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???

The last 2 years, I have helped plan the Insta-Inspire Photography Retreat. It has not been all roses, but the retreat is definitely a highlight! In August, I traveled to Phoenix with the planning team so we could start planning our 2020 retreat. I made this quick film to highlight some of the beauty one can find in the desert. Yes, it was hotter than all get out in August, but come April, the desert will be in bloom and temperatures will be perfect! (You can see some of that desert blooming beauty in my spring break film when we were there this April!)

Sign ups are now open for the retreat! If you'd like to attend, or find out more information, check out the Insta-Inspire Photography Retreat website!

My oldest niece was married the last day of May this year. That actually really makes me feel old, but I'm sure when my own children start getting married, I'll even feel older! ;)

She asked me to take her bridals/first look a couple weeks before the wedding, and then make the wedding video. So, here are a few of my favorite images of her photo session, and then take a few minutes to watch what her special day was like! I really had fun making this video...but I'm not sure I could do it for a living! ;)

In case you didn't know...I love films. Why do I love them? I love that it's basically photography, but in motion. And the music. Can we talk about how much emotion music can add? I feel it takes it to a whole new level! 
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This year for Father's Day, I decided to skip the tie/shirt/candy/useless junk that my husband will never use, and together with my boys, we made him a film. I did an interview with each boy, and then put clips that I had taken of my husband with them throughout the year. It's short, it's sweet and even though it was like pulling teeth to get my boys to cooperate, I just know this will be a treasure in our family for many years to come! 

We have owned a camping trailer for the last 9 years.  Yes, it was better than a tent because hello, bathroom and shower!  Buuuuut, my hubby decided to buy it without me seeing it, because I figured he would do a good job picking one out. Alas, I was wrong about that and I never liked it from day one. 
​It was always pretty small, but worked with our four boys when they were younger.  Now that our oldest is 14 and taller than me, and the twins are 10 we decided to upgrade to something a bit bigger and nicer! So last October, we (both hubby and I) went trailer shopping. And because we only used it on our fall break, we decided we needed to do a camping spring break trip this year.
We stayed somewhat close to home, and explored some of the cool stuff in Arizona! (My previous post shares some pictures.) Well, I finally finished up our spring break film, and I figured I'd better share it now!  We left the 50's behind and enjoyed the warm 70's, saw the desert in bloom and had fun making some awesome memories in our new trailer.  We had fun breaking her in!

I had a hard time deciding which way to go for my serenity project this month...I had a couple of choices. But since I shared macro last month, I figured I would do something a bit different this month!

I grew up camping, and I loved every second of it! My favorite place to go was in the nearby mountains--I loved the fresh air, the way the stars glistened at night, cooking dinner over the campfire and eating s’mores for dessert. I loved playing night games with my siblings and playing in the creek. It was magical, and I was so glad I found a man who loved to go camping too! We are a little less rugged campers though, and own a trailer which has all the modern conveniences including a toilet and shower. So we spend many vacations in our trailer, enjoying the many sights of this beautiful world!

We got our trailer out for the first time this year for our spring break trip. We spent 10 days exploring mostly northern Arizona, and it was amazing! My mom said I’ve been there before, but I don’t remember any of it, so basically it was my first time. ;)

When my sister-in-law asked me where my favorite place was we visited, I didn't hesitate even a second and answered "Monument Valley!"  My husband found out that the gate into Monument Valley is closed at night, so he secured a camping spot inside the park with a full view of the famous mittens,  I got to watch sunset, and boy were there a ton of people there taking pictures.  I woke up at 2 am to shoot the stars (which didn't turn out so hot, so I'm not posting that...) and then I woke up early to watch the sun rise at 7 am.  I was exhausted from lack of sleep, but the only other person who was watching the sunrise was my husband and it was such a beautiful sight to behold.  Serenity in it's fullest!

Such a beautiful desert experience!

​The Serenity Project is done with some fellow photography friends. To see what brought them serenity this last month, continue through the circle by visiting my sweet friend, Lori McLellan, Alberta Photographer. 

I am so ready for winter to be done!  Spring is just around the corner, I can feel it in my bones!  But since it's not here yet, and there's a bunch of "lovely dead crap" around my yard, I decided to get my Lensbaby Velvet out and get my macro serenity on this month!  There's something so beautiful and serene I feel as I connect with the small details in this world!  These images are a bit more moody than my normal work, but I think they reflect my current mood about wanting winter to be over! ;)