Homecoming :: Hurst Family | Salt Lake Missionary Photographer

On May 17th, my husband's brother AND sister both came home from their missions. Chris came home after 2 years in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Harmony came home after 18 months in New Caledonia, which is an island off the coast of Fiji in the Pacific Ocean.

I remember watching CNN with my family after some US soldiers were released from China or Russia (I can't remember which and I couldn't find it through Google...it was a long time ago). The camera panned across the tarmac where the families waited for their loved ones to come off the plane. As the soldiers stepped off the plane in single file there was cheering in the background and the families were jumping up and down in excitement. But once the soldiers' wives leaped into their husbands arms, there was nothing but silence. And I started to cry.

thought juice :: even the quiet ones

Last December I photographed the group shots for a wedding at the Salt Lake Temple. Amidst all the images of the guests grouped together, I found a random photograph I had chosen to take of a woman sitting alone and watching the other guests assemble for another photo. I almost didn't include it in the final order because it felt out of place, but I did it anyway.

It's not an extraordinary picture and I didn't think anymore about it until today. I received a message that the woman in the photo, a friend of the bride's, passed away 2 weeks ago. And because that image was included, Lauren was able to share it with the woman's family.

Can I just say that made my day? I won't second-guess the thought to include an image again; even the quiet ones.

thought juice :: amateurs are people too

I respect amateurs. Even the greatest photographers in the world took time to develop their skills to become who they are today. But as I enjoyed an evening bike ride along Lagoon Trail in Farmington, UT today I encountered a family portrait session underway. If you visited the hyperlink, you'll notice that the entire trail is covered by trees. That makes it an ideal spot for diffused light during the day, but in the evening it of course gets darker faster. Not only was the photographer using a large point-and-shoot camera pulled from a case, but the mother of the family was preparing to change her clothes for additional photos. In the dark.

Dear amateur, I commend you for your efforts in developing your portfolio. But you won't get any good images without light.

Dear family, when you get your images back from that photographer, give either myself or another professional photographer a call. We love you.

winter blossoms :: Gingell Family | Salt Lake City Family Portraits

 

When I was pregnant and didn't know if it was a boy or girl yet, I would have dreams about dressing up my tiny baby girl in those charming flower headbands that are so popular right now. ...And then I found out I was having a boy.