Anchorage Family Photographer | "A" Family

Remember summer? I feel like I’ve already forgotten. I’ve had some amazing sessions so far this winter, so no complaints, but when I look at images from sessions like this, I’m ready for the GREEN!

Mom did an amazing job on outfit planning for this session, and I took them to one of my favorite spots to shoot. Those mountain views though!

"“A” Family!

Anchorage Photographer | Golden Hour Sessions

Let’s talk about lighting!

Golden Hour Sessions

When you contact me to schedule sessions, I will always try to talk to you into going as late as possible for the best and most flattering lighting. Photographers LOVE the beautiful, golden light that you get at the last hour of the day, and because I want your photos to turn out the best they can, I will try to convince you and your family to schedule as late as you can. Scheduling for golden hour has an extra challenge in Alaska, as the most popular time for outdoor sessions is during the summer, and as we know, the sun feels like it never sets up here during that time. That can mean scheduling at 10:30-11:00 at night, but I promise that the results will be worth it. Read on for other options if you have a young family and scheduling that late won’t work for you.

Option 1 - Schedule for earlier in the day, but compromise on location.

My most requested spots in Alaska are requests for mountains in the background. In order to get that beautiful mountain backdrop, you need to be somewhat out in the open, and if the sun is out and it is earlier in the day, that can mean harsh lighting, which would create harsh shadows, or half closed eyes with scrunched faces because the light is too bright in your eyes. If you need to go earlier in the day due to family schedules, I will suggest going somewhere with some tree cover. If you are able to filter out some sunlight with trees, it can make for some beautiful, evenly lighted photos.

Option 2 - Wait for a day with some cloud cover.

This is an easy option. If we get a cloudy day, the clouds filter the sun and depending on how thick the clouds are, makes the lighting easy and even, and we can have your shoot anywhere, and at anytime during the day you like.

Option 3 - Schedule later in the year.

Summer photos are so pretty. But if you are set on a sunny location with mountains, consider scheduling during September or October for some earlier golden hour times as the sun starts setting earlier and earlier. BONUS! Fall photos are my favorite.

Option 4 - Embrace the sun.

Although I don’t recommend this option, they are your family photos, so as long as you are aware why I do not recommend this lighting situation, we can always head out and do our best with the sunlight during a convenient time of day for your family. It can mean beautiful photos as well!

Option 5 - Studio session.

It is hard to pass up Alaska’s outdoor scenery. However, if you would like to be able to control temperature, lighting, bugs, etc, I do have a studio and we can do an easy studio session instead of an outdoor.

Anchorage Cake Smash Photographer | "K" Cake Smash

As a child of two scientists, I'm in love with the theme of this session. I've had some super out of the box themes for cake smashes lately, and I LOVE the opportunity to get creative and come up with ideas.

When mom told me her theme was science, I immediately started ordering beakers and test tubes, goggles, and a little lab coat for little man to wear. I love the way this turned out! We used Jello in the beakers so that if they got tipped over, we wouldn't have water all over to cut our session short. 

When everyone came in for their session, little man was shy. You'll see in the pictures, he was nervous and kept wandering his way back over to mom, but he REALLY wanted to eat his cake. At one point, you'll see in the pictures, he tried to pick up the cake to bring it over to eat with mom, but it didn't go to plan. ;) By the end of the session, he was ALL OVER that cake and even discovered that Jello is amazing. Such a fun session!

"K" Cake Smash!

Anchorage Wedding Photographer | "J" Wedding

Now that we're solidly in winter here in Alaska, let's have a little sunshine in our lives with a wedding I did back in July!

It was a hot, beautiful day. With a super fun wedding party, and some of my favorite clients, this wedding was so much fun. And their theme, is to die for. Rustic, neutral, yellows... I need to decorate my house like that. 

I've been doing photos for this couple since their son was a newborn and they were in a desperate search for a last minute photographer, and found me. I did little man's photos every 3 months for his first year, so as you can imagine, I got to know his parents as well. And they are SO much fun. Their personalities go together so well. So when they asked me to do their wedding photography, I was thrilled. I got to come hang out with them, and their venue, Gloryview Farm in Wasilla, was amazing. Every detail was thought of, and I'm honored I was able to be a part of their  day. 

Thank you again, M and A! You guys are the best!

Anchorage Senior Photographer | "C" Senior

You guys. It's been so cooooooold. I'm talking so cold that the other day I walked out my front door and thought Oh! It feels warmer today! It was 6 degrees. SIX. DEGREES. So just the fact that I thought that was warm tells you how its been for the last couple weeks. But I'm really hoping this is a precursor to what our summer looks like, because although its been way too cold, it's been nonstop clear and sunny. As I'm typing this, it's 2 degrees outside. Hurry up (sunny) Alaskan summer! 

I've been dreaming about warmth so I thought I would post a session that I did in the fall with fall colors, and it was clearly warm enough that we were all comfortable in long sleeves and no coat. 

I loved this session. Mom kept telling me that my girl here was not super into having her picture taken, but by the end of this session, we were laughing and having so much fun that it wasn't even work anymore. And look how gorgeous she is. Effortlessly, might I add. Because I do a lot of child portraits, every time I get someone in front of my camera that will follow directions and laugh with me, it's a good day.

"C" Senior!

Anchorage Maternity Photographer | "L" Maternity

I've lived in Alaska for a long time now. I was born in Fairbanks, and although during high school I left for a while, and have finally come home as of 2.5 years ago, Alaska is home for me. So I like to think I know where things are located. (I don't.) When this awesome mom-and-dad-to-be asked for their session at Eklutna Tailrace, I thought I knew where it was. I've even had previous clients ask about that spot, and I've directed them somewhere completely different. (I'm sorry!) 

This time I somehow managed to get it right, and I'm so glad I did. We got to do this session on one of our last semi warm nights of fall, and I'm in love. The only problem (or not problem) with this spot, is it is a hot spot for fishing, so we had to maneuver our way around everyone fishing without disturbing them, and somehow we managed. And if we had some strangers who managed to get in the background of photos, thank you Photoshop, you magical thing you.

This couple is so so much fun. I don't think we stopped laughing this entire time, and when I found out Dad had brought his fly fishing pole "just in case", I knew we needed to work that in. One of my very favorite maternity photos came from this session!

Since this session was at least 3 months ago, they have since had their gorgeous baby boy, and I got to meet him at his newborn session with me in December. 

As always, a big huge thank you to Sew Trendy Accessories for your amazing maternity dress. I'm starting to get quite a collection of exclusively Sew Trendy dresses, and every one is impeccable.

"L" Maternity!