Robyn & David: MARRIED!

We get the opportunity to work with people who are in love. But people in love can be SO different. Everyone speaks a different "love language" if you will. Robyn and David are intentional. They love each other with joy but with seriousness. This is not to say they don't laugh and have a great time, they definitely do. But, they pour energy into making sure the other person is shown love and respect. I think this is something you have to work at. If Robyn and David have to work at it you can't tell. They make it seem effortless. I know I'm rambling a bit but I feel so blessed to glean unspoken relationship wisdom from our clients. I get to watch and learn.I tend to let laundry, vacuuming, Charlotte, work, emails and all the other stuff get in between me loving my husband the way he needs to be loved. Sometimes it feels like I'm trying to make googly eyes at him from across the room and everything is blocking my view. I want to learn to run across the room and get so close to his face that nothing can get in the way of me seeing him.
(*note: this does not mean I will neglect my new daughter :)

Robyn & David thank you for reminding me to be intentional. We loved being a part of your wedding day. We love even more your hearts. You are both dedicated to using your gifts for service and we can't wait to hear about your new life in a new place. Look out Utah, here some the Clintons!! :)

Bree & Brad: ENGAGED!!

As I type I am watching my little girl sit in her little recliner-bouncy-vibrating seat-thingy. Her limbs NEVER stop moving! She's like a hamster in a wheel. Her little legs brush past each other so quickly I'm afraid she will spark a living room fire with the sheer friction caused by her tiny feet. I admit it is difficult to run a business with a new baby. I feel like finding a balance will be a constant battle for me. But if I step outside of myself for a second I remember that there are lots of moms & dads that have to say goodbye to their precious babies everyday for at least 8 hours or even worse they serve our country and have to say goodbye for months! So, all things considered I have an incredbly sweet deal. So, what it's tricky. At least I get to watch my baby grow (even if it does mean less beauty rest:)

Enough about us, Bree & Brad are romantic and sweet in all the right ways. When we have the privilege of capturing "the look" through our cameras we go away from our shoot on a cloud of happiness. Brad and Bree give each other "the look" all the time. Their look says a million things to me through my lens. It says, I will always take care of you, I will fight for you and defend you and I will always be here with a hug to comfort you. Bree & Brad, life will throw a lot at you and sometimes it will be easier to pout in your own corner and lean out. Take some advice from two people still figuring out how to love each other. When life gets hard walk away from your corner, cuddle on a couch together and lean in.

We can't wait for your wedding ;)

Blake: Awesome!!

Blake called us to take some personal portraits that really expressed his personality and interests. We said "of course" and had such a great time. Blake is such a rad guy. I loved his outfits and his personal "flair". I think Matt did an amazing job, I'm so proud of his art. I loved looking through these images and I hope you will too!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Hey Friends it's that time again! Holidays are coming and us Snelsons are getting excited. The leaves are falling off trees and there are so many amazing things to be thankful for. We are especially thankful this year as our little Charlotte June is here. I had a moment where I was slapped in the face with how blessed I am over the weekend. I was sitting in church holding my precious baby and praying for our friends who lost thier baby boy over the summer. I have never known such devistation or despair. My heart breaks for them daily and I am reminded constantly that everyday, every moment I have with Charlotte is such a BLESSING and should be treasured as such.

I know it may sounds cheesy but last year I asked my amazing husband, my parents and my brothers to make a list of 50 things they were thankful for. We read them aloud after Christmas Eve dinner and it was awesome. I'm challenging our blog family and friends to do this with their families and friends over the Holidays. It's awesome on so many levels. How often do we really sit down to be thankful for a roof, clean drinking water and our health?? I have way more than 50 things to be thankful for and it's great to take inventory of that every so often. SO there you have it, consider yourself challenged!

While we're on the topic of quickly approaching festivities it's time once again for Mathieu Photography mini-holiday photo sessions!! We will be offering 30 minute sessions on November 21st and 28th. The cost is $125 and will include sitting fee + online gallery + 1 digital negative to be used for Holiday cards. We will be shooting from 8-5 on both days so please tell all your friends and family and we look forward to seeing you!

Please email us at mathieuphotography@me.com to get on the list!

Here our some of our favorite family shots from the past year :)

Darby & Eric: MARRIED!!

As photographers we LOVE when our clients bring their own personal style to their wedding day. Darby & Eric brought sick amounts of funk to their engagement shoot so we were so excited to see what their wedding day would bring. They held a beautiful fall wedding and added all their snazzy personal touches. Darby's hair and bouquet were out of this world and her dress was killer! Our dear friend Brad rocked the ceremony as the officiant. We love all the friends we've made through Kara and her peeps at the Eli Alexander Salon.

Fall is officially here!!! Now let's all pray for brisk weather and maybe even some rain :)

Enjoy!

Times they are a changin'

I'm not a writer but I'm in a mood (go with it) ...

I've never been very good with change. It always seems that as things find a happy balance life weasels it's way in and makes everything different. Over the last few years I have left "home" to live with some of my closest girl friends. It was such a growing process for me. I graduated from college and learned to be independent, to pay ALL of my bills by myself and to create boundaries as a roommate to others. Shortly thereafter I got married to the coolest cat I've ever known. I had lived with 5 other people for nearly my whole life and now I would live with just 1 person. When Matt wasn't home I would be ALONE. And gosh, it was lonely sometimes. The hustle and bustle of people coming and going became a memory. But I have loved learning to be a wife. I enjoyed looking forward to him walking through the door and building our marriage together. It took me all of three years to feel like I had finger hold (not even a grasp) on how to be a wife. And then all of a sudden I was pregnant!! I really felt like I didn't know yet how to be a good wife and now I had to learn how to be a mother! As soon as I got used to the idea of being pregnant it was over and Charlotte was here.

She's has changed our lives. We're responsible for a perfect little person and the worry kills me sometimes. I feel so blessed. Charlotte makes us smile and we can already see her little personality starting to emerge.

I've never been good with change but now I find myself looking forward to it. I can't wait to hear her little voice and her giggle. I want to see her walk and make friends. I can't wait to see what she's passionate about. And I may even take her to a ballet class!! I guess after 27 years of not liking change I have fully surrendered to the idea that God is in control of all the changes. I'm starting to look forward to change and I have Charlie to thank for that.

I'm a blessed girl in more ways than one. Here are a couple of photos my friend Megan took. She's another huge blessing to me and I am so grateful for these pictures of my two favorite people in the whole world.

Happy Halloween and enjoy your weekend!

This one is for Grandma and Charlie's aunties... big pink bows and all things girlie :)