Keki Photography

Arizona Wedding Photographer: VIC + NIKKI (album)

2012-02-02T21:29:00.002-07:00

First comes the proofs,
            Second the artistic editing,
                       Third the one-of-a-kind designing,
       and finally: the Wedding album!

As a storyteller through still images, I keep the wedding album in the back of my mind the entire time I'm photographing. Knowing that by displaying images side-by-side I'm able to bring an event to life, the Wedding Album is truly the pinnacle of the photographer/client relationship!

Every album is different, to match the personality of both the event and couple. For Vic and Nikki they needed a design that was modern/classic, with just a little casual to match their truly happy nature! I'm thrilled to share this design, and the images that bring it to life!

And this is what their beautiful, silk and acrylic covered 10x10 album looks like:

I'm ENGAGED!

2012-01-15T16:43:00.004-07:00

Although this is Keki Photography's blog, and not my own person journal, I'm eager to share my story with my trusted photo community! So many of my clients have become my friends, and I'm assuming everyone likes to hear an engagement story . . . so here you go!

The journey to this very moment in my life has been a roller coaster (which I assume almost everyone can say about their lives) . . . so I'll skip the history and jump to right now. John is the love my life and has swept me off my feet! He's my best friend, and so far our life together has been a beautiful journey of growth, love, and joy. John's given both me and Olivia everything I've ever hoped for: a stable, loving family!

Starting at day one:
John and I met on an airplane, flying from Seattle, WA back to Phoenix. I'd just finished photographing a wedding and John had completed a 180+ mile bike race. We were seated next to each other, and if it wasn't for my lovely, overly talkative daughter, I'm not sure we'd have spoken. But Olivia introduced herself and took the few minutes prior to take-off as an opportunity to talk, talk, talk. After she fell asleep John and I conversed for the rest of the flight, and he left with my business card. I didn't even know his last name!

John friended me on facebook, and after a few months of talking online we saw each other again. Our first few dates were more like interviews, as I worked to discover John's strengths and weaknesses (for both myself and Olivia) and he tried to figure out if he was ready to be an 'instant' daddy . . . that upfront openness created a solid foundation which we've quickly built upon.

I'm pleased to say that the path from beginning to current has truly been an adventure, full of so much joy and love I can't help but laugh while writing this - we are that annoying kind of happy, and it just keeps getting better!

Now the proposal!
On 11.11.11, after a very long, hard day at work, John took me on the light-rail to a bistro in downtown Phoenix. While at dinner he asked a series of BIG questions about our life and relationship (in an effort to challenge and also affirm his pending plans). Our dates are usually light and relaxed, in an attempt to truly vacate from the every day stresses, so this change actually made me a little nervous! But the questions were easy for me to answer (he's known for a while now that I planned to stay with him forever, as long as he'd keep me!).
Taking the light-rail back to Mesa, we headed for our favorite little wine bar, which was beyond full. While sitting at the bar John handed me a card. The back of the envelope said "my one love" and upon separating the card from envelope I read (in very small print) "bride to be" on the cover. I literally almost fell of my stool! Laughing, with hands shaking, I read the sweetest message, promising a life-time of partnership, and praising the solid relationship we've worked so hard to create and maintain. I looked up and found the biggest smile I've ever seen on John's face, with ring in hand. He asked me to be his wife and I immediately answered "YES, I WILL MARRY YOU!" The entire bar started clapping and I was instantly reminded that we weren't alone. The evening finished with chocolate covered strawberry's and champagne, surrounded by congratulations from friends and strangers!

When we told Olivia the next day she screamed loud enough to startle the neighbors, and hasn't stopped talking about all that the future holds. John is greatly loved and admired by both myself and Olivia for all he's invested to establish himself as the head of our family, and Olivia can't wait to see us married!

I'm still in shock at how truly lucky I am to have the love and commitment of my best friend!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Arizona Portrait Photographer: newborn Zachary

2011-10-23T22:00:00.004-07:00

October 22, 2011

Chandler, Arizona; Baby's First Year

Zachary is the fourth addition to the Sirvent's beautiful family. I spent a couple of hours Saturday morning (two weeks exactly since Zachary's birth) working exclusively in their home, and instantly felt welcomed like a friend. The older three kept me busy with their laughter and play when I wasn't creating Zachary's naturally lit newborn portraits. My face was sore from smiling by the time I left, and the images are the perfect mix of documentation and planned portraiture, of a family so full of love it inspires!

the relationship between children and their pets is SO SPECIAL, and for these two, completely mutual!

big sister taking perfect care of her new baby brother!

Arizona Portrait Photographer: John + Jessica ENGAGED!

2011-10-21T13:18:00.008-07:00

Tucson, Arizona; Engagement Session

October 16, 2011

The beauty of photographing friends is that it's comfortable, typically very entertaining, and hopefully gives the "subjects" more freedom to truly be themselves! For John and Jess they're already naturally goofy, with a playful personality that makes it truly enjoyable to be in their company . . . as a photographer this is a dream come true! The ability to document, capture, 'freeze a moment in time', and know that it's an accurate representation of the couple at the end of my lens is so rewarding.

With the honor to photograph a friend comes a greater level of trust and responsibility. I'm always thrilled when those I'm closest to entrust me with their portrait needs, and so relieved when the images are delivered and the reaction is pleasure, because I know that my friendship hasn't been compromised by my art!

It's not only my goal to discover ideal environments for posing, exploring and simply playing around, but also to tell a 'right now' story of each couple (or family), to elaborate on their lifestyle, and hopefully spark a memory of a favorite past-time years from now. When planning a session, I question and suggest until discovering which activity or destination would best accomplish this goal. For John and Jess their love for frozen dessert was at the top of the list so we visited Allegro Gelato Shop, a frequent date destination!

John and Jessica made our time 'working' together truly enjoyable, and their interactions and obvious love for one another made it truly ideal for creating a set of images that I'm so pleased to share! THANK YOU!

Arizona Portrait Photographer: about Brooke Oliphant

2011-10-07T00:25:00.010-07:00

Unintentionally, most of my entries are specifically related to photography. While this makes sense, as it is my intention to mainly share portraiture here, I feel that transparency has value - I get to know my customers well, and due to the nature of Lifestyle Photography I'm welcomed into so many wonderful peoples homes and trusted to document their single moments and milestones ... so here's a glimpse into the areas of my life that are outside of my professional portraiture:

I work full time for All About Smiles Pediatric Dentistry as the Practice Administrator. My relationship started with a marketing partnership (AAS gave a gift certificate to every patient, offering a free mini session with Keki Photography). This started in the winter of 2009. Further assisting the private practice with a new logo and re-designed business identity, I started spending a few hours per day in the office. When one of the two full time employees made a career change, I was "temporarily" thrust into a position I was unprepared for. With a lot of training and fast education, combined with multiple years of business/management experience, I filled the roll and ultimately exceeded my own expectations by creating a second career for myself! Now I work with a group of great people who are also some of my best friends, and (perfect for my personality) my position is dynamic and uniquely different each day. I handle everything related to finance and insurance, customer relations, employee management, and business identity. A bonus is that I still have a wonderful marketing partnership with All About Smiles. With 8 large canvas prints prominently displayed throughout the practice, I'm able to distribute my business card to anyone interested. The exposure is wonderful, and still gives me the freedom to pursue my passion while helping to grow a business I'm truly honored to be a part of!

John and I bought a fixer-upper over a year ago, and spend most evenings and weekends either concepting or working ... it's a great little 50's house that is going to be unbelievable when we're done! Purchased as a foreclosure, it offered ample opportunity for improvement. Living "under construction" is an adventure, but in many ways I'm sure this time in life will be fondly remembered - it's been great to live with less and focus entirely on experiences instead of possessions!

Olivia, my beautiful 6 year old, is in First Grade. Her accelerated program keeps us very busy with homework each evening, but I couldn't be more proud of her diligence and excitement in regards to education. Her bright personality and high energy is the light at the end of my work days, and her enthusiasm for adventure encourages diversions from the weekend to-do-list. She is truly one of my favorite people in the world!

about Brooke Oliphant: 3rd FRIDAY SHOW, downtown Mesa

2011-09-18T21:44:00.002-07:00

Through a referral (thanks Nick!) I was invited to be the feature artist at an Open Door Party hosted the 3rd Friday of every month by a wonderful woman named Jennifer. Upon acceptance I started the very challenging task of sorting through thousands of photos, and choosing which images would represent myself (as an artist) and Keki Photography (as a portrait business). Obviously the lines cross, as portraiture is an art, but it was great to show a few images that have come from my love of photography which don't feature people.

Those who attended overwhelmed me with their kindness and encouragement . . . I believe that the connections made will grow into both friendships and business relationships, and I couldn't be happier! I wanted to share a few images of my artwork hanging in Jen's house:

Arizona Portrait Photographer: COLLINS family

2011-09-02T12:05:00.006-07:00

My goal is long-term relationships - working with people who love my style and approach to telling their story! The beauty in working with families is that children are constantly changing, so it's natural to have new portraits created once each year (or twice).

Scott and Janet's family was my first portrait assignment after moving to Arizona - they found my business card in a coffee shop, and took a chance! There first session was great, with a set of images I'm still thrilled with. Over the past two years Janet has referred me to numerous people, and has gone out of her way to be very encouraging. Thank you Janet!!!

The newest photos created of the Collin's family (in downtown Chandler) are even better than the first set (in my opinion) . . . we spent a lot of time exploring and laughing, and the results are everything I could have hoped for and more. I'm so pleased to work with the same people on multiple occasions, and love that each new experience offers more creativity, as the comfort level grows!

Arizona Portrait Photographer: ROCKY

2011-06-30T20:44:00.002-07:00

Gilbert, Arizona
06.18.11

I was reminded of a few muscles in hibernation after spending an hour running around with Rocky :) His energy made every image dynamic, and I was thrilled with the diverse environments discovered in his home and neighborhood park.

When I'm invited into someones home to create their portraits, I'm instantly faced with a set of challenges: where is the best natural lighting? what are the most photogenic elements? what would be the most memorable of this space in 10 years? Then I have to consider my subjects, their personality, their special requests and expectations for the outcome, and how to use my observations to tell the most comprehensive story.

It was very easy to tell the story of "Rocky's 4th Summer" due to the beautiful home he's growing up in, the clothing provided by mom, and he's bright, sweet personality - the images exceeded all my expectations!

Brenda, thank you for giving me a chance to share in the life of your family. I look forward to watching Rocky grow.

Arizona Portrait Photographer: DEMI

2011-05-09T21:58:00.002-07:00

Late last Saturday afternoon I met Demi and her mom at the Biltmore Fashion Park, where I pushed Demi's comfort zone by photographing her ALL OVER THE MALL, at the beginning of the dinner rush. She did a fabulous job, got some well deserved attention (particularly from two women who were convinced she was a model for the mall), and the results are everything I could have hoped for, and much more!!!

Our conclusion was with the setting sun . . . aside from the wind, (which aided in a lot of laughter and added adventure), I couldn't have asked for better lighting, color, subject matter, and company!

Demi, congratulations on your upcoming graduation! I wish you all the best in your next chapter in life!

Arizona Portrait Photographer: NEVAEH

2011-01-16T14:06:00.013-07:00

downtown Scottsdale, Arizona - 01.15.11

After photographing babies, families, seniors and weddings, it was such a joy to run around with Nevaeh - five years old and so willing to explore, laugh and play! We found excellent environments for photographing (most of which were new to me). Nevaeh didn't mind finding hiding places to change, and I believe would have continued modeling all afternoon!

The lighting, architecture and diversity in Old Town Scottsdale proved to be a photographer's wonder land!

My favorite (although just choosing one from this session is impossible) . . .

Arizona Wedding Photographer: ANGEL + CHRISTINA

2010-11-05T14:58:00.016-07:00

October 29, 2010
Chandler, Arizona @ the Ashley Manor

There are moments in life when everything feels perfect - sometimes it lasts only a second, other times it's a chapter . . . either way, it's a time to cherish! Angel & Christina are a couple who know how to have fun, live in the moment, love & be loved - their wedding felt like it was straight out of the "golden age" in cinema - the lighting, attire and attitude were all worthy of the "big screen"!Christina, thank you for picking me (before you even had a groom)! It was fabulous celebrating with you, Angel, your family & friends! I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness!

Arizona Portrait Photographer: McPeters Family

2010-10-28T22:10:00.015-07:00

In this vast city, I enjoy when my customers suggest their favorite park/coffee shop/resort . . . not only does it challenge my "on the fly" ability to adapt to new environments, I've discovered true treasures here in the greater Phoenix area!

I met the McPeter family early in the morning last Saturday, where we spent close to an hour exploring Veterans Oasis Park - it was great to hike a little, throw rocks in the lake, pose & play in natural and manicured environments! Even better than the space we were in was the knowledge that the McPeters' spend a lot of time enjoying this park - lining up perfectly with my constant goal of capturing "lifestyle", I truly enjoyed this high energy session!

Arizona Portrait Photographer: Tillman Family

2010-08-25T23:14:00.006-07:00

Chandler, Arizona

May 8, 2010 at Desert Breeze Park!

This session took place the day before Mother's Day, and was a gift for mom! We met in the morning & spent almost an hour exploring the Desert Breeze Park (which has a small train running through the property, a large pond, play grounds, walking paths & lots of open landscape). I had a great time laughing, playing, and prompting interactions - the Tillman's were great to photograph! I'm proud to share some of their images!

Arizona Portrait Photographer: JARED

2010-07-31T21:59:00.007-07:00

Gilbert & Mesa, Arizona
July 31, 2010

Jared's senior portrait session this morning was more like a model shoot . . . he knew how to "casually" pose and was willing to try anything, giving me the freedom to be extra creative! We were blessed with beautifully defused lighting, great locations, had some fun trespassing, and just as I envisioned, the post processing helped make these photos really stunning! Thanks Jared, working with you was truly enjoyable! :)

Montana Wedding Photographer: Laurent + Sarah

2010-07-11T14:21:00.005-07:00

Paradise Valley, Montana - Deep Creek Range

July 2, 2008

Laurent & Sarah hired me only days before their small wedding event, which was held at a fabulous country venue: Deep Creek Range! The setting is out-of-this-world, with an entirely mountainous vista. The rolling hills of the property offer great diversity, and the lodge has beautiful natural lighting. It was a perfect setting for this event, and I truly enjoyed celebrating with Laurent & Sarah!

Please enjoy this slideshow album, featuring the best of Laurent & Sarah's event! (a custom product requested by the customer)

Arizona Wedding Photographer: VIC + NIKKI (part one)

2010-07-08T22:54:00.020-07:00

The story of how I meet & form a working relationship with each of my couples shows how big & small our world is . . . from referrals to cold-calls, facebook, direct & indirect advertising, and the ability to search the web, we are all closely connected with one another at a greater level now than ever before. The technology era has offered me the ability to travel world-wide as an artist, and easily work with my customers from great distances! Oh how the photography industry has changed! :)

10 years ago, as a freshman in photography, I was 1000% opposed to digital! Along with half of my peers, we promised to stay "true" to the art, and only use film . . . I'M SO GLAD I GOT OVER THAT SILLY IDEA! I have to admit, it takes as much time to keep up with the changes in professional photography as it does being a photographic artist! And I love it!

Now about Vic & Nikki :)

Vic's sister Josephine found me online, emailed with a very complimentary inquiry, and gifted her brother & (now) sister a complete package (all from the comfort of her home in LA). Thanks to Josephine's kindness, I felt like I knew the Enciso family before I met them, and by the completion of their wedding I felt like family! I always love photographing, but working with this family and sharing in their intimate celebration inspired me, professionally & personally!

The morning before Vic & Nikki tied the knot, I met the entire Enciso family for a casual portrait session . . . . . . . where I was able to spend a few minutes photographing the couple alone! Engagement style photos, whether you've been together for a few months or many years (married or unmarried), are one of my favorite times with a couple. The playful/intimate style tells such a great story about the couples personality & love ... and I'm crazy about the photos we created in such a short time!
wedding images to follow . . .

Arizona Portrait Photographer: TWINS!

2010-06-26T21:37:00.005-07:00

Phoenix, Arizona (family visiting from Australia)
February 10, 2010

Referrals make me giddy (like a little girl, I want to jump up & down). Thanks so much Rob & Minnah for so highly recommending me to the Barnett's!

I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING TWINS . . . AND BABY'S. Put them together, and I'm in heaven! :) These little girls were so sweet & easy to photograph! It was raining outside, so the natural lighting was beautifully diffused - everything came together perfectly for this lifestyle session!

Arizona Portrait Photographer: Billeter Family

2010-06-26T19:58:00.012-07:00

Phoenix, Arizona

February 26, 2010 @ Arizona Grand Resort

I first met Brandye through a mutual friend at a football party, in October, 2009. Our introduction felt a little like a blind date . . . it went something like "photographer Brooke, meet public relations Brandye - maybe you could help each other out and/or work together". Over the past year I've had the pleasure of working with Brandye, and all the girls of Be Heard Public Relations a few times (race for the cure, krispy creme grand opening, and their head shots which are on their web site)!

The Billeter's session started late in the afternoon, and we spent about an hour exploring the Arizona Grand Resort (which is one of my favorite photo spots in South Phoenix) . . . their images truly show-off their ability to have fun and enjoy one another! Here are some favorites:

Arizona Portrait Photographer: Jacob & Joshua

2010-06-22T23:13:00.008-07:00

Chandler, Arizona

May 15, 2010: pre "overwhelming" heat!

I had the pleasure of photographing two high-energy, lovable boys in their home and the neighborhood park (about a month ago). It's fascinating to me how every child responds differently as I tour their home, see their toys, pull out my camera & (typically) encourage them to "break" a few rules! :) Some are shy, others very excited . . . in this case, I had one of each. While every parent wants smiling pictures of their kids, the curious, and sometimes serious faces are just as sweet! I caught some smiles, helped distract away a few tears, and enjoyed the time I was able to spend with Jacob & Joshua (and their parents)!

Tucson Portrait Session ... baby ISABELLA

2010-05-24T22:22:00.007-07:00

Tucson, last weekend:

Standing in the kitchen with Evangelina & her mom took my back to freshman year of high school - all of a sudden I was 15 years old, trying to drink coffee (even though I didn't like it) and singing, singing, singing . . . . . . fast forward 12 years and we're both moms & artists, have survived highs & lows, and are now reconnecting after a decade!

Friends... the people who come in & out of our lives, each help create the people we are & will become - after my short morning with Evangelina & her beautiful daughter Isabella, I'm realizing all over again the beauty of friendships, and the reality that time can pass, but with true friends, when you meet again it's as if time hasn't passed. I am so grateful that circumstances lined up & brought us back together!

All that said, here Isabella:

Easter Morning

2010-05-19T22:32:00.003-07:00

With great sadness we'd discussed how likely it was that this very uninspiring-in-appearance cactus would bloom while we were away . . . for the first time in it's young life it was saturated in buds. To our great surprise, this cactus started blooming the night before Easter! Obviously breath-taking, there was something very magical about witnessing this plant to come life, knowing that it's iridescent blooms would last only 24 hours.

UPDATES ... reconnecting with my blog!

2010-05-15T23:59:00.008-07:00

For half a year the bold, single word BLOG has been featured on my to-do-list ... and with similar guilt to not returning an old friends call promptly, I've neglected this task for long enough that in returning I feel like an explanation is required.

Initially the excuse was "oh, I can't blog today's work without blogging last weeks work & last months work". Tragically I set rules for how to share my life & art, and now it's been 6 months of nothing. When stepping back I realized that my excuse was only skin deep ... to be honest with those who support my passion for photography I can't only share my images - I need to also share myself. My latest (slap-in-the-face) discovery: FEAR! I'm scared to be transparent, assuming that the value of my art will somehow be cheapened if the world knows that I'm struggling. It's amazing how easily pride can get in the way!

This is my life update:
Until about six months ago I was doing everything in my power to support myself & young daughter solely as a photographer. Against my will and efforts Keki Photography has taken the slow road toward growth. In an act of desperation, I took a position with a company as a contract photographer. There was a lot of promise, but little return ... walking away from that adventure in the worst financial position of my adult life, I felt dizzy with panic. "How will I take care of myself & daughter???" Thankfully there was an immediate need at All About Smiles Pediatric Dentistry (John's mom's private practice) for another body. The challenge of learning something new has been a great blessing, and quickly I've created a position in the company that holds great value.
I couldn't have predicted this chapter in my life, but trust that looking back it will fit into the big picture perfectly!

It is bizarre that for the first time in 7 years I have a job other than photography ... even more life altering for my reality is that photography is currently my second job. When I'm feeling dramatic, I hyperventilate (figuratively) with fear that I wont succeed at the one thing I'm confident I was created to do ... and share ... and experience in this world. Thankfully the drama is controlled by an overwhelming amount of work & responsibility, and I'm teaching myself that success isn't measured in titles - I don't have to be a full time photographer to be great at what I do. While that may sound like kindergarten common sense, the emotional roller coaster I've survived to get to the place where I can openly embrace my current situation has been rough!

At the end of every day I can confidently look Olivia in the face, tell her I love her, and that I'm doing everything in my power to provide now, while also setting the stage for our future. These hardships are temporary, and are making me stronger by the minute!

My passion with always be photography, and I have huge plans for Keki and myself! Thank you to everyone who has gifted me with the ability to participate in your lives, document your memories, tell your stories, and share my talent! You are the foundation of my future and I'm honored by your trust & support!

Yoakam Album, Flagstaff, AZ Portrait Session, ALBUM

2009-11-29T09:33:00.007-07:00

I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it. . . . I love albums! I love designing albums! I love my customer's reactions to their albums!

In addition, this may be my favorite album of all I've designed!

I love Christmas!

2009-11-27T18:54:00.006-07:00

It's the time of year to focus on family & friends! The joy, thanksgiving, love & excitement that fills this season makes it truly magical! I have to say that it's mostly my parent's fault for making Thanksgiving & Christmas such a celebration, but I can't get enough of this time of year!

I wish all of you a beautiful holiday season!

What would a blog post be without something visual??? Here's a Christmas card I just finished designing, and LOVE!

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (Phoenix, AZ Photographer)

2009-11-17T17:11:00.012-07:00

It was a joy to cover the grand opening of Krispy Kreme in Peoria on 11.10.09!
Arriving at 5:00am I was pleased to find close to 100 people "camping out" - making sure that they were a part of the first 250 through the door. Upon entering each person was given a scratch & win card, and everyone won something (coffee, doughnuts, & cash)! The excitement was high all morning!

It was fun on a personal level to get to photograph not only the people & event, but also the doughnuts. . . as a child my grandparents took me to Krispy Kreme every time I visited AZ. . . it is very cool to watch the Original Glazed Doughnuts go through the glazing process! :)

The two women who won cash prizes ($1000 & $500):

The grand prize winner not only received $1000 cash & a lifetime supply of doughnuts, she also got to ride in a hot air balloon with Dan!

They did an excellent job hiring people to work in this very fun, fast paced, family focused environment!

With some new design elements, this location has an antique-meets-contemporary feel!See what abc-15 and az central had to say!

Tenakhongva Lifestyle Album (Arizona Portrait Photography)

2009-11-16T11:26:00.011-07:00

After returning from Australia, I traveled to the north-eastern corner of Arizona to photograph the Tenakhongva family. We spent a few hours together, explored a landscape I'd never seen before & created a set of images that are timeless.

Years ago photographers delivered a very small set of proofs (10-15 images), each of which was well composed yet rather uninspiring. Film had a way of limiting creativity. Now that photographers don't have to consider the number of images taken, the door has been opened to a new approach in portraiture - storytelling. It's a joy to work with families (like this one) who have never experienced a non-traditional photographer, and to see them relax & start showing me their true selves. . . I capture interactions & personalities, and am so thankful for the trust that each of my customers extends to me!

After proofing over 150 images, I received this message: "Hello Brooke! The pictures came out really nice and my mom would like to have most of them... Do you have options...let's say a photo album of sort? Thanks again!" This is my goal, to tell a family's story, and to deliver a product that brings their story to life! I still love selling large wall prints, but find a special joy in creating an album!

Arizona Bride (Operation Keki)

2009-11-06T13:04:00.008-07:00

I've lived in Phoenix for a year now! And what a crazy year it's been. . . traveling back to Montana over a dozen times for work & pleasure, photographing in Arizona, Colorado, Washington, & (Sydney) Australia, closing Brooke Ann Photography & starting Keki Photography. . . the list goes on. The lessons learned and the creativity born out of the challenge of starting over have more than made up for the hardships I've faced in the process.

Now that I'm settled into my new life, it's time for "Operation Keki" - my aggressive launch into the Arizona wedding & portrait market. While it's one of my top business goals to succeed as a destination wedding photographer, local business is a must! I have high expectations for 2010.

This is my print ad for Arizona Bride! It is the first major publication I've advertised with in 6 years of post-college professional experience. I'm really excited!!!

NICOLE (Phoenix, AZ High School Senior)

2009-10-17T16:28:00.005-07:00

I met Nicole this morning in downtown Phoenix, and her session was everything I could have hoped for and more! If she decides dancing isn't her thing anymore, she should be a model!!! :)"Bloopers" tend to give some of the best candid photos!This is by far my favorite location & set of photos from our shoot!!! Nicole, you're stunning! Thanks for such a great morning! :)

Susan G. Komen RACE FOR THE CURE (Phoenix, AZ)

2009-10-16T16:12:00.006-07:00

I woke up Sunday morning prepared for an emotionally challenging, tearful event. . . what I experienced instead was incredibly inspiring & full of hope!

Hired by Be Heard Public Relations (thanks Brandye & Sarah!), it was such a rewarding experience to participate in an event that doesn't focus on the loss & fear so many know because of cancer, and instead brings thousands of people together all proclaiming "I AM THE CURE"!

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was held on the Arizona State Capitol's property Sunday morning, October 11. I believe it was estimated that over 30,000 people attended the run, which started with registration at 6:00am. It was great to be outside in a sea of people as the sun started to rise! The morning was filled with sponsor speakers, special walks & runs, and almost everyone in the crowd showing respect for the cause with pink shirts & accents!

Stephanie Foxx was recently diagnosed with cancer, and is a local musician in Phoenix. With the support of her family & friends she is not only fighting cancer, but also inspiring others & raising money... Drum out Cancer is her organization, and she is truly amazing!

Race for the Cure is an event that offers HOPE!

not-your-average SCHOOL PICTURES! (Phoenix, AZ Lifestyle)

2009-10-15T16:38:00.002-07:00

EMILY (Phoenix, AZ Senior Session)

2009-10-05T17:04:00.008-07:00

Full of personality, with a unique fashion edge, Senior session are SO MUCH FUN!
Emily & I met Saturday morning, and it was beautiful outside... finally cool enough to want to be outside! She brought a variety of great outfits, and we ran around having fun & discovering all that Camelback Inn has to offer!

Olivia at the Beach (Orange County, CA)

2009-09-24T11:49:00.005-07:00

It's been a while since my beautiful little girl has been featured on my blog. . . my family photos take a back seat to my work, and most of the time the last thing I want to do is edit anything else! :) Anyway, I found these photos on a memory card I was about to delete (I'm so glad I didn't), and love how much Olivia's personality comes through in these shots!

She loves the beach & sand, chases the birds, and if she's in the right mood will get her feet wet. . . she's not a fan of the ocean or it's salty taste! :)

Kevin + Genoa (Scottsdale, AZ Reception)

2009-09-22T13:47:00.007-07:00

This past Saturday evening I spent a few hours celebrating in the joy & gift of marriage with Kevin, Genoa, their families & friends! Every aspect of the evening was perfect for photography - a beautiful couple, dramatic sky, double rainbows, intimate backyard setting. . . the images speak for themselves!I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to work with & get to know this amazing couple! Congratulations Kevin & Genoa!!!

Dan + Alexis (Montana Wedding)

2009-09-17T00:05:00.008-07:00

I get involved in each event differently. No matter how well I know the couple by the time I'm sharing in their special celebration, weddings pull on my heart strings! I always laugh, smile so much my face hurts, and I take a piece of each wedding celebration home with me. I'm learning about life & love by closing watching each of the amazing couple's I work with, and am blessed by the level of trust they put in me to tell their love stories.

Dan & Ali's wedding not only gifted me with laughter, but also with tears. . . a lot of tears. Enough that it was hard to take pictures during their personal vows! The new addition to my on-site-emergency-kit is tissue!!! :)

I'm thankful that as I grow & experience life, I'm able to be so deeply moved by the journey of an amazing couple - one who proves that with faith & love you can survive the greatest trials! Congratulations Dan & Ali! You are an inspiration! Thank you for including me in your wedding celebration!

Kevin + Genoa (Scottsdale, AZ Couple Session)

2009-09-16T20:37:00.007-07:00

In the mountains outside of Sedona Kevin & Genoa had a private wedding ceremony! This Saturday they'll enjoy a celebration with their family & friends - a party I'm excited to share with them!
Although they're already married, we spent some time together this morning creating their casual portraits. . . a post wedding "engagement session". It was a joy to get to know Kevin & Genoa, and I love their portraits! I'm looking forward to their reception even more now! Congratulation Kevin & Genoa! I wish you all the happiness life can offer! Thanks so much for including me in your marriage celebration!!! :)

Mark + Janae (Sydney, Australia Wedding)

2009-09-06T20:49:00.006-07:00

For most couple's there is a planning process prior to their wedding, an engagement portrait session and a wedding celebration. When the wedding is over, it's over.

For Mark & Janae, their process of getting married included multiple countries, two weddings, two casual photo shoots, and three formal shoots. . . . their marathon began with a proposal in Sydney, Australia, planning a destination wedding in Seattle, Washington (where Janae grew up) while also planning a Sydney wedding, and through a recommendation (thanks Jenny!), Janae found me in Phoenix! When she asked if I'd be interested in traveling to Seattle & Sydney to photograph both of their weddings, without hesitation I said YES! I didn't know at the time that I'd make great new friends, be touched by their wonderful relationship, and get to enjoy a different county in true style! I've been deeply blessed by Mark & Janae, and look forward to sharing in their lives!

There are thousands of images to go through, and more to share than I know what to do with! As I have to start somewhere, here are some beach photos taken after their reception on Saturday!

Touring Sydney, Australia!

2009-09-03T19:02:00.006-07:00

Blue Mountains (Sydney, Australia)

2009-08-31T18:17:00.006-07:00

I'm in Australia!!! My 14 hour flight went well - I highly recommend Vaustalia! I was comfortable, the food was good, lots of entertainment options... who knew flying could be so nice??? :)

Day one in Australia was relaxing. Janae (my wonderful bride) took me about an hour outside of the city to the Blue Mountains (which are on the list of things you should see in your lifetime!), and we had a great time exploring little shops along the roadside, ate lunch in a cozy cafe, and nearly froze while walking around the Blue Mountain tourist area! It's winter cold here right now... even more so for me after Phoenix & LA! Caffeine kept me awake through dinner, and at the start of day two I'm feeling well adjusted! Here's my very typical tourist photo! :)

Santa Monica, CA (Los Angeles)

2009-08-29T14:53:00.008-07:00

I leave for Sydney, Australia today. . . photographing my first over-seas wedding this week! Check back often as I plan to share pictures from all my touring adventures, city couple's session & beach wedding!!!
As I'm flying out of LA, it made sense to drive over a day early and explore a little. So far this city has met my expectations - it's beautiful in some areas, shockingly frightening in others, the traffic is enough to make anyone miserable... I love & hate it all at once. That said, last night I enjoyed an incredible time on the beach, where my beautiful little girl got to experience the ocean for the first time (she was excited & scared). It was cool at sunset, so we left our swim suits in the car, and then preceded to get soaked playing in the water! :) I did take a break from playing to take some super fun sunset photos... I now have some very typical LA photos!!!

Ryan & Jenny are Married! (Seattle, WA Wedding)

2009-08-21T22:48:00.015-07:00

My cousin Jenny is married, and her husband Ryan is a great addition to the family! As I anticipated, photographing for family was a bigger job than any of my others. . . . . . because I couldn't be invisible. I went back & forth between photographer and member of the family too many times to count, which was a challenge on my artistic focus. That said, I'm thrilled with the images, can't narrow them down enough even to show high-lights here, so keep checking back... I plan to add more as I edit & organize this event! :)The day was so enjoyable & relaxing that I had to remind myself that a wedding was about to take place. Jenny did a fabulous job of planning and organizing, so she just had fun! :) My beautiful little Olivia was the flower girl, and while I had my doubts, she did a great job! I think her entire year has been made because she got to wear a vail just like "the wedding girl"!My favorite part of the ceremony is the look on the groom's face when he first sees his bride!Congratulations Ryan & Jenny! I love you both!!!

baby JoeLyn (Montana Lifestyle Sessions)

2009-08-15T00:09:00.009-07:00

JoeLyn stole my heart the first time I met her, and continued to do so over the course of her Baby's First Year in Portraits. I photographed JoeLyn five times, and each session was fun & sweet! She has a great personality!
At the end of the year I get to tell a photo-story, highlighting all the growth, changes, laughter & love that takes place from birth to one year! This is one of my favorite albums, for a family I'm so blessed to know!

Book Cover:Page One, which is a single page:The rest of the album is designed as two-page spreads. Each spread folds through the middle:

And the last, single page in the album!

the SMITH girls (Montana Lifestyle Session)

2009-08-06T17:32:00.009-07:00

"Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, the other gold." My dear friend Christy & her beautiful family live on the other side of the world, and each summer we have the opportunity to re-connect in person when they return to Livingston (where we all used to live). This year I was given an amazing gift... 10 days in MT with Olivia and all the Smith girls! We had more fun than I thought possible, Olivia & Ruby became best friends again, I got my baby fix playing & helping with Blaire, and enjoyed a dose of true (honest, fun, girly) friendship!Picture time = some wardrobe issues, trespassing (and getting caught), thorns inside cowgirl boots, laughter, attitude (the fun, photogenic kind), and a ride in the "buggy"!!!! The "cowgirls" walking off into the sunset! :)

Hide-and-Seek (Phoenix Lifestyle Session)

2009-08-04T12:53:00.008-07:00

A while ago I posted some images from a Maternity Session... I typically browse through the pictures from a session, grab & edit the shots that first capture my attention, and post them to the blog. That's how I get them from the camera to your viewing eyes quickly! :) When I completed the editing process for this session, I found a few more images that I'm really excited about... here they are:

Mark + Janae (Seattle, WA Couples Session)

2009-07-20T19:28:00.010-07:00

Laughter... love... energy... celebration... tears... lack of sleep... a new wedding dress... a broken airplane... a ride from a stranger... make-overs... and the loss of my pants are only a few descriptions for the weekend spent meeting & working with Mark & Janae. Their images are amazing, spending four days in Seattle with them was great, and the friendship formed is a blessing!

They live in Sydney, I'm in Phoenix, and their wedding was in Seattle, which meant that we didn't meet until I arrived. Janae & I spent a few months emailing so when we were finally eating dinner together it felt like we already knew each other. And it didn't take long for me to be fully involved in the last minute details of their wedding celebration. Thankfully we were able to escape the kayos the night before the wedding for a very fun couples session (which is when I "lost" my jeans! Janae needed them for the end of the shoot... it's a good thing we're the same size)! Our time together in downtown Bellevue was great, they are fabulous in front of the camera, and it gave Mark & Janae some much needed time alone!Their wedding images are coming soon...

Ryan + Jenny (Seattle, WA Couples Session)

2009-07-15T13:00:00.016-07:00

I was in Seattle this past week to photograph a wedding (images coming soon!), and was able to take Ryan & Jenny's engagement photos. I get to return to Seattle the middle of next month for their wedding, which is going to be amazing! They toured me around their event location, and I was blown away... I've lost count of the number of weddings I've photographed, but know the number is large, and have never seen a venue as diverse & beautiful as the Manor!

It's a joy when I get to work with a couple who knows how to have fun and is obviously in love! Add to the situation that the "bride-to-be" is my cousin, and watch out... we had such a great time running around Pikes Place Market & Queen Anne Hill, and the images are everything I'd hoped they would be!!!
I had a vision of Ryan & Jenny in the middle of a very busy crowd, "frozen" in a way that resembled the montage scene in a movie or one of the old war photos... where you don't notice life moving around you because of what you're experiencing. I got what I was hoping for! :)

At Kerry Park, on the top of Queen Anne Hill, we found an amazing view of downtown Seattle!There's this weird grey area when working with family & friends... trying to find the balance between casual & professional, while having fun & keeping it light. I feel like I need to be even better at my job because the stakes are higher, and therefore wasn't sure what to expect when I started working with Ryan & Jenny. All my expectations were exceeded, and I'm thrilled that they chose me to capture their love & wedding celebration!

Maternity Session (Phoenix, AZ Lifestyle Session)

2009-07-08T21:55:00.008-07:00

Greeted at the door by two excited & adorable little girls, this session was high energy & very special from beginning to end! Whether posing or capturing interactions, it was a joy to spend an hour Sunday morning with the Peper girls! :)

Robert + Alicia 6.6.09 (Aspen, CO Wedding)

2009-06-18T22:35:00.010-07:00

In beautiful Aspen, CO, at the base of Buttermilk Mountain, Robert & Alicia pledged their lives to one another. It was an honor to share in their wedding celebration! I laughed with them (their entire group was really fun), cried during their ceremony (which they wrote), was touched by the love & support of their family & friends, and enjoyed the experience of working as a destination photographer!

True to Colorado, it was a little cold & windy the day of the wedding, but it didn't rain, the ceremony & formals where outside, and I was blessed to be working with a wedding party that didn't mind the walk I took them on during our post-ceremony shoot! The setting was absolutely amazing!

Congratulations Robert & Alicia, and thank-you so much for including me in your special day!

Coffee Table Album!

2009-06-18T22:26:00.004-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I posted a complete album design of Brian & Jennifer's wedding. I can't explain how cool it is to see a printed album after working so hard on the design... although pictures will never be the same as holding the album in your hands, I wanted to share a few shots of my coffee table album. Hopefully you can get a glimpse of how amazing this book is! Take a look at the other post: "Brian + Jennifer" to see the entire album!

Experiencing "the other side"

2009-06-14T22:28:00.011-07:00

A few times a year I have my own portraits taken, and to be honest it's not my favorite experience. (When Olivia's in the picture it's a lot easier!) Now as a photographer it's hard because I'm over-thinking every move, am super self conscious, and wish the entire time I was BEHIND the camera! Each time I remind myself that it's important for me to experience the same thing that my customer's do... and I always learn so much about myself, photography, & how I want to interact with my customers!

Thankfully my photographer is exactly what I hope I am to each of my customers - she brings out my personality. . . . .

which is totally goofy! And she calms me down & directs me so that I end up with beautiful images like these:

Thanks so much Erin (http://www.artandsoulphoto.com/)! You rock! And while it will always be a little different getting my picture taken because I'm a photographer, I'm glad I put myself in the place of my customers. Thank you to everyone who's trusted me with your portrait needs - I know it's risky & sometimes uncomfortable having a lens in your face... I love what I do and truly hope that the experience I offer makes it worth opening up!

Baby's First Year Album (Montana Portraits)

2009-06-08T20:38:00.008-07:00

What a joy to watch a baby grow during his/her first year of life! It's a privilege & honor to spend so much time with a family as they celebrate all their baby's milestones, and allow me to tell their story! Sleeping, laughter, tears, and everything in between... at the end of the year each family receives a coffee table album, showcasing favorite images from each session.

I just completed this album of Decker, and am so pleased with the outcome! Each comes together differently, stretches my design abilities, and I can't wait to see the printed book!

Design elements by Check Art Studios through WHCC

the YOAKAM kids (Flagstaff, AZ Portraits)

2009-06-05T22:09:00.007-07:00

I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon in Flagstaff with the Yoakam family! Samantha & Jeremy were full of energy & wonderful to photograph! Experiences like this session are what make my job a true dream come true! :)

Wall Art

2009-06-05T12:39:00.004-07:00

It helps to have a vision for how you'll display your portraits, your available wall space, and if you want a modern canvas look, or a more traditional framed look. Not to overwhelm but there are a lot of options, and I'm here to help!

I was working with Mandee (the bride featured in these photographs), and she decided she definitely wanted canvas, but not all gallery wrapped. When I showed her a mounted canvas she was excited, we pulled out a piece of paper, and came up with this design, chose the images to fill it in, and I figured out what size each piece needed to be: one 18x27 vertical wrapped canvas, one 18x12 horizontal mounted canvas, and two 8x12 vertical mounted canvas. DONE! I love the simple look of these four images hanging together, and love the two different kinds of canvas together. By "collaging" these images Justin & Mandee can tell more of a story about their wedding, environment & happiness. . . I'm really excited with how this came together, and hope it helps inspire different wall collages!

The other canvas I've shown on the blog was a collage of a baby, and the black background wrapped around. I wanted to show how cool a canvas is when the image wraps the edges!

Mark + Trisha (Phoenix, AZ Couple Session)

2009-06-03T23:39:00.006-07:00

Married for five years, Mark & Trisha still have passion & excitement that would make you think they're newly engaged! Our session was so much fun! We spent a few hours running around downtown Tempe, and riding the light rail into downtown Phoenix. We ended up in great locations, and I love their images!!!

Wall Art - Canvas Collage

2009-06-03T11:03:00.006-07:00

When the goal is telling a story, every facial expression counts. It can be overwhelming as a customer, trying the narrow down your favorite images or attempting to talk yourself out of wanting images, because you're not sure what you'll do with 5, 10, 15, or even 20 different poses, some of which are similar, but each holding it's own appeal.

That's where the collage comes in to save the day! :) Each collage turns out different, shapes & sizes vary, but the end result is always the same. . . I get to design & deliver something truly amazing, and you (my customers) get to enjoy something truly unique, fun, artistic, and 100% yours!!! Add the texture & modern look of canvas, and the final result is off the charts! (haha, can you tell I LOVE canvas collages???)

Brian + Jennifer (Montana Wedding)

2009-05-24T22:12:00.008-07:00

Last summer I had the pleasure of photographing Brian & Jennifer's wedding, and their day was perfect! The setting was amazing (which is always helpful), but the best part was that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE (family & friends) was amazing to work with! Now, nearing their one year anniversary, here is their wedding album, which rocks if you ask me! :)

Details: printed as a 9x9 coffee table album, each "spread" = 2 pages, which are printed without a gutter!

baby CLAYTON (Montana Lifestyle Session)

2009-05-15T16:25:00.009-07:00

I had the honor of photographing Clayton 4 times during the first year of his life, and through the process also got to know his big sister Iris & their parents! This final session (he's one) was so easy & fun it's almost comical that this is my job!

It's interesting photographing in my customer's homes. . . I don't know what to expect & can't plan ahead like a photographer does when working in their studio or outside in a familiar location. The lighting, size & shape of the house, wall colors and furniture all directly influence the look and feel of the final images. It was gray & snowing outside, so there was minimal window light during Clayton's session, so at times I added a little bounce flash, and everything about the Dennison home worked perfectly as my "studio"! The best part was that Clayton could stay where he's comfortable while I worked, and truly showed off his very sweet personality! I'm very excited about these pictures!

Goudy ALBUM! (Montana Lifestyle Session)

2009-05-11T20:21:00.008-07:00

As I've said before, I love the story telling power of albums!!! The session with the Goudy family was fun, fast paced, and full of energy. . . most of the pictures captured mean more when they're given context and supported by other images than they would displayed on their own. I love how this book came together!
Details: I designed this ablum to be a vertical 8x12 (or 6x9 or 4x6). It is printed with thick, high gloss pages making it very family friendly, and is completely seemless. Each page shown here will fold down the center when printed.

Outside of book, front & back:

Inside of album:

mommy-photographer

2009-05-06T19:26:00.006-07:00

When I think about how my life looks from the outside I have to laugh. . . I'm a stay-at-home mom who works full time from the house, which means that every second of my work is interrupted at some level by my beautiful 3 year old. Half of my bedroom is my office (which I use as little as possible), my folder full of customer orders is also stuffed with Olivia's drawings, and I take so many breaks to help with a toy & make or clean-up food that nap time & late nights are my haven! Most emails are responded to while my dear customers are sleeping, and when I really dig in to my work my house falls apart!!!

I can honestly say I never pictured myself here - I'm very social, love being busy, and really enjoyed the few years I worked outside the house, but this time with Olivia is precious, and it's a blessing to enjoy the early years with my child while also making a living. I have one of the few jobs that's easy to accomplish in this fashion, and while some days are insane, I wouldn't change my situation for anything!

Now, just because pictures are more fun than words, here are a few that tell a pretty accurate story of me & Olivia!

Josh + Geordie (Montana Couples Session)

2009-05-04T19:39:00.007-07:00

Josh & Geordie live in Butte, I was working in Billings & Livingston for the week (last week), and I've been trying to take pictures of them for a few months now. Each time I've returned to Montana we've attempted getting together, and something has always came up. . . so we decided to met in Bozeman for lunch and this fun session - FINALLY! :) We had an interesting time finding good places to shoot in downtown Bozeman while it dumped heavy, wet snow. . . not the weather I was hoping for, but in the end we came up with so fun spots and great images! It was a quiet Sunday afternoon so the bars we imposed on didn't seem to mind (too much).

baby BRAYTON (Montana Lifestyle Session)

2009-05-01T15:39:00.008-07:00

I've known Misty for 13 years. . . we've both lived in lots of states, spent long periods not talking much, and thankfully life has brought us back in contact over and over again! I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to spend an hour in her home photographing Brayton, who is 9 months old and won my heart instantly! He was so easy to take pictures of, I had a great time playing around, and you'd never guess by these shots that he had an ear infection. . . he's just so precious!

the GOUDY family

2009-05-01T14:34:00.008-07:00

I had high hopes while in Montana for a week that I would shoot 8 sessions, get them all blogged, relax, read a few books, spend time with my family and a bunch of friends, and get some good rest. . . . . . what actually happened is that I shot 6 sessions (canceled 2 due to snow), blogged 1, read a few chapters of a book I've already read 3 times, did some shopping, visited with a few friends, hung out with my family, and hardly slept. If I could ever have a special power it would be to slow down the clock!!!

All that said, here are pictures of the Goudy family! We had a great time playing in their house, back yard, and the park a block away. The kids were full of energy and the session was a blast!

learning to ride a bike

2009-04-27T21:41:00.004-07:00

Olivia is doing so well riding her bike! And she thinks now that she truly is a big girl, which is adorable! :)

Olivia

2009-04-27T16:06:00.002-07:00

I find that my customer's pictures are always my first priority (as they should), but when I go through my personal photos I'm always so excited! Now I know Olivia is my daughter which automatically makes me think she's extra special & cute, but here she is in her Easter dress, looking adorable, and I just had to share it with all of you! :)

Dan + Alexis

2009-04-25T21:42:00.012-07:00

Wow, I have such a fabulous job!!! It is amazing that my work involves running around laughing, exploring and having way too much fun with really great people! I was honored to spend three hours with Dan & Alexis today, who absolutely rock as a couple! Alexis had no problem hiking around in heals, which is amazing because I almost slipped down a few rocks in my flats, and luckily they found the adventure of hanging out in alleys, sitting down in a restaurant for a few minutes, and participating in a little trespassing equally as fun as I did!

Dan & Alexis are in the process of planning their August wedding, which I'm sure will be perfect. I wish I had the privilege of photographing their wedding, but am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet them and capture these great engagement shots!

Congratulations Dan & Alexis!

Lifestyle PROOFS

2009-04-24T22:18:00.002-07:00

I've gone back and forth on my opinion about printed proofs, and after trying a lot of different options have decided that years ago, before online proofing, slideshows set to music, digital, and everything else that makes photography consumer friendly, photographers delivered printed proofs. The purpose was to see your options for ordering. The risk these days with fancy technology like scanners is that the printed proofs will allow the customer to enjoy the photographers art without purchasing, and I've experienced my fare share of this very thing.

I'm going back to "the good old days" of printed proofs (with a spiral bound flare) and am putting faith in my customers to protect my copyright! This is such a fun way to view, share & archive your portraits, and I'm really excited for what it adds to each family's lifestyle experience!

Live & Learn

2009-04-22T17:12:00.002-07:00

We've all done it... the thing where you take out your life struggles & frustrations on some undeserving person who happens to be in your way when you're ready to let it all out. We discover a problem with a bill we just received, or we expected a call back sooner, an answer faster, or anything else where our needs aren't met, and without much thought unload on the poor person who happens to take our call or is standing the closest, as we put them through complete and undeserving misery. More often than not the person on the receiving end isn't directly responsible and would be much more likely to help if our attitude were in check! If it's not a total stranger it's our family and closest friends who get the worst of us.

What I've come to realize from the times I've flipped or wanted to is that the single situation I'm freaking out about really isn't that big of a problem, most of the time can be solved easily, and that the source of the problem is a series of things building on one another - woke up too early, child driving me up the wall, ran out of milk & skipped breakfast, late for school, got home & forgot about all the errands I was intending to run... the small things turn into a mountain ready to erupt like a volcano.

I was unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of a phone call today for a woman who simply needed to unload. Within the first half a minute I was hurt by the treatment and then immediately reminded myself that her & I don't have any problems, just a little misunderstanding, so I'm really hearing about other hardships in her life, indirectly. When she was done I spoke kindly, walked her through the actuality of the situation, and by the end we were laughing. This interaction opened my eyes in a way that almost brought tears, as I reflected on the times I've been rude, angry or harsh to the wrong person, and have decided that as life is a journey today I will start something new, and learn from my mistakes and the mistakes of those I encounter. Although it seems to be a popular belief that the loud mouth gets what they want, I am not going to be that person! I want each of my interactions to be full of kindness and understanding, as I respect those around me.

web site updates!

2009-04-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

My official web site is a work in progress, and about once a month I get an itch to dive in and continue improving it - not that it wasn't great the day it launched, but the longer I spend watching the slideshows, navigating the site, and answering customers questions the more I'm refining it. This time I changed the splash page to be more unified with the rest of the site & my blog. I'm really happy with the changes! Check it out:

Collins Family Album!

2009-04-17T13:11:00.008-07:00

As a lifestyle photographer my goal is to capture interactions, special moments, and tell a personality driven story about the families & children I photograph. Without a purpose for the images, most would be forgotten, neglecting the vision we began with: have as much fun as possible and be real!
Each album is custom designed, and brings the images together in a way that gives them context and a place to come to life! Without a doubt albums are my absolute favorite, and my goal is that every one of my customers will own this fabulously artist showcase of their high energy session!!!

outside front & back of album

high school SENIORS

2009-04-09T12:40:00.009-07:00

This is the front of my senior info!

It's nearing the time when Juniors become Seniors. . . one of my favorite seasons as a photographer is running around photographing Seniors! The sessions are fast paced, always different, and allow me to explore in areas I wouldn't usually spend time in (alleys, parking garages, car graveyards, and so on). We also spend a bunch of time on downtown streets & in parks. . . by the end of every session we've had a bunch of fun, been all over the place, and the images are always unique & full of personality! Wow I love working with Seniors!!!

Please contact me early to schedule your session. Space is limited! 480.528.9385

playing in the fountains

2009-04-08T22:17:00.008-07:00

After growing up in Montana and graduating from college in Colorado, it's a whole new experience living where it's "warm" year round. All too quickly my blood has thinned, and I have to laugh when I'm putting on a jacket and talking about being cold here. . . it's usually in the 50's & 60's when I have goose bumps, where the cold I'm used to ranges from negative to barely positive temperatures. Anyway, Olivia & I moved here in October, leaving Montana with almost 4 feet of snow on the ground, and arrived to a paradise of sunny days, beautiful landscaping, and the ability to enjoy the great outdoors every day! I started working at Tea Infusion in the Tempe Marketplace Shopping Mall all the time, where Olivia could play in the fountains! What a great life we've been blessed with!

Even though these pictures where taken a while ago (and a few are on my web site) I just had to share them here! The excitement of a child when discovering something new is so incredibly inspiring to me! My goal is to enjoy and discover life at a similar level as often as possible!

Tempe Festival of the Arts

2009-04-07T13:00:00.002-07:00

Olivia & I ended up downtown Tempe last Saturday, and enjoyed walking thought the art festival! With my new Canon PowerShot camera I took a few fun pictures, and thought I'd share!

my office

2009-04-07T12:15:00.001-07:00

A portion of my bedroom is my home office. I didn't know what I was going to think about working out of my house, after having an office & studio for five years in Montana. I'm the kind of person to get up and go in the morning. I love dressing up and going to work. . . and while I'm getting a bunch of work done, I do miss the leaving the house part of working! The funny thing is that Olivia does too. By 10:00 every morning (if it's not a school day) she's asking me what she should wear & where are we going?

Anyway, I've made the absolute best out of my situation and available space, and am really happy with my current working environment. It's inspiring, kind of fun and fits my personality 100%. So I thought I'd share a picture of what my "office" wall looks like! As an artist it's exactly what I need to see and think about all day long!

the COLLINS family!

2009-04-06T18:10:00.003-07:00

I had a fabulous time getting to know Scott, Janet, Cecilia & Alex last evening! We met at the Arizona Grand Resort and spent about an hour running around enjoying the awesome environment, playing & acting a little silly! Here are a few pictures to show some of the fun we had. . . there are so many great shots I have no idea how I'm going to narrow them down for the final viewing!!! Enjoy!

Wedding Info & Packaging!

2009-03-31T19:11:00.001-07:00

After what feels like months of concepting and designing, I finally have all my wedding information in hand, and am really excited! I found a company that sells little boxes that are so incredibly fun (Bayley's Boxes), and am happy that I have found something unique to package my information inside! Finally, after a few hours in Michael's today I came up with some fun stickers and tissue paper, which is the final touch I was hoping for!!! I can't wait to deliver my information to inquiring couples!!!

Another New Card!

2009-03-23T09:36:00.002-07:00

I'm really enjoying my design time as I work to create a variety of one-of-a-kind "Keki only" cards!!! This one is my new favorite, although I think each card will end up being my new favorite! :) And the best part for my customers is that once I'm done with the foundation, the background color can be different, the image placement can change, the number of images included will vary, as will the font. These cards are totally custom, and the part I love is that when delivering cards to my customers they can be confident that no one else has a card that matches. I will never drop pictures into a template and call it good - I promise!!!
This is a 5x5 single fold card, titled "dark/vine floral":

Education Introduction!

2009-03-22T17:45:00.000-07:00

As a full time portrait photographer, I'm stepping up and meeting the current industry challenges! My interest when working with each of my customers is to explore their interest and needs, educate them on their options and the benefits of working with a photographic artist, and providing each of them with a product that exceeds their expectations. My goal is to make the decision making easier, the experience fun, and provide images that tell a story! Each "educational" piece I provide will show the creative work that goes into producing fabulous artwork.

Education #1 - Editing

2009-03-22T17:15:00.004-07:00

This is how I view my digital negatives: they are the unprocessed camera files that will be the artwork I'm excited to deliver to my customers once they've gone through an editing process. Here are a few examples so that you understand the work that goes into each of your images!

Camera File: Print Edited:

Camera File:Print Edited:Some images take a few seconds to finish for printing, and others involve work that includes more than ten steps. . . I laugh while editing sometimes and think after five minutes with one image "what did I get myself into with this one?" No matter what the behind the scene process takes, I'm always proud to deliver my customers images, and that is why I do what I do!

One of a kind Products!

2009-03-10T22:56:00.003-07:00

I've started creating my very own card designs, and wanted to share the one I put together this evening! I'm really excited that Keki Photography will be offering cards (and soon canvas designs) unlike anything else available! This is something I've wanted to do for my customers (and myself) for years, and I'm thrilled it is starting to come together!
This is a 5x7 double sided card, titled Blue/Brown Floral: Basically my goal is to have a card line with unique textures and patterns, which is fully custom. That means that font styles, wording, picture sizes, layout, coloring and so on will be designed for each customer based on the purpose of the card. The same base could be used as a graduation announcement, Christmas card, or party invite. . . the sky is the limit! I'm SO excited!!!

Wedding Album Design

2009-03-09T23:04:00.001-07:00

This event took place at the Gallatin River Hideaway outside of Bozeman, Montana. What an amazing location for a local or destination wedding! Of all the places I've photographed this one is in my top 10 for the following reasons: it's beautiful, outdoor, the entire event is in one location, the ceremony spot is separate from the reception tent, there are nice cabins for getting ready, and thousands of options for taking pictures! It truly is an amazing property!

Baby Album Design!

2009-03-06T16:18:00.001-07:00

I've fallen in love with designing albums for my portrait customers, and wanted to share my favorite pages from an album I designed after photographing a baby five times during her first year of life! Baby's First Year Packages are one of my favorites! It is such a joy and honor when a family includes me so often in their lives during their little ones first year!

Traditionally weddings have been the area within portraiture where it's common to own an album, but that is not the case any longer. Companies are offering books to photographers that are geared toward families and high school seniors, and I'm so excited! If I had it my way every one of my customers would own an album of their favorite images - so many of the pictures I take, especially when working with baby's and children, fit together to tell a story. It is magical to see the images designed in a way where they come to life!

Phoenix Children's Museum

2009-02-07T11:31:00.002-07:00

Wow, I'm so impressed with the Phoenix Children's Museum! It's not only a photographer's play land (and exactly what I wish a portrait studio for children could be) but it's magical for the kids. I spent almost 3 hours with Liv, Deb & Bren, and we hardly made it past the first few rooms. Each area is so imaginative and exciting Deb and I had to drag the kids to each new area.Check out the Phoenix Children's Museum's web site! They have special events all the time, and are constantly expanding! Even better. . . go to the museum!!!

Barack Obama

2009-01-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

Sitting in front of the TV this morning, I constantly switched between laughing & crying, and almost always was covered in goose-bumps. History is in the making right now, and it is incredible to be watching and experiencing the Inauguration as it takes place!

Growing up I heard stories of presidents, wars, the change in the value of money, etc., and each of these examples were hardly anymore than stories in a history book. Now, in my rather short life, I have personal stories about September 11, 2001, and talk about it in some ways as if it happened yesterday. I am confident that some day I will talk about our current economic recession as a challenge our country overcame, and one I personally survived, and now I feel so blessed to witness the Inauguration of the first African-American to become president in the United States! Our country has grown and changed rapidly over the past 100 years, and I'm excited for our future!

Here are some AP pictures I'm excited to share:

new web site

2009-01-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

www.kekiphotography.com/ is live!!!

Here's the story of how Keki Photography was created: in college I played with a bunch of name ideas, (my favorite was Imago Dei Photography), and then in a pinch during my graphic design class I settled on Brooke Ann Photography - my name. . . nothing cool or fun, but it worked. I used my signature as the logo, and got an A+, which was the goal. When I graduated I opened a studio right away, and kept everything I'd created in school.

When I decided to move from Montana to Arizona, it was an open door to start something new. A friend of mine from college was toying with the idea of starting a destination wedding photography business with me, and in playing around with the letters in her name and mine, I came up with "KEKI". She ended up taking a different path, but Keki Photography stuck.

dreams coming true!

2008-10-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

Driving late at night across country, I started thinking about my journey to today. . . it's true that you never know where you're going to end up or why the road provided so many twists and turns along the way. My story is full of beautiful and sad times, like everyone else's, so I'll skip most of the history - simply, I graduated from college with a degree in photography in 2003, immediately opened a portrait studio in Livingston, Montana, and five years, three locations, my firstborn child and a break-up later, I packed everything I own in the back of a Uhaul and headed for Phoenix.

It's great to be in a place in life where I can take the best of my old business, combined with five years of new dreams, knowledge and more training in an ever changing industry, and create something new and exciting! Keki Photography offers my customers a unique experience, where together we create fun, high energy, personality driven portraits in comfortable and casual settings, like home, the park, coffee shops, or anywhere else you love spending time!

So welcome to the beginning of Keki Photography! I can't wait to see where this portrait experience goes, as I start working with people who are excited about life and ready to share their adventures! Couples, Weddings, High School Seniors, Families and Children can all enjoy what lifestyle portraiture has to offer.