A Summer Night Session

I spend many summer nights in these beautiful mountains! I love watching that golden light paint the hilltops as it fades in the distance. They were lusciously adorn with tall green grass and sprinkles of wildflowers all around, making for an extra magical scene. This was my first session with Katie and Steven, sweet little Nolan was only six months old. These two love birds actually got married not far from this spot, dropped off by helicopter, like a scene straight out of The Bachelor.

They brought their sweet little Frenchie along for a few photos, and I’m so glad they did! He was so adorable! I just love it when people include their pets in their photos…and I just love dogs in general! I love that this location is a bit secluded, with a little stream and also has such great views, it has a little bit of everything you look for in a mountain setting, and is really just off the side of the road!

I loved the colors they went with, orange and blue is one of my favorite combinations. I’ve actually used that color combo in my own family photos a few times. I love the flow of Katie’s dress and that the boys matched with their blue button downs. Sweet Nolan was so good throughout the whole session which was nice, especially since we shoot so late on summer nights to get that glowing light!

He was doing so well that we decide to head to a different spot to get some variety before calling it a wrap. Our next spot was a bit of a climb, but so worth it! I mean, just look at those views. I’m so glad they were up for a little adventure. Usually once I get started i could shoot until we run out of light! I guess that’s what happens when you’re passionate about what you do.

I’m so happy to have met these beautiful people and to be included in some sweet moments with them! I’m grateful to have a career that allows me to meet new people that become friends, and to get to share in some of the most important days of their lives, and even some of the not so extraordinary days. Ones like these where we just get to chill together and create beautiful images! Thank you

Book your session with me here, I would love to meet you and collaborate!

Life + Style Studio Sessions / Draper Utah

I love shooting in the studio, it’s located in Draper Utah and is perfect for lifestyle sessions! (Hence it’s name Life + Style Studio ;) ) If you’ve got a itty bitty human on your hands, you probably notice that they’re happier in the mornings and early afternoon. Which makes a studio session a good choice for them, as the natural light that flows in during that time of day is ideal! Shooting outdoors in the afternoon can have it’s challenges, which can be fun to play around with when you have cooperative adults. But babies have their own agenda and just letting them do their own thing often gets the best results.

It’s also helpful to have a space where they can sit and lay without the icky feeling of grass on their skin, or the distraction of rocks, twigs and all sorts of interesting things to observe (and chew on). With distractions at a minimum, and optimal lighting, we’re better equipped to just focus on each other and those tiny little features! To go along with being able to book studio sessions earlier in the day means more opportunity to shoot. My weekend evenings fill up very quickly, but when we’re able to book a studio session during the day, I’m more likely to be open for last minute sessions.

Additionally, there’s no need to worry about the weather. There’s no concern If it’s extra windy, if the clouds look a little sinister, it’s been pouring all day or it’s chilly outside. The studio is a safe haven from all of that! Especially in the winter months, when you want to capture baby’s milestones but it’s just too cold out.
One thing to consider when booking a studio session is time constraint. Because studios tend to be used by several people, and rented by the hour, we’re required to stick to our allotted time frame and aren’t able to extend our session there.

What are your thoughts? Have you ever had a studio session, do you like them, why or why not? I look forward to hearing what you have to say!

Stranded at the Bonneville Salt Flats

I’ve been capturing this family’s photos for a few years now and look forward to getting to see them. When Ashley first contacted me about doing her photos I was so excited! She, herself is a super talented photographer. I was so nervous for our first session, but we knocked it out of the park and have been going strong ever since. I’m so grateful for our friendship!

This last time around She wanted to go to the Bonneville Salt Flats, which are about 2 hours away, so we decided to drive together. I met her at her studio downtown salt lake and hopped in the car with her entire family including her Mother in-law and their chocolate lab. On the drive down we were deep into some pretty good conversation when she realized that she had forgotten to stop for gas.

If you’ve ever driven from Salt Lake to Wendover, you know that there is NOTHING once you pass Grantsville Which is nearly 100 miles (96.3 to be exact) to the next gas station. We had already gone too far to turn back and were chasing the sun, so we decided to just keep driving as far as the car would take us. We finally sputtered off the side of the road about 15 minutes from our destination, and had to shoot where we’d landed.

Luckily it was still very pretty, but there was also 50MPH cross winds. We managed to get these beautiful images despite our hair and clothing flying everywhere, whipping in the currents. Once the sun went down, it was time to figure out how we were going to get home. We had called triple A before we got started shooting, but there was an issue and they never ended up coming. Someone happened to pull over close-by to take a photo of the gorgeous sunset, so Zack asked him for a ride to the nearest gas station. He would then have to hitch another ride back to where we were stranded with a giant gas can full of fuel in tow.

While we waited for him to return, it was starting to get cold and the and hunger kicked in. So Ashley turned on a movie to cut the chill and keep the kiddos distracted from their rumbling tummies. When we finally spotted Zack darting across the highway, unsure how much time had passed the car shut off. Did we kill the battery!?! and just before our rescue?

We put the gas in the car and by some miracle got the car to start. We made our way to Wendover to fill the tank and our bellies. I finally made it home around midnight, happy to see my sweet babies snug in their beds and calm my anxious husband as my phone had died right after telling him we were stuck on the side of the road. I love my adventures with Ashley, I hope they don’t end anytime soon! Do you have any funny stoies about your family photos? If so, I’d love to hear them! please share in the comments below.

Anything For You / A Snowy Utah Session

You know those times when watching it snow seems so magical. When jumbo sized flakes beautifully drift to the ground all around you, like glittering confetti falling from the sky? This was actually not one of those times.

Sue and I had actually planned to do her family photos in the fall of last year, but things got changed around and postponed a couple times. By the time our session date rolled around (again) she was very prepared to get it done even though there was the chance of a winter storm.

I actually enjoy shooting in diverse conditions. I love how it amplifies the mood of the images and it’s just fun to step out of the norm. But we didn’t expect it to be quite so stormy! When we got started it was snowing quite a bit and the clouds were very thick, but within no time it was a full on whiteout! We decided that we would just be as quick as possible

It was to the point where we weren’t sure if we should continue, when I hear little 4 year old Carter say “ I would do anything for a family picture” it warmed my heart so much that I almost didn’t feel sting of the cold on my skin while we braved the rest of our session. Even though we were being pelted in the face with ice crystals that were soaking us to the bone.

I love how their photos turned out and had so much fun playing in the snowstorm with this sweet family that I’ve gotten to know over the last few years! Obviously Carter has such a sweet demeanor and huge heart. I will continually be jealous of Zoey’s gorgeous coiled ringlets and just look at that angelic face. Hunter is such a big brother and was was pep talking his younger siblings while trying to keep them warm and dry the whole time. It was really touching to see their connection and love for each other! I am so appreciative that they chose me to be their photographer and braved this blustery adventure with me.

Vineyard Utah Family Photos / The Parsons

This session was one of my very favorites, it was my first time shooting at this location on Vineyard Beach. I actually didn’t even know that there was such a place as Vineyard Utah. I was a little nervous to shoot at a new location, but also excited because I knew that it would stretch my creativity.

The sky was overcast and the ground was wet, but by the time we pulled up, the sun had broken through the clouds. It felt good in the crisp clean air and I was delighted to meet this family! I’d come across Miranda on Instagram, she makes the cutest house beds (That you can find here) and I was looking into getting one for Collins. In a surreal demonstration of the law of attraction, she just happened to also be looking for a photographer and sent me a DM.
It’s so great to have this community at our fingertips that makes it so simple to connect!

Luca’s was the first little face I saw, as he came around the corner of the car. He had the sweetest little grin. Followed by his Dad Ryan chasing after him and Miranda got little Jett out of his car seat. She had thought ahead and waited until they got to our location to get him dressed, she was fully aware that babies like to spit up all over right before picture time! Before we got started, Miranda informed me that he has a neurogenic condition called angelman syndrome (AS) and was worried that he might not be too cooperative. I tried to reassure her that I was just going to focus on the love between them, and that doesn’t require too much on his part.

We walked down the stairway into a perfect scene, it was so beautiful. The blue sky was peaking through the clouds and the water was glowing. These little boys were adorable and so well behaved! It was making my heart swell to see the biggest smile on Jett’s face almost the entire time. He was just beaming! And little Luca had so much fun running around in the mud. I knew with every click of the shutter, we were capturing this sweet phase in their lives and I felt so much appreciation to get to be the one preserving it for them!

For more information on AS or to donate towards finding a cure you can visit
CUREANGELMAN.ORG

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XOXO-ShaiLynn