Alexander Fett O'Neil [2 weeks old]

the HELM family

Emily and I have been friends since our days at the River Queen--which used to be the best place in town for a burger, fries, and a shake---until it was sold and turned into an Alberto's. I was there for the HELM-Belliston wedding...(my first gig as a photographer :0) and her sister, Candace's wedding...and sporatically along the way. I'm so glad we were able to make some time to catch up a little bit and to take some family portraits. The kids got a little restless, but did such a great job for as long as we were shooting. Good thing Xander had his trucks!

Ryan and Nessa

This shoot was so much fun! Janessa and Ryan were engaged on the top of a mountain. Good thing he figured out it was time to propose (she was beginning to wonder if he was ever going to pop the question). These two can pretty much bet on laughing for the rest of their lives together. I'm so glad I got to shoot these engagements! Nessa has been a good friend of mine for about 5 years now, thanks to my little brother. I've been calling her Nessanator, or Nessanatorade for as long as I can remember! Nessa and Ryan were rockin' it as models and the fun was a constant. Almost a whole bag of their favoirte Jelly Belly Jelly Bean's was consumed on our drive to Brighton to a cool graffitied bus that was GONE!!! Luckily, there was tons of cool stuff to use as backgrounds...afterall we were enjoying mother nature, which I might add decided to storm like crazy on us the day of the first shoot. It was pouring and I mean pouring down rain when I met up with these two at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. I kept telling Nessa it would clear up by the time we got on location. AND...like clock work, the clouds parted for just enough time for a short little hike to the Snake Creek lift and plenty of gorgeous pictures! It's not hard when you have models like the two. Seriously! BUT...we still wanted some more, so we reshot on Monday and luckily the sun was actually shining. Crazy June weather in Utah. Enjoy the pictures!

laugh last with me.
always kiss me goodnight.
don't forget the jelly bellies.

THE [Sarah Anne Barlow] Internship: Day I

I am seriously so blessed. (I wonder if saying that is copyright infringement?) I arrived in Nashville last night (7/12) to enjoy pouring rain and the company of 4 strangers. We ate at Jackson's Coffee and Tea a local diner with very cool employees. (Our server was great!) I got to meet Katie at the airport and then Sarah when she came to pick us up. We drove around the airport once more and then picked up Jessica. Rachelle would fly in about an hour later and there was no more room in the car for luggage or people, so we dropped the rest of our stuff off at the ICON in the gulch which is actually where Sarah lives!!! --and then headed back to the airport.

Today we spent the day defining WHO we are. (WE=the interns). I didn't think it would be so difficult considering the fact that I am a journal writer, but I found struggle in my need to put who I really am down on paper. (And I've been thinking about what I would write since back in January when I heard Dane Sanders speak at the PUG)--so I called Anna. Yay for good friends that help get our brains on track!!! After our intense afternoon it was time to head out to dinner: The Cheesecake Factory.

Happy Birthday Rachelle!!! She turned 17 with us! Dinner was great! I got my usual: Thai Chicken Pasta. (A menu that big makes my brain hurt and I can't decide so I stick to what I always get.)

||Leah||

||Leah||Beautiful||Leah||

This morning I had the chance to photograph Leah, or Rebekah, as she is known in China.
The brother of an acquaintance contacted me at the beginning of the week wondering if I could help out. Considering my recent move and need to know the locations that surround me, I accepted. Leah is from a city named Xi'An. I've never been to China, but the name sounded familiar for some reason. When I looked up the city I figured out why... My friend Matt visited her city to see the Terracotta warriors. Very cool! It is a small world after all. Leah brought her love for modeling and excitement for competition with her to the shoot. She has been an aspiring model for about ten years now and showed up with a bag of clothes and make up in hand. She would've modeled all day if had the time! She was so excited to try all the poses she's been studying up on. I love how many different looks she has. I wish her the best of luck in her continuing competition. She was just awarded: the " 2009全国平面模特新秀奖“ which she translated to be: "Fourth 2009 China Model Match" ( for Magazine , website or Model for a production ), the " Rookie of the China Model " and The " Champion Award" within her city .

Sneak Peak

My friend Sharman asked me to photograph her newborn. Newborns and Toddlers are so different from Brides, but still so much fun! These are two of my favorite shots from the shoot.
Tanner is 3 and all over the place. While mom was feeding baby Parker I went and found Tanner sitting in front of the TV watching his favorite kid cartoon. The above shot was the ONLY one he let me get of him looking at me. Little Parker did such a great job...he barely even cried and he kept staring at my lens. We had a fun morning together.

H&M

In an attempt to get to know my surroundings here in Nor Cal, I asked some of my new friends, Heather and Mark, if they'd be willing to get a few more engagement photos in exchange for their time. I'd had my eye on this great location at an outdoor mall at Santana Row that has some awesome stuff for the urban look!
I loved shooting there! AND I loved shooting Mark and Heather!
They were up for anything and they're such a sweet couple.