parts of his life. If you are thinking about senior portraits for next year (2011-12), I totally recommend it!

Bleu, enjoy your last few days (weeks) of high school!!!

There are others, but I don't want to post the same ones that will be on his graduation announcement. :)

Mother's Day Gifts

2011-05-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

You know.... Sometimes it's hard to buy a gift for your mother. Sometimes, it's because she has everything already, sometimes it's because you don't know what she really wants, and other times it's because she'll tell you all she wants is "a hug and a kiss" like mine always used to say. We've been doing these "cousin portraits" for eight years. Wow. It would be fun if I had scanned in the old ones and could post all eight years, but I didn't, so you can look at past years here and here and here.

For this years, I tried to make it real simple. Wear your favorite outift, I said. Let's meet at the park, I said. Nothing fancy. Nothing "portrait-y". Be yourselves. And you know what my mom said? "I can really see each of their personalities," she said. Mission Accomplished.

Another group of thoughtful children. Their mom is an amazing person, so when the daughter contacted me, I said YES OF COURSE! :) And word is, the younger son was going to scrapbook these images. I can't wait to see the final product!! ;)

Peter Pan Dance Recital

2011-05-05T00:04:00.000-07:00

Very lovely, Tinkerbell.

My daughter was so excited for the recital. For weeks, she would ask when she was getting her costume, when she was getting her accessories, when the recitals were, when when when! Now she is asking when the DVD will be ready...

Jimmy Eat World

2011-05-03T21:02:00.001-07:00

Jimmy Eat World. One of my most favorite bands. They are finally coming to Vegas and to the House of Blues, no less! I am so excited for this excellent show! The only problem is... I have two extra tickets. Who wants to take them off my hands??? The concert is Saturday, May 14th and the price is $67 for both tickets ($33.50 for one....)

My Clients Have Good Taste....

2011-04-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

.... in clothing, that is!!!! Check out these fun outfits & accessories! The hat & the jacket and the ballet flats! Super cute. Let's not forget the last post with Vikki's pettiskirts, jean jackets and t-shirts she monogrammed HERSELF!

This is a fun little sequence at the end of the session.

Smiling at his mama 'cuz he was soooooo done. :)

Spring Portraits... and Traveling

2011-04-27T14:02:00.000-07:00

I met Vicki and her girls on a gorgeous afternoon. Our location was not too far from my house, so I walked to our session, which was so lovely. May I say, Nevada is so pleasant when it's not hot. Vicki used to live here but has since moved to Texas. She came all the way back to have a portrait session with me!! Ok, I'm exaggerating, but it is flattering when people work me into their precious vacation time. But hey, I can come to you! I just need a handful of sessions booked for your city and I'm all yours. Speaking of, now announcing Utah Orchard Sessions on August 6th in the Salt Lake/Provo area. Email me for info.

And now, on with Vicki's girls!

More coming soon! Vicki's friend that she was visiting also did a session. Portraits with Friends, I like it!

Happy Earth Day Birthday

2011-04-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's this pretty lady's birthday today. And it's Earth Day. We're going for a hike. And my son wants to buy a push mower for our new backyard. I think it's a great idea. Especially since he's the one who will be doing the mowing... :)

Things that I Love....

2011-04-19T22:52:00.000-07:00

Newborns. Black & white. Tiny feet. Funny story about this above image here: Andrew was so nervous about holding the baby without a diaper on. As soon as I said we were done with this pose, he passed her off to Amy, insisting he didn't want to get peed on (or worse). So then we did some shots of Amy and sure enough, we had a mess to clean up. A poo mess. Luckily, not on Amy's shirt, though. We did some cleaning and kept right on shooting! Amy is a photographer as well. It's so flattering to be hired by another photographer!!

By request, the scale travels. (Certain restrictions apply!)

Poor Mylar.... not the only baby in the house anymore.... :)

Tanja Lippert Workshop. Model.

2011-04-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back - ok, months now - I received an email forwarded from a photographer friend about Tanja Lippert looking for models for her "Art of Directing" workshop. She was looking for a blonde haired girl between the ages of 5 and 10. Hey, my daughter fits the bill perfectly! And so... Avery was scheduled to be a model. We shopped for clothing and accessories, we gathered possible props, we talked about what it's like to model and get your hair & make up done like our friend Mary does, and then... the day came. It was a Thursday. She got to skip school! (That's always fun!) We drove downtown and met up with Tanja & her group. We watched as fellow models, Ryan Muirhead and Paige Smith got ready for the first part of the shoot. We watched Tanja lead the group in directing Ryan & Paige. And don't let the sun & short sleeves fool you. It was February and it was WINDY and it got COLD!

And then.... it was Avery's turn. Hair, make up, costume, the works.

This is me trying not to interfere by shooting from behind all the workshop attendees. Getting shoulders and arms in my images :)

You can see Tanja's images from the afternoon by clicking here.

Happy Palm Sunday

2011-04-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Punk Rock Baby

2011-04-16T21:50:00.000-07:00

Baby Brooke was a fantastic little sleeper for her portrait session and was still zonked out near the end when her mom said, "Can we use my husband's guitars??" Well, OF COURSE!!! She pulled out these two beauties and I had to smile. I have some of the same band stickers on my guitar case! Add in a rockabilly hair bow and Brooke is one rockin' babe! Notice the reflection of the toes. That's my favorite part.

The new branch is pretty sweet, eh?

I love generational images. Grandma, Mom, and Daughter.

Life is a Splendid Gift {Las Vegas Birth Photographer}

2011-04-13T23:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at 3:23pm, Desirae posted on Facebook "I don't remember ever learning such a lesson in patience as the one being taught to me by our preborn son. And I considered myself a fairly patient person..." Desirae still had two days until her "due date." At 8:15pm, I commented that anywhere between 38 and 42 weeks is considered "normal gestation" and I encouraged her patience. Thirty short minutes later, I got a phone call from Desirae's mother, saying it was a fast labor, they were at the hospital and she was at 8 cm! Words cannot describe how fantastic Desirae labored. This is her first pregnancy/delivery and she makes it look sooooo effortless! And after the baby was born, Desirae said she felt great!

I entered the birthing room to find this: a serene Desirae who hardly made a peep when a contraction came along. 9:18pm

I took a ton of hand shots at this birth. I love the feelings of love and support that I see in these images.

10:13pm Desirae's water has broken and she's quite near 10cm at this point.

10:24pm. Ok, I have to include one "pushing" picture, because, otherwise, everyone would think Des just slept right through the birth!! :)

10:48pm. Baby is born and Mom becomes Grandma for the first time. Big smiles of excitement, love and pride and also tears of joy.

Baby Jax himself was quite serene. The nurses were concerned about him "not crying". I think he just didn't have a reason to cry. He came into this world in a very calm, smooth manner and that's nothing to scream about.

Texting the news! Desirae is actually telling her boss she won't be in the next day.

Congratulations!

St. Rose Sienna Hospital

Dr. Liliana Leon

Hynobirthing Instructor Marcie Webb

And by the way, some of my other birth images are featured on this hypnobirthing site.

Shutter Buddies - A Toddler Photographer Must-Have!

2011-04-08T22:16:00.001-07:00

"What is a Shutter Buddy" you say? It's a fantastic hand-made stretchy guy that fits on the lens of your camera. Or it could be a girl too, there's Claire Caterpillar, she's darling. Or Oscar Octopus, or Alien Adam. I got Randy the Raptor. I'm a fan of his outstretched arms, like "Come give me a big hug!"...or is that "I'm gonna get you!!!".... Hmmm.... Anyways, I love the bright colors, the button eyes, and the hand-stitch-ed-ness. And - wait for it - there's a hidden squeaker inside! If that's not an attention-getter, then I don't know what is. So I frequently run into a problem when I'm shooting portraits of a certain age group - the 18 months to about 3 years old kids. They don't want to pay attention, they just want to run & play, or worse, they are scared of the big black thing I keep hiding behind. Such as this kiddo here. I've brought squeaky toys and rattle balls to portrait sessions, but I really need three hands to do that. I'd seen other photographers with things around their lenses before and thought it was a good idea but never got one for myself (until now!). If you are a mom of a toddler or a children's photographer and desire a little more cooperation out of your photographees, a Shutter Buddy is calling your name. I think it will even work wonders with adults, because I've even had adults who didn't know where to look. The verdict: Even if they at first didn't like the camera, the kids were interested in Mr. Randy the Raptor. One of my lenses would even spin Mr. Randy as I focused and that was great fun!! The moms loved Mr. Randy as well. Now, a big cheesy smile is not always necessary for me, but I really like that my Shutter Buddy is able to hold their attention even if they aren't smiling. But I do like this guy's expression and excitement (even if he is a bit out of focus). This is the Shutter Buddy at work! :) Click here for the Shutter Buddies Shop.

Lenna

2011-04-07T21:32:00.000-07:00

Reminds me of my own family. We had a boy first and then about two years later he got a baby sister. Not too long after she was born - as in minutes or maybe an hour - my husband says, "My life just changed completely." "What??" my clueless I-just-gave-birth response, I mean of course your life just changed, you have another baby. "I have a daughter, my life is changed forever." Oh...... Visions of cleaning the guns when a date comes to pick her up... How to react when she says she wants to be a cheerleader... Getting asked for her hand in marriage...

Random Thoughts for Tonight

2011-04-04T22:24:00.000-07:00

Because I feel like I haven't posted in for-ev-er.

And because it's this guy's birthday today, although most of you probably won't see this until tomorrow.

And because I saw a shooting star tonight. First one I've seen in a while.

And because my kids rolled each other down the alley in a garbage can. Now that's awesome.

Desirae + Justin. Maternity.

2011-03-28T23:31:00.000-07:00

Desirae requested a session at Red Rocks and we somehow scheduled the only beautiful Saturday in March! As you can see, Desirae's in a tank top and she's not shivering nor does she have goose bumps. It was a gorgeously warm day. The two Saturdays before and the two Saturdays after.... cold and windy and sometimes even rainy. I am so glad we got the warm day! :) It really was a gorgeous afternoon. Desirae & Justin enjoy the outdoors and hiking, and have decorated the nursery in an outdoorsy theme, and Desirae says the Red Rocks scenery will match just perfectly. We hiked, we explored, we saw some really strange bugs..... Yep, it was a good afternoon.

The Orchards. For Real This Time....

2011-03-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

Peter Pan swords. Compliments of yours truly. Yep, I just made my own swords, which are my new favorite prop that I haven't even used yet. Oh, have I got plans for these! Including this Friday! Thanks to incredibly unexpectedly cold weather (that's not the weather report I saw!!!), the Orchard Sessions are rescheduled for this Friday between 3:00 and 6:00pm. Please contact me (702.290.4552 or jess @ jessicabphotography.com) to reserve your time.

My creative mind has been going non-stop since Saturday was canceled and so I'm actually thankful that I have time to gather up more accessories. Think lovely, vintage, whimsical springtime. Think imaginitive children at play, enjoying a classic story in the warmth of the afternoon sun, a old-fashioned picnic including a china tea set (brought by the client - if you want a tea set, please bring your own). And the beauty of the blooming trees!! Seriously, it's going to be Heavenly.

Session details are the same as previously stated:

$350 gets you a 1/2 hour session, a 16x24 gallery canvas wrap, 50 brag cards, and a disc of 10-15 best images. (BTW this one is a steal!!)

$265 gets you a 1/2 hour session, a 16x24 mounted textured print, 50 brag cards, and a disc of 10-15 best images.

Make your session an hour long for only $100 more.

Yes, the only difference is the print and the canvas. :) Brag cards are textured, double-sided wallet-sized cards and will be personalized with your names or "Happy Easter from the Smith family" or whatever you want, etc.

These sessions can be used as newborn, children, family, maternity, engagement, even bridal or senior portraits. Just remember that the session only lasts a half an hour! No extended families please! (this means no giant groups of grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. Thanks.)

Happy Birthday to this Little Peanut

2011-03-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

Her mama kept calling the kids "peanuts" which I think is totally cute, and fitting I suppose, since she is the owner of the Petite Peanut Boutique! Little Peanut just turned two. She endured two outfit changes, four locations, and cold winds!! :( Happy Birthday!!

Because I so love the vintage. And her expression.

Happy 6 Month Birthday to this Little Princess!

2011-03-17T14:33:00.000-07:00

Can I say how much I loooove doing in-home sessions?? It's gorgeous, it's comfortable, it's personal and it's incredibly easy for you. And I love the images. And Little Princess is a little doll!

Funny story: Christen was describing the nursery to me which, although un-pictured, is adorably decorated with Disney princesses and a giant castle on the wall above the crib. I suggested a tutu - a Princess needs a princess skirt to go with her princess room, right? - and told Christen to check Etsy for some tutus. Christen replied "Etsy? What's that??" A day later, I get an email saying the tutu has been ordered and Etsy is a dangerous site for the wallet!! Agreed!!! :)

Little Princess is belongs to a natural-minded family. Christen specifically asked for a breast-feeding picture to forever remember this special time spent with her baby. And if you are ever in need of chiropractic care, check out Wise Chiropractic. Dr. Jon Wise was recently named one of the Top America's Chiropractors by the Consumers Research Council.

The Ides of March.

2011-03-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

For us, it was a good day.

This was nine years ago.
Hello Film. Long time, no see...

BTW.... Deadlines for Spring Portraits

2011-03-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

If you want portraits in time for Easter, your session can be no later than April 9th.

For Mother's Day it's April 16th.

And.... I'm already fairly booked between now and then, so if you want something, speak now or forever hold your peace!

This is why the Orchard Sessions are such a good deal! I've still got a few spots left - book them before they are gone!!!

Nice Weather = A Day at the Park

2011-03-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

I am going to the park today.

You should too.

This weather is too beautiful to not enjoy!! I love letting the sun warm me up, listening to the birds, chatting with friends, watching the kids play on the playground, etc.

This family invited me to the park with them.

"There's something about looking through a camera that makes you stop and realize just how special everything is" - Zuzanna Audette
Sigh. I am truly grateful to be able to capture moments like this.

It's Miss D's 6 month birthday!

Tanner always brings a "friend" with him.

Awwwww, super sweet, eh?
Don't forget about the Orchard Sessions!!

Announcing: The Orchard Sessions

2011-03-04T14:28:00.000-08:00

They're here, they're here! Spring portraits, Easter portraits, Mother's Day gift portraits, whatever you want to call them, it's TIME!!!

Saturday, March 19th, 2011

Your options:

$350 gets you a 1/2 hour session, a 16x24 gallery canvas wrap, 50 brag cards, and a disc of 10-15 best images.

$265 gets you a 1/2 hour session, a 16x24 mounted textured print, 50 brag cards, and a disc of 10-15 best images.

Yes, the only difference is the print and the canvas. :) Brag cards are textured, double-sided wallet-sized cards and will be personalized with your names or "Happy Easter from the Smith family" or whatever you want, etc.

These sessions can be used as newborn, children, family, maternity, engagement, even bridal or senior portraits. Just remember that the session only lasts a half an hour! No extended families please! (this means no giant groups of grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. Thanks.)

Times available are:

~~8:00 am~~

~~8:45 am~~

~~9:30 am~~

10:15 am

11:00 am

11:45 am

Email me to reserve your time!

You bring you & yours in cute outfits & clean faces. I'll bring me, my camera, and a truckload of cute props. OK? It's a date! See you then!

Baby Megantron

2011-03-02T13:51:00.000-08:00

When we met for their maternity session, I asked what the baby's name was going to be. Without hesitation, Geoff answered "Megantron." As a fan of Transformers myself, I thought it quite clever, and the way he said it and with his personality, I almost thought he was serious! Alas, this is not Megan, but Katelyn. She was two weeks old and just in time for some "spring" props!

And a rose for Valentine's Day!

Welcome to the world, Katelyn!

A Star is Born

2011-02-28T15:43:00.000-08:00

Hadassah Star was born yesterday. 10:48pm to be exact. Hadassah is the Hebrew version of Esther (as in Queen Esther) and means myrtle tree. A myrtle tree is a strong fragrant tree with beautiful blossoms. Hadassah's mom Marcy shared with me her desire to have an unmedicated childbirth. She labored at home for a while, then arrived at the hospital at "4-5cm." We knew we still had some time before the baby would be born and Marcy did her best to entertain us by singing her way through contractions. She treated us to a medley of Phantom of the Opera, the Kit Kat bar jingle, Oomp Loompa, and the "Oh-wee-oh, Ooooh-oh" from Wizard of Oz. She also would do an almost bird-like whistle as the contraction was subsiding. On top of her beautiful singing an whistling, she spoke such encouraging words such as "I love contractions! Contractions are my best friend!" And the look on Jeremy's face was priceless. It still makes me smile! Marcy labored like a champ. As she progress further, she quieted her singing and whistling, and at 9cm there were moments where she was so relaxed, we couldn't even tell she was having a contraction! Way to go Marcy!!! There were precious moments when Jeremy whispered her "I'm so proud of you" and when Marcy asked him to pray for her. He prayed for Marcy to have strength and safety and protection. It was a gorgeous prayer. At the beginning of her labor, Marcy actually apologized for interupting my Sunday. I think this was a fine way to spend the Sabbath!

Isaiah 55:13 ...instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle tree...

Welcome to the world Hadassah!

Warm Fuzzies

2011-02-25T22:41:00.000-08:00

After a rather f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g session, Heidi knew just what I needed. The perfect photographer gloves. Gloves that you didn't need to take off just ot fiddle with the dials & buttons on your camera. Gloves that have sneaky little holes that you can peek your cute little fingertips out of. My hands feels so pampered, so loved. And the gloves are almost elbow length! Can you imagine me sporting these bad boys in a T-shirt? I can't wait for that occasion to present itself, because I'm definitely going to rock that! Heidi also made this darling headband for my darling daughter. I think I might *borrow* it sometime. And the tags!! Have you ever seen such a thing??? Love it! Heidi is absolutely fabulous!

Good-Bye Space Shuttle

2011-02-25T15:41:00.000-08:00

I'm kind of sad. No more shuttle launches???!?!

A Tiny Seed

2011-02-23T20:49:00.000-08:00

Isn't it crazy how tiny seeds can grow into such incredible things? Babies are so amazing. So. Amazing.

Can I just say how much I loooove this chalkboard. I want one!!!

Ryan + Celeste. Engaged.

2011-02-21T22:03:00.000-08:00

Aaahhhhhh... Engagement sessions are quite fun. The couples are always so cute, the girls beautiful and the boys can't keep their eyes off their girls. It is very fun to capture moments for couples at the beginning of the rest of their lives together! Such excitement & anticipation!!

Celeste and Ryan met on a blind date. They have a mutual friend (the lovely Michelle) who had been dropping hints like mad that they should meet. The two finally consented and soon hit it off. In planning the details for this session, Celeste said "we're both forrible decision makers." I responded with "Well, you've decided to get married so you're doing pretty good so far!" Ryan and Celeste enjoy fishing & hiking and will be tying the knot later this spring in Lake Tahoe. Congrats you two!!!

The Art Book - Custom Designed Albums

2011-02-17T14:35:00.000-08:00

Oh, the Art Book, how do I love thee... Let me count the ways!

Hand-bound.
Super thick pages that won't bend or tear.
Lay-flat binding.
Panoramic pages with no cuts - this means no loss of images down the crease of the book where you can't see it!
Personalized covers using an image from your session.
Presentation box keeps the book safe when not on display.

These books are so incredibly awesome. So awesome.

Simple Things

2011-02-15T23:00:00.000-08:00

Like flowers in the windows and afternoon sun. Eyelashes, curls, and smiles. Holding a newborn, freshly baked bread, chocolate chip cookies and milk. Dancing because it's fun and singing at the top of your lungs. Going for a drive. Saying "I love you." I like simple things.

A Post about My Love

2011-02-14T13:21:00.000-08:00

I think what I love most about him is how incredibly supportive he is. He's never said one negative thing to/about me. He encourages me in every way possible, whether it's canning an entire full-grown tree's worth of apricots, acquiring a giant swing set for the kids, pursuing photography endeavors, or having a girls' night out. He tells me I'm gorgeous (and he means it!) even if I haven't showered for days. He gives me the hot waffle off the waffle iron. Now that, my friends, is True Love.

This was taken on our honeymoon almost 9 years ago (hello film! developed & printed personally by me!). It's still one of my favorite pictures of him. After a week-long cruise, we rested in a New Orleans park. The breeze wafted in from the river and church-goers exited St. Louis Cathedral with their palm fronds in hand. It was a lovely afternoon to be celebrating Palm Sunday and to be spending with my new husband!
See the hearts? He cut those out this morning (since he gets up earlier than I do) and decorated the house with them.

Happy Valentine's Day Eve

2011-02-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

I like Eves. Like Halloween Eve. And Thanksgiving Eve. And Christmas Eve Eve.

A Twist of Fate

2011-02-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

My husband played football in high school. I went to a total of two football games my entire high school career. I think I was severely lacking in school spirit. Or friends who played football.

Fast forward thirteen years to last October. My alma mater was playing my small town for their Homecoming game (why I'm not really sure, since they're in different leagues!) Homecoming (and I think the football games in general) is a big night around here. It seems like the entire town comes out for the game. And so we went. That's good date night planning on my part! Football = happy hubby.

We watched, we cheered, we chatted with friends, we rooted for the home team of course! Then two guys sack one of our players at the same time. He's down... for a long time. The stadium grows quiet. The coaches come on the field, the paramedics, and the parents. It turns out, my alma mater has broken my cousin's leg.

After many doctor visits, surgery, crutches, and a missed Homecoming dance (his date watched a movie with him - what a good girl!), Sean's leg is now healed, but the doctors and his coaches still want him to take it easy. As the captain of the basketball team, he's sat the bench the entire season. Until last week.

The last home game is "Seniors Night". Sean was allowed to start the game. Although he was only in play a short time, he played, leg and all! Rock on Sean!

Sean is on the right.

BTW I am having soooooo much fun doing these sports sessions!!!

Custom Designed Cards

2011-02-09T17:00:00.000-08:00

Designing cards has been quite fun! These are a few I've made over the past few months. I love seeing the final product come together. The cards have a finish to them: Linen, Stipple, or Felt. Textures are wonderful. And I'm not going to repost the wide-fold card, but you can see it here.

Postcard style flat cards: front and back.

Folded Cards: showing the front, inside, and back of the card.

Cash's mom wrote the poem. Lovely!

Danika's room is decorated in butterflies and dragonflies.

A sweet little card perfect for sticking in Thank You notes!

A Pair of Gorgeous Girls

2011-02-08T21:30:00.000-08:00

Sometimes... ok, a lot of the time... it feels like I am constantly running from one thing to the next. As a wife/mother/businessowner/friend/church teacher/housekeeper/trying to stay sane person/etc/etc, there is always someone who needs a snack, an email to be answered, laundry & dishes, weeds in the garden, photos to edit, babies to hold, or someone to pick up from school/dance/piano. Staring at these images help me slow down. These moments truly feel frozen in time to me. I am so grateful I was able to capture these moments for you!

Sydney saw me a few days later. She immediately squealed, ran over and hugged my legs.

Senior Portraits in a Singlet

2011-02-07T14:24:00.000-08:00

You know, I've never been to a wrestling match. Ever. I didn't know what to expect, didn't know what kind of shots I'd get, didn't what what kind of behavior would come out of this group of boys. Yiks. Lots of unknowns. Well, the vast nearly empty gym (I was there a few hours before the match start time) welcomed me with the smell of bleach as one young man prepped the mat. I was surprised that I actually recognized a handful of the boys hanging out by the bleachers. And then, there was Bleu. This session was a little bit different from his football session because of the audience we had, but luckily Cody obliged us by dressing out and we were able to get a few action shots. And Bleu is going to the State competition in a few weeks. Congratulations, Bleu!!

Prince William

2011-01-31T13:33:00.000-08:00

This mama emailed me from the hospital, which I totally love! Prince William, a nickname that is quickly catching on, was 9 days old when we did his session. He slept the entire time, even after pooing on mom's shirt! I love newborns. I can't over-stress this: schedule your newborn session within the first two weeks of life. Preferably, contact me before your baby is due to assure availability. I will then "pencil you in" and we will arrange a specific time for your session after the baby is born. Again, the first few days of life are the prime time!

First Birthday Portraits!

2011-01-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

Look who just turned one! I first met Rebecca as a newborn. I was attending a VBAC/c-section support group. Surrounded by moms looking forward to a VBAC experience with their next child, Julie was the only mama there who could say "I've done it and here's my beautiful baby to show for and you can do it to!" VBAC moms rock! And I know I've said this before, but it really is fun to see the babies grow! Rebecca is soooo adorable.

Julie ordered the custom onesie, the tutu, and the matching hair flower from the TutieCutieBoutique etsy shop. I love the colors and mom & brother's coordinating shirts. We kept trying to get Rebecca to stand for us, but she'd much rather crawl and she was fast!!! (She did finally stand and walk for us at the end of the session) Happy First Birthday, Rebecca!

Love it.

And then, right at the end of the session, there was this absolutely beautiful moment between Julie and her son.

Doesn't it take your breath away?

Carolyn + Geoff. Maternity.

2011-01-24T14:44:00.000-08:00

Upon entering Carolyn & Geoff's home, the fragrance of Nag Champa met me at the door. I immediately noticed several sculptures in their living room, which I learned were made by an artist friend and I was show a framed photograph that was made by another artist friend. I am pleased to be able to add to the wonderful collection of art in this home!

Carolyn and Geoff are expecting their first child - a girl - and are very excited! This crib will soon be filled with an adorable bundle of joy!

If you want to destroy my sweater....

2011-01-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

I'll be spending my Friday night with these guys. And loving every minute!!!

What are you doing tonight?

Petite Peanut Boutique for Valentine's Day

2011-01-20T20:08:00.000-08:00

Petite Peanut Boutique makes some darling accessories like a gorgeous variety of flower headbands, precious tutus, fun hats, and even neckties for your favorite little guy. As shown here, the pink is on a headband and the red is on a clip. The clip is a very fun idea because it suddenly becomes super versatile - I kept coming up with more and more ways to wear it and show it off! You can order yours with either the clip or headband. And check out the jewels! Love it!

Buy them at the etsy shop here PINK and RED!
Happy Shopping!

Vintage Family Portraits. In the Desert.

2011-01-19T14:31:00.000-08:00

The title says it all, eh? This was a mini-session and good thing it was because this was one of THE coldest days. EVER. Ok, at least for Southern Nevada. At least the wind wasn't ripping like it normally is in at this location. It was just plain c-o-l-d though! The girls were treated to breakfast & hot chocolate after enduring the session so well. Sounds like a good day with Grandma & Grandpa if you ask me! :)

The Almost 1/11/11 Baby

2011-01-13T22:55:00.000-08:00

Laura had thought it would be fun to have her baby on 1/11/11, and at 41 weeks she almost got her wish! BUT the kiddo had other plans and made her wait until 1:06am on 1/12/11.

I arrived at Laura's house at 7:30pm Tuesday night. Her husband Andy and her sister Gina were with her. This is L & A's first baby. Since I've started doing birth photography and studying to be a doula, I've really come to realize how important good labor support people are! Andy & Gina were doing a fine job, but it was really interesting to watch Laura go from this...

...to this...

...to this as myself, Marvelys, and Naomi showed up.

We hung out for a little bit at home, then Laura decided she was ready to go to the hospital. (This was the plan, this is not an "emergency transfer" or "failed homebirth")
Marve working the hips!

11:00 pm Getting into the birthing tub.

I love this shot of the arms & legs underwater. What a beautiful image of love, support, and teamwork!!

Again, I love the teamwork!

12:01 am

After a bit of tension and excitement caused by a non-waterproof doppler, Laura was out of the tub and onto the hospital bed. And it's go time! Here's the support team cheering her on!

And here's the bundle of joy! Laura specifically asked for a shot of when her baby first opens his eyes. And the first person he sees is Dad!

You wouldn't know it by looking at this image, but this boy has got some lungs!!!

Congratulations Laura & Andy!!!

Summerlin Hospital

Dr. Steven Harter

Labor support: Marvelys Lopez and Naomi O'Callaghan

....And Happy New Year

2011-01-10T22:23:00.000-08:00

Wow, time goes by fast. The last time I saw this family was a bit different circumstances - it was Baby C's birth day!

Just a few mere seconds after I took this shot (above), Baby C vomited. A lot. Jamie said "I think we're done" but I had only been shooting for a few minutes, and I knew the session wasn't over yet. If we had called it quits, I wouldn't have been able to get these (below) precious images!!

Let me hear it, Internet Audience, let me hear that "awwww how sweet!" Love it!!!!

This mama is such a super woman. She is a woman of so many strengths and talents and creativeness and I don't know how she does it! :) Check out Jamie's fun blog!

By The Way... Merry Christmas...

2011-01-03T21:55:00.000-08:00

You know, the Christmas season is always crazy for me. Even if I try my best to alleviate the crazyness. After coming up with a few different ideas, locations, outfits, and surviving a few attempts at family portraits, I came up with this. And LOVE it. They did go out in the mail on Dec 22nd and 23rd, and I even have one here at the house still waiting to go out, and even at that I know I've missed people. I apologize. I blame it on the fact that my brain stops working in December.

This is a 4.5x5.5 inch card that opens wide (crease is on the left side and opens like a book). It is printed with a linen finish, which is gorgeous.

Park City

2010-12-22T11:00:00.000-08:00

So, it turns out that Park City, UT at 2:00 in the afternoon in the end of November is quite chilly. Down right cold, I'd say. And then... the sun went down!! Brrrr. Luckily Heidi had just picked up a some darling peacoats (not pictured) for her kiddos at the Old Navy Black Friday sale. There were a few rosie noses and froze toes, but we made it through and then warmed up with some pizza and and hot chocolate downtown. These two kids have so much personality and were so much fun to horse around with. And yes, his tie matches her Matilda Jane dress. Nice touch, Heidi!!

Love the sass.

Aren't they a stunning couple?

And to finish off the session, Heidi pulled out her handknitted hats (she is one talented lady!!!). Snow + ski lift + knitted hats + adorable family = Merry Christmas!!

...and You Thought She was Pretty in Color

2010-12-21T21:18:00.000-08:00

Wow and wow. I love doing sessions of girls at this age, because, in all reality, girls NEED pretty pictures of themselves. They really do.

Adventures at the Trainyard

2010-12-20T23:00:00.000-08:00

This baby girl was 3 1/2 months old for this session. The men at the Nevada Southern Railway were kind enough to open up a few of the train cars for us (on a weekday!) and let us explore, which Tanner loved! Tanner sure is a cutie - check out his lashes on Image #3!

Too cute!

So, if you can't tell, this is my favorite action. I love the old school photo look.

All I Want For Christmas....

2010-12-14T20:19:00.000-08:00

This darling babe is 4 months old. I love the stages of a newborn! This pose is perfect for this age because she can hold herself up, yet she can't crawl away!

A fantastic friend gave her this hand-knitted bonnet with a matching cardigan, and she's nearly grown out of it!!! Seriously, babies grow way too fast.
All she wants are her two front teeth!! I think we've entered the teething phase. :(

Loren

2010-12-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

Meet my niece Loren. Yes, she is that beautiful. I know, pick your jaws up off the floor now. After doing her family pics earlier in the day, Loren was still dressed when the sun started to go down behind the mountain. I looked out the window and saw the fantastic frosty-ness and dragged her back outside with me. Lucky for me, she didn't complain! :)

Wow. This last image knocks me over everytime I see it. Thank you, Loren, for standing in the snow with me!!!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2010-12-06T22:42:00.000-08:00

A few little cuties from my Utah sessions...

And I can't wait to show you tomorrow's Beauty!!!

The Santa Train is Comin'!

2010-12-03T13:31:00.000-08:00

Hey, just a little shout out for the Nevada State Railroad Museum! They were so kind to open a few trains for us during a portrait session and this little guy just loved it! Most kids love the trains, but especially so this weekend! It's the SANTA TRAIN!!! Actually, this weekend and next - Santa & Mrs. Clause will be on the train to visit with the kiddos, and the train will be decorated with Christmas cheer. Get your tickets first thing in the morning - they sell out FAST!

Baby Makes Three

2010-12-01T22:31:00.000-08:00

Meet Sam. Sam was about 2.5 weeks old for this portrait session. Sam's mom and dad have a gorgeous bedroom where we spent most of our time. Sam is a pretty agreeable kid. He was awake for some shots, but also went to sleep for a few. He let us pose him and change things up without to much fuss. And he was kind enough not to poo on anyone, or anything, and luckily we had moved out to the tile when he decided he needed to pee.... all over mom! but not on the carpet (yay for tile!) or the bed (where we started the session). After these last few babies I've done, I am pleasantly surprised when things stay clean! :)

Sigh. I love this quiet moment.

I dig this one. It's like he's saying "If I could crawl, I'd come over there and tackle you!!!" And check out Sam's awesome blonde streak!

Stephanie + Tallas. THE Wedding.

2010-11-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

That "THE" in the title is no typo. This was seriously one of THE best weddings I've been to. Right from the beginning, from the first time I met Stephanie I was very impressed by her friendliness, her honesty, her warmth and her love for life. After chatting for about an hour, and then numerous emails back and forth, I was very excited to be a part of this wedding. I just loved the feeling I got when I would talk to Stephanie, listening to her describe how she & Tallas met, her love for him, their plans for the wedding, their life together afterwards, and her outlook on life in general. I knew Tallas had to be someone pretty incredible and he fit my expectations perfectly!

It was an exceptionally hot Saturday in October. So hot the groomsmen took a break and ran to 7-11 for Slurpees! Lucky for them (and Tallas) the wedding attire was NOT tuxes or suits! I always feel so bad for grooms sweating away in their suit coats. And a word about the bouquets - Stephanie wanted a "wildflower" look. Aren't the bouquets beautiful? I think there are even some thistles in there!!

The wedding ceremony was at the Boulder City Library Ampitheater and the reception held at the Henderson City Convention Center.My ever-favorite pose.

The little Ringbearer did not want to be in our "bridal party" pic, so his dad was helping us out. I didn't even realize he was behind the groom - I couldn't see him - until after we were done with the shot!

I loooove this shot during the ceremony! Just gorgeous!!!

And I so LOVE these!!

Stephanie is so creative. This is her guest book: a piece of plywood with a beautiful tree draw on it, complete with T+S carved into the trunk! I believe an aunt drew it for her. The guests inked their thumb or finger and left a print on the tree branch in orange, green or brown as the leaves of the trees (and signed by their print). Then Stephanie & Tallas inked their thumbs in blue to make two blue lovebirds sitting in the tree!!

More personalized wedding details! The cake-topper bride & groom look just like the real Bride & Groom! Isn't it so fantastic?! And the cake is cheesecake - YUM!

Speaking of food, Metro Pizza catered the reception! Who wouldn't want to go to a wedding where pizza was being served? And to drink, there was a keg of freshly made Root Beer!

They just ooze happiness!

Seriously, this was a super super fun wedding. I loved every bit of it!

Give Thanks

2010-11-24T07:11:00.000-08:00

You know, sometimes things happen just when you need them too? A super awesome friend made this quilt for me and brought it over on a very crazy afternoon. And what does the quilt say? Make Life Simple. Make life beautiful, make life fun, make life delicious, etc. Just when things start to get overwhelming out of hand, I get a *subtle* reminder of the things that are really important.

Enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend!! I will return email and voicemails on Monday. Also, I am booked until 2011. Enjoy the Season!

And in honor of my favorite holiday, leave a comment telling what you are thankful! Big or small, what are you thankful for?

Laura + Andy. Maternity.

2010-11-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

Laura is about 32 weeks pregnant in these photos. Isn't she gorgeous? We did the session in their house, which made for a relaxed, comfortable shoot and the bedroom shots turned out very fun! Look for Laura again in January for her birth!!!