I will never forget this shoot, Nicole called me and told me about her diagnosis of bile duct cancer and her need for a liver transplant, she was about to go start her treatment at the Mayo clinic and wanted to do a family session to capture her life at this time.  I was honored.   We have some great things planned with this session so I can only show you a sneak peek and am only doing it now because her fundraising event is this Sunday night (May 1st) at the Knights of Columbus from 4-7pm.  The dinner is $20 per family or $5 per person and there will be a live and silent auction to follow, fun for the whole family.  If you have ever been compelled to share your blessings and help someone out, this is perfect.  After photographing this loving family I was moved, they are an inspiration.  Please go, have fun and help a wonderful family during a challenging time in their lives. You won’t regret it!

Can I just tell you how amazing this little guy was?  He was so cuddly and precious, I get a smile on my face just writing about him.  I had been anxiously waiting to meet him ever since our maternity session (see here).  This babe’s family have been farmers/ranchers for generations, so we envisioned the session out at the family property near Joliet using all kinds of fabulous buildings, gear etc.   I guess we were optimistic thinking that we might have a warm sunny day on an April in Montana? – instead we had the snow storm a few days ago that took us by surprise, so we decided to bring all of the sentimental things we wanted to incorporate inside; (I love when we are able to use items that have meaning during a session), the saddle was the baby’s grandfather’s when he was a little tyke, the hat and boots were dad’s, I can’t wait to watch him grow and photograph him toddling around in grandpa’s antique chaps in a couple of years.  He is a lucky baby, to be born into a hardworking, kind family.  Congrats!

The mini sessions were announced in this issue of Simply Family Magazine under Fun Finds but I just realized I had failed to mention them on the blog.  For all of those who love minis, it’s time!  They will be held on May 21st at the downtown Gainan’s.  Mini sessions are 15 minutes and include 12-15 images to choose from 1 – 8×10 and 2 – 5×7 prints for $250.  I love working with Gainan’s, they always do an amazing job with the sets, we decided to do it later in May so that we could take advantage of all of the flower baskets and blooming gorgeousness. Please call for an appointment. 671.4371

Here it is – images from our first cruise.  It was great, we had a fabulous time with our friends as well as enjoying all the southern Caribbean has to offer.  We started in San Juan, Puerto Rico then went to St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St. Maarten.  We went zip lining through the rainforest, (something that has been on my bucket list), visited an ancient fort, spent a day exploring on scooters, going on a crazy colorful local boat out to swim with the sea turtles and snorkel over a ship wreck, shopped at a local farmer/craft market, and was completely impressed by the cabin stewards that left us towel art at the end of the day, who knew you could be so crafty with a folded towel?  We had a blast!!  I loved all of the amazing color and textures!!!  I would love to have sessions there, I think I should offer a few days of shooting in the islands, hmmmmmm………… anyone game?

What’s with the seductive bunny?  that one kind of creeped me out.

I have had so many people ask when the cruise pics would be up  – so I’m hoping this gem will tide you over.  Matching thongs really???  wow!

It’s been a little crazy here, Chris had surgery a week and a half ago and then last week developed a blot clot, he is on blood thinners now and supposedly the risk is gone , but it’s made things a bit nerve wracking.  Overall he is doing really well and on the mend.  Thanks for all of the kind thoughts and prayers.

I loved going through all of the cruise pics, while sitting here wrapped up in a blanket, dreaming of warmer days, deciding which ones to share, there are so many, it was hard to narrow it down.  Stay tuned!!

So I had the pleasure of taking my first cruise last week, we went with five other couples to the southern carribean and had an amazing time!  I have some fun pics to share with you in the next few days.  We got home at midnight on Sunday after a death defying flight and hit the ground running.  The flight from Philly to Denver was the craziest thing I have ever experienced, people say they hit turbulence, but it seriously was four free falls of 300 -400 feet, combined with crazy back and forth inbetween, it was insane!  You know when you are on a roller coaster and it drops and suspends you in the air for a moment, now imagine that while in a plane full of screaming people without any warning, it was seriously like a scene out of a movie you see right before the airplane crashes, drinks flying, luggage falling out of the overhead, people throwing up, screaming, crying, lights flashing, someone hit their head on the plastic overhead, above the seat where the air and light controls are and actually cracked the ceiling, had a big gash in his head that was apparently bleeding everywhere, everyone thought they were going to die, we were convinced it was the end.  The girl behind me was breathing into a bag hyperventilating for quite some time.   The pilot finally got on the intercom after a very long five minutes and his voice was shaking, he was obviously upset, which isn’t very comforting, you would hope the person in charge would be calm cool and collected, he kept apologizing saying that they had no indication of that kind of event on the radar and that they would have paramedics standing by at the gate for anyone that needed assistance.  Chris was seriously considering driving from denver back to billings, the good thing was that we had to literally run to the next plane, since there were 12 of us they were holding the flight,  it was the last of the night, we didn’t really have time to think but had to jump right back on the saddle, a blessing in the end, or I might have been more hesitant to get on a plane for awhile.  My friend talked to the flight attendant and she said she had never experienced anything like that in her 30 years of working, so I should be good to go, if that was her worst, I can claim this as my worst as well and should be good the rest of my life, right?

So after surviving a crazy flight, it was immediately back to real life.  Monday afternoon I had the privilege of photographing a Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep session.  And yesterday I was shooting all day, an adorable newborn and one family session that rocked me to the core, it involved laughter and tears, I can’t wait to tell you about it and show you how it went.  It was incredible!  Stay tuned….

Right now I am sitting waiting for Chris to get out of recovery, he just had his ACL repaired.  I had no idea how intensive this surgery/recovery was, he is banned from work for three weeks, physical therapy here we come.  I get to play nurse for the next couple weeks,  so hopefully in between rotating ice packs and bringing him jello and Gatorade I’ll be able to get caught up on all of the emails and calls that came in while I was in paradise.  Thanks for your patience!  Lots of fun and exciting things coming up, lots to share, fun sessions I’m looking forward to.  It’s been an eventful few days, I’m thankful when I have reminders that put things into perspective and make me think.  I am so blessed to have my health, my family, friends, I’m enjoying the ride –   Life is good!

I was hesitant when they asked me to photograph prom, I was envisioning those horrible traditional pictures where everyone looks uncomfortable with a forced smile on their face.  But after a conversation with Christian, one of my fabulous 2011 senior reps, about how we would have to do it differently, put a fun, Jana Graham Photography spin on it, I obliged.  I had a great time,  it was so fun to see the seniors I photographed this past year all gussied up and great to meet new people.   Everyone had a fantastic time and worked the set.  Thanks guys for a fun evening!

Sally and I had to reschedule twice, once due to weather and the second time she had a run in with the swine flu, yikes!  So, I was thrilled when we got together on a gorgeous warm, sunny day this week.  All seniors are nervous initially, let’s just admit it, major buildup to the day, and how awkward is it in the first few minutes to have someone taking pictures of just you? I imagine it can feel a little intimidating, but after a few minutes they relax, and I show them a couple of in camera images, they can see how fabulous they look, they trust me, and then work it like no other to give me amazing images.  Sally was no exception, she let me in, showed me the real her and look what we got, Gorgeousness!!!!  We had a blast running around town to different locations to give her various looks.  She is a superb  girl, and has so much going for her!  She will be leaving in the fall to play soccer for a university in Nashville, she plays multiple instruments and she is hilarious!  It was so fun to get to know you!!

Thanks to Ashley for the fabulous makeup!

does the edge of anyone else’s tub look like this right now?  Don’t get me wrong, girls are a blast, I adore mine, but I love having a boy.  I didn’t have any brothers, so it was estrogen overload at my house growing up, (my poor dad). I get the biggest kick out of Ty, I had no idea how different boys really were until I had one of my own.  He cracks me up, he has opened a whole new world to me and I love it!

So my fabulous friend Kim was giving me grief about sending her pics from our time in Vegas for a convention a couple of weeks ago.  Anything taken on my personal point and shoot is only downloaded about twice a year so this is super fast, thought I’d share.  I went to WPPI, with my friends Ronnie and Kim.  WPPI is the biggest photog convention/trade show around.  It’s a great time to take in classes, look at product, talk to vendors, old and new, and catch up with friends that I’ve met at different workshops over the last few years.   It is nonstop craziness and an overwhelming amount of info and decisions to be made but well worth the sleepless nights.  Kyung, the creator of Dream Albums, (my favorite album company ever) took Kim and I to the most amazing dinner at Yellowtail in the Bellagio, I can’t wait to go again, the company as well as the food was fantastic!   I was also excited to see my friend Aaron again, his baby is Riley G Design Works, he makes fabulous custom camera straps, check em’out.  I have had mine for quite awhile, in fact it’s one of the originals that he sewed in his garage, now he’s big time and has them made for him, but this was his first year having a booth at the trade show, it looked great and was very successful. (congrats Aaron!) My friends and I decided to take advantage of the Vegas nightlife one evening and head out to a photographer party put on by various sponsors.   So fun!  (and where else would I be able to work the black pleather pants? only in Vegas!)

I’m so behind on blogging the Graham family happenings, we have had an eventful few months, but I haven’t had a chance to share until now. (are you ready?)  Let’s go waaaay back, how about to October?  Chris’ family came into town from Toronto, Canada and we agreed it was about time for them to see Yellowstone national park.  We have lived all over the country and enjoyed most of the sites those states had to offer, but for some insane reason, we hadn’t taken the opportunity to get his parents to Yellowstone.  They were in speechless and in awe.  We started the trip at the fabulous Rand Creek Ranch, check it out here, we were there the last weekend of the season and had the place all to ourselves.  They were the most hospitable, gracious hosts, the log cabins were spotless and comfy, the horses were kind and the little fishing pond stocked with fish, much to Taylor’s delight.  Despite the freezing wind Hailey insisted on exploring the entire place with Mimi.  We definitely will be staying with them again, hopefully in the summer so we can take advantage of the campfires, bbqs, and other great things they have to offer.  When making plans for this summer if you are looking into staying just outside of the park near Cody, this is the place, call them and book it!  You will have a blast!  One downside of traveling during the off season is the lack of restaurants, I’m so glad that the ranch was fabulous because the local dining down the road was a nightmare!  Have you ever had a meal and service that was so bad, I mean, scary bad that all you can do is laugh?  All of our dinners were frightening.  This happened to be the only place in town that was open, so other weary travelers were crowding in with looks of horror on their face.  It actually turned out to be a highlight because it was so ridiculous and gave us something to laugh about for the rest of the trip. All I can say is good thing we had a couple of bags of Doritos in the car to sustain us that night.  The Rand Creek Ranch is amazing!  We try to get to Yellowstone a few times a year and this was the best trip by far, once we got over 4 adults and 3 kids stuffed into the minivan we were golden.  I have never seen so much wildlife!  We stopped on the side of the road and watched moose play, a dad, mom and baby!  It was incredible!  I have never seen a bear just hanging out so close to the road.  I was kicking myself that I didn’t bring my “good” lenses, I always bring my back up camera and so-so lenses because I don’t want to risk my, “work equipment” getting damaged, but when you see wildlife this close and can only photograph them at a wide angle it makes you want to cry.  Great trip, good times, and it’s virtually in our backyard. How lucky are we?!?!?