Twentynine Palms Photographer {Before and After}

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There is so much that happens behind the scenes for a photographer after the session is over.  The desired affect is to get the image s close to perfect within your camera but there are some magical things that are done right here on my computer.  Above is my nephew – who of course I feel is perfect in every way – as I think about his parents hanging these images on their wall I want there to be a simplicity in looking at his details at the tiny things that are so precious while he is this itty bitty.  Through editing I simply want to remove distractions and create a cohesive image.

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If you watched my work and the direction of it over the years I hope you have continued to see what truly matters, connection.  I want there to be a connection in every image I deliver so that is what I strive for.  When I bring the images home and look at them on my computer screen I want to feel the connection between the subjects or with me and the camera.  Once I have that I already have a beautiful image through editing I just hope to enhance what is already there.

Editing is as much of the art form as the time behind my camera.  It takes time and passion to create the final photograph that I deliver but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Wow! Where did the Year go? – Key Family

Twentynine Palms Children's Photography - Yucca Valley Children's Photography - Joshua Tree Children's Photography - Key

Almost a year ago I met this little lady, she was brand new to the world!  Her father and I walked into the operating room where her mother laid in anticipation of the biggest moment in her life.  Nathan and I watched, I also photographed as she took her first breathes.  The opportunity to capture these moments in time are beyond blessings to me yet this family has continued to bless me.  Nathan said that day we were tied for life because the 3 of us shared in that moment.

Here we are a year later, I have photographed them many other times, Hannah and I have shared cups of coffee, parenting stories and ideas.  They have become more than clients to me as I have watched them blossom as a family.

This perfect little girl will be one next month, she is celebrated and loved.  Thank you for once again allowing me to capture these times in your lives #keypartyof3

To check out Savannah’s birth story click the link below….

{ Key Birth Story } – Twentynine Palms Maternity and Newborn Photographer

Twentynine Palms Family Photographer – Brookins Family Fun!

Twentynine Palms Family Photographer - Brookins

I had the opportunity to photograph this family a couple of years ago; they even said they had fun!  This time there was the addition of a grandson so even more awesome.  With a big blended family photo shoots can be a little stressful but these guys show up every time ready to smile and have fun.

While discussing a location Andrea was excited to use the Indian Cove campground as their backdrop as they enjoying hiking there as a family.  This was a great chance to capture them in an environment that holds memories for them together.

Visiting from North Carolina was their new and handsome grandson who was super full of smiles.  Everyone wanted their picture with him so they all took turns trading baby and smiles.

There were lots of laughs, lots of funny faces and lots of memories captured!  Thank you for trusting me once again to capture these forever moments and I look forward to our next adventure.

Twentynine Palms Photography – The Navarros visit

This fun family lived here in 29 Palms for 5 years; they say it was an adjustment but they eventually fell in love with the desert as so many of us do.  They however received orders before they captured that love so they adventured back up here for a family session.  With visitors in tow we were able to capture some fun, loving family portraits that will serve as a reminder of their time here!  Both girls were ready to climb the beautiful rocks of Joshua Tree National Park so on a smaller scale we tried to make sure we snagged a shot of them on the rocks.  The littlest guy was having fun using those legs, to run, everywhere but with his family’s help and I am pretty sure funny faces behind me he gave me some smiles to die for.  I hope the Navarros love every image as they are gorgeous together and in the amazing scenery that I am lucky enough to call home!

Twentynine Palms Children and Family Photography - Navarro Blog

Yucca Valley Maternity and Newborn Photographer – Baby D hits the blog

In November I got to meet and photograph this beautiful family as they celebrated the soon to be arrival of their new addition.  They braved the cold to capture our beautiful desert at sunset and how stunning did it turn out to be.  Sometimes we are just lucky to have the best light, location and clients.  Um how gorgeous is she pregnant?

Twentynine Palms Maternity and Newborn Photographer- Armstrong Blog 2

With 2016 comes new adventures and I am so excited; so when asked to capture the next part of this story I was honored.  This is the first session of the new year and I can’t think of a better way to start.  Baby D and his family elected to have a lifestyle session in the comfort of their home and surrounded by their things.  OMG I am in love with lifestyle newborn sessions!  Need to do more.

As with many of the families that I photograph this family is away from their extended family as they grow due to the military; making great images important for everyone who is not here to enjoy this little man’s sweetness.  He slept perfectly, going to have to ask his dad to swaddle all my newborns BTW!  The few minutes he spent awake were peaceful as you can see below.  His sweet sister was ready to pose with him and well her dog 🙂 so we were able to capture some great sibling shots – she may have needed a tiara in some!

Mom and I were already working on our themes for future sessions so I am pretty excited to get to watch this family grow for the time they get to be here.

Twentynine Palms Maternity and Newborn Photographer- Armstrong Blog

 

 

Twentynine Palms Family Photographer {Nielsen Family}

What is a family looking for in a photography session and how do they find it?  There are different levels of talent and experience, there are different art forms and perspectives so it is important to find that photographer that can deliver what you envision.  I hope I capture that for the families I work with each and every time.

Courtney and I scheduled and rescheduled this session which happens when working in real life but am I ever so glad we got our schedules together.  Unbeknownst to me we work our session in on their 7th wedding anniversary which makes it that much more exciting to capture some of what they have experienced and created together.

Boy did we have fun!!  I always want to create beautiful pictures but I also strive to have an enjoyable experience so with three little ones in tow we needed to stay moving, keep their attention and have some fun; we did exactly that.  Courtney has a beautiful and sweet family full of love and laughter.  We captured a little piece of each personality throughout our time together and I wish you all continued happiness!Twentynine Palms Family Photographer -NielsenTwentynine Palms Family Photographer -Nielsen2

Wyatt’s Cake Smash {Twentynine Palms Children’s Photography}

It’s kind of fun that I am writing this post about celebrating birthdays when today happens to be my daughter’s 19th birthday!  Capturing these milestones, the 1st birthday and cake smash, are always fun and exciting; for parents and the photographer at least.   I have yet to have a one year old just dive in and enjoy the moment of cake without the “no”!

Wyatt’s mom came to me with a great theme and idea for his one year session.  I love when parents are excited and have these fun ideas; so superhero it was.  She not only prepared Wyatt for some great photographs but also the siblings.  Making a great dynamic trio they were ready to fight crime or maybe play at the park and eat cake.  Wyatt wasn’t so sure about the cake or the grass but once his brother and sister joined him he seemed to settle right in.  This session eventually ended with a family cake picnic.  Awesomeness!

With major thigh rolls and big blue eyes we started our session at the Morongo Preserve to capture him with all his handsomeness.  We did some sitting, crawling and even some sort of standing/walking to memorialize this time in his life; I am lucky to help families capture these moments forever as they are so fleeting and easily forgotten.

Milestone sessions are so important to me as a mother and a photographer.  I love the natural flow of capturing these times for the families that I serve.  Sometimes it includes a fit, they are cute when they are not yours, but it captures your reality in these very moments as you experience them.  I can say that I wish I had more images like these of my own children; my poor grandkids, someday when they arrive, will grow to hide from the camera I am sure as the lesson has been learned.  While of course I will always advocate for my profession as I completely believe it is important to let someone else, a professional, capture these moments and memories for you I am often asked what the best camera is for a parent to carry and I will tell you every time; the one you are going to use!  Take it out and capture something amazing today, you, your family, something that will bring you right back to a moment in time and make you smile.

Thank you for allowing me to capture these moments in time for you, for the experience, and the cool opportunity to work with such sweet and cute superheroes. Twentynine Palms Children's  Photography - Yucca Valley Children's Photography - Twentynine Palms Cake Smash Sessions - Yucca Valley Cake Smash Sessions (Rader 1) Twentynine Palms Children's  Photography - Yucca Valley Children's Photography - Twentynine Palms Cake Smash Sessions - Yucca Valley Cake Smash Sessions (Rader 3) Twentynine Palms Children's  Photography - Yucca Valley Children's Photography - Twentynine Palms Cake Smash Sessions - Yucca Valley Cake Smash Sessions (Rader 2)

{ Niemi 4th of July Fun! } Twentynine Palms Children’s Photography

While this is a bit of a late post I can’t help but share; these three have grown near and dear to my heart.  I was contacted by their momma when she was still pregnant with her baby girl, that would start 18 months of capturing their fun, bright, and sweet children as well as their family.  This is another one of those times that I can’t say enough how much this hobby/business has blessed my heart.   Watching children grow is amazing and these three astonish me every time I see them.

Twentynine Palms Family Photographer - Yucca Valley Family Photographer - Twentynine Palms Children's Photography - Yucca Valley Children's Photography

{ Erickson Family } Twentynine Palms Family Photographer

The Ericksons were on their way out of Twentynine Palms for a military move so we captured some great images for them to commemorate  the time here and hopefully help decorate their new home.  Family sessions in the Joshua Tree National Park inevitably mean we will be doing some rock climbing, generally more than mom and dad had planned 🙂 ; this session was no different.  With little adventurous ones we had fun finding new spots, on new rocks, that we could photograph both the beauty of this family as well as, the amazing desert setting.

As moms we often miss the opportunity to capture ourselves and our relationships with those in our family; it is something that I always encourage my moms to – I myself am bad about it.  Mom rocked her portraits like a star in this session.  Bet the hubby has one of these in his wallet before too long.  We also took a few brief moments to capture mom and dad not as parents but as a couple.  These two were fun and endearing to one another creating amazing pictures but also emoting their love and friendship.  These are the moments that I live for and are why I am so in love with what I do ❤

Twentynine Palms Family Photographer - Erickson

{ Browning 4th of July Session } Twentynine Palms Family Photographer

The Brownings and I met last December through a garage sale purchase, from there I have had the pleasure of getting to know them and watch them grow as a family.  Pregnant when we met they asked me to do their newborn pictures, since that we have met on a few more occasions to celebrate this first year in their daughter’s life.  Always one of my favorites to work with a family again and again.  Doesn’t always work that way in a military town.

These two are super proud of who they are, the country that they serve and their family.  We have been able to capture that throughout every session while allowing their families to see this little one blossom and grow.  I believe Hilary and I bully Ethan just a bit but he is always smiles and a good sport; even when we pulled out the tutu at this last session.

Twentynine Palms Family Photographer - Browning2