WINNER of Mountainville Academy Photo Contest!

Photo credit:  Maren Quist

Recently I was a guest speaker for a photography workshop at Mountainville Academy in Highland.  I challenged the workshop participants to enter an image into my workshop contest that used a technique that I had touched on during the class.  We talked about lighting, the rule of thirds, filling the frame, and other composition styles.  It was a lot of fun sharing my passion for photography with future young photographers!!!:) 

So without further ado...DRUM ROLL PLEEEZ.....the winner of the photo contest is MAREN QUIST! 
She writes, "I was so happy to work on this picture!! I love this picture I took of my little brother, Eli. He is so adorable in it. I used the rule of thirds and lighting."

The image was chosen because we loved everything about it.  The composition was interesting, and the subject matter (her brother) definitley put a smile on our faces.  Great job Maren! 

So what does she win you ask?

A COMPLIMENTARY PHOTO SESSION with MUAH!!!!

So Maren, give me a call or e-mail me to schedule your session!  AWESOME WORK!  Maybe I'll get you to assist me one of these days!:) 

Phone: 801.331.8719
E-mail: sanaejames@gmail.com

Fernandez Family | Utah Family Photography

How totally cute is this family?!?  It was great to work with a family with older kids for a change.  No chasing kids, no making goofy faces or jumping up and down.  Don't get me wrong, I love the little ones, but I do love a calm, relaxed shoot as well. 

Lately I've been shooting a lot at Star Mill in American Fork.  Everyone seems to be loving the rustic vibe that the Mill gives.  I always try to find new spots there to shoot since I don't want to make it look like everyone has the same pictures, you know?  (a.k.a. GREEN DOOR--all you local photographers know what I'm talking about...)  Hopefully we were able to get that for the Fernandez fams since they had their family pictures taken there last year from another photographer!  ha..ha..:)  Hey, but if you like the mill, you like the mill, right?!?

To the Fernandez Family:  You guys are AWESOME!  Thanks for letting me photograph your lovely family.  You have a gorgeous family--love your eyes and the beautiful shiny dark hair.  love love love them.  Trust me when I say there is more to come...gotta enjoy my holidays for a bit, then I'll get right back to you!!!:)

Holla for Friday!

I'm just getting back to editing pictures of my own kids and thought I'd share this one. It's the way I'm feeling right now...happy and wanting to jump up for joy because the weekend is basically here! My favorite part of this weekend will be to just relax and play with the kids since I've been a little preoccupied lately. It's almost Thanksgiving, too...can't believe how fast time is flying this year!

Baby Peyton | Utah Newborn Photography

The sweetest thing to see is a beautiful little baby asleep don't ya think? She was a doll! Welcome to the world little one!

The Kiddos | Utah Child Photography

These are my kiddos tryin to help their mom find new spots to photograph at. This is a spot close to our home (I'm trying to find locations that are close i.e. Lehi, but still have a lot of texture and grit to them). I'm off to try other spots--so I'm sure you'll see more of these cuties! If there's a spot you want me to try out, or if you've heard of some cool places (and it doesn't have to be in Lehi), please let me know. I'm always up for something new!

The Boyce Girls & Boy | Utah Child Photography

I am really liking the pops of color lately--so we've been venturing out to Star Mill in American Fork quite a bit. Each time I go there I find something new and get inspired...here are a few of the Boyce girls. Love 'em--they are so cute. My girls adore them, especially because they are their only girl cousins. We're so glad we live close to these girlies! Here's just a few to get ya started.

FALL in love with American Fork Canyon

Did you get it? "FALL" in love with American Fork Canyon...I'm clever aren't I. yes. yes I am. I am missing Fall already. I snapped this picture a while back when I was doing a session up AF Canyon. I saw the gorgeous light coming from the sun with these amazing trees so I had to take a picture. As I sit and look out my window I see all of the leaves off of my trees in my backyard scattered in my yard. Despite the warm weather we are having, I have to face the fact that winter is here. Ugh.

Horner Family | Utah Family Photographer

I loved everything about the Horners. A) Teri is a sister of one of my good friends from back in the BYU days. LOVE TERI. My new BFF!:) B) Their outfits were perrrfect! C) Teri MADE her daughter's headband!!! I'm secretly jealous of crafty ladies. D) Good Lookin' Dad &Mom=ADORABLE girl. E) They were fun, nice, and totally chill--which is TOTALLY my STYLE!!:)

I can't say enough about how awesome the Horners were so I'll show it in the images below...just a few, but definitley more awesomeness to come your way guys! It was great to finally meet you guys! Hope you like the sneak peek!

My fav from the session--to the left...:)

Kaito Boyce | Utah Newborn Photography

Well, Kai is not exactly a newborn since he's about a month and a half, but is nonetheless my cousin's cute little baby boy that we are all in love with! You see, they have three girls, we have three girls--and we never thought it would happen, but after deciding that they were going to have a family of girls, Kai surprised us all! We are so happy for his arrival and we adore this cute one. We just had a short little session at my pad to showcase his awesomeness...welcome to the world baby cousin! (as Jolie calls him)

Can you take a guess as to where their allegiance lies? I wonder where Kai will be going to college!? hmm....

Landon Nieman | Utah Newborn Photography

I normally don't get the chance to do newborn sessions very often, so when I took this little guy's pictures, I had forgotten how much work it takes to soothe a newborn. He was REALLY good considering the fact that we were trying to move him around and put him in all different positions. We kept waking him up from his precious naps. SORRY Landon!!! I think we were able to walk away with some definite keepers though. Rod & Sara thanks for your patience and working hard in my HOT house. You have a beautiful little boy and such a precious little family!!! More to come soon...

P.S. If you are wondering where to get the ADORABLE little hats and diaper covers, check out the ARIRI SHOP, they are some of her newest creations!

Crystal & Ari | Utah Childrens Photography

I've been trying to play catch up...I promise I'll have your images ready soon! I love this image of them together. :)

Torgerson Family | Utah Family Photography

What can I say about this awesome family...To start, they've had their session scheduled so long ago...and each time the session date started creeping near, something would happen. Someone would either be really sick, the weather would be awful...something bad would always happen! But FINALLY we got good weather, and everyone was doing good so we jumped at the chance.

On a sidenote...I hate winter. Man, we lost light so fast I had to work quickly to get some pics in. Luckily the Torgersons were such good sports--the kids were SOO well behaved and we were able to rock it out quickly. The MOON even came out as we were finishing up the shoot...which means it was getting DARK! YIKES!

I'm so behind in editing & keeping up with my house and kids...so here's a few to get you excited for more to come!:) Thanks Togersons!

Halloween 2009

We were running late doing errands on Halloween day so I had to rush and get the kids ready for trick or treating. I promised my mom I'd take studio shots of the girls in their costumes--and since I was rushing I didn't get all that I wanted. My lights were a little overexposed--and I wanted to play with the fan, but didn't have time. But you get the idea...My wonderful mom made all of the girls' costumes! I'm so grateful for her...I can't sew at all. Thanks Baya! The girls loved their costumes!