Carlsbad Desert Maternity Session

Last week I spent some time in Carlsbad, New Mexico visiting my family. Both my sister and bother live down there so I love being able to see both of them when I come to visit, and I hitched a ride with my parents this time so it was really nice being able to edit in the backseat during the 10 hour drive from Cheyenne.

I told Jodi I wanted to do something a little different than the Flumes we usually do. Jodi and I drove around town to find something. I still wanted a New Mexico location, but I wanted it more unique. We found this hill that showed off the desert look. And on our way back into Jodi’s yard I saw these beautiful trees on her drive way. I love that we were able to get two totally different looks for her session within just 10 minutes of each other.

Today I’m feeling extra grateful for my family, my friends, and everyone in my support system. I have amazing examples in my life and I’m grateful for all of them. Also, my sister seriously has pregnancy glow.

Donation & Photo Swap • Foster Care Awareness Month

I have been thinking about what I can do to help serve other foster families in my area and how to involve the community in some sort of way. I knew I wanted to take donations for these amazing families, but I had to find a donation location first. After multiple phone calls and emails I was able to get in touch with Jacque who is a fellow foster parent and works in Idaho Welfare. There is a donation location in Blackfoot which is a closet for foster parents.

Basically, foster parents and families get a call any time of day asking if they’re able to take a placement. If they say yes, foster families scramble to find ways to prepare for that child who may be in their home in an hour or a few days! That’s where the Blackfoot closet comes in. Foster families can go pick out things that are needed for their foster kids. This can be gently used clothes, school supplies, diaper and wipes, baby supplies, toys, etc. All these donation go straight to the foster families who need them!

So I’ve decided to do something to help out. I’m doing a donation photo swap! Here’s how it works.

Bring a bag (or 2) of donations for the foster closet. Some ideas of donations are:

•New or gently used clothes newborn-18 years old
•Diapers
•Wipes
•School supplies (crayons, pencils, notebooks, lunch boxes etc.)
•Hygiene items or kits
•Baby items (strollers, cribs, diaper bags etc.)

I’ll have my truck and we can put any items you want to donate in the back and I will be taking all items to the Foster closet in Blackfoot on Tuesday!

In exchange you’ll get a 15 minutes session with at least 8 high resolution images and a print release! The sessions will be taking place in Rigby. It’s a donation and photo swap! Sessions can be couples, portraits or families up to 6 people! These sessions are extremely limited at this time since my May is already crazy booked, but I wanted to squeeze these in ASAP for Foster Care Awareness Month!

I’m so excited to be hosting these and hopefully I will be able to make it an annual thing. Thanks so much!

Monday, May 11th
6:40PM - booked
7:00PM - booked
7:20PM - booked
7:40PM - booked
8:00PM - booked

Idaho Mountains • Anniversary Session

Josilyn and Zach were troopers for their session! I had found this super gorgeous location last year in the spring when I went out adventuring and location scouting. I knew it would be perfect for Josilyn and Zach’s anniversary session. I love the view of the mountains but also the farm fields. I feel like it’s Idaho all in one scene. Something else I love about this location is the colors that are already here before leaves are on the trees. I even had to text Josilyn before her session to tell her to bring real shoes since we would have to hike a little bit. The sagebrush and the pines just look awesome right now! Jacob and I even took some personal photos here as well awhile ago!

We also had amazing weather for their session and only 45 minutes from my house! The day before I had went up with my brother-in-law‘s and husband and it was kind of windy. But on Monday it was perfect weather. I love the sun is coming in from the mountains as well. The valley look is just so neat to me. And actually having to hike to a location makes it feel so much prettier. I love Idaho!