When I first got to Utah, right before Thanksgiving I was able to meet my cousin Ryan’s beautiful baby Eleanor for the first time.  Ryan and I are almost exactly the same age (I beat him by a few months) and grew up together.  It’s so fun to see him as a daddy now, and little Eleanor absolutely adores him.  I’m so glad he found Jen, and I love them all to pieces!  Aren’t they the most adorable family you’ve ever seen?  These photos were taken in my grandparent’s backyard in the middle of the day, right before we all pitched in to rake up the massive amount of leaves pictured.  It was absolutely freezing, so we only kept little Eleanor out there for about ten minutes, but that was all we needed.

I do admit I may not have helped much with the leaf raking due to my condition (pictured below), but I did pick up a few walnuts that had fallen off of their tree, then I went inside and ate them.  The baby needed it, at least that’s what I’ll keep telling myself.  ;)  He was born exactly a week later!

I just  saw this video and have to share, everything about it is just beautiful.  I love Taylor Swift (some even say I look like her), I love her dress, and love that she’s not wearing very much makeup.  I love how much emotion she fearlessly puts into everything she does.  She’s a true artist, and I hope to be more like her.

Yes, that is my 9 month pregnant belly in the next picture, sometimes it just got in the way…

One of the main activities on our agenda while visiting family over the holidays was my sister-in-law’s bridal shower.  I volunteered to throw the shower for Sarah at my parent’s house since she and my in-laws were coming in from out of town.  My favorite parts were making the decorations, making a video of her fiance answering questions about them, and of course photographing the event partly on film and partly digital.  I love capturing details and all of the emotions that come with an event like this.

Every moment a memory.

Simplicity.  That’s my ultimate goal for the year 2012.  So far, I think I’ve done a pretty good job.  Which is one reason why I’m just now starting to blog again after an almost three month break.  Don’t worry, I’m working on getting back to posting somewhat regularly again, and have lots of images and thoughts to share… but until now I’ve just been enjoying the simplicity of each little moment in my life.

Spending the HOLIDAYS with lots of FAMILY.

PEDICURES and freshly SHAVED LEGS.

Experiencing the MIRACLE of bringing another child into our family.

The JOY in my boys’ faces on Christmas morning and when they saw their new little brother for the first time.

TICKLES and TAG.

SNUGGLES on the couch.

The sweet smell only a NEW BABY has.

Family OUTINGS with all three boys.

Having help from PARENTS and SIBLINGS for two solid months.

SLEEP, and lack of sleep.

Late night FEEDINGS.

Wearing PAJAMAS all day long.

Days I’m able to put on MAKEUP and curl my hair.

Listening to PIANO music fill my home.

Dinners of MAC & CHEESE and hot dogs.

Days when SOMEONE ELSE COOKS.

Doing PUZZLES.

Seeing how much my boys ADORE their dad.

Seeing how much HE adores THEM.

Knowing why I adore HIM.

KISSES from my boys.

Lots of LAUNDRY.

Winter SNOWstorm.

Lots more LAUNDRY.

POTTY training.

Even more LAUNDRY.

Days filled with SUNSHINE.

Days filled with RAIN.

Days filled with JOY.

Some with TANTRUMS or OWIES.

Being happy to see my boys LEARN new things.

Being sad to see them GROW so fast.

Cherishing all the big MOMENTS in life, and not forgetting the little things.

And right now.  Carter’s LAUGH as we play catch together with Owen COOING in the background and Bentley (the dog) SNUGGLING next to me on the couch.

Every moment I want to REMEMBER.

This is why I take pictures.  To remember.  Everything.  The good and the bad.  The way it really is.  I’ve stopped asking my boys to “smile for the camera” and ask them to just play, show me who they truly are.  This is what brings me the greatest joy.

Photography is an art to me.  It is a way for me to express myself, and to capture people just as they are, at that moment, the way they should be remembered.  Something that will be forever cherished.  It’s simple, it’s beautiful, it’s emotional, it’s timeless.

 Leonardo da Vinci said – “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

Sophistication is something I’m striving for.  In my life, and in my art.  Simplifying both of those things has, and I know will continue to bring me, my family, and hopefully my clients a great amount of joy for this year, and the years to come.

Starting this year I have simplified my pricing, and the way I shoot.  I have started working with more and more film, including instant film.  I love it for it’s simplicity, it’s beauty and the fact that it helps me to slow down.  I think before every click of the shutter to find the perfect moment.  It also helps me to connect with the subject.  That’s what life is all about isn’t it?  Relationships.  Relationships with people, not gear or devices.  With film I’m able to spend less time behind a computer, and more with my family.  My goal is to make each picture perfect in camera so I don’t have to photoshop it to make it look good.  With film, I can do that.

As far as pricing goes, this year I have one session fee, and one mini session fee to simplify everything.  I still offer a-la-carte prints and products as well.

For just $100.00 you get a 1 hour session.  Discs (printable up to 8×10) are not included in your session fee but can be purchased for $200 pre-session or $400 post-session.

If you only need a few pictures a mini session would be right for you.

For just $50.00 you get a 20-30 minute session at a location near my home.  Discs (printable up to 8×10) are not included in your session fee but can be purchased for $100 pre-session or $200 post-session.

For more information view my website HERE or my pricing page HERE.

I challenge all of you to go out and simplify your own lives, and enjoy every moment.  I would love to have the opportunity to come into your homes and help you remember just what your life is like now.  You’re house doesn’t have to be perfectly clean, your kids don’t have to be perfectly dressed, you don’t have to be down to your ideal size… because your life as it is right now is perfect, perfect for you, and for your family, and I want to capture that, and the love you share.  I will continue to share photos of my less than clean home and rarely bathed children with you… because that is what our life is right now.  And it IS perfect.

Right now I could use a little more sunshine and relaxation.  Luckily I can be reminded of those things just by looking at a few pictures I captured while in Hawaii last summer.  I think we all need that little reminder every now and then, don’t you?