Anchorage Cozy Newborn Session
The early winter months in Anchorage hold a special kind of magic. The first snow seems to quiet the whole world and I love the draw to slow down and be cozy. In a lot of ways, it is reminiscent to those early days at home with a newborn. I really love that this session seemed to capture that sense of hygge (the art of coziness) and quiet.
Snowy Day Family Session
I love when families want to capture activities that they enjoy. Fun activities are one of the best ways to get those genuine, unposed moments that truly showcase the love and bond within a family. Add in a little record-setting snow and you’ve got a recipe for magic.
Homer Lifestyle Newborn: Baby August
I traveled to Homer, Alaska for this in-home lifestyle newborn session— and it was an absolute dream. First, getting to travel for work is such an awesome perk, and Homer is one of my favorite places in the world. Second, the parents wanted the photos to feel very much like how this newborn whirlwind has felt: sleep deprived, slow and fast all at the same time, and overwhelmed with love. They completely trusted me, and that is always the best place to begin to make art.
Another thing I loved from this session was the Dad brewed a special beer for Baby August’s arrival. Mom was super excited to try it once she wasn’t pregnant anymore. Dad said he wants to hang onto the recipe, and make it again when August turns 21— I mean, how precious is that!?
Seward Camping Photography: Sally's Birthday
One of my favorite sessions from the summer was definitely taking photos for a camping birthday party. Add in Seward, Alaska (one of my favorite locations!) and an adorable Grandpa doting on the birthday girl!? Yes please!
I love when clients think outside the box as to what their family photos can be— and so far, camping family photo sessions are my favorite version of that. (And not just because I usually plan to camp with my own family at the same time— though it is definitely a perk!) There are so many natural activities that happen when you’re camping, so it makes for a very relaxed session. We can spend the time throwing rocks in the water, climbing into the tent and reading stories, and of course making S’mores around the fire.
If there is something you and your family love to do, document it! Also, I have to give a huge shout-out to this mama— she always books photos each year to make sure she’s getting a chance to get in the frame with her daughter. It means the world to me, and I hope one day, these photos will mean the world to her daughter.
Kenai In-Home Family Photography: Baby Bea
I like to think that I can see the magic in your life when you can’t. I don’t mean that in a way that is supposed to make you feel bad for not seeing it. (Trust me, I can’t see my own life’s magic a lot of the time either.) But there’s something about walking into a home with my camera where everything just falls into place for me. I see the way that your toddler feels a gravitational pull to the parents. I notice the toys stacked in bins and baskets that you’d love to donate right now, but one day will remind you of this time. There’s intimacy and love everywhere, and I can see it because I have fresh eyes in your space.
When Hannah asked me if I’d be willing to drive to Kenai to take their photos, I couldn’t write back “hell yeah!” fast enough! Not only because she’s one of my all-time favorite clients and not only because I think we should be best friends— but because I knew there would be so much magic.
Flat Top Maternity Session: Ashley
This was my first photo session back after sheltering in place for almost two months during the Covid-19 pandemic. The whole drive up to Flat Top, I was worried about feeling rusty. Once I got there, it felt weird to put my mask on before climbing out of the car. Once Ashley and Dan arrived, it felt even stranger to not shake their hands— or give hugs. (I’ve learned through isolation that I’m a hugger!)
The light at Flat Top was absolutely beautiful in the way that only spring nights in Anchorage can be. It was almost 9pm, and golden light flooded across the town and lit up the green and red lichen on the Glen Alps. Before we started, I gave my usual spiel about posing and prompts, but this time added in information about how I would be staying 6-feet apart from them and how we would work around things like errant hairs and dresses that needed fluffing. I wasn’t sure I could get used to shooting in a mask and not getting up super close for all the detail shots I love… but then something happened.
It was like every instinct I had came rushing back. It was amazing to be able to talk and joke with people that weren’t my family. (No offense family, it’s just that we’ve been seeing an awful lot of each other lately. Ha.) It was like for that hour and a half, our world was almost normal again.
Ashley and her fiance, Dan, rocked the session. Rocked it. They were so much fun to work with— and I will never forget the moment I posed Ashley against the gorgeous mountain backdrop and asking her to yell a cussword at the Corona Virus. It was a truly cathartic moment, and I’ll see if you can guess which one of these photos has some f-bomb thrown in. ;)
Fresh 48 Photography: Dharma's First Day
Oh, I can’t tell you how much I love hospital newborn sessions! The little wrinkly baby features are all so brand-new, the hospital bassinets offer amazing vantage points for photos, and the emotions of everyone are still right at the surface. As someone who loves capturing magical moments for families, this is everything I could ever dream of.
One part of this Fresh 48 session that was different than any other I’d shot before was the fact that I got to document the going home piece. Seeing Emily and Brandon dress their sweet little girl for the first time, fumble with the carseat, and drive away from the hospital bubble environment rounded out Baby Dharma’s story so well. It was an honor to be a part of it and capture these first moments.
<3
Baby Mackenzie: In-Home Lifestyle Newborn
On a blisteringly cold January day in Anchorage, I got to spend the morning surrounded by absolute warmth and love with this sweet little family. Before I arrived, I asked Katie and Dan what they loved most about their new routines now that they were parents. They mentioned the way that you can feel complete in just hanging out on the couch or reading books in bed while taking in all of the different faces your baby makes. I love that answer, and I feel like it is so true in that newborn phase. Time bends in a weird way where you can’t really tell what day it is or if you showered that morning (or was it three days ago?) and all that you can focus on is that adorable little face.
After hearing that, I knew I wanted Baby Mackenzie’s in-home newborn session to include a lot of snuggling in the bed. Mackenzie (with the good hair!) will be able to know so much about her mom and dad when she looks at these photos when she is older, and see how much love filled their home.
Cooper Landing Wedding: Grace and Andrew
It was going to take more than a wildfire to stop these two from getting married and having the epic day they wanted. Grace and Andrew married in Cooper Landing during the height of the Swan Lake Fire, but it was as if they didn’t even notice. Even in the days leading up to the wedding, they were so calm and hopeful.
When I arrived in Cooper Landing the morning of their wedding, the air advisory was nearing 800!!! Grace’s sister was monitoring the air quality apps while she sipped champagne and had her makeup done. Grace and her girls would cheer each time it dropped sizably, and there was hope that the wind would shift in the afternoon. Some wondered why they hadn’t changed locations, but there was something about the river that needed to be part of their day. Grace and Andrew fell in love over countless fishing trips, got engaged on an epic float trip, and even the morning of the wedding, Andrew calmed his nerves with some fly fishing — so it felt right that Alaska got to take center stage on their day.
The other thing that really stood out to me was that these two would’ve gone through anything and everything Mother Nature could throw at them to get married. I’ve never seen vows crafted with such care and importance as I did with these two. When I first arrived at the cabin where the ladies were getting ready, Grace was in a room by herself putting the finishing touches on her vows. She poured over them again and again that morning, and practiced them out loud through tears, laughter, and champagne. Andrew practiced his standing next to his truck, tying flies, and bouncing ideas off his brother. They are also the only couple I’ve ever worked with who wanted to use their first-look not as a chance to see each other in their wedding attire, but instead to say their vows privately to each other before the ceremony. It was intimate and powerful, and was a great reminder that these promises are really what it is all about.
They had an epic party, and certainly have surrounded themselves with loved ones who are as easygoing and adventurous as they are!
Vendors:
Flowers and Boutonnieres: Tanya Val
Venue: Cooper Landing Community Hall
Dress: Arctic Rose
Suit: Nordstrom
Catering: Sacketts
Music: Jared Woods
Makeup: Kierra Manion
Hair: Chelsea Miller
Mountaintop Alaska Wedding: Jenna + Halvor
One of the amazing things about getting married in Alaska is the fact that there are drop-dead gorgeous views everywhere. One of the downsides? Sometimes it can be hard to get everyone from your wedding to your scenic locale. But this is where Arctic Valley Ski Area comes in. It has the ability to transport you (and all your loved ones!) to the top of the most stunning mountaintops you could ask for, all while exerting zero effort on your part thanks to their chairlift. It’s pretty much the only time you’re going to get to the top of a mountain wearing high-heels and a dress and feel okay afterwards, and is definitely why it is quickly becoming my favorite wedding venue.
It was also the perfect spot for Jenna and Halvor’s wedding day. I mean, when you fall in love while skiing, what could be better than a chairlift ride to whisk you away after being pronounced husband and wife?! The location played as much a part in their wedding as any other detail, and it was so perfect for this adventurous duo that I really couldn’t imagine them getting married anywhere else.
Jenna and Halvor were an absolute joy to photograph. Halvor has this quiet playfulness about him and Jenna has this amazing laugh where she throws her head back and opens her mouth wide. All day you could just feel the joy radiating from them, and it was infectious.
Congratulations Jenna and Halvor!!!
Vendors:
Venue: Arctic Valley Ski Area