I usually like to post complete events, but I couldn’t help giving you a peek at this gorgeous bride.  She was a trooper, it was bright sun above and then all of the sudden started a downpour while we were doing the bridal party shots but she didn’t let it get to her, we continued onto the next site where we cleaned up then she gave me this – stunning!!! I love my job!! Wait until you see the rest……

It seems to me that boys this age are either into trucks/cars or super heros, this little guy was definitely all about anything with a motor, he was a little hesitant to start the session but once we climbed onto the tractors he was all smiles.  It was a perfect place, he was in heaven, dirt and farm equipment, could it really get any better?  We were in his element, just throw in some cuddle, fun time with mom and it was complete.  Mom is a native New Yorker, who like me, an L.A girl, never thought she would be playing at a farm in Montana, we are lucky indeed!

I thought it might be fun to do a purely black and white post, I love color but there is something about black and white that is so gorgeous and classic.  This little miss is beautiful, she had the most perfect, flawless skin.  I photographed the maternity session a month before (here it is).  I love shooting maternity sessions and getting to know the couple before the new arrival, it makes it so special when I finally get to meet the new babe and have had a glimpse into how anxiously they waited for her. Kate is so fortunate to have great parents that absolutely adore everything about her.  oh – we couldn’t leave out the first baby in the family, the photogenic doggie, Moose.  Thank you for letting me capture this time in your lives!

for a family session.  I was so excited to photograph this family, Shawna has bravely decided to come on as a member of my team, she will be taking over the scheduling and doing all around studio management.  I can not wait!!! She has been helping me since last fall but now will be more involved and you will get to hear her lovely voice whenever you call.  Of course we had to photograph her family so she could experience a Jana Graham shoot, it was perfect timing, her son just returned from a Mormon mission in Spain and everyone was home.  We wanted to capture their family just being them, at this moment in their lives.  They were reunited after a 2 year stint and the boys fell right back into their goofy ways, Shawna and Stuart were glowing, their family was together again.  They were silly, serious, tender,and down right gorgeous, it was perfect!

We had an eventful holiday weekend, Chris had to go to home to Toronto for a family funeral, so I had 5 days with the kids, we decided to make it memorable.  A few of our adventures included; taking a trip to Candy Town (always a highlight), swimming with friends, picnics on the floor of the family room and spending an evening with Ashley, a fabulous makeup artist and a dear family friend.  She bought a sporty convertible, so we took a spin, bought some fireworks and thought it was the perfect night to head out to the drive-in.  They loved the rides and then snuggling up in the back of the pickup with tasty snacks under the stars and a few mosquitos.  Chris made it back on the afternoon of the fourth just in time for family parties and fireworks.  My kids are the biggest  scaredy cats, this hysterical pic below with a horrified look on their face was taken when a firework a little bit bigger than a fountain that made screeching noises was let off.  Sparklers are definitely the firework of choice at the Graham house.

Of course this is one of my favorite weddings ever, I am a bit biased since it was my little sister’s big day, but I think most of the guests might agree.  You might remember an earlier sneak peek (here it is) of this fabulous day.   The love that flowed throughout the day was amazing, it was like a giant hug, everyone was happy and kind, it was such an eclectic group of guests, hippy meets country club, east coast/west coast,  they did such a good job of making everyone feel welcome and appreciated.  Megan did a superb job of planning and then letting it go and allowing herself to enjoy the festivities.  Megan and Leo have been together for 8+ years, they make each other so happy and their mutual adoration is contagious.  Thanks for letting me be a part of your amazing day, it was an honor!!!! I love you!

Megan and Leo have been a part of a great grassroots nonprofit organization from the beginning called Common Vision, they are fully committed to making a difference.  This organization tours in a few buses that have been converted into veggie oil run machines (thanks to Leo), they go up and down the California coast putting on assemblies about the earth for inner-city schools, they plant fruit trees together and teach kids about how things grow and where fruit comes from leaving them with trees that will bear fruit for years to come.  It has been a huge success and something that Megan and Leo have worked very hard on.  I had been hearing about all of the people Megan works with for years so it was great to finally meet the fine people that they are so close to.

Notice it’s my kid who is busting out the silly faces?  nice……. Chris wasn’t able to go since he had just had knee surgery and developed a lovely blood clot so our original plan of him being in charge of the kids while I played photographer and sister of the bride was a bit botched, but everything worked out, just ignore the kid in the front. 🙂

Their wedding was at the most gorgeous vineyard overlooking rolling hills filled with oak trees, a photographer’s dream.  The landscape was incredible!

The music was incredible and I mean INCREDIBLE!  They had their musician friends play 2 songs each during dinner and in between toasts, it  was so unique and different. The variety was fantastic, they sang from their heart and it was beautiful.  The DJ was amazing as well, the best I have ever heard,  he was so gifted and played songs that kept everyone from different generations and different walks of life grooving, even my grandma couldn’t resist the dance floor.  It was definitely a party not to be missed!

Here she is –  Gracie!!!!  The cutest puppy ever!  We went and picked her up in Idaho Falls this weekend, the kids were over the moon.  It has been pretty lonely around our household since Cole passed away last August.  We were debating when and if to get another dog, and a couple of weeks ago decided to take the plunge.  It was time.  We got two adorable guinea pigs for Christmas, but who would have guessed that I would be allergic to them, so we found them a new home with a fabulous family, they will be joining them after the holiday weekend.  When we realized that we couldn’t have the pigs anymore it was apparent that the time had come to search for a pup.  We thought a mini labor doodle would be the perfect fit, non shedding, hypoallergenic and a great personality, does it get any better?  We were so excited when we found a breeder that we liked, we had been counting down the days until we could pick her up, and now she is with us, completely spoiled and loved, she follows and plays with the kids nonstop and instantly falls asleep as soon as they leave the house for a moment.  We are thrilled that Gracie is in our family!

I had to share some of my favorites from a recent shoot, I had such a hard time deciding what to blog, there were soooo many cute ones, these little guys are full of personality and gave me a ton of great looks, this age is hilarious, they don’t hold back, they just go for it and show all of their feelings, it’s so fun to shoot.  I have photographed this family a couple of times before but this session was in the works forever, the month of nonstop rain put a damper on scheduling but the tall gorgeous grass made it all worth it.  I have to admit I love seeing how clients display art from previous sessions in their home, I loved walking into the nursery and seeing these pics from her newborn shoot hanging above her crib (see the session here)

This week has gone by soooo fast.  With the kids home and summer in full swing the weeks are flying by, there has been so much exciting stuff going on, I have tons of blogging to catch up on so stay tuned…….

This little baby girl is surrounded by so much love.   Her older bother adores her and mom and dad were oozing kindness.

We enjoyed Hailey’s dance recital this past weekend.  It was so great to see her shining during her special night.  Whenever the kids have a big deal event we let them pick where they want to go out to eat as a family, Hailey was beaming, it was the cutest thing ever!  She is growing up so fast!  I love you Hailey!!