Photo location scouting shoot

I was off on another photo location hunt with my family. It’s tough to find pretty spots to shoot photo sessions at in Las Vegas. I try to look for any possible spots that can work with good lighting. Grateful for my little helper today:)

Sarah family photo session-Las Vegas Family Photographer

I am so blessed to photography such beautiful friends. This is Sarah, and she loves her family very much. I've been lucky to do pictures for her for quite some time. She wanted to do a session with just her children, a tender 'mommy and me' shoot. I think those shoots are so important and sometimes forgotten. This was a celebration of life and savoring those loved ones in your life. I'm so glad she did this, and I'm so grateful to document this time in her life.

Little Lorraine Co Photo shoot-Las Vegas Family Photographer

This little girl just melted my heart. She's so darling in her little outfit from Little Lorraine Co! You must check this site out. I had to move fast, as she wasn't too thrilled to stand alone for a quick shot. I improvised and had her stand in front of her mama, holding her hand tenderly. It helped calm her little heart, and I took a few shots as fast as I could, which is how you work with very little ones. I just love this:)

Motherhood photo session-Las Vegas Family Photographer

Hello, there! Last week, I was blessed to do 'school pictures' for my homeschool group. I was able to play around with my beautiful friend Nichole and her kids for some tender shots. She is such a loving mother with a rambunctious clan of boys and one girl. She's busy, loving, and a blessing to me. I love this moment with her son so much. Have a beautiful week, everyone! 

““The hand of a bride becomes the hand of a mother. Ever so gently she cares for her precious child. Bathing, dressing, feeding, comforting—there is no hand like mother’s. Nor does its tender care diminish through the years.” —Thomas S. Monson”

Garden Family Photo Session-Las Vegas Family Photographer

My dear friend Janna from my home school group is moving, sadness for me, and wanted some family pictures done in her home before they say goodbye to it. It's hard to leave a home that you've lived in for 9 years. It's a part of you. Well, they have put their heart and soul into this home, and have a beautiful garden that I constantly drool over. It was such a treat and privilege for me to serve them through pictures. I'm so thankful. Here's a few for now, and will post more soon! 

On every family photo session, I always think it's important to get an updated 'engagement' picture for Mom and Dad. Such a treasure! 

Morning Light Photo Session-Las Vegas Family Photographer

Let's take a moment and enjoy some beautiful morning sun spilling into our hearts. The joys of a girl in her pajamas waking up to play with the flowers. Another test shot from my new Fujifilm TX20 camera.  Have a beautiful week! 

Testing Out Fujifilm XT20 Camera-Las Vegas Family Photographer

Hello, friends! My curiosity over mirrorless cameras was peaked recently, and I began researching like a mad woman, gaining lots of insight on this 'mirrorless revolution'. So many pros about these cameras being lighter in size and weight than DSLRS, yet delivering just as beautiful images, to which made me think 'Oh, really?'. Well, I was blessed to sell some old camera gear, and purchase a Fujifilm xT20 with a 35mm 1.4 lens, equivalent to the great 50mm lens on Canon. Now, the learning exploration truly begins.

I have no intention of leaving behind my Canon DSLR and lenses, but I'm intrigued to dabble with this new little friend, and see what it can deliver. I have questions; how is the bokeh on the Fuji lenses? Do they match up to the wonder of 85 1.2 lens, and other portrait lenses? How are the colors coming out of the pictures? Is it really worth it to leave DSLRs and go with mirrorless? Only time playing with this camera will tell, but it's fun to have something light and small to travel with and document more of every day life.

I had my first photo session with the Fuji camera with my daughter in the early hours of the morning, the best weather in hot Las Vegas summers. I'm exploring different ways to edit color, trying to find what makes my heart sing. I used a VSCO filter here, and I love the softness of this image. Soft focus, soft colors, everything. 

Looking at the final result, this pictures speaks to me. First off, I love that my girl adores flowers and being tender with nature. When I look at this, I am reminded how important it is to slow down and notice the world around me. Take time to see and touch flowers, to hear a bird singing its morning praises to the rising sun, to see the light filtering through the leaves of a tree. All these things remind me how important it is to be alive, and how blessed I am to have another day here on earth. There's a wonderful song by Avi Kaplan called "Quarter Past Four" that has a beautiful line: 

Thankful every day I get to rise again
When my eyes start to open as the sunlight warms my skin

That just sums up everything I feel! Just simple and beautiful. Go and explore the world in some small way today. 
 

Best friends-Las Vegas Teen Portrait Photographer

Nothing like getting a picture with your best friend out in the beautiful mountains! Mt Charleston sure is a great place to go in the fall for a photo session. These girls dressed so darling:)

Family P-Las Vegas Family Photographer

A few more from Janna's family photo session. She dressed her family amazing! Love when a family comes together for a historic picture that will last forever. I also love the times when they are not looking at the camera, but reflecting in a peaceful moment. This makes my heart sing:)

Janna-Las Vegas Family Photographer

This is Janna, and I just think she is wonderful. Every time I shop at Costco, I see her working hard in the customer service department. She always has a smile on her face, and is working kindly with everyone. Customer service is not always the most fun place to be, but she inspires me with her loving example. She loves her family so much. She is beautiful, and I'm so thankful I got to do a photo session for her:)

Family love-Las Vegas Family Photographer

I cannot even begin to describe how blessed I was to be apart of this photo shoot. This is my dear friend Kamey and her fun loving family. This was a reunion of mother, sisters and friends. Laughter and tenderness everywhere, and just being goofballs, too:) I loved this day.