Help!

So I just finished reading "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer, and I really, really want to read "New Moon" (next one in the series). The problem: I am #104 on the waiting list at the library. Going to take awhile. Does anyone have a copy, or know of someone that does? Want to lend it to me?

Senior Portraits

I seem to be having a lot of "firsts" these days. I guess that's to be expected when I'm just getting started, huh? I had so much fun shooting Stacy's senior portraits last weekend. We were at the amphitheater in AF (again, can you tell I like the spot?) and then the railroad tracks in Lehi. Both were really fun areas, and Stacy let me try all sorts of fun things. She was great.

That Orchard

I've seen this (and many other) orchards in the photography feeds that I watch, so I thought it was about time that I check it out as a potential site for a shoot next week. I loved it. It was really pretty, the sun was perfect (maybe a little harsh), and there were at least 50 deer in the vicinity. Needless to say, Rachel loved it too. She just got mad when she couldn't go say "hi" to them. Anyway, I decided to take one of my families there next week, so you'll probably see more then.

Christmas Card Reminder

Just reminding you that I'm still doing Christmas cards. It's most definitely not too late (in fact, it's still a little early to be sending them out, right?) to get some awesome cards made up by yours truly. Here's one I did for the Evan's family. I still love these pictures...

Sivula Family

Wow... this family was awesome! We had so much fun with this shoot last weekend. Everyone was so nice, the kids behaved beautifully, and Sam & I had fun with all of our gear. We seriously maxed out all of our equipment. It was great. I've posted the big group shot. We also did individually families, and I'll post some more of those as I get to them. Thanks again for such a fun experience!

American Fork Amphitheater

I love hunting photog sites, and well, since I don't have anyone else to photograph, my kids get lucky. After about 30 sec, Rachel starts to give me looks like this:



After she got over being pouty she decided to smile:


After I convinced her to stop "smiling" we got a semi-normal one. I think I mentioned something about Little Einsteins and she perked up for about half a second.


And then there's Andrew. Can I tell you how much I love this little boy? (Not that I don't love Rachel...) He will seriously sit and chill for the longest periods of time. I love it. I'm not sure how we got so lucky, but I'll take it. Plus, I have to show off his little man outfit. I love it. I can't believe he's almost 3 months. (Don't worry... there will be more pictures marking the actual occasion. Any excuse I can find, right?)




I wasn't the only photographer either. There was a good 5 or 6 others there as well. Apparently it's a pretty popular site. For good reason though. I didn't even try half the shots I was thinking of. I ran out of light, Andrew was hungry, and I almost made myself late for a volleyball game. *sigh* I love photography.

Playing with Photoshop

This is what I do when I don't want to fold laundry. I was playing in photoshop tonight and stumbled upon something fantastic. I love the color and texture of this look. Sorry if you don't (please tell me if you don't...am I just in a really weird mood?!). Anyway. Thought I'd share.

Evans Family: In "studio"

Wow... Can I tell you how much I adore these pictures? I don't even care if they like them, I think they're fantastic. Can I also tell you how much I love my new studio strobe? So much that we bought another one. *sigh* Merry Christmas to us, right?

Anyway, this family was so much fun. Lukas wasn't smiling too easily (welcome to the world of photographing babies!), but we had good time anyway. And, as you can tell, they are a gorgeous family. Thanks guys for making my backdrop look so good!

I also need a vote... Dark (black) vignette vs...

white vignette (next three pictures). The white vignette is more subtle. Any opinions?



I've been playing with a few borders and such. They're actually quite fun.

I love this one: going to be such a high-school super-star!

Photo Shoots

I just wanted to let you know that I'm booked for photo shoots until after Christmas. I really have a hard time saying "no" to people, so I thought I'd get the statement out there. If you haven't sent me an email already and want pictures, I'm really sorry. I would love to schedule something for January.

But... I'm still way on for Christmas Cards. So... email away. I'm ready. :)

High Contrast

I'm loving high contrast pictures these days, and when I post-processed this one I couldn't resist sharing. Rachel is not at her cutest, but I love the contrast with the leaves. It makes me want to go take more pictures outside.

Bleeding Blue

We made it to Sam's first football game! We've been trying for the last 3 years to make it to a game, and the stars (and babysitters) finally lined up. We went to the CSU game on November 3rd, sat in the student section, stood and cheered the whole game, and bought the expensive stadium treats since we figured it was a one time deal. Unknown to us, our bishop couldn't make the TCU game on Nov. 8th, and offered us his tickets. So, we got go again! It was great. 50 yd line. Great view of the whole field. Semi-comfortable seats. (Which was great since we took Andrew with us this time.) Anyway... we had a great time and the Cougars pulled through with some awesome victories!

Even though it was really loud, and Andrew was pretty scared a first, by the end of the game he was pretty comatose.

After the CSU game, I came back and got to play with Rachel in the leaves outside our complex. She loved burying me!

Public Service Announcement: How to Use Google Reader

Here's to my friends who wanted to know how to use a feed reader to keep track of their various blogging friends. Sam found this video which explains it very well, but if you are too impatient to watch it, here's the condensed written version:
1) Go get a Google Reader account (basically just a google account, and you log in at the google reader page).
2) On the left hand side of the screen, you will see an "add subscription" button.
3) Click on said button.
4) Copy & paste the URL (web address) of your friend's blog into the box that opens up.
5) Your friend's blog will then be added to the list on left, while any posts they have will show up on the right.
6) You can scroll through them in reader, or click on the title to visit the actual blog page (I like it when you do that, because it ups my page views and Sam & I are having a contest).
7) Add more subscriptions, and you can manage and categorize them using the "manage subscriptions" link down in the bottom left corner.

Using a reader basically saves you from visiting every website, every day to find out if there is anything new. I subscribe to 70+ different feeds and there's no way I would check every one. I don't have that much time. But, if you do, and you like it, feel free.

To Order Christmas Cards

I've been getting a lot of positive response about these cards! Thanks guys! To order cards:

1) PayPal $5 to TelegramSam@byu.edu (no credit cards please...I hate PayPal fees).
2) Email me the pictures you want on the card (in the highest resolution you have).
3) Include in the email which card, any custom text you would like, and any other requests/instructions.
4) I will email back your finished product as soon as I can.

Thanks again!

Christmas Cards

I'm not skipping Thanksgiving. I promise. But, I figure it's better to get a jump on these than to do it last minute. I'm offering a deal: for $5 I will put whatever picture(s) you would like into whatever card you would like. You can then get it printed up yourself, or I will print it at my very reasonable prices. All templates are 5x7.

If you don't have an awesome picture you would like to use for Christmas card, please contact me. I'm doing a limited number of Christmas-ish shoots between now and Dec. 15th.

*If you're not local to Utah, no worries. I can still email you a .jpg and let you print it, or get them printed and mail to you.

Can you tell I've pulled out the video camera?

Last one...I promise. I stuck Andrew in his bouncer today while I was in the shower, and he was lovin' it. Second only to sucking on his fists (see post below) he loves to kick his feet. He'll seriously sit for an hour in whatever baby-safe contraption we stick him in and just kick away. It's great. Anyway, he loved that there were lights and noises involved this time.

Cute Things Rachel Says

I'll admit it. We're biased. Rachel says the cutest things. We tried to catch most of them on video (for posterity of course) and I thought we'd share. I didn't know how to combine them, probably could've worked it out somehow, but I'm lazy, so you get two. She starts out saying "hard-ware store" in one, but the beginning is cut off (Sam taught her that one!).

Cute things Rachel says Part II

Munching Mania

Rachel never did this, so it's all new to me. This little guy LOVES munching on his fists, hands, wrists, fingers, you name it. If there's no binky in sight, in goes the hands.