Blue Prints Photography--The Blog

Getting Baptized

2012-01-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

My daughter, who just turned 8, will be getting baptized on Saturday. (In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we baptize our children at age 8 rather than in infancy). We got a gorgeous dress for her and had a photo shoot with her wearing it. She also wanted to have some pictures in her new swimsuit, so I made up a fun montage of her jumping. She is a willing model, and a natural in front of the camera. I love the black and white where she is just staring into the camera. We are so proud of her, and so excited for her upcoming baptism!

What's Wrong 4--Discussion

2012-01-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

This is from the second wedding I ever did. A friend of the bride called me up at 8:00 the morning of the wedding, said that the other photographer had bailed, and would I do the wedding pictures at 12:00. Since it was a desperate situation, I agreed. I did this wedding for only $100 or $200 (I can't remember) and gave them all the images on disk. This image just goes to show you that you get what you pay for!

I had no clue what I was doing at this wedding. Quite a few images came out like this, and at first, I couldn't figure out why. It all has to do with the sync speed of my on-camera flash. What this means is that my flash will only fire at a maximum 1/200th of a second. When your ambient light requires a slower shutter speed than this (say, 1/60th of a second) there's no problem. But in my case, I had my aperture set to f 2.2 (very wide, thus letting in a lot of light) and my corresponding shutter speed should have been something like 1/2000th of a second because of the outdoor light. However, since I used my flash, this automatically set my shutter speed to 1/200th of a second, thus letting in WAY too much light. So I did what any amateur photographer would do--I changed it to black and white and pretended I did it on purpose to be "artsy."

Now, do you want to trust your wedding pictures to someone like me? (I mean, someone like I USED to be?) Make sure you get a PROFESSIONAL who has lots of experience, and who is preferably a Certified Professional Photographer. Yes, you will pay more, but it's your WEDDING. It will happen ONCE, and when it's all over, your photographs are all you will have left. The flowers will die, the cake will be eaten, and you'll probably never wear your dress again. But you'll look at the images of your special day over and over and over. If you have to, skimp on the cake and the flowers--NEVER THE PHOTOGRAPHY! (Since I don't do weddings, I can refer you to fantastic wedding photographers. I do bridals and engagement shoots, though, so don't hesitate to ask me about those!)

What's Wrong Wednesday

2012-01-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

Here's where I once again embarrass myself by posting a "professional" picture from my early days in which I really screwed up. It's up to you to discover how! Tell me everything that is wrong with this picture, and for a bonus, how I achieved this "artistic effect." Just leave a comment at the bottom.

Music I Can't Stop Hearing in My Head

2012-01-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

I don't know if any of you saw these guys on The Sing Off on NBC, but they are AMAZING. I got our family their latest CD for Christmas and we have listened to it pretty-much non-stop since then. This means I can't sleep at night because a different song from the cd is stuck in my head every night. But oh, what songs!

The CD is called "Back in Blue" and the group is Vocal Point. They are an all-male a capella group from BYU. If you are thinking "amateur," think again. These guys are polished and professional and just a joy to listen to. Just click on the link to listen to samples.

Track 5--Remember When it Rained (Tribute to Josh Groban). Just close your eyes and channel Il Divo. So rich and luscious.

Track 9--Opera #2 (Tribute to Vitas). I had never heard this song before. Be prepared to be amazed. My girls cannot believe it is a man singing.

Track 6--Grace Kelly (Tribute to Mika). What the heck kind of a song is this? It makes absolutely no sense. But it is so much fun and I must admit this one has kept me up at night more than any other on the cd.

Track 13--Telephone Opera (Tribute to Sesame Street's "Telephone Opera.") This one is aboslutely hilarious. It chronicles a young man's efforts to get a date and all the ridiculous excuses the girls give him as they decline. Be prepared to laugh and laugh a lot.

The whole cd is uplifting, and you will be amazed at every turn by the vocal gymnastics being performed. Catch the base line in Track 4 and wonder how a human can do that, and do it in tune!

Vocal Point is not paying me for this endorsement. Vocal Point has no idea who I am. But I have an idea who they are, and I love them! You will, too! Guaranteed.

Thai Chicken Satay

2012-01-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

I don't know what I ever did before I knew how to make this. My life was incomplete and I didn't even know it! This is an amazingly delicious combination of chicken, vegetables, peanut butter, honey and ginger. Are you salivating yet? You should be. Even my kids love this (well, all the ones who aren't allergic to it). Make this for dinner tonight and you will be a star!

Stir Fry
2 cups chicken cut into bite-sized pieces
3 tsp. garlic or 3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed (can use less if desired)
1/2 cup sliced yellow onion
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
6 green onions cut at an angle in 2-inch pieces
1 cup shredded carrots

Sauce
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
6 Tbsp soy sauce
6 Tbsp honey
1 tsp ginger (I like to use fresh ginger if I have it)
1 tsp garlic (or one clove, minced or pressed)
1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (I used red pepper flakes)

Instructions
For stir fry, heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tbsp. of oil if desired. Cook vegetables, garlic and onion until tender-crisp. Remove from pan and add chicken. Stir fry until cooked through. Add the vegetables back with the chicken just before pouring on the sauce. For sauce, heat in a separate pan over low heat until combined. Pour over stir fry just before serving. Serve over rice.

And the Winner Is....

2012-01-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Andrea and Dallin! You just won $100 to spend on another session, more prints, or accordion albums!

Top 10 of 2011--Vote For Your Favorite!

2012-01-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

I went through all the images I took last year and picked my 10 favorite. It was a very difficult task, but I made myself narrow it down. I decided to have a contest to see which image would get the most votes. The subject of the winning image (or parents of the subject) will win a gift card worth $100 that can be applied to a photo session, prints, or accordion albums! You may only vote once on my blog, but you can also vote on my Facebook page, giving you two votes total. To vote, just leave a comment indicating which number is your favorite. Contest ends midnight on January 15th and the winner will be announced on Monday the 16th. So start voting!

1. This baby was the most smiley, happy baby I think I have ever photographed. Every single portrait of her has a wide smile. She made the session so easy! I love the hat and tutu. This just screams "girl" to me.

2. This was taken at the one year session of this little boy. I just love the diagonal line created by his mother's arm and how it creates a frame, and also a feeling of security while he is sucking his thumb and staring directly into the camera. One of my all-time favorite images.

3. This was from a session where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Except for the fact that I got this completely adorable portrait. It looks like this baby knows something funny that she isn't telling the rest of us. This is complete sweetness.

4. I got to do the engagement portraits of this couple, and then the reception images after they were married in Utah. The setting was gorgeous, and I love the kind of "Gone With the Wind" feel of this image. The sky, the grass, the kiss.... Ahhhhh.

5. We went out on a windy day in October to one of my favorite trailheads. After getting some really great images, we crossed the bridge and saw this field with all this gorgeous fall foliage. The sun obliged us and hid behind some clouds so I could get this quintessential Colorado portrait. The colors, the composition--everything is just perfect.

6. This is from an shoot I did with twin 15-month-old girls. As you might imagine, they were not so interested in getting their pictures taken! I brought out some beads, and that did the trick! This little girl wrapped herself up completely with them, and then stared at the camera just long enough for me to get this endearing shot.

7. In February, I went to Oregon for my father's 80th birthday. While there, I went down to the beach with my sister-in-law to do this amazing photo shoot. Any of you who have been to the Oregon coast know that it is WINDY and COLD! (Especially in the middle of February!) But this image looks like we were in the Bahamas or something. What a great actress my sister-in-law is! She really suffers for her art :)

8. This was one of those "happy accidents." I was shooting family portraits with the kids, and when I was doing some mother/daughter shots, I got this look on the mom's face. When I saw it after the shoot, I could not stop staring. There is something so intense and beautiful about it. I couldn't decide if I liked it better in black and white or color, so I included both.

9. Oh my gosh, what a little darling! This was a shot from a 2-year shoot, and I love everything about it. The soft, creamy colors, the pearls, and especially the tongue! It's classic cuteness!

10. This is a gorgeous, completely un-posed shot I got at a summer session. The backlighting, the roses, the soft, flowing dress and hair (and the pink toenails!) just make this a stunning image.

I Am a Certified Professional Photographer

2012-01-06T09:35:00.003-07:00

In December I took the exam to become a Certified Professional Photographer. I just got news that I passed! This was the second requirement to gain this certification. With less than 8% of photographers worldwide being certified, this is quite an accomplishment! The first part of the certification process is submitting 20 images taken over the past 2 years to a panel of judges. These images must be from paying clients (no cute pictures of your own kids allowed!) and must meet a strict standard of excellence in order to pass inspection. It's quite nerve-wracking to wait for your results in the mail, but I was thrilled in April when I received the news that I had passed.

So what exactly does this mean? Well, it means that I get to put "CPP" behind my name and that I join an elite group of photographers who are recognized by the photographic community as attaining a standard of excellence. Does this mean that I know everything and am the best photographer in the world? Absolutely not! If anything, this process has just taught me how much more there is to learn! The photography world is always changing with new equipment and techniques, and I am constantly inspired by other photographers who are doing absolutely amazing work. I will continue to learn and grow as a photographer. And maybe after a while, I'll go for a more advanced photographic degree.

Are certified professional photographers the only ones who are good photographers? Absolutely not! I have many photographer friends who are amazing, but have not yet taken the steps to become certified. My friend and mentor just became certified last year, but before that, she won second place in the cover contest for Professional Photographer magazine, and later had an article published about her in the same magazine. She had won numerous other contests and had images selected for the PPA Loan Collection (Professional Photographers of America). Clearly, she was amazing even before becoming certified, like so many other photographers. But when you're looking for a photographer, the CPP designation gives you added assurance that this photographer has the experience and knowledge to truly give you an exceptional product. (For more suggestions on how to choose a good photographer, please see this post).

I am so excited to have accomplished this goal. I look forward to continuing my education and to becoming the best photographer I can be!

(For information on the CPP exam and what subjects are covered, click here. For information on image submission, click here.)

Turning 40 and Doing Good

2012-01-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

This year I will turn 40. This is shocking to me. It has made me take stock of my life and review what I have accomplished thus far, and what I still wish to accomplish. I decided that I should make a goal of something special I would like to do this year. Like maybe train for and run a 10K (the Boulder Bolder--or vice versa), write a book, cook all the recipes in a particular cookbook, etc. Then I thought that in addition of doing something for myself, I should do something to bless the lives of others. Whether this means significantly helping someone I know personally, or choosing a charity to work with, I would be happy knowing that in 2012, I had in some small way made the world a better place. I invite you to join me, and make just one goal to help others in a meaningful way this year.

Below are a list of charities to give you some ideas:

Latter-day Saint Charities is the humanitarian arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through this charity, they provide wheelchairs, clean water, immunizations, neonatal resuscitation training, and more to people in developing countries. Last year, they helped over a million people gain access to clean water through building wells and spring water systems.

International Princess Project. This is a program to help rescue women in India who are enslaved in prostitution. Their mission, as stated on their website is to "Establish self-sustaining enterprises in partnership with indigenous organizations that provide for physical, emotional and spiritual needs of women formerly enslaved in prostitution." One way they do this is to have the women make Punjammies, gorgeous pajama bottoms made with traditional Indian material. The women are able to sustain themselves and make a life outside of prostitution.

Kiva. This is an organization that provides micro-loans to people in developing countries. A woman can sew to provide for her family, if only she could afford a sewing machine. A micro-loan will get that for her, and she will pay back the loan as she is able. On this site, you can actually choose the entrepreneur that you lend to, and loans are only made in $25 amounts. This is doable for everyone and is a way to help people who are trying to help themselves.

Helen Keller International is an organization started by Helen Keller to help prevent blindness and malnutrition. Operating in 22 countries around the world, they help people raise their own nutritional food, provide free eye treatment, and do a host of other things to improve the lives of some of the most impoverished people on the planet.

Against Malaria is a charity that distributes nets to protect people from malaria. Only $5.00 will buy a life-saving net. With 1-3 million people dying from malaria each year (and the hardest-hit being pregnant women and young children) this is such a simple way to help. You can see exactly where your nets are distributed and see videos and pictures of distribution.

The Citizens Foundation is an organization that builds schools in Pakistan and provides opportunities for impoverished children to attend. They strive to maintain a 50% enrollment of girls, believing that everyone is deserving of education, regardless of gender or social standing. Pakistan has an alarmingly high illiteracy rate. With radical fundamentalists offering free meals to entice students into their camps, alternative and healthy education is sorely needed.

GEMS is an organization in the United States that helps girls who have been sexually exploited and trafficked. From their website, "GEMS is committed to ending commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth." They work to both prevent exploitation, and help those who have been victims.

There are, of course, many more charities to work with. If everyone does just a little, it will make a big difference.

Merry Christmas From My Family to Yours

2011-12-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

At this time of year, my heart is filled with gratitude for the many blessings I enjoy daily. One has only to watch the news to realize how many things we have to be thankful for. I especially am thankful for my belief in Jesus Christ and His atonement, which offers me forgiveness despite my many shortcomings. I owe all my happiness and all my blessings to Him and my Heavenly Father. I hope that during this Christmas season, we can all remember the real reason we celebrate--because a holy baby was born who would forever change the world and offer us all the hope of eternal life.

Merry Christmas!
Love, Melissa

Photography Class

2011-12-06T10:35:00.000-07:00

I am really excited to be offering my first photography class! It will be held on Saturday, January 28th. The time is still TBD, but will probably be at 9:30 or 10:00 a.m. and will last 2 to 2 1/2 hours. If you have a DSLR camera but leave it in auto all the time, this class is for you! We will talk about ISO, aperture and shutter speed and how they all relate. We'll go over white balance, composition, and flash (when to use it, when not to use it). I'll also answer any photograpy-related questions you have. If you are interested, contact me soon, as space is limited! The cost is $59, and well worth it!

White Chocolate Candy Cane Drops--The Perfect Christmas Cookie

2011-12-05T09:55:00.001-07:00

These are the best cookies ever. Seriously. And they are perfect for Christmas. I make them every year and give them out (or just eat a ton myself). If you want to impress your friends and neighbors, these are the cookies to make.

Ingredients:
8 oz. white chocolate baking squares or 8 oz. white chocolate chips. (Try to use chocolate with cocoa butter, as this will make the most tender cookies).
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 3/4 cups flour
2/3 cup crushed peppermint candy canes

Directions:
Chop 4 oz. of the white chocolate (not necessary if using chips) and set aside. In a small saucepan, cook the remaining 4 oz. chocolate over low heat until melted. Cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with electric mixer on medium or high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder and salt. Beat until combined. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in melted white chocolate. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in the rest by hand. Stir in the remaining 4 oz. white chocolate or chocolate chips and crushed candy canes. Drop by rounded teaspoons two inches apart onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or waxed paper. Or you can use stoneware with no paper. Bake 8-10 minutes (longer on stoneware) at 375 degrees or until lightly browned around the edges. Transfer to wire rack and cool. Makes about 50. Store cookies in layers between waxed paper in an airtight container.

Note: I have found that it is best not to have the candy canes pulverized into powder, but to just try to get them into small pieces.

Thanksgiving Tastiness

2011-11-22T16:18:00.001-07:00

If you are looking for the the perfect recipe for pumpkin pie, look no further. I get rave reviews every time I make this.

If you want something to really wow your Thanksgiving guests, this Chocolate Pecan Pie is a must!

What about dinner rolls to-die-for? The best part? You make the dough the day before and then cook them on Thanksgiving!

Want some super-yummy salads? Try Frog Eye Salad or fresh and tasty Layered Salad. Or you can make this Broccoli Salad that will get raves for years. (Seriously, I once made this for a wedding reception for some friends, and they said that people were like, "Hey, congratulations on your marriage. Who made the broccoli salad?)

These recipes are sure to make everybody happy at Thanksgiving. Give them a try! You won't be sorry!

Nichole Van's Textures and Actions

2011-11-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

If you have been reading my blog, you already know how much I love Nichole Van. I was introduced to her work a few months ago when I asked a photographer friend of mine where she got the textures she used on her images. When she pointed me to Nichole's website, I was blown away by her work. No wonder she has been on the cover of Rangefinder magazine (twice) and has gotten so many awards. She is so humble and generous, and gives workshops to teach those of us who are not quite as awesome how to become more awesome :) (You can go here to learn about her workshops).

I bought her Chic Vintage action and textures set, and I love it! Here are some samples of my images with some of her actions and textures. Her sets are very reasonably priced, and you couldn't be establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with a better person.

Shop Nichole Van

2011-11-21T11:06:00.000-07:00

In an effort to win a workshop with Nichole Van, I am posting a link to her website here. If you are a photographer, she also sells textures and actions to take your images to the next level. If you haven't seen her work yet, prepare to be awed. To go to her site, click here.

Being on T.V.

2011-11-18T11:45:00.000-07:00

On November 16th, I got to be on T.V! My friends, Brandi and Jen, have a craft blog and business called Holiday Snobs. They got to be on our local Fox station's morning news demonstrating a Christmas craft and talking a little bit about their business. The news station wanted at least 10 other women there crafting with them, and I got to be one! Here are some pictures from the event (that I stole from Brandi):

This is the craft we were doing. It is a Christmas tree centerpiece made out of festive napkins.

This is me, sitting in the corner. If you watch the video, I am standing in the back on the left-hand side.

The man on the couch is Dan Daru, the newscaster who did the segments. He was CRAZY. (I guess you have to be to work on a morning news show that starts at 5:00 a.m!) During one segment, he ran upstairs to surprise Brandi's husband and ask him what he thought about all this crafting. Luckily, Sterling saw him coming up the stairs on t.v. (he was watching the show in his bedroom) and hurried and came out of the bedroom before Dan could burst in!

Here's a picture of the Fox 31 van. You can't see the top, but there was a huge spinning antennae (or dish, or something I don't know the name of) at the top of the pole that was broadcasting what we were doing at the house.

Here is a video of one of the segments:

Take Two! {Littleton Baby Photographer}

2011-11-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

When this little guy was here a a couple of weeks ago, I didn't feel like he got enough face-time in front of the camera. (His whole family, including grandparents and cousins were all here!) So I invited him back so he could get the one-on-one time he deserved. He really rose to the occasion and favored us with lots of smiles and happiness. Can you say "adorable?"

See Me on T.V!

2011-11-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning (November 16th) I'll be on Good Day Colorado helping promote my cute friends' craft blog! I know these girls through church, and they are so darling and have so many stinkin' cute ideas. You can check out their blog, called The Holiday Snob, and then tune into your Fox station tomorrow morning at 7:45 and 8:45 to see me! (But mostly to see them, as I am only there to provide crafty support as requested by the news station. They'll do all the talking).

Which is Your Personality Type--Part 2

2011-11-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

In this post, I talked about the book It's Just My Nature by Carol Tuttle. In it, she explains that there are four different personality types, and while we all exhibit characteristics from each type, there will be one that is most dominant in us. Today I am talking about the second personality type, which she labels "soft and subtle." This does not mean weak and shy. If you think about the Mississippi river, it is powerful, but flows in a constant, stately motion. Also, a willow tree flows gently in the wind, but provides shade and comfort to those under its branches. Type 2 people are the same way. They are steady and consistent, and comfort is a major priority for them. My second daughter and my husband are both Type 2s. My daughter gets upset if her socks don't feel just right, and my husband never throws out his old, ratty t-shirts because they are so comfortable! Type 2s also like to hold onto things. For girls and women, this means they hold onto pictures, blankets, special toys--anything that ties them to the past. For men, it means they hang onto big boxes that electronics came in (just in case they need them) and also have tons of cords for said electronic items! (This describes my husband to a T!) Type 2s are also very detailed and methodical. To others, it may seem like they are taking a long time, but to them, they are just being thorough and investigating all the possibilities before making a decision. They are also very skeptical. When my daughter was about 5, she asked me how babies were made. I told her that Mommy had a seed inside her, and Daddy added a special kind of water, and then a baby grew. She looked at me doubtfully and then said, "I don't think that's correct." :) Type 2s are the peacemakers--kind, gentle, and sweet. My husband is definitely the peacemaker in our family full of emotional women! To find out more about Type 2 personalities (and all the other personalities) go to Dressing Your Truth and click on the "Shop" button, and then on the "Books" button. It's Just My Nature is a fantastic book that will help you to understand yourself and others so much better. It would be a wonderful Christmas gift to yourself or someone you love. Are you a Type 2? Do you know somebody who is? Leave a comment and let me know!

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

2011-11-10T10:49:00.001-07:00

This is a recipe from Chocolate Never Faileth. A roommate in college gave me a very similar recipe. I decided to try this one and compare, and it turned out just as well, so I will add it to my list of go-to recipes. My roommate's used brown sugar and this one uses white sugar. They both worked well. It's good to know that if I ever have a white sugar shortage, I can use brown sugar instead :) I also love this recipe because you don't have to grease the pan. Also, this cake is magic. Seriously. You just put sugar and cocoa powder on top and pour water over it and put it in the oven. Then, through the miracle of chemistry that I don't understand, it all sinks to the bottom and turns into pudding. This is so fantastic served warm with ice cream, but is also great the next day after the pudding has firmed up. Then I think whipped cream works well on top. The picture is a spoonful showing the layers of whipped cream, cake, and pudding. Yum! By the way, this recipe makes a 9x13 pan, which is a lot unless you are entertaining guests. I cut this in half and put it in an 8x8 pan and it is the perfect size for our family. If you do this, bake for 40 minutes instead of 60.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
3 cups sugar, divided
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup cocoa, divided
1 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 cup milk (I used powdered milk)
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup nuts, chopped (optional)
3 cups hot water
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9x13 pan, combine flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, baking powder, salt, and 1/2 cup cocoa. Mix well. Add the butter and mix again. Add milk and vanilla, mixing with a fork until well blended. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar, remaining 1/2 cup cocoa, and nuts (if desired). Sprinkle this mixture over the batter in the pan. Pour 3 cups hot water over everything. Do not stir. Carefully put in oven and wait 60 minutes for the magic to happen! Allow the cake to set for 10 minutes before serving.

Proud to Present... {Aurora photographer, custom frames}

2011-11-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to be offering frames from The Organic Bloom! These are hand-made boutique frames that are the perfect complement to your gorgeous portraits! They have a ton of different designs, and they are fully customizable with colors to match your decor! These are only available through professional photographers, but you can purchase them through me whether or not you have your portraits done with me. (Although I'd really love for you to have a photo shoot with me as well!) If you are interested in having a shoot or just buying some frames, you can contact me by e-mailing at melissabhowell@gmail.com. Here are some samples of what they look like on the wall with gorgeous portraits inside!

Little Princesses in the Forest {Parker child photographer}

2011-11-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I took my girls out to get "school pictures" of them (since I never buy actual school pictures). I had them get dressed up in pretty dresses and I curled their hair. Then I made my husband lug this bench out into the wilderness to get these pictures. I love how they turned out.

Southern California Vacation

2011-11-03T11:26:00.000-06:00

Over fall break, we took the kids to southern California and visited every theme park known to man. Our first stop was Sea World, where the girls enjoyed watching the dolphins and the Shamu show.

The following day, we went to the San Diego Zoo. I can see why it is a world-famous zoo. It was like walking through a forest. We took the bus tour all around the zoo first, and then walked around the whole thing. The weather was overcast, but pleasant.

Kate was right at home with the animals in the petting zoo.

The following two days found us at Legoland. Julianna is wild about Legos (as well as my husband) so it was nirvana for them. I was most impressed by their models of famous buildings, like the Taj Mahal and the Eiffel Tower. They also had the whole New York Skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge. It's amazing what you can build out of Legos!
In this picture, you can see me and my kids behind the Capitol Building. This gives you an idea of how big these models are.

On Sunday, we went up to Santa Clarita to visit with friends we knew when we lived there. It was so great to go to church and see them all again. Afterwards, a few of us got together for dinner and had a wonderful time talking. I only wish we could have spent more time with them.

But Disneyland was calling, so off we went for the next three days. We went back and forth between Disneyland and California Adventure, making sure to hit all our favorites and trying out some new attractions as well. It was Kate's first time, and Natalie hardly remembered anything from when she went (she was only three when we moved back to Colorado). They totally redid the parade with new music and floats.
This picture totally cracks me up. Kate did NOT want to have her picture taken, and Julianna's face is covered with her hair. And I guess they forgot what the sun was like.

Before we went to Disneyland, Kate kept talking about how excited she was to see the princesses. Then after we waited in line forever to meet them, Kate didn't want to have anything to do with them! Jacob had to hold her in the picture with Cinderella.

I love her expression in this one with Snow White.

In California Adventure, we loved going on the big Sun Wheel, Soarin' Over California (you really feel like you're flying) and this river raft ride. Yes, we got very wet.

Here's one of my favorite pictures from the trip:

Our whole family in front of the Sleeping Beauty castle. As you can see, Kate REALLY didn't want her picture taken. She kept trying to run away, so Jacob had to hold her. I was hoping if she were upside down she would think it was funny and smile, but she did not.

On our last day before we went to the airport, we had a chance to go to Manhattan Beach. It's where they have the famous beach volleyball tournaments. It was a perfect day, and we saw dolphins in the water. The girls had fun playing in the sand, and Jacob even made me this cute heart:

By the end of the trip, we all felt like this:

It was exhausting, and our feet hurt from all the walking! But we loved all the fun adventures we had and will look back on this vacation with fond memories.

Sophie Saves the Day {Littleton photographer}

2011-11-01T10:12:00.001-06:00

What do you get when you mix two fifteen-month-old twin girls, a 6-month-old baby boy, two adult sisters, one husband, and two grandparents? By the end of the shoot, you get this:

At this point, the kids had had it, and the only thing left to do was laugh (or cry).

Earlier in the shoot, I was introduced to Sophie, a squeaky giraffe. I love Sophie. I must have a Sophie of my own. Sophie was amazing. She took charge of the whole shoot and was responsible for most of the good shots I got. (Grandma and Grandpa helped, too :)

Here's a shot of Grandma and Grandpa with all the grandkids:

Aren't they so stinkin' cute? (And the kids are adorable, too :)

This is an amazingly good-looking family:

Here are some more I love of the kids:

Thanks, guys! Now I'm off to find myself a Sophie :)

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

2011-10-31T09:46:00.001-06:00

I have never been a huge fan of ice cream. Sure, I like it, but it's not my first choice when it comes to dessert. That has all changed now that I have my own ice cream maker. I have been experimenting with all kinds of ice cream flavors, and I am super excited to share this one. It tastes exactly like pumpkin pie, with actual pie crust pieces in it. This is the perfect ice cream for fall. If you love pumpkin pie, you'll adore this ice cream.

Ingredients:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup pumpkin puree (I used my own home made puree rather than the stuff in the can. If you want your ice cream to be more orange, you'll need to use the canned variety)

For the crust:
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. cold water

Mix flour and salt. Add oil and mix until it looks like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle with water and mix again until dough pulls together. If it is too dry, add a little more water. Put aluminum foil in a shallow metal pan and roll dough out onto it. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon if desired. Bake at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes (until edges begin to brown). Cool, then break into bite-sized pieces.

Directions:
Bring cup of milk to room temperature (or warm in microwave). Add sugar and stir until sugar dissolves. Add all the other ingredients and whisk together until well mixed. Put in refrigerator to chill before adding to ice cream maker (about 3 hours, or if you don't want to wait, you can put it in the freezer for about an hour, give or take). Add to ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's directions. When soft-serve consistency, transfer to airtight container and gently fold in crust pieces. Freeze for several hours, or overnight. Overnight is best, as it allows the flavors to really meld. When ready to serve, top with whipped cream.

For Your Enjoyment...

2011-10-17T07:14:00.000-06:00

For the next two weeks, I'll be taking a hiatus from this blog, as my children are on fall break and I intend to enjoy it with them. In the meantime, please enjoy the following video. I can't remember how many times I heard my own mom say, "You can't even taste it!"

In Which a Famous Photographer Comes to Visit

2011-10-14T09:47:00.000-06:00

The night before last, I had trouble sleeping. You would have thought I was a small child, giddy with the prospect of Santa's arrival. Instead, I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of Nichole Van Valkenburg (otherwise known as Nichole Van) who is a famous, enormously talented photographer. I want to be like her when I grow up. Except that I think I'm older than her.... But seriously, when you look at her work, your jaw drops and flies come in and out of your mouth, because you never close it. Each image is so awe-inspiring.

So when I got word that she was coming to Denver for a day and a half and was offering a mentoring session while here, I jumped at the chance! I was so lucky that I got to spend time with her (and her adorable husband) and learn some radically new photography techniques.

We hit it off right away. We both went to BYU, and she even taught English there! Anybody who teaches English is my friend, because they are the only ones who might understand my fetish for proper punctuation and spelling. (I was reading an ice cream book yesterday, and they said to add "4 egg yokes" to the mix. I immediately wanted to write a letter to the book editor notifying him/her of this egregious error). Nichole and I also have 3 children, all the same ages! (Well, her kids are 10, 7, and 3, and mine are 9, 7, and 3, so close enough).

We hiked to a little spot behind my neighborhood and set up all the lighting equipment, and Nichole taught me how to get a completely different look than the one I typically employ. Here are some shots she got of me during the session:

Awesome, right? Hardly anything was done to these in Photoshop. The sunburst is not trickery. It was actually produced by the lens on the camera. After we came back to my house, I fed them homemade Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream (recipe coming soon!) because Nichole is a foodie, and quite frankly, this ice cream is to-die-for. I had to share.

Nichole was so generous and fun and friendly. I feel SO LUCKY that I got to spend a couple hours with her and learn from a master! Thank you, Nichole!

Friends in Fall {Franktown Family Photographer}

2011-10-12T21:18:00.000-06:00

About eight years ago (give or take) we were eating at Chili's. I think it was my first time ever eating at a Chili's. In a booth across from us sat a young, attractive couple with two children who were about the same ages as our small children. We struck up a conversation. This was very out-of-character for me, because I do not generally initiate conversations with strangers. But for some reason, I felt comfortable talking to this couple, and we became unlikely friends. We had Thanksgiving at their house a few months later. We've gotten together for playdates. I gave a photography presentation at their MOPS group. And finally, last weekend, I got to do their family portraits. Their children have gotten a lot bigger since we first met at Chili's, but they're still just as adorable. I had a wonderful time during the shoot. The fall colors were incredible, and their son even found an indian arrowhead in a streambed! Thanks, guys, for talking to a stranger at Chili's. Can we come over for Thanksgiving again? :)

Chicken Tikka Masala

2011-10-11T21:29:00.001-06:00

I love Indian food. There's something so exciting me about trying exotic flavors, especially when I know nothing raw or slimy is involved. I got this recipe off the Pioneer Woman's site, although it's not actually her recipe (it's Pastor Ryan's). This is comfort food, and I love how the colors all work together, especially with the turmeric rice and peas. This is not spicy or weird. My 3-year-old eats it. It's just plain yummy :)

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts

1/4 cup plain yogurt (or sour cream, or honestly, you can skip this altogether, although some Indian food purists would probably get mad at me for saying so)

1 Tbsp. butter

3/4 cup heavy cream

14 oz. can diced tomatoes

1/2 large onion

2 cloves garlic

1 inch chunk of fresh ginger

1 1/2 Tbsp. Garam Masala spice (found in the spice section with all the other bottles of spices). It's a mixture of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, black pepper, and coriander.

Ground coriander

Cumin

Kosher salt

Sugar

Optional:

Fresh cilantro

Chili peppers

Instructions:

Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with kosher salt. Then sprinkle both sides with some coriander and cumin. Then coat the chicken breasts completely with the plain yogurt. (This is the part I think you can skip if you like). Set the chicken on a metal cooling rack over a foil-lined baking sheet and place it about 10-12 inches below a broiler for 5-7 minutes per side. You want the chicken to get slightly blackened (not charred, like a burnt offering).

While the chicken is broiling, cut the onion into large chunks. In a large skillet, melt 1 Tbps. butter over medium-high heat, then add onions and sautee until they are slightly browned. Mince or press your garlic and ginger and add to the onions, along with about 1 1/2 tsp. of salt.

Next, add the Garam Masala spice and also hot chili peppers if you have opted to do this. (I have never added peppers, but I think I would like it). Add your can of diced tomatoes. Continue cooking and stirring, scraping the bottom of the pan. Add about 1 1/2 tsp. sugar. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Add your heavy cream, and then add your cut-up pieces of broiled chicken. Serve over plain Basmati rice and top with cilantro if desired. Or you can make the turmeric rice with peas. It doesn't really taste any different, but it looks pretty :)

Turmeric Rice With Peas

Ingredients:

2 cups Basmati rice

4 Tbsp. butter

1 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. ground turmeric

4 cups water

1/2 cup (or more) of frozen peas

Add all ingredients except peas to a rice cooker. Turn on and walk away. When the rice is done, throw in the peas and close the lid. The steam will cook the peas and they will retain their lovely green hue.

Now you have a truly impressive dish!

I Ran a 5K!

2011-10-10T17:55:00.004-06:00

Last year, a friend of mine started running 5Ks. She told me about the "Couch to 5K" training program that she used to get ready. Even though I hate running, I thought this would be a good goal for me. I figured I could get in shape before our trip to Europe, since we would be walking a lot. The Couch to 5K program is a 9-week training program that is supposed to gradually work you up to running a 5K. About week 5, my knees started hurting, and I knew if I continued running, they would just hurt more, and then I'd be hobbling around Europe instead of walking around Europe. So I had to give up.

This year, I decided to give it another go. Jacob and I went to a running store and had them watch me while I ran. They have a treadmill with a camera on it so they can see how your feet are landing. They play it back in slow motion to see if you are pronating inward or outward, and how much. Then they recommend certain shoes based on what will help you correct your run. So $100 later, we walked out with new shoes and new hope.

I was hoping that I would learn to like running during my 9-week training. Alas, it was not to be. And even with the new shoes, my knees started hurting again around week 7 or 8. But they didn't hurt as badly as before, and I was NOT going to give up when I was so close! I decided to find a 5K that would coincide with the last day of my training program. That way I wouldn't have to keep training while waiting to run an official race, all while the weather was getting colder and colder.

This left me with two choices: Run a 5K with a bunch of dogs (don't ask) or run on a dirt trail on the side of a mountain. I chose the latter. My 5K was the "XTerra Marathon of Trail Races" held at the Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado Springs. Having been to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which was literally on the side of a mountain, we figured a mountain would also be involved in the race. We were correct.

We left at 6:00 and dropped off the kids at my long-suffering neighbor's house, and set out for Colorado Springs. Of course, wouldn't you know that the first snow of the season decided to honor us this day. It was snowing so hard that we could not see the road. It was very scary. Had I been the only one that was signed up for the race, I would have just forfeited the $25 and stayed home. However, Jacob also decided to join me, so we were out $50 if we didn't go, and I wasn't about to waste that kind of money! After a while, it got lighter and we could see the road more clearly. When we got to the race site, it was raining. I would have preferred snow for the race, but Mother Nature clearly has a rotten sense of humor.

I was surprised at how many people were waiting in the rain for the race. Most of them turned out to be the ones signed up for the marathon and half-marathon. Either they are crazy running fanatics, or they didn't want to waste their money, either. It was my goal to run the entire 5K, but it soon became apparent that this was not going to be possible. The trail was very rocky in parts (all rocks, no trail) and due to the rain, the rocks were very slippery. The trail had also turned into thick, slippery mud in many locations, and running through that would have meant a one-way ticket onto your kiester. So I ran on all the parts that were safe to run on, and consoled myself with the fact that I had in fact run two 5Ks without stopping earlier in the week during training.

Jacob had not trained at all. He was worried about being beat by girl. He actually beat me by about a minute, but I contest that it's only because his legs are longer than mine. If we had run a 5K on a paved surface in good weather, I'm sure I would have beaten him :) But no matter. I did the 9 week training perfectly without missing a day, and I never walked when I should have been running. So now I can give my knees a rest and think about whether or not I ever want to run again!

What's Wrong--3 Discussion

2011-10-07T12:37:00.000-06:00

This is one of the first pictures I took when I was just starting out and trying to figure out what I was doing. I had hung some white muslin in front of my sliding glass door and set my daughter in front of it. The light was diffused, but flat, and there wasn't enough to turn the backdrop white. (Actually, you really need artificial lights to get a truly white backdrop). I had no idea about the rule of thirds, so her head is too high, she wasn't looking into the camera and there is no light in her eyes. This is a total "blah" picture.

What's Wrong-3

2011-10-06T14:52:00.000-06:00

Here is a lovely (ahem) picture from my earliest days when I had no idea what the heck I was doing. Now it's your turn to tell me everything that is wrong with this picture! Don't hold back. My feelings won't be hurt :)

Which is Your Personality Type?

2011-10-05T13:09:00.000-06:00

I recently read a book called It's Just My Nature. In it, the author, Carol Tuttle, describes 4 different personality types and their characteristics. When I was younger, I used to take every personality test available. I've done the Color Test, the Myers Briggs Test, and others I can't remember the names of. It's Just My Nature doesn't have a test to determine your personality. The author purports that it's easy to figure out personality tests and answer how we WANT to be rather than how we really are. For example, if one of the choices on a personality test goes something like this: a. critical, b., accepting, c. inattentive, d. personable--it would be hard to choose. Nobody wants to think that they're a critical person, even if they are. So we would answer with a more positive, albeit inaccurate description of who we are. In Carol's book, she lists characteristics and gives examples of each of the types, and we are to determine which feels most real and truthful to us.

To give you a little taste of what's in the book, I thought I would do a short synopsis of each of the types, starting with Type 1. (Note: I am not an expert on this subject, and this is more my experience and interpretation of the different types than exactly what Carol explains in her book).

Type 1 individuals are called "Bright/Animated" in Carol's book. These are the people who always have a lot to say, have many friends, and are the life of any party. They are naturally optimistic and cheerful. For this reason, I personally love to be around Type 1 people. They make me feel better about myself without even trying. They can also carry a conversation almost entirely by themselves, which is very helpful for a person like me who is more introverted and can't always think of what to say. Type 1 people also love to decorate for the holidays, and they are very creative. They have lots of ideas, but don't always follow through on them before they move on to the next one. They are typically late (just too many ideas to think about to bother looking at the clock!) but they have a zest for life and naturally lift the mood of any room they are in. Type 1's love variety (they may often change their hair) and can often get over disappointments and failure quickly and move on. As a child, they were often told to "settled down" or "stop moving."

I have two children who fit this bill. They bring joy everywhere they go and are so animated and fun. My 3-year-old's favorite thing to say is, "That's o.k." As in right after she breaks something of yours. She gets over it quickly, although you may not! I am not a Type 1. Are you? Leave a comment and let me know if this describes you or someone you know. And if you want to learn more, you can always click on the link above and get the book. In the coming weeks, I'll be talking about the other three types, so stay tuned!

Last Chance for Fall Portraits!

2011-10-03T10:51:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year already, and the leaves will be here and gone before we know it! I only have one day available this month (October 15th) to do photoshoots before the leaves fall. If you were waiting to schedule your shoot, don't wait any longer! My slots will fill up fast! Call me at 303-346-4597 to book your session today!

Start With Why

2011-09-30T09:48:00.001-06:00

I recently read the book Start With Why by Simon Sinek. In the book, the author posits that only those businesses with a clear sense of why will be successful. It's not enough to know what you do, or how you do it. People respond to why you do what you do. I was surprised to find that there is an interview with him on BYUtv and I found it very interesting to watch as he helped other people discover their why. You can watch the segment here.

He gave an example in his book of a man and a woman on a first date. The woman asks the man what he does, and he says something like, "I run my own consulting business. I am the most highly-paid consultant in the city, and I drive a Mercedes and know Brad Pitt on a first name basis!" How likely is it that this guy will get a second date? Not likely at all. But what if he answers this way? "I am so lucky that I get to help people every day to realize their goals. I can't tell you how great it feels when one of my consulting clients achieves something really important to them. This has provided a great living for me, and I've been really blessed to meet some well-known and influential people along the way." Now will he get a second date? Highly likely, because he explained his why. He loves to help other people. That's why he's a consultant. He also explained some results of his work, but they were not the main focus like they were in the first scenario.

I highly recommend this book! If you've already read it, let me know what you thought about it. And later, I'll explain MY why.

Creamy Peach Delight

2011-09-29T12:58:00.000-06:00

I know the calendar says it's fall, but it's been in the 80s here in Denver. And the peaches are at their peak! So it's time for one more summer dessert. We bought a peach tree in the spring and planted it in our backyard. I was happy that we actually got some peaches off of it, and that they ripened before the first frost here in Denver. Regrettably, the peaches were small and few, so I needed to find a new recipe to try since there weren't enough peaches for my favorite peach dessert. I found a recipe on the internet and it was a big hit with our dinner guests. I have altered it slightly so the crust is not so thick (I felt that it overshadowed the peaches, which should be the star). So stock up on some ripe peaches and treat yourself to a last taste of summer!

Creamy Peach Delight
For the crust:
12 whole graham crackers, crushed
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup white sugar

For the filling:
4 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup milk
1 pint heavy cream
1/3 cup white sugar
6 large, fresh peaches; peeled, pitted, and sliced.

Directions:
Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Mix well and press into the bottom of a 9x13 pan, reserving 1/4 cup for topping.

Heat the marshmallows and milk in a pan on the stove over low heat until marshmallows are completely melted. Remove and cool.

Whip cream until soft peaks form. Add 1/3 cup sugar and whip until stiff peaks form. Mix with the cooled marshmallows. Spread 1/2 of mixture over graham cracker crust. Layer the sliced peaches on top, then cover with the rest of the marshmallow/cream mixture. Sprinkle reserved crust over the top and refrigerate until time to serve.

Dramatic

2011-09-27T10:41:00.000-06:00

I have been lucky the past few years to do the dance recital portraits for On Pointe School of Dance in Parker, Colorado. Earlier this year, they did a production of Cinderella. The minions in the play (not to be confused with the minions in Despicable Me) had very dramatic hair and makeup. After I did my regular editing, I played around with some of my favorite images, doing a darker, desaturated treatment. I love the feel of these images. The first one is full-body, and the second is cropped and further tweaked. Which one do you like best?

If You're Getting Married....

2011-09-26T13:24:00.000-06:00

I met Jessica online in a roundabout way via Facebook. I found out she lived just around the corner from me, and we became fast friends. Jessica is a photographer. And she is awesome. She specializes in weddings, and you MUST see her work, because it is phenomenal. We have gotten together a few times to share our secrets with each other. One night we practiced some new techniques on each other. Here are some of my favorite shots of her. And really, if I weren't me, I'd want to be her. She is the funnest, most positive, stylish and all-around wonderful person. I love being around her. And if you're getting married (or know someone who is) you will love being around her, too. Check out her work at Flourish Photography.

The Perfect Date Night Movie

2011-09-23T11:12:00.000-06:00

A friend came over one night and said, "You have to watch this movie!" I'd never heard of it before, but it looked like it might be a mildly good movie. I have to say that after watching it, I LOVE this movie. First of all, it stars Christopher Gorham (who I fell in love with when I saw him in The Other Side of Heaven. He was also on Ugly Betty and starred in Jake 2.0). Alyssa Milano is the girl who falls for him-and another charming fellow. It's the classic struggle of who to choose, while hiding a secret of her own that could destroy everything. In the end, there's a surprising twist, and suddenly, everything makes sense. I love this movie because it's completely CLEAN, and completely charming. And there are plenty of Star Wars references to keep any guy happy who is watching it with you :) My Girlfriend's Boyfriend

Banner Boutique Makes You Look Chic!

2011-09-22T09:53:00.000-06:00

When we lived in California, I became friends with Martha Stewart. I don't mean the real Martha Stewart. I mean someone who was just like her talent-wise (but kinder and cuter other-wise). Lindsay was a true friend--someone who would drop whatever she was doing to help anyone out. She was one of those people you just loved to be around, because somehow she made you feel better about yourself without even trying. She was just good.

When I was pregnant with my third child, she gave me a gorgeous raw-silk pillow with a bunch of adorable headbands on it for my new baby. Since then, her headbands have taken on a life of their own, and she has a burgeoning business. After being on Etsy for quite some time, she has just launched her own website. These are the most gorgeous hair accessories, and the quality is beyond compare. She has all kinds of hair accessories--raw silk flowers, interchangeable fabric flowers, lace--everything. You will be so happy with anything you order from Banner Boutique. And even better, you can know you are doing business with a truly beautiful human being. So click on this link. (Right after you look at the samples of adorableness below). Banner Boutique

Here is my daughter at 4 months wearing one of the headbands she gave me:

Here is my niece, who has become my mascot :)

I just love this portrait and how the flower and beanie add an element of nostalgia.

O.K. Now that you've looked, you can click on the link. Here is it again. Banner Boutique

Wall Art

2011-09-21T11:27:00.000-06:00

One of the things I love to do is help people design their wall art. Here is a sample of what I created for Andrea and Dallin. I did an artistic treatment on all the images, and then put them in gorgeous frames. Wouldn't you just love to see something like this every day in your home? I know I would.

What's Wrong-2 Discussion

2011-09-20T09:41:00.000-06:00

This picture was taken with a one megapixel camera using ambient light. There was not enough light, so my shutter had to stay open too long, and my daughter moved (or I moved) which caused the image to be blurry. Having a one megapixel camera means that the quality is terrible (obviously) but even worse is that the image is underexposed. This causes the whole image to be grainy. Also, the auto white balance feature chose to make my child red in this case. I had no idea about the rule of thirds at this point (remember, I was not a professional photographer--just a mommy taking a picture of her new baby) so the composition is blah. Maybe I was looking at this picture from far away, and viewing it as a pointillistic piece of art, like those created by Serat. Because far away (very, very far away) is the only way this picture would ever look good. And even then, knowing what I know now, it would still not look good. Thank goodness I've improved since then and hopefully made it up to this poor child :)

What's Wrong-2

2011-09-19T12:25:00.000-06:00

I took this picture before I was a professional photographer. The problem is, I actually thought this was good! So good, in fact, that I used it for my daughter's birth announcements. I just can't explain what I was thinking. Maybe it was all those pregnancy hormones that hadn't gotten out of my body yet and were messing with my judgment skills. So, barring the yellow blobs (I blurred out the birth announcement information) what is wrong with this picture?

Chocolate Peanut Butter Heaven

2011-09-16T08:33:00.004-06:00

The real name of this confection is "Buckeye Cake." That sounds unappetizing to me. So I changed it. A lady who spoke at church last Sunday said she thought when she went to Heaven she would just be relaxing, enjoying the scenery and eating chocolate. If that is case, I really hope they have this in Heaven. It is so stinkin' delicious. Cut very small pieces, because this cake is super rich. A little goes a long way. Which is good (or bad, depending on how many people you are sharing this with).

Cake ingredients:
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cups all purpose flour
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted (I just used regular salted butter)
3 oz. baking chocolate, melted (or use 9 Tbps. chocolate baking powder and 3 Tbsp. oil)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt

Peanut Butter layer:
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup powdered sugar

Ganache:
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (12 oz. package)
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9-inch cake pan. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; grease. (I don't use parchment paper, but I do grease the pan really well, because you have to get the cake out of the pan).

For cake: Combine eggs and sugar in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour into pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes. Run knife around edge of cake; cool for an additional 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving platter. Remove pan and parchment; cool completely.

For peanut butter layer: Beat peanut butter, butter, and vanilla extract in medium mixer bowl until combined. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Spread mixture on cake. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

For ganache: Heat cream in small saucepan to boiling; remove from heat. Add semi-sweet morsels; let stand 5 minutes. Stir; refrigerate for 30 minutes or until mixture is spreadable. Spread chocolate on top and sides of cake. (I just pour it on top and let it run down the sides).

Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve.

What's Wrong--1 Discussion

2011-09-15T09:46:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I posted this picture. It was from my very first photo session. I asked a friend to let me practice on her family. I hung a white sheet from my ceiling in front of my sliding glass door and used natural light. I also used a point and shoot 1 MEGAPIXEL camera. I know! But that was back in the day....

As you can see, there are numerous problems with this photo. First of all, there was not enough light to turn the background white. In fact, you really need studio lights if you want a truly white background. There was also not enough distance between me and the subjects, so I ended up cutting off parts of their body that should have been in the frame. Because of the lack of light and the fact that my camera only had one megapixel, the whole image is grainy. There is also a blue color cast because I had no idea about white balance back then, and when you let the camera determine that for you, 90% of the time, it's going to be wrong. (I just came up with that percentage on my own. I once heard that Auto White Balance really stands for Auto Wrong Balance, and I totally believe it!)

So, don't take pictures like this! And especially don't take pictures like this and then charge money for them! (Luckily, I hardly charged anything when my work was crappy. So, you know, you get what you pay for!)

What's Wrong--1

2011-09-14T08:45:00.000-06:00

A series in which I post horribly embarrassing pictures from my early days as a "fauxtographer" and you get to tell me what is wrong with them. Leave your critique in the comments sections. Check back tomorrow for my assessment.

And the Winner Is...

2011-09-13T09:25:00.000-06:00

Becca Oliver! Thank you, everyone for becoming a follower and liking me on Facebook! I will be posting new content every day (except weekends) so be sure to check back often! Have a wonderful day!

Melissa

Andrea and Dallin Wedding Reception {Blackstone Country Club}

2011-09-12T10:36:00.000-06:00

When she was a teenager, she used to drive by the large, beautiful building set atop a hill and dream of having her wedding reception there. On September 2nd, 2011, her dream came true. And it was a dream come true for her new husband, too. The Blackstone Country Club is on a golf course, and he is mad for golfing.

Of course, something always goes wrong at a wedding (or wedding reception). They had gotten married in Utah the day before, and on the plane to Colorado, Andrea's makeup exploded in her suitcase and got all over her clothes. This caused a slight delay to our photo session before the reception. And then during the shoot, it started to rain. However, there were no mosquitoes, so we can be thankful for that :) Despite all the setbacks, we were still able to get some GORGEOUS images to remember the day.

A big congratulations to Andrea and Dallin!

How to Choose a Great Photographer

2011-09-09T09:59:00.000-06:00

(This is a repost from last year, but I feel it's full of great information that bears repeating).

Pick me! Pick me! That's all you need to know.

O.K., seriously folks, I ran across the website of another photographer tonight, and I started thinking about how people pick someone to photograph their children and families. I realized that it may be difficult to separate the good photographers from the bad, and to be able to tell what really "good" photography is. You may have had a friend come to you, giving you glowing reports about a photographer and showing you the cute pictures of their smiling children. Cute smiling kids must equal a great photographer, right? Not necessarily. Please consider the following:

Most new photographers suffer from a terrible syndrome. It is called "I am so awesome that I can hardly believe I'm real." I admit that I suffered from this syndrome at one point. Even though I had seen photography from really, really great and famous photographers, I somehow could not see that my photography was woefully lacking compared to theirs. All I knew is that my friends said I was awesome, and that was good enough for me. Of course, this syndrome was also tempered by the "I'm so terrible I can't believe people would actually pay me money" syndrome. This is a good syndrome to have! It pushed me to learn and grow and increase my skills. Unfortunately, some photographers only have the first syndrome, and never the second. Here are the telltale signs:

1. They post all 247 pictures from a session on their website with no editing whatsoever. There are loads of blurry pictures, images of babies crawling out of the scene, and even pictures that are corrupted where most of the frame is green.

2. They do "selective color," and do it badly. Everybody loves the black and white pictures of the little girl where only the pink rose is in color. But watch out for abnormally-colored eyes and other wonky colors that look fake. It means they probably are. Selective color should be used sparingly and add to the feel of the picture. It shouldn't be done just because Photoshop makes it possible.

3. They charge too little for their sessions and prints. I once read a book about photography that gave the advice to avoid any photographer who charged less than $100 for a session. At the time, I charged less than $100, so I thought this was bad advice. Looking back, I can tell you that it is, in fact, very good advice. Good photography is an investment. If you only want to pay for cheap photography, you'll get cheap photography. I understand that not everybody can afford hundred-dollar sessions. In my mind, it's something worth saving up for. You want beautiful portraits that will stand the test of time and not be thrown in a drawer.

4. Good photography is all about the light. A tell-tale sign of an amateur photographer is little round pinpoints of white in the eyes of his subjects. This means he has used on-camera flash, which is a total mood-killer and makes the pictures look anything but professional. Good light should most often come from the side, and you should be able to see a catchlight in the eyes. It can be any shape and come from any direction (especially in natural-light situations) but it should rarely be right in the middle of the pupil! Good professional photographers can use flash and make it not look like flash, and it is used most often to enhance the light, not be the main light source. Many wedding photographers have to use flash because of the lighting situations they encounter, but they will diffuse it or bounce it, or do most anything not to aim it directly at their subjects. If you see a stark, very definite shadow cast by the subject, the photographer has used on-camera flash.

Whew! I could go on and on. But the next time you are considering a photographer, really look at their pictures and evaluate them for more than just whether or not the subject is smiling. Choose wisely, my friends!

Restaurant-worthy Orange Chicken

2011-09-08T11:18:00.000-06:00

I have been joking for years that if only I could figure out how to make perfect orange chicken, I could die in peace. No matter what I tried, though, it never worked. Either the breading would fall off, or it would never get crispy in the first place, or once the sauce was added, everything would get soggy. I was just about to accept the possibility that I might actually die without ever uncovering this mystery. But Eureka! One day I tried a new combination, and, again, Eureka! (I know I just said that. I may have said it prematurely the first time). Anyhoo, I don't want you to be tormented by orange chicken the way I was. So I am going to reveal the secret of how to make restaurant-worthy orange chicken in your own home. And, I am also going to give you three--yes, three sauce recipes so that you can also have sweet and sour chicken and sesame chicken. Oh, and if I have time, I'll add a lemon sauce as well.

There are two great secrets to making this perfect chicken. The first one is this:

This is called "Frying Mix" and can be found at your local Asian market. What? You don't have a local Asian market? Well, I guess you'll die crying bitter tears because you are unable to make perfect orange chicken. Or you might get over it. Or you might not care. ANYHOW, to continue, you really need this.

The second thing you absolutely must have is one of these:

This is an electric skillet. You must get one that goes up to 400 degrees. You must. It is essential. Anything lower will not work. We have a proper deep-fat fryer, but it only goes up to 375 degrees. I have searched and searched for one that goes up to 400, but they must be illegal in America. I was thinking I was going to have to go on the Chinese black market to get a fryer that goes up to 400. But I have no idea how to go on the Chinese black market, so I came up with the skillet idea instead.

Now, here's how you do it. For the chicken part, you only need three ingredients:
Chicken (1-2 breasts)
Frying Mix
Water

Just cut up your chicken into 1/2 inch squares. Put some Frying Mix into a plastic bag, then add your chicken and shake it all about. Then do the Hokey Pokey and stick your leg out and open the fridge with it. Wait. First take the chicken out of the bag and put it on a plate (or a couple plates depending on how much chicken you are using) and put it in the fridge while you complete the Hokey Pokey. Then wait at least 1/2 hour. That's what it's all about.

Get out your electric skillet, pour in 1-2 inches of oil (enough to cover the chicken pieces when they are dropped in). Heat oil to 350 degrees. When it's about ready, get some more Frying Mix and follow the directions on the package (on mine it said to just add water, but I added ice-water). Get out your chicken and drop a few pieces at a time into the wet frying mix, then take out and drop (carefully!) into the 350 degree oil. Fry until golden. It should look like this:

See how it's kind of light and not really as brown as you would expect? That's o.k. Don't fry it longer, because no matter how long you fry it in 350-degree oil, it will never get any browner. Trust me--I've tried.

Once you've done this first fry with all the chicken, turn the skillet temperature up to 400 degrees and wait for the oil to be ready. Then re-fry all your chicken for another minute or so, until it turns a nice golden brown. It should look like this:

See how much more golden and delicious that looks? This won't work at 375, folks. It MUST be 400 degrees! Now you can make one of the wonderful sauces listed below, or just buy some sweet and sour or orange sauce at the store to make it easy on yourself. Pour it over the chicken and enjoy! Enjoy it thoroughly, because now all your dreams have come true :)

Orange Sauce (taken from The Everything Chinese Cookbook)
1/4 cup water
5 tsp. freshly squeezed orange juice
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. chili paste
1/4 tsp. sesame oil
2 tsp. corn starch

Cook sauce in small pan on stove over medium heat until it boils and thickens.

Sesame Chicken Sauce (also taken from the same cookbook)
1/2 cup water
1 cup chicken stock or broth
2 Tbsp. dark soy sauce
1/2 cup vinegar
2 tsp. chili sauce with garlic
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. rice vinegar
3/4 cup sugar
4 Tbsp. corn starch

Cook on stove over medium heat until it boils and thickens. Pour over chicken and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Lemon Sauce (from the same cookbook again)
3 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp. corn starch mixed with 4 tsp. water
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. honey
1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar (or rice wine)
2 tsp. soy sauce

Mix together and cook over medium heat until it boils and thickens.

Sweet and Sour Sauce (from my awesome friend Annie Easterbrook)
1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup water
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 1/2 Tbsp. corn starch
3/4 cup pineapple juice

Cook until clear and thickened.

Me and My Philosophy (Photographically Speaking)

2011-09-07T10:08:00.000-06:00

I went to my daughter's favorite fast-food restaurant today. We ordered our food, and it came quickly and without fanfare. The fries were hot, but there was too much ice in the drink, and I noticed that the chicken breast on my sandwich was noticeably thinner than it had been in the past. We got our own napkins, straws and ketchup. Still, the food was tasty, and we quickly ate it and left. I compare this experience to several I had while living in Japan. I was teaching English there, and on Christmas, they had a party for all the teachers at a really nice restaurant. The food was GORGEOUS. It was almost too beautiful to eat. Everything was perfectly framed in a ceramic or laquer bowl or plate. The organization of the food and the colors were so pleasing to the eye. And in my bowl of soup were floating flakes of real gold. We were served expertly by lovely women wearing kimonos, and we never had to get up to get anything for ourselves. The whole experience was enchanting and unexpected.

Photography can be like the two meals I just described--or anywhere inbetween. It can be served up quickly without much thought or care, or it can be a wonderful feast where you feel like a special guest. My goal is to provide the latter experience. This starts with a pre-session consultation where we discuss all the aspects of your shoot so we can be as prepared as possible when the day of the shoot arrives. I show you all my products, and you get a feel for what you might like. For example, if you are interested in an album, I will ask you to bring more changes of clothing so we can get enough variety. We will also choose more backdrops for your shoot if it is in my studio. If you want a large portrait to hang over your fireplace or piano, we will discuss whether it needs to be horizontal or vertical, and plan accordingly.

After the shoot, I actually come to your home to show you your images. While there, I will walk around with you and find the perfect location for all your prints, so you don't have to worry about where to hang your artwork. We'll pick out frames together, and your completed artwork will be delivered right to your front door! No more taking prints to the framers and worring about transporting them there and back.

The bottom line is, I am like that kimono-clad server at a sumptuous dinner. You don't have to get up. You don't have to worry about a thing. I am here to serve you gorgeous artwork of your family. And who knows? There may just be a few surprise specks of gold, too :)

Relaunch Celebration!

2011-09-06T06:48:00.000-06:00

I am so excited to announce the re-launch of my photography blog!
To celebrate, I am inviting YOU to become a follower! This is what
you’ll get in return!

1. Everyone who becomes a follower will automatically be entered
to win a $50 gift card from Amazon.com!

2. When you become a follower, you will also receive a set of three
adorable baby ballerina cards that you can print yourself! These are
5x7 cards, and you can either print flat cards or folded cards using
your favorite photo lab (like Costco). Make sure to leave your e-mail
address in a comment on my blog so I know where to send them!
(Scroll down to see images of the cards).

3. My new blog is not just about photography! I’ll also post my
favorite recipes, have fun quizzes, and talk about interesting subjects
such as personality profiling and little-known movies I think you'll love.

4. Yes, it is still mostly about photography, and that means you can send me your photography questions, and I’ll answer them on the blog! I’ll also be posting really embarrassing, horrible pictures I took when I first started, and you get to tell me what’s wrong with them!

When you join the blog, you get one entry for the $50 gift card. When you go to Facebook and like Blue Prints Photography, you get another entry! (Link below, or you can just click on the "Like" button at the top of the sidebar on this blog). When you post about this to your friends on your blog or Facebook, you get another entry! Just be sure to leave a separate comment on this post for every action you take. (So if you "Like" me on Facebook, leave a comment. If you post about this with a link back to my blog on Facebook, leave another comment. If you post about this on your own blog with a link back, leave another comment. I think you get the picture :) That will give you three entries in addition to the one you already got for joining this blog!)

Here is the link to the Blue Prints Photography Blog: http://blueprintsphotography.blogspot.com/
Here is the link to my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/BluePrintsPhotography

Thanks so much for joining in my excitement! I look forward to sharing so much with you all! The drawing for the $50 gift card will be held on Monday, September 12th if I have reached my goal of 500 followers! (If I haven't reached my goal by then, the drawing will be delayed until I do, so tell all your friends to join the blog as soon as possible!)

Sincerely,
Melissa Blue Howell

Here are the three adorable cards you'll get when you become a follower!

In Their Own Words.... {Denver Family Photographer}

2011-09-02T10:08:00.000-06:00

We recently had the opportunity to have Melissa take our family portraits! For those of you who follow Melissa's blog and don't know us, we're the Johnsons. Logan (1 year old), Milli (3 years old), Kelli (Mom), and Chauncy (Dad).

Earlier this year, Kelli's sister Karyn introduced us to Melissa when she asked her to do some portraits of our kids. We had seen her work before and were excited to get portraits of Milli and Logan. Our family has had a rough year, to say the least. On Christmas Eve, 2010, Kelli and our 5- year-old daughter Elise were involved in a tragic ski accident in Wyoming where we live. Kelli survived, fighting through extensive injuries and was taken to a hospital in Denver for several months of rehabilitation. Unfortunately, our beautiful daughter Elise didn't survive the accident. A snowboarder had come down the mountain at a very high rate of speed and collided with Kelli and Elise. Tragically, the snowboarder didn't survive either. Milli and Logan are Elise's younger siblings and Logan hadn't gotten any baby pictures before the accident occured. We were able to have pictures taken of Milli and Logan about three months after the accident, but Kelli still had a neck brace on from neck fractures that were healing. On a checkup visit this month to Denver, we set up an appointment with Melissa for family pictures.

The latest photos are of our family 8 months after the accident in our first family pictures without Elise. Kelli has made a miraculous recovery with lots of love and support from family, friends, and many blessings from Heaven. We plan to have a family portrait painted by a talented artist and great friend of ours with Elise added into the painting. Because of this, we did several different poses that we can choose from to make this work. There was a special feeling at the photo shoot as we took pictures with Elise in mind. She is missed beyond explanation every day. Kelli continues to improve; in fact, she's now able to drive after 8 months of healing! We are excited to see the painting when it is finished and we'll see if we can post it on Melissa's blog when it is completed. Thanks Melissa for helping us make this happen.

Mexican Choclate Ice Cream

2011-08-11T10:29:00.002-06:00

I spent two days going to every grocery store from here to Kansas looking for it. My elusive prize? Mexican chocolate. I don't know when the idea first ocurred to me, but once I had it in my mind, I could not let go of it. So I searched and searched. At one store, I was told to look in the baking section, ask at the cheese counter, ask at the bakery (sometimes they have big blocks of chocolate). All this after I had already looked in the Mexican food section. Finally, a store worker visited the hot chocolate section, and returned with this:

It was the mother lode. I have had real Belgian chocolate, in Belgium. This is not Belgian chocolate. It is something entirely different, and entirely wonderful. It has a rich, complex flavor that I cannot describe, but that is absolutely mesmerizing. There is nothing unusual in the ingredient list, so I can only assume it's the "artificial flavoring" that makes the difference. Whatever it is, I love it. I love it to death.

So I went online to look for recipes for Mexican chocolate ice cream, and all of them involved like 6 eggs and lots of cooking. Well, that's just not how we do things around here, so I made up my own recipe, and I must say, it is divine! I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out. It has a wonderful complement of cinnamon, and ends with a slight kick from the cayenne pepper. (Hey, this is Mexican chocolate ice cream. There has to be something hot in it). This is now my new favorite ice cream. I can't wait to make more! (Please see this post for a recommendation of a fantastic ice cream maker).

Mexican Ice Cream

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1 disk of Mexican chocolate (I recommend Abuelita brand, found at most regular supermarkets and Walmart. Check the Mexican section and the hot chocolate section).

1/4 cup cocoa powder (regular baking chocolate)

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon (you can add more if desired)

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (add more if you can stand the heat!)

pinch of salt

Instructions:

Pour 4 cups of whole milk into a pan on the stove and add one Mexican chocolate disk. Heat on medium and stir with a wisk until all chocolate is melted and incorporated. Pour 1 1/2 cups into a mixing bowl and add the 1/2 cup of sugar. Wisk together until sugar is dissolved. (The warm milk will help the sugar dissolve faster. Save the rest of the chocolate milk and reheat if desired, or just drink it cold. It is fantastic!) Add the 1 1/2 cups of cream, the cocoa powder, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne pepper. Wisk together until everything is well incorporated. Cover and put in the refrigerator for a couple hours or overnight to chill. After mixture is cold, pour into ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's instructions for your ice cream maker. For mine, I just let it run for about 1/2 hour, until the ice cream was of soft-serve consistency. Transfer to airtight container and put in freezer. Let freeze for a few hours or overnight to harden and to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy immensely!

Giveaway!

2011-08-01T14:20:00.000-06:00

Recently, I have discovered Dressing Your Truth, which has made a HUGE difference in how I dress and how I feel about myself. I will be talking more about this in the future, but right now, there is a giveaway going on at The Carol Blog! Go check it out!

Second Memo to Me {Centennial Family Photographer}

2011-07-29T09:50:00.000-06:00

Apparently, I forgot about the first memo to me. The one about 5:00 photo shoots and mosquitoes. Now I'm going to have to add snakes to the memo, because the same one that made an appearance at the wedding reception I did showed up again! Luckily, none of the kids saw it, or we would have had a much bigger problem than mosquitoes! (I'm assured that it is a harmless snake. Still, snakes are creepy and give me the heebie jeebies).

Other than the mosquitoes and the snake, everything was perfect :) And there was no thunderstorm! Here are some of my favorites from the shoot.

July is Ice Cream Month!

2011-07-24T09:48:00.002-06:00

Recently, we bought this marvelous invention at Costco.

It does not use ice or salt, and it is amazing! This is the first ice cream we made with it, and it was a hit! I got this recipe out of Chocolate Never Faileth. I was worried the bananas might brown in the ice cream, but they didn't at all! I also used skim milk, which I would not recommend. I still thought it tasted divine, but when the ice cream freezes, it makes it very hard and very difficult to scoop. Other ice creams I've made with whole milk have stayed much creamier and easier to scoop after freezing. So go buy this ice cream maker (also makes sorbet and slushies). It was only $29 at Costco, and so worth it!

Chunky Monkey Ice Cream (this is called Crazy Monkey Ice Cream in the book. I have altered this recipe slightly, and also changed the amount of ingredients so it will not overflow in this ice cream maker. Or at least so it's less-likely to overflow.)

Ingredients:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup sugar
2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup coconut, grated or shredded
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. oil (optional)

Instructions:
Melt the white chocolate chips. Add a little oil if needed to make the chips liquid. In large pan, combine the milk, cream, vanilla and sugar. Heat on low. When the mixture is warm (not hot) and the sugar has been dissolved, add the melted white chocolate chips. Remove from heat. Put in refrigerator to cool. When mixture has cooled, add the mashed bananas and coconut. Pour the mixture into the freezing canister and make the ice cream according the manufacturer's directions. (For this ice cream maker, you just turn it on and pour the mixture into the bowl. Let it run for about 25-30 minutes until it is of soft-serve consistency. It will get harder once frozen). Take the ice cream out of the canister and transfer it into an air-tight container. Stir in the nuts. Melt the chocolate chips and pour slowly into the ice cream while stirring it. The chocolate will freeze and make chocolate ribbons in the ice cream. Put the lid on the container and freeze for several hours.

Lindsay and Bryan, Centennial, CO Wedding Reception

2011-07-19T13:27:00.001-06:00

"Marry a man who likes tools." This is good advice for any woman. It's GREAT advice if you are a high school theater teacher who needs a lot of sets built. Bryan has lots of tools and loves to use them. Lindsay is a drama teacher. It's a match made in heaven :)

The weather report said it wasn't supposed to rain. The one day of the week that wouldn't be plagued with thunderstorms and lightning. But the dark clouds rolled in anyway. They didn't care what the weather report said. The bride was convinced it was going to rain. The groom began singing Alanis Morissette. "It's like rai-ai-ain, on your wedding day...." An umbrella was put over the cake. Cool drops began tumbling from the sky--but just for a minute, and then they were gone. It's a good thing, too, since the father of the bride told me he had cancelled the tent they reserved in case of rain.

It turned out to be a perfect reception. The weather became cool and comfortable, washing away the heat from earlier in the day. The food was exotic and beautiful. And they had my favorite--little brownie bites, topped with whipped cream and fresh raspberries. Mine ended up in the grass, though, after an uninvited snake made a surprise appearance and frightened me out of my seat with my plate of food in my hand.

Congratulations, Lindsay and Bryan! May you and your tools live happily ever after :)

Memo to Me {Parker Family Photographer}

2011-07-13T13:18:00.001-06:00

Five-o-clock may be a wonderful time for the light, but it is also a wonderful time for mosquitoes and thunderstorms in Denver. It was raining as we drove to the trail head for the photoshoot. Behind me was one of my best friends from college along with his wife and five children. They were visiting from Minnesota, and this was the only time we had for the shoot. But I wasn't worried. Denver weather is schizophrenic, so I knew it would stop raining. But I also knew we only had about 45 minutes until the next thunderstorm hit.

Just as we pulled up, the rain was slowing down. My friend and his family took shelter under a pavilion while I scoped out a good place for the family shot. A large tree surrounded by tall, flowing grass presented itself as the obvious choice. I yelled for everyone to come over, and they set out for the tree with no thought for what they might be kicking up in the grass. I arranged everyone and headed back to my camera. With five kids, you'd expect a lot of fidgeting, but it soon became apparent that something else was going on. Hundreds of mosquitoes had been alerted to our presence and were descending on our position. Again and again, they thrust their dagger-like probosces into our tasty flesh. I swatted them off my arms and blew them off my camera. This was hardly a fitting thank-you for the man who probably kept me alive my last year of college. I was out of money, but he was never out of generosity, always feeding me store-bought chicken patties on a bun, or taking me to get a $1.00 burrito at Taco Bell. I hadn't seen him since he got married, 13 years ago, and now I had brought him and his family to a smorgasbord where they were the main dish.

I shot quickly and with purpose, but when we left, we each had tons of red bumps welling up on our bodies. The itching began in earnest, and I made a mental note: Next time, wear bug spray!

Andrea and Dallin

2011-07-05T15:28:00.001-06:00

It was a bad beginning. She wouldn't give him the time of day, and he didn't want to waste time on her. He was getting ready to go on a mission for two years, and figured she wouldn't be there when he got back. But he was wrong, and three years after meeting in a freshman geology class, they got engaged. I kind of like bad beginnings, because they often lead to happy endings. Congratulations Andrea and Dallin!

Summer Splendor {Aurora child photographer}

2011-06-28T09:00:00.001-06:00

It was all she had talked about for days. She ran around, giddy with excitement, awaiting the arrival of her cousins. The secret garden beckoned, and when her cousins emerged from their carriage, the little girl's eyes brightened and her heart quickened. Each lovely girl, dressed in crisp white cotton, had a name that reminded me of a luxury car, sensuous perfume, or rich Belgian chocolate. The oldest was serene, demure, and mysterious.

Her sister, sweet and sensitive, with blue eyes like pools of light.

The little girl, full of curiosity and joie de vivre.

The lush, verdant grass begged for their bare feet.

They sat in silence, perfectly content to just be with each other.

They threw rose petals into the gently whispering wind, which carried them away, like childhood cares in the light of a new day.

Little Angel {Highlands Ranch photographer}

2011-06-20T14:58:00.001-06:00

This two-year-old was such a doll and so fun to photograph. She kept sticking out her little tongue, but it was so cute! Her hairbows are from Banner Boutique. I am so happy with how these turned out!

Baby and Big Brother {Centennial Baby Photographer}

2011-06-06T21:14:00.001-06:00

This little two-month old baby was such a sweetie! Hardly ever cried (except when we tried to put hats on him) and managed not to get his mom all wet! I adore these portraits of his red-headed 2-year-old brother. Something about the images of him just suck me in and make me want to look forever! And would you just die for their mom's hair? So gorgeous! It was so hard to pick just these few images to post!

Another Newborn Doll {Denver Baby Photographer}

2011-05-31T21:15:00.001-06:00

This sweet girl came in to model some more headbands for Celeste and Company. It was a crazy shoot (where everything that could go wrong DID go wrong!) but we managed to get these cute images anyway!

Newborn Sweetness {Denver baby photographer}

2011-05-23T11:18:00.002-06:00

Well, you would never know it from these portraits, but this sweet little baby would not go to sleep, even after a 20 minute drive and being up for four hours! It's a special effect I have on babies. They are just so excited to be having their portraits done! They can't possibly sleep through the session! Even though she didn't sleep, she hardly cried at all and was so sweet. I'm happy we got these images where she at least looks like she's sleeping :) The darling headbands she is wearing are from Celeste and Company.

Sleeping Beauty

2011-05-16T12:44:00.001-06:00

For the past few years, I have been doing the portraits for my daughters' dance school. I love seeing all the girls in their costumes, and I am always so happy about how beautiful the portraits turn out. Here is a portrait of the star of the show this year, Sleeping Beauty.

One Year Old and Loving Life! {Centennial Baby Photographer}

2011-05-09T10:55:00.001-06:00

I always wanted to have a baby with dark hair and blue eyes. Alas, it was not to be. So I have to content myself with cuties like this. These are her official "One Year" portraits. She hardly cried at all, but she was a runner! It was quite a challenge to get these images, but definitely worth it!

Rainy Days {Aurora, Colorado Photographer}

2011-04-25T10:11:00.001-06:00

Wow, it's been raining a lot here in Denver! You know what they say about April and all the showers it brings. What a perfect opportunity to do a shoot with cute kids in rain gear! This brother and sister were so fun during the shoot. We had a great time together! These portraits were also featured on The Holiday Snob, a really great craft site that you should definitely check out!

The Happiest Baby on the Block {Parker, Colorado baby photographer}

2011-04-18T10:16:00.001-06:00

I don't know if I've ever had an easier shoot. This baby would not stop smiling! I needed her to model a bunch of headbands for me for Celeste and Company and she didn't complain at all with all the headband changes. She is such a doll and I just love how these pictures turned out!

My First Beach Shoot! {Denver, Colorado photographer}

2011-03-28T14:02:00.001-06:00

A month ago, I went to Oregon for my dad's 80th birthday party. All his kids were able to come (except for one daughter) and that meant that I got to hang out with my sister-in-law (among other people). Melain and I love getting together because she loves being in front of a camera and I love being behind one. The combination is always incredible! This shoot was no exception. We headed down to the beach (remember, this is February in Oregon). We were a bit worried because usually you get sandblasted at this beach. I'm not exaggerating. It is typically unbearably windy and cold. But this day, it was only slightly unbearably windy and cold! Melain was a true artist (in that she suffered for her art). It was totally worth it, though, as the following images will attest!

Brother and Sister in Easter Blue and Pink {Denver, Colorado child photographer}

2011-03-22T10:54:00.001-06:00

I got to photograph this adorable duo on Saturday. Their dad sure earned his keep with all the dancing and singing he did to get his kids to smile. It was sure worth it, though! Get a load of these cuties!

The 2011 Mrs. Colorado Pageant

2011-03-15T12:57:00.001-06:00

On March 5th, I got to attend this year's Mrs. Colorado Pageant. I was a sponsor for one of the contestants, Valentina Anderson. She did not win (BOO!) but she had a wonderful time participating. Here are some pictures I got from my seat in the audience. Unfortunately, I couldn't do anything about the head in front of me.

Shalon Polson, 2010 Mrs. Colorado introducing this year's contestants.

Valentina Anderson introducing herself.

Valentina getting to show off her evening gown and regal walk.

The top 5 finalists.

The top two waiting to hear the verdict.

And the winner is, Janell Ames!

Here's Valentina with her family.

Valentina and her husband.

What a cute couple!

These last ones are artsy interpretations I did. Valentina is SO beautiful!

Born Lucky {Centennial Colorado Baby Photographer}

2011-03-07T10:34:00.002-07:00

On Saturday, I got to photograph the sweetest 7-week-old baby boy. He was the most well-behaved baby. Well, except for the time he peed on his dad. And the time he did it again :) His dad is a big motorcyle aficionado, and they bought him the cutest little black shirt with a motorcycle on the front. (They bought the shirt for the baby--not the dad. Although the dad really wanted one in his size). On the back of the shirt, it said "Born Lucky." And this baby sure was. His parents adore him, and rightfully so!

One Year Old {Parker, Colorado baby photographer}

2011-02-21T20:36:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it's been one year since I first met this cutie pie. I did his newborn shoot, and I've seen him every three months since. His mom enrolled him in my baby plan so we could document his first year and see how much he has changed. One thing that has never changed are his big, blue eyes, his creamy skin, and his easy-going nature. The shoot went so quickly because he was such a doll! And the way he sucks his thumb is just so adorable. I can't get enough!

Happy Birthday! {Denver child photographer}

2011-02-15T15:22:00.001-07:00

My daughter recently turned seven. I bought her this dress that matches her personality perfectly. We had such a fun time goofing off and trying on tons of different hats during her shoot. She's great in front of the camera!

Vintage Cuties {Parker baby photographer}

2011-02-08T13:33:00.001-07:00

I did a shoot with these beautiful girls over the weekend. They are all wearing hair accessories from Banner Boutique and Celeste and Company. Both of these companies offer THE MOST GORGEOUS hair accessories. You totally have to check them out!

I had fun applying a vintage treatment to many of these portraits. I think they turned out so well and I can hardly stand the cuteness! (I know I say that a lot, but it's true!)

Mrs. Colorado 2011

2011-01-31T10:30:00.001-07:00

This past week I had the opportunity to do the official portraits for Mrs. Cherry Creek, who is running for Mrs. Colorado 2011. Her name is Valentina Anderson, and her story is quite inspiring--from being an orphan in the Ukraine to now living her dream in America. You can go see her and all the other contestants compete for the crown on Saturday, March 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the Buell Theater. If anyone is interested in tickets, please contact me as soon as possible!

Here are some of my favorites from our shoot. This first picture I love because I caught her off-guard. I think she looks so natural and beautiful. I love the picture of her dancing with her husband, and also the umbrella shot, because it is different and unexpected. This is her main picture that will be published in the pageant magazine. I bet nobody else has one like it!

Bath time! {Denver baby photographer}

2011-01-24T12:59:00.001-07:00

Oh my gosh, I am dying at these pictures. These two boys and their baby sister are killing me with their adorableness! In fact, the portrait of the baby girl is my new homepage picture for my website. I could stare at it all day!

Baby born on 1-11-11 at 1:11!

2011-01-18T11:12:00.001-07:00

If you live in Denver, you may have seen the news story about this baby. It was on all the channels, so this is a famous baby! She was such a doll and I had a wonderful photo shoot with her. Her gorgeous hair accessories can be found at Banner Boutique. What a way to start the new year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to You!

2010-12-22T19:38:00.002-07:00

Twins {Centennial baby photographer}

2010-12-02T13:00:00.001-07:00

The moment I first laid eyes on these girls, I knew I had to get my camera in their cute little faces. Unfortunately, they were just getting over an illness when they came to the shoot (as well as Mom and Dad, who still had the illness). They were all such good sports, but the poor little girls had such a hard time! I got loads of heartbreaking shots of them crying, but I also got some super adorable shots where they weren't. And I think this family portrait may be the most wonderful I've ever taken!

Dancing Divas {Parker Family Photographer}

2010-11-29T10:54:00.001-07:00

Look at this family. Aren't they adorable? The youngest daughter goes to the same dance studio as my girls, and I've taken several pictures of her at the dance studio before performances. I was lucky enough to photograph the rest of her family, and they were naturals in front of the camera. At the end, we turned on the fan and the girls hammed it up!

Lots of laughter {Denver family photographer}

2010-11-15T09:56:00.001-07:00

I had this fun downtown session with a great family on Saturday. We were really wondering if we should reschedule the session for Monday because the weather report was so iffy. (And if you live in Denver, you know you can never trust the weather, because it's schizophrenic). When we left to go downtown, it was snowing in Parker--but bright and sunny at Larimer Square! On the way, the dad said, "People aren't going to stop and stare at us, are they?" I assured him that I had never had that happen on a shoot. Well, wouldn't you know it--people stopped and stared. Mostly to say, "That's a great picture, " or "What a cute family." Or to compliment me on my large camera :) Despite that, we had a fun time, and there was loads of tickling, funny faces, and laughing during the shoot. By the end, we were all freezing (even though it was sunny), but it's a good thing we did it, because now it's Monday and snowing everywhere!

A very blustery day {Parker photographer}

2010-11-03T13:26:00.002-06:00

On Saturday, I had a shoot scheduled with one of my favorite families. The weather report said the temperature would be in the 70s. A perfect fall day! However, the weather report did not mention the gale-force winds! Holy cow! I was hoping the wind would die down for the shoot, but no such luck! Thankfully, we found a cute log cabin that blocked most of the wind so we could get some decent shots!

Sisters and cousins {Parker child photographer}

2010-10-29T14:59:00.001-06:00

Last week I got to photograph three sisters with each of their children. I loved capturing the sweet interaction between the moms and their kids. And the cousins were so cute with each other. I had such a hard time choosing which few to post!

Fall splendor {Highlands Ranch Photographer}

2010-10-21T11:54:00.001-06:00

I love this time of year. The colors of the leaves are so mesmerizing and wonderful. I think how God could have just made the leaves be green all the time, but I like to think that He lets them change colors every year just to delight us.

I went to one of my favorite places with this cute family last Saturday. They all looked so great in the golden light. And the littlest one kept making the cutest scrunched up faces. Enjoy!

Blue eyes {Aurora child photographer}

2010-10-15T10:08:00.002-06:00

I photographed this little girl when she was a baby. She had the most amazing, mesmerizing blue eyes. Nothing has changed, except that she has gotten bigger and even more beautiful.

Like mother, like daughter {Parker photographer}

2010-10-12T20:52:00.001-06:00

Another fantastic mini session I had at my studio Grand Opening was with this mother and daughter, who both look like supermodels. Holy cow. Can you say GORGEOUS?

Pretty in pink {Centennial child photographer}

2010-10-11T13:28:00.002-06:00

For my studio Grand Opening, I had some super fun mini sessions. The first one was with this darling girl who could not have been more sweet and sassy. I LOVED the outfit, especially the hat :) And it looked so great with this damask backdrop. What a little cover girl!

The last dreams of summer {Aurora child photographer}

2010-10-06T10:50:00.001-06:00

I did this shoot last week just as summer had officially come to an end. These girls look like they stepped out of a fairy tale! They probably got so sick of me telling them how pretty they were, but I couldn't help myself. They are just stunning, and I couldn't be happier with how the images turned out.

Free Mini-Sessions to Celebrate the Grand Opening of Blue Prints Studio!

2010-09-29T12:50:00.003-06:00

I am so excited to announce the opening of my home studio! I have been doing strictly on-location work for several years, and I'm thrilled at the added versatility and availability my home studio will add for my clients. My grand opening will be October 9th and I'll be offering free 15-minute mini-sessions on that day. You can choose from two of my favorite backdrops when you book your session. The first is my black and white damask backdrop that is so fun with solid-colored clothes, or other black and white clothes. Add some fun, funky pillows or a cute red chair and you've got a winning combination!

The next backdrop option is great for both boys and girls. It's kind of abstract, but is made up of gorgeous blues and greens. It's so fun to layer lots of hats, scarves and sweaters with this backdrop. Or a cute tutu or shirt and tie combo would also work great. This backdrop would go great in a winter-themed holiday card.

Call today to schedule your session! Slots will fill up fast!

Artistic treatments {Parker child photographer}

2010-09-23T12:51:00.001-06:00

I had so much fun doing these treatments on some of my favorite portraits from my last session. Each one is completely customized and unique. This is one of the best parts (for me) of being a photographer--taking a beautiful portrait and turning it into something more.

School pictures

2010-09-21T14:50:00.001-06:00

One of my clients called a few weeks ago wanting me to do portraits of her kids. She is among the many who are dissatisfied with traditional school pictures and wants something better. I am so glad, because these portraits will not just sit in a drawer or get thrown in the trash. These are going on the wall! (And there were so darn many cute ones, but I can't post them all here!)

Best friends forever {Denver family photographer}

2010-09-03T14:36:00.003-06:00

When I went to Utah, I got to hang out (for way too short a time) with my best friend. We did a photoshoot with her family and the two boys they are fostering (and hoping to adopt). Below are pictures of her two girls--one they had naturally and one they adopted. The two-year-old wanted NOTHING to do with pictures, but she wanted everything to do with the playground at the park. So we went there and I got some super cute shots of her playing.

Here's her older sister. On the second shot, I did a more artistic black and white treatment. Gorgeous!

Here are the boys. They totally look like they belong, don't you think?

And here's my friend and her hubby. Don't they look so cute? I think so :)

Blue Prints Photography

Twenty-five years and counting {Aurora family photographer}

2010-08-30T12:19:00.003-06:00

Last week I went to Utah to attend Education Week, a program put on every year at BYU featuring classes on marriage, parenting, the scriptures, and other topics. While I was there, I stayed with my good friends (who are more like family than friends) who had their 25th wedding anniversary on the day I arrived. They wanted to do a photo shoot to commemorate the event, and I happily obliged. But I'm wondering how a person can be married before they're born, because she looks about 23 to me :)

Blue Prints Photography

Family fun {Denver family photographer}

2010-08-25T15:25:00.002-06:00

This family was on their way from Washington state to Ohio and stopped here in Denver so I could do their family portraits. (O.K. They also had family here. But doing a photoshoot with me was super high on their priority list. Really, it was :)

The kids didn't have any interest in having their pictures taken, but they warmed up eventually :) And they were so photogenic. I'm really happy with how this shoot turned out.

Blue Prints Photography

The cutest little boys you've ever seen! {Denver baby photographer}

2010-08-13T07:51:00.001-06:00

In my baby plan, I do sessions at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. It was time for this little guy's 6 month shots, and his mom wanted to include his big brother. I cannot believe how cute these two are! Try to look away if you can (I can't do it!)

Blue Prints Photography

Sisters {Denver child photographer}

2010-08-11T08:45:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago, I got to photograph a sweet family who had received a session as part of a gift basket they purchased at an elementary school. The session was supposed to be with my friend, but she had moved to Utah and was unable to do the session, so she asked me to fill in. Just my luck! The girls were so cute and had a great time laughing at their daddy, who was apparently being very funny behind my back :)

I'm so excited! {Denver child photographer}

2010-08-03T20:24:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I got to attend a wonderful workshop by one of my photographic idols, Mary Lynne Ashley of Ashley Photography. She was kind enough to meet with me four years ago right before we moved to California to show me how her studio worked. Unfortunately, I had no room for a studio in California, so I've been doing natural light photography ever since. But now I'm ready to start up my studio again, and just needed some additional information to get it going. The workshop yesterday fit the bill perfectly! I'm ordering all new top-of-the-line equipment and working to get my studio up and running! The picture below demonstrates how I'm feeling. Yay!

Blue Prints Photography

Fun with flowers

2010-07-14T20:49:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago, I was asked to photograph the yard where I do many of my photoshoots. The owner is a dentist by day, gardener extraordinaire by night (and weekends). He wanted pictures to hang in his dental office. If you have seen any of my portraits, you have seen parts of his backyard. For fun, I tried some different artistic treatments on a few of them. Here are some of my favorites.