In 2018 I took upon myself a personal film project. That project was to take video clips of my family throughout the month, then compile them into a monthly family film that I called "Hanging Out With the Hamson's". I actually did very well with this project and was able to edit each month's film by the 15th of the next month (which was my goal date). But something happened by the end of the year, or rather the beginning of this year. When we hit January and it was time for me to edit, I got it started then hit a road bump. Let's just say my computer was not my BFF at the moment. So December fell behind, then like any project, other projects popped up, clients needed their films and photos edited and my personal film fell to the wayside. It fell off so far that I kind of forgot about it...until a few days ago when I pulled up my big girl panties and I told myself I was going to get last year's film done asap...no matter what! It took me a few days, but without further ado, the December 2018 Hanging Out With the Hamson's is now officially done!

I love making family films! Maybe I've said it on here before, or maybe I haven't, but seriously...there's something about films that really make my heart happy! Could it be capturing the little nuances that kids do, or is it hearing a mother talk with her child, or maybe catching a phrase that is said often? What about how easy it is to see a small glimpse of what life at home is like at a certain time period, or the way siblings interact with each other? Or maybe it's possibly capturing a teenagers voice before it changes even more? What about all of the above? Yes...that's what I think, it's all of it! Now take those moments--moments that are nearly impossible to ever get back--and add in music. There's something about adding in the perfect song to those moments that makes films my favorite! I just big fat puffy heart love them, and I even bigger puffier heart love making them for others!

I had the opportunity to capture some moments of the Pali family at home in their cute little farm house, and out on the farm as dad plants crops. This is a typical day during farming season, and I was so grateful they let me come capture these moments for them!

​I know I've never officially posted it anywhere, but I am making films for clients, as in it is now on my website (you can find more information on my film/video tab)! I'd love to make a film for your family, so contact me if you're interested!

I haven't posted in the Serenity Circle Project for awhile--between some computer issues and the normal stuff of life, my editing and blogging took a backseat. So, I am going to do a little catching up here. Hope you're okay with that! ;)

This last summer, my family went to Alaska for our summer vacation. My little sister has lived in Anchorage for 9 years now, and we've been to visit her a few times, and we decided to go again this summer to visit my parents too! They are living in Alaska for 18 months while they serve as missionaries for our church, and will be coming home in March of 2020. It was a good excuse to go explore more of that huge state, because we've only seen such a small portion of it. (This trip we mostly explored north of Anchorage to Fairbanks--other trips we've explored mostly the Kenai Peninsula.)

My littlest sister also came with us, so there was my family of 6, my parents, my little sister and her family of 6, and my littlest sister with her 2 kids--overall 17 of us! Though we weren't all together the entire 11 days, there was still plenty of chaos which sent my introverted self into someone who had to periodically leave for a few minutes with camera in hand to find some peace and serenity!

Before my trip, I decided that I wanted to do a little photography project, specifically for the Serenity Project--I would find times that I could sneak away and photograph the details of Alaska! So that's what I did! I focused on the small things--flowers and biomes that  I don't see in Utah very often. I hopefully captured the serene details of this. (This was supposed to be my August serenity post...but here it is finally a few months later!)

I hope you found a little bit of Alaskan serenity like I did on my trip!

To feel more serenity today, continue around the Serenity Project to see how some of my friends found serenity in their lives too! Up next is the talented Janet Broughton, still life photographer, NW England.

The last week of September, I had the amazing opportunity to attend an in-person photography workshop in Grand Teton National Park. And it was amazing! My friend, Kristen Ryan, created this ladies-only retreat called The Magic of The Tetons, and boy was it magic! It was a small group of 11 of us, and besides getting to learn and grow in my photography, I got to meet some amazing women and formed some fun new friendships!  

I have been to the Tetons many times, but with kids, it’s not always possible to go out and shoot at all hours of the day, or stay in one location to shoot to my heart’s content. But during the workshop, we were able to explore the park at sunrise, sunset and even to photograph the stars! And a bonus was, I was able to focus solely on my pictures, not hearing whining kids (and sometimes a whiny husband) who were ready to move on!

In addition to making some beautiful images at one of my favorite Tetons locations, I was able to do some creative work as well! I tried some zooming while shooting and in-camera double exposures that I'm honestly loving!

In addition to having an amazing time capturing this morning, it was a wonderful time just being in nature and soaking in the peace and quiet that only nature can bring to my soul! 

Mt. Moran (the biggest mountain from this view) is my hubby's favorite in the Teton range, so I want to print one of these really big for his office...so which one do you think I should print for him???