Jessie Alexis Photography

Baby G.

2012-01-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love babies! They're so sweet, so perfect, and little baby G was no exception. He slept like a dream and was a magnificent model.

Also, next week I will be taking a much needed break and won't be able to answer any phone calls or emails, so please don't feel neglected! I'll be back in business on Monday, January 30th and will get back to you then.

January 2012 Wedding Expo

2012-01-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

That. Was. So. Much. FUN!!! No really, hanging with my husband all day, talking about how much I love my job and showing off my work. Seriously, I loved it. I loved meeting all the darling brides, cute couples, and supportive family members in attendance at the wedding expo. And because I'm feelin' the love, I'd like to extend my wedding expo offer. Remind me that you found me at the Thanksgiving Point Wedding Expo and I'll give you 20 percent off any package you book between now and (get this) the end of the month!! That's right, you have until January 31st to book me at 20 percent off. Sweet right? And now, pictures of my booth!

Oh, and a HUGE thank-you to Brittanie of SAS Floral for the GORGEOUS flowers she provided for my booth. Brides, working with Brittanie is a dream and I highly recommend it!

So every expo my husband and I have a lot of fun having our picture taken at Shutter Booth:

Drue: Bridals

2012-01-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

I am so excited!! This beautiful bride's wedding was on Saturday, so I can finally post her bridal session! We had so much fun despite the freezing cold. Drue is a true beauty, both inside and out. When she received the photos from this session, she sent me an email that said, "The first thing I said when I saw them was, '"I"m so glad I chose her as my photographer!"' That makes my heart happy :)

Dress: Fantasy Bridal
Hair/Make Up: Enizio

Cousins

2012-01-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

Is this not the cutest group of children with the sweetest grandparents ever? We had too much fun in Arizona over the Christmas break, and the weather was so perfect you would have never even guessed it was December!

Thanksgiving Point Wedding Expo

2012-01-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

Brides and grooms, mark your calenders! The Utah Wedding Expo at Thanksgiving Point is just around the corner and I promise you're going to want to be there. Why? Well where else are you going to find all the wedding vendors you're going to need (including ME!) for your big day? And I'll let you in on a little secret, the deal I'm offering for booking Jessie Alexis Photography at the wedding expo is pretty amazing. Trust.

Cover Girl

2012-01-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year! 2011 was amazing, and I predict 2012 is going to be even better! I mean, how could it not when I'm starting out the year with one of my favorite weddings featured on the COVER of one of my favorite magazines!!! (picture me squealing with delight :) ) I've long been a fan of Utah Valley Bride magazine. I even remember walking down to Borders in Riverwoods with my best friend Macie long before we could drive just to peruse each beautiful page. And I might be biased, but I think the 2012 magazine is the best issue ever. Each glossy page is filled with wedding goodness that's sure to inspire. So do yourself a favor and pick up a copy today!

Published! Latter Day Bride 2012

2011-12-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to have Brooke and Joey's fun wedding featured in the 2012 Latter Day Bride Magazine. To find out where you can pick up this little beauty, go here!

Gwen + Justin: Engaged

2011-12-23T11:38:00.016-07:00

You know those kinds of couples who are so perfect for each other, who can communicate with just one glance and you can tell just by the way they look at each other that they are madly in love? That would be Gwen and Justin. Their relationship is so comfortable, so easy. Which, of course, made my job easy :)

We started out overlooking Provo (although, the inversion kept us from actually seeing anything ...) where Gwen and Justin's relationship first started and the spot of many significant moments in their relationship, including the proposal ...

Then we took a short recess before resuming our photo adventure at none other than my favorite restaurant of allllll time, Pizzeria 712!

Stephanie + Seth: Engaged

2011-12-20T13:19:00.000-07:00

Photographing Stephanie and Seth's engagement pictures was so much fun! From the moment they stepped out of the car, I knew I was in for a treat. Not only are they ridiculously good looking, their chemistry together is amazing. Thanks Stephanie and Seth for such a great photo shoot!

O Christmas Tree

2011-12-18T20:18:00.000-07:00

We've had the Christmas tree up since before Thanksgiving (I'm a rebel, I know) and it has brought us so much fun! My little one loves to re-arrange the ornaments while the kitty acts as the watch guard. Perhaps one of these days I'll get one of my girl actually looking at the camera but let's be honest ... a glowing tree v. mom with a camera in your face? We know who will win that battle 10 times out of 10.

Love

2011-12-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller

Alta Moda Sample Sale

2011-12-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

Brides, if you haven't purchased your wedding dress yet, do NOT miss this event!

Alta Moda bridal boutique will host their annual Sample Sale on Saturday, December 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brides-to-be are invited to line up early for a selection of more than 50 couture wedding dresses marked down 50 to 85 percent. Gowns start as low as $400, with many under $1000.

There will be dresses from all of your favorite designers; Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Anne Barge, Melissa Sweet, and many more.

Things you’ll want to know:

Sale hours are 10am – 3pm, December 10th only

No appointments: First come, First served (wait list)

Gowns are sold as is, alterations not included

Only sample sale gowns will be on display

No holds and all sales final – come ready to buy

Most gowns are suited for street sizes 4-12

We only do this once a year, so now is the time

Space is limited; only one or two key decision makers/guests per bride

We love our gowns and treat them with the best of care, so you can be assured you are getting your dream dress at a coveted price.

Want to know how sought-after this sale is? Last year, the Alta Moda staff arrived an hour early to find there were already a couple dozen brides lined-up outside the doors. That’s how much you need to be at this sale.

Come early, wear a warm coat and bring hot cocoa or coffee to warm up with. Doors will open at exactly 10 a.m., and you’ll be welcomed into the shop to stay warm and cozy as you wait for your consultation. Once inside, your name will be put on a list in order of the line/arrival so you can find a seat and wait for your name to be called– no fuss, and no need to hold your place!

Consultations will be limited to 40 minutes. We’ll be running many more fitting rooms than usual to help get you in your dream dress as quickly as we can. And just because it’s a sample sale, it doesn’t mean you’re on your own. You’ll each get an experienced consultant from start to finish. They know all the gowns (by name and inside and out), all the tricks, and how to make sure you are beyond thrilled. Only four gowns can be initially selected, but your consultant will guide you and make sure you try on the perfect styles until you find the one.

Stott Family

2011-11-29T15:57:00.000-07:00

This lovely lady is the talented owner of SAS Floral and I had a blast photographing her family. It was freeeeeezing cold, but her kids did so well! Towards the end they made it clear they were done and it allowed us some time to get fun pictures of just Brittanie and her husband Michael.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving all you lovely people! Today I will be celebrating this wonderful holiday with the people for which I'm most thankful, my family :)

Once the turkey coma passes and the last piece of pumpkin pie has been consumed, I have a fabulous suggestion for your Black Friday shopping: Gateway Bridal. Yes, that's right, you can buy a killer wedding dress for a killer deal!

Gateway Bridal is excited to announce our

BLACK FRIDAY BLOW OUT SALE!!

With over 300 bridal, prom, and bridesmaid dresses to choose from, an affordable gown won’t be hard to find!

We are featuring sample wedding and prom dresses from our

Gateway Bride, LatterDayBride, Bridal Curves, and White Couture collections.

BRIDAL GOWNS STARTING AT $99.00

PROM GOWNS STARTING AT $49.00

November 25, 2011 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

These great deals will only last as long as the dresses do!

Hurry in to find your dream dress at your dream price!

*Note: Appointments to try on Blow-Out-Sale Bridal gowns will run every 30 minutes and will be on a first come first serve basis!

To get a taste of what will be available at the Blow Out Sale please visit our Facebook Page and click on our Wedding and Prom Sale photo album

Cassie + Chris

2011-11-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

Do you know what happens this week? The glorious holiday known as Thanksgiving! I love Thanksgiving, the food, the family, the gratitude. It just doesn't get any better than that. And you know what I'm thankful for today? Awesome couples like Cassie and Chris who are so much fun to photograph!

Cook Family

2011-11-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

This shoot was so much fun, I love repeat clients! Gina had this fantastic idea to use this gorgeous truck her husband has been fixing up and I love the way it turned out!

Featured on Utah Bride Blog

2011-11-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

Look at me, look at me, look at me now! (You'll have to forgive me, I just finished reading "The Cat in the Hat" to my daughter as she went down for her nap ... and this is what is stuck in my head.)

Check out Maggie and Adams gorgeous fall wedding featured today on Utah Bride Blog:

It would totally make my day if you were to visit the feature and leave a comment on UBB!

Eagar Family

2011-11-09T16:26:00.000-07:00

Featured on Glamour and Grace

2011-11-04T11:44:00.000-06:00

It's sure been a fun week of features for Jessie Alexis Photography. Check out this fun feature Glamour and Grace did on Hailey and Jordan's engagement session.

Tanner Family

2011-11-03T10:19:00.000-06:00

I love repeat clients, especially when they're this much fun!

Featured on Utah Bride Blog

2011-11-02T09:56:00.000-06:00

Today I am so excited to have the Rustic Vineyard shoot featured today on Utah Bride Blog. Check it out and leave some comment lovin'!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T15:44:00.000-06:00

I couldn't resist sharing this "festive" love song from the talented Stephanie Maybe

Happy Halloween to all you zombies, lovers, and zombie lovers out there!

For fun

2011-10-26T11:30:00.000-06:00

I started into photography because I loved it. I still love it. But I find that if I don't take time for myself, to shoot what I want, I fall into a rut. Nobody likes ruts. Except for maybe the slow turtles who also like slow internet on those one commercials. But not me, I don't like ruts. So I made these lovely girls get all dolled up and we snapped a few pictures at The Chocolate in Orem, just for fun. Here are just a small sampling, I'll post more later.

C. Family

2011-10-24T11:31:00.000-06:00

How darling is this family? These boys were doing their best to channel their inner Justin Beiber, and I totally think they succeeded.

My Baby

2011-10-19T11:00:00.000-06:00

My little girl is getting so big I can hardly stand it!

Crosland Family

2011-10-17T12:08:00.000-06:00

I am back from a much-needed road trip to St. George and am SO excited to share the rest of the Crosland Family photo shoot!

Remember, slots for family shoots are filling up quick, so contact me today to get yours set up!

Crosland Family Sneak Peek

2011-10-14T13:55:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I have to admit, I was pretty excited to photograph this darling family. I mean, how adorable are these little girls!! And I just knew Carly would have her family dressed perfectly. I'm only going to post one for now, you'll have to wait until next week to see more. As for me, I'm taking the weekend off for a girls trip to St. George with some of my college besties! So if I don't respond to emails or phone calls, you'll know why.

Oh, and if you're wanting to have me photograph your family let me know soon! I've opened up a few more spots in November, but they're bound to go fast.

Maggie + Adam: Wedding

2011-10-11T10:57:00.000-06:00

Last night I watched "Elf" with my family. (Yes, I am fully aware that it is October and we haven't even celebrated the wonderful holiday of Halloween, so watching Christmas movies may seem like we're skipping a step ... but why should be put restrictions on when we can watch one of the funniest movies of all time?) Remember the scene where Buddy waltzes into his dad's office twirling and singing "I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!!" That's how I feel about this wedding. I am in love with all the splendid details and the wonderful people, and I don't care who knows it! I'm telling you this to warn you, there are a lot of pictures ...

Location: Private residence, Sundance
Florist: Candace at Whole Foods
Videographer: Pointe Digital
Caterer: Gloria's Little Italy
Wedding Dress: Celebrations
Cake: Gloria's Little Italy
Event Planner: Norri Elles (Bride's mom)
Photographer: Jessie Alexis Photography

Wedsmith Fun

2011-10-07T14:36:00.000-06:00

On Tuesday I attended a wedding business conference at the St. Regis Deer Valley Resort and it was AMAZING. Naturally, I had to take my turn in the photo booth provided by Shutterbooth Utah. I have a long history with Shutterbooth, mostly in that we've had neighboring booths at most of the wedding expos I've done, so I've developed quite a collection of Shutterbooth photos. Brides-to-be, if you're looking for something fun that will not only entertain and delight guests but preserve fun memories, you MUST check out Shutterbooth.

And without further ado, I present to you Brittanie (of SAS floral) and me!

Why yes, my eyes are closed in that last picture, you like?

Mock Wedding: Part Two

2011-10-05T10:40:00.000-06:00

Here is part two of the lovely mock wedding shoot. If you missed part one, check it out here. Again, here are all the links to the vendors involved. Check them out, you won't regret it.

Floral & Design - Chic Design Studios
Dress - Avenia Bridal
Hair - Hair by Jewels
Invitations - Polka Dots and Daisies
Photography - Jessie Alexis Photography
Cake - Cake Dame
Venue - Stone Gate Arts
Event Design and Planning - White Ginger Events

Nilsson Family

2011-10-03T10:51:00.000-06:00

I can't tell you how much I adore this little family. When fellow-photographer Kara asked me to do their family photos I was SO excited. Their little man is the cutest thing ever! I totally left this session baby hungry, but who can blame me, right?

Mock Wedding: Part One

2011-09-29T10:24:00.000-06:00

What do you get when you mix talented vendors, a beautiful model and a great venue? A fantastic day full of great photos. Oh yeah, and fun. A whole lotta fun. If you are in the process of planning a wedding, I highly recommend checking out the links below, these are the vendors whose talent and planning made this shoot possible.

Floral & Design - Chic Design Studios
Dress - Avenia Bridal
Hair - Hair by Jewels
Invitations - Polka Dots and Daisies
Photography - Jessie Alexis Photography
Cake - Flour Girl and Dough Boys
Venue - Stone Gate Arts
Event Design and Planning - White Ginger Events

Winner!

2011-09-27T19:37:00.000-06:00

Do you like me? I mean, like really like me? On Facebook? Because you should. Why? Because sometimes I do super secret special giveaways for those who like me. In fact, this purpose of this post is to announce the winner of a free photo session. Free! Just like that! And the winner (according to random.org) is commenter #6

...

CARLY! Woo woo! Contact me via email to set up your photo session soon!

And in honor of all the winning and exclamation points in this post, here's a photo of Norah doing one of her favorite things - eating. YUM!

Do you Pinterest?

2011-09-22T09:37:00.000-06:00

I Pinterest. I love it, follow me here and let me know so I can follow you back. If you don't Pinterest and want to, let me know and I can send you an invite! It's a fabulous way to do many things including:

1. Putting together inspiration boards for weddings, family photo shoots and any other photographed event! Can't decide what to dress your family in for a shoot? Pin a bunch of outfits that are in the running, then see how they all look together. Wedding planning got you down? Same thing, pin everything you like and see how it flows. See what the ever-inspiring Jen Cambell of Green Wedding Shoes has to say about Pinterest Wedding Planning.

2. Figuring out what's for dinner. And dessert. Seriously, so many tried and true recipes. You just type what you have a hankering for into the handy-dandy search bar and *tada!* yummy goodness before your eyes.

3. Feeling crafty? Then Pinterest is the place for you. Quilts, wreaths, clothing, you name it - Pinterest can help you figure out how to make it.

And do you think I'd leave you without some lovely eye candy? Of course not:

From a super fun shoot this week orchestrated by the fabulous Carrie from White Ginger Events. The big blog post with all the photo goodness from this shoot is coming soon, but I couldn't resist enticing you with a sneak peek!

Hair: Hair by Jewels
Dress and accessories: Avenia Bridal

Aubrey + Eric: Wedding

2011-09-20T10:36:00.000-06:00

Aubrey and Eric's wedding was perfect and I loved spending their wedding day with them!

Check out their wedding video here and here (yes two videos, and they are both awesome.)

Kendall + Nick: Wedding

2011-09-15T20:55:00.000-06:00

Hi guys! Long time, no blog ... I know. It's just that, have you checked your calender? It's September. Which means summer is technically over, but I'm not ready to accept it. Don't get me wrong, I love autumn (warm sweaters and cute boots - yes please!), but hanging up the swimsuit and saying farewell to the carefree-ness that comes with summer has been harder this year than I expected. But alas, after indulging in week of zero responsibility, baby girl and I have swam our last swim (sniff) and are embracing this fall with open arms.

And, on to Kendall and Nick. Oh I loved this wedding, it was just plain fun. Fun fun fun. And they are such an adorable couple. And her dress? Divine. The cake? Gorgeous. The food? Delicious. Everything was simply perfect.

Dress: Maggie Sottero
Cake: Topsy Turvy Cakes
Reception: Private Residence
Flowers: Crismon's Flowers
Videographer: Michael Houghtaling
Catering: Cuisine by Marco
Photography: Jessie Alexis Photography

A few items of business ...

2011-09-08T10:35:00.000-06:00

1. My email is acting all sorts of strange. If you have emailed me in the past little while and I haven't replied, please try again. I promise I'm not trying to ignore anyone. Better yet, send it to my personal email: jessiealexis {at} gmail {dot} com. Thanks!

2. It's that most wonderfully splendid time of year again: family picture time!! In an effort to spend more time with my family I am only taking a limited amount of family portrait sessions this year, and I only have four left!! If you want one of these four spots, contact me quick. In fact, for the first person to book one of these last four spots, I'll include a $50 print credit. Jump on that one, folks.

Okay okay, to offset the boring items of business, how lovely is this couple? No worries, I'll post more of this amazing wedding soon.

Hailey + Jordan: Wedding

2011-09-06T09:55:00.000-06:00

Hailey is a bride absolutely blossoming with creativity! Of course, it helps that both her parents are creative geniuses as well :) Her vision for her wedding day came true, but nothing was more perfect than her happy smile and the way Jordan looked at her. I laughed, I cried and I enjoyed every second of this wedding.

Flowers: Forget Me Not Flowers
Cake: Family Friend
Dress: Bride's mother's restored dress
Reception Venue: The Bungalow
Photography: Jessie Alexis Photography
Videography: Heidi Adams Videography

Out of office

2011-09-01T22:59:00.000-06:00

Have a lovely Labor Day weekend, I'll be enjoying some time off with my darling baby and handsome hubby and I'm so excited!! Please don't be offended if I don't answer my phone or emails, we take vacation very seriously around this house :)

Oh, and how cute are Aubrey and Eric? Super cute, right?

Norah Norah Norah

2011-08-31T20:03:00.000-06:00

So Norah had picked out a cute dress to wear today (yes, she picked it herself) and I thought, "you know, you've been so busy photographing everyone else you haven't taken many pictures of your daughter recently. You should get on that." So, I did. We were out and about running errands and I decided to stop at a park to snap a few quick shots.

They started out decently cute ...

But she mostly just ran from me ...

Until she discovered the mud puddle ...

And like any crazy mom, I let her splish splash to her heart's content, all the while photographing the muddy goodness.

Then she realized, it probably wasn't very lady like and backed away from the mud ...

And wondered, "why would my mommy let me do this? She must be nuts."

Jen + Ryan: Married

2011-08-30T10:28:00.000-06:00

I loved everything about this wedding in a major way. When Jen first told me her colors were red, yellow and gray, I was very excited to see what she would come up with. Jen's vision was perfect! When I walked into that backyard reception, I was blown away with her attention to detail and how beautifully everything came together. She had spent all summer helping her neighbor paint fences and plant flowers to make sure it was perfect for the reception.

Featured on Salt Lake Bride and Groom

2011-08-26T09:34:00.000-06:00

I received a lot of positive feedback from Hailey and Jordan's bridals, and not just from you lovely readers! The kind folks over at Salt Lake/Park City Bride and Groom asked if they could feature the shoot on their blog - so head over and check it out! And don't forget to leave some comment lovin' :)

Orem High School Cheerleaders

2011-08-23T17:26:00.000-06:00

For the fourth year in a row, I got the distinct privileged of photographing the lovely Orem High Cheerleaders. This is a shoot I look forward to all year long and I love love love the way they turned out! This year was especially fun for me because I had spent a few months coaching these girls earlier this year while their coach was out on maternity leave.

Kara + Sam: Wedding

2011-08-19T09:08:00.000-06:00

Thank you all for your kind words on my new site, I love you all! And now for some photo goodness:

Reception Venue: Sleepy Ridge
Florist: Sleepy Ridge
Catering: Marvellous Catering
Cake: Carrie's Cakes

New and improved ...

2011-08-17T22:35:00.000-06:00

Check it out! My new and improved Web site!

Jessie Alexis Photography

Do you love it? I love it. One of the biggest changes you'll notice is my pricing. Before when I was offering various hours, it was getting kind of awkward. You see, if a couple hired me for X amount of hours and then the day started to run behind (as wedding days tend to do), about 30 minutes before the reception was supposed to end a lot of times the couple still hadn't cut the cake, thrown the bouquet or done any dancing. I'd approach the couple or their parents, tell them I was leaving in 30 minutes and they'd either cram everything in or just say, "oh well, I guess." I hated that. Hated being the bad guy and dictating the flow of their day. Now, I'm yours for all the day's festivities. From the getting ready at the salon to the big send-off, I'll be there for however much (or little) you need me.

You'll also notice that all the packages include complimentary engagements and bridals. I cannot stress how important it is to have the same photographer for your engagements, bridals and wedding day. It's how we get to know each other, it keeps a consistent style. Shooting the wedding day without shooting engagements and bridals is a little bit like taking the final exam without studying.

And the third big change to my packaging is prints. I've touched on the value of printed pictures in this post here, feel free to read it again ... or for the first time in case you haven't yet.

Oh, and check out my new logo. I love it. Thanks, Jessica, for doing such a great job ... as always :)

Hailey + Jordan's Bridals

2011-08-15T07:58:00.000-06:00

Hailey was wanting a very southern/vintage feel to her pictures to match the theme of her wedding, and I think everything came together so perfectly. Her amazing dress is the same dress her mom wore on her wedding day. Her mom Lynette is a master seamstress and made her own dress, and when it was Hailey's turn to don the gown, Lynette spent hundreds of hours pouring over it to make it perfect for Hailey's wedding.

Jen + Ryan: Bridals (aka, groomals)

2011-08-12T08:14:00.000-06:00

Guess who's getting married today?! If you guessed Jen and Ryan, you are correct! I am seriously so excited, these two are so much fun to be around.

The first time we tried to take these photos, Jen was all ready, hair a make up done, bouquet in hand ready to go. She had picked her dress up from being altered that afternoon, and as she slipped it on seconds before heading out the door, it was obvious to her and everyone else that alterations had not done their job ... luckily we had scheduled these in enough time that we were able to shoot them the next week and still get them processed and back in time. And I must say, it was worth the wait. Jen is a gorgeous bride!

Morgan + Clay: Wedding

2011-08-09T09:45:00.000-06:00

Dress: Gateway Bridal & Prom
Reception Venue: Sleepy Ridge Golf Course
Photography: Jessie Alexis Photography

Hailey + Jordan's "first look"

2011-08-08T07:19:00.000-06:00

This loverly couple is getting hitched today and I am so excited!! We shot their bridals a few weeks ago, and I'll share more of those this week, but I just couldn't help but dedicate an entire post to Jordan's reaction after seeing his beautiful bride.

Jessica + Drew: Wedding

2011-08-05T08:09:00.000-06:00

Jessica and Drew were married on the most beautiful, perfect day. Surrounded by the beautiful mountains up Provo Canyon, they became husband a wife.

Venue: Mt Timpanogos Park
Florist: Nephi Floral
Videographer: Hobble Creek Media
Wedding Dress: David's Bridal
Tuxes: Clark's Tuxedo

Changes

2011-08-03T09:55:00.000-06:00

Last weekend Jason, Norah and I escaped to the mountains with my family. As we were sitting around the living room laughing and giving my sister's dating advice (these girls are total heart-breakers), my dad pulled out some old pictures of my brother he keeps in an envelope in his desk. We all laughed fondly as we admired his classic bowl cut and scrawny frame. These were good times.

A few days ago I sat down with Norah at my parent's house and looked through my wedding album with her. I pointed out mommy in her white dress and how handsome her daddy looked (despite the Worst Hair Cut of All Time) and how happy we make each other. She carried this miniature version of my album around for a while, stopping every-so-often to open it up and admire the photographs of the people who love her more than anything.

Winds of change are blowing over here at Jessie Alexis Photography. As soon as I get settled on a new (updated by the fab Jessica) logo, I'll be launching my new Web site. With my new pricing. With new packages. It's all very exciting and I can't wait until it all goes into effect, but the thing I'm most excited about is the re-formation of packages to all include prints and albums. Because really, that's why I do what I do, so you have something to look back on and remember these important times in your life. These tender memories you make belong on a better format than just your blog or facebook, they belong in your home.

Norah's pretty excited about this change too :) And yes, I do have this picture printed - I practice what I preach!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2011-07-29T10:39:00.000-06:00

Today is my birthday. I celebrate 26 wonderful years, and really I couldn't be happier with where I am in my life right now. My handsome husband woke up with Norah (she's an earlier riser and, well, I'd rather not be) and made me a delicious breakfast while I slept in, then we cuddled on the couch while our darling toddler walked around babbling away. So despite the fact that today's "to-do" list is full of mundane grown-up tasks such as renewing my driver's license, today is a good day. The best, in fact, because it's my birthday.

Oh yes, that's me on my first birthday.

Maggie + Adam Engaged

2011-07-26T10:02:00.000-06:00

Maggie and Adam were super nervous to have their picture taken, but I think they did a great job looking comfortable in front of the camera. Of course, 20 minutes into the session we were attacked by a giant rainstorm. Good thing these two are so good looking and we had already taken enough shots that they felt comfortable calling it good. I'm so excited for their laid-back Sundance wedding this September!

Emily + Xing: Wedding

2011-07-21T12:24:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure I can say enough good about these two, both as individuals and as a couple. Photographing their wedding day and spending that time with them was an absolute pleasure.

Hailey + Jordan's engagement session

2011-07-18T10:37:00.000-06:00

Hailey and Jordan really wanted their engagement session to reflect who they are, so a lot of thought was put into this photo shoot and it all paid off! Hailey has always had a special place in her heart for all things vintage and personal, so the quilt we used was one her great-grandmother made. Most of the books and dishes have fun family stories behind them and the truck belong to Hailey's dad, he's been restoring it for years.

Spending an evening with these two was like watching a love story in real-life. Jordan treats Hailey like a true princess, and the way she looks at him you know he's her prince charming.

Weekends

2011-07-15T11:56:00.000-06:00

Bill Watterson once said, "Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless."

I plan on making this weekend count, what about you?

from Emily and Xing's gorgeous wedding

Betsy + Joe: Married

2011-07-13T13:20:00.000-06:00

When I first met Betsy, I had my hair up in rollers, I was dressed in some super cute pajamas and I was sweeping the floor in my apartment. She knocked on the door and I let her in, excited to meet my new roommate. "Oh my goodness," I told her, "the last girls were SO messy, I am glad they're gone." She laughed in my face and told me that I was just going to have to deal with it because she was messy too. Despite her messy ways and my high maintenance, we hit it off and have been besties ever since.

Now Betsy has a new roommate, the husband kind. I was so honored to photograph their beautiful wedding day at the Columbia River Temple in Richland, WA. It was a gorgeous day, perfect for this madly-in-love duo.

Model Shoot

2011-07-08T10:30:00.000-06:00

What do you do when you're in hair school and you spend four hours prepping a model for a school sponsored photo shoot and then you're late for said photo shoot and you want more pictures? You thank your lucky stars your photographer sister lives 10 minutes away and is nice enough to document your hard work ;)

My sister Carlie is a student at Renaissance Academie de Hair Design and as part of their schooling, they get to prep models for photo shoots, how fun is that? So here's a few pictures of her and her group's handiwork:

Haley + Clay: Wedding

2011-07-06T13:58:00.000-06:00

What a beautiful wedding this was! Haley and Clay were an absolute joy to work with, as were both of their families. Haley and Clay are high school sweethearts, and, in Haley's words, " It has been quite the journey for us. Just knowing that all of that is behind us and that we can finally be together FOREVER is an amazing feeling. Our wedding day was perfect. I felt like a princess. We were blessed to have so many of our friends and family here to share our special day."

Dress: Avenia Bridal
Flowers: A Flower Affair
Reception Location: Wadley Farms
Videographer: David Perry (you MUST go watch their video here)
Caterer: Marvellous Catering
Suits: Men's Warehouse
Cake: Marilyn Jenkins

God Bless America ...

2011-07-04T14:07:00.001-06:00

Kara's Bridals

2011-07-04T11:13:00.000-06:00

I am so excited for this cute girls wedding this coming Saturday!

Courtney + Peter: Wedding

2011-06-30T09:07:00.000-06:00

Courtney and Peter are the absolute picture of timeless grace (except, of course, for Peter's occasional funny-face photo to lighten the mood :) ) Working with them was a delight! Peter and Courtney allotted some extra time on the wedding day before the reception for some pictures of them at the reception center. This allowed us even more time to capture some beautiful photos of them as a newly married couple. If time permits, this is something I would definitely recommend!

Reception Venue: White Willow
Florist: The Flower Girl
Caterer: White Willow
Cake: Wedding Cakes by Dawna
Bride's hair and make up: Hair and Makeup by Steph
Wedding Dress: Fantasy Bridal
Photography: Jessie Alexis Photography

Romance

2011-06-28T13:20:00.000-06:00

"If June could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance."
-Bern Williams

Haley Bridals

2011-06-24T09:23:00.000-06:00

Haley is a true beauty, inside and out. Photographing her was an extreme pleasure, I mean honestly, she looks like she belongs on the cover of a wedding magazine!

Dress: Avenia Bridal
Flowers: A Flower Affair

Father's Day

2011-06-23T09:40:00.000-06:00

Some girls have all the luck. My baby girl is one of these girls. Her daddy is the best around, and she is simply spoiled with attention. Her amazing grand-daddy (my daddy) lives just 15 minutes away, and he is positively smitten with her. On Sunday we celebrated these two men and the special place they hold in our hearts, and Norah and I couldn't be happier!

Prayers for Johnny

2011-06-21T20:29:00.000-06:00

Just over five months ago, my dear friend Macie gave birth to the most lovable little boy. He was born with a myriad of health problems, but he was also born with a lot of fight and spirit in him. For the past five months, Johnny has received care from the excellent doctors at Primary Children's Medical Center and tomorrow he goes in for open heart surgery.

Macie and her husband Keven are two of the strongest people I have been blessed to know. Their love for each other, their daughter Eva and their precious son Johnny could not be more apparent. As Johnny goes in for heart surgery tomorrow, I'd ask that each of you remember him in your prayers. Macie often quotes Marjorie Pay Hinckley when she said, "how did a girl like me end up in a mess like this?" It's because you are truly one of God's most amazing, strong children and I am so blessed to call you a friend.

Jessica Bridals

2011-06-20T10:07:00.000-06:00

This beautiful girl got married to the love of her life on Saturday, so now I can post her bridals!! Photographing her was such a pleasure, isn't she just stunning?

Martina + AJ: Wedding

2011-06-16T09:53:00.000-06:00

Do you remember this amazing couple who won our wedding giveaway? Well here are the pictures from their wonderful wedding! A huge thank-you to all the vendors who helped make their wedding day magical.

Photography: Jessie Alexis Photography
Flowers: SAS Floral
Videography: Daylight Productions
Dress: David's Bridal
Tux: Tuxedo Warehouse
Invitations: Polka Dots and Daisies

For Haley

2011-06-14T09:59:00.000-06:00

A sneak peek for Haley, since I know she's been checking my blog for a glimpse at her beautiful wedding!! No worries, plenty more to come :)

Jessica + JD: Married

2011-06-06T10:44:00.000-06:00

What a beautiful (and fun!) wedding this was! It was sandwiched between two stormy stormy days, but the sun came out just for Jessica and JD.

Ceremony: Mt. Timpanogos Temple
Reception: Bella Vista
Flowers: Flowers for Any Occasion
Wedding Dress: Mary's Bridal
Cake: Wedding Cakes by Dawna
Photobooth: Serendipity Photobooths

Morgan + Clay: Bridals

2011-06-03T07:54:00.000-06:00

On the day we had scheduled Morgan's bridals, the weather report said there was a 100 percent chance of rain. Morgan's mom was only in town for a short time, and between busy schedules, this was the only time that worked for anyone. But miracle of miracles, the weather reports were wrong and we had perfectly cloudy skies and not even one drop of rain. Doesn't she look stunning in her dress from Gateway Bridal? And I can't stress enough how much I love taking bridals at the Thanksgiving Point Gardens, gorgeous!

Kara + Sam: Engaged

2011-05-31T09:08:00.000-06:00

Kara and Sam are oh so in love, and I LOVED getting to know them during our photoshoot. Seriously so excited for the wedding!!

Emily + Xing: Bridals

2011-05-31T08:57:00.000-06:00

This shoot was nothing short of a rollicking good time, seriously. Between these two and Emily's mom, I think we laughed more than we photographed ... but no worries, we got some beautiful shots.

So big!

2011-05-26T22:44:00.000-06:00

My baby girl is growing up. In fact, she's now 11 months. Naturally, I'm planning a big party for her first birthday. Oh yes, I am soooo that mom. We snapped a few shots for the back of her invitation. She's not my most patient or still model, but I dare say she is my cutest :)

And because, yes again, I am soooo that mom, will ya spare a second and vote for Norah here? Merci.

Jen + Ryan: Engaged

2011-05-25T10:48:00.000-06:00

I first met Jen the summer before her senior year when I took her picture as part of the Orem High Cheer squad. We met up again at the end of her senior year so I could take her senior pictures, and now I have the extreme honor of photographing her wedding in August!!

Thalia + Shae: Married

2011-05-23T10:08:00.000-06:00

This lovely lady is the sister of this awesome groom. It was so fun seeing her family again and getting to know Shae's sweet family.