Nick+Erin=Baby {Lyla Rose}

She is probably the most down-to-earth person I've ever met.

I met Erin my first semester at MCC, in the Interior Design program. I was terrified/nervous/shy/intimidated to be in this program. For some reason I was convinced I'd be sitting in a class with Candice Olson and Vern Yip; and I'd be THAT girl with too simple of ideas and they would throw tomatoes at my face. (I'm very much aware only a few will understand that joke.)Then I met Erin. I'm pretty sure we had almost every class together that year...and by "that year", I mean the five years it took us to complete the two-year program. :) She was so normal, and I needed normal to offset the not-so-normal faculty. Seriously...there are some crazies out there!!!

I value her as a friend and through all of life's events, we've managed to stay in touch all these years. I would've never thought we would see each other get engaged, married, and become pregnant. She was a beautiful bride, and even more beautiful carrying her first baby girl <3











Don't worry Nick, I'm not going to leave you hangin'!
Although I've only met Nick a handful of times, I like this guy. He's quiet, sarcastic and intelligent-My favs. I always tell Tyler (the hubby) that their personalities are so similar and they should be best friends. :)
Nick & Erin: Congratulations on your baby girl!!! I can't wait to meet her!

Amy: Ooh La La!

I was thrilled when my Friend, Amy, from high school called and said she wanted to do a photo session. Amy and I met my freshman year and we had Dance together for three years! If you were in dance, like, seriously, it consumed your life. Totally. (Do you like my teenager voice?) :) Anyways, this was my first time seeing Amy since high school, so it was a blast getting caught up!!

We opted for some outdoor poses at the Orange Groves - Amy is a cowgirl at heart, so this location of sun, tall grass, mature trees was Perfection. We also did a mini boudoir session. Now, I'm going to admit: I was flipping nervous!! I never shoot indoors. I studied up on boudoir poses and made sure Amy was on the same page with my ideas. I must say, the images are tasteful and beautiful. Amy, your eyes are AMAZING! They bounce from blue to green depending on the light AND I am envious! Isn't she gorgeous????



Could the sun be any better in this image? Answer: Nope. Oh, and I have a thing for the 1970's Polaroid "look" :)






Seriously..Girl, stop it. ;)

2012: Being better.

What are you thinking about? Tyler asked me as we started our long drive to my parent's cabin in Showlow. Me: How did you know I was thinking? (As if there was ever a time when my mind wasn't running wild. I'm a chick. And a Mom. Duh.)
Tyler: I know you're in deep thought. You're quiet. What is it?
Me: Well...First, I was praying that we make it to Showlow, safely....then I was thinking how minuscule I feel when I think about life. How short it is. Then I was thinking (I'm usually not this depressing) if I were to die today, would I be satisfied with everything I've accomplished. No. I want to do so much more. I want to create. I want to make something, and have other people look at it, appreciate it, or hate it, just knowing that I've created something and someone took one second out of their life to look at it. I've always wanted that, ever since I was a little girl. My answer to what do you want to be when you grow up? was always something creative like Fashion Designing, Journalism...Photography. (Poor guy. I always seem to have long winded answers.)

Well, here I am. I am not perfect. Sometimes I even fight my insecurities to feel that I am good. But, I do know that I am getting better. I plan to keep getting better because I LOVE this. I also know that someday better will lead to good, and then Great! I love seeing my creation on your living room wall, in your wallet and on your Facebook page. Thank you for trusting me and believing in me!!!

I am really excited for this year. Here's to 2012 and being better.

Bellgraph Family: Cute, Cute, Cute!

Finally - a perfect day in Arizona for some family pictures! If you've read my blog lately, you've probably noticed a strange trend: RAIN. Well, not this time! We had gorgeous sun, and warmth, and light :)

This is the Cutest. Family. Ever. I totally dig their style! Something about a Fedora, fall boots, BIG headbands, and little ties gets me every time. The kids had fun taking pictures, running through the groves, playing in the leafs...and turning sticks into wands and swords, and - - you name it. Ha! I reviewed the images in my office, and apparently I was gasping, ooohhing and aahhhing out loud - loud enough for my husband to come and check on me. Ooops! I couldn't resist. I love how much personality we captured in these images. And Yes, these kids REALLY are this cute. :) :)




Okay. This picture cracks me up! Look at her! She is a DIVA, struttin' her stuff - and he is a little jumping bean, so much that my camera couldn't keep up. I know this one is different, but I couldn't resist having a little fun with the color. This one is for you, Jada!



This picture is what I'm talking about - look how much his personality shines through??!! Can I just have one ounce of your energy? Please. :)



Love. Love. Love the rest of these!