This, professionally, as my summer:

Meet Peyton. I first met Peyton when I photographed her at Children's hospital. When most parents are at home celebrating their new arrival and picturing their hopes for the future Peyton's mom Nicole spent five months visiting her daughter, living day to day, praying her new daughter would make it.

Now Payton is a happy 21 month year old beauty. She is full of personality and strength. She still faces many challenges and her family is doing everything possible to give her all she needs.

Her family just found out about a Therapy called CME Therapy. CME, the acronym for Cuevas Medek Exercise, is a physical therapy approach for infants suffering abnormal developmental motor evolution caused by a known or unknown non-degenerative syndrome affecting the Central Nervous System.CME Therapy has a very high success rate in helping children with low muscle tone learn to walk.

The family would have to go to Toronto to get treatment for Payton as there is no one else in Canada with the qualifications.

Her family is having a garage sale this weekend to raise funds:

587 Powerhouse Road Saturday and Sunday 9am-3pm

Pop by, do some shopping and help the family feel supported. I will keep you posted on any other events to raise money in the valley. 

Here is Payton just a few weeks ago playing in the studio.



She is a beautiful inspiring girl, and they can use all the support they can get

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There is a lot of action on our facebook page, so if you aren't following us, you can check it out HERE   right now there is fierce thread about legwarmers and parachute pants - where do you sit on this topic?


This is the first day this summer I have worked 9 to 5, and I am pumped - nerdy right? I have been putting in the hours this summer, but mostly on the weekends and evenings.

Today I am heading out the door, lunchbox in hand, with a spring in my step.

But first..  the Bolton's!

The Bolton's booked their session to coincide with their oldest heading off to university. We do many sessions marking this time in the life of a family and it is an ideal time to have images created.

The Bolton's are totally hooked up. Mom and Dad are stunning, laid back and lovely people. I am pretty sure their kids never fight with them, always do what they say , and prefer to be with their ultra-hip and wise parents their friends. Right?

Thank you Bolton's for coming out in what was questionable weather and for reminding me of why I love my job.  

Let me start by telling you that I am a city girl, I even had serious plans to move to New York after college.

Now, let me tell you about my day.

Last night, for the first time in my career I injured myself, to the point where I wasn't sure how it would impact my work. I gave myself a third degree ankle sprain and a fracture. Late in the evening I took myself to the hospital.

My experience was a positive one, and it had me thinking about how community can cushion the blow.

I walked into the hospital and saw familiar faces. I was a bit of a wreck, exhausted, stressed and in pain. I was amazed at the care and attention that was given and left feeling re-assured and  better (if they ever offer you the pain killer shot say yes.) They totally understood, not to belittle anybody else's life, that my life is totally not-conducive to injuries that have you sitting on the couch.

This morning, rather than buy the $200 air cast I facebooked a call out for a loaner or a used one. Within the hour, the lovely Janine, who I have only met a few times, popped up offering hers. It was missing a tool needed to set it up, so after picking it up, I zipped back to emergency and they happily loaned me one.

I can't help but think that in the city, I would be driving an hour to borrow one, have to park far away at emergency and work hard to get them to loan me a little tool.  And what would have been the chance that someone I have met only a few times would go out of their way to loan me something?

So, this small town girl is very, very happy now. It's all good and I am even going to be able to make it to my 6 p.m. shoot.

And because posts are better with pictures, here is one of Utah looking rather strange, that's what happens when she tries to be fierce.


 

I have been avoiding this post, even though I knew it was coming. Am I really going to blog about makeup?
A post about makeup from the gal that is lucky if she has her lipstick on straight and puts on her makeup while, brushing her teeth, talking to the kids and drinking coffee?

You betcha. This is a post about makeup and I am writing it loud and proud.

I know more about hair and makeup and styling then I ever thought I would. It comes with the job. Yet, I clearly hadn't used my knowledge for my own good. A look at my pitiful makeup container would give me away. My mascara is so old it probably isn't even healthy to use. And as for that eyeshadow I have that is sparkly and ends up on all parts of my faces it shouldn't - what was I thinking?

So, Christine and I made an appointment with Crystal at Roots and told her to set us up. Crystal has been working with us doing make-up for all the Bella Sessions you have seen on the blog. She also does the makeup for many of the brides we photograph. We are always blown away by her work and professionalism.

She went through some make-up steps with us, yes, make-up lessons, and sent us packing with a bag of Jane Iredale Mineral makeup.

It was such a nice thing to do for ourselves, I can't recommend it highly enough. Crystal will put you right at ease and leave you feeling like a million bucks. I wish I had done it a long time ago.

The best part of this new makeup is how good it feels on your skin, and that it seems to stay in place for longer than four hours.

Now, when I run into you please be kind. Don't scrutinize my appearance expecting my face to be a canvas of  makeup artistry . However, chances are I won't have mascara running under my eyes by mid-day and sparkles where they shouldn't be.

You can contact Crystal at Roots, let her know we sent you, for a complimentary consultation.