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”

Praying for Las Vegas-Las Vegas Family Photographer

I woke up today like many others seeing the horrible news of an act of cruelty that happened last night, not far down the freeway from my home. My heart broke, as I heard of so many people killed for no reason at all. My heart softened towards my kids, as I tried to be a little more patient with them. We talked about choices that people make, and how bad choices have awful consequences. We talked about being more kind and forgiving quicker, to put aside our differences, and to just love more. 

I look at this picture I took last week of my son enjoying the simple happiness of blowing bubbles. I know that there are many parents who are grieving today, my heart breaks for them. How important it is to notice life happening around us, and to try not to be so hard hearted. I appreciated the words of a police officer saying that we need to put aside our views on the NFL, Trump, taking a knee, and more, and to just come together in unity and help each other. That's the most important thing right now. 

Please pray for the families who are crying today, and please try to slow down and notice the little things in life. Give more hugs, and laugh more. Forgive. These are my thoughts today. 

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. 
 

Junior Photo Session-Las Vegas Senior Photographer

When I'm on a photo session, I try so many spots and lighting areas. Sometimes, it doesn't feel like it's going to work out, and I move around to a different place. This is the lovely Meggan, and I had her stand for a moment in this spot at the park. I took a few shots, and then I thought that the light wasn't strong enough, and so we moved on. 

I pulled up the pictures in Lightroom, and took another look at this picture. After editing it in a pretty black and white, I went 'wow'. It looks beautiful, and it's a great portrait of Meggan. I learn constantly to take lots of pictures in lots of different spots. You just never know which will turn out to be a winner. 

Gorgeous Junior Pictures-Foothill High school

Hello, there! Recently, I did a model call for Junior high school girls, and had a great turn out. I am always humbled to be around these vibrant and youthful souls, girls who have big dreams and great excitement for their future. It's invigorating! 

This is the beautiful Emelina from Foothill high school. Can we all just say how amazing it would be to have hair like hers? I could seriously conquer the world. Just saying:)

She dreams of going to college and pursuing acting, singing and makeup. Such great ambitions! Here's to Emelina! 

Model Call for Las Vegas High School Juniors

Hi, everyone! I'm looking for high school junior girls who would like to take part in a free photo session! Must be comfortable in front of a camera, and wants to get dressed up for some fun.

The sessions are ten minutes long, and will be held on Saturday, May 6th, and Saturday, May 27th in the late afternoon. 

You must be a high school junior, and you're more than welcome to bring a friend. 

You will receive 4 low resolution web sharing images, and $100 off your next photo session booked, with no expiration date on that discount. 

If you'd like more info, please contact me on my website:)

Aliza's Senior Photo Session-Las Vegas Senior Photographer

Nelson Ghost town is such a fun place, because who doesn't love to play on old cars for a vintage looking senior photo session? :)

The weather is perfect to head out there and take some fun pictures for your senior session! Contact me for more details! 

Becca's Senior Session at Nelson Ghost Town-Las Vegas Senior Photographer

Oh, how I love to come back and look at this senior session! Becca just loves to dress up and be simply gorgeous for her pictures. She was such a blast. I love the location of Nelson Ghost Town. There's so many nooks and crannies to explore, and so much for a great portrait. 

The spring weather is perfect right now for booking a senior photo session! Contact me for details, and we'll get out there before the killer heat arrives :) 

Balancing Family Life and Your Photography Passion

I wrote a blog post for the Blush Resources photographer's website, and it's published! I seriously don't know how these things happen to a girl like me, but I'm so grateful to share some lessons I have learned along my photography journey. Check it out here!

Shootout at Nelson Ghost Town-Las Vegas Senior Photographer

Another glimpse of the fun shootout that happened during WPPI. I love this old, vintage looking piano surrounded by desert beauty. Perfect for my friend Aliza to rest upon:)

Nelson Ghost Town Shoot

Oh, what a fun day! WPPI came into town last week. Such a blast. I love learning and being inspired from this conference. My friends from California came out, and I took them to see Nelson Ghost Town for a fun photo shoot. It's been awhile since I've been out there. Oh, that place does not disappoint! So much 'scope for the imagination' as Anne of Green Gables would say:) My lovely friend Becca modeled for us, and she rocked it. Best place ever for a senior photo session! 

Timeless-Las Vegas Senior Photographer

I adore color photographs, but there is something so timeless about a black and white portrait. I search through my senior sessions to find a good picture that would make a great black and white edit. I am torn between color and black and white. Such beauty in art! 

Senior Session at Mt Charleston-Las Vegas Senior Photographer

Winter is finally saying goodbye, and February says "Here I come!" As I wait for the weather to warm up, I love to go back and look at this session taken last fall. Aliza is just a beautiful young woman and such an example to me of faith and confidence. She knows where she is going in her life, and what she wants to accomplish. I love this side shot of her. She simply turned to look at my friend, and I quickly snapped this. I love the softness of the nature around her. I am in love with taking outdoor portraits:) 

Beautiful soul-Las Vegas Teen Portrait Photographer

My beautiful friend, who is growing up into a lovely young woman. I've been so lucky to take her pictures now for some time. It's always humbling to me on each photo session, as I see the growth and think about how my own children are growing fast. Time just goes by too quickly. Hooray for pictures that can save a moment a little longer for us to treasure.

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:)