Father's Day Tribute

As a mom I see and experience a lot focus on moms and motherhood. We're pretty amazing, don't get me wrong. But sometimes I wonder if the impact dad's have on a child's life isn't talked about enough. As a daughter I know the impact my dad has had and still has on my life and my knowledge of who I am, where I belong, and where I can go. My dad passed away 4 years ago this month and it's hard to go a day without feeling his absence in my life. I miss his counsel and when things are hard I find myself talking to him and asking "what would dad tell me to do right now?" And almost always the answer is of love and compassion. The last piece of counsel I remember him giving me was when I was struggling to teach my teenage daughter to do what was right. I asked him what I should do and he said "You just be an example to her and love her." It was always that simple and at that time I was a little bugged that he didn't give me more "practical," more applicable advice. Now I see the wisdom in his words. And if I could talk to him one more time I would hold onto every word. He taught me love, compassion, and gentleness. And it was his influence in my life that has helped me overcome many obstacles and heartbreaks. 

This was going to be a tribute to all dad's but I guess it turned into a tribute to my dad. But I hope that it will inspire you to recognize the ways your father has affected your life.With I wanted to share some of my favorite photos of the amazing dad's I've been privileged to photograph.

Sheridan Maternity

I'm so excited to share these photos from a maternity session I had with Sheridan! We had so much fun just playing around and she so graciously let me photograph her as she got ready. I love capturing the unseen moments where her mom helped her choose the perfect necklace, and the moment when her husband's sweet daughter watched and with a big grin said "you're so pretty." 

Melt my heart! I love them!

Spending the day with Sheridan reminded me of all the feels that came with my first.... Joy for this long awaited little soul, excitement and anticipation to meet them, some disbelief, worry, fear of the unknown, self doubt, and overwhelming sense of love for this person you've never met, and love from friends and family that encircle your life at that time. 

I am just so excited for her and her husband, Brian and can't wait to meet their sweet baby boy! And I am selfishly excited that my little guy will have a new friend to play with. 

 This new mommy is just glowing! (yeah... It's a real thing!) And it kind of made me want to be pregnant again.... There I said it! Gahhh! Don't worry, I won't be doing that for a long time, but a girl can dream...

Madison Senior Portraits

This is what I call a last ditch effort. Madison and I picked a super busy night out of an even busier week for both of us to do her senior photos. We were running late and honestly didn't have a location picked out. All she requested were fall colors in the background. 

The plan: drive up east canyon and start shooting as much as we could before we lost valuable sunlight. I would say our last ditch effort worked out pretty well.  I sure love the adventure of discovering a hidden location that is "off the beaten path" of where people usually request photos. And you would never guess she had just told me here hair wasn't working the way she wanted , because I think it's pretty amazing, and those eyes…. 

I sure love this girl! And I'm so proud of her, in an "other mother" sort of way. She is smart, funny and oh so talented; DECA president, makes me snort-laugh, and makes me want to be an artist like her some day…

and one last one for me….

Mekayla (senior photos)

Sometimes I write a post and then forget to post it.... 

Whelp here is another on!

 Ah Mekayla, my favorite niece! (I call all of my nieces my favorite niece, except maggie because she calls me the witch. But we all know betsy is my favorite, because she is the baby... hahhaha! jk)

Mekayla has left my life living it up at one of my favorite places (in Utah), Logan City. And I couldn't be happier and so excited for her! She makes me feel so young when we hang out but her going to collage makes me realize how OLD I am.  But I am really loving that we call each other and complain about school and homework. :) 

Love this girl!

Mekayla senior pictures

Well! That was fun! I did this today.... It's been so long since I've done any portrait work and honestly, I was a teensy bit nervous..... gahh!

But I always have a blast with this girl! She is hilarious! And so gorgeous! And smart and talented and an amazing chef!  I may have even said totes adorbs today.... Oh and I invented a new phrase I'm sure will catch like wildfire. ready for it...? "this is so much funny!" ha! yeah I said that.....

There are so many more great photos but this must be the mood I am in right now.
Oh and by the way, she is going to one of my favorite schools ever next year... Utah State University! I had so much fun there! I only have one regret. I never became a true Aggie. :( Go for it Kayla! ;)

Portfolio

I am going to unabashedly brag, not because I think I am especially worthy of bragging or anything, but because I have been working my tush off for the last two weeks on grad school applications. And I'm a tiny bit proud of myself.

A part of the applications is an art portfolio. I decided this would be a good time to share some recent photos mingled with some of my art from recent art classes, and old photos from my photo program at the University of Utah, in the form of my portfolio.
(I mostly want to show off my recent photos but yer gettin' it all!)

I am in serious need of some TLC. I'm thinking sleep and.... I can't think of anything else... hahahah!
what does one do to relax these days? I'm taking suggestions.

So without further ado, I present my portfolio: