I love this family so very much. This momma is the kind of friend you dream about. I am always so excited to photograph her growing family the way I love to – in their home. comfy, cozy and comfortable. Life is REAL and REAL is beautiful. And so is your precious baby boy. I am so happy he gets to grow up in the clothes my own precious baby boys wore. It makes giving them up so much easier!
This little princess was a joy to capture. She was a perfect little angel for her first photo shoot. She has darling parents who I adore, and I am so grateful to have been able to create these beautiful images of her. She is yum yum yummy! And it is clear that her beautiful parents are completely smitten with her. It also gave me a chance to play around with some soft matte touches on her editing and I think they are beautiful! What do you think?
I really love shooting birth stories. It may be my favorite thing to shoot. There is just so much emotion and beauty in a room when a new baby comes into a family. It also doesn’t hurt when that new baby is coming into MY family! My amazing aunt Jaimi gave birth to her fourth baby girl last week and I was so excited that I was home and able to shoot the birth. She also was a TOTAL ROCK STAR and decided at the last minute to have the baby naturally. And she was incredible! So strong and powerful… it made me proud to be her niece, and a woman. We are awesome ladies! And of course, she looked beautiful through the whole thing. There were so many beautiful images to choose from for this blog post. I narrowed down as best I could…
Tell us how you really feel about it Tyler!
Yes, she really does look this amazing after just giving birth naturally! I know, it is totally unfair, but I love her anyway.
Not the baby sister any more. She doesn’t look sad to lose her title.
“Mom! On this scooter I am faster than….
159 elephants running!”
Wow bubba. That is pretty fast!
This conversation just happened:
“Mom, I’ve been thinking what kind of magic touch I want and I want the kind where it makes everyone my friend and nobody bes mean to me.
And also nobody ever has to go potty anymore and nobody gets sick from the wind when I touch the trees.
Wouldn’t that be a great magic touch to have?”
Me: “yeah bubba. That sounds great!” (Thinking of the make everybody my friend part)
J: “yeah then nobody would have to go pee or poop! That would be great!”
…life with boys…
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I can’t even begin to tell you how incredibly excited I was to do this shoot!
There aren’t words that really describe what Emily is to me. Best and friend just don’t quite seem to cover it. Emily and I lived together for a few years in school at BYU-Hawaii. There is nothing quite like a roommate. She is the one person who has always had my back, been truly happy for me when good things happen and a support when things fall apart. She has seen me at my best and worst – literally and figuratively. I have always wanted and prayed for all the happiness this world can offer for my dearest friend.
Mark has been the love of her heart… well… always. I am so honored that I get to be a part of their wedding process and thrilled to be able to capture a little glimpse of their love for them to treasure. I think these images are gorgeous. You can see how much these two love each other, and there is nothing more beautiful than that.
Back in college, we found a song called “Unsent” by Alanis Morisette. In it, she writes brief, but poignant letters to the lost loves of her past. At the time, I was playing around with writing – songs, poems, really bad essays etc. I decided to write an “Unsent” verse for several of my roommates, and a few for myself as well. I found them the other day.
Dear Mark,
You’re my best friend.
I want to thank you for the times you let me sit on your couch and bawl my eyes out.
I’m not sure when it was that I fell in love with you. It must have been a gradual thing that took years to happen.
I know our timing has never been quite right, but I dream about the day when I can just hold your hand…
…and tell you without resignation that I love you…
…and I want to spend forever in your arms.
Someday I’ll have the courage to say this all to your face, and until then I’ll patiently wait.
All my love,
Your Best Friend.
Thanks for letting me be a part of your love story Emily and Mark. I adore you both and am over the moon happy for you! I can’t wait to capture your wedding day next month. Love love love! -Parky
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I really love this time of year. I know, I know… so does everybody else right? Blah Blah Blah…
But it seems like I have had a hard time getting into the FEELING of Christmas this year. Maybe it is because it is still over 50 degrees outside. And it has been raining the last few days… RAIN? Really? And I had thecoldofdeath last week so I was a little out of the picture.
I mean, I put my tree up the day after Thanksgiving. I’ve been listening to Christmas music in my car. I bought an “evergreen” scented wallflower since we have a fake tree right now. I put ribbon on the Costco wreath my mom bought me (moms are great aren’t they?) and hung it on my front door. I have all the nativities out and have been replacing our usual bedtime songs with Christmas carols.
Still, I was having a hard time feeling it.
Fortunately there have been 2 things this week that have helped me get back to that Christmas feeling.
1) The LDS First Presidency Christmas Devotional. I don’t care who you are, if you love Christmas you should find a way to watch or listen to the broadcast if you missed it. Those men are so full of the Spirit of Christ and Christmas. You will FEEL it. They spoke of simple gifts, of the goodness of children and the light in their eyes at Christmas, the wonder of giving, the beauty of receiving with grace and the true message of Christ’s birth. I was all misty-eyed. And the music was, of course, breathtaking. In particular I thought of some wonderful empty-nester neighbors we have who absolutely adore my wild and crazy boys and spoil them like another set of grandparents. There are so many days we come home to a surprise on our porch from Peggy. I mean, the woman came and played trains with my children so I could go get myself a treat and read a book for an hour on my birthday. While I listened to the message of Christmas many ideas were popping in my head of how I can teach my children to serve our neighbors and maybe give them back a little of the love they shower on us.
2) The annual Nativity in the Glen. For the last 10 years or so, my LDS stake, along with the help of some other community and religious organizations has but on an amazingly beautiful live nativity. We are blessed in Salt Lake City, and particularly in our Salt Lake Bonneville Stake with some very unique buildings and grounds. Our stake center happens to have some property along the emigration creek that we call the Bonneville Glen. There is a little amphitheater/fireplace area, and some just beautiful grounds. Some really inspired person decided we should use it to create Bethlehem. It is truly magical. It has become such a major community event that there are lines around the block to get in and walk through. Live animals (a camel, sheep, goats, donkeys… last year there was a YAK!), people dressed up as shepherds, wise men, and a few truly brave new mothers and fathers who wrap their newborn child in swaddling clothes and take turns as Mary, Joseph and the beautiful baby Jesus. I have never seen the baby Jesus crying, despite the cold and I’m sure scratchy hay in his manger! It is masterfully done. The Market Square with hot cocoa, bread and bagels, angelic singing from local choirs and groups and of course, the nativity scene – complete with music and narration from the scriptures. The crowd is large, but silent as they watch and the feeling of peace that overwhelms is unmatched.
I know it really happened. I told that to my young, tired, son last night as I held him and we watched in silence as the true story of Christmas was told, and shown. It was beautiful. My son being silent… miraculous! It happened, and that is why this season is so wonderful. We can feel it. Sometimes we have to find it amid the noise and bustle, but it is there. I am so grateful.
May you have a Merry Christmas filled with peace, love and family. And a few well-chosen delicious treats. I will be making fudge next week if you need something!
Also – THIS happened the other day:
Jack is playing with his little people nativity set. It plays “away in a manger.” While it softly sings I hear:
“Hello baby Jesus!”
“I’m not baby Jesus I’m a STORMTROOPER”
……machine gun noises……
Worth a thousand words n’est pas?
So after a great birth story shoot, little Mason has had a rough start. But he’s doing GREAT now and is super cute. As the baby and only boy in this family, he is in for it! But I’m sure he’ll be up to the task. Here is a preview of cute little Mason with his dimples, sparkly eyes, and big sisters!
I couldn’t decide which I liked better… the color or black and white version… what do you think??
Nicole Miles Photography 