Eyelashes
» Posted on March 3, 2010
My grandmother was a knock out, old school, hollywood glam, a beautiful woman. And every morning she would get up, make breakfast, and then excuse herself to go “put her face on” as she called it. Sometimes we got to come with her, sit on the edge of her bed and watch the magic. She wore false lashes and I vividly recall watching her apply that glue like it was nothing, and then simply pressing them to her eyelids as if they were merely extensions of her natural self. Which is why I partially blame her for feeling like I am a false lash applying expert, because truly, nothing could be further from the truth as proven at Yvonnas bridal session. She brought some along with her and of course being the loud mouth that I am, I volunteered my years of expertise to apply the lashes. After first attempting to apply the glue I recognized that I was probably much better suited for staying behind the camera but instead of admitting it I pressed forward, so twenty minutes and what probably developed into a black eye later, there she stood, blinking her big beautiful lashes that only accentuated the green in her eyes. Thanks for being a good sport, Yvonna. (and sorry that they were sort of falling off only seconds after being applied.)
Here she is, only two weeks before the big day! I can’t wait to see the wedding!
Dominique…
» Posted on March 2, 2010
We shared a room, a little 10×10 bedroom at the top of the stairs. Sometimes we would stay up late, just laughing. Sometimes we would be so angry with each other that we wouldn’t speak at all. One night, we quoted “The Little Mermaid” from beginning to end, songs included. She was my big sister and as much as I hated to admit it, I wanted to be like her in every way. One day, she hung up a home made banner that said “James Kolb, #34″ on the wall. She told me that even though every girl in school liked him, she was going to win him over. She was so confident. “All you have to do is find one thing about yourself that seperates you from the rest of ‘em, that makes you different, better.” I didn’t know it at the time, but I was being tutored by a business genious. I was 13, she was 15.
Now, she has successfully created two or three or maybe four (I lose track) companies that are different, better, then other companies and I still want to be like her in every way. She braved the cold a couple weeks ago and came out to be with our little brother for a few days while he was in the hospital and we took a few pictures. Despite being harrassed by a very drunk/crazy bum, we had a great time. Here are a couple of my favorites. Isn’t she beautiful?
7 years…
» Posted on February 17, 2010
I won it on Ebay. Well, won it as in I was the highest bidder, I still had to pay for it, but still, I was the winner of the auction for a brand new Canon Rebel, 35mm, complete with bag and stock lens. I paid for it with a portion of the tupperware of Susan B Anthony silver dollars my grandfather had given me when he died. And when it came in the mail I couldn’t put it down, I read the instruction manual from cover to cover, I took a community photo course at the college with my sister in law, and then, one day, my friend from work asked if I could photograph her wedding. That was 7 years ago this month, can you believe it? Tracy and Joe got married in Manti on the coldest day EVER, and during the ceremony it snowed a little. When we were ready to take pictures, they gave her a hooded cloak to wear around the Manti Temple grounds and she looked like she had just stepped from the pages of a fairytale. I was hooked, irreversibly hooked, on shooting weddings. I shot the whole thing with my rebel, ten rolls of kodak 200 speed film, and a stock lens.
Do you believe in fate, readers? Sometimes I think I do. I often think about that tupperware of Susan B Anthony coins, and Tracy and Joe, and I feel humbled, and thankful, and lucky, to do what I do.
Here are some images I scanned in to share of that very first wedding. I may have mentioned it before, but I am not technically savvy, so forgive me if they look a little grainy/ghetto. 
Holly and Adam
» Posted on February 12, 2010
I walked away from our meeting with a grin on my face that lasted for hours. She is such a happy person, it was hard not to be affected by her smile. And she and Adam together? They are a couple that radiate seem to be ablt to shout out to the world how happy they are to have found eachother.
We had such a great time at the International Peace Gardens in Salt Lake for the engagement shoot, and although poor Adam was a human Popsicle by the time we left, I think we got some cool shots! The wedding is in April so stay tuned.
In Brett news, if you live in Salt Lake and feel like eating out, we will be hosting a fundraiser at Souper Salad in Taylorsville. Just show up and eat, a portion of the proceeds from the night go towards Saving Brett.
Soft Rock
» Posted on February 1, 2010
I love it, and I am not ashamed to tell you, readers. I love me some easy listening music and I had almost forgotten all about it since the invention of Pandora, but today Paige turned on the radio, tuned it to fm 100 (light rock, less talk) and we chilled out to the tunes of Bonnie Rait, Michael Buble, Tim Mcgraw and Madonna. The girls painted and I watched them, occasionally bursting out in song (“last night I dreamt of San Pedro, just like I had never gone I knew the song…:) and I was happy. And so were the girls.
So, February 1st today, which means that tomorrow is February 2nd, a very significant day for two important reasons, number one it is Groundhog day, a day which I wait for all winter long even though I usually end up feeling ripped off by yet another faulty prediction by that crazy Punxatawny Phil. (lets face it, we live in Salt Lake City, where no matter what some sleepy groundhog says, it still will never be spring six weeks from now.) The other important event tomorrow is the first episode of the final season of Lost. As I type this, I feel my pulse quickening, my heart tightening in my chest, excitement pulsing through my veins. Lost is back, readers!! And if you need help remembering how I feel about it, please refer to this post . Oooh, remember how Juliet fell down the tunnel and then everything went white and that was the end last season? Aaack!!! I can’t wait!
And since it has been far too long since you have seen them, here are my pretty little monsters, I love them so much! 
I bet most of you moms can relate to desperately trying to find things to occupy your kids during the winter. Last year we played “bake shop” a lot, till I realized I had gained ten pounds. This year, we play “nail salon”, “hair salon”, and a lot of hide and go seek. Here are some shots of “nail salon”, we go all out, complete with magazines and bathrobes. It is pretty fun and usually takes up at least 45 minutes.
February 3rd
» Posted on January 29, 2010
It’s time for the first transplant y’all!! Our brother will be admitted on Feb 3rd for three weeks for his first transplant. We hope to be able to raise enough money to consider doing the second transplant in the months to follow, if you want to help, please think about running or walking in the Fafard 5k, you can find information about that at www.fafard5k.com .
Incidentally, in case you were wondering, when your brother has inumerous tumors in his lungs and abdomen, it does not mean that he will never annoy you. Even as adults. Need an example? The other day we were talking about the photography business and how different my work now is compared to my work then, etc etc, and the little smart alec said “ya, remember when you took my senior pictures? I didn’t really like them that much…” And then he must have seen the look of pure fury on my face because he quickly shut his trap. Can you believe that readers? “didn’t like them that much” pshaw! I made him come up for a quick pre transplant photo session yesterday and so help me, if he doesn’t like these, then he can pretty much count me out of sharing my Lorna Doones with him at the hospital. So here are some of his pre transplant photos. If you all are feeling generous beyond the monetary donation, we are looking for things to keep him occupied during his three week stay, so if you have a joke of the day, or a great must read book, or magazine, let us know, we will get it over to him. 
I Heart Disney
» Posted on January 26, 2010
I love Disneyland. I mean, really, truly love Disneyland. I love that the distant smell of cigarettes reminds me of walking down Main Street. I love how the slight smell of mustiness reminds me of Pirates of the Carribean. I love that I once had a text message trivia contest with my brothers friend and felt smug for weeks after blowing him out of the water with my Disneyland Trivia skills. I love that my grandmother worked for Disney Studios and that her hand written notes often came to us on personalized Disney paper, complete with a Mickey emblem along the side. I love that the night before we arrive, my stomach still does flip flops in anticiaption of walking through that tunnel and I especially love bringing my daughters there to experience the magic for themselves.
After the craziness that has been the last six months, we decided to take our little ladies to spend some time together before the next wave of insanity and it was amazing. Despite never before seen in Southern California torrential downpours, we enjoyed ourselves imensely, and we cannot wait to go back.
Wanna know some highlights of the trip? Of course you do! (is this tantamount to making you sit through a slideshow of our vacation? Sorry, you can stop reading if you want to.)
First things first, Paige and Mia got to wear their matching rain gear, including rain coats, rain boots and umbrellas. I know it is kind of nerdy, but I am a total sucker for matching sisters. I loved watching them stomp around in the puddles, something they are not normally allowed to do.
Paige overcame some of her fears and rode “Soarin Over California”. I knew how scared she was so to see her talk herself out of her fear made me as proud as I could be. I know it is silly but I got a little choked up to see her do that.
We rode “Peter Pan” for the first time ever. I must have been to Disneyland 30 times in my life, and have never once ridden that ride, as far as I can remember. Probably because the line was always so long. Thanks to the rain, there was no wait. We liked it so much we rode it ten times.
Mike has finally, after years of searching, found his dream job, captain and tour guide on the Jungle Cruise. He loves the jokes, he would love to be the one telling the jokes as a matter of fact. I wonder what kind of perks come with being married to a Jungle Cruise guide?
In summary, it was the best trip ever! I wish I could say we came home energized and ready to tackle the world, but that is the downfall of Disney, isn’t it? You never want to go back to reality!
In other news, my brother Brett will be admitted on the 3rd of Feb for his first of what we hope will be two bone marrow transplants. We are raising money to pay for the second, if you would like to donate, you can search for his page on Facebook, Save Brett, where you will find a “donate” button that will take you straight to paypal. Become a fan to stay connected and recieve updates on the fundraising efforts and Bretts progress. Also, stay tuned for an announcement for the upcoming Fafard 5k, to be held on February 27th, in Provo, Utah.
Robin and Seth Part 2
» Posted on January 15, 2010
As promised, here is the next installment of Robin and Seth’s wedding of the century. I may have mentioned to some of you that I missed my flight out to San Diego and as a result had my amazingly supportive sister pick me up from the airport at full speed (I literally threw my suitcases into an open window in her car, clung on to the side and screamed “GO, GO!!” while the door was still wide open in an effort to get to the rehearsal in time.) When my sister asked where we were going, and I said “North Chapel”, she immediately told me, like any good sister and or girlfriend should, that that was right near where they filmed the part in Top Gun where she chases him out down that long corridor etc, etc, I could quote it for you but you should already know it.. Anyway, it was right across the street from the corridors in the following couple of pictures, I would have shot at the actual spot, but the light wasn’t as fantastic and I couldn’t justify making the poor bride walking over there in her five inch Jimmy Choos just because I am star struck…
Seth restored this car when he was 14, it is beautiful, but it broke down on the way to the first look. Luckily they got it running and up on the grounds for a photo op.
Linda got this one, we think it looks like a postcard, plus, I am in it, just finishing the above ring shot.
Also Lindas…
Linda got this one too, I am pretty jealous, this is my all time favorite groom picture!
Just after the kiss, the grooms side of the family burst out in a cheer. I was setting up for a different shot so all I have are the back of their pom poms, but according to my new facebook friend Azadeh (one of the bridesmaids) who consulted with her new facebook friend Jesse, (brother of the groom) the cheer went something like this: “Sika Suka, sika suka, oi, oi, oi!!” We are still consulting new facebook friends all over for the correct spelling, but it was awesome, plus, there were kazoos. Evidentally, that is what you do when you are from Corvalis, Oregon.
I have one more post and a slideshow to share too… Stay tuned for party limo bus, the lovely Hotel Solomar, and the big players of the day!
Robin and Seth, part 1
» Posted on January 11, 2010
She was beaming, ear to ear. The whole morning. The chaos, the makeup boxes, the flurry of clothing, flowers, accessories, she sat in the middle of it and smiled. Robin was lovely as she prepared to meet her groom for the first time on their wedding day.
I cannot wait one more minute to post some photos from this wedding, and since I am still wading through piles and piles of raw images, I thought I could do this preview in sections. So here is the first installment of the wedding of the year. I must say that I loved being a part of this wedding. It was simply exploding with personality. Every participant seemed larger then life, like they had walked out of the pages of a movie script. I am so grateful to have been part of it. Thank you Robin and Seth for letting me have a part in it.
Make up was done by Cara Mia and they were wonderful to work around. 
Linda got this shot while waiting for Robin, I love it. 
These next two photos I adore, and wish were mine, but they are also Lindas, isn’t she amazing? (have you seen her blog, by the way? www.itchingtobefabulous.com ) I cannot wait to post the rest of the flower pictures, they were done by Lavonne at Adorations Botanical Artistry and she is truly an artist, check out her work!
I love this shot, Seth is trying to coordinate with the bridal party, Robin is about to get a makeup retouch and they still look fabulous!! 
I need to end this or I will never get into the scrumptious details that were this wedding. (I am telling you, it was stunning. The wedding coordinator blew me away, Shari with Charmed Events, every detail was planned meticulously. ) Please join me in congratulating Seth and Robin on the incredibly dynamic couple that they are, and the family that they have created.
In Retrospect..
» Posted on January 2, 2010
it was a big, big year. I mean, we crammed a lot of stuff into twelve tiny months and looking back on it now, I feel half ready to fall over and half ready to run into 2010 with bigger, loftier goals. First order of business? Find some new lucky shoes. Read more
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Carrie Butler
Carrie Butler is a photographer from the Salt Lake area with a passion for capturing the precious moments in peoples lives such as Wedding and Engagemnts. She's a featured writer for Photography Course, an online Photography Resource.