{ Amir + Maribel | Tucson Engagement Session }
These two have been a treat to shoot this past season in Tucson. We met at a bridal expo last April and since then, we've shot a 3-part engagement series that has me tickled pink to share! My favorite thing about these two....how gentle and poised both of them are; so 'put-together'...refined...a constant sense of 'class' sorta oozes from both of them. And yet they hired me for their wedding because, (i quote) 'we had so much fun and need someone to bring out our fun side'. yes, ma'am! | lkm (note: this is one LARGE chunk of awesomeness for a single blog post. but i refuse to break it up into "sections"... :D i like the fact that they progressively got more and more comfortable each time we went out for a shoot, played, laughed, kissed....kissed some more... these two just 'fit' together :D)
{ Downtown - pt 1 }
{Downtown - pt 2}
Can't wait for wedding time Amir & Maribel! 10xs more awesomeness awaits us! :D | lkm
Neal + Connie | Modern Chic Downtown Tucson Engagement Session
{Neal + Connie | Downtown Tucson Engagement Session | Tucson Wedding Photography}
We made it to downtown promptly during Friday's rush hour and had to race a quickly setting sun amidst the war (cough) i mean, construction zone that is down there. Streets were closed, parking spots were packed (because apparently Tour De Tucson is a big deal), and I was getting a lil' nervous about finding a stellar backdrop and making it all 'work'...and then i caught myself--your focus is FIRST people, not places. I watched Neal & Connie respond and react, enjoy each other and laugh freely. We even made a grungy parking lot look like a light-pool filled with bougainvillea! Ta Da! (pause) (debating in my head wether to go that extra measure of disclosure....here goes...)
To be honest, I have never felt so disheveled before a photo session. I'm back from maternity leave and figuring life out -- balancing three little ones and (thankfully)enjoying a good photography work load while figuring out a system to make both hats fit. Being able to release these highlights is sheer relief. We did it!! Come rain or shine, babies or sleepless nights, there is grace and pictures are glowing across the screen right now! New lovebirds are being captured and put on display and I'm so excited to share these two with you! | lkm
the 'look we're so fun!' series on 4th avenue... she had a nintendo shirt. he had a startreck shirt. bomb. 
dude, they SO got into that jump...
Tucson Family Photographer | A Family's Downtown Stroll Whilst an Urban Sunset Glows| CHUTE FAM & CO.
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{Tucson Family Portraits | Chute Girls | September 2012} This fun family traveled out from Phoenix to capture some awesome family memories before mom and dad shipped off to Scotland for 6 months! Though nervous that the shoot was going to get trumped by impossible work schedules OR my unborn child's early entrance, we nailed a family shoot in the 'nick o' time' and I'm stoked to share a few highlights! | lkm from whence these children came...daddy and daughterssweetheart lovinsister jealousydan fits in really well Thank you Chute Family. Please hug the green hills of Scotland for me. Thanks so much. :) | lkm
Welcome Jericho Brave-Aiden Moore! | personal
{My 3 kids on the first day that there were born | Judah 06.04.08 - Jordyn 12.29.09 - Jericho 09.26.12 }
I've debated whether or not to share some of these special life/personal things on my photography blog and frankly, it boiled down to a technical issue--I don't know how to renew my personal blog's hosting service and have yet to 'sick' my husband on that 'honey do item' yet. So I'm left with a pretty significant life event with details and memories I'm eager to share with friends...and then I remind myself that I want my photography to be an extension of me--anti-canned, anti-script, anti-'salesy'. So i've talked myself into sharing some of this past week's amazingness--amazingly PERSONAL--and all it's details. Welcome to my heart. Welcome to my life where I am first a wife, then a mom and then a photographer. I am delighted to share life with you--both at the consult table, on location shooting and even the behind-the-scenes gnitty gritty of who I am.
If you are any one of the beautiful families or couples I've had the privilege of shooting this past year, you will have noted that I became progressively more pregnant this year. Funny how that works. February 14 I found out i was with-child with our 3rd. He was planned. Mostly. (grin) We were pumped. (Aside: and that emotion was a big deal to me. I might not have been pumped to be pregnant again, (not favorite) but i was pumped to get another kid. Motherhood has progressively made more sense the older Judah (4) and Jordyn (2) have become.) I was also thankful that my first official year shooting in Tucson (and return to photography after my year-long sabbatical) provided a lighter shooting load during this summer's wedding season. Come September 23rd, my self-declared maternity leave was well-needed.
Now, if you are interested in getting the gory details of the birth story, continue reading. Otherwise you can just skip to the end where i posted a few hospital (compliments of camera-phone) highlights and all you need to know is that my 3rd kid, 2nd son, was born on September 26, 2012 and 8:59pm weighing in at 5 lbs 3 oz. He is healthy, beautiful and has a name that took my husband and I all 9 months to finally agree on: Jericho Brave-Aiden Moore. I'm healthy, healing and happiest I've been in a very long time!
Long Version: Though due on October 10, my 38 week check-up showed that little sprout #3 wasn't thriving in the womb. He had stopped growing since my measurement at my 34 week check up. Nurse got concerned. Called Doctor. Doctor did a 30 minute intensive ultra-sound and assessed all sorts of measurements seeing what the cause could be. Couldn't confirm anything absolute, but still turned and asked, "How do you feel about having a baby tomorrow?" I whined a little about wanting to let my baby 'cook' a little longer. Reality was, the little tyke wasn't cooking -- whether it was the bun or the oven's fault, we didn't know. We induced the next day. My experience being induced was pretty cool. I got to pack my bags on time, set up babysitting for kiddos (thank you in-laws!), husband was able to adjust his work schedule prior, we grabbed Starbucks before we headed to the hospital and hunkered down into a sweet corner, 8-floor room that looked out over Downtown Tucson. We met nurses galore, got introduced to the team of UMC med students who would be getting up-close and personal with me throughout the day, and refreshed my really simple birth plan. (My birth plan went like this: "Get epideral in pronto. Strive to avoid c-section at all costs except for baby and mommy's health reasons. In that case, cut me open if need be. Thanks.") My first two kids were both delivered naturally...involuntarily. Nurses just didn't believe i was in enough pain. They wanted to 'wait' out the contractions until they were really 'unbearable' but then both kids ended up hitting transition and coming uber fast. I was determined (and even practiced) to have a more convincing 'pain' face this time around so that nurses would take me more seriously and get an epidural administered in a more timely fashion. I can show you a few of those facial expressions next time we meet actually. They're pretty awesome. Also, if you would like to see the funny little video Lawson took of my successful epidural administration, you can go here. I'm a huge fan.)
Checked in at 10am. Antibiotics at 1030. Epidural at 1130. Pitocin at 12pm. My body, EVER so slowly, got the hint and kicked into gear at 830pm and little Jericho was born 29 minutes later. Preliminary labor was essentially boring and painless. Nurses were shocked to see my epidural working so effectively AND that I still had use of my legs. It was kinda bizarre. But awesome. SUPER awesome. So awesome, in fact, I feel like singing about it still. I told the nurses that, if i could, I'd jump up off the bed and kiss all of them. Most emphatically my anesthesiologist, Doc Walston. M Y H E R O. I still had to go through a horrific 10 minutes of legit delivery pain, pushing and crap. But I feel silly whining about that, all things considered.
I had to stay in the hospital for a few days to keep an eye on Jericho. He was OK for the most part. Needs to gain weight, a little jaundiced and had to work out some amniotic fluid that was left in his lungs after coming out so fast. It was 2 of the most glorious days ever. My recovery room had this fantastic view of the Catalina foothills. Hospital's chicken quesadillas and turkey sandwiches rocked my face off. I had a grip of friends and family trickle in through our stay but otherwise got some amazing alone-time to bond with Jericho and enjoy the solitude. My highlight, for sure, was watching my two oldest kids meet Jericho for the first time. I can't begin to describe the emotions that swell as they dote over their little brother. Judah is so concerned for him--especially when he cries. Jordyn can't stop asking to 'hold him mommy?' We are all just drinking in a deep sense of 'completeness' and it is overwhelming. Jericho may or may not be our last child, but he sure was 'missing.' God is so so good.
Here are a few pictures from this past week! Thank you for all the prayers, notes, emails, texts, joys and encouragement! My family and I are pretty darn blessed to have family, church, community, friends and this photography thing that has raked in some pretty bomb people into our lives! | lkm
My mom flew in that morning and drove straight to the hospital. I am SOOO glad she made it on time for Jericho's birth. God has been so gracious to let her be with me for each kid's entry into the world! Do note the fact that I am S M I L I N G while watching contractions. Have I mentioned I'm a fan of epidurals?
Alias and good ol' concentrated oxygen were our good companions throughout the day. Jericho's heart rate would drop periodically and a dose of O2 would wake him up a little...as well as a bit o' repositioning. Apparently he did NOT like it when I was on my left side. We're thinking it was a pinched chord or something. 
Going on 10 hours of slow development. I'm just chillin--bonding with my sweet nurse Brooke. 
And then he came lightning fast into the world....lets just say 5lb deliveries are a whole lot easier than 8 lb - ers. :) 
The first morning at the hospital i was greeted with an awesome bouquet of flowers from my best friend, Christal, on the east coast. Flowers are an awesome way to wake up, I've decided. :) But an even BETTER way to spend a morning is with friends and family. I honestly didn't remember to whip out my camera for each visitor. Kinda bummed. Kinda OK with it. I'm sure we'll make up for it. 
Your heart just grows bigger with each kid. 
My daughter's affection for Jericho has bled into her blossoming affection towards the rest of us...her transformation is probably one of my top favorite things in life right now.
Our Little (?) Family :D | September 2012
Mark + Leanna | Arizona Urban Flare & Railroad Fun | Engagement Session
{Mark + Leanna | Engagement Session | E Downtown Tucson, Arizona | August 2012 }
Mark & Leanna were a treat to shoot! The sun was great, the weather was perfect and the more we laughed the more 'at ease' the lovebirds became. If I'm not mistaken, Mark got increasingly giddy as he smooched and loved on his future bride. I think one of my most favorite things is whatching a couple just fall into place. Taking pictures isn't easy. Posing can be awkward. Kissing on command sometimes feels weird. But by the end of M+L's session Leanna was blushing, Mark was beaming and I just glowed with deep satisfaction. Not to mention, I got home from the shoot and promptly sat down with my husband to show him a few favorites. To which he replied, "Sheesh. He's beautiful!" I think he has a man crush. Weird... In my opinion, I can't get over Leanna's baby blues. Or are they green? I'm so conflicted. :D | lkm
Thank you so much for hangin' out Mark & Leanna. I hope you had as much fun as I did! :) | lkm
Happy "One Year" Austin + Jessica! | Tucson Wedding Photography
{Austin + Jessica Wedding Day | 08.20.11 | Agua Caliente, Tucson, AZ }
A year ago today we were basking in the awesomeness of a small back-yard-bbq-styled intimate celebration for Austin & Jessica's big day. Happy One Year you two!! | lkm
Hieu + Maria | Tucson Engagement Session | Arizona Wedding Photographer
(Hieu + Maria | Engagement Session | Agua Caliente, Tucson, AZ}
We braved the incoming clouds and resolved to go for a sweet little engagement shoot--rain or shine. Maria showed up in a cute little polka dot dress and Hieu in a dapper blazer. We sat and talked shop over coffee and got a few details about their 2-day, multi-ethnic wedding celebration coming up in December. After bonding a bit we carpooled over to the nearby state park and frolicked in a bit o' romance. 
love these candid ones...
Thank you so much you guys! You were wonderful to shoot! I hope you had as much fun as I did! | lkm
David + Ali | Downtown Urban Engagement Session | Arizona Wedding Photographer
{David & Ali | Downtown Tucson Engagement Session | August 2012}
David and Ali were a riot. I haven't met a groom so willing to dish back my subtle (???) sarcasm and within moments I knew the shoot was going to be a fun one. We met at a starbucks near downtown just to talk shop about wedding details, timeline, thoughts and ideas about photography...We bonded. We laughed. We made a few mild jests at each other's personal beliefs and life decisions. So random. So not what I was expecting. Pretty hilarious. Honesty is golden though--raw, bona fide authenticity--I love. And with that fun beginning, we dove right in...
on of their favorite hot spots is Hotel Congress. We had to grab a few shots on the footsteps...
Thank you guys for such a fun shoot! Can't wait to talk more wedding stuff with you!
Matt + Marcy | Alice In Wonderland Inspired Engagement Session | Agua Caliente, Tucson, Arizona
{Matt + Marcy | Engagement Session | Agua Caliente, Tucson, Arizona | July 2012}
I showed up to M + M's e-session striving hard to take myself seriously. I was climbing (awkwardly of course-pregnant) out of a borrowed single cab pick up truck that was decked out in NFL Broncos everything AND I had those child's play sticky tattoos plastered over my right arm, ankles and wrist. I didn't regret the play time I had had with my kids just before the shoot, though it might have helped me feel more pro if i had scrubbed them a little and gotten over the fact that my license plate screamed 'TEEEBOW". Sharing these superflous details DO have a point by the way. Turns out Marcy actually WORKS at a graphic design lab FOR the very company of tattoos I had just divulged in with my kids that afternoon. I could have hugged her. It was free entertainment for a solid 2 hours that day. Ahmazing bliss. I didn't hug Marcy but she got a kick outta the fact that my arm tattoo of a bear was one that she had particularly designed herself. Ironic yea? ...
Matt & Marcy are shooting for a garden-esque/earthy-meets-whimsy/a-little-dash-of-alice-in-wonderland theme for their wedding next April. I loved that they both showed up to their e-session aware of those details and fully prepared to walk around for an hour in large-and-in-charge shoes no matter what the cost. Vanity before comfort right?!
Matt said he 'was looking for a wedding photographer who can help him feel comfortable.' What a fantastic challenge. :D I did my best...
They really seemed to have a lot of fun together!
Love these two.
Thank you guys for letting me hang out with you for an evening!
Chance + Ashley | Tucson Engagement Session | Green Grass and Quarry Romance
{Chance + Ashley | Tucson Engagement Session | A Random Orchard off of the side of the I-10 | July 2012}
I hopped in the car, checked my gps to make sure I wasn't seeing things--yup, i was meeting my couple about an hour away in a place I had never been. Admittedly, I was anxious. I typically like to be in charge of scouting out locations--making sure I know where light is going to hit, where things are, have my plan-of-attack all set up in my head... but I was taking a chance this time. An hour later I arrived at a Starbucks that felt like it was in the middle of nowhere. The monsoon dreariness lay thick and threatened to spill out from pockets of darkness that mingled with other hopeful pockets of blue sky tinted with little flecks of gold--a tease of a sunset that made my little photographer's heart whisper a quick prayer for something cool that evening. As we talked wedding details and downed a few preliminary glasses of triple-filtered water, Ashley explained that there was an orchard right off the freeway exit down the road. A what?! Potential green stuff? No. Way. Skeptical, I carpooled with C + A over to this perfect little oasis and I ate my heart out. I. LOVE. GREEN. I aimed to keep poses casual and natural--to really fit the chill personalities of the two engaged. 
On a side note, speaking of eating hearts out, all mosquitos available in a 100 mile radius must have received the same memo that there was a pocket of lushness waiting right off of I-10. It's been a week since the shoot and you could still play 'connect the dots' on my legs with the remnants of the darn bugger's thankless feasting. Chance & Ashley bore down and delivered some wonderful snapshots of tender lovin' despite the bugs. Even when I found myself standing in a red ant nest while snagging that last set of images over looking the nearby quarry, C + A graciously let me go into an intense 'excuse me i'm going to silently freak out and try not to cry' zone for a minute as i stripped off sandals and swat the crap out of my feet. Oh the things we do for a good shot. I've got battle wounds from this session...but now that i get to share a few highlights, i'm feeling much better thanks. :D | lkm