Mine

Santa surprised me this year with a new camera, and I couldn't wait to try it out. I grabbed the closest models I had available (which happened to be my two rascals) and shot away. I am excited to use this on my shoots in 2010!

One of the Band

This gentleman and my husband played in a "band" together in high school. They never had a gig... never even played real instruments, but to this day they still call themselves, "The Band." Now that The Band is spread out across the country, it is always fun to reunite at Christmastime and catch up. Just looking at these pictures makes me smile because I love these guys so much.

Love these guys

This is the third time I've been able to take pictures of this family. (Remember him?) What sweet boys and kind parents! And I am impressed with their coloring... after 30 minutes in 27 degree weather, their cheeks and noses were as peachy as can be-- not red at all! Even more impressive, they were still smiling!

Boxes and bows

As I have been fine tuning my wedding packages, I knew I wanted to do something special for my brides. For my most recent wedding, I found a company that has a "boutique packaging" when you order prints through them. I decided to give it a try, and I couldn't be happier with how elegant and timeless the result is.

It is even prettier in person than in the pictures. I can't wait to ship these to the bride! Off to the post office...

A second take

Remember this family? Well, poor Jenna was having such a rough day with the freezing weather that most of her pictures look like this:

So when the temperatures were in the 60's the next week, I called up Jenna's mom and had her meet me to try again. This is the result of the second take:

Jumping jellyfish, Jenna, could you be any cuter? I am SOOOO glad we went for round 2. :-)

Fun with four

This mom made me laugh. I must have received 20 emails from her prior to our shoot to make sure we found the perfect location, the perfect date, and the perfect time to ensure her pictures would turn out just as she wanted. It reminded me so much of myself. I hope they are everything you hoped for, Tammy!

Changes...

Early in 2010 there will be some changes at Carly Pendleton Photography. Most of these changes are exciting (new equipment, studio plans, new props) but unfortunately, one of these changes will be a price increase. I have loved being able to keep my prices low, especially for clients that wouldn't be able to afford pictures otherwise, but at my current rates I simply cannot justify the hours I spend on each set of pictures. I will continue offering $40 sessions ($65 for newborns) booked (but not necessarily scheduled) through December 2009.

Becky + Ryan + 1 = Cute Family

This darling couple had the stars align for a beautiful photoshoot today. As luck would have it, it was sunny, 55 degrees, and there were still some fall leaves! Each week I think surely THIS is the last week before the leaves are REALLY gone, but then they hold out just a little bit longer. Becky and Ryan are expecting their first (a boy!) in March and what a cute addition he makes to these pictures in Becky's little belly, don't you agree?

I think I said something to the effect of, "Grab some leaves and throw them in the air," at which Ryan gave me an incredulous look and probably almost walked straight to the car and drove home. But being the good sport he is, he humored me and this is the result. So great.

Brrrrrr!

This morning we braved the frost and got what will probably be the last fall leaves of the year. Despite the weather, little Connor sat like a champ and swooned me with his big blue eyes. Warning: do not look at the following picture if you don't think you want a baby for awhile!

Jenna, on the other hand, was freezing and it was all we could do to distract her long enough to get the following.

Lindsey, you're gorgeous, did you know that? It's no mystery where Connor got those bright blue eyes from.

Just one more because I LOVE it.

Holiday photos - filled!

I have filled up all my holiday photo spots! I will still be taking sessions, but I cannot guarantee pictures back before December 1.

Hurry, hurry! I only have ONE spot left in November for which I can guarantee your pictures back in time for holiday cards! It would be sometime during the week of November 9. Email me at carlypendletonphotography@gmail.com if you would like that slot to be yours.

A season for families

I read an email a while back that defined seasons in Utah (well, actually it was Maine, but I think it applies) as winter, still winter, almost winter, and construction. I think right now we're in the "almost winter" season. I am so sad to see the leaves falling already. I have crammed as many sessions as I could during these past few weeks to take advantage of the fall colors, but I fear the days are numbered for autumn backdrops. Rain is starting to become an issue, too. The last picture in this set I took from under an umbrella. It's one of my favorites to date, though, so I'm glad we braved the weather, at least for a little bit!

The days are getting shorter...

I am finding I have to work faster and faster to get these evening photo shoots finished before it gets too dark. Lucky for me, this family of seven was golden! I couldn't ask for better kids in front of the camera.

I got this idea from another photographer and love how it turned out. The kids thought it was great, too. :-)

A fall wedding

Photographing a wedding is really such an honor. In most cases, you don't know the bride and groom personally, yet they trust you to observe and document this singularly significant day in their lives. By the end of the day, I find myself wishing I were friends with the happy couple as well as their many friends and family, for they are all just spectacular in every way.

Meet Allie. Spectacular only begins to describe her. Fabulous. Gorgeous. Charming. And all this before she even was in her dress.

I liked Allie even more when I saw her cake. Holey Shmoley. So spunky and fun.

Meet Allie's new husband, Sean. This reception center was amazing and made it so easy to get so many great shots.

Did I mention these two were fabulous? And through it all Allie never complained once, even though it was 50 degrees. Congratulations, you two, and thank you for letting me capture the beginning of the rest of your life.

The Mayne Event

So I did something today I've never done before... I let my clients see their pictures BEFORE I edited them. *Gasp!* Seeing picture in their raw format is like seeing a woman without makeup. Luckily, these clients are some of our best friends, and they've already seen me without makeup so why not? It was fun to see what they picked out as their favorites and how it compared to what I would have picked for them. After they left I was anxious to quickly edit a few just so they would know what they were REALLY getting.

Prepare yourself for an overload of cuteness.

I think this one will make it to my website. Such a perfect moment of childlike innocence and pure joy.