Oh, What a Difference Light Makes...

While we were in Utah we were able to see my husband Gabe's entire family too, and since it's not very often that everyone gets together we took the opportunity to get some pictures.  Unfortunately it was a very bright and cold day in Utah, which didn't make for the best portraits, and since we were on a tight schedule so that the girls could make it to our showing of "New Moon" on time we didn't have a lot of time to scout out locations so we made do with my parent's new, partly finished backyard.  First we tried pictures with the weeds as a backdrop which would have worked well if it wasn't for the horrible side lighting.  I told my mom those obnoxious weeds were worth something!  She keeps hoping they'll build a house there so she doesn't have to look at them anymore. ;)  Anyway, it doesn't matter how nice a backdrop is if the lighting is bad.  Toward the end I had the subjects (Gabe's cute younger sisters) turn with their backs to the sun, and voila, a MUCH better portrait with even lighting!  I think it works even with the houses as a backdrop.  Don't you?

A few of his brother and his wife turned out pretty good too.  I just love the backlit look...

and yes, these were taken in the middle of the day. ;)

A few from the beginning with the obviously not as good side lighting, but I love how they were interacting with each other.  I always feel like I've done my job when I can capture a little piece of real life. ;)

Tami's Family

When I was visiting family over the holidays I was able to photography my Aunt Tami's family.  It was so fun to see all of my cousins together, and be able to spend time with each of them individually.  Once again we went to my new favorite spot and we all survived the freezing cold and crazy wind.  It was so cold I had to look for the button every time I wanted to take a picture because I couldn't feel my hands.  It was all worth it though, as you can see. ;)

The entire clan, we tried a couple of different backgrounds.

Tami and Elliot

Michael

Megan and Miles

The twins.  Britney and Whitney.

Nicholas

My Family

While we were in Utah for Thanksgiving I was able to take lots and lots of pictures.  I've been planning these ones of my family for months now.  Enjoy!

My mom...

My dad.

My older brother Tyler, his wife Mara, and baby Ashton.

Doesn't he have the cutest smile?  He's only a week younger than Carter.

My younger brothers Kyle and Bryant.

Bryant's almost 15 and getting taller and more mature every time I see him!

Kyle is an 18 year old stud... and a goofball. ;)  He's just finishing his first full semester of college.

Gabe and I with our boys.  Thanks to Mara for taking the ones of all of us together!

Preston with his absolute favorite person ever!  They like to play legos together and even shared a room while we were there.

This is my favorite of Preston.  He was actually smiling for the camera which rarely happens!

Merry Christmas everyone!

P.S. My brother Royce is not pictured because he's serving an LDS mission in Argentina, we miss him but know he's in the right place. ;)  You can see him pictured on the Christmas card.  Thanks to Vivien Van Leeuwen for the image.

Brian, Britni, and their Girls

We had a fun day out on the town with my friend Britni, her husband Brian, and their two sweet girls.  They were so fun to photography with their happy-go-lucky personalities and crazy ideas.  We had a great relaxing time enjoying the beautiful scenery despite the light showers and overcast sky!

You don't get much cuter than this.

I LOVE how Britni and Dalia are making the exact same face in the second picture.

Of course I had to snap a few of Preston with his "girlfriend."  Aren't they cute?  You would never guess Dalia is almost a year older than him... I guess it's okay that he likes this older woman. ;)

At the end of the day we stopped off for burgers a shakes, boy were they good!  And the girls were STILL as cute as ever!