I can’t believe our baby girl is 4!  It has been so much fun watching her grow up into this little adorable person.  Presly is fun to talk too, play jokes with, hide and seek, watch princess movies, tickle monster, and now she can talk about feelings - happy and sad.  She has become so smart and clever, makes us laugh, and can BE very challenging,  at times make us crazy-frustrated-discouraged to discipline!  But then,  she can completely melt our hearts with her kindness and sweetness.

Presly has come into this world as her own person.  I want to control everything, and everything she does, and everything that can happen to her in this world. We try our best to build a strong foundation, respect, and be good role models to her.  We do our best to protect her – from the negative ones. Presly makes us laugh, she makes us dance and sing,  she makes us proud, she can also be soooooooo stubborn at times!  Yes,  she has humbled us, made us fight, we’ve made mistakes, and learned patience. Presly is already making smart decisions for herself and her amazing kindness is incredible!  She is our world,  our little monkey,  so gentle,  confident,  silly,  emotional,  and just a nice person to be with.  Here are some of our memories the last 4 years…

“You’re unbelievable P,  we LOVE you right up to the moon and back” XOXO

I get this question A LOT from people “What camera and lenses do you have?” So I felt like sharing a funny cartoon and some of my favorite photography tips that have helped me out.

But first, this is my favorite….

and this one….

Remember that a good camera and photoshop skills help, but it *IS* the photographer and skills behind the camera that matter most!! So practice, practice, practice, — their is no overnight success!  Trust your own ability, don’t compete with others, you have your own eye and talent!   (I need to remind myself this as well)!

Here are some more tips….

I always put the focus on the eyes.

PEZ dispensers make awesome bribes!!! and talk with the kids when photographing them — but don’t ask them to say CHEESE!!!  Sometimes having them say “yes” works for a smile. Play peek a boo behind the camera. And for the parents, they get a big laugh when I tell the kids to say “money” it really makes big smiles, when they expected me to say “cheese”

This one reminds me of myself, Presly and Mark,  of cousre ‘us moms’ are always taking the photos (;

and YES, I take bad pictures too! I only show my BEST work!!  Investing in good equipment helped me, but I also take classes, attended at a bunch of seminars over the years, buy photography books, read forums, and I am still learning photography. Remember PRACTICE, it’s digital…practice, practice, practice, get comfortable — AND ALWAYS HAVE FUN!

XOXO

P.S. this is my slack, and it looks like rain and snow for the rest of the week. So I am trying my best to keep the blog updated until Spring is finally here and start shooting again and share some photography  (:

My NEW happy colors for my studio boutique packaging!

I also have a fun new product,  Accordion Mini Books that are the perfect gift item for my clients to use as mini folios and brag books — it’s my new fav…

I have also changed my pricing and packaging to CD Collections! Yes, I have heard the people,  and totally get everyone has finally gone digital! You now can print however many copies in whatever sizes you want, email them, (I put the low-res images as well on your CD for the web), use them on facebook, scrapbook them — just have FUN! So here are my new products in the packages. You will get a Custom CD Case and a Beautiful Customized Image Box for your 4×6 proof images — so you can see how the photos  “should”  look….

also a copyright and print release, with printing recommendations and where to get the best quality photos! You will leave this experience free to print and enlarge the photos from your session at your convenience!!!!!

I also add a engraved portable USB card that you can put on your keychain with all your images!  (Just recently, a client told me she uses it all the time to share her photos, and it saves her time when her computer won’t accept attachments from her email address. No more frustration not having her files she needs at her finger tips at all times.) I use mine all the time too,  going from my work computer,  to my home computer — I need to be a spokes person for USB cards (;   …..I know you will LOVE this added to your CD Collection Packaging!

Custom photography *IS* an investment and I understand that this big decision for your family. You should not agonize over a 5×7 or 8×10. This is why I am now only selling digital photos on a CD. But, I still have AMAZING products at my studio for your photos, and I am still offering you the option to buy boutique items as well!

Have a wonderful weekend, Much Love XOXO

– I put barnwood floors in the studio. Nuh uh, NO way,  I so wish it was true — but they would cost me a small fortune!!  So, for now I found these fun rugs that are perfect for photographing mini-sessions and adding a new look!  Presly and I did a quick 5 minute session to share…..

XOXO

I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break!  - Gosh the weather was PERFECT!  I also got to photograph 3 beautiful families, they came from Texas and were all staying in a home here over spring break with their kiddos. I did 3 quick minis — and I think we nailed their fun winter Christmas cards for next year! Or just the memories of their amazing time here in Sun Valley with friends and family they will always remember from this trip (:

XOXO

I am really enjoying the longer afternoons! and Presly being with me this entire week for Spring Break! The weather has been AMAZING and spring skiing at it’s BEST!  Everyday this week we have been skiing in the afternoons on Quarter Dollar. Presly LOVES this sport, (it’s awesome for me, because she is not the most athletic little girl) — but put her on skis and WHAM! she turns into Picabo Street  “again, again and again”  she will only stop when the chair closes — then our treat is to end every afternoon with a cookie in the lodge (:

I hope everyone is enjoying your spring break and this beautiful weather!  Here is a slideshow I put together with some video….click here to watch Presly shredding on Dollar!

Little miss Elefe is 2 and a half and has been adopted from Ethiopia.  She is one of the sweetest souls that I have had the pleasure to photograph in my studio. When she smiles it so very contagious!… and those eyes…BEAUTIFUL little girl!

XOXO

– pregnant mommies are incredibly beautiful!  and when you look fantastic and feel as wonderful as Beth, it’s always a thrill for me to photograph this time in her life….. that she will want to remember!

their little miss Rayne

Beth, Jordon, and Rayne…. I am a huge fan! I can’t wait for your birth and newborn shoots coming shortly — how exciting to finally meet your little man!!!  Kisses XOXO

HAPPY Birthday Sky!  We can’t wait for your Pinkalicous celebration!!  XOXO

Hey Brett and Rob, I had the best time photographing your wedding a few years back, but even more of incredible time working with you as a new family. Parker is cute-pie,  aka “Turbo”  XOXO