Red Deer Family Photographer

September 11, 2018 Admin

Sometimes you just find those special people that make life better. And you wish you had met them sooner…

These are those types of people. The Sereda family is comprised of 4 lovely individuals- and one of them has a special place in my son’s heart. His name is Nash. My son, Liam’s first best friend. Liam and Nash met in kindergarten and hit if off right away, It may have been their mutual love for Minions, or maybe just because they sat at the same table… but they became close with a friendship I didn’t expect from 6 year old boys.

Liam often came home and talked about his new friend, but I didn’t get to meet Nash’s equally cool mom until later in the year. And I wish I had met her sooner. Maybe I could’ve convinced her NOT to move to BC… or maybe not. I can’t compete with the mild winters and beautiful beach just down the street from their new house. Either way, I am glad our sons connected, because we did as well. I think it was our mutual worry that our boys wouldn’t make friends, and relief that they found someone so special.

Well, all of that couldn’t keep them in Alberta, and they moved out west this summer. Fortunately (by the grace of God), we were headed out that way for summer vacation, so we stopped in and the boys were on cloud 9. They had their first sleepover, but I don’t know how much they slept because they were so pumped! It was a meaningful visit and I look forward to more… they’re just those kind of people….

I took some quick photos (it was blistering hot, so they had to be fast!) of this beautiful family… and I think I could get used to photographing there!

So, if you have people like that; people you wish you had met sooner, that you know you could be close with… take advantage. Spend time getting to know them (cause you never know when BC will steal them away!).

Red Deer Family Photographer

Red Deer Childrens Photographer

Red Deer Family Photographer

our boys.

Red Deer Kids Photographer Red Deer Photographer

Please feel free to follow my work on Instagram and Facebook.

Also- fall is a beautiful time to capture some family photos… just sayin. 🙂

Ice Cream Session

August 23, 2018 Admin

Some things just go together perfectly. Like peanut butter and jelly. Macaroni and cheese. Spaghetti and meatballs. (Can you tell it’s almost lunch time?) But the best in my opinion: summer and ice cream. I’ve always had a sweet tooth, and that’s something I passed down to my daughter, Iyla. She loves anything sweet. Anything…. but one of her favorites is definitely ice cream. So this ice cream session was perfect.

I took her down to the local ice cream shop and ordered the biggest ice cream cone she’s ever had. Her big brown eyes got even bigger when she saw it! Then… I handed it to her and let her devour it. I tried my hardest to turn off my mommy instinct and NOT wipe up all the drips and clean her face… and I’m happy with the result! (And she was pretty happy, too!)

Her big brother, Liam joined in as well with his Minion ice cream… we couldn’t leave him out. (Cause I’m biased and find him so dang cute!)

So here we go… iyla and her ice cream….

They ‘cheers’ all the time.

As much as it drives me crazy, Iyla always has a messy face. Always. So this messy ice cream session suits her perfectly!

If you want to see more of my work, please follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

Stylized Bridal Session- Red Deer Photographer

August 12, 2018 Admin

It’s funny how one little thing can lead to something extraordinary… a small idea becomes bigger than ever planned.

This is what happened with the following session. See, I teach photography classes here in Red Deer. One thing a lot of attendees have mentioned is that they learn best with hands-on experience, so I got to thinking. I wanted to provide an opportunity for these girls to get some time to photograph, with no pressure, and full creative roam. I asked them what genre photography they were most interested in, and they said weddings/bridal. And then it took off…

I teamed up with a few local vendors, found a most excellent location, and sent word out that I was planning a stylized bridal session with a boho theme. Next thing I knew, I had photographers signing up and a list of fantastic local businesses to work with… from decor to flowers, and bow ties to a charcuterie board! It all came together beautifully (and Mother Nature was totally on board too, minus the extreme heat)

We all came together and posed, directed, and created. Aside from one of the models getting scraped by the barbed wire, it went off without a hitch. (Sorry Megan!)

Here’s a list of all the incredible vendors that made this possible and beautiful:

Decor/Cake: Something Borrowed Vintage Decor

Flowers: Calyx Floral Design

Venue: Canyon Ski Resort

Dress: Chelsea Celeste Designs

Bow Ties and Pocket Square: Tie One On

Jewelry: Boho Rio Designs

Macrame: Free Spirit Designs

Calligraphy: by gian lee

Charcuterie Board: Strait Up Charcuterie

And a huge shout out to my friend Candice at Candy Koated Design Studio for helping out wherever needed!

And of course, our models: Megan, Sarah, and Jesse

darn barbed wire.

See what I mean? They made it amazing. And I hope that all the girls who came to photograph this were inspired to create… It truly is a life-giving thing to do.

I’m a photographer that specializes in children/family sessions, and also teach photography classes in Central Alberta. Feel free to follow me on Instagram or Facebook.

Red Deer Kids Photography- Avlyn

July 18, 2018 Admin

How difficult is it to photograph your own kids?

Turns out… very difficult.

But a stunning niece? Not so hard.

This is Avlyn. She’s nine years old and the definition of a sweetheart. Seriously. She’s also my only niece. Yup- out of 6 grandkids, only 2 are girls. One is mine, and like I mentioned before, photographing your own kids can prove to be a challenge, so I take photos of Avy. (It helps that she’s a little stunner.)

Being a children’s photographer, I get all sorts of personalities in front of my camera… the shy ones, the posers, the runners, and the cheesy smilers. I’ve learned, over the past few years, that in order to get the most authentic photos of them, I have to let them be themselves. If they are silly, I have to be silly too. If they are shy, I take a quieter approach. If they are runners, I better be wearing good shoes.

Avlyn was simply, Avlyn. Super sweet, quiet, but when she had an idea, she spoke it. She had ideas for locations and outfits and poses (you can see some of her ideas below- and she loves contortionists and acrobatics!)… and as much as I had ideas in my head, I listened and followed along, allowing her to express herself, which made her more comfortable. When kids (or anyone, really) are comfortable, they let their guard down, and that’s when I can capture them at their best.

Avy suggested she lay down and ‘sleep’ in the grass….

She also wanted a photo of her smelling the roses that she picked.

One more pose- all on her own!

Here are some of her ‘bendy’ poses…

ouch.

Avlyn-….follow those circus dreams. Auntie’s behind you all the way.

Click here to see more kid’s photography, including themed sessions!

And as always, check out my Instagram and Facebook for more photos and to see what I’ve been up to

Red Deer Family Photographer

July 3, 2018 Admin

Red Deer Family Photographer

Think back to your house growing up… or your grandparent’s house. And what was on the fridge? Drawings? Photos? Probably both? And on the walls of the hallway? I’m guessing a lot of you would say that there were framed photos of family throughout the years (some we didn’t really want on display?) Pictures of our middle school fashion mistakes, awkward smiles, and large-and-in-charge hair styles. But also beautiful memories that we are reminded of that mean the world to us. (And who didn’t love looking through old photo albums?) Graduation, weddings, the arrival of babies, etc. The reason they are there is because they show the things that we feel are important. We enjoy looking at the faces of people we love, and places we made memories in (vacation photos). And if you ask anyone what the first thing that they would grab in case of a fire? Photos. Photo albums. Or computers filled with pictures yet to be printed. They are priceless.

In fact, my husband, just this weekend, lost his phone while kayaking. He doesn’t care about how much money it cost, or the information on the phone. But he was heart-broken to lose irreplaceable photos of our kids. It’s just something that we can’t focus on (and I’m making sure to backup my own photos from my phone!) Pictures aren’t just ‘pictures’… they are a link to those we care about.

I’m sure you know where I’m going with this blog post. As a photographer, it’s my job to remind you of the importance of taking photos often. Not JUST when you feel pretty enough, or thin enough, or think the kids are old enough to behave. The truth is, you don’t know if all of those you love will be around when you feel ‘ready’ for a family photo session. A fellow photographer friend was photographing a wedding in Mexico recently and offered family sessions to the guests. One of the families who got theirs done was one with 2 little kids. They were beautiful photos on the beach and really showed the connection and admiration they all had for each other. A few months later, the young father tragically passed away. These photos went from being a nice keepsake to an irreplaceable memory that will be cherished like no other.

Now I don’t write this to scare you into getting photos taken… and I’m right there with you, not wanting to be in front of the camera… but I encourage you to get those people you love together and take photos of the memories you make together. Your kids won’t care if you could stand to lose 15 pounds, or your clothes don’t fit the way they used to (and trust me, everyone is feeling the same about themselves)- those little people want to see you. And only you the way you are. Right now. Maybe you have baby weight that’s sticking around, or are waiting for your hair to grow longer, or you think your session would be less stressful when the kids are a bit older. (Trust me, I have two kids- I know how stressful they can be). But don’t wait. If you don’t want to do it for yourself, just do it for your kids or the people who love you and want to have reminders of what you mean to them.

(Ever heard of ‘preaching to the choir’? Yup. That’s happening right now.)

The fact is, we are getting our family photos taken next week and I don’t want to. I know I’ll look at them and think my arms are too big, or I need to lose my jowls, and my waist has disappeared… but I’m doing it for my kids. I want them to remember me how I am… cause this is it. Baby weight and all. And I want them to look at photos of themselves on the walls of our house and know they are important in this family.

It’s funny- we do this for ourselves- waiting until we change a bit more into what we want to look like. But we do the opposite for our kids. We want to capture every moment and milestone and awkward stage because it is who they are. And yet, we want to forget what we look like now, and focus on what we could look like in the future. (Again, this post is as much for me as it is my readers.)

So take the photo. And GET IN the photo. And if you need someone to take them, I happen to know a girl 😉

If you want to see more Red Deer family photos, kids photos, or get more info on booking a session, please get in contact with me! Summer and fall are the best times for photo sessions (evening light in the long summer days is simply divine!) My email is danielle@belovedlifephotography.com. Or just hit ‘Follow’ on Facebook or Instagram!

Cheers.

Red Deer Photography Classes

June 13, 2018 Admin

If you’ve been watching my social media lately, you may have noticed my posts about my upcoming Red Deer photography classes … This is something I started last year and discovered that I really enjoy teaching and seeing others learn about photography. I genuinely get pumped about these sessions, and get so excited when I see people realizing what they can do with their camera. It’s like it opens a new door for their creativity, and I get to play a part in it.

I offer a few different classes for different levels of photographers. My most popular one is for Beginner’s. In these 2 hour sessions, I explain what the main components of a great exposure are (aperture, shutter speed, Iso, etc.) and I use simple terms to describe them. See, I teach others the way that I learned best. Hands on, at my pace, and simple terminology. I tell more about my story in the class, of how it took me a few years to full grasp manual settings, but it was a journey. And now I want to pass on what I learned to other people who want to take the photos they envision. The main focus of this class is to get you out of using Auto mode, and try adjusting your camera’s settings to have more control over your photos, and take the pictures you envision.

The other classes I offer are an Intermediate level, and editing. With both of these, people come with a prior knowledge of their camera and it’s basic settings, and then we expand on them.

All classes are 2 hours in length. I usually chatter on for the first hour or so, and then the second half is when we try out the new techniques with the cameras. THIS is the key to getting out of auto and grasping manual mode- PRACTICE. It can be tedious, frustrating, and somewhat boring, but I promise, this is when it ‘clicks.’ In every class I have taught, there has been at least one person who has an ‘Ah Ha’ moment (thanks Oprah) and something that they didn’t understand just makes sense.

I limit my class size in oder to accommodate questions, and also to spend time with each person and help them with their camera functions. We have had classes where almost every single person had a different camera model, so it helps to be able to spend some one on one time with everyone.

Following the class, everyone who attends is invited to join my Facebook group for all past attendees, where they can post their work and ask questions to the group.

Aside from a class setting, I also teach in other ways. I offer one on one sessions, which are personalized to specific areas you are wanting to grow in. This can cover anything from beginning in the photography world and wanting a focused lesson, to the business aspects, including how I market, advertise, and make connections with others in the industry, or editing. I’m an open book during this time, and many find this is the best route, as it is based on where you are in your photography journey, and on your schedule.

One other way of teaching that I’m beginning this summer is through hands-on, in the field, ask-while-you-shoot sessions. This is where I stylize a session (bridal, family, kids, etc.) and a small group of us photograph them together. Again, many people need a hands-on approach to grasp the fundamentals of shooting in manual mode. This is a chance to take photos (which you can use for building a portfolio) AND I’ll be there to answer questions regarding camera settings, lighting, posing, etc. It’s great way to learn (and get some great photos in the process!)

If you’re interested in learning more about any of my classes or sessions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I thoroughly enjoy this aspect of my photography and would very much like to be a part of your creative journey.

I photograph with a Nikon D700, but any level dslr is welcome!

Photography Class Red Deer

I recommend bringing a notebook because there’s a lot to learn!

I also send some cheat sheets home with you that are handy to keep with you!

This is me in my home (where some classes are held).

Red Deer Photographer

*Photos courtesy of Candy Koated Design Studio

To keep up with posts regarding upcoming classes, please give me a follow on Instagram or Facebook.

Photographing a Hero

May 23, 2018 Admin

Photographing a hero isn’t hard, but writing about someone who has survived and thrived through unimaginable hardship is a difficult task. I find myself in a cloud of words, trying to portray how this man embodies the very qualities of a hero, but unsure of how to do justice to his story. And what a story it is… seriously.

This is Ralph. He is my husband’s grandpa. He lives in Calgary and unfortunately, is a Calgary Flames fan (I can forgive him for that.) Most of his grandkids (myself included) have lived with him, taking claim to the big yellow room in the basement. In fact, when I go back, simply smelling the air downstairs takes me back to the days that I was living there, attending photography classes at SAIT, dating Ryan (he proposed in that basement), and finding my independence for the first time living away from home. Grandpa was the best roommate. But I do remember one evening, becoming worried that he wasn’t home yet. See, grandpa didn’t see very well, but still went out on his own. My anxious mind couldn’t rest until he came home. He finally walked through the door, and (like the parent of an unruly teenager), asked him where he was and why he was late. Turns out, he just wanted to go watch a hockey game, so he took the transit down to the arena (solo) and watched the game. He’s never let anything stop him.

Grandpa grew up out East, signed up to go to war, and met his love (at first site) at the train station, surrounded by other soldiers. That is the very simplified version of what happened. But remember I said he has a story? Well, he went to war but was captured before entering battle. He spent FOUR YEARS in a concentration camp under Japanese rule. He got sick. His friends got sick. Most of his friends didn’t get better. But he fought. For years. Eventually he was freed, and that’s when he came home and met his forever love, Phyllis. (see the photo below that he still keeps by his bed) He doesn’t speak much about the happenings of his time in the Japanese camp, but over the years we have learned more and more about what he went through. What thousands of people went through… and boy, did he fight for his life. But he would deny and callings of a hero.

Many who experience what he has, become hardened. But Grandpa decides to love. Seriously, this man would give you anything if he saw a need. He chooses to be joyful. He chose forgiveness.

To read more about his story, his grandson, Mark Sakamoto (Ryan’s cousin) wrote a book. And it just won the Canada Reads award… it’s called Forgiveness. It’s powerful, and not an emotionally easy read, but it needs to be read. It tells the story, not only of Grandpa Ralph, but of his daughter marrying a Japanese man, whose mother went through the torment taking place in Canada, for people of the Japanese heritage. (I seriously had no idea that even happened until I read this book…) Mark did an exceptional job writing this piece and I’m thrilled that it is getting the recognition it deserves.

Ralph has made an impact on an enormous number of people… myself included. I’m proud that I am part of his family. I’m happy to have spent time with him back in my college days, in the home he built and raised his family in. I wanted to capture him in photographs, in his uniform that he so proudly wears to the few engagements that he goes to each year. Grandpa will be 96 next month, and he isn’t able to do the things he was able to years ago (his vision is next to nothing, due to his sickness in the camp), but he still lights up when we come to visit, and offers what he can to make us comfortable. He cares deeply.

I drove to Calgary and got just a few photos of him in his uniform, wearing the medals he so dearly deserves. Some photos are meaningful and tell a story so simply. I hope these do it justice.

(This is Marilyn, Ralph’s daughter. She cares for him, and has for many years- taking him to his appointments, checking in on him, taking him to church, and she’s a nurse, so she made sure he had the best care… she deserves a medal too)

Here she is. The one he spotted in the train station.

What are Themed Sessions? | Beloved Life Photography

May 11, 2018 Admin

Themed sessions are my jam.

I find them so inspiring and feel like I can be creative in any way I envision. My goal is to get photos of the child(ren) being themselves and uninhibited. Children love to play and pretend- whether it be a superhero, princess, artist, cowboy, ringmaster, or something they have fabricated in their imagination. Whatever it is, I want to grab photos of them in that moment that will portray them in a personal way.

When I mention ‘themed sessions’ to people, most can’t picture what I’m describing… the words ‘prop’ and ‘theme’ are usually associated with something cheesy or tacky. And I agree, they certainly can be. I am careful to include props that only add to the personalization of the photos- nothing to distract from the kids I’m photographing. The point of having a themed session is to show and include what is important or inspiring to these kids at this certain stage in their life. I want them to look at these photos down the road and remember what it was like to have child-like freedom and a busy imagination. (These are the essence of childhood, in my opinion.)

I tend to use wooden swords, bow and arrows, hats, blankets, or any other prop to give them something to interact with and do with their hands. Sometimes they bring their own props and outfits, and sometimes I supply them (I do have a small collection of kids clothes, accessories, and props).

Below are some photos from 4 kids styled sessions. The first is a ‘Wild Boys’ theme, based on the story of Peter Pan. One of the best parts of this session was watching the boys’ faces when we told them to go get dirty; to roll in the dirt and wipe it all over their clothes and on their faces. Kids are always expected and told to be still and smile during photos, so this was a very pleasant surprise for them! I adored showing these brothers that photography doesn’t have to be boring or stiff; that it can be relaxed and enjoyable, and they can just be who they are without standing still and smiling.

All the props and outfits were put together by the brothers’ mom and myself. We just compiled all of our ‘boy stuff’ and it came out beautifully. The wooden sword actually belongs to my husband and was made by his dad when he was young.

This next series is circus-inspred, which all started with this girl wanting photos with her horse. Instead of doing typical photos, we decided to incorporate lively props and outfits, which resulted in some fun, bold pictures. I found the pants and jacket at a local consignment shop ( Once Upon A Child). The top hat was part of a Halloween costume from Value Village, and the shirt, boots, and whip were provided by this lovely girl.

Inspiration for a themed shoot usually comes to me randomly while I’m driving, listening to music, or playing with my kids. Once I thought about how cool it would be to have an old bed in a forest… then I began visualizing it and knew I wanted to do a ‘Wendy’ theme, based on (yet again) Peter Pan. I had photographed this girl before, and knew she’d be perfect for it, so I sent her mom shopping for a nightie and I got to work on putting the set together. I have a friend who owns a vintage rental company (Something Borrowed Vintage Decor), so she provided the bed and bedding, and a family member of mine has a bunny and leant it to us for the afternoon. It all came together perfectly.

Some themed sessions use minimal, simple props, while others take a lot of pre-planning, crafting, and include more elaborate clothing and accessories. Last summer, a friend of mine and I planned a steam punk session, complete with handmade props, smoke bombs, and a trip to a tiny town in rural Alberta. This was a big vision- but the work paid off…

All props and outfits were provided by the girls, or put together by myself, or my friend, Candice. (And yes, her hair really is that blue!)

Lastly, my vision for these ‘Dorothy’ photos came from a dress and a dog. I believe I found the dress while shopping at Once Upon a Child, and knew I could use it for a future session, but didn’t have a specific one in mind. Then I remembered that a friend of mine had a huge sheepdog and an adorable daughter, and I thought it’d be perfect for a Wizard of Oz inspired session. I didn’t want it to be a typical outfit, so I thought I’d get some red Converse shoes, to replicate the ruby slippers in a more child-like (and comfortable) way. The underskirt was, again, provided by Tannis at Something Borrowed, as well as the picnic basket. This is simply my take on Dorothy and Toto.

I have a list a mile long, full of ideas for different stylized sessions- like I said, this is my jam.

Thanks for checking out my work and blog… and remember to leave some love in the comments. Also- my Instagram handle is @belovedlifephotogrpahy… just sayin.

Red Deer Grad Photographer

April 24, 2018 Admin

So what were your grad photos like? Polaroids in your parents’ living room? Awkwardly posed on your front step? Did you even get grad photos? Mine were taken on my dads film camera, rushed and last-minute, with our intoxicated neighbour outside, wondering if the limo was there for her birthday…

Even though the moment was a little stressful (starting with the salon not having my appointment in their books, me having to use duct tape instead of my ill-fitting undergarment, and the limo being late) it was still one I won’t forget. I remember my dress, my tiara, the whole thing… the feeling of finally finishing school and facing the big, scary world. It is a huge accomplishment and comes with feelings of both pride and fear.

Not only is it a goal achieved by the grad, but also the parents. See, my kids are still small. We are still dealing with diaper changes, cartoons, books and songs before an early bedtime, help with zippers, and teaching manners. But I know that it all goes by quickly, and I will wish for the nights that they wake up to cuddle, and prefer mommy and daddy over anyone else. Soon they will grow more and more into the people they were made to be- leaving their dependance on us behind, and taking on the world as best they know how. It’s a scary thought, but I am so excited to see them achieve it all. And one of those milestones they will work for is graduation.

We don’t have prom here, so the closest thing we have is high school graduation… the ceremony is in the morning (complete with the gown, receiving the diploma, and throwing the hat), then in the evening, we dress up in our fanciest gowns, get our hair done, makeup, the whole nine-yards, and have dinner and a dance with our closest family members. After this, there’s an all-night party. It’s a big day. As it should be.

See, this is a big deal. I remember my principal saying that this is the biggest day of your life, so far. And it will only be shadowed by your wedding day, and the day you may have kids. Most of us glazed over all the speeches, waiting for the party in a few hours- but that stuck with me. The biggest day of your life, so far….. and it deserves a celebration!

Grad photos can be anything you want them to be. They can be the simple polaroid taken in an out-dated living room, or a snapshot amidst the stress of the afternoon, or something professionally captured and mounted on the wall. Either way- you need to remember these special days. Celebrate your kids’ accomplishments. Grad is a time that they will always remember- it’s the time when life is simple and easy, and they are faced with a multitude of possibilities. Capture it.

I have had the opportunity to take some grad photos of some stunning girls… both in a casual setting, and in their fancy dresses. These sessions are separate from the actual day- because as I stated, the day of graduation can be very rushed. We set out an afternoon to grab some photos that show who they are, right now.

I would have loved to have had a graduation session like these; granted, I certainly wouldn’t have rocked it like these girls!

Special thanks to Deer Prudence Thrift for hooking us up with the clothes for the casual session, and Ever-Green Greenhouses for allowing us to photograph in their space.

So, what were your photos like?

Thank you for sticking around, and showing all the love and support with this new blogging adventure I’m on. I will have more posts coming up, including more sessions, why I believe in photographing kids and not just whole families, what is involved in the different types of sessions, and some that are just plain informative (all with some of my photos, of course.)

Cheers.

Salt Flats Stylized Session

April 17, 2018 Admin

Do you have one of those friends that is always there to kick you in the bum when you need it? Like, they see the potential in you, and don’t let you forget it, or give up, or give in….

I do. Her name is Candice, and we haven’t been friends that long, but it feels like we have. See, she’s a fellow photographer. Another boss babe. A mamapreneur. A goal digger. Whatever the label, she’s that. And she does not hesitate to remind me of what she sees in me (and she tends to see way more than even I do).

So, when she asked me to come to a Salt Flats Stylized Session workshop in Utah, my initial response was a big old, ‘nope.’ I don’t have the money. I don’t know if I can get someone to watch my kids. The guys putting it on mainly shoot weddings and I don’t want to learn about photographing weddings. I can’t get on a plane. (I don’t fly well. At all.) I don’t even know the guys putting on the workshop. Again, I don’t have the money.

And her response (that I knew was coming), was ‘we’ll figure it all out- you need to come.’ So that’s what we did. We drove 15 hours one-way (to avoid the plane). We figured out the finances. She talked to the photographers putting it on, and they weren’t teaching wedding photography. They were teaching about business development. And personal development. Two things I could use some help on.

The two photographers were Montana Dennis (montanadennis.com) and Chad DiBlasio (diblasiophoto.com) Both have some serious talent.

But, like I said, we weren’t there talking about wedding photography. Or anything technical. Not even social media. We were talking about value. What we put value on, and how it differs between people. And how to value yourself.

We all stayed in a house together for a few days. We ate and drank together. We talked about some really deep stuff. And laughed and even cried. It was well-needed. Not just for my business, but for me.

On the second day, we all packed into a few cars and took a 2 hour drive out to the Bonneville Speedway in the Salt Flats. This place is insane. It used to be this enormous salt lake, but it’s dried up and left this thick crust of pure salt. It’s huge. Like miles and miles of salt. And the Bonneville Speedway is where they break records for the fastest vehicles on earth. Seriously google it- it’s crazy.

Chad and Montana (neither of which are from Utah) had organized a few models for us to photograph and it was a dream. One model from Arizona, a boyfriend and girlfriend, and a couple girls they met the day before, working at Anthropology in the mall. We rotated between them all, taking unreal photos in this mystical place. I took my shoes off to feel it and it wasn’t super comfy. It hurt, actually. Super pokey. (Us Canadians compared it to the look of a frozen lake… but so much cooler)

And I tasted it. Cause hey, it’s just salt!

One thing that’s been on my bucket list for years, is to ride in a car with a professional driver and go ridiculously fast. I don’t want to drive it, cause I would be scared (and I don’t drive standard)… so, since we were in the best place to do so, we tried it. In a Honda Fit. The tiniest car that they have at the rental place. And probably the tiniest engine too. But Chad pushed it to it’s tiny maximum and we broke 100 mph. I was pumped. To see a video of us driving out there, check out my instagram (@belovedlifephotography)

And a trip to the states isn’t complete without visiting Hobby Lobby (Candice’s first time!) and Target. And Chick-Fil-A! That chicken is unbelievably tasty.

We turned back and drive another 15 hours home. Through an incredible snowstorm. Stayed in a bare minimum hotel in Montana, where we watched reality TV and ate pizza. And car karaoked 90’s songs like you wouldn’t believe.

I’d say it was worth listening to that friend who recommended this crazy trip- wouldn’t you?

I’d love it you stick around for future posts, and thanks for being here for this one.

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