Sarah + Chris: Maternity Session
I have so much love I need to cram into this post, so bear with me. First of all, I was just named one of Expertise.com's "Best Maternity Photographers in Anchorage" for the second year in a row! That is such an honor! I love finding gorgeous locations for these sessions and capturing the emotions and this amazing time in a woman's life!
Second, I just want to give a huge shout-out to Sarah and Chris for being such troopers during this session. It was SO COLD. I mean, it was the kind of cold that cracks the skin around your fingernails if you aren't wearing mittens (which, of course, I wasn't). At one point, Sarah opted for an outfit change, and rather than heading back to the car- she changed behind a blanket Chris held up for her. The shock of cold was felt even by her little baby, because they started moving around, which is just so cool.
Sometimes during sessions I ask clients to tell stories about their life together, and some of them are hilarious. Sarah told me about a time that Chris peed in her shoes, and I about lost it. I couldn't even keep my camera steady. These are the kind of moments I really adore during sessions with my clients.
It's such an honor to capture these important moments. Thank you for trusting me with your memories.
Family Mini-Sessions: Part One
Oh, hello poor neglected Blog! I've been so busy with holiday sessions, that I haven't had much time to post anything these days! I've had the idea for years that I wanted to decorate a Christmas Tree in the woods for a session. My lovely husband loaded up a sled with a generator, propane, a little heater, and all of the lights and ornaments I'd collected, and then we headed out into the woods.
I have to thank the families from this session yet again because it was so cold. Like can't-feel-your-fingers-for-days-afterward cold. The kids did surprisingly well, maybe in part to bribery of (frozen) milk and cookies.
This was my first time ever doing mini-sessions. (If you aren't familiar with mini sessions, it's a shorter session with a handful of images delivered, as opposed to a photographer's full offering. We can offer these for less money than our normal sessions because we schedule families back-to-back and have less editing required. This is a great way to try out a photographer or get some updated family photos.) I was a bit nervous though about doing mini's, because I love to really connect with my clients and I was worried I wouldn't be able to do that in 20 minutes. But it all went brilliantly (except for some tears), so I will definitely be offering mini's again!
Here are just a few highlights from the day:
Here's a behind-the-scenes shot from our Christmas scene: heaters to try to warm up the kiddos, tubs of ornaments, step ladder, extension cords-- you name it! Did I mention it was so freaking cold!?
Jamie & Jim's Engagement Photos
Jamie, Jim, and I met on a blustery evening while the couple was on a short trip to Anchorage from Kotzebue. We had to change locations due to the high winds, but I think we found a much better spot at McHugh Creek anyway.
Jamie and Jim are my favorite kind of couple. They are warm, easy to talk to, and have such fun together. Some of my favorite shots from their engagement session include the ones where they are making each other laugh. I asked them to do one serious shot, and it was adorable how difficult it was for them to not smile at each other.
I am so excited for their wedding in July! Congratulations Jamie & Jim!
Samantha & Richard: Engagement
I love, love, love snowy photo sessions! I was so disappointed last winter because there just weren't any opportunities to capture a winter wonderland, so it was a real treat when Samantha & Richard's engagement session ended up on a perfect snowy day.
One of the things I love about engagement sessions is how I get to see love so clearly on display. Each couple has their own chemistry, and it's fun to see how they support each other when thrown into something (sometimes uncomfortable) like getting your photo taken. Richard told me up front he was not into this whole thing, but Sam had little methods to make him laugh and smile. (I also learned that my weird sounds that work for dogs and babies also had Richard in stitches!) As we were wrapping up, the snow began to fall softly and it was the perfect end to a cozy, romantic session with this Alaskan couple and their pups. Congratulation Sam & Richard!