I’m so excited that I’m coming on my first year in business.
It has been an amazing experience!
I learned to think outside the box, to not care what other people are doing, and to take risks for better or for worse.
I have also learned that I can’t only be technical savvy, I have to be business savvy as well. Being a photographer takes time. It takes time away from my husband and kids, it takes time to edit, process, print. To scout, drive to locations, make albums, blog, market, design, and advertise.
There are too many people out there that don’t know the work behind the scenes. I’m here to tell you there is a lot of time spent before and after the portrait session to get you the photos you want.
A lot of time.
I ABSOLUTELY love what I do. ABSOLUTELY.
But I’ve let my love for photography and others get in the way of what matters most and that is time with my family.
That being said, and you being such an understanding you, I am going to be raising my prices and revamping my packages. My wedding packages are going to be AWESOME! Every package is going to come with a wedding album, engagement session, 3 or more months of online proofing, and a custom print or gallery wrap. Then most of my packages include a cd of all the images and bridals. You also will have the chance to purchase event coverage a la carte if you want to make your own custom package or to add onto a package. If you can’t tell I’m super excited about my new packages and everyone getting an album and print. When the day is over the only thing you have left is photos… and your dress… and your new spouse of course!
But you know what I mean.
I’m also so incredibly grateful for all the people who have supported me this year. YOU have been amazing! As much as I would love to photograph everybody for free, because I’m nice like that and I HATE to say no, I just can’t anymore. My husband says so. Hahaha! So friends and family no more free shoots.
Period.
ouch.
by Noelle
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My little Brody boy starts preschool today.
I didn’t get emotional when Drew went to preschool and I don’t know why I’m doing it now.
Probably a mom and son thing, and the fact that he’s only 3.5.
But I know it’s going to be the best thing for him and that makes me happy.
He’s so excited! We got him a Spiderman backpack which he’s already put to good use.
We had an IEP for him where we met his teacher and checked out his class.
He also gets to ride the school bus. He is extremely excited for this.
But tomorrow I’ll take him to school, make him hold my hand (he hates holding hands), and squeeze him tight. Then I’ll eventually let go and it will eventually get easier.
I love you Brody!
by Noelle
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Who: YOU!
What: 50 min. Holiday Portrait Session
Where: Wood’s Ranch
When: Saturday October 16th
How: $100 and you get images on a disk
Email me to reserve your spot!
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by Noelle
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There is a month left of summer till fall is here. As much as I LURVE fall I know winter is right behind and that makes me unhappy. I really should move someplace warmer! These are some photos I took of the kids while they played in the pool, a while ago. The sun was beautiful, the water for the kids was warm and it was one of those perfect moments where everyone was happy and content. I wish I could hold on to those moments forever! School started for Drew yesterday but she didn’t feel well so she hasn’t even been to her first day of school yet. Tomorrow for sure! I’ll walk her to class, let go of her ever growing hand and probably embarrass her as I take a picture or two. I love my kiddos and as sad as I am for myself that they are growing too fast, I can’t wait for them to grow up and experience the world!
Yes that’s a little bum! Gotta love it!
by Noelle
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and going straight to the full session!
This little girlie, who we are all going to call “S” is the most hilarious little girl in the world! When I first asked her to smile I had to laugh. She raised her eyebrows, open her eyes real wide and pulled her chin down with the biggest cheese grin you’ve ever seen! It took some coaxing and tricking to finally get her natural smile we were going for. S has the biggest personality and pulls the funniest faces! I had to pull away from the camera and crack up a couple of times. It was so fun and easy to photograph such a beauty!
To see the entire session and order prints visit here.
by Noelle
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Little Reese was blessed not too long ago and so we took some photos with her in her blessing dress. Then we headed outside for some family portraits. Reese is a DOLL! And Jac, her older brother, is a little stud! Just see for yourself!
To see the whole session and order prints visit here.
I’m probably the meanest person on earth but I just LOVE the photo above!
by Noelle
1 comment
August 23, 2010 - 2:22 pm
Now that last picture….. 
Love them all.
My internet was down for 24 hours so I’m sorry this post is late but I think this little girl is worth it! Look at those eye!! So, just a little sneak peek and the rest to come a little later!
by Noelle
2 comments
August 17, 2010 - 10:11 pm
more more more!!!
August 18, 2010 - 7:29 am
She is so stinken cute I just want to squeeze her!
Chad and Katy are such a cute, hilarious couple! They were laughing non stop and it was contagious. It was so easy to photograph these two because of their humor. Katy and Chad already have two boys and another one to join the party soon! SO FUN!
The wind decided to say “hi” that day and we decided to embrace it and say “hello” back. I LOVE how these photos turned out!
by Noelle
1 comment
August 16, 2010 - 4:51 pm
LOVE THESE!! nicely done! i love the top right picture. that’s my favorite. you are incredibly talented and your models are fantastic katy is GORGEOUS!! love these two and love your work! keep it up!
I can waste plenty of time on the internet looking at blogs, checking my email, facebooking, etc. One day I was doing just that, looking at people’s blogs that lived in my town. I stumbled upon Katy and Chad’s blog and started to read it. Their story and situation they were in hit home to me because Kurt and I experienced the same thing almost two years ago. Unemployed, two kids, and pregnant. I took a leap, emailing Katy, telling her I read her blog and wanted to give back to them somehow. I wanted to do a photo shoot of just Katy and Chad. When Kurt and I were in their situation we learned to lean upon each other for support more than we ever had in our marriage. We grew so much in that period and I wanted this to be special for them as husband and wife. Well you could image how that sounds, coming from a complete stranger, who found your blog, and is now emailing you. Stalkeeerr! After some emailing back and forth, some hesitation, and a little ad persuasion, we had a blast! So get ready for this weeks…
HOT
*Service
*Pregnant women! They are just so beautiful!
*Pancakes for dinner
NOT
*Stalkers, such as myself
*Flies. How do they seem to get in the house with the door open for mere seconds?
*Orange and Grape flavored anything, unless it’s the real fruit of course.
by Noelle
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This is another family I love! Dan, Alissa’s brother, was the lucky recipient of a free shoot. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful family to photograph. Dan is the brother that I never had and never wanted. Hahaha! Let me tell you a story about Dan. Dan loves his cars, L.O.V.E’s his cars. In high school or right after, he got himself a new Camero. I asked him to drive it and of course he said “No!” I kept bugging him and finally he decided he was going to toy with me a bit. He said that if I could beat him in a game of pool I could drive his car. I SCHOOLED him!
I’m so happy Dan and Trisha moved to Utah! I had so much fun photographing their adorable family!
by Noelle
1 comment
August 13, 2010 - 11:21 pm
These pictures are amazing!! I think they really show case how cute the kids are!! Keep up the good work!!
I absolutely love this family! Alissa and I have known each other for 10+ years. It has been so fun to see her get hitched and have her little doll, Josie. I could’ve taken her home with me she is so cute! Josie showed off her dancing and singing skills with her parents right beside her, beaming. It was also Josie’s 2nd birthday that day and she definitely has inherited her parents intellect. She was talking like no other 2 year old I’ve heard! Alissa and Justin, you guys have to watch out for her! :)
Alissa won my biggest fan contest and received this photo shoot for free and one for a friend. Check back tomorrow for a sneak preview of the Session Family, the one she gave a free shoot to.
by Noelle
1 comment
August 10, 2010 - 6:48 pm
Oh, how I miss that pretty girl! Alissa, your family is beautiful Noelle, your photos are fantastic!
by Noelle
2 comments
August 9, 2010 - 12:46 pm
Soooo cute! Can’t wait to see the rest!
August 9, 2010 - 4:13 pm
How fun! I’m excited to see the rest.
Kurtis,
Although you’re considered to be an old man today and you’re showing physical signs with hair growing out of your nose like an 80 year old man, you’ll always be the biggest kid I know. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love your ridiculous humor ! For example:
What did the black couch say to the white couch?
“Hey it’s kinda humid and muggy outside, huh?”
The joke then would be followed by Kurt’s boisterous laugh, and then followed by more of his own laughing… not even kidding! But I love it!
One of the best things about being a kid at heart is that it makes you the best dad in the world! While other dad’s are on the side watching their kids have fun you’re out there having fun with them. Sometimes having more fun than the kids.
Especially at bounce houses and parks.
Although sometimes I wish you’d stay in and converse with the adults, I know you get bored and antsy and I love that you go outside and play with the kids. They love it too!
You put up so much with me! I know you absolutely hate everything to deal with pictures, taking and posing for, especially posing for, as seen below. That’s not him trying to look hot, although he doesn’t have to try hard
he sincerely does not like his picture taken. He is my biggest supporter and doesn’t complain an inch when I’m gone all day and night, and even gone for a couple of days, when I’m off shooting. He puts up with me trying to keep the house clean and failing a lot, meals on the table only a couple of times a week, and the kids looking like their homeless, just to name a few. He doesn’t complain or give me hints but loves me for what I do, do.
We have grown more in the past couple of years together than we have our entire marriage, and maybe this is more for next months 8th anniversary post, but after Kurt graduated and was unemployed for 8 months and some days we ate beans and rice for dinner because that’s all we had, we have connected more than ever. He’s always been a hard worker, providing for his family, physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s so good to know that if we ever need him for any of those things he’s able to, not only because he can but because he’d love to. My mom always counseled me to marry somebody who’s a hard worker because they make the best husbands and I know I did.
These next pictures below describe how fun and loving you truly are.
Most times if he runs into the store by himself or if he ever goes outside for even a second, I’ll lock the door and make him dance. :) I also hate driving and will lock the door and wont let him in until he gives in and drives. Instead of getting angry, upset or huffy towards me he laughs. The pictures below I made him do both, drive and dance. And you took it like a man! You are the epitome, e.pit.o.me, not epitomb love, of a man. A true man will choose to watch Pride and Prejudice at the Shakespearean Festival, will always come give me a kiss before you leave even if I’m upset with you or vice versa, and archery hunts. Hahaha I hope that last one wasn’t too manly for you. :)
Kurt I am absolutely in love with you and can’t get enough of you.
Happy 30th Birthday!
by Noelle
2 comments
August 9, 2010 - 12:44 pm
Noelle! It’s been so long since I’ve viewed your incredible blog and while I was pouring through all the posts I hadn’t seen, having a hard time stopping to comment on how much I love your work, I just HAD to stop here and wish Kurt a very Happy Birthday, tell you how much I loved this post AND how much I LOVE your family picture at the end! You guys are sooooooooo adorable! Miss you much!
August 11, 2010 - 7:50 pm
Happy Birthday Kurtie Birdie-and Noelle, He looks so much like Keith in a few of these shots-only taller
The H family was SO much fun to photograph. It was super hot and humid but they were such troopers and we were able to get some fun shots from our session. I was so happy to photograph them. A couple of weeks ago this cute family was in a roll over on their trip to Yellowstone. Their SUV rolled 3 times and other than a seatbelt burn, and restless nights following, they were unharmed. I’ve had the intention to take their photos for months now, Alicia is my cousin, but I think with family we take them always being there for granted. I, most of all should’ve known better. I am SO thankful none of them were hurt! I know I would’ve had guilt lingering over me if anything had.
Say hello to the Hutchinson Familia!
If you’re wondering why the youngest, Taya, isn’t in some of these, she was completely done with me!
This is how the Hutchinson’s do Abbey Road.
Because they were such troopers they went out for Baskin Robins afterwards and I tagged along.
I tried to get a couple of shots while she was eating and she didn’t like the idea at all! Here she was taking a swipe at me! Hahaha! She’s still so darn cute!
Then she was finally done and gave me the biggest smile of the day!
Love you guys!
by Noelle
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by Noelle
1 comment
August 5, 2010 - 10:34 am
A…..so fun!
The Hayley family moved from Cedar City to Salt Lake City not too long ago. Our neighborhood family was really sad to see them leave! I was so excited that I had the opportunity to go up to Salt Lake and photograph their cute family. Their kids are so fun loving and did really well being photographed. Little Elijah is a firecracker with so much personality and Hanna is as sweet as she could be. Thanks for letting me play with you guys at the park!
by Noelle
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by Noelle
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