She is a lover of horses, a rider since age 5.  He is a lover of sports, a pro ball player.  Together they are a gorgeous couple who are so genuine and sweet.  As I watched Katey care for the horses, and as I chatted with her, it seemed as we had known each other for years- that is how down to earth she was and how easy going she was.  When Stephen showed up, and I started chatting with him, I felt as though I was looking at an old friend (he looks a lot like his sister- who is an old friend of mine).  He too, was just as sweet as Katey- down to earth and easy to get along with.  Katey had recently got a new horse, Chaz, he is a 3 year old Oldenburg gelding.  Chaz is massive and an absolutely GORGEOUS horse.  Because he was new, Katey wanted to be sure to get some images of him with her.  So we did, along with her other horse Valentina and their horse of a dog, Baxter.  Baxter was such a good boy and secretly I wanted to take him home with me.  At first Chaz was not happy having Baxter around, but we took sometime to introduce them slowly and after a few minutes, Chaz had found a new best friend.  It was so sweet.  I had such a fun time, and I have decided that I am just destined to photography horses, dogs and other animals with their people.

Thanks Katey and Stephen, here are a few of my favorites.  There were so many awesome ones, I had a hard time choosing.

The final family from the Pinetop weekend.  And what an awesome family to end with.  Once again, this session proved to be full of fun and laughter.  From giving Luke a new nickname “Mr.  Titleman” ( he is the mayor and vice principal), to digging into Rachel’s eye to get part of a cattail out- this family knows how to make memories.  I did take pictures of the small surgery Kristen and Josh performed, but I just can’t stand to look at them (because they are of the eye) so, I am not going to post them here.  The whole thing had me crying.  But honestly, I had so much fun and the whole family is such a beautiful family- thanks for having me be your family photographer.

This fourth family from the weekend- actually had two parts: the immediate Smith Family that is below and then the extended Smith Family- who is up next!  I had so much fun as I was going thru these images.  These boys are such good friends and have such a fun time when they are together.  The laughs and smiles were making me laugh out loud as I was editing away.  Especially the “joy ” picture.  If you notice the first joy picture- the boys joy is so obvious on there faces (or not)!  LOL.  Anyway, we had a fun time and I just love the images.  Here are a few of my favorite.

Family number 3 from the weekend shoot, happens to be my sister-in-law and her super cute family.  My nieces and nephews- all so cute and Emily- the oldest was loving the camera.  She couldn’t pose enough for me, she is a beautiful girl, they all are and they are such beautiful friends to all of my children too.   They wanted to update the big family picture that hangs in their living room, so they wore red and black and white.  The red to match some of their walls, the black to batch their couch and other furniture and white- to break it up a bit.  What a perfect idea.  Here are a few of my favorites!

Family number 2 from the weekend was the Giannetti family. So cute- so sweet.  You may recognize both the little cuties, Aaron and Carter, from sessions in the past few months or so.  Here are just a few of my favorites:

This past weekend, I got the pleasure of driving up north to photograph 5 family sessions.  I was so excited and ready for some nice cold weather- secretly wishing and hoping for snow.  Maybe I missed a candle on my last birthday cake, because there was no snow and no COLD weather awaiting me in the beautiful north country.  Instead a warm 75 degrees is what my car thermometer read Friday afternoon when I arrived.  Nonetheless, I was excited to photograph a family that has been coming to be year after year for 3  years now.  And Sonya, the domestic diva, has become a friend of mine as time has passed.  I just LOVE watching her children grow and develop and document them in these little steps in life.  All of Shawn and Sonya’s children are very well behaved and full of life and energy.  Anytime, I get to work with more than one child- there is always some bit of a challenge.  The funny thing was, as I went thru the images, there would be images that all of the children were either smiling laughing or looking at me, and I would think Ah-ha! Perfect! Then I would see either Shawn or Sonya had their eyes closed.  But I must be honest and say, I do not blame them or find fault, we had some pretty harsh lighting to deal with and when it comes to photography- harsh light is not our friend.  Even with the harsh lighting, two parents that wouldn’t keep their eyes open (totally kidding here), and 4 energetic kids, I am pretty pleased with the results we got.  Thank you Hemmings family for letting me hang out with you for the afternoon!

Wow!  I cannot believe how time has flown by.  It only seems like yesterday when I met Traci at Babies ‘r Us and baby Maggi was growing inside her.  Before my eyes- I have watched this beautiful belly transform into a beautiful baby and now into a beautiful little girl.  This year, as I visited the family, it was my 4th time photographing them in the past 3 years.  Each year, I anxiously await and anticipate the email that Traci sends me.  She has been saving and planning for a year and is ready for me to come out to their home once again.  I just LOVE it and get so excited every time I get to go out there.  not only do I get to se Steve, Traci and Maggi- I also get to see all there animals. I think they are up to 3 dogs now ,Rayna (-sp??) the little chihuahua still gets so antsy when I show up.  One of these days she will be happy to see me like the other two.  They still have the llama, two cats, a bunch of fish, a handful of horses and one of the newest additions, is Miss Buttercup better known as “bahhboo” with the cutest puckering of lips as Maggi says it.  She is Mags’ pony.

What a fun day we had.  We started out with a tea party with Bear and George- it was fabulous.  Then quick change of wardrobe to the cow girl boots, wranglers and cow girl hat.  And we were off to explore the world of a little cow girl in the wild west.  As I followed Maggi around, I could sense the joy and freedom she felt from living in her own little paradise( and if I can be honest here- my paradise).  What more could a girl want? Space to roam, animals to lead and ride, fish to gaze at and flowers a plenty for picking- and that is just what she did.

Maggi, you have the best facial expressions, the sweetest smile, the cutest laugh, the greatest love for your pony friend- buttercup, and THE MOST PERFECT LITTLE HEART LIPS EVER!!!!!  I could have stayed with you for a week.  You did such an awesome job- and never had a terrible moment, the whole 3 hours I was there.  I cannot wait to see you again next year…..and the next….and the next!

Here are a handful of favorites. (There were so many I loved!)

Well, if I can be honest- this couple was one of the hottest I have ever photographed.  They are both so darned cute together and separately they are just as adorable!  Can I also say that this is the first time I have ever left an e-session feeling like a total DORK.  I thought that I was being funny and chatty- but I have a feeling these two thought otherwise.  Now, do not take me wrong, both Kristyn and Brandon are super sweet people.  However, I think my conversation skills were totally off the chart in a backwards sort of way that evening.  They were both so soft spoken and didn’t have a whole lot to say.  And for those of you that know me- I talk about everything and anything.  Nonetheless, I had a great time and I can only hope that they did too. My favorite part of the shoot was when they would get a little silly and start laughing with each other.  I did get to learn that she is a nurse and he is a firefighter.  Let me tell you when I found that out, my imagination went crazy.  I kept envisioning a whole different session with uniforms and props.  HA!  I think I really am a dork.  Or maybe these two are just so darned cute and HOT- that I can’t keep up.  Thanks you two for hanging out with me and letting me get to know you a little better.

I cannot wait until your March wedding- I am sure it will be absolutely BEAUTIFUL and I am so THRILLED it is at one of my favorite venues:  The Desert Botanical Gardens.

I really love this little series.  

Watch out girls!  Or watch out MOM!  Evan is only six, but in a few more years- I can already see all the girls chasing after him.  Evan is funny, smart, athletic and SUPER cute!  He was keeping me laughing the whole shoot.  As soon as he would see me raise my camera- his full on smile would come out.  After a while, and after playing a few fair games, he relaxed a little and the more natural Evan came out (well sort of).  I have known Evan his whole life and just love him to death.  Brighton my son , and Evan get along and play really well together.  Currently they are on the same soccer team – and let me tell you Evan is an AWESOME player.  I don’t think there is a sport out there that Evan is not good at or doesn’t like.

Both of our families went to the fair together while Larisa and I headed off with Evan for his 6 year photo shoot!  Evan was so hungry, so his mom bought him a corn dog and I told him to sit down and eat it and he DEVOURED the whole thing in less than a minute- I guess he was really hungry.  And even better, I had told him to sit down in the middle of the ground and everyone was walking around him.  DO you think it phased him?  Not in the least, he just continued on like there was no one else in the world but him and his corn dog!

Happy 6th birthday Evan!  We all love you- you are fun, talented and amazing kid!

Snips and snails…..dirt and rocks- that is what little Brayden LOVES!  This is the first time I got to work with Brayden and although mom wasn’t too sure how he would behave (there were rumors of him being a little fussy earlier that day) he was such a sweet angel!  So mellow and laid back.  I must admit that I was completely AMAZED at how much he LOVED the dirt.  It was as though he had a built in radar for all thinks messy.  At one point, we put him on the ground in a small pumpkin patch.  Do you think he was looking to pat the pumpkins or just crawl around?  No way!  He spotted (from all the way across the patch I might add) a split open pumpkin and he made a b-line straight to the mess.  It was so funny!  I loved how strong that part of his personality was already present.  Despite the dirt and rocks and messy pumpkin seeds, we had a fun time and he did an awesome job…..not to mention he is such a cutie pie!  Thanks Brayden and Mom for having me be part of your afternoon!

Here are a few favorites!  PS- I am so happy that he brought his little monkey along- I could totally tell that it is his little best friend!