and Merry Christmas from Hillary, Mark, Presly, and Buddy….

We are super excited for 2010 — Kristin and I, have been making some new business decisions to make it a fabulous year for us!!! We are both off to Boston for a New Year’s eve wedding to photograph and back for another wedding on the 2nd. So if you call the studio or email, please be patient and we will be in touch after the New Year. Again, THANK YOU friends, family, and clients, I would not have made it to where I am today without you!!!   Much Love, Hillary XOXO

Tim and Kristin…I have no words to thank you for such an amazing experience. Your wedding was beautiful, intimate, and very heartfelt!  Your family and friends were fantastic to be around - and so good looking too! I can’t wait to see you both again and wish you the very best in your new journey together.

Kristin Cheatwood second shooter, wedding planner Fanny Horn from Sun Valley Company and Amanda Seaward, makeup by Jamilynn from Vertu, ceremony at White Cloud Clubhouse, reception at River Run Lodge.

Kristin — you are BEAUTIFUL

Kristin with her father for the First Look…

and Tim, you are RIDICULOUSLY handsome too….

this photo is just flipping cute

one of my favs from the day (:

just a sweet moment……and her arms and body are AMAZING!

another favorite — they are one on the happiest couples I have ever worked with!

the reception was beautiful, with warm yummy light. I LOVE LOVE winter weddings!

Mr. and Mrs. O’Shea!!!!

You two have an over-abundance of love and laughter together and the kindest couple to work with! Again I was  incredibly honored to shoot your wedding, everything was simply perfect!   Much Love, Hillary

For Mark‘s gifts I found The Nuddle. Totally tacky! — but on weekends Mark’s happy place (between fishing, golf, and man duties around the house),  is on the couch watching sports or napping.  He is so tall that he uses two throws on our couch to snuggle with, this is the perfect gift….

From William Sonoma I purchased a Panini Grill. No more using the frying pan to make his grilled cheese sandwiches and the mess to clean up.  Now if only the Oakland Raiders could win more games, Mark would think he died and went to heaven — on the couch, while snuggled with the Nuddle, eating a yummy sandwich…..

SERIOUSLY? I found Bacon Jam, that’s all I need to say!!!! …….we take a big bunch of really really good bacon, and render it down…add a bunch of spices..onions, etc..and let it simmer for about 6 hours…give it a quick puree, and blast chill it…and you have bacon jam… 

Okay, here are some truly rocking gifts for you photog mama’s to ask for!

HOT camera handbags!!! I am getting ‘the Ginger’   — so so sooooooo CUTE!!!!

This is always a wonderful book to read over and over again to bring out your creative ability and confidence, it’s a classic…

A buttery blurry background lens for only $109! Great stocking stuffer….

Probably the best investment after purchasing a camera, is signing up with the fabulous Craig Wolfrom Photography at CSI!! He is teaching a 2-day class on how to use your camera and get you out of Auto Mode (the green box). Craig is also going to go over how to edit your images on the computer. The tuition is only $45 – I highly recommend your sign up!!!

On Presly’s Santa Claus list  “a bride and a groom and a unicorn doll and a castle for them to play”  – how cute is that?!?!  She also is 3 and a half and finally has a little bit of hair to play with!  So for her stocking stuffer, I got these adorable hairclips….

She L-O-V-E-S, especially now that she will be the star of the story!  How happy Presly will being taking a  journey with a magical unicorn….

My favorite and bestest gift I purchased my little apprentice photographer,  is a Mini Instant Camera, I think this would make a great gift for your kids or even yourself!!!!!

I have been so busy,  I have not yet had time to get caught up in the Holiday craziness  — until this morning I had a BIG cup of coffee while having a blast surfing the world wide web and paying large fees to get the gifts here on time!  Tomorrow I am going to enjoy the season, shop at my favorite stores in town, not work, and take some time for me (:

I hope you enjoy some of my gift ideas,  enjoy yourselves,  and Happy Holidays - XOXO

I will post after the New Year’s a new batch of Mini-Sessions for those who didn’t get a chance to come in. Have a wonderful afternoon!  XOXO

XOXO

Eloping is very simple and romantic for some couples.  McKenzie and DJ created a beautiful and intimate day for just the two of them. It’s was a wonderful afternoon and I had the honor to be their witness and document the ceremony. Fanny Horn was the coordinator, flowers by Taylor Sturges, hair and makeup by Jamilynn Smith, the officiant Wendy Collins, and the venue was at Trail Creek Cabin. It was enchanting and so, so, cozy….

after their ceremony we went outside to get some photos. It was probably the coldest ‘wind chill’ I have ever felt in Sun Valley!  We lasted about 5 minutes outside to get a few images of the newlyweds…

again the light was spectacular –  and so are McKenzie and DJ….

McKenzie and DJ… you perfectly accomplished your hopes and ideas for your elopement! Again I was so honored to be chosen as your photographer and capture your love as two soul mates — I wish you a lifetime of joy!  XO, Hillary

Click HERE to watch their slide show (;

Hugs and Kisses Colleen, your kids are awesome!

I felt so lucky to meet them and document their love over the weekend and thrilled to shoot their elopement the next day! It was an intimate day free of stress and very easygoing and much FUN the 2 days documenting them in Sun Valley. We shot at places that suited them best — first my studio for glam photos of beautiful Mckenzie….

off to Trail Creek chasing the last bit of warm light…

are you kidding me?!?! the light we got was amazing and how cute are they…

I love to include horses with all my sessions. DJ is a true cowboy, so this definitely suits them for photos  — and we are still chasing last bit of incredible light (:

my favorite from the day….

my engagement sessions seem to always end up at a bar,  (beer always is a great motivator for the boys to keep shooting)

Checkout their wedding day photos tomorrow — XOXO

have a wonderful weekend!  XOXO

XOXO