a forever and ever family

The Deller family drove from Colorado into SLC Friday morning at 2:30am. I shot these photos with them at 10:30am. And, at 2pm, they were sealed together inside the Salt Lake temple as an eternal family. The next morning, they flew to Hawaii for a family "honeymoon." (And if THAT weren't amazing enough- the oldest daughter told me she recently BUILT her own film camera! When I asked the mom (Suzanne) if she cared for any classic, traditional portraits of her children, she immediately responded, "Oh we for sure don't have to do traditional stuff- I love the unconventional!" The cherry on top was when the dad (Michael) referred to me as "that zany film photographer." THIS is the stuff my little quirky film photographer dreams are made of, folks. ) I really loved these guys and the fact that they were willing to brave the cold, cold morning weather for these shots documenting such a wondrous occasion.

Mamiya 645 Pro TL, Canon eos3, Fuji 400h, Tri-x

wilson family

Shot just two rolls with this little crew for a mini session and, turns out, it was just enough. Simple and sweet.  

Mamiya 645 ProTL, Portra 800

dixon family

The Dixons live up the street from us. They love our two daughters like their own. Becca (in the peach and cream top) is one of our very favorite babysitters and Hero ADORES her. Becca takes Hero for rides in their family's red wagon and brings her Christmas presents. While showing Hero a few of these photos, she excitedly exclaimed, "That's Becca! That's my big sister!" Hero loves playing at "Becca's house" and now, after having the wonderful opportunity of photographing Becca's family, I have a better understanding of why Hero loves the Dixons with all her heart. This family is truly something special. They are all the best of friends and just SHINE. Watching these sisters interact with each other was a total joy for me and you'd be hard pressed to find more loving, supportive, and kind parents. I know that MY life has been blessed by the Dixons and I loved being able to capture just a small bit of their light.

Mamiya 645 Pro TL, Canon eos3, Kodak Portra 800, Tri-x

the venice canals, a beach, and the thiot family

I got this text from Stacy Thiot last night: "I love that we text and are besties now. I actually had a dream about shooting film last night. Haha!"

So maybe, after shooting her family, Stacy and I ARE great buds and maybe I'm not so secretly trying to turn her to the dark side of shooting film. (Mwhahaha!)

I was beyond thrilled to meet these three after being friends on Instagram for a while now. And I'll never ever get over these California locations. Sunny, warm, and gorgeous in December. I'm sold! Now all that's left to do is find a way to get out to Cali more often or...just move there. Preferably the latter.

Thanks, cute Thiot family for trusting me to capture your magic and for letting me call you guys friends.

Mamiya 645 ProTL, Canon eos3, Fuji400h, Kodak Tri-x

we are roz

Listen to how crazy this is: Carson is a videographer and Jostlyn is a film photographer. Sound like anyone else you know? (Ok, I'll tell you: me and Chas!) And here's another fun fact: Jostlyn was the person who sold her Mamiya 645 ProTL to me! I really love my camera and I have her to thank for it! So, when I was booking St. George sessions last weekend, it seemed ONLY natural for me to bring her old camera by her and Carson's new (amazing!) studio for a little hello, good to see you again, and photo session. But seriously, I'm so, so happy they had me do these photos because it gave me the chance to finally put a face to a name and who wouldn't want to shoot in this perfect studio setup?! I mean, let's get real. They also didn't mind Chas filming the whole session for a little photographer promo video he's making for me. (Perks of having a videographer husband.) But wait- it gets better! Chas and I had so much fun during our session with these two that we then forced them to come to dinner with us that night as well! Haha.

To be honest, shooting another photographer is always a little intimidating but shooting another film photographer- and the person who previously owned the camera you're shooting!?- I was kiiiinda nervous. But being with Carson and Jostlyn quickly felt like just hanging out with old friends. I just wish they lived closer (and dinner dates could happen more often)!

Be sure to check out their awesome work here. If I lived in St. George, I'd get in on the WE ARE ROZ party. Fast.

let's stay in bed together all saturday morning

I mean there really are no words for these three. Truly. And don't even get me started on little Kennedy and her kitty whiskers. Don't even.

If MY lazy, snuggly Saturday mornings looked this good, I'd never ever leave the bedroom. But just because these guys look like they walked out of magazine, doesn't mean they aren't the nicest, most friendly and welcoming little crew you've ever met. Because they are. Thanks, Tew family for letting me in on your morning happiness.

dreamland with jenny and her boys

So very first thing that happened when I pulled out my camera at the start of this shoot and asked to get a picture of the two brothers together was they immediately cuddled up to each other close, wrapped their arms around one another so sweetly, and flashed me these smiles that made my heart break all over the place. That's when I knew this session would be an absolute dream. And it was. There's something about the way these images turned out that have a special ethereal, dream-like quality that is just so perfectly fitting for how being with this family felt. Gosh I love film. And how these boy love their mama! With good reason, too. Jenny is warm and gentle with her love for her family. Her kind willingness and enthusiasm for every. single. pose I suggested during the session was the stuff photographer's dreams are made of. There's that word again: dream dream dreamy!

Mamiya 645 ProTL, Canon eos3, fuji 400h, kodak tri-x

david miller (and family!) of alpine film lab

Having David Miller of Alpine Film Lab (the lab I use for all my processing and developing) ask me to do a family session for him was basically the highlight of my film shooting experience thus far. Hands down. And can I just say that I have a small crush on this family? Because I do. I thought I was going to be a nervous stress wreck the whole time- knowing that David is an amazing film photographer himself and would be developing the film and thus seeing alllll the frames I shot (for better or for worse). In fact, this is the guy who actually first taught me how to even shoot film. Anything I know about my camera, technically speaking, is thanks to him. So no pressure at all shooting his family, right?! But surprisingly, this session was probably one of the most relaxed and flat-out fun sessions I've ever shot. Still not sure how that happened but I'm thinking it had a lot do to with how amazing these guys are together. They are the coolest and so mellow. All the expectations and pressure I was putting on myself just melted away and, before I knew it, our time together was over and I was left wishing I had brought lots more film just so I could keep hanging out with these four.

Mamiya 645 ProTL, Canon eos3, Fuji 400h, Kodak Tri-x

the taylor family's light

I first met Jalene about 18 months ago when I first started dabbling in photography and hired her to teach me how to use Lightroom. So you can imagine my excitement when, a few months ago, she asked me to do a family session for her! Jalene is one of the best (and busiest!) wedding photographers in Utah. She is lovely to the core. Soft-spoken, unassuming, and genuine. The love she holds for her little family is inspiring. The Taylor's happiness and contentment together just radiate outwards so much so that being around them makes you feel surprisingly peaceful and at home. Thank you, Taylor family, for letting me into your beautiful circle of joy for an evening.

Mamiya 645 proTL, canon eos3, fuji 400h, kodak tri-x

softness, silliness, and patience at the lake

I'm so, so glad I got to meet the Evans family. Both Nic and Whitney are amazing parents. I loved witnessing the gentleness and kindness they hold for one another. The boys adore their dad- and for good reason. He was so patient and sweet with each one of them. And, of course, was just the right amount of goofy and fun also. And when cute baby Grey cried for basically the whole session, Nic and Whitney just rolled with it so gracefully and kept their cool. Instead of getting overwhelmed, they simply hugged him and comforted him- never once seeming stressed or anxious about it. Few parents could do that.

And all those boys! Just watching them interact with each other, help each other, and encourage each other- all the while holding fishing poles and fishing nets- it made me feel like I had stepped inside a Norman Rockwell painting. When I asked the second oldest to think of something that makes him happy as I was taking his portrait, he told me he had thought of his youngest brother. And that's when my heart melted into a puddle on the ground. Again.

Thanks for letting me be a part of your wonderfulness for an evening, Evans family.

Mamiya 645, canon eos 3, fuji 400h, kodak tri-x