Mulitalo Family 2013

I've had the pleasure of capturing this family before and they've since had a new addition to their growing household. I love that I got to see how everyone has changed since the last photo session and how big the kids are all getting. The boys are still so cute and the girls are just adorable!

A whole lot of work goes into trying to make a family portrait look perfect. They aren't the easiest shoots to perform especially with little ones. As a mother I am all too familiar with how trying it can be to get everyone together - let alone get everyone to look at the camera at the same time and smile. And then there's the question of whether or not anyone was blinking or looking away, or if the little ones need their noses cleaned...the list is endless. It's enough to make a parent go a little crazy. I still can't fathom being a film photographer and not being able to preview the pictures on my camera monitor. I'd be chompin' at the bit waiting for my pictures to develop!

It's still cold in Utah.  During our shoot we were in an area with snow still on the ground and one of the girls was just not happy about it. Poor baby! We tried our best to keep her warm (with blankets) in between shots but she was just not havin' it. So even though technology allows me to preview the shots, sometimes you just have one of those days where you have a kid that is just not going to put up with conditions that are unacceptable.

 I felt so sorry for her! However, I was relieved and grateful that she was running around and laughing towards the end of our shoot.

Thank you so much Mulitalo family.

As always, it was a pleasure.

I love your beautiful family and appreciate the opportunity to capture you together.

- Mena

Siblings. Class of 2013.

My brother and I are a pretty close pair so when I had the opportunity to take senior portraits for these siblings I was pretty excited. I enjoyed getting to know Juni and Lexi during our short time together. They consider themselves to be very close and it was pretty evident.

They are both going off to college after graduation but in different States which made me kinda sad.

It's always difficult when you're growing and realize that you're going to be on your own soon.

As long as you have a good relationship with your family you're never really on your own.

Much love to you both and best of luck in all that you do.

Expecting.

     I don't have enough words to express my love for this expectant mother. I've known her since she was a toddler with long, flowing, curls and big beautiful curly eyelashes. We spent many days in my Aunt's tiny living room in Compton with its mismatched couches and Chinese mat-covered floors singing along with Sillywhim and all the characters from that Wee Sing video.
     Before my own children came along I had my niece. I will always remember and cherish the days we spent together in my first apartment as a married mother when she'd spend weeks at a time with me during her summers.  She learned how to swim thanks to my husband's method of teaching - which consisted of putting floaties on her arms and throwing her into the pool. No kidding. She'd be immersed in the water for a few seconds - which was more than enough to scare her to death (evident by the look of horror on her face).  Then she'd emerge, triumphant, (on the verge of tears and spitting up the water she had swallowed but triumphant nonetheless). Remember that Trina? Lol. She was always eager to please everyone but realized later on in her life that you just can't live that way and be truly happy. She's always been a smart cookie! 
     We've had many heart-to-heart conversations about life, love, the pursuit of happiness, personal stories of our individual failures and triumphs, and here she is now preparing to bring another life into this world. I know she will be a great mother - even though she might have doubts about herself. I know she will triumph in this new calling which can be challenging, yet rewarding.
     I will always have a special place reserved in my heart for my beautiful niece and I hope she knows that even though circumstances (and time) may play a part in our inability to sometimes connect my feelings for her will always remain the same forever.
Love you Trina!!!

Called to Serve.

It's been forever since I've posted anything so I thought I'd share a few pictures from two shoots I recently did.  I don't have much to say except that I'm extremely proud of both of these young men. 

I know they will be awesome missionaries because they both come from amazing families.

God be with you Elders.

Love you!

Isn't She Lovely:: Salt Lake City, Children Portrait Photography

Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
Isn't she lovely made from love.

I've been in sort of a funk as of late and can't understand where it's coming from.  I mentioned this to a fellow photographer before and this year I'd like to see it come to fruition. What I mentioned was that I'd like to really focus on senior portraits. Only senior portraits.  However, every now again I wouldn't mind doing other shoots as well. So when you have a cute, chunky, cuddly, sweet-faced baby like this one who can turn her down?

I love this little girl and I love her parents. I've been fortunate to capture them a few times and every single time it has been an absolute pleasure. So it wasn't surprising that this cutie was so good during our shoot. She wasn't fussy once! I was impressed.
 But seriously, isn't she just lovely? I definitely know she was made from love! 

Thank you for being such a good model Baby P!

Aunty loves you.

Kinikini Clan::Happy New Year

This shoot took place just three days before Christmas and in between that time and now I celebrated the holidays with my family and took a trip to L.A.  I've finally had a chance to edit the images and am excited to post a preview.  I love this awesome family! They have taken in my baby sister in like she was one of their own and I know she appreciates them and loves them just the same.  

Thank you Kinikini's!