A Christ-Centered Christmas: Lessons from an Eight-Year Old

It's December! This month can be hectic for some (alright, so it is hectic for everyone) as we make time for shopping, for celebrations, and for other year-end items. It can be a bit overwhelming, feeling like things have to be perfect, missing loved ones, and enjoying all the abundance of sunlight (not!). 

There is a way to find more joy this Christmas season, however. We can remember that things don't have to be perfect, because there is someone who loves us in our imperfections. We can take comfort in the knowledge that because of Him missed love ones can one day be reunited with us.

This eight-year old is ready to make a Christ-centered Christmas this season. Shooting him I learned some fun things from him about the reason for this Christmas season. 

The Logan, Temple venue? Yeah, his idea. 

The amazing pose looking at his mama? He asked me to take it. 

Including his in-awe siblings in the shoot? All him. 

Because Christmas isn't about the things we recieve. It's not about the size of our tree or the spread on our dinner table. 

It's about the joy of serving, it's about the joy of Him. 

Happy December!

Called To Serve

 Missionary Photos are definately one where my emotions come out. 

Is there anything more amazing than capturing the excitement, the anticipation, and the worry surrounding a young person preparing to leave home to go serve strangers?

Didn't think so!

Enjoy the highlights from this missionary shoot and tell me which photo is your favorite! You could win a free picture of the Logan Temple at Sunset. 

Shh! The Library is Calling: Getting Great Pictures, Even in the Rain

Mother nature is a fickle friend. At times, she comes out in her majesty to allow me to capture images of great beauty, other times she just makes it cold and wet. 

Last weekend, the weather was fierce with cold, stormy, cloudy, foggy, and otherwise unphotogenic weather being the main theme. There were bits of unimaginable beauty too when the sun would come out to play with the clouds and the mountains and the green of the earth shone bright and deep. 

Alas, for my little family photo shoot, the weather just did not want to cooperate. Luckily, there are other great ways to get pictures. Here are some ideas on how to get great pictures, even in the rain. 

1. Umbrellas. Plenty of photographers have been able to capture moments that can't be captured any other way- use a couple umbrellas and get out in that weather! Be aware of lighting and if possible use umbrellas that help with your photos rather than hinder them. Unpatterned white, clear, or black umbrellas work best as props and for even, uncolored lighting. I prefer to use white or clear umbrellas that let light in. 

2. Take it inside. This is what I opted to do for this particular shoot. With wet ground and freezing temperatures I did not want this adorable little wee one to have to put up with the cold. When taking pictures inside venue needs to be considered. To get true lifestyle portraits you can either use a studio with custom props or find the right location for your clients (like a library for my bookworm friend and her family). LIGHTING, LIGHTING, LIGHTING. Find big windows, skylights, or other sources of natural light or bring lighting equipment. Bad weather days mean lighting is going to be at a prime indoors. 

3. Check the white balance! Weather changes the white balance, as does taking pictures inside! I was constantly changing my white balance during this shoot which was fun (and a bit hectic). 

4. Reschedule. Bad weather days happen, and if you really have your heart set on that gorgeous outdoor location it may just be best to reschedule. 

Enjoy the rest of the highlights from this fun, bad-weather library shoot!

Hugs, 

A Family of Aggies: Tips for Family Photos with Your Dog

I'm an Aggie. I was kind of raised to be one. I married an Aggie and my husband and I are now raising future Aggies. It's a tradition I'm happy to continue. I loved my time at Utah State and I love this beautiful valley. 

I guess I'm not the only one- I was able to photograph this family of Aggies who are getting ready for their oldest son to leave on a LDS Church mission. 

My favorite part of this shoot was shooting their sweet English bull dog, Bella. So here are some tips for getting great family photos with your pooch. 

1. Time it right. 

As you prepare for your shoot, keep in mind when your dog is hyper, when she's laid back and when she's uncooperative. Time your family shoot at a time when your dog is typically content and not too hyper or too exhausted. 

2. Let Him Get Comfy

Your dog needs to get used to the whole idea of family photos. If you want your dog to be wearing a bow-tie for the shoot, make sure you let him wear it several times throughout the week so it's not new for the shoot. If your going to be shooting in a new location, go to the shoot a bit early, let your dog sniff around and explore before the shoot so he's less distracted during the photos. Have the photographer take lots of practice shots of different members of the family and of the dog so that your pup can get used to the sight and sound of the camera. 

3. Use Natural Light

Most dogs are easily distracted (squirrell!). Using natural light instead of bright flashes will help eliminate a potential distraction for your dog. 

4. Teach Her a Trick

High-energy dogs can struggle with family photos- they are expected to sit down, look at the photographer, and not chase that running that's jogging by?! Are you crazy?! 

High-energy dogs can be helped by owners picking a small stuffed animal or toy and using that as a prop to teach their dog to sit and look. For example, I might use a small bird. A few weeks before the shoot I would start training my dog to sit by mommy and look at the birdy. Another family member or friend can hold the small bird in different locations. Every time the dog sits and looks at birdy, let the stand-in photographer give her a treat. As you teach your dog this trick it will become easier and easier for the dog, so make sure you make the dog sit for longer periods of time and make the bird go to different locations. 

Once the day of your shoot arrives make sure you bring your item (in this case the small bird) and treats for your dog. Your photographer can then hold the small item over the camera as you order your dog "sit by mommy and look at the birdy". 

As a photographer, I LOVE giving out treats, so this trick works fabulous for everyone!

5.Use a Photographer Who Works With Your Dog

I have a friend whose dog is mostly terrified of men. As an adopted dog, he just doesn't trust them because of past experience. For my friend, it is important to pick a female photographer who is warm towards her dog. 

Know your dog and find a photographer who is comfortable with dogs, knows how to photograph them, and can be patient and literally roll with it when your dog thinks he is supposed to roll over and play dead. 

I hope these tips are helpful to you and yours! Enjoy the rest of the highlights. 

And The Boys

I'm a millennial.

What does that mean? Well, it means when I was growing up, The Back Street Boys were cool.....for the first time. It means that the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was more than just re-runs. It means we played with crazy toys (many that were proven to be life-threatening) and wore crazy clothes. It means that the world legitimately thought that the end of the world was going to come when computers couldn't figure out how to move from 1999 to 2000.

What does all this have to do with an adorable family of four boys?.....I'm not really sure, but they'd certainly make a cute boy-band some day. Heart throbs, every one of them!

Laid Back Kind of Perfect

I thought about titling this post "How to get your kids to cooperate during family pictures". It felt way too much like a marketing ploy and didn't really feel like me.....so I canned that title.

That being said, here is the best way to get kids to cooperate during family pictures: stop caring.

I know....it sounds very counter-intuitive. I promise it works. As parents, we actually kind of know that it works because we do it everyday.

When your child doesn't want to play soccer with the rest of the family, you likely didn't try forcing his arms and legs into a soccer-playing position or insist that he join in, be happy, and like it (well, maybe you did, but you probably realized afterwords that you sounded a bit dumb).

When your child doesn't want to do family pictures, it's ok. Bribery works for some, if it's the right type (I don't suggest chocolate cake mid-shoot unless you're doing a cake smash session). For others, bribes and threats can just make the situation worse, because it creates pressure to perform.

Children don't need to perform to get amazing family pictures, in fact sometimes it's best when they don't. As long as you are partnered with a photographer accustomed to working with children, your job as a parent should just be to enjoy some time with your kids and let the photographer worry about the rest.

Here are a few other tips for photographers and parents. 

1. Give children something to do. A photogenic prop can be great as it gives children a purpose. Interact with the child while they play, make silly sounds, etc. and soon you'll have a natural picture of a happy child. 

This can also work without a prop, tell them to kiss mom, to hold onto a wall, or any other simple instruction. A happy child is a busy child, so get them busy doing something that will assist with the pictures.

2. Let them play. I think portraits of kids playing are so fun. Try getting them to spin, then snap a shot when they fall down, dizzy and laughing. Let them throw a ball or even try to tag the photographer. Letting them play is an easy way to get them happy about pictures.

3. Bring something to catch their eye. As cool as my camera is....children actually aren't fascinated by it. That's why I bring help. A small red doll, a large hand puppet, even a brightly colored cloth can help me capture the attention of little ones long enough to snap a picture. 

However you get your little ones to cooperate during a photo shoot, make sure to stop by somewhere and get them ice cream on the way home. They've earned it. 

Till next time,