I had the pleasure of second shooting the festivities after Ariel and Stephen’s wedding with the lovely Kiera Eve, which was…a while ago. It’s my New Year’s resolution to actually post the weddings that I did last year. They were so much fun to be around, their happiness was infectious. It was both a pleasure and an honor to be there, celebrating the day they became Mr. and Mrs. Martin.

I’m an auntie again! Hudson Wright (Geoff’s brother’s first baby) made his entrance into the world on New Years Day, so pretty much he was born cool. Welcome to the world little buddy!

It’s a well known fact that I don’t like the cold. With Christmas soon approaching, I try to embrace it, but I know that in a week or so, I’m going to be itching for a trip somewhere with warmer weather. Most likely, this will not happen, so I turn to the cheaper alternative: going through pictures I took when I wasn’t freezing. Looking at these the other day and remembering a fun family excursion to Spanish Fork Reservoir warmed my heart, and for right now, that’ll have to do.

Ashley is one of my dear friends and part of the group of photographers that I meet with. She inspires me daily with her talent and genuine love for others. The Thalman family is beautiful, inside and out and it was a pleasure to spend some time with them in their home. Are these kids scrumptious or what!

I have very little opportunity to shoot personal work, so when Kiera approached me about collaborating on a concept she’s been having roll around in her head, I jumped at the opportunity. It involved Priscilla, my bathtub, milk and some lovely light. Below are just a handful of images I have chosen to share here with you. I’m grateful for opportunities to expand, grow and hone my skills. I feel it’s a very important part of the work I do for my clients, as well for my personal creativity.

Priscilla’s darling son Zeke was a little confused why his mom was in the bath and he wasn’t.

I met with the Perry family at their gorgeous home for a quick photoshoot with their new baby for a their Christmas card. Let’s talk about the fact that this woman had a baby TWO WEEKS ago. She looks amazing, her house is amazing, and I maybe want to raid her daughter’s closet. I love repeat clients and I can’t tell you how flattering it is to come to their home and see my work up all over their walls! Congratulations Perry on another beautiful baby. And congratulations on having your Christmas card done, I’m jealous.

Let me start this post by telling you that when I decided with Geoff’s older sister to do Thanksgiving at my house, I kind of forgot that I would be in charge of the turkey. Had I realized this bit of information, I would not have offered.

Go back with me about 5 years ago when I cooked a turkey for Thanksgiving for my first time. I could not for the life of me figure out which side was “breast side up” and ended up choosing the wrong side. When we removed the turkey from the oven, it looked like someone had shot it. I made Geoff cut it up really quickly before anyone saw.

Fast forward to yesterday. For weeks I have been agonizing over this turkey. While I am not vegetarian, large pieces of meat and I do not get a long, so I avoid them. I started asking people about how they cook their turkeys…bad idea. Everyone one has their own special way involving things like twine, juniper berries, large syringes etc. That only made me more anxious. I ended up spending almost twice the amount I spent on the actual turkey on a special Turkey Seasoning Paste from Williams-Sonoma that I was ensured would give me the best tasting turkey. I turned to the internet the night before and calculated the day of cooking down to the minute. An hour before the turkey was supposed to be done, I decided against all reviews on the internet about cooking in an electric roaster to lift the lid and check on my golden turkey. It was golden alright, golden turkey jerky. It was totally overdone. I hung my head in shame and told Geoff I refuse to cook a turkey ever again. Thankfully that pricey seasoning turned out some of the best gravy I’ve ever had, thus making the turkey palatable.

After the turkey mishap, the will to live was pretty much sucked out of me and I barely took a picture.

Baby Kate eating her Thanksgiving breakfast.


My niece Camille and I making rolls.

Kitchen helpers Camille, Geoff’s sister Elise, and one of Geoff’s TA’s, Joanna at the sink.

Here is where I should have a picture of all of us and the Thanksgiving spread, but instead I only have documentation of the aftermath. Tryptophan setting in. Please note my brother Luke with the massive bandages on his knees. Poor guy wrecked his scooter on the way over to our house. Thankfully he was wearing a helmet and a massive snow suit (don’t ask), which saved him from worse injury.

On a walk after the big meal.

Not the best picture because it was super dark at this point, but thanks to Jordan Ferney’s pie topper idea, our pies looked festive and pretty dang awesome if you ask me. I may not be able to cook a turkey, but I can make a mean craft with some alphabet noodles.