The day after Thanksgiving...

wasn't about shopping.  I did a little online at 12:01am, but then went to bed and we slept in.  Later that day I met this darling family.  It was a beautiful day and what a gorgeous location!!!  I wish this was MY backyard!
  



  
 

High Five!

High five, way to go...

Kin, YOU WON!  Please pick someone you'd like to give a free photo shoot to.  This can be for anyone you'd like, friend or family.  Then please email me (mystepha@comcast.net) your address so I can send you the certificate for you to give them for Christmas.

Then because I thought it was an amazing idea by my sister Wendy, I am going to do as she suggested and donate my time to the Odyssey House.  I'm sure those that live there have never had professional pictures done and yet it would help them in their progression to have something like this.  I know a couple of my photography friends are on board to go do this with me, but if there are any others who would like a chance to "give back" just let me know.

Last day...

I am really excited about my give away (a free family photo shoot).  If you didn't see the post, please leave me a comment for a chance to win a free photo shoot for someone you love.  Rather than searching endlessly for the perfect gift, only to find that there isn't one, give them a family photo shoot for Christmas!  They'll love it!  The winner will be announced tomorrow Thanksgiving Day morning!  So go comment!!!!

365 day challenge...

I've taken on the 365 challenge, to post a picture every single day.  I am extremely excited.  I'm a bit scared to take on such a challenge, but I'm anxious to get going.  I have so many thoughts running through my head.  It's helping me be more creative and to think about the little things in my every day life.  This is good.  The thing that will push me is the end result.  I can't wait to have a book of all these pictures, a picture journal of my life over this next year.  Time flies by so quickly, it's the best way for me to keep track of my real life and then have a way to remember it all.  I haven't decided if this will be just pictures or if I'll feel the need to add some comments along with it.  Maybe it will be a bit of both.  In any case, it will be me.    
My life in progress...

What's inspired me?  My first teacher Carin Davis, her decision to do this and the link to this post.  If you'd like to follow this challenge, please visit... www.stephajorgensen.blogspot.com 
Or maybe you'd like to take on the same challenge, if so, I'd love to know about it.

Fall turns to Winter...

It's that time of year...

The time for GIVING!  Everyone loves to give and even to receive a gift.  With Thanksgiving around the corner and Christmas soon after that, I thought I'd tie the two together.  Here is your chance to GIVE a gift for CHRISTMAS.  I am GIVING away a free family photo shoot to someone you love.  Please leave a comment either describing something you or someone else you know has done for someone.  I always love to hear stories of those that give and donate.  I'm always touched and inspired to do more, give more, be more gracious and helpful.  I specifically read blogs of those that are these incredible people all the time, to help remind me and to give me ideas on how I can help.  I want to be a good example to my children and to teach them the blessing that come from giving.  Please leave the comment by Sunday November 22nd at midnight.  I will draw a name and reveal the winner on Thanksgiving morning.  The winner will receive the chance to give someone they love a free family photo shoot with me.

Now for something I am truly THANKFUL for.  My dear friend Suzanne!  She was so kind to come take our family pictures this year!  I love her for all that she has done for me, helped me through and taught me.  This has been a fun year for us!  I'm excited for our little trip we as couples are taking this weekend to Vegas.  Expect to see lots of pictures from the two of us. 

A LONG time friend!

We've known each other for 12 years or so and I'm so glad we've remained such great friends.  I love her and look forward to her phone calls.  Our lives are so similar.  We always seem to share similar frustrations, and struggles with everyday life and between the two of us one of us has seen an Oprah or heard some great advice to share and help the other.  And no matter how long between phone calls or play dates, it's always the same.  This weekend we battled the chilly, Autumn air and tried for that ever so desired family picture to put on this years Christmas card.  It was chilly and the kids were not excited to be there, to say the least.  It was a tough go.  BUT...we managed and with the ever so inspired idea to throw the toy horse into the air and watch him fall to his death over and over, we got some smiles.  This is my favorite!  If you know me, you know I love candid more than anything. 

They don't get cuter than this!

And I seriously believe this!  I would steal these little girls just so I could take their picture all the time.  They are so stinkin' adorable!  Remember the cookie picture?  And the little girl squishing her sisters cheeks, well here she is again.  I am so glad I was asked to take their family pictures.  I had so much fun and it was like Christmas for me going through ALL their adorable pictures!  I oohed and awed through the hundreds of pictures I took of them!  Thanks J family, you guys were AWESOME to hang out with!

 

    
 

My own little guy!

Life has been a little busy, but thank goodness for my friend Suzanne who realized it's been over a month since my little guy turned 4 and that I hadn't done 4 year old pictures of him.  So, with a follow up phone call to make sure we were going to go do pictures, we were off.  I had to do some major convincing to get him to go, but well... it was worth it.  And like any 4 year old boy, it came with some convincing the whole time we were out.  I figured out the best method for getting him to work with me was to ask him to take let me take three pictures that I wanted and then he could do whatever he wanted for three more.  His choices were the jumping and climbing, and guess what... those are some of my favorites!  It's him being the total boy that he is.  I love it!

   
  
 
   
 

A cute little family of four...

J+K=Absolute Love

These two were so into each other. They were constantly "in the moment" and you could just feel their genuine love for each other. WOW! Here are just a couple favorites...

Brotherly love...

Brothers... the dad of this family knows that it's great to have a brother, he's got 6 of them.


I love how as he grabs his wife's butt she stands there smiling as if nothing is going on. She wanted a nice, couple shot she could hang on her wall. He wasn't as concerned about that obviously.

A different perspective...

Sorry, for the lack of posts. I've been CRAZY busy and wish somehow I could push a pause button of some sort. Maybe in the next life?

My husband and I had the chance to go to his bosses wedding at Tuscany. I got to be the guest this time and NOT the photographer. But like I could go without my camera, are you nuts? I took it, along with some pictures that came from a completely different perspective... the guest perspective. 90% of my shots were taken FROM MY SEAT. I love it.

Taken while in my seat...

She sat in front of me during the ceremony...

All from my seat...

The moment he saw her...


I sat at table #13 and took these while sitting there...

His boss with his plate of food...


And then I got up and took a few... (you'll notice they're looking at the photographer, not me).

Back at my seat I captured her with her grandpa...

And lastly my favorites...
For the ring picture, I kindly asked "the photographer" if he'd be kind enough to go get them so I could take one of their rings. He was a nice guy.

A sneak peak of what's to come...

Their wedding day was fabulous. It was at the Mt. Timp Temple (we've never shot there before so that was fun) and their reception was in the most magical back yard... a creek, a bridge, and even little light posts. It was like a park, rather than a backyard. Here's one of them on the bridge AT THE RECEPTION... who would have guessed. There's tons to still go through but I thought I'd share this really quick.

Gorgeous bride!

Friday was the big day, so I can post these now. It's always fun for me to meet the families that shaped the bride and groom. Yesterday was no different and no surprise. She comes from an amazing family and she's marrying one equally as great! It was a fun day for me and Suzanne. Our wedding pictures to come soon, but for now... her bridals.

What a stud!

He seems so tough, but to be around him he's so quiet and gentle. It was a fun shoot and something a little different. Good luck in NYC!

She's as sweet as she is gorgeous!

My sister in law is trying out to be a Phoenix Suns cheerleader this coming weekend. She needed a head shot to use and turn in. Lucky for me, she had to make a quick trip up to Utah. For the five seconds that she was in town I was able to take some for her. She's so beautiful and fun, I could have taken pictures of her all day, but we only had a few minutes. Thus, I had to stick to strictly head shots. Between her, my mom and my sister we narrowed it down to these for her to choose from...



Best of luck to you! We're rooting for you!

A year old already?

She's a little doll baby and growing up so fast! The boys are going to love to gaze into her gorgeous blue eyes when she's older (sorry Sadie, it's true). Here are a few of my favorites!

My own...

She's likes getting her picture taken. She likes when I show her the image after I take it. She likes to pose. She's only two! This is her latest pose and all on her own! Where did she learn to do this? Can you say adorable!

Can you tell...

I had a hard time choosing my favorite. I usually don't have such a hard time picking a favorite or two, but this time I struggled getting it down to 13. He's just so stinkin' cute. I could have taken pictures of him all day. Which is your favorite?

Remember the maternity pictures of my sister in law in the field? This is her little guy, which makes him my newest little nephew (2 weeks old). So glad he's here safe and doing well. I LOVED holding him and wish there was some way of having kids without going through pregnancy. If it were possible, I think I'd have 20. Isn't he precious!

Photowalking Event (Jordan River Parkway location)

There were two walks I took part in on Saturday; the first was downtown SLC and the second was at the Jordan River Parkway. I'm not always super inspired or creative when it comes to nature pictures. Like I said before, I'm drawn to people and for good reason. But, I thought I'd share my favorite flower picture and what I did with it. I think it turned out pretty cool...

After some basic editing...

Played with it a little...

And finally...

I think each has it's own feel and I love it.

Worldwide Photowalking Event

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to "walk" with some of the greatest photographers in Utah. It was a Worldwide Photowalking day, where over 30,000 photographers worldwide set out together in their own cities to walk (and take pictures of course). It was a hot, miserable day, but fun none the less. I always enjoy the time I'm able to spend with my fellow photographer friends and I ALWAYS learn something new. I didn't take a whole lot of pictures, I was there to watch and learn mostly. Suzannes neice came along with us and I being drawn to take pictures of people more than buildings or nature had her model for a few. As you can see, she's a gorgeous girl and as sweet as the come! I love her!

To view the rest from my walk click here.

Engaged!

They are amazingly giddy! They wouldn't stop looking at each other and smiling. It was as if Suzanne and I weren't even there. When I got home and went through the pictures there were very few of them looking at the camera. So cute! A few faves...

I couldn't resist...

I don't think she could either... Check out that pile of cookies, not just one, but THREE all at once! They were delicious cookies for sure (my sister makes amazing chocolate chip cookies). This was just too irresistible to pass up.

Long time no see...

in more ways than one.
I haven't posted in a bit, but not because I haven't been busy. Summer has started (finally) and I have really been enjoying getting ouside with the kids and going to the pool.
Last week, I had the opportunity to shoot a bridal shower... a unique situation. My sister and I grew up in California. We had wonderful, wonderful friends. Thanks to FB we've each gotten in touch with some of those friends that we grew up with. My sister, threw a bridal shower for one of those friends and asked me to come shoot it. It was a small bridal shower, but full of fun getting to see old friends. My sister managed to find a way to get them all there, even from out of state. I couldn't have had more fun sitting back and watching girls I hadn't seen in 15 years... long time no see. And it was like old times, fun and full of laughter! These girls reminded me of their moms, that as a young woman I watched and admired. Now these girls are another version of these amazing moms. Thanks girls for letting me "tag along."

The bride to be...

The group of friends...


Nothing like good food to go with good friends...

And for their kids who stole the show...

The rest of the family...

Later that day we gathered up the rest of the family and did some more pictures... Isn't my sister gorgeous? And her children... beautiful, don't you think? I think so. I love them like they're my own. They're all such sweethearts for kids! They're also excellent examples and great friends to my kids. I am a lucky Aunt Stepha!

Gorgeous little Niece of mine!

Yesterday I met up with my sister and we took a few of her baby girl. She turned one last month so she wanted some 1 year old pictures of her. At first we tried in the studio but the natural light was muted because of all the clouds, so we decided to go outside, but would you know it the sun started shinning right down on us. We could see that the entire valley was covered by great clouds, except for where were were at! So back to the studio we went. Oh well, here's one that I love! The sun shinning right on her beautiful little face and bright blue eyes.

Eureka!

Last weekend, I was invited to come along on a "Mini Photowalk" to Eureka, UT. What an incredible (kinda) ghost town. Apparently, this town used to be as big as Park City. It thrived on Gold and when the gold mining ran out, the town died with it. It's got some incredible little, old shops that seem to be the main street of town. It's so sad to see, but it appeared as though they may be trying to bring it back to life. There was so much there, and so many great places to take pictures. It's a gold mine in the fact that there are SO many cool places to shoot. I could have spent the WHOLE day there. I know we'll go back, it's just so cool there. Here are a few faves...

With or without texture... either way she's gorgeous.

My friend!

My darling friend Andrea is so great to me. I was in desperate need of a babysitter the weekend I went up to Idaho to shoot a wedding. She stepped in and offered which I thought was so sweet of her. She said to me, "That's what friends are for." Thank you Andrea, you have no idea how much that meant to me. Nothing better than good friends in life! What would we do without them? Here are a few of her looking super fab! Don't ya think?

4 weeks to go...

This past week, I had to opportunity to go out and photograph my gorgeous sister in law. She's due this month with baby #2. I think she looks amazing. I have never looked this good the last month of pregnancy with any of my three. I'm so jealous.

Okay so here's a few more like I promised...

My little girl as happy as can be... I love this kid!!!

Matilda Jane Clothing...

I am so stinkin' excited right now! I am a major fan of Matilda Jane Clothing and think my kids look so ADORABLE in every piece I've ever gotten. They are just the cutest clothes in the whole world. Today, I received one awesome compliment when I found that the latest blog header on the Matilda Jane blog is not only my daughter, but a picture I took of her. To view click here. It means the world because not only is she amazingly creative, she is a photographer herself. So this comes as a major compliment to me.

Oh my goodness!!!!

I just HAD to throw this up immediately, more to come tomorrow when I have a chance to edit the rest from today! It was a spur of the moment thing... on the way home from the gym "B" was being ABSOLUTELY adorable laughing in the car, giggling at the silliest things and making me smile. I decided (since my MJ raspberry ruffles came today) to run home throw her MJ outfit on and take her out for pictures. I told "S" and "J" to grab their cameras (Fisher Price) and let's go do a photo shoot of "B". They were all for it. So, the three of us, cameras in hand headed out the door. I could not have asked for better. The smiles and giggling continued and I captured some of her biggest smiles EVER today! I'm so glad. She is one happy kid and I love her beautiful smile. Here's just one of many more I'll post tomorrow. I've got to run out the door to do another photo shoot....

Scott and Victoria...

Suzanne and I had the opportunity to shoot this darling couple last Friday. The family was fabulous... SO FUN! I really enjoy hanging out and meeting so many great people that day. Weddings are great, everyone is so upbeat, happy, silly even on wedding days. It makes it so much fun. Makes me smile behind the camera to watch and capture them in the moment. Here are a few faves...

The boys!

Suzanne and I are always taking pictures, today it was of our boys! Aren't they handsome!

My own sweet model turned TWO!

My BABY (where'd she go?) turned two this week. Here are some of my favorites that I took of her on her actual birthday!