Charlie + Ronika: Tucson Palo Verde Desert Wash & Sunset Bike Ride Engagement Session

Charlie & Ronika are so chill and made my job was painfully easy. I realized that much of their ease would allow me to hush up and let them breathe together. Pre-wedding craziness is at a high and this evening together seemed to be progressively more of a detox "i-love-you-so-much" interlude. And the reminding grace that "oh-my-gosh-i-want-to-be-with-this-person-forever" seemed to wash over them in moments of sweetness and sunbeams...sunset bike rides. I am beyond excited for their wedding at the Tucson Museum of Art. Game on baby. | lkm

EDIT // I asked Ronika for some of the backstory for her and Charlie's wedding day and she gave the sweetest proposal story that i had to add...

Its beginning: The modest rumble of a triumph motorcycle, led me to you that night. I made my way to the door to thank you, Charlie, for the two colorful assorted bouquets. I found you at the end of the steps looking hesitant but sexy in cowboy boots, fitted jeans, button down gray shirt covered by a brown vest. I walked toward the man who I had desired since a young girl. By our third date I realized he was the face I had tried so hard to imagine, a man full integrity, love and a need for adventure. I opened my arms and you embraced me, I felt the slightest trembling running through your skin. You grabbed my hands and looked up at me with a big determined grin and said, “Ronika a year ago today I asked you to hangout and today I wanted ask if you would hang out with me for the rest of your life!” . The man of my dreams took one knee and asked me to marry him. I was altogether beside myself unable to keep tears of happiness from ruling my entire face. My dreams had become a reality this is a moment I shall always remember....Shall we always to choose to love.

HAPPY APRIL! Announcing Spring Sessions 2014!

I still remember my first spring here...i wasn't in a very good spot. 2011 was wrought with painstaking drudgery and the last place I wanted to be was in the desert. And then April hit and I was driving down in a borrowed car on North Houghton, kids cranky in the back, my heart hurting and hating all things dead and brown. Suddenly i passed over a wash and nearly slammed on my breaks. There, for miles, were Palo Verde trees exploding into shades of yellow and happiness. 

It really is incredible. Even on a few unfortunate streets around town, these unsuspecting trees take center stage and remind me that life and happiness are here. You just have to patient for it. 

So Happy April! Take your family out and enjoy the perfect weather. Embrace a little life. And possibly, just maybe, I can meet you there. (And if you're on the fence, go to my FAMILY PORTRAITS page and maybe i'll convince you there. ;) 

Go to my page with SPRING PORTRAIT SESSION DETAILS here.

Downtown Tucson Urban Family Photographer | Appleman Family

This family is so much fun. 2 years ago we did family pictures in a more earthy setting (go here to see that family portrait session at Agua Caliente. Boy have those girls grown since!) So this time around they chose to go urban, fun natural. And boy oh boy, did those little girls crank up the charm! Scott and (whom he affectionately calls) his "Appleman Chicklets" just giggled a whole bunch. I pretty much want to print a HUGE version of that picture of their whole family laughing at each other in the alley. Like Kitchen-Table Huge. Hear that Janice? K, good.  | lkm

Arizona Wedding Photography | Catalina Foothills Private Estate | Inspiration: Hippies, Biceps and Burlap | Part One

{Arizona Wedding Photography | Catalina Foothills Private Estate | Inspiration: Hippies, Biceps and Burlap}

Brent & Erica are beasts. They love the outdoors, thrive in physical activity, boast of outdoing eachother's push-up count--the first conversation I had with them immediately turned to Erica's emphatic insistence that humans have simply forgotten that were were designed to run and 50 miles is no biggee. riiiiight... They are a hoot. And madly in love. Since they actually had a destination wedding in Tucson and had to plan their wedding long-distance from Colorado, Erica's mom and aunt were the wedding planners. I met with them first and legitimately choked on coffee the entire time because I was laughing so hard. Laughter just runs in the veins of these people. It's incredible. I was STOKED to be able to capture the laughter on such a special day...They warned me prior to meeting Erica...'she's no frills. totally relaxed. no crazy demands. pretty hippie'...and when I met the bride-to-be--ms. blue eyes and blonde dreads  she simply said..."Just do your thing. I'm not even sure what I want...except that people are happy; that we look happy--stay happy." And to quote one of my movies: "Their happy was so very LOUD." | lkmErica had these awesome uber-hippie  sandals made from scratch. real leather. tanned and stained just for her. she also wore her grandma's pearls and kept an heirloom of a hankerchief with her throughout the day the prelude to the whole shibang was awesome. so chill. sisters hanging out with cousins. it was great! Erica was such a fun bride! Lori, mom, is an amazing mom. She pretty much made me cry just watching her get weepy throughout the day. And then they had a first look moment...so tender and special. They couldn't WAIT to be together that morning. And as soon as she, literally, flew up into his arms, it was like a very definitive "start" switch was flipped. like the day had officially started and they were going to be side by side the whole way through. biggest. bouquet. ever. they totally insisted on this pose...boys, boys, boys. (props to my 2nd shooter Tony Bernardo for snatching this shot below) (check back for PART TWO tomorrow!)

Lauren | Ventana Canyon Couture Bridal Session | Tucson Wedding Photographer

{Lauren | Ventana Canyon Couture Bridal Session | Tucson Wedding Photographer}

Lauren's grandmother MADE her incredible wedding dress.  Jaw-dropping right? Hand-laced. Hand-loved. I haven't been able to do very many bridal sessions and it was extraordinary. The ability to relax, capture these still moments in this one of a kind dress, laugh and giggle a bit with the bride-to-be, practice moving and enjoying her wedding dress ...it was really special. I'm so glad we did this Lauren. I'm so glad you took the time and thought to honor your grandma and all the sweat, blood and tears that went into this piece of art. You are a joy. | lkm

We specifically wanted to get pictures of grandma actually working on the dress...

and of course grandpa got to sneak in a kiss as well :)

and then we went to go enjoy some of the glowy sunset up in the foothills of the catalina mountains

Joy, LKM

Jeff & Laura | A German Flight Attendant + Military World Traveler | Tucson Engagement Session

{Tucson Earthy Engagement Session | Jeff & Laura | March 2013}

Jeff & Laura have a love story straight out of a chick flick. No joke. She's a German flight attendent who flies all over the world and Jeff is in the military, they met in the air, on a plane, thousands of feet above the earth. See what I mean? Doesn't it just make you wanna break out in song?! Or send their story to Hollywood or something?! Laura first contacted me on facebook as she prepared to come visit Jeff from Germany for a few weeks in February. By the hair of our chinny chin chin we found a date that worked, planned a shoot and hooked her up with soft, sweet, natural styling by my bomb stylist Dana Buchanan. | My time with Jeff & Laura was a royal picnic. I'd hang out with them just for fun any day. I underestimate how goofy and easy going Jeff would be--oh! and their heart-warming affection for each other is  pure gold. (sigh) Oh friends, I hope these pictures are a treat to smile over for years to come. :) Joy, LKM

yea yea yea. i realize that the frame thing is SO yesterday's pinterest fad...but whatever. they rocked it. 

Andrew + Sam | Tucson Desert Rain-Soaked Maternity Session

{Tucson Maternity Session | Desert Rain | February 2013} 3 years ago my little family of 4 (at that time) lived together with Andrew & Sam. It was one of the best years ever. Doing life together; intentionally living 'in community' as we called it, was a glorious challenge that stretched us and drew us close and taught us much. We have braved some stormy weather together and apart these past 3 years, and just a couple weeks ago I had the absolute treat to shoot Andrew & Sam's maternity session. I'm pretty sure it was the coldest day of the year. Sam sure thought so. She had prepared for sunny skies and the notorious Tucson heat--of which, i reminded her, is actually seasonal and that we do, in fact, have SEASONS in the desert. weird, i know. but now you know. | So this is them. The Horvath family. They are and always will be so very dear to our hearts. This precious  little anticipated bundle of humanity will be joining us in just 2 months. Holy Moly. This is life everyone. There is life in there! (A little creepy. A lotta awesome.) Love you friends! | LKM  SO SO SO excited for and eagerly waiting for you to join the ranks of parents equally as overwhelmed with the significance and intensity of our job! WOOT! Go team go. | lkm

Sophia | tucson lifestyle newborn moments

{Sophia | Lifestyle Newborn Moments | Tucson, AZ | January 2013} I've titled this blog very intentionally: 'lifestyle newborn moments' :) Seriously. Newborn photography is NOT my forte. In fact, I have a grip of newborn photographers I am UBER eager to refer any expecting mom to (email me). Newborn photography is an incredibly fine art in and of itself. You know--the time, patience and intense fine skill and prep to nail those BOMB pinterest images that make mommies swoon all over the planet? Babies posing in perfect sleepy poses with heads propped in their hands or cuddled up in ball of perfection. Yup. Never gotten there. NEVER.

I called up my friend, Missy, yesterday  to  see if i could swing by and just capture a few moments of 'little-ness.' It wasn't fancy. I have no props. I haven't any fancy backdrops or monkey hats or cool fluffy pilllows perfect for these things. I just wanted to snatch a few moments in this stage of Sophia's first week where newness abounds. So with GPS in hand and a  bit o' dinner love in tow, I paid a visit. I hugged Drew & Missy, conversed a little with new-big-sister Emma, gushed over Sophia and snatch a few real moments with the family. (beat)  This whole welcoming-new-life into the world is intense. Motherhood is intense. The tiny-ness and abandonment of self is insane...crazy, crazy beautiful. (moment to weep a little inside my heart with how big of a deal these thoughts are) (anyways) Love you Montagues! Welcome Sophia!  | lkm 

Hodge Family | Tucson Sonoran Desert Gates Pass Portraits

{ Hodge Family | Tucson Sonoran Desert Gates Pass | Portraits | December 2012} Nikki charmed my socks off with her first facebook inquiry and when we met up at Gates Pass earlier this month, my sixth sense did not disappoint. This little family was a treat! I can't wait to meet and capture more memories with them when baby #2 arrives in February!  | lkm Dad was G R E A T with dex. Can you believe it? MOM was the one who specifically asked for a 'shot of dad throwing dex really really high in the air.' Most moms would have thrown up if you had only seen the ravine path we were on and the cactus Dex was flying over! some belly lovin i love this triptic... Thank you so much Hodge family!  Enjoy enjoy enjoy!! | lkm

Harry + Hilary | A (RAINY) Tucson Desert Engagement Session | Saguaro National Park

{Harry & Hilary | Dessert Engagement Session | Saguaro National Park, Tucson, AZ | Laura K Moore Wedding Photography} Harry & Hilary made me beam for a solid 2 hours. Granted, this was the wettest engagement session I have ever shot. BUT, I'm pretty sure it ranks up there with a favorite. From the backdrop they chose (saguaro national park) and the special little personal nuances they brought along with them...I'm pretty sure we nailed something special! they ride bikes in this park ALL the time...notice Harry on the right below? yea, that's him attempting to be serious...attempting.. notice the rain?? :D did i mention we got wet?? i love this one... and this one... i LOVE that point of complete abandonment. when i can step aside and a couple trusts enough and is comfortable enough...to just love each other. they laugh ALL. the. time.  Oh Harry & Hilary, you two were definitely a highlight for my weekend!  I hope you enjoy these moments captured as much as I have! | lkm