Kara Elmore Photography

And she was worried ...

They're BACK!  My darling clients - all the way from ...

Want to GUESS???

HONG KONG!  Yes - that's right!  She flew ALL THE WAY OUT for me! Wellllll... not really!  They came to visit family and scheduled her session while she was here.  Last year they only lived in NY - so this was QUITE the flight to come out.  I'm proud of her!

Look at their family!  I LOVE their family!  They're beautiful in EVERY way.  She was worried - but every mom is.  You have in your mind what you WANT the finished pictures to look like - and PRAY that you get at least one picture!  (Hey- I'm already stressing over MY family pictures in the next little bit!)  I called her later that night to hopefully put her mind at rest that there WERE some VERY printable images. :)

Seriously - I started to laugh when I saw this!  I want this!  Doesn't it look like I just grabbed their family out of a modeling catalog?  They are SO beautiful!  But WOW - she is GORGEOUS!  As a side note - as I was walking out the door to take these pictures, Nate (my husband) said "ohhh, are you wearing that?"  I'm like "What?  What do you mean?"  He said "oh, nevermind - don't worry about it!"  Ohhh NO - none of that!  WHAT do you MEAN???  Well - apparently he thought I dressed up more for photo sessions.  Not that I'm a slob.  But I wear my jeans, etc. etc. - I know what I'm going to be doing to get these shots.  I'm not wearing heels, that's for sure (although I do adore heels!).  And then I saw Rosie (isn't her name even darling?!) and I thought "yes - I should've dressed up more.  Even heels!"

or black and white?

or black and white? :)  (I know she's a bw freak, too!  So I'm teasing her!!!)

Their oldest started hamming it up - getting all posey posey GQ.

And one of my favorites:

 

Happy 24th of July all you Utah people!  Illegal fireworks, anyone??? :)

Run from the SPIDERS!

Just FYI - I spent about 15 minutes on the funniest post.  Just to have it deleted.  SOOO - this one won't be NEARLY as funny.  Just in case you want to check out now. :)  But I have LOTS of pictures.  Just in case you want to tune back in. :)

I took my niece out to the Island (not gilligans, for all you non-locals) for some pictures.  She's a VERY beautiful girl (as you can tell) and I wanted to make this special for her.  Now - I am NOT a fan of spiders.  Not that ANYONE really is ... but I especially am NOT!  So when I mentioned this place to my sister, we both shivered in HORROR at the knowledge of spiders in the sage brush.  And not just spiders.  But we're talking SPIDERS that say your NAME and try to hitch a ride in your SHOES!

ya.  nice.  AHH - itchy just thinking of it!  So ... as we made the trek out to the spot, my niece is REALLY wanting to go back.  I'm saying the whole time "ohh, don't worry.  We're almost there.  Just a few more minutes. No - those aren't spiders - those are flies.  Just big flies.  No - they won't bite your legs - they like sand.  That's all."  Just then - my legs SINK into the MUCK island  - up to my ANKLES and I scream .. "ahhhhhhhhhhh - RUN!!!"  so - she did.  Away from my direction, hoping to find safety.  Good thing my sister couldn't hear us.  I'm yanking with all my might as I'm balancing my camera equip and this chair I've lugged out.  Finally - free!  I talk her into walking through the swarm of "things" that collect on the muck out there telling her they're just dots.  Ya - DOTS that move in a pack of 700,000 when you move in their direction!

BUT - once we were done, I was giddy.  And if I do say so myself, it was worth it!

  

My day was quite full.  I also took images of THIS little boy.  Love him.  Took his newborn pictures.  Love his family.

And just because I haven't posted of my kids in a while - here's my baby when she was one.  She's 15 1/2 months now.  But I loved these so much I HAD to post them. My darling dad w/ her:

 

No photoshop done.  Just him.  In his darling rawness.  Age spots and all. 

 

 

 

 

love that last one.  And yes, her hair is getting lighter.  sad sigh.  I love it red.  It's a good thing I know how to use hair dye!

My boy's birthday was a few days ago - need to do his shoot.  Then I'll post.  AND my 12 year anniversary just passed.  Had darling pics of the two of us.  I'll dig those out and post too.

Maroon 5

... and a van - they just don't mix!  Try wearing BIG GIANT sun glasses - that in the other vehicle were COOL - now I'm just a 30 something lady w/ GIANT glasses!  And then add to the mix the greatest CD I just bought - and I just look silly.

*sigh*  still trying to get used to the van. :)  But everyone was so nice.  Except Kim . ;)  I'm going to switch you in the dead of night.  Steal your hair, skin and leave you with a van. :)

I'm late in posting this picture - but it was just gorgeous and it's been on my mind.  This sweet little girl melts my heart.  She lets me hold her and she talks to me about gum!  Her two brothers joined us for the other image.  Ohhh love it their littleness!

One of my client's canvases came in the other day - made me realize I need MORE pictures of my kids.  Well - not that I need more - but I need ... more in different areas of my home.  Like my hallway- maybe my bathroom (seriously!), etc. etc. .  But those canvases - WEEEEEEEEE!!!  They're AMAZING!  Talk about a conversation piece!!! :)

Off to start my dishes.  Or not.

It'S DEAD ...

My totally cool LAND ROVER has died.  Siezed on Nate and me while coming back from a fabulous hot date to Tepanyaki.  Good thing we were near my parent's home and we pretty much coasted to safety in front of their home.  My fabulous brother in law - who owns STERlING QUALITY TIRE in Clinton, Utah (HIGHLY recommend ... not just because it's my bro in law - but because they're the ONLY honest car place ANYWHERE!!!!) tried SOOO hard to revive my car.  But alas, the $2000 worth of damage to the engine was too much for us to say yes to.

So with tears (SERIOUS) I bid farewell to the coolest car ever and VERY ... VERY reluctantly said YES to...

to...

A MINI VAN!  EEEEEEEEEEEEK  Yes - I said "the naughty word".  I am SOOO not a mini van person.  I'm sure a lot of us moms out there aren't.  We don't like giving up our "coolness".  We'd like to think that after three kids and some deep DEEEEEEEEEP stretch marks, that we're still cool - somehow.  But I know that with three kids - it's just plain easier to have a mini van.  I don't know how or when or if I'll ever get over it - but getting in my car is no longer fun.  I know - it's SO VAIN of me to feel that way.  But I ADORED my Land Rover.  And really - it's MUCH cheaper than all those other SUV out there - and most vans - so don't be thinking that I'm a CAR FREAK who HAD TO HAVE the Land Rover.  It's not like that AT ALL.  Guaranteed that purchase was much cheaper than some others out there.  But it's just SO. DANG. FABULOUS!  I loved that it was a tank and so RARRRR!  (could you hear my car sounds???).  I somehow get REALLY attached and sentimental to certain things - I guess this being one of them.

oh well.  Here are some pictures to cheer me up.  Oh - and SO sorry for not posting for so long.  When I get on the computer at night, it's either POST ... or send off client orders.  I'm sure my clients prefer the latter of the two. :)

This is me.  Obviously.  With a little bit blonder hair.  My darling friend Kelli (www.francephotography.com - sorry - the link key isn't working today, I guess) ... had me take her family pictures while she was in town last week.  Her 6 year old took this picture for me.  WOW she is SO good.  So funny how our little photographer kids like to play w/ cameras too.  I let my 6 year old take all my pics and he does great!  I cropped it a bit and did some photoshopping to my liking.

And here are some of my NEWEST FAVORITES!!!  Ohhhh how they made me so happy!

I'm lucky to be able to "borrow" some props from my dad's place.  This 1920's car was SO amazing!

This is little miss photographer.  I love her.  Kelli and I figured out - then decided that ALL our children match up in ages enough to marry each other.  This one will marry my nearly 7 year old.  Don't you love her eyes and her new hair?  Oh and that TOOTH!

This one has the funkiest look to it and I was SOOO excited to do this.  YAY new lens!!!

 

 

My favorite ones - the REAL laughs. 

This last one was one of my faves!  I have a gazillion more - but I realized all the ones I posted tonight were w/ that red behind.  Oops - I'm ALWAYS drawn to these bright colors. :)

I had the best time photographing Kelli and her family.  She's one of my favorite people.  Wish we lived closer to each other!!! 

Edited to Add:  I just proofed these pictures from my girl and her NEW DRESS!  And had to add ... I LOVE IT!!!  I got this dress from etsy.com.  Rockerbaby was the maker.  She has AMAZING designs!!!!

Coming full circle ...

Taking these pictures was like coming full circle. :)  My DAD took their bridal/engagement/wedding pictures!  I'm not sure how we figured it out.  But it was SO neat going to their home and seeing one of their engagement pictures sitting on a shelf.  One that MY dad took.  My dad taught me everything I know.  And then some.  So to know that years later I was doing their family pictures.  Ohhhh - you've gotta love it!  Made me feel proud. 

You can JUMP for JOY with me while you look at these pictures.  Each picture I took I was like AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!  Look at THIS ONE!  Jessica (the mom) was probably thinking I was c.r.a.z.y.  Well - I am.  But now it REALLY showed.  This family was "on" and perfect in every way.  For every shot.  They were just SO up for anything.  Especially because one of the locations could've landed us in jail ...  but I personally believe that it was worth it.  I would've bailed them out knowing that we got these shots.  jail.... pictures...jail.... pictures.  Ahhh - it's totally fine!

I find new family favorites every session I take - but I've got an abundance in this one.  You can feel their personalities.  That's what I aim for.  And I'm SO happy to say that everything she ordered made me giggle FOR HER!  It will be perfect on her wall.  I *may* have to print a few of them for MY WALL.  :)

Thank you DARLING Andrew and Jessica family.  Oh and Andrew - don't worry.  I'll darken your grey hair. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rumor control ...

... for all of you that live near me and get wind of my children talking about our next baby's name - let me just lay this rumor to REST and tell you the story ...

I've been sick for 3 days.  Better now.  All better.  Lucky me that it was over Memorial Day and Nate was home to take care of me.  Anyway... as I lay in bed I hear him talking to the oldest two (baby maby doesn't count for this discussion) saying "sooooo, what do YOU want to name our next baby?  Do you want it to be a BOY or a GIRL?"

WHAT???  I YELL from my DEATH BED .. "NATE - what are you talking about?  Don't tell them things like that as I lay here SICK and in bed!  What will people think as they start up a conversation that goes like this "yaaa - so my mom is really sick - but we're going to name our next baby LULU."  He laughs.  I roll over to the other side hoping it will make me feel better and that somehow the children were more interested in making beards w/ bubbles than what he was saying.  *sigh*.  So ignore anything my children say to you about above said conversation.

Now - on to 14 gazillion images.  And YOUR VOTE for baby maby's ONE YEAR PHOTO!!!  First off - I know I promised my Lake Mead pictures.  But honestly - when I'm on vacation I am NOT thinking about f/stops and shutter speeds.  I am thinking about how darling my girl looks in her little pink swimsuit w/ skirt - and my baby in her little hat and ruffle bum - and my boy on the jet ski.  I am thinking about how my girl RACED to the front of the boat, pushing the boys aside yelling "I'M NEXT" to knee board.  And then actually got "bored" with knee boarding and put her hands on her cheeks as she flew along the water!  I'm thinking about how I could simplify my life once I got off the house boat so I could enjoy my family more and more.  How grateful I am for friends and family to go to Lake Mead with - for the fun and laughter - and new friendships that were made.  Not even sure if there are photos that show all those emotions - just words I guess.  I hope that Jamie got some images of my whole family - because I didn't think to have someone take pics of us!  But just know that I DID surf!!  YES - I DID!  Got up the second time - but not the 3-15 time!  But once I got up again - I stayed up and SMILED and SMILED.  Nate got 2 pics.  They look the exact same.  And they're so far away, I could've been a midget for all you'd know. ;)  But oh - it was the time of our life!

Meanwhile - nearly 2 months later - I'm posting pics of my baby maby!  Her one year photos!  And yes - call me a photographer because they were taken 1 month AFTER her one year birthday - and there are only a few.  I have these GRAND ideas - but actually making them happen right now - not happening any time soon.  Maybe for her 18 month pics?  Or maybe this weekend?  I'm actually waiting on some articles of clothing that haven't come in.  So technically .... that's the reason for not as many pics.

But now that I have these images that I ADORE - I don't know which one to print.  Want to help me? 

VOTE for your favorite:

1.

 

 

2.

3.

4.

 

 

5. (or I could just do my 2 favorite together ...)

 

 

Which one?

Hurry - kids are sleeping ...

... now I'll post. :)  My carpet has been cleaned - my kids are banished to the bonus room - my house is trashed and all the furniture is in the kitchen - everyone is starving ... but we can't walk on the carpet.   So I'll post my friend's newborn pics instead of feeding my kids!

Sooo - there are babies... and then there are BABIES!  My darling friend Krista really does have the most beautiful children.  I've taken all three of her kids' pictures, and every time I just gasp when I see them!

This little guy made his appearance into the world just days before my little vacation.  I was so excited to get my camera out for him when I got back.  And I'm sure you would be too if this was your subject ...

This one below is everyone's favorite so far.  One of my friends offered to print it 20x24 for Krista (the mom) ... because SHE couldn't bear to have it not be printed! :) PRESSURE, PRESSURE, Krista! :)

 

 

 

 

Oooo - wrinkled feet!!!

 

 

Look at his brother - he's so stunning!  His sister is just as beautiful w/ her red hair - but I'm saving her pictures until later ...

Now - my job is done.  I can rest in peace.  Knowing that beautiful children are on my website! :)

I have a ton more shoots to post from.  My girl's one year old pics (call me a photographer - they were 6 weeks late!!!), pics of my dad (ohhh he's darling!) and many more!  Maybe I'll post them tomorrow???  hmmm - what would Joanna do? :)

Going ....

OUT OF TOWN!!!

YIPPEE for me!!!  I don't think our family has EVER taken a REAL vacation.  Like one that we planned and packed for and purchased food for an entire week. ;)  We'll be in Lake Mead all week beginning tomorrow.  I"m SOOO excited!  So I won't be returning emails - or checking the internet - or answering my phone.  Not that you all call me ... but just in case you wanted to know.

And just in case you're a boogy-man and you think you're going to rob me while I'm gone.  My alarm will be on - AND someone will be staying here ready to GET YOU w/ a plastic bat!  So THERE mean robber-man!!!

Oh - and HAPPY MOTHER'S day to all your women out there.  I took some lovely pictures of my mom today.  I'll post some when I return. I love her.  And I love that my kids made me a mom. :)

Spring cooped up ness

That's what I'm calling it.  I have been COOPED up waaaaaaaay too long -and now that SPRING IS HERE ... I am jumping for joy and getting out as much as I can!!!

Joanna will be THRILLED that there is yet another post within the same week. 

Lilian will JUMP for joy to see my girl in her cherry dress.

And my sister, Lisa (utah sister) will GASP when she sees how beautiful her girl's locks look.

My little niece (neice ... seriously HOW do you spell it???) has glorious hair!  She wanted to cut it.  We (her mom and I) said no.  We live through her.  :)  So when I described this new spot I had found to my sister, she quickly whipped up this NEW DRESS for her girl at 1:00 in the morning and presented her in it the next morning on my front porch, saying "here, take her picture!" :)  We're both crazy that way. hehehe.  Give us both something to think about and we take it to the extreme!

Ohhh look at that DRESS, and her HAIR, and that TREE.

Now, gather 'round kids for "Story time" ... while I was taking her pictures, MY GIRL was being watched by Lisa.  She had been going around this area collecting Dandelions.  That morning, she had requested "straight hair".  I almost shuttered. :)  Well - not really - but you KNOW what she looks like w/ curly locks!  But I got my chi out and straightened away.  Then pulled it to one side, w/ a darling bow, and sparkly shoes, and a cherry dress.  Not for a photo op - just another day w/ a girl in our family. :)  So my sister said she wishes I was taking pictures of MY girl not HER girl because of how she looked.  Alllllllllll these dandelions spread out evenly, her wisps of hair blowing in the morning wind, her wee little tongue sticking out ever so slightly (serious concentration), lining the flowers up so she could give them to her cousin for the photo shoot.  At least Lisa got to see it, and remember it for me.  Ohh the littleness of a four year old.

When she saw that I was taking her cousin's picture - she wanted the dandelions back.  Screaming "Nooooo don't let her touch them!!!"  So once I had returned them to her, this is what I got.  Yaaa - I'm thinking a big canvas of this somewhere ..... somewhere ... :)

That barn, with this dress, and those dandelions ... gorgeous combination.

There's more - but I'm saving them for nice. :)  (that's for you, Lisa!)

FABULOUS friends

Hi everyone!  Long time, no post. ;)

It was brought to my attention that I use the word FABULOUS  a.l.l. the time!  But I HAVE to!  It's how I describe things when they are - well - FABULOUS!  I *might* use it a bit too much.  But I personally don't think so.  I use it at the appropriate times.  For the most part.  But really - I just love the word.  It's a happy word. :)  And FABULOUS things make me happy.

So I'm going to use that word to describe our friends.  You know how when you move into a neighborhood, you PRAY there are neighbors there that "click" with you.  That you will like the wife - and your husband will like her husband. (did that make sense?  You know what I mean.)  This couple is this way for us.  We Love them!  We love everything about them.  Our kids get along amazingly well.  And even though they TEASE me for not liking ANY. TYPE. OF. SPORT.  they still like me. :)  At least I think they do. :)  In fact, Nate (my husband) and Scott (Jamie's husband) are out doing a "stake out" right now!  With M&M's I might add.  Not sure if that's on Nate's diet - but Scott told him it was OK.

So today I was able to take their pictures.  I usually don't stay up so late working on images (ya right!) ... but I was SOOO excited for this shoot I couldn't wait another minute!

Wouldn't you stay up too for this image???  You might recognize her.  Look up at my banner.  That was Miss *E* 2 years earlier.   These images were for her Baptism coming up.

I know Scott liked this in color - but because it's my website, I can post it anyway I like.  But I told him he can print it any way he likes.  black and white. ;)

MY NEW FABULOUS FAVORITE!!!  Ahhhhh SING WITH ME!!!  This one makes me so happy!

We can not forget handsome Mr. *C*.  Our boys are best friends.  Who wouldn't want to be best friends with this boy?

I love this next one.  Jamie and Scott.  So sweet.  I want one of Nate and me like this.

*sigh* of happiness.

I should go to bed.  But my house is SO trashed (oops - I mean, it's NEVER messy!!!) that it's got to be tackled before tomorrow's shoot can be accomplished.