Sgt. Daniel Gurr USMC

I am so behind on my posts but while I was home this past weekend, my mother informed me that she never gets to see my work because I always put it on Fb and I'm not the best at keeping up my blog and she doesn't have a FB account.  So I am going to TRY and be better for those who don't have FB ;)  

This past weekend I was able to drive to Vernal and be able to be apart of the most amazing, humbling and uniting experience that I have been apart of.  Sgt. Daniel Gurr was killed in Afghanistan while fighting for our freedom.  When I heard of this event, my immediate thoughts went to a 4 year old boy who had glasses and a smile that would melt your heart.  I babysat him and his siblings for years.  I personally think I got in more trouble as their babysitter then I did good.  We were always out digging in the back yard for treasure, I had bubbles everywhere but the most memorable is when we decided to do gymnastics in the front room and well...that huge chandelier just happened to get in my way of me doing a kart well which resulted in shattered glass everywhere....;)  Yes, I am telling all of my bad babysitting stories on here but honestly, that is what I thought of.  For some reason I remembered the shock look on his face when that happened and then his little boy laugh came out and we all kind of chuckled, I think it was more of a nervous chuckle as we all started to pick up all the glass (I mean, I picked it all up...;)).  But at night the kids would snuggle up with me as we watched TV.  Daniel was the one that snuggled me the most.  I seriously loved that kid. He was the kind that grabbed your heart and you wanted it to stay that way. 

It has been a little over 15 years since I had seen Daniel and what an amazing man he turned out to be.  I have read the articles, seen the pictures and my heart was full of gratitude for this young boy who had such a love for our country and knew what he wanted to do.  I wanted to be able to give something back and so I contacted the family and asked if I could shoot some of the events for them as a thank you for what he did.  I was amazed at the love that my small town of Vernal gave to the Gurr family.  My heart swelled with pride for such an amazing town that was so supportive and I was so grateful to be apart of it all.  

Unfortunately I wasn't able to be in all the places at once, and I didn't want to get in the way too much so I tried to stay back and capture what I could.  Thank you to the Gurr family for letting me share these and be apart of such an amazing experience.  As I was at the different events, I kept seeing flower arrangements or ornaments that would say, Grandson, Son. Brother and it had such a huge impact on me of not only did we lose a solider that day, but the Gurr family and the town of Vernal lost so much more.  Thank you Sgt. Daniel Gurr for the sacrifice that you gave to me and to all of us so that we are able to live our dreams while you gave your life living yours.  Rest in peace....

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Tough Guy

So I don't normally post a lot of the pictures I take of my little guy, but thought these would be fun to share.  I am also adding a few that we took at the zoo, since he LOVES animals.  I was wanting to go shoot on Sunday so I dressed my little guy up and took off.  He didn't have the same idea  that I did....he did not want me to photograph him at all!  He was actually quite upset with me and you can see in the first picture....lol.  This kid is normally ALWAYS smiling, so I kind of enjoyed getting a few with his pouty face. 

I obviously got my smile after he had a few M&M's ;)

His favorite animals are elephants, tigers and giraffe's.  He cracks us up when he goes around the house making the sounds of each one.  For a giraffe he just raises his head really high....love this age!  I really wanted to find a way to jump the wall and get my lens through the fence for the picture of the tiger, but I guess what I had is good enough for the time being...

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Hunter-Senior Session

This kid is amazing in every sense of the word.  I had met his mother years ago and immediately hit it off.  His mom and I have one of those relationships that we have possibly seen each other 3-4 times in 5 years but it was an immediate friendship and one that would last a lifetime.  Of course through text and FB, we have kept up throughout the years.  She has been a single mom for years and Hunter is her life.  When she  asked if I would take his Senior pictures while I was in AZ I was so excited!  

When I met them, I went to shake Hunter's hand and he immediately through his arms around me.  I knew we were going to get a long just great.  I LOVE hugs and knew that this kid had a big heart.  He played football for his HS team and won State the last two years in a row.  He has a full ride scholarship to Stephen F.  Austin State University.  All through the session I couldn't help but smile as I realized what an amazing mom and example Lisa has been to this boy and what an amazing kid Hunter was.  My little boy reminded me of Hunter.  Yes, I know my little boy is only 2 but he loves to play hard, and is strong but has a heart so big and loves to hug, laugh and make friends immediately.  I pictured Kaiden being just like Hunter when he got older and it made me happy.  Thanks for an amazing session Hunter and good luck with all of your goals and dreams in the future!!  You will do amazing things!!

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Angalee/Be{YOU}tilful Session!

Here is another amazing woman for our Be{YOU}tiful sessions.  This girl rocked it!  We had so much fun during this session.  Enjoy!!

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Be{YOU}tiful Sessions!

I am so excited to be launching this fun and amazing opportunity for all you gorgeous woman out there.  I have teamed up with an amazing hair dresser and make up artist to bring you a complete make over.  It is a day that is just for YOU!  When was the last time you got pampered and made to feel and look like the beautiful person that you truly are?  Well we want you to have that opportunity so we have come together and for an unbelievable price of $300 you will receive a cut, color and style by Nikki with 'A Hair Makeover', make up by Rhiannon Wadsworth who is an INCREDIBLE make up artist and a photo shoot by ME! Yes, it is true.  A day where you will have no interruptions, and get treated like the royalty that you truly are.

This is one of our Be{YOU}tiful models. She was so great to work with and we had a lot of fun!  Not only are you going to get an incredible day, but we want to Hi-Lite what is so amazing about YOU.  This was a little note about Candi from her two daughters...

"Our mom not only is beautiful on the outside, but she is just as beautiful on the
inside. She has raised us to carry ourselves with the manners, poise, and morals
that she was raised with. She has been a great example for forgiveness, meekness,
and generosity. Our mom deserved this shoot. She does so much for the family and
deserves to be dolled up so that she feels as beautiful as she looks to everyone else.
Every mom deserves to be able to have some time to themselves, to get dolled up,
and to be able to capture the essence of the feeling they had that day. Our mother is
a prime example of this. Our mom lights up a room when she enters, and it reflects
in her pictures. We love you mom!"

Here are some other photos for you to enjoy from her session.

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Nikki Fowler

Let me clarify that YES! this girl really is this gorgeous. The amazing thing is that not only is she beautiful on the outside, she is just as beautiful on the inside.  I consider myself blessed to have gotten to know her the last few weeks.  It is funny how things work out and people are placed in our lives for different reasons.  One of the things I love about doing photography is all the amazing people that I get to meet and consider 'lifelong friends'.

Nikki was a sport.  She asked me to take some photos for her amazing hair business.  She does extensions and I have seen her work, it is incredible!! I took her to this really steep hill and asked if she cared if we climbed down. I loved it, she didn't hesitate at all!! The wind was so out of control that day but in the long run, I loved how some of these turned out with the wind blowing through her hair.   I told Nikki I had to go up on top to grab a few photos and the next thing she knew I was climbing this huge concrete wall to get on top.  Of course, she thought I meant I was going to take 10 minutes and walk back up and around...nah!  I like a challenge.  (I wish I would have gotten a picture of me doing that though...),   I felt like I was a prince having to climb a tower to rescue the princess....I mean seriously, she is as gorgeous as any princess you have ever seen right?.....But, please tell me I don't look quite like a prince.....  

Thanks Nikki for the opportunity.  You are amazing, both inside and out!!

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Soma

Is this girl not gorgeous??!!!  I love photographing her!!  She was a sport because it was snowing and cold outside but I am so glad we endured because I think we got some amazing shots!!  I love how it doesn't matter where you are....you can create your own little world and capture the most amazing expressions, personalities and memories.....these picture were actually taken in the parking lot at Hampton Inn (lol)  That is the amazing thing about photography....you capture what you want to see.

"To me, photography is an art of observation.  It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place....I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them." 

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Lydia

Loved photographing these two.  They were fun to be around and had some great personalities.  I loved it because it was freezing outside so we decided to take a few of these inside the 'Hampton Inn' lobby and captured some great photos in there and under their flood lights.  Amazing what you can do with great lighting!!

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