Kellogg Idaho Engagement: Beca and Josh

It all started as water cooler chat. "My son doesn't have anyone to attend singles group with, will you go?" Beca was more than happy to oblige a friend and coworker -- Josh's dad. Her big heart and sweet spirit reached out to this lonely soul in need of fellowship -- until they met up to ride to the church group together. She quickly discovered  Josh was a great guy who could set anyone at ease and that he didn't have anyone to go with because... he was residing in Oregon when the invitation was made. 

As peals of laughter settled into friendly conversation something sparked in both of them and soon they were spending every available moment in each other's company. Sweet romance began to bud and one day a bloom finally appeared along their path. An early red rose and a sparkling diamond ring accompanied Josh's proposal as they walked the dog up the hills surrounding Kellogg. 

Beca and Josh are marrying in the Spokane, Washington Latter-Day Saint temple. It's a day that promises family bonds and everlasting love. 

Their engagement session took place in Kellogg -- part of North Idaho's scenic Silver Valley, resplendent with snowy mountain peaks and rolling fog. 

We were spared rain and instead graced with the ambient glow of clouds. Clouds act as a diffuser for sunlight and can be an ideal natural light shooting situation. :-)

Beca and Josh had so much fun on this shoot. :) They are so spirited and sweet.

We moved a little further into town and found this gorgeous orange door waiting for us. They do not make 'em like that anymore. Actually, they are starting to. And that makes me want to do a happy dance. :)

I just had to include pictures of the ring and the witness to the engagement...Beca's dog Penny. She was so well behaved and all I wanted to do was pet her. I am a dog mom, after all. :)

I am so thankful for Beca and Josh. They encouraged me to get out there and do what I love as an artist and I will be forever grateful to them for that. :) Beca and Josh, I wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see more of Beca and Josh's engagement shoot, watch the slideshow. :)

Happy Weekend!

Wedding Wednesday: Reasons to hire a makeup artist

Welcome to the first edition of Wedding Wednesday -- once or twice each month I will be sharing some of the knowledge I have gained over time about weddings. Crafts, planning, you name it. :) Enjoy!

A lot of us ask "Why should I hire a makeup artist on my wedding day when I do my own makeup every day on my own and look just fine?" A makeup artist is an expert who can help you create and define a look for your day, providing both the tools and the peace of mind that you look amazing on your wedding day. 

Consultations help define your look. If you have a look in mind for your wedding day, a makeup artist can help you take your ideas and put them altogether for your makeup. Having a trial run beforehand also helps you feel more confident in how you will look, which coincidentally is great for an engagement shoot. :) You won't feel lost in putting on your makeup for the day and the artistry in your makeup is just one more thing off your plate.

Makeup artists are experts. They have skills in lighting and they know that your makeup has to be maybe a notch more dramatic to read better on camera or perhaps in the candle lit church where you are saying your vows. A makeup artist is usually certified to do his or her job and has plenty of samples and creative experience. You won't have to worry about under-applying or over-applying your makeup on the day of your wedding and instead you can relax and enjoy being pampered.

Makeup artists have the tools. They have all the makeup, brushes, and tools to make you look amazing. That saves you money, time, and stress since you don't have to shop for wedding day makeup. I know when I am out shopping for makeup sometimes I run into something that doesn't quite work out for me for whatever reason and a makeup artist has everything he or she needs to make you look amazing -- no expensive trips to department stores necessary. :)

Peace of mind. Trusting your makeup to a professional should be as common as trusting a hairstylist on your big day. The reasoning is exactly the same -- creating a certain look and making sure that look will last. Airbrush makeup and waterproof mascara and eyeliner professionally applied last longer and create better results on camera and help you relax as you prepare.

The last reason is that you feel better when you feel pampered. I know I do. You will have an extra spring in your step and twinkle in your eye because you feel extra beautiful and kind of smile and inner self confidence is something that can't be matched. :)

The awesome makeup artist pictured above is my friend Shasta Hankins. She is an amazing artist. To learn more about her and the services she offers, click here.

Engagement Sneak Peek: Amy and Neil

I had a gorgeous and fun engagements session with Amy, Neil and their awesome daughter Rhiannon yesterday. Even though the wind whipped around us, we managed to find some calm in the impending storm for photographs.

Amy and Neil are an incredible couple and I cannot wait to shoot their fabulous wedding at Blackwell House in the fall. I cannot wait to share the rest with you! 

That One Person

I am a major homebody sometimes. On cold nights when my husband is at work on the graveyard shift there is nothing that I like to do better than unwind with a cup of tea and watch movies on Netflix as the dogs curl up next to me, snoring and barking at cats in their sleep. In the wee hours of Wednesday morning I watched The Giant Mechanical Man. I watched it on accident -- I can't remember what I thought I clicked on but I didn't want to stop watching. Definitely a happy accident. It starred Jenna Fischer of The Office and it was both heartwarming and comforting.

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It was all about a woman who feels lost in the world and finds love and acceptance in the place she least expects. It was realistic and uplifting at the same time.

My favorite quote from the movie was about finding the right person."I heard someone say something recently that it just takes one person, you know? Just one person to make you feel like you belong. To make you feel special."

I am blessed enough to have that one person. My husband James makes me belong. He makes me feel special. And because I have him in my life it's my job to pass it on -- to people in line at the grocery store, baristas at Starbucks, and everyone around me. That movie reinforced that for me and it was so sweet and refreshing. 

Who or what is a breath of fresh air in your life today? If you can't name anyone, I dare you to go out and love someone on purpose. Make them feel like they belong. Like they're special. You can be that one person.

Vissi d' Arte

I love music.  I grew up immersed in it. My dad sang loudly on lazy Sunday evenings after church was over -- belting out his best Bohemian Rhapsody for all to hear as he made himself sandwiches in the kitchen. 

Our family of eight listened to music everywhere. Christmas carols while coloring on snowy winter days as we proffered crayons to each other, Saturdays as we did our chores, and of course as teenagers for hours alone in our rooms. In the days of dial-up and Napster we listened to the CDs we bought ourselves or ones that were around the house. My parents were as patient as saints while my brother and I both went through a long obsession with show tunes. Each morning in high school I harmonized with Ben, the brother two years below me, on the way to our zero hour class as the sun rose hazy gold over the world and the frost still sparkled jewel bright on parts of the windshield. 

I used to take voice lessons two days a week with an extraordinary woman called Anne who had an amazing ability to whistle any tune loudly. Almost every time she picked up the phone when I was around she answered in Italian. A formidable grand piano stood in her living room, its dark gleaming surface reminiscent of a deep lake that beckoned students to fall in. Every student was offered tea or hot water before a lesson. I gladly partook every chance I got before I began to delay what often felt like two hours of mistakes. But I kept coming back week after week because I wanted to get it. To master the songs, make the music my own. 

Another thing Ann poured out along with her tea was wisdom. And while the music that gets my heart going now has a strong lead guitar line and is punctuated by eighth notes most of  the time, her words have always stayed with me. "You have to live for art," she said. Vissi d' Arte. 

As a teenager I didn't understand what that meant. Art seemed like a cruel mistress. Auditions, scary audiences full of critical people and a lifetime of chorus parts stared me in the face. It felt daunting and I did not find any sort of artistic passion again until six years ago as I held my first DSLR camera in my hands. I clicked the shutter as a flock of geese made their way up from a snowy beach into a blue sky. I knew at that moment that there was something special in this glass and mirror contraption and I wanted to get it. And that day love was born.

When I sing an aria in front of people my heart finds a home in my throat and my stomach is infested with butterflies I can't seem to shake. I become pale and shaky. But when I click the shutter something inside me begins to sing. I feel strong -- like an archer who pulls back the string on her bow, lets her arrow fly and hits the target dead center. God gives me vision to capture that one blink of a moment and as a result I have recorded history. That married couple's first kiss. That look of exhausted bliss as they leave the reception to spend their honeymoon proudly saying "My husband..." and "My wife..." with a beaming smile and a heart filled to bursting. I feel purpose in creating beautiful memories for people to last for a lifetime and to share in that love. It's the kind of art worth creating as I walk my way through this world. I hope every day that it honors and reflects the God I love and the people I am privileged to serve and love too. Vissi d'Arte.

I think I may live in Winterfell...

The year we moved to the mountains we had fresh snow on Easter. I was very sad because if there's one thing I like to do it's go sleeveless on Easter. I thought maybe my dear husband had moved me to Narnia. You know, the mythical place where it's always winter?

Last year our friends got us hooked on Game of Thrones. We spent hours cuddled up watching the Starks of Winterfell as they continually proclaimed "Winter is coming!" For those of you not familiar with Game of Thrones, winter lasts decades and is kind of a big deal.

This morning I was on my way out the door to a meeting I realized our lawn was carpeted with snow. And not accidental hail. Real live snow. Although my sister-in-law may have referred to it as "hard frost" this morning.

This is the hill right outside our window. This is the kind of snow that has no intention of melting. And no, this is not a super high altitude or a zoom lens crop.

Since it seems like winter will never end, I am considering increasing the feathers and furs in my wardrobe. If we're lucky, maybe we'll only have a five year winter this time. :)

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How's the weather where you are? Warming up? Warm and summery already? Leave me a comment and tell me all about it. :)

Engagement Sneak Peek!

I just have to share. It's late at night but I cannot get over how cute these two are! I had a shoot with Rebeca and Joshua today and they were so fun. :-) 

I can't wait to share the rest with you! :-)