On the morning of our last day in Las Vegas, Krista convinced Kellie and I to attend a sunrise concert sponsored by With Etiquette called We Bring the Sun, and featuring Jesh de Rox. It wasn't easy getting up before Starbucks opened, but we made it on the coach, bundled up for chilly morning weather and headed off to the desert. 3 coaches drove out to a spot in the desert about 30 minutes out of the city, and pulled up to a group of musicians braving the cold as the sun rose. We listened to good music by a few bands, took a lot of photos as the sun rose & goofed off playing with our shadows to stay warm. As eight o'clock drew near, we boarded the coach back to the MGM to finish up 5 days of classes before heading home. Thank you Krista for making sure we didn't miss this fun experience!

 We enjoyed a quick photoshoot just outside of the MGM Grand, and instruction on workflow and Photoshop afterward. Thank you Kamee for a fun workshop, and also to her friend Whitney for modeling for us... and to MGM security for not kicking us out of the fun spot Kamee found to shoot in.

Gorgeous model, fun workshop, and good friends. It was a great afternoon! Thanks Kamee!

Our first adventure after a day and a half of classes, was a mystery photoshoot sponsored by Anthony Vazquez of Click Nation. We boarded a coach and were taken to the Graceland Wedding Chapel. We took our seats in the chapel and were let in on the secret, that clients of Anthony's agreed to be his models for a hilariously styled Las Vegas chapel wedding. Anthony instructed us a bit on off camera lighting, and in came Elvis and our models for the night. Everyone laughed hysterically, it really was a surreal moment!

It's those little things I need to remember, write down, photograph ... before they grow up.

how Nate loved going to the Children's Museum so much that he wore the wristband from the trip for over a week. how he still loves his little bear blanket named Bingo. he's become a snuggler & a mama's boy. he sucks his right thumb. never the left. he loves his twin brother, even when they've fought. he says bascetti for spaghetti. and loves to play in the bathtub. he's Nate, he's 4 1/2 and he's mine...

January in Utah is generally very cold with temps in the 20s - 30s, and hazy with an inversion (a nice Utah weather term for smog) neither of which lend themselves to a popular time for outdoor family photography.

I loved the colors Lisa put together for their family session - Red, Gray and Navy.  Colors and clothing are hard to choose for many of my clients, even for my own family session this year!  The best advice I can give is to choose colors you like, pick up to 3 and mix them into each family member's personality & style.  If they are colors you love, you may find everything in your closets already.  Let me know if you need ideas...

Adrian... 3rd grader, loves skiing, good friends, his tree frog, and of course Legos

Love you all!  Thank you for a fun & silly session!  I tried not to completely scoop your Christmas cards... but I had to share some of my favorites! :)

a little hug to warm up... Tommy & Evi are such a cute & sweet couple!

firewood collected & off to the cabin... (well, that's my story anyway haha!)  can't you feel the roaring fire?

The apple of their eye... Jaren.

* This session was at 7200 ft and 27 degrees fahrenheit!  My first snow session of the season & I have to say that they braved the cold like champs!  I really love the plaids that Evi coordinated for their session ~ way to go girl!  

Marissa & Joe grew up in the same hometown in California.  Their parents were friends, but they didn't meet each other until attending college here in Utah.  Now they are enjoying their second year of marriage.  I love hearing stories like this.  It's amazing how paths cross and timing has to be just right... and bam!  There it is.  Love.

Speaking of love...

Meet Maddux.  Marissa & Joe's first baby, he's a 9 mo. old cockapoo, and the star of the show.  He was absolutely one of the softest dogs I've ever met and so cuddly & adorable.  I could see right away why they love him so much!   

We caught the gorgeous fall colors at peak time and managed to beat a huge rainstorm by a few seconds!  I really love the moody skies and fall colors in your photos!  Thank you Marissa, Joe and Maddux for a great session!

Philly surely misses them, but Salt Lake is happy to have them!  They love their Eagles, are searching SLC for a great hoagie, enjoying Utah's outdoors, and are quickly making many new friends.  Meet the McLane's...

Dad & Mom... incredibly organized & efficient, as you have to be raising five children.  They have a fun sense of humor & an adventurous take on life.

The Crew... from pre-school to high school, they are funny, polite, full of energy, mischievous, shy, smart & sweet.  

Off to their next adventure!

Welcome to the neighborhood!  

These 6 siblings are very lucky... they have a great blended family.  Brothers & sisters, toddler to teens...

Susan & Mark... talented, writer, graphic designer, newlyweds, sweet, kind, funny.  

Check out their new website www.UtahChild.com and find children's activities, recreation, party planning, events, reviews & the information you need to entertain your family... all in one place.

The boys... I would not dare challenge either to a video game.  I would lose.  Fast.

The big girls... imaginative, silly & sweet

baby Isla, you are one lucky little gal to have all of these great brothers & sisters to love you along with your mom & dad!

Washington bound... this is a family that will be missed.

I've been their family photographer since Lincoln was the star of their maternity pictures.  He turns three in just a few months, as his family is starting a new adventure in the Pacific Northwest.  What a little cutie!

Where do you photograph a boy who loves trucks and cars, a dad who loves to crash them in demolition derbys, and a mom who loves them both with all her heart?  This seemed like just the right place...

I have to admit, I am not a morning person.  But, I should be, because...

The sun rising over the Wasatch mountains on the way to this session was gorgeous.

Krista handing me a chai (my favorite) as she stepped out of their car made my whole day.  

And, the sunlight peeking through this fence was amazingly beautiful.  

Just look at Millie's expression!  What a darling! 

Makes you want to kiss those cute little cheeks!  She has the sweetest little smiles!

and big sis Rosie... 

4 years old, adores her little sister, loves her mom & dad very much... and Scooby Doo

being a big sister brings big responsibilities, and Rosie has stepped up to the job.  Hugs... check.  Kisses... check.

just look at these kicks!  every girl likes a little bling now and then!  adorable!

the girls' beautiful quilts in these photos were lovingly made by their mom, who is completely talented in every crafty and cooking way, and could beat Martha Stewart with her hands tied...