As Flagstaff family photographers we love capturing important moments in life, a first birthday is definitely a exciting one.  Kenzi came into the studio this month for her First Birthday Baby Cakes Session! What’s that you ask?  It’s a session, especially for one year olds where we offer them their own birthday cupcake.  It’s usually a big, sloppy messy mush, but little Kenzi ate her her special cake, created by Dawn at Cupcake & CO, very delicately:)  It was the cutest thing to watch her carefully eat the sugar icing off the top of her giant cupcake.  This little one was nothing short of an angel in front of the camera and we loved having her here.  Happy First Birthday sweet Kenzi!

One of the reasons that we love living in Flagstaff is because of it’s very distinctive four seasons.  I can think of very few cities that boast a definite Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall and we love photographing in all of them.  Every year we call a last minute, “Snow Day” mini session day during or after one of our first snow storms of the winter season.  I named it “Snow Day” not because of my husband’s employer, New Belgium Brewing Company, which has a delightful beer named Snow Day, but because when I grew up in Georgia, we would anticipate a “Snow Day” the way some out here wish for winning the lottery.  When it snowed, we were EXCITED!  Stores, employers and schools would close and all of us would be out in the two inches of snow that might accumulate with our sleds and in enough gear to suit a Rocky Mountain blizzard.  When I think back, it was hilarious.  Still to this day, on our first snow storm, I still get that excited!  And, Kristen and I had a blast!  Thanks to all the families that came out and braved the sometimes heavily falling snow, we hope you get that same feeling of excitement when it snows as we do!   We’re looking forward to a real White Christmas! Happy Holidays everyone! ~ Melissa

This past Saturday we met up with the Dunn Family for a classic outdoor Flagstaff Family Session.   When Shelly first called about a family session and told me why they were coming to Flagstaff, I thought they were coming to the Polar Express in Williams, which I had heard about before, but when we scouted the Little America Hotel the day before,  we were surprised to find about a new adventure for our area, The North Pole Expereince.  We found out that kids had the opportunity for sleigh rides, breakfast with Santa and even bedtime stories with Mrs. Claus.  Seriously, can you imagine how exciting that would be for a kid?  (Who am I kidding…exciting for everyone!)  When we met up with the trio, little Caylee, who is only 4 years old, was very excited about the whole event and told us all about what she was asking Santa for…a cash register.  Kristen and I thought that was the cutest request ever.  Thank you for spending your morning with us and Caylee, I hope that Santa brings you the sweetest cash register he can find!  Happy Holidays! ~ Melissa

I’ve known the Urtuzuastegui’s for about seven years. Now, I’ll admit, I can’t spell their name without looking it up, nor can I even pronounce it. It’s a bit embarrassing, but they seem to like me just the same. This family is more like my own.  Between them all, I’ve photographed two weddings, one high school senior session and five family sessions.  Nothing is better than watching a family grow up.  I remember when Isaiah was just a baby and now he’s about 4 feet tall!  And Sienna was just 7 years old when I met her.  She made me a piece of art when she was younger, an artwork of finger-painted butterflies.   I thought it was one of the  nicest thing I had ever received and still have it.  Now a beautiful 14 year old, Sienna is a student at Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy.  Kristen is now a senior at Grand Canyon High School and I remember when she was a bridesmaid in her mom’s wedding back in 2008.  We photographed Debra and Jeremy’s wedding back in 2009, and their little girl, Shelby,  just turned one!  Seriously, where does the time go?  So much can change in seven years, but one thing has never changed, they way I adore this family.  So, it ‘s fitting that I’d post their family photos on Thanksgiving, for they are one of the things I’m thankful for.

A photographer friend of mine in Austin, TX reminded me just yesterday that the most cherished things of all are not things, but rather, moments with friends and family.

Hoping each of you have a day filled of meaningful moments with the ones that you cherish the most.

Happy Thanksgiving! ~ Melissa

Gold aspen leaves are what define fall in Flagstaff.  A couple of weeks ago we met up with the Gross family on a brisk but beautiful fall morning at Aspen Corner.   One of the best parts of our job is that we get to watch families come together and grow.  Melissa photographed Lauren and Justin for their engagement in fall of 2009.  About six months ago we were honored to photograph their newborn, precious baby Kendal.  After creating a relationship with our clients we are always happy to see them again.  So we were especially excited to see this family for their family holiday portraits.  It is amazing how much babies grow in six months!  Kendal is such a little lady, with the cutest personality.  Kendal’s room is decorated in yellow and grey and has been a consistent theme in her photographs.  We just adored Kendal’s yellow corduroy shorts, I kinda want a pair:)  Myra, the families sweet boxer, really appreciated that we were outside instead of our studio this time.  She  loved racing around, finding sticks, and looking for birds.  Lauren, Justin, Kendal and Myra, we always enjoy seeing you and catching up on your life.  Thank you for being wonderful clients!  We can’t wait until Kendal’s 1st birthday! ~Kristen    

We recently photographed the Lopez Family at Aspen Corner in Flagstaff.  This time of year is so beautiful on the mountain with the changing aspen leaves.  The brillant gold color really pops!  The Lopez family recently relocated to Flagstaff from Portland so this was their first fall aspen experience.  We had alot of fun playing with their little girl Brianna.  What a cutie!  She just wanted to run, explore and walk on fallen trees.  Thank you for spending the afternoon with us, it was great getting to know you! ~Kristen & Melissa