The Barlow's

I had a fun photo shoot the other day with the Barlow's.  Hey, this is the second family I've done with all boys in the last couple of weeks.  I have one with all girls next week just to shake it up a  little.   If you'd like to see more go here.

Salt Lake Temple Lights

Last year we got to go to California for Thanksgiving, but it put us a little behind for Christmas (not to mention Kacey's broken arm and surgery and Terrence's broken foot... it's all kind of a blur).  So six months ago I wrote on our calendar a few things I really missed and wanted to do this year:  1) put up Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, 2) See the lights at temple square, 3) make caramels!!! and, 4) no broken bones.  So far 3 of the four have happened thanks to Terrence's help.  So glad he's back in commission this year.

We went to temple square last night and ate at Crown Burger (mmmm, Jr. Crown burger...) it was the most beautiful I have ever seen it (the lights, not the burger).  I don't know if it was the "tropical" weather we're having here in Utah this week, that they've expanded it to cover the church office building grounds so we're not like cattle in a crowded pen, or if it's just that I hadn't seen them in so long.  They were spectacular.  I also learned why there were so many tripods there.  I didn't bring mine and you can tell.  You really need one to capture the bright lights in manual without blur, but sometimes it's more important to just capture the shot than have it be "good".  Anyway- it was beautiful.

 I love this floating manger scene on the reflection pool.

 I hope they will always want to be at the temple doors.

 Love Sam, right after this picture she said can we go home now, and every minute after that.  Only the later ones were more like, CAN WE GO HOME NOW?!?

 This house is in Lehi and we probably could've stayed home and just done this.  This kids were mesmerized.  It was like Griswald's Christmas.  I have never seen so many lights on one house in my entire life.  It was synchronized to music and all.

Christmas shopping on Friday.  Ahhhhh.... let the madness begin!

Thanksgiving

This year Thanksgiving was at my home and we were blessed with all kinds of Savages and a few others.  What a blessing to be able to share this holiday with so many loved ones.  We're grateful so many were able to come and share a special day with us.

Sierra, Tessa, and Brooke even wore the same hairstyle for the special occasion.

Jim and Lisa flew up from Carlsbad. What a treat!  We wish we could see them more often, but we'll take them when we can. They're such a great family.

Sophie was showing the camera some of her moves...

The ping pong table FINALLY getting used... 

Tommy loving hanging with his Utah cousins.

Lane brought his brother Shane and he fits right in.

Oh yeah, the food was good too.

These boys know how to carve a turkey!

The girls... (in the kitchen, previously visiting around the table)

 More of the fam...

 The guys... (a little turkey day football)

 The kids... (waiting to eat)

 ... and who knows what THESE two are up to?!?!!!

Kacey had her golden birthday a little bit ago (she turned 20 on Nov. 20) but was away at school so we had a little celebration afterward.  Here's Sophie giving the backpack I bought to Kacey.  

Happy Bday Kacey!!

Lisa and Sam having a bonding moment...

 and Grandma probably thinking about her comfy bed but hanging in there just a little bit longer.

We love you all and are so happy we got to spend our turkey day with you!

Brittain Family Photo Shoot

I did a photo shoot the day after Thanksgiving for the Brittain family.  They had most of their adult kids there- 9 of them including spouses plus a dog!  They told me they hadn't had family pictures in over ten years, so it was an honor to be able to make these family memories for them.  Such a beautiful family and so fun to work with!

Angels

An angel left this world today to go live in a place far more comfortable for him.  Devin, the young boy with brain cancer in the post below passed this evening around 9:00.  My heart goes out to this family who has given so much to care for, love, and comfort this young man.  However, I think they feel they have received so much more just by knowing him and learning from the amazing soul that he was as all of us who met him did.  Much love and many prayers for the Harris family this night.

Family Shoot

Here's a sample of a photo shoot I did this week.  Aren't they a cute family!  I couldn't have asked for better subjects.  These boys are every bit as nice as they are handsome.  I loved working with them.  If you want to see more you can go here.

New Blog

A couple of weeks ago I was doing some deep thinking about what I'd like to do to make some changes in my life- not changes that are brought upon me and are an unavoidable part of life, but deliberate changes.  Many times I've thought about going back to school and getting my Master's in Psych and pursue that goal, but it just hasn't felt like the right timing.  I am loving photographing people and everything about it so I decided my dream job for now would be a photographer.  Just that thought alone has opened several doors in such a short time!  

Whenever Terrence travels I go into major project mode- one time I repainted the entire house.   This time I've really done it.  He has been in Sweden for almost two weeks.  Too long to leave me to my own devices.  I stay up late, eat a lot of chocolate, and this time started my own business.  So, two weeks ago I called two friends and asked if they wanted me to do their family photos so I could start putting together a portfolio.  In that amount of time by word of mouth I now have 9 photo shoots to do in the next several weeks.  Yikes!    Kinsey's friend even called and asked me to do her wedding.  So if I'm going to do this I better get official. I started another blog if you want to check it out it's http://savageportraits.blogspot.com/.  It's small now, but you've got to start somewhere right?  Wish me luck!

This Guy is Amazing!

Absolutely amazing, inspiring talent.  Doesn't he make you want to take whatever you do and do it well?  Whether it's being a present, deliberate parent, a good cook,  a teacher, an athlete, an artisan, whatever your passion is, we should do it well and enrich the world with it.  What talent, and he lives right here in Salt Lake City!  What do you think?

Sacred Ground

The other day I had one of those amazingly privileged experiences that we're only blessed with so often.  I called a friend to see if she wanted me to do her family photos for Christmas cards.  She mentioned a couple of others that may be interested as well so I could get some practice for a portfolio I'm wanting to put together.  One of them is a friend that I have known through her for years with a son that has cancer.  He was born with brain cancer and as a result born sightless.  I remember the first time I met him he walked right up to me, asked me my name and what was my favorite kind of music?  He had a brightness and energy about him.  He would light up the room.  I received a call from her within an hour.  She said she would like pictures, but could it be soon?  Maybe tomorrow?  They were doing castings of his hands so they would have a memory of him when he passed, which they were expecting to happen any day.  I said of course.  What an amazing family.  It was an honor to be part of their experience as they welcomed me into their home.  All he wanted for his birthday was a mini fridge stocked with refreshments for others.  His motto is, "Come depressed, leave refreshed." Even though Devin can't see with his physical eyes,  he truly sees people.  This is an amazing family that lets you feel God's love through them and being in their  home was like walking on Holy Ground.