Susan Carr Photography Blog

UPDATED EVENING LOCATION!!

2011-11-04T13:00:00.001-07:00

I've changed my evening sitting for my Holiday Picture Event this year to a more open area. Take a look, it's a great way to get your family pictures done for only $85. That includes all the finished images on a disc for you to copy as much as you want! (click to enlarge)

It's Holiday Picture time again!

2011-10-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

Here it is...

Graduation Time!

2011-05-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

How adorable is Tenley! I love this girl, so full of personality and so totally stylish and chic. We went to a great location in Gilbert, and shot some at a beautiful home (thank you so much!) and an open lot I found down the street. It was a windy shoot, but Tenley was a wonderful model. Congrats, girl!

So cute!

2011-01-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

So I just I LOVE my in-laws, and this is my totally awesome brother-in-law, freshly home from Spain. He needed some headshots and such for his modelling/acting agency, so we shot some while I was in UT for Christmas break. It was FREEZING, snow everywhere, but I think we managed to give the illusion of it being warmer. Isn't he darling!

Holiday Pictures

2010-12-03T16:44:00.000-08:00

Oh how I have loved this holiday season, so many wonderful families! Here are just a few of my favorites from my holiday event shoots in Mesa and Gilbert along with a number of other sittings. And the season isn't over!

Home is Where the Heart Is

2010-11-16T10:45:00.000-08:00

I love being invited to clients' homes for their sititngs! It's so much more personal, and the kids seem to enjoy it more. (And Mom and Dad get to have more control over the area.:) ) This week's family had the cutest, and most opposite, twin little boys and gorgeous little girls, which made it even more fun. (Mom and Dad looked great too!) Part way through, some of the neighborhood kids came by to help make faces to help the little boys to smile, it was really adorable. I loved the khaki green color in their clothing choices. Here are some of my favorites...

Apples and Oranges

2010-10-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

This week, I met an awesome family who happen to be my neighbors in an orange orchid. And though I love oranges, it's not the time of year that there are any big ones on the trees yet, so I brought some yummy green apples. The kids loved eating them, and I just love the color in the photos. And can I just say, have you ever seen such a picture perfect family!? Here are some of the highlights...

Custom Christmas Card Design

2010-10-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

I started doing this last year, and my customers seemed to really enjoy it, so I thought I would offer it this year too. Many places out there offer a blank photo card option, as opposed to the pre-signed ones that you just plug your photos into and are limited in text. Like Costco, they offer a 6" x 7.5" blank card with envelopes for really inexpensive. So for any of my photography customers who would like me to design a card exactly how you want it (choice of text, fonts, colors, photos, design, etc.) using photos from our sitting, I offer this service for $25. For anyone else, this would be $40 and you would need to submit your photos to me, of course. Here are a couple of examples of cards/announcements from last year.

I do wedding/baptism/party invitations too!

Fun Families

2010-10-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

I had 2 families this week. I shot one family on location in Mesa and the other around my neighborhood. I loved all the GORGEOUS little girls, and the pink high heels. Here are a few of my favorites.

It's here!!!

2010-10-19T08:06:00.000-07:00

It's Holiday Picture taking time again. (If there is enough interest in the West Valley, I may add another location. So please email me if you need a west valley sitting.) Here's all the info (click to enlarge):

The most wonderful time of the year

2010-10-13T23:52:00.001-07:00

It's that wonderful time of year that I start having massive amounts of family photos, yeah! I love the holiday season, and I wanted to kick it off sharing some of my favorite pics from the Mannes Family. They have so much to celebrate this year with the first grandchild being born and an engagement, and I am so happy for them all.

New Product..that I am sooooo excited about!

2010-08-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

(example: Palmer)

I can now offer pictures, 12x24, of your last name made out entirely of LDS temple parts! I have been working on this project for many months now, and was excited that I finally took all the photographs I needed to do it when I was in UT last month. Funny thing though, last Saturday I walked into a home and guess what the first thing I saw in the entryway was...their last name spelled in temple parts. :( I thought I had an original idea, but I guess I didn't move on it fast enough. Anyway, though I may not be the only one who can do it, I'm sure I can do it better and less expensive than anywhere else. If you are interested, just email me at info@susancarrphotography.com and I will give you all the info, or just visit my etsy shop. (Link to the right of posts.)

(example: Eastman)

Gorgeous Georges

2010-08-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

I've been in Utah for the last month, vacationing with my family with a few clients here and there. The weather was definately cooler than here in AZ, but still pretty hot. Still, I totally prefer to do shoots there because of the endless awesome locations. The George Family wanted an urban setting, and I think we really choose some great building to showcase their gorgeous family. I loved their purple and grey color scheme, the purple really popped. The kids were so funny, with twin 5-yr-olds boys and and the sweetest little girl, the energy stayed alive the whole time. Here are my favorite shots.

one BIG happy family

2010-06-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love big families! I always wished growing up that I had more siblings, especially brothers. Not that I had a small family, but more always sounds better to me. Meet the Pears, they had eight kids, some with families of their own. Each one of them with an AMAZING smile too, they sure made my job easy. Here's a few pictures from our shoot last Saturday.

It's a boy!

2010-05-31T13:57:00.000-07:00

Jen is expecting her first baby boy, after having a bunch of beautiful baby girls. I'm sure the home dynamic will change, and potty training is sure a different story. (Hee, hee! Been there.) We did a quick photo shoot Friday morning, and it was already nice and hot. I didn't want them to be in the heat much, so we shot in the corn field for a short while and then moved to the shade. Jen is such a gorgeous preggo, I'm jealous. And her girls, well, I don't even have to say how stunning they are, just look at some of our shots.

Utah Alert!

2010-05-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

For any of my UTAH followers, I will be shooting in Utah for a month this summer, most of July. If you want to get a head start on your Christmas card pictures, email me and we can set up a place and time in the summer. I just love being in UT, there are sooooo many amazing places to do portraits. It's also a great time to get senior portaits done for next year's seniors. See you there!

WARRIOR

2010-05-19T17:45:00.000-07:00

Maika is graduating Westwood High next week, and the Westwood Warrior mascot couldn't have been more fitting. I met him Monday evening and he was every bit what I think of as a "warrior", he even eats fire! So cool! On top of that, he's a big football guy, along with a bunch of other sports. It's funny to think that big guy is the baby of one of my high school friends. Time flies.

Another totally handsome HS Senior

2010-05-11T19:01:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning I met Skylar down at the old railroad tracks in downtown Mesa. He graduates this month from Queen Creek High, and I got to do his announcements as well. Check out his mad hacky-sack skills too!

The girl next door

2010-05-11T18:51:00.000-07:00

This week was great, and I got to see some of my old friends, Jodi and Kyle. They both lived on my street (opposite ends) when we were all in high school together. And now 20 years later, they are newlyweds! We took pictures of their new family at the clubhouse where I live, and we all enjoyed it.

Desert Ridge High Photo Shoot

2010-05-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

The best place to take senior pictures, and my favorite, is at their own high school. This way I can pull in things that they are involved in, especially sports, and bring them out in the pictures. Kolby was my Desert Ridge student this week, and I love the shots we got to take on campus.

Cute Brothers

2010-04-21T16:46:00.000-07:00

Oh it was so beautiful today, I had to get out, for what little time I could, and take advantage of the cloudy day. I grabbed my 2 boys and we had 10 minutes before it started to sprinkle on us, so we used the vacant lot across the street to snap these shots, weeds and all. It just goes to show that almost any location can be workable for pictures.

Latest Idea

2010-04-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

So I've been thinking more about different versions of the LDS Family Proclamation, and I came up with a damask version. I printed one up and I LOVED IT! It is now framed and hanging in the entry to my home. I decided to do a few different colored versions of it for sale. If anyone has a specific color palette then would like one to match, just send me an email and I can design one. For anyone local who can pick one up from me in Mesa, an 11x14 is only $19! And for anyone that I need to ship it to, just add $5.95 shipping.

Family Spring Pictures this Saturday Morning!

2010-03-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

This is just a reminder to anyone who still wishes to participate in the Spring Family Pictures at the LDS Temple this Saturday morning to sign up. I have had a couple slots re-open, so please contact me if you would like to join us! The LDS Mesa Temple is only closed a couple of time this year (the other is in August when it's WAY TOO HOT!) and so it makes it an opportune time to get that family temple picture you've always wanted without a bunch of brides and grooms in the background. See my flyer below from my previous post for all the details. Hope to see you there!

Taysen

2010-03-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

Taysen was just 2 days old when I shot these photos in the hospital room with his parents. Oh, that beautiful baby skin! Getting to be by such new babies is my favorite thing! He was sleepy the whole time and didn't fuss at all. So sweet. Congrats to his lucky parents!

Carla's Clan

2010-03-05T14:57:00.000-08:00

It's so fun to get to meet friends' whole families. Carla brought her clan out to the Scottsdale Arts Center last weekend for some really fun and casual family pictures. They were a fun bunch, and we lucked out and missed all the rain and wind from earlier in the day. She doesn't seem old enough to have her first granddaughter on the way though. Congrats Carla and family!

Spring Family Picture Event on the Temple Grounds!

2010-03-03T14:09:00.000-08:00

Just in time for Easter! I thought I would try something new this year, and do family portraits at the LDS Mesa Temple grounds while it is closed during the Easter Pagent timeframe. All the details are on the flyer below, just click it to enlarge. Here's a great opportunity to spice up a Temple picture for your home, or your Family Proclamation. LDS or not, the temple grounds are BEAUTIFUL this time of year, and I can do portrait sittings without the actual Temple in them too for anyone who prefers it. Just email or call me to reserve your spot! info@susancarrphotography.com (480)820-0832

Amy & Aaron

2010-02-11T15:44:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, back to blogging, I've been so bad at it lately. Here's my most recent engagement photo shoot. We did it down in Gilbert, and the sky was amazing and cloudy. So many great colors were out, and we tried to use it all. I got to photograph some friends, Amy and Aaron, who recently got engaged. They are so naturally romantic, I hardly had to give any direction. Aren't they just the cutest couple?!

A fun idea

2010-01-20T15:54:00.000-08:00

About a year ago I was looking at my walls of pictures in my home (I don't think you can ever have enough pictures! I love going into people's homes and seeing all the shots from when they were little kids. ) and I was having problems fitting my Family Proclamation on the wall. So I came up with the idea to overlay it over a picture of my family, and I LOVED IT! I have done it for some of my LDS clients since, laying it over family, wedding and even my vintage-temple pictures and it really brings the words to life! So if you don't have the means to do it on your own, I can do it for you. If you want to do one of my beautiful (if I do say so myself) temple pictures (see my shop at http://www.pseuzyn.etsy.com/ )there is no extra cost; and if you have an existing picture that you want to use, for just $15 I will format it for you! Email me or call me for details. info@susancarrphotography.com

New Antique-finished LDS Temples!

2010-01-08T11:55:00.001-08:00

I will be adding a bunch of new Temples to my Etsy shop this week, so don't forget to visit. It makes the PERFECT wedding gift, and they start at $40! www.pseuzyn.etsy.com or click my link on the right.

It's been a CRAZY holiday season...

2009-12-21T13:11:00.001-08:00

...but I have loved every minute of it! My annual holiday picture event went amazing with more than a dozen families on that day alone. I have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to blog about them, but I will post some of the holiday pictures after the new year so it won't spoil anyone's Christmas cards.

I had some sittings of course that weren't just for holiday cards, and so I thought I would share some from one my latest high school senior shoots. This is Jason, who was visiting from Utah. He is such a ham, which you can see in his pictures.

Only a couple days left!

2009-11-18T15:42:00.000-08:00

My big Holiday Picture event happens this Saturday! Don't miss you chance to get fabulous family pictures for a great price! Only $80 for the sitting AND all the images on a disc to copy as you would like. Email or call for available time slots. info@susancarphotography.com (480)820-0832

It's Holiday Picture time again!!!

2009-11-06T08:05:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year to get your Christmas card pictures taken, and I have a great deal this year again. I am offering 2 settings, a barn door look and a pecan grove. Both will be taking place on Saturday, November 21st. Click on the flyer above for all the details and examples of the settings. Time slots usually fill up pretty fast, so if you want to do this you should pick your slot soon. Thanks all!

More Senior Pics

2009-11-05T10:03:00.000-08:00

Another good-looking senior! I met Ethan at the Mesa Center for the Arts in the afternoon. That place is really great, every wall is a different color and texture. I think I could shoot there for a ton of different people and you would never know they were all in the same place. Ethan was so cool, and a natual in front of the camera.

I have a new ETSY shop!

2009-10-28T15:49:00.000-07:00

Well I've finally gotten around to starting my own shop on etsy.com. It's called Pseuzyn's Stuff, pronouced "Susan's Stuff". :) I am selling vintage, distressed temple prints, which are sprayed with a protective coating so they can be hung with or without glass. I also can add any text you want to it, like family name and marriage date. I can actually do any size you would like, not just the ones I have up for sale. I think the pictures are beautiful, and hope you do too. They could make wonderful Christmas and wedding gifts this season! http://www.pseuzyn.etsy.com/

Class of '10

2009-10-22T16:31:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that we are already to the class of 2010! Catalina came down from Utah last weekend and we took her senior pictures. She was so beautiful and talented! It's funny to me that some of the clothes styles from when I was in high school are back now. Crazy!

It's finally FALL!!!!!!

2009-10-12T11:57:00.000-07:00

The holidays are here!!!! I love this time of year, all the fall colors and the weather is finally nice. I got to take pictures at sunset of Adam and his family. Adam is a darling 1 year old, who loved being thrown up in the air by his daddy. I thought I would try out an idea I had with their pictures and add the Proclamation of the Family to one of their pictures, and I loved it.

Just another day

2009-10-09T12:09:00.000-07:00

This my little sweetie and model, Sawyer, with his cousin, Cougar. The boys were playing outside and I just love how "eveyday" they looked.

5 Hours Old

2009-10-02T16:16:00.001-07:00

Today was Kellen's Birth Day! I got to meet the little guy when he was only 5 hours old. He is so beautiful, and his mommy and daddy are so proud. They have allowed me to share some of the precious moments on my blog, and I am very happy to help show him off. Welcome to the world!

Any day now

2009-09-14T16:56:00.000-07:00

It's so soon now! Any day now Anna could deliver, so we hurried up and made sure that we captured that beautiful belly before it's gone. She is such a gorgeous preggo, isn't she! And Brody is will be such a great big brother. Love you, Anna!

Boys rule!

2009-08-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

Rainy days and Thursdays

2009-08-17T11:35:00.001-07:00

I love rainy days, however, this day was only sprinkley. If is weren't for all the humidity, the 88 degree weather would have been awesome. As it was though, the 4 little ones that I got to photograph at the park were really good and didn't seem to mind the heat. They all loved playing on the playground as we took turns getting pictures taken. Kids really are amazing! By the end of the shoot, everyone was drenched in sweat (mommies and photographer included), but we got some wonderful images. Enjoy!

Back to School

2009-08-12T09:56:00.001-07:00

I love the "slice of life" shoots that I get to do. I got my son off to school this morning, (6th grade already! Man, that makes me feel old.), then I was priviledged to get to go with Elle to her first day of Kindergarden with her family. I think she was the only kid there who brought their own personal photographer, and she was a ham. It was so fun waiting with them for the first bell to ring and to see them get her off to class. The only downside to the morning is that my 2-year-old was sad that he didn't get to go to school today too.

Giveaway Winner Announced!

2009-08-03T16:46:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, Monica and thank you to everyone who entered! That was so fun that I have decided that I will be having future giveaways for photo sessions a few times a year, so check back every so often and look for the announcement. Keep me in mind too when you need family pictures done for the holidays (they are coming up sooner than you think!), or if you know anyone who's getting married (I love shooting weddings!), or just for fun! Thanks again!

No one should be allowed to look this good in their mid-thirties!

2009-07-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

Life isn't fair, I tell ya! This is my baby sister, Kim. I wish having the same genetics meant that we aged at the same pace. Hahaha! We had so much fun doing this shoot for her new cards with Leighton Modelling Agency. We tried a few different looks and I think they turned out great. She owes me a killer dinner when she books her next big job from these photos!

Eight is Great!

2009-07-20T16:14:00.000-07:00

I got to be part of Titan's baptism coming up next month. He wanted to wear a suit coat and shorts, which I thougth was totally stylin'. He is so good at smilling too, he makes my heart melt. Here is the design that we came up with for his invitation, and I few other fun shots. Congrats, Titan!

A quick reminder!

2009-07-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to remind everyone that if you are interested in a FREE 1/2 hour photo shoot with, which INCLUDES all the images on a disc, just leave me a comment before July 31st (include an email address if I you don't have a blog where I can find you). Winner will be posted on my blog the first week of August. Good luck everyone!!!!

Chubby Cheeks

2009-07-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

Sweet little 3-month-old Caleb has the best cheeks, they almost hang lower than his chin at times. I had fun with him, snapping shots whenever he would let me. I just love the perfectness of baby skin, there is nothing better in the world.

Street scene

2009-07-08T13:17:00.000-07:00

I spent last week in Utah, and got to photograph Katie and her handsome men. We thought it was going to rain, so I had some ideas of what we might do, but we lucked out and it was dry till the end. YEAH! We took these shots wandering around the streets of downtown Provo. Reminder: If you like my work, leave me a message during the month of July, and you will be entered into my drawing for a free photoshoot and pictures on disc. (Details on June posts.)

Cloudy Day

2009-06-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

I love cloudy day lighting. Today has been surprising cloudy, and I found a beautiful park near our home to take my boys to. I love this area and think I will use it on future shoots. Don't forget to leave comments anywhere on my blog throughout July to enter for the free sitting and pictures!

GIVEAWAY!!!

2009-06-24T13:26:00.001-07:00

(Click on the flyer above to enlarge)

If you like my work and are interested in a photoshoot with me, let me know! And for those of you who leave me comments before July 1st, your name will be entered in twice. Good luck to all!

Darling with damask

2009-06-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

Sawyer had to endure yet another photo session today. He's getting much more comfortable in front of the lens though. Love his BLUE eyes!

Doesn't look like AZ in the summer

2009-06-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

This week I had the honor of taking pictures of the extended family of a sweet friend. I love this area, because it stays beautiful all summer. You'd never guess that we didn't leave the Phx valley, would you?

Family Fun

2009-06-16T17:32:00.000-07:00

I got to shoot one of my favorite families this past weekend. Such a good looking family! The boys already have their GQ looks down so well, watch out girls when they get older! And their daughter is the prettiest little princess, whose smile just lights up the set.

Tutus and Blue Jeans

2009-06-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

Today we had so much fun! The sun was bright and the sky was clear, so we thought we would bring out the tutus and have some summer fun. Elle is so beautiful (& so is her mommy), that I just needed to share some of her photos. Her little brother wouldn't stay still, but I think we got some great ones of him too. Enjoy!

Baptism shoot

2009-06-06T02:43:00.000-07:00

Sweet little Brooke is getting ready for her baptism next month, and I was so lucky as to get to design her invitation for her special day. Isn't she beautiful!

Fantastic Friday

2009-06-05T18:19:00.000-07:00

Sawyer was my model today. We went out and just shot some quick pictures while he was in a good mood. Here are my favorites: