Growing up we called her Arizona Jenny. Living in Michigan we were far away from most of our family, so rather than confuse our two cousins named Jenny, we added the more exotic state – Arizona – to her name (sorry New York Jenny!). We didn’t get to see her often, but when the family got together in New Mexico she would braid our hair and play barbies with us, the kinds of things you really remember as a child. Of the memories that stand out the most, the time she gave my sister and me each a lunchbox full of candy for Easter is at the top of my list. We played “dentist” with it the whole train ride home… but that’s another story.

After working her way up through the culinary world Arizona Jenny moved to the tiny town of Boulder, Utah. It was there she and her business partner Blake turned the restaurant Hell’s Backbone Grill into something of a legend. The story of their restaurant is best told through their cookbook, “With a Measure of Grace” which chronicles not only the restaurant and recipes but also the town and people in it. Boulder is a place you have to want to go to, and they have given people many reasons to do so. In fact, one look at their list of accolades and you’ll see how many people agree. In the breathtaking surroundings of southern Utah they have a restaurant committed to sustainability, environmental ethics, and social and community responsibility. On their six-acre farm they grow the majority of their food and preserve, can and dry so that they can enjoy it both in season and after. I’m pretty sure it’s every bit as amazing as it sounds and have been wanting to visit for years.

Until I do go out there, I’ll enjoy working through some of the recipes in their cookbook. Several years ago when I first got the book it sat looking beautiful on my shelf, opened every once in a while as I thumbed through the stories of Boulder and the people behind the food. I didn’t make much from it, I think because I was a bit intimidated. I didn’t have access to as many of the southwestern ingredients (red + green chile in particular) and I wasn’t sure where to start. So, I went with a simple recipe that I knew I would like: cornbread. Once I opened the pages and started cooking I found inspiration and ingredients I could relate to, and have been making more and more. Next on my list: Heavenly Lemon Chiffon Cake. It was on Oprah’s list too, so it’s sure to be a showstopper. For now, it’s cornbread time which I think is incredibly satisfying in the winter. Slightly sweet, thick and delicious let me introduce you to my favorite cornbread recipe… (although I haven’t made “Marry-Me Cornbread” which is located right next to this recipe in the book, so with a name like that I might be missing out!)

Brown Sugar Blue Cornbread

• 2 1/2c blue cornmeal
• 1 3/4c flour
• 1c brown sugar
• 1t baking soda
• 1t salt
• 1T baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 c melted butter or oil (I used coconut oil + it added just the slightest amount of extra flavor I highly recommend it!)
• 2 1/2c milk

1. heat oven to 350. Warm a 10″ cast iron skillet in the oven for 10 min while you assemble the batter.

2. In a medium bowl combine the cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in eggs, melted butter, and milk. Batter will be thick.

3. Remove heated skillet from oven, add 1T butter and swirl it around to coast surface (I skipped that part). Pour batter into skillet, spreading around evenly and bake for 45 min, till sides of cornbread pull away.

I found blue cornmeal in the organic section of the grocery store, but I’m tempted to order some blue cornmeal straight from hell’s! Feel free to add a variety of extras to this recipe to spice or sweeten it as you like. Most of all, have a great weekend + if you try this enjoy!

I’ve been soaking up time with my family and reveling in the moments I’m able to enjoy with them. I suppose I am used to living away from family – having grown up hours away from grandparents, aunts + uncles and cousins – but now more than ever I enjoy being there for the small everyday activities. They are moments that are strung together and side by side they make up what we know as life, and I like being there for it. Eating dinner together, borrowing cups of powdered sugar to make cookies, staying up to play Scrabble and the list goes on. Yesterday it included taking my niece Julia ice skating for the first time. We went to the very same place Matt and I had a few of our engagement pictures taken four years ago, and it was fun to think about how much had happened between then and now. I put Matt in charge of documenting the fun while my sister and I helped Julia around the rink at least 10 times. We encouraged her, sang songs, and got tips from coach Matt as she experienced the slippery sensation of moving on ice. While it wasn’t without some lack of confidence, she loved it and I’m sure by next year she will be skating on her own.

While Christmas in Michigan has been wonderful, it has not been without tragedy. In contrast to the small daily moments are the large life changing ones, which have come on two occasions this year. A car accident involving a member of my family (they are doing okay) and a death in Matt’s family has made the holidays challenging. However, as family comes together in both incidences I am reminded of what it means to be a family in the first place, and once again enjoy those small moments we get to share.

It’s hard to resist this happy face. The bright eyes, chubby cheeks and contagious smile rank him one of the happiest one year olds I’ve photographed. His parents were doing a good job with their peek-a-boo’s (up all night, anyone?) as you can see from the range of expression below. It’s one of my favorite things to capture when photographing babies + young children. Their interactions, which are returned with smiles and sounds instead of words, are so genuine. I had a great time capturing this set of images and more for a family that I love right before Thanksgiving. It was the perfect time to sneak them in before Christmas and I hope you enjoy them as well!

I love being able to photograph a family as it grows. Each year brings new milestones, growth and celebrations and happen so quickly it is not always easy to make sure they are documented. Therefore, it’s a huge honor to create a visual history for a family and photograph them each year. My first session with Rudd’s was a maternity session, before Michael was born. I then photographed him as a newborn, and today we get to see him at one year old! The Rudd’s are expecting their second baby so there were many reasons to take pictures. It is such an exciting time in their lives and I feel lucky to be a small part of it as their photographer. I think after three sessions, it’s safe to say I’m their photographer, right?

Can you believe those blue eyes? I brought along a kid sized wooden chair and it was perfect for Michael. He liked to play a game called “take off my hat” and it didn’t last more than a minute on his head :)

he’s going to be a great big brother.

When children grow so quickly there is almost an urgency to getting pictures done. Each birthday brings with it new discoveries and milestones and before you know it they are going to school and teaching you things you didn’t know. I tend to get ahead of myself, however, so let’s slow down and enjoy Abbey at the age of two. While her parents started the adoption process well before she was born, it wasn’t until recently that they were able to bring her home with them. Although baby pictures were no longer an option I was excited about the prospect of a family / portrait session and creating images they could always look back on from this time in their lives. I was conveniently already in Michigan for a wedding so arranging something back in my home town was not a problem. I met with Abbey and her family on an early evening when the light is soft and reminds you why summer should never end.

Since we wanted to get a mix of family and individual images I started with everyone together and asked them to have fun and play. Abbey loves to be swung and lifted high into the air so it was easy to document their interaction.

We also got out some bubbles and just had fun on the gorgeous late summer evening. While it takes a little while to get used to, I think natural interaction leads to better images and adds variety and life. As I edited the images I also realized that it was a change of pace to photograph a child who is untrained in the art of “smiling at the camera” aka. scrunching their face or becoming shy upon it’s sight. The result is a more honest portrait of Abbey and her interactions with me.

she’s just adorable. We ended the session on the boardwalk and once again had some fun playing around… I love the last set of images and the great reaction Abbey has!

Don’t stand still girls – run around your parents! Not the traditional shot but I think a welcome change from the usual.

Something special happens with the addition of a baby. A family changes and grows as it welcomes a new member and it doesn’t take long until you can’t remember what life was like before. You take on new roles, change your routine, and in a way it’s a reminder that you’re a part of something bigger, that life isn’t just about you but about those around you.

Last week I drove up to Rochester to the home of the G family and documented their beautiful new baby girl named Charlotte. While I was there, I was able to witness the interaction between a family and photograph not only her but the people around her. It’s those interactions and exchanges that take place between family members that often go undocumented or overlooked. They may sound ordinary – like a father holding his daughter, a mother quieting a cry, or a little girl holding her sister – but they are not. They are moments from a time in their lives that they will always remember… when they went from 3 to 4.

I sincerely mean it when I say it’s been a pleasure to photograph this family for the third time. I love watching them grow and documenting their lives while also getting to know them personally. So thank you for inviting me in to your lives and here’s a glimpse of their family:

Norah is the best big sister you could ask for. It’s amazing how quickly a bond between sisters can form and I think these two will be inseparable.

love baby details. so much changes in the first few months you have to document it before it’s gone

I can’t help but love Charlotte’s sad face, but don’t worry it didn’t last long – she has two amazing parents to take care of her.

this backdrop was right outside their house – isn’t it gorgeous?

The whole family got together for a few before the girls had a ride in their sled…

too cute! now who else is up for some winter fun?

We loved hosting thanksgiving last year, but since my sister is about to have a baby any day we headed out to spend time with her and the rest of my family. This year we ate in courses – and I didn’t take a picture of dessert, but it was delicious. We started with curried carrot soup, then spinach + arugula salad with candied almonds and cranberries, and then the main course contained all of the classics. It’s always nice to have the classics – with a new twist – and yes, that is china, silver and cloth napkins thanks for asking! Are we the only ones that set our table like that – who else is out there?

Besides eating, the rest of the time spent with family is usually talking, playing lots of games, and playing with Julia – my two year old niece – who is a constant source of entertainment. Julia and Lexi are still best friends even when Lexi tries to steal Bunny.

I hope you have had some time to relax and see some people you love! I’ll be back to my regular blogging next week and enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend.

We were determined to make the session happen. After meeting up after the wedding I shot in Rome, NY we drove to our planned location and it immediately started to downpour. We waited it out for around 15 minutes until the rain died down, although it was still a challenge to find the right spot for pictures. After a few tries we found our way to a quite overlook where we could avoid the glances and stares of passerby’s – no one wants a crowd. So finally with no rain, no crowd, and a nice setting this is what I captured, starting with some classic boy + dog images…

this just looks so classic to me! their dog is hilarious and obviously very good with kids.
the Stevensons obviously already have one very cute son, so I can’t wait to see what their daughter looks like!

Diane looks fabulous! Even though it took me a little longer to finish these photos… they weren’t taken that long ago. I want to look this good 4 weeks before having a baby!

I’m glad we were able to meet for this session and I wonder what my chances are at photographing their newborn… too bad I don’t live closer! Either way next time I’ll plan better weather :)