How to take a Photo with your Mom

I was a photo major at Sac State a few years back. There was this one semester that my class and I hosted our own gallery. For my piece, I created cinematic movie stills. I worked with studio lighting, and I hired my friends to act out the scenes. I even made my own marquees— just like the ones that light up at movie theaters. The hardest part about the project was cutting the glass for the marquees. I shattered around ten sheets of glass before I finally got one to fit inside the frame. In order to get it to the studio I had to wrap it up in bubble wrap, blankets and I even seat belted it in my car.

Once I finally got to the studio, and started setting up, I got a call from my dad. He let me know that my mom was in the hospital, and there was a good chance that she wasn’t going to make it. Now my mom’s okay, she’s still alive. But in the moment while my dad and I talked, I gripped the marquee so tightly— the glass shattered.

But I didn’t care. Because in that moment, I realized something that made a pivote in my photography career. I realized in that moment that there are so many cool things that you can do with photography. I mean heck, you can create cinematic movie stills and hang them up in lights. But in that moment I realized that the coolest thing that you can do with photography— is you can take a photo with your mom.

Now at the time, my mom and I didn’t have to many photos together. And why who’s fault is that?! My mom isn’t a flashy person, so hiring a photographer is out of her element. As for me, I just always thought there would be more time. But there isn’t always more time…

So, let’s get into it!

Everything that I’m about to teach you can be done with a camera or a phone. You can do this at a gorgeous venue, or in a Walmart parking lot. The rules will stay same regardless!

How to take a good photo with your Mom:

Step One— I want you and your mom to stand in a spot with even lighting from head to toe. Now “even light” is just a fancy photographers way of saying find shade. ;) Bonus points is you can find a spot that’s completed shaded from head to toe, but you can still look up and see the sky. The reason why, is because if you find a place that’s covered (like under a tree), then the photo could be too dark, and could have a weird color cast. So find a spot that has even lighting from head to toe where you can still look up and see the sky!

Step Two— The background of the image also needs to have even lighting from top to the bottom. This means that the same shade that you’re in, the background needs to be just as shaded too. The reason why, is because if the background is lighter than the shady spot that you’re standing in, then it will be too distracting. When you look at the photo on your screen, then your eye will naturally gravitate towards the background. We are PEOPLE. CENTERED. photographers!! We want our mom to be the star of the photo! So choose a spot that has even light from head to toe, and even light in the background.

Step Three— We can place our moms in the most beautiful lighting in the world, but if she doesn’t look good in the photo she’s just going to whine, “my arm looks fat, delete it!” But seriously, if we don’t like the way that we look in our photos, then we’re never going to post them on social media, and we’re definitely never going to print them! And that’s how photos get lost. So, I’m going to teach you how to pose your mom. Have her stand at a 45 degree angle, then have her twist her torso towards the camera. What this does is it creates a sliver effect with her body. Bonus points if you can get her to pop her foot! Close the space in-between you guys, and go cheek to cheek! (My mom has a bad hip, so I couldn’t get her to do the pose. I’ll try to add some more examples later. ;) )

That’s it!
I hope that this inspired at least one person to take a photo with your mom. <3

Love without a shadow: Kira & Spencer’s beAutiful placerville Wedding.

Savor. If there was a word, or a theme that describes this wedding— it’s savor.

Savor the times that you’re singing in the car together. The times that you’re at the grocery store shopping for those little life details together. Savor the times that you get to do things for the first time, and for the millionth time, because you never know when there will be a last time.

Kira and Spencer are two new friends of mine, but their wholesome kindness has made us feel like we’ve known each other for a while. I had the pleasure of having some great conversations with the help during dinner. Some of the cooks told me that even though they just moved here, they know good people when they meet them. Without a single hesitation, they agreed that Kira and Spencer were absolutely worth helping.

This blog isn’t about me, but I’ve had a year where love has cast a shadow on my sunshine.
You can know someone for years, then still have the rug ripped out from underneath you. You can put all of your faith, trust and pixie dust in people, and still have them turn on you. However, I’ve learned that if you can love the wrong ones that deeply, then I can only imagine how it feels to experience the right ones. Kira and Spencer are the right ones for each other— without a shadow of a doubt. It’s weddings like this one that reminds me why I do what I do: I get to meet amazing people, and capture real love stories. Love stories that you will want to savor.

roseville family session at donner: a love that feels like home

I’ve known my girl Stephani for a long time, and let me tell you, she is sunshine in a person. She is wild, fun, and has such a big heart. So, I knew that the guy that locked her down was going to have to be incredible! This was my first time meeting Tyson, but it was easy to tell that he was a person that felt like home for Stephani. Their love for eachother feels so easy and connected. Their little Colton is sooo stinking cute, I couldn’t get over his little feet and goofy smile! And of course, the dog!!

I really love doing family sessions in the summer, because the butter light is unreal. Donner Point really does give some next level beachy vibes, it’s absolutely one of my favorite spots to shoot at— or just go watch the sunset with a good book! Lately I’ve been doing my sessions around 8pm, so I really appreciate this couple rearranging Colton’s nap time, so he was in his best possible mood for photos.

I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this little family, but I am honored to have helped freeze the little moments that pass by wayyy too quickly— like the giggly cheeks, and the sandy little toes! Eeep!

If you’re interested in doing a family session, head over to my contact page!

The good in good-bye.

Do you know that feeling when your alarm goes off in the morning, and you’re all warm under your plushy blanket? But then your voice of reason keeps reminding you that you have to get up and go to work, or whatever it is, but you know that when you rip your blankets off, life is going to be really shitty for a few minutes?

That’s kind of what it’s like when you have to tell an important person in your life good-bye. Despite how comfortable and happy you are with someone, sometimes voice of reason tells you that this isn’t working anymore. And even though the idea of ending a relationship can be cold and scary, sometimes it just has to be done.

The reason why I started this business is because l strive to capture that warm fuzzy feelings that we experience in our relationships. Whether it’s with our spouse, friends, or family, I strive to translate that emotion into imagery. Over the past few months I have been the photographer for so many amazing love stories, and I’ve worked so hard to get to this peak in my business.

But recently, my life turned upside down.

My relationship of almost 4 years has ended because he doesn’t love me anymore.

One of my best friends decided that her secret relationship with my boyfriend was more important than ours.

And now I’m left with this question: how in the heck I am supposed to capture beautiful love stories, and blog about them, when my own perception of love has become so deluded?

This experience has given me a lot of lessons. One coincidently being that failure in itself is a lesson. Whenever you decide to put yourself out there, your heart technically is at risk. But the thing is, we keep doing it. We put ourselves out there, we meet new people, we date, all because it’s worth it.

I’ve learned that rejection is redirection. Ultimately, we’re just looking for someone who compliments us right? We’re all just looking for a partner to encourage us as we grow. If your significant other found someone else that compliments them more, then it makes sense to just let them be happy. This just means that there is someone out there for you that’s an even better fit.

People who cheat on you is a complete reflection of their issues. As much as I could sit here and think of all of the reasons why Jon decided he didn’t love me anymore, I realize this has nothing to do with me. And I’m not in any place to speak for Jon, or the decision that he made.

But to answer my own question, how am I supposed to move forward: I know that I still love love. I know, that the reason I started this business, my why, will always be inside of me. But right now, my metaphorical covers have been ripped off, and I’m cold. Frozen, actually. I’m still waiting for my metaphorical heater to warm up in my metaphorical car.

So, for those of you who are still waiting for an email for me, a response, or anything, thank you so much for being so patient! I really appreciate all of the friends that I’ve made, and I’m truly grateful for all of you. 💛 I really hope that these words helped someone, or encourages someone else who is going through something similar!

Julia & Damian— Auburn Courthouse elopement.

Julia’s father poured some bubbly champagne into the newlywed’s glasses. “I haven’t had as much time as I was expecting to prepare this speech..” her dad began, as everyone stopped eating to listen. “But I have had the pleasure of watching you grow up for a lifetime” Julia already knew that she was probably going to cry, so she quickly grabbed the box of tissues. “And to make this short… Julia, you are my best friend” Julia immediately started gushing with tears. Her father continued to talk about Damian’s family, and how they did such a great job in raising him. “This is what weddings are truly about. They’re about two families becoming one.”

That right there really punched me in the feels. Weddings really aren’t about the dresses, the flowers, or the pretty pictures. They are simply about joining together two families— three actually. Because marriage is about the beginning of your own family.

That is what weddings truly are about.

Julia’s wedding was stripped down to the core of the most important things. Her details resembled the line in her family getting married. She stayed true to herself by having simple flowers that resembled her personality and not her class. She wore boots that she knew she would be excited to wear all the time.

But most importantly, Julia and Damian brought both their families together and became one. And that’s how it should be.

I am so excited for these two, and I can not wait to see what’s next for them!