We were very excited to have this little angel in the studio again.  And we couldn’t believe it was time for her first birthday!  It’s been such an amazing thing to be able to see little Kendall grow up.  And it seems like yesterday that we did her newborn and six month old photos.  This little girl is growing up SO fast!  Parents always tell us that they wished they could stop time, and I’d like to think that photography helps them remember the little things about their baby girl that change all too quickly.   The Cake Smash session was a lot of fun, and I think big sister, Myra, even got in on some cake tasting too  Happy First Birthday sweet Kendall Betty!  Hugs, Melissa & Kristen

We love having little babies in the studio, I mean, it really doesn’t get any happier than having a sweet little angel wrap her fingers around yours to make your heart melt. Baby Emilie was only one month old when we met her and I absolutely fell in love with her the instant I laid eyes on her.  It was so great to see proud mom, Jessica and smitten dad, Jeff, interact with their little piece of heaven.  This is one of the parts of  my job that I love, watching how something so little can create a love so BIG!

Welcome to the world little Emilie!  ~ Melissa

In 2010 I taught a workshop for beginner photographers called “Picture This“.   In developing the class syllabus, I quickly realized that I needed some models.  Being that Kendall’s mom, Kirsten, was a friend of mine and a workshop attendee (the workshop was promoted through her then store, About Memories and More), it wasn’t hard getting the girls to come out.  You see, Kendall and Leah have been best friends since Kindergarten and they were always together.  So, it was perfect to have them involved in the workshop.  In exchange for being a model for us, I always told these young ladies they could have a free photo session any time they wanted.

And the time came last week.

Kendall and Leah are about to leave the nest as they graduate high school and begin a new adventure on their own, an education here in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University.   Currently Kendall attends Flagstaff High School and Leah goes to Northland Prep Academy.   Both girls have enjoyed high school but are looking forward to the next stage of their life as college students.  Kendall is undecided for a major, but is leaning towards a career in Nutrition.   Leah has her eyes set on a degree in English with a minor in Psychology.  Leah hopes to one day live in Oregon or Washington State to teach kids how to write stories, poetry, essays and to show them that reading can be fun!  Being that their paths will ultimately stray far away from one another, doing a Best Friend photo session seemed very fitting for these beautiful young ladies.

Thank you for spending the afternoon with us ladies, we had a great time with you both! ~ Melissa

We are excited that Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner!  This means that the weather is perfect for an outdoor photo shoot.  And what would make your photo shoot just a bit more perfect?  Dressing the latest fashion trends of the season!  According to fashion designer, writer, and Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) Ambassador, Carmen Marc Valvo, this season Poppy Red is in. Poppy Red is dynamic and exciting with a cultural influence from Asia.  Simply perfect for all those sunny days and outdoor photo sessions this Spring and Summer.  Ivory and black are the perfect accent colors for this vibrant red, and will be flattering on most everyone.  If you are graduating and planning on taking a senior portrait or even just a fun family session, we think that these outfit ideas are perfect for some inspiration.

One of my favorite parts of being a Flagstaff Photographer is that many of my clients I can also call friends.  Erin and I met 15 years ago when I moved to Flagstaff to attend Northern Arizona University.  We were young eighteen year old kids starting our college careers.  Erin is that friend that would do any thing for you and was always the mother hen of our group.  When we were in college she would  make dinner for us girls so that we had a good meal before we went out on the town.  Erin has so many wonderful qualities, I know she will be a fabulous nurturing  mother!   I feel so blessed that I get to be a part of this new chapter in Erin’s life.

Erin and I had discussed doing her maternity session in Tucson before her baby shower.  Unfortunately it poured rain all day so we scrapped the outdoor session and had a relaxed shoot in her hotel room. The room had wonderful floor to ceiling windows which allowed for some beautiful filtered light.   Erin and her husband Clint wanted a simple shoot that celebrated this special time in their lives.  Isn’t she a stunning pregnant lady!?

Clint cuddled up with Erin and baby Jack for a few photos.  Clint is so sweet to Erin, he really takes care of her and is so excited to be a dad.

Congratulations to my amazing friends!  I wish you all the happiness in the world and can not wait to meet baby Jack!  xoxo ~Kristen

We are in the season of saying goodbye to the snow and welcome in the beautiful sunshine and warm weather.  Lemon Zest and Sunflower are just the right colors to perfectly illustrate that natural transition.  As Flagstaff and Sedona senior portrait photographers we could not be more excited about this years spring fashion.   Lots of bright fresh colors that are youthful and really pop in a portrait.   Below are some fun outfit ideas for all you ladies and gentlemen.  If you are planning for your Senior portrait or family photography session, these are some great outfit inspirations that follow the spring and summer fashion trends.

Ladies, Lemon Zest is a vibrant citron yellow color that is optimistic and the perfect fit for that playful attitude the spring season brings about.  According to the Pantone Fashion Report for Spring 2013, this happy color can be complimented best by colors such as deep raspberry, bright chambray, or acid green.

And for all you gentlemen out there, the robust yellow found in Sunflower offers and earthy flavor and feel, that when combined with emerald and monaco blue, creates a sort of sophistication to something so simple.