Boise Family Photographer | Wallflower Friends {Forever}

Photography is all about feeling. Some images, well, they just reach us in ways that often can’t be explained. And some artists seem to have an intrinsic gift for creating those images, out of almost anything. For years, I’ve been inspired by portrait photographers Deb Schwedhelm and Leah Zawadzki, and when they brought their wallflower friends retreat to Sundance, Utah (within driving distance!) – it was an opportunity I simply couldn’t pass up.

I attended the retreat in October, 2010, about a year and half after hanging out my professional (photography) shingle, and about 9 months after our youngest, Ruby was born. With Ruby and my mom nestled in a cozy cabin in the Wasatch Mountains, I ventured out for two days of instruction, and more importantly – inspiration. (Sundance is also where I heard the inimitable Jonathan Canlas speak, himself a force whose thoughts on the significance of personal work left an enduring and soon evident impression on me.)

A few favorite captures from the weekend:

Boise Children’s Photographer | 10 on 10, Take 1

Not too long ago, another photographer (who happens to also be my very best friend) asked me if I’d join her in a new photography project in the new year. Ginger was looking for something to challenge and inspire her, and the 10 on 10 concept had caught her eye. It’s personal work – something I value tremendously. The idea? Once a month, take ten photos over the course of ten hours. Really document a day. A group of ten of us will then post them on the tenth.

Now, I’m no stranger to a personal photography project. I’m wrapping up my second 365 (this one for Ruby) in less than two weeks! I’m used to the camera hanging around my neck wherever we go. But capturing an entire day was, well . . . a challenge. I enjoyed it, though, and I’m already looking forward to round two.

I decided to kick off this special project on a special occasion: Daddy’s birthday. The girls and I were home for winter break, so we were able to spend most of the day preparing for it. They love birthdays, and parties, and any reason at all to celebrate. After an early bath (get that out of the way so we can focus on BIRTHDAY!), the girls got started. Ruby did spend some time trying on underpants before the true party prep commenced – she’s not ready to wear them full time yet, but oh she’s trying. And not even two!

The girls made crowns for all of us to wear, adorned Daddy’s gifts with stickers, and made extra-special decorations to hang throughout the day. When Daddy got home, we all went for a walk/wagon ride, and then home for them to give him his presents. Wrapped up the day with dinner at their favorite restaurant, complete with an ice cream cupcake that Daddy was more than willing to share.

Want to see more 10 on 10? Check out Ginger’s first 10 on 10 post here!

Boise Child Photographer | New Beginnings

I’ve been away. Not from my home, my kids or my camera, of course, but from this side of my photography. A side that is certainly personal, but less so than the personal work I’ve dedicated myself to over the past nine months. And that was good. But there is more, and I’ve been missing it. So here I am, venturing back out into all the beautiful light I can find. And what better occasion to mark another new beginning than my baby caterpillar and her big sister the butterfly? I can never resist a good Halloween capture, and this one may be my favorite yet.

Boise Baby Photographer | A Little Bit Lifestyle

If you frequent photography blogs, you may have noticed the term “lifestyle” being thrown around a good bit these past few years. If you’re curious about what it means applied to portrait photography, you wouldn’t be the only one! Commercial “lifestyle” photography is more easily defined, but once we’re describing personal portrait photography, what makes a lifestyle image, or a lifestyle photographer the question becomes something far more subjective.

Lifestyle images, for me, are better identified by a feeling than elements on a checklist. More than mere snapshots, certainly, they are works of art that typically target unscripted, entirely natural activity. For example, instead of posing kids in the perfect setting, a lifestyle photographer might tag along for a trip to the local ice cream shop, or camp out in the kitchen while a family makes cookies. She might not ask anyone to look at the camera, and generally refrains from directing the session once it’s underway. There’s a photo-journalistic feel to today’s lifestyle photography, and I find myself drawn to its authenticity.

But, I never thought of myself as a lifestyle photographer. Though it appeals to me in many ways, I have always valued what can be captured and conveyed through intense eye contact and other elements of more traditional portrait photography. Who doesn’t love a classic capture of their kid’s sweetest smile? I’m sentimental, I’ll admit it. (I blame it on my grandma, and if you want to know why, click here.)

As for my style, I like to think that my professional work often manages to find that fine balance of classic portraiture infused with the spirit of lifestyle photography. Recently, however, I’ve begun to explore “lifestyle” in more of my personal work, particularly in my commitment to a 365 project for Ruby that kicked off on her first birthday in January. And I have discovered that, in doing so, the distinction between my personal and professional work is growing smaller.  These images represent me, and my vision as a photographer, as accurately as any you’ll find in my portfolio. I look forward to sharing more with you soon!