I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to document a fiftieth wedding anniversary recently. Family came in from across the country to celebrate this lovely couple. We made a plan and then had to change the plan. And then as we were settling in for a fun, relaxing session....the weather unleashed one of the most insane haboobs of the season! Well, we regrouped and moved to shelter and finished the session. The love in this family shows through in their images! Happy anniversary!

I simply loved getting to work with this family. First of all, I was amazed at how quickly and efficiently Mom was at coordinating the busy schedules of 12 very active adults. Then Dad kept everyone happy with a cooler full of cold drinks (still 100 degrees during our session) and plenty of shenanigans. There was so much love and laughter that I sort of hoped they might adopt me into their crew. 

We showed up right as a nasty July monsoon decided to form, but the sky was so dramatic that I can't really complain. As a new Arizonan, I'm not sure I love this late-summer weather pattern. Dust storms and crazy wind and lightning keep making afternoons a bit too "interesting". But I digress...back to this amazing family. 

New rule for family sessions: bring cowboy hats. These made the session and posing so much more fun and fanciful. Being playful doesn't have to stop when you become a grown-up!

And the best part? This family is full of mountain bikers! And one son attended my alma mater, The University of Texas at Austin. I love it when I connect on a personal level with new clients/friends!

But without further ado, here's the C family! 

I went to get in my car the other day, and the temperature read 123 degrees. So, really, am I going to talk about taking fall/Christmas family portraits right now?

Yes, yes, I'm going to talk about it.

So here's my plan...I'll be taking limited sessions in late September, October, November, and early December (okay, let's be honest, I was taking Christmas portraits the week before Christmas last year. You know who you are (and I love you!)).  Sessions will last 30 minutes arriving 45 minutes before sunset and include approximately 15-20 digital files delivered through my password-protected online gallery.  My preference is weeknights, but I can also schedule on the weekend. Investment will be $200 for the session and files. I will be offering the following locations:

Veteran's Oasis Park In Chandler. This popular photo spot never lets me down. It's always changing and offers a wide variety of backgrounds. If you want something a little desert but also a little lush with a water feature, this is a great location to consider. 

Agritopia. Be my first family to shoot at Agritopia. What a serene, farm-to-market escape in the middle of the suburbs! Take your family portrait and then enjoy some delicious dinner! This location is rich with color and texture, featuring overhanging trees but also modern, metal buildings and cactus. 

San Tan Regional Park (***SECRET LOCATION***)

Okay, so this is not a secret, but it is a little more remote and less-utilized. This is one of my favorite locations. San Tan requires entrance fees, which will be in addition to your session fee and should be paid to the park. 

Salt River--Phon D Sutton Recreation Area. You can be my first family session here as well. This is a fun but very popular location. I will highly recommend a weekday evening session here. If you have small children, please be aware that this location is along a river and there is an added risk of the water (getting wet to more serious). This location incudes an additional fee for parking/use for both photographer and client which will be added to the cost of your session. 

Queen Creek Wash. Am I the only one totally enraptured by the cottonwood trees? I get all sorts of Anne of Green Gables poetic just thinking about it there. What a (well-known but somewhat hidden) gem we have just off the busy roads. The wash offers green trees and also a more urban feel with the bike path behind it. Seasonal blooms can really add to the location as well. 

San Tan Regional Park: Main Entrance

Sure, we can boondock and shoot along the road to the park with the rest of the Valley, but you might have less of a crowd inside the park. The park entrance fee is an additional cost that will need to be paid to the park if you do not have a seasonal pass. This iconic location is one not to be missed. Plenty of cactus and mountains. 

Downtown Gilbert

So many options here. All of the textures and murals make this a wonderful location. It can get crowded, and you're definitely having your personal photo session in a public space, but I love this location. Again, you can be my first family to shoot at this location!