Family Friends

I recently had the opportunity to capture family photos for the Cook family. It is always a pleasure to be able to do something friends. Airen the oldest daughter has modeled for me before. Really great people.

The day we picked to do the photos was extremely windy. We were up on the bench above Bountiful. Wind or no, the Cooks are an extremely busy family. The boys arrived just off of football practice. So we made due...

The whole family:

So here are some photos of the children from youngest to oldest:

I think the wind got the kids riled up so getting them to hold still was a chore. What to do, get photos of them running off some of that steam!

Waiting for the boys to get cleaned up allowed time to find acorns.

Wish I had hair like this:

So I said the boys play football, bet you would never guess from a face like this:

Airen is the oldest, I just love this photos of big sister getting a kiss. See how the wind is blowing Airen's hair?

Another one of those between shooting moments, mother-daughter time.

I didn't mention it, but for some of the last shots I had a lighting assistant, the wind would have taken away my light if not for this little guy on the right:

And not be out done by the boys, girl power!

One more of the entire family, I get a kick out of the youngest girls face.

And one without flash on that nice sunset.

Wedding with Threewinks studio

Early this month, I had the opportunity to shoot as a second shooter for Stacy Young aka Three Winks Studio. A while back I was able to second shoot for Scott Jarvie, so this was my second chance to see real wedding photographers in action. In Utah we have sooo many wonderful photographers who are willing to outreach and share. Thanks Scott and Stacy!

Here is one of my favorites from the wedding:



One thing I have learned is that everyone brings a camera, so you need to be assertive or you will miss those shots. At the same time there is a juggling act of making every one happy, on the happiest of days. It is the brides day. Stacy was the hired photographer so I tried to stay out of the way and get some behind the scenes/candid photos while watching and absorbing.



I talked about this when I shared my experience shooting with Scott Jarvie, the relationship with the client is sooo important. Just as important as any photography skill. Here is M (the groom) teasing Stacy as she was shooting his bride with that big Nikon lens.



One more I really liked!



I love candid photography work:





Some of those little details:





I particularly loved the interaction between C (the bride) and her grandfather.



A few more, enjoy...

Bye Bye Woodscross Drill Team

Sad, how we move onto different things. My wife has been the Woods Cross Drill team assistant advisor for two years now. Anji will no longer be a drill team advisor.





Here is my wife and Ariana hugging. Ariana and my wife have really become good friends as they taught dance to the drill team here at Woodscross high.



The team mom was so much help. The job of being drill team advisor is one of practically no pay and high stress. I know that my wife and Ariana often paid for things from their own pocket, when it came to gifts for the girls etc.



These girls are great and they will do just fine. It sad to move on but it makes room for something new. Some of the girls are graduating and will be moving on themselves. Life has some wonderful surprises in store, I am sure.

Bountiful Temple again!

This past Sunday we went for a short walk around the Bountiful temple. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful place. The temple is a place that always gives us such peace (my wife and I). It was a perfect day!



Sometimes it is nice to go out and take things slow. Take time to think about life and watch a beautiful sunset!

Spring is coming!

The snow is melting and it is warming up outside. We have had temperatures in the 50 degree range. I know it sounds a bit chilly but it is oh so nice. I was able to go out and play with Clayton the other day. We have been cooped up in our town home a bit due to everyone being sick. Nothing like the freedom of the beginnings of spring!

Here was a magic moment. I laid down to get that better angle and Clayton decided to do the same. It was picture perfect!



I know, it is spring but there is this wall next to Clayton in most of the photos (I like the wall for the depth it adds). Clayton found that he could play in the dirt as it was dry in this spot (south facing wall). We gotta get the kid a sandbox!

New sunday school teacher

Yup, I am the new Sunday school teacher for the 16-17 year olds. Tough group, lucky for me there is a second teacher who has been with the group for a while. Dan is my neighbor and all around great guy...



The first lesson we had (where I was teacher) I felt like we should do something fun and at the same time try to give myself some help in learning names and faces. The class is large (24 kids), but only about half of the usual group showed up. There has been a bug going around and I know a few were out of town. We spent some time getting to know each other, I told the kids about what I do, showed some pictures of my little family and then we took some pictures which I told the class I would turn into a slide show. I have the slide show ready for them....

I really felt like I needed to do something to build a friendship with these kids, and well everyone loves to see themselves, enjoys being the center of attention, especially if they think they look good or cool. We took about 10 minutes of the time allotted for the lesson to do this little exercise leaving 30 minutes or so to dig into the real lesson.

Part of this is so I can remember names (I have always had a hard time with names). I had each student hold up a print out of their name for one pic, then they were supposed to put down the name tag and do something fun, a pose that shows their personality. Here are the personalities...

RANDY (the cool cat)


HUTCH (trying to look confused but he never is)


DOUG (in perpetual state of dubiousness, about the new teacher)


SCOTT (Some kids are jokers)


JOY (tough girl and regular strong arm)


ANNALEE (a real scholar and philosopher)


TRENT (Going for the "I go caught red handed look")


CHARLEY (His hair is on end, I just don't know what else to say)


RYAN (Calm and collected, unfazed by anything thrown his way)


I am really excited to be a teacher for this age group. I also think it is going to be a monumental challenge as when these kids all are in the same room things can get a bit rambunctious. I really feel like we connected, and as experience tells me with kids this age it is important to connect. Communication is key and trust pivotal. This is going to be a fun year.

December means snow!

We all know that the big guy in red is coming (Santa Clause). With him comes that white blanket that just really makes things look clean and well, lets face it Utah snow is the best to play in! Last year Clayton was too little to enjoy the snow but this year is going to be the bomb! Sledding, snowman building, snow ball fights, and all the other snow games you can play.





Clayton's hat may look big, well it is. That is actually dad's hat but he thinks he is big and that is what he wanted to wear. He didn't want to wear his hat as it is too "little".



The cold made his little nose and eyes water. He is a tough little dude and handled it like a champ.





The snow is fun! Clayton loved how everything was covered with snow!







What we need to do is get the little man some real snow gear. After a while the snow got to him and he just couldn't handle it any more. Some good gloves, boots, snow pants, are in order!