It's That time of Year

So it is turning into one of my favorite times of year. The leaves are started to change, Halloween is around the corner, which leads right into Christmas. This year I have recently found Pinterest. I avoided it for a long time, and now I am not sure why. I feel like I have just opened myself to the holiday boutique of boutiques, and all the holiday ideas have rejuvenated spirit and I think it is time to get my craft on! That being said, it is also time to schedule your family pictures! Along with all the holiday goodies my favorite thing at Christmas time is Christmas cards. We display all of them, and me and the kids love going to the mail to see who's Christmas Cards we have received that day. Before things get overwhelming busy, make sure to schedule your family pics to show off all your beautiful families. I was sure thrilled with how this beautiful family turned out! In the beginning I think J and I had slightly different visions, but one of the things I love doing is making sure I give my client what they want, with a Cook Photography flare. Like every session, there is always some element that makes it hard. This particular night we had nice temperature, but the wind was everywhere. I am so glad we still got these adorable images! J- You and N are amazing parents, and your kids are so fun, it made me think about what a crazy busy mom you are! N family, I am so glad that we have you in our lives! Thanks for creating these memories with me. And N, I am so glad that I could give you the same joyous experience of photography that you experienced on your wedding day;) Hopefully we will be able to create it again soon!

Family Reunion 2013

A few years ago I took some pictures in this same spot in Aspen Grove, and I don't normally like use take the same background twice, but I have to admit I was Really excited to be back in this spot. The C family has gotten bigger in the past three years, and as always I am just thrilled that I am a part of it. I also have to do a "shout out" to everyone in the family. You all made this the easiest family picture to take, the colors look fantastic, and you all look smashing! If you are in need of a great family vacation and you have a lot of people to please, look into Aspen Grove, we had a wonderful week together as the Cook Fam!

New Arrival

This has been one of my most favorite baby sessions ever! The children were AMAZING- There have been times that I have photographed the S kids and I thought there was nothing from the session. In this one, I couldn't have asked for them to be better, and have too many to choose from! It was such a fun session, and I am so proud of baby G's mom! D you are one of the necessities in my life, and I am so grateful to have you for a sister! Thanks for always trusting me with your baby photos! You family is to die for!









I love that D has canvas wraps in her baby's room of the other kids, and it is fun to see the progression and how each has turned out. It is really rewarding to go into someone's home and see the portraits of your kids through the years, and to even get a chance to guess which baby is which- Can anybody tell a difference between the first two S boys? :)





I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer!

Graduation Time

I always love this time of year. I think back on the movie High School Musical 2 when all the kids start chanting "Summer" over and over again like a countdown. I think that graduation is so much more than just summer, it always felt like a new beginning to me. For me the transition from high school to college was a time when I really found myself, and discovered who I wanted to be. Graduation from college also felt like a new beginning since it was shortly after that when I had my little girl. And since then it feels like a constant state of graduation. I only hope that I will continue to learn and to push myself, since I may have discovered at one point who I wanted to be, I know that person is ever evolving and I can continue to be the best version of myself. Congrats to S who is now getting to move on to the next stage in her life. S you are such an awesome person, and I adore being around you. You have a light that brings every body up! The Aggies will be lucky to have you up there...just remember to bundle up!

Ode to Mothers

This past weekend was Mother's Day and I was looking through my pictures that I have wanted to post and I can't think of anything more fitting than the T family. K and her girls are the first locals I had the opportunity to take pictures of when I moved to St. George, and I couldn't have asked for better clients. K you are the mother that every looks up to. You are so giving, and you show kindness and friendship to everyone. Thank you for being an example to me of not only a fabulous mother, but a fabulous friend! I grew with a single parent, and even though everyday reminds me of what it is to be a mother, on Mother's Day I like to take special reflection on the Mother that I have. I am lucky to have been raised by someone who sacrificed everything so that I would know that I was loved. Thank you Mom, and I Love you! I hope all Mother's had a fabulous Mother's Day, because I know it was well earned!

Daddy Don's and Margie's Home

I think there are many places in our lives that have special meaning. Recently I was asked where I considered one of my sanctuaries to be. I had to think about for a minute because I have to admit I don't have just one. When I am on the phone and the kids are asking -no whining- at me I find sanctuary in my closet. Sometimes I love to be in the car with Adam, when it feels like there are no other distractions except the two of us just talking- I love getting lost in a book, where I feel like I get to enter other people's sanctuaries. When I was growing up another place that I loved was my grandparents home. We had the most amazing Easter Egg Hunts all throughout the yard-Christmas parties, Halloween Parties, BBQ's galore, Attempting to vacuum up the smartest and scariest spiders ever- Yes, Margie would always have to do it- and more memories than I can count. I feel that everyone in my family would agree that Margie and Daddy Don's house was one of the most amazing places on earth, and I know how grateful I am to have these two amazing people in my life.



Recently this beautiful sanctuary caught on fire. It is heartbreaking to see what has happened, so in light of this tragedy I wanted to show some other sides of this home and how I will always remember it- I would love to hear some of my relative's- cousin's, aunt's, uncle's, and friend's favorite memories of this home so please leave your comments and we can all share our times together!

My Emilee

When I think about how lucky I am to be a photographer, part of that reason is that I have the opportunity to take pictures of my children. It really is a dream come true profession. I can't think of three things in my life that I am more proud of then my three children. In our church when children reach the age of eight they can choose to be baptized. This was such a special time for my Emilee. Not only did she recognize the importance of the day, but we had her dress specially made from my wedding dress. She loved telling people the story about how when she was blessed as a baby I had my wedding dress made into a baby blessing dress, and how we continued it on for when she turned eight to have her dress come from mine. Some day when she gets married I will have her garter made from my dress so she can have her something "old." I know I have said this before, but it is such an honor to see my kids grow up. I really love who are they are turning into. Emilee is friendly, easy to get along with, even tempered, beautiful, smart, talented, and as we say each night she is my B-F-F. She is always doing cartwheels, and rockin' out with any types of music- We have almost had to ban Gangnam Style- but really it is a blast to have her in my life. I love my girl-I am one lucky Mom!

Family Portraits

I just LOVE living in St. George- it feels like the weather is always pleasant, the air is really clean, and the F family looks perfect down here- what a treat that they came down for family pictures! It was a delightful session and it is so fun to see how much the kids have grown. It makes me realize how fast mine are growing up too. I used to think I would want time to stop, but I have to admit, I love how they are growing and changing, becoming little adults, wow I just feel like I am seeing magic happen all the time. F family- you look amazing, and it was so fabulous to capture your family moments!