A fun-filled day ahead for us. Our morning should be pretty relaxed…cleaning, hanging out, maybe a trip to Costco. Then this afternoon, we are going to see the witches at Gardner Village and to take some pictures of the kids in their costumes. Then home for a little bit of trickery and treat tasting before heading over to Tressa’s house for soups and spooky movies. Wishing you a Haunted Halloween too… {cackle, cackle}
Temple prints (sizes 11×14 and larger) will always be 50% off my regular pricing! I want to make it affordable for everyone to have a temple print on their walls. Unfortunately, my website is not smart enough to figure out the discount. So, if you want to purchase a temple picture, please send me a quick e-mail and we can work out the details. My e-mail address is mindy@bellissimaportraits.com. Thanks so much!
To view all temple prints available, please visit the FEATURED section of my website (www.bellissimaportraits.com).
Order by visiting the FEATURED section of my WEBSITE.
You will need to enter the discount manually at check-out. My website is not smart enough to figure it out.
Okay, happy shopping and remember that temple pictures make fabulous Christmas gifts!
Every summer of my childhood included some time at the family ranch in Pinedale. While we were contained (haha) on the ranch, we spent hours learning how to french braid hair, swinging on tire swings, zooming down the zip-line, building pine needle forts, searching for arrowheads…. Okay, the list could go on and on. We just spent good old-fashioned time developing relationships with our family. At some point, my cute Grandma coined the term “cousin power” and it stuck. To this day, whenever we get together with cousins, we call it a cousin power party.
I recently had the chance to photograph these cute cousins. And it takes me back. Swinging. Climbing. Singing. Learning that family is always there….
Here are a few favs from their session:
Last weekend, our family met up with the Stringham Family for a nice dinner/birthday celebration. While at dinner, Uncle Dave gave a little devotional. He finished by talking about how the most important thing to him is that all of his children and grandchildren live worthy to gain exaltation. His concluding statement: “That’s what matters…so don’t screw up!” Wise words
Anyways, here are a few of my favorites…
In this next picture, I know that the flower is covering her eye a little bit. There is another picture in this setting (after we adjusted her flower) but I just love her little expression so much, that I chose to share this one for now
I have been really getting into texture lately. So, for now…I have a favorite to share.
First, the original, classic edit:
And then the fun texture:
Clients regularly ask me what they should wear to a session. My best advice it to dress like you are selling the outfit. Layers are great. Texture is fabulous. While solid colored clothing is safe (especially in large group portraits), a little print is fine (as long is it is not distracting/competing with another print). I will address this topic more in a future post. But, a tip: This outfit is awesome! There is a little fun pattern, some great texture and that hat is awesome! Of course, Miss Brynlee’s Mom does work at a children’s clothing store. So, I’m sure that helps. But, if you are struggling with putting together and coordinating your outfits, I am always available to help you select your clothing, so call me!
-Mindy
The last time I remember going to a true “Halloween” party was in the 6th grade. My best friend Jamie was having a boy/girl, birthday/Halloween party that I was dying to go to. I HAD to be there. But, my sensible mother did not allow me to go to boy/girl parties. I complained. I cried. No luck. Then, my Mom came up with a brilliant plan. She would go with me! Except that as a 6th grader, that was not okay. Well, my Mom called Jamie’s Mom and made the arrangements. Apparently, she was going to go “help out with the party.” Since I HAD to be there, I decided I would just have to deal with the humiliation and go with my Mom. Well, in case I have never said this before: Thank you Mom! She was the best. Not the least bit embarrassing. She did not act the part of the overbearing chaperone. She sacrificed her night to allow me to go to the party that was the MOST important thing in the WORLD. {insert sarcasm}
Well, tonight…BJ and I attended Sir Nicholas’ Deathday Party. When we got the invitation I was pretty excited to see the instructions: “Come in your finest Harry Potter attire.” (said in my best British accent). Normally, I would have been out of luck. But…remember my fabulous sister Tressa? Seamstress extraordinaire? Well, it just so happens that she had previously sewn custom costumes for Professor Snape and Professor McGonogal! She hooked me up. Thanks to Lori and Tim the invitation. We had so much fun! Although I think it is time I re-read the Harry Potter series. We played a trivia game. I did not know ONE answer!!! And I love those books. Have even seen the movies. I am beginning to feel like I have a bad memory. Maybe I just don’t store non-essential trivia. Anyways, apologies to my team. I was absolutely no help!
Now that we have dressed up and gone out, the girls can hardly contain their excitement for their Halloween events next week….
But first…I will finish posting pictures of this cute family:
The baby. His Mom didn’t think she was going to be in any pictures when she brought her kids out for their session, but this snuggle moment is sweet enough to melt your heart…
And, all three kids together:
Now…a sneak peak for the Crawford’ family from our session on Saturday…enjoy!
I will have your entire gallery online soon….
You may have noticed that I have been short on words lately. Odd. I am never short on words. I always have plenty of things to say. In truth, there was no shortage of things to type. There were, however, a shortage of keys left on my keyboard with which to type. That’s right. The other day, I thought the Bub was downstairs watching a movie with the Foof. When the movie ended and the Foof emerged, I asked her how her movie was, then inquired as to whether the Bub was downstairs or not. To which she replied that he had not been watching the movie with her. Where did I find him? Upstairs. Gleefully pulling off each letter from my laptop keyboard. Great. I have now relocated my old keyboard from an ancient computer and attached it to my laptop. That works. What else has he been up to just this past week? Well, he plugged up the master bathtub and filled it with a couple of inches of water. Then, he proceeded to throw stuff in. A garbage can full of garbage, some make-up, a hairbrush. Thank goodness there were no plugged-in curling irons! This adventure was not only annoying, but could have also been really dangerous! And, yet another bit of mischief. The other morning, I failed to put the sandwich making materials away immediately after making lunches for the girls. I left the kitchen for a minute. The Foof is suddenly calling out to me. “Mom! The Bub is making a HUGE mess! HURRY!!!” A big mess indeed:
He is just like his Daddy was at that age. So, Char (my cute mother-in-law)…I now understand. But, he is just so cute and happy and funny. What a crazy baby. Peanut butter everywhere! Here’s hoping that next week will be a little less adventurous!
Isn’t this picture the cutest?!?
On a personal note, I was able to attend parent/teacher conferences this afternoon and am feeling so thankful that I am still getting good news when I go. Both girls made the Principal’s Honor Roll for Academics and for Citizenship. I can’t decide which honor I am more proud of! Of course, it is great to see my children excelling academically. I feel that “being smart” is something that has defined me, driven me. Since a very young age, I felt confident that I could learn anything and do anything I set my mind to. I am thankful that I was enrolled in the accelerated programs from Elementary school on. I was challenged and gained confidence. Not only did it help me prepare for college and…life, it also empowered me. And then, citizenship. I know that my kids argue with each other at home and definitely don’t always behave the way I would like, but I am so glad that they are showing kindness, compassion and empathy for those around them. And, can I just say how much I appreciate good teachers?
