This Autumn has been such a beautiful season for family photos. It was such a blessing to photograph so many sweet and beautiful families. I love to create a carefree environment so that everyone can feel free to be themselves. Every session has felt like such an adventure. We explored together, finding the beautiful light and locations. We played, laughed, and traipsed about the mountains. It truly comes across when families stop thinking about the camera so much, and just start having fun together, like in this session with the Ramsey Family in Big Springs Park, UT. The “perfect photo” is an elusive goal. Instead, its so much more beautiful to let go, love your people and have a blast together. Let yourself feel all of those feelings of gratefulness in the moment, and it will come back to you time and time again in your images you’ll keep for a lifetime. Who knows, maybe even your grandchildren down the road will look at these and think, “They must have really loved each other.” I sure hope my grandchildren can see that we had so much fun together. As it turns out, letting go of the “perfect photo” is the best scenario for making the most cherished images.

I am so grateful to be photographing some incredible families these last few months. My goal is for everyone I work with to feel a sense of home, comfort, and beauty in the images we create together…like your favorite book or a family heirloom passed down. I want to capture your history as it’s happening, but also incorporate the nostalgia of everything that has made you who you are now. Maybe you’ve felt that way before about something. You see it and it just *feels* right. It belongs. It’s very YOU. It’s more than just making an image that makes you feel good about yourself or something others might deem “picture-perfect.” I want something more real. I want it to be beautiful because what God has made is beautiful, and He made you! That is what I want for every family.

Have you ever seen an image of a family that stopped you in your tracks? Maybe it was a shot framed on a friend's wall or online somewhere. "Wow, that is so beautiful and sweet!" you said to yourself or out loud. I'd wager that image that captured your admiration was not any old iPhone shot but captured by a professional photographer.

Have you ever wondered what time of year is best for family photos in Utah? I must say it has to be Autumn, hands down. Imagine your precious little ones running through the crunchy colorful leave, a crisp, cool breeze blowing through your hair, the cozy feeling that the warm sunset brings, and the dappled light coming through the colorful trees dancing all around you. It’s a pure, unfiltered beauty surrounding your and your family. Everyone pulls in close to enjoy it together. As you all enjoy the stunning vistas, you also have those beautiful moments frozen in time forever. Autumn is truly the perfect season to have family portraits taken.

The seasons are changing here in Utah. Winter has slowly released it’s grip, and Spring has turned up everywhere you look. Our little neighborhood streets are lined with blooming trees, the dandelions dot the green grass with yellow balls of brightness, and the sunlight pours through our windows until almost 8 PM. It always baffles me how quickly the seasons change, and how excited I am to experience the next one. Our family is entering a new season too, and I’m excited to see it start to open us up to something new.