Beautifully Mundane | Arizona Finding Joy In Chaos Family Retreat | Motherhood Session | Family Photographer

Earlier this month, I hosted my first out of state Finding Joy In Chaos Family Retreat in Gilbert, Arizona. It was everything I dreamt it to be and turned out even better than I hoped! There were 14 ladies who came and I have a deep love for each of those ladies. I spent time with them on 1:1 FaceTime calls getting to know them and their goals for 2020 and when we all met, I literally cried. It was such a wonderful group of ladies and all the friendships that were developed made my heart so insanely happy!

We did 3 sessions, 1 indoor, 2 outdoor. Here is our short indoor session! I couldn’t have asked for a sweeter family to model for us. McKenna’s love for her children and all the mundane moments are clearly seen here. I am so thankful she allowed me to use her family to teach all these ladies about the different moments in each persons lives that matter.

Hang tight, while I post more from the workshop in future posts. :)

V-Day Lovin' & a Few With Cutie Pie Evaline | Mesa, Arizona | Family Photographer

I flew in a day early for my Finding Joy In Chaos Retreat and decided I want to test out our location and shoot a little something for myself! Rebecca Johnson with Nhiya Kaye Photography and I found some adorable models (Noel, Dan & Evaline) , had Dana with The Floral Theory create a stunning bouquet and we headed for the desert! This shoot was freezing but Noel and her family were amazing and such good sports!

I love all the Cacti so much! I feel like my heart belongs in warmer temperatures with almost year round golden sunsets. Maybe one day I’ll convince my husband to pick up and move away from Utah. ;)

Martinsen Family | Mesa, Arizona | Mini Session | Finding Joy In Chaos Family Retreat

I photographed this beautiful family 2 years ago when they came to Utah for a vacation and I was so excited when I remembered that Abbie and her family lived in Arizona! They were so kind to model for us on Peter’s 4th birthday! He was such a good sport about it. We made it a quick little session to play with some stunning light! I’m a little obsessed with all of them but little baby Thomas has me so excited for my baby boy to come this April!

Finding Joy In Chaos Retreat - Schmidt Family - In-Home Lifestyle Session

There are two things I’ve developed a huge passion for in 2019, in-home family sessions and teaching. This was my 4th workshop for 2019 and it was definitely one for the books. I’ve been craving to shoot Kara’s family for sometime and once I saw their home they has started building, I knew I needed to make a shoot happen. I even based my retreat in Park City, Utah because it was somewhat close to her home so we could shoot there. Selfish? Nah!

Teaching other creatives how I see and create family imaginary is an honor and it brings me so much joy. When coming up with the name for this workshop, I wanted it to relate to how others see family sessions - chaos. I want others to see the joy in all types of chaos and not run from it. There will be so many more opportunities to attend future workshops but for now, I need to show all the pretty created.

Baby Oliver | Salt Lake City Lifestyle Photographer

Baby Oliver turned one today! Such a special day for these three. I absolutely love this family. When they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah from Columbus, Ohio, I was their first photographer!! We did their anniversary pictures up in the gorgeous Utah mountains. When Morgan and David got pregnant, they reached out about doing a lifestyle, in home session. I was so excited! I don’t normally do newborn type shoots but they gave me full creative control and my soul felt full after this session.

Oliver had a head full of dark brown hair that has now turned blonde like his mamas. He was going through cluster feeding and only wanted to nurse. It was so precious to see these two tag team parenting together! I will love these pictures forever!

Cushion Family | San Francisco Family Photographer

Earlier this year, Brooke and her family made plans to head to Utah but things didn’t work out and we pushed the session to next year. However, once I learned I was coming to San Francisco for another session, I reached out to her to see if she’d like them done by them instead! I was so excited when she replied with a yes! The beach and ocean have my heart and all it’s beauty inspires me. Brooke picked the location. I arrived a couple hours early to explore and to soak in some mediating time listening to the waves. It was perfect. Once they arrived, the wind had picked up and we knew it was going to be a little challenging. But to our surprise, the wind was such an amazing added touch!! Brooke’s baby was only 4 weeks old and I couldn’t get over how beautiful her baby was and how good Brooke looked! During her session, we focused on having all this fun movement and capturing the connections they had with each of their children. It is hands down, one of my favorite sessions.

just the three of us | laguna beach california

Last July, I had the opportunity of meeting and working with this talented family. Jen is an incredible wedding photographer and I may have had the worst case of nerves this entire session. Photographing other photographers never gets easier! One thing it does though, is you know they came to you for your creativity and style. 

This session is probably one of my favorites. Being in the presence of these three you knew instantly they were goals! Jen and her husband have one of the sweetest, caring relationships. Add their daughter and they are a happy family who you can tell spend quality time together!