Courtney & Steven e-session

Courtney and Steven's engagement session was a couple of weeks ago, but since I am trying to get this blog up and going and their wedding is this weekend, I thought I would put up a slideshow their e-session. Courtney and Steven are such a cute couple. You can really see how in love they are. I can't wait to for their wedding this weekend!

Trying Out the New 40D

I have upgraded from the Canon Digital xti to the Canon 40D. Love it! It is so much more responsive and faster! The 40D is a gift from my hubby (thanks, baby). I guess the way to my heart is a camera, lens, or cool software.

Well, here are some more pictures of the kids. I needed to try out the new camera, so dress them up, bribe them (you can go the park afterward), get them in the car and find a place to start photographing.

Photos to watch for: running away from mom is fun, find the only puddle and jump in it, the dogs are more interesting than taking pictures, and E is A’s "backpack." They were good sports. Well, enjoy the slideshow!

Day at the Park

Being the mom of 2 adorable kids, spending the day at the park is always a highlight. :) We are so blessed to have such wonderful weather right now. It's the end of October and we still have 90 degree weather. :) Let summer last all year long! :)

Arizona Fun

We recently moved back to Arizona after a year in Nebraska. I forgot how amazing the winter weather is here. There is a lot that has kept us busy here: hanging out together as a family, hobbies, photography (or course :) ), volunteering at church, trips home, etc. Sometimes I'll have a day that is just pure fun. Our two kids help me remember that there is fun even in the simplest things. My boy is curious about everything! He especially loves his cars. He will line them up every where in the house. My girl can't get enough with life. She has to try everything out, and that includes everything big brother is doing. They are wonderful! According to my son, he has the "best dad in the whole wide world." I would have to agree. He is so supportive of me and all I try to do. He loves his family and does amazing things for them.

Sorry about all of the mushy stuff. :) My family has been my focus. Life is so much better with them!

Until next time,
Julie

New Collages

I have been working on some new collages for the upcoming holiday season. Each collage is customizable and there are more to come. You can view more collages at my website http://www.memoriesbyjulie.com/ under the portfolio section. It is a flash site so you will need to have a faster connection than dial-up. Have a great day!

Fall Photo Shoot

My latest photo shoot was with two young children. It is a great time to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather. The grass was green and the leaves were colorful. The children were also wearing vibrant colors. The ironic thing? I love the color photos, but I think the pictures were just as pretty in black and white. Even my husband, who usually prefers the color photos, commented on how much he liked the black and white ones.

Taking pictures with children can be a lot of fun. Some of the best and truest expressions (and then pictures) come out just as the children play and interact with their environment.

On Location

A while ago, I had the opportunity to do an on location photo-shoot in Southern Utah (Hurricane, UT) where the red rock and open spaces are standard. The pictures turned out so beautiful. The lighting was perfect and the "male model" (my father-in-law) took directions well. :) It is always fun and challenging to take pictures in a new location and in a different way. That was what this photo shoot was about. I had mostly taken candids and family pictures (mine) before this. My husband and I did this shoot together. It was awesome!

'til next time. :)

Children Photography

Children make the most innocent and honest subjects. I love it! Sometimes it takes a little longer to get that "picture perfect smile" but it is always worth the effort and usually more genuine than you expect. No matter what expression they have on their faces, it reflects what is in their souls.

Weddings

I have been gathering photos for my portfolio and I found some photos from weddings I helped assist. I was a 2nd photographer for a friend, Jamelle Kelly, in Arizona. It really helped watching another photographer work and learn from what they do.

Taking pictures for a wedding is tons of pressure, but great opportunity to take lots of pictures and to get creative. Weddings are long days - especially in the AZ heat. :) But - I had so much fun and gained so much knowledge and satisfaction from the event. Who would have thought that something so hard would be so much fun?

Starting Out

I've started this blog simultaneously with the creation of a photography website. I am in the middle of creating the website and it won't be up until later this week or next week.

Photography is a passion of mine. I like to capture those fleeting moments in time. I have seen how much time flies as I watch my 2 kids grow up. The cute things that they do just don't seem to last. They are always on to bigger and better things. I love looking back on the photographs that I have captured of them and remembering those times that make my child into who they are today. I think that everyone should be able to have their memories recorded to have and remember from as well. So, I want to transition from a hobbyist photographer to a part-time professional photographer (part-time so that it doesn't take away from my full-time job - mom).

Well, here we go.

Julie