The Garpestad Family

These guys had me smiling the entire time. I can tell that laughing, running, hugging & kissing is part of their everyday lives, so I just let them be. It was freezing cold that morning, so we took a lot of breaks inside their truck...but the times we braved the wind were worth it. What a beautiful bunch.






Moms & Dads never get enough pictures of just the two of them...so I like to encourage mini-makeout sessions. It usually grosses out the kids, but in a good way. :) Sexy time...

The McGill Family

The holidays are just about here...and you know what that means - Christmas pictures! The holiday card frenzy has begun...and the first family in this bunch was the cutest ever! Major props to this mom - she has FIVE boys - a hubby, sons & Jack, the dog! ;) This family made my day! *Click on the collage to see it bigger & better.





Mom was concentrating so hard on her bubble that her eyes were closed! LOVE this one.

Vermont & Mia

Mia is someone I feel so blessed to have in my life. We met more than 4 years ago in Great Falls at KRTV and were instantly joined at the hip. It was almost weird how much we had in common....and how I could never get sick of being around her. Mia was a huge part of my life in Montana...and now that she lives in Vermont - nothing has changed. I just returned from an incredible trip to the East Coast to see my Mia & meet her soon-to-be husband (who is just as wonderful as her!) I'm in their wedding in June, so I had to get out there to finally meet him! I took their engagement pictures & will post them as soon as I can. I'm working on a little sumpin' sumpin' for them...so it may take a while. ;) Until then...here's some pics from my fun in Vermont. How cute is this photo of Mia laughing? Miss you already!!!!!!

Me - lurking in the forest.

Mia played around with my camera & took this GORGEOUS shot...

A bee on a vibrant purple flower that I shot with my zoom lens. I've been running from bees since August, when one stung my lip and I looked like a duckbill platypus.

More pretty trees....

Mia holding a caterpillar called a "woolly mammoth."

Hanging out on Church Street in downtown Burlington.


The stunning site of Mia & Matt's wedding. They're not the only ones counting down - I can't wait!

The Burcham Family

Typically, it's the photographer's job to make people feel at ease, smile & laugh. But I barely had to work for these smiles. This little girl is quite the comedian! Cute, cute family!


And I just LOVE this last little collage I put together because it shows them as individuals and their brother/sister connection. *He wrapped his arm around her without anybody telling him to...and she's holding onto his arm - so sweet!* Click image to see it better.

Heather - a self portrait

I gave this senior from Belt High School some homework before our shoot. Heather told me she loves to draw people, so I asked her if she'd ever done a sketch of herself. The answer was "Ummm...no." I told her she HAD to do it! After some laughs and long pauses - she agreed. When she showed up for our shoot, I was floored. She's not only striking (hello...Jessica Alba?)...she's extremely talented. Disney needs to be hiring this girl!

NOTE: This shoot was a personal experiment/challenge. I didn't pick out ONE single place beforehand. I knew Heather wanted something artistic & colorful & spontaneous, so we just drove & walked around Great Falls - stopping whenever we were "feeling it." That's how the pink balloons came into the picture --- totally random & spur-of-the-moment! Fun stuff.

Jeanie & Dodger

"In a perfect world, every dog would have a home & every home would have a dog."

I don't know who said this, but I agree! Dogs are unlike any other animal...the trust, the loyalty, the bond. I'm crazy about my dogs Duncan & Boerne, which is why I enjoy taking pictures of "furry people." And I knew as soon as Jeanie asked me to take pictures of the bond she shares with Dodger that I was going to LOVE this shoot. She talked about him like he was a person --- warning me that he probably wouldn't be in the mood for pics. She also filled me in on his beautiful hair --- only Aveda products for this pampered pooch! Seriously - he has softer hair than anybody I know & Jeanie has the softest heart for Dodger. What a cool pair.

*Click on the top sequence to see it BIG --- hysterical!*

A portion of my sitting fee with pets goes to the Animal Foundation of Great Falls. They're raising money to build a new shelter & city dog park. To make a donation, go to http://www.theanimalfoundation.com/

By the way, Dodger is a shelter dog. There's lots of guys just like him who you could take home!

Megan & Josh

You may remember this couple from a post back in August, when they got married. Well, we never had a chance to do engagement pics...but it's never too late! These guys are my wonderful friends...and I know God has wonderful plans for them. And I can't wait until their "official" wedding in Utah. *Yeah - this is the only girl I know who managed to get TWO weddings!* A note to any couples out there: when you book a session with me - plan to do A LOT of kissing! I know that's Megan's favorite part. :)