Rainbow Baby

Facebook is a great resource when used correctly. It can keep you in contact with people that you normally wouldn't see on a regular basis. You get a small peek into their lives- Well, the parts that they choose to show the world.

A friend from nursing school and I have kept in casual contact throughout the years since we graduated and it's always fun to see her cute status updates. New jobs, vacations and throwing out a Congratulations! when you see a pregnancy announcement .... Then total lack of knowing what to say when that pregnancy ends in a loss.

It can be hard to find the words to say to someone who has lost a baby. Whether it's been in the first few weeks of a pregnancy, or the devastation of delivering your full term son- that little soul has touched lives and left it's mark forever in their hearts.

For those of you that don't know, Rainbow Baby is a term for the baby that is born after a loss. Kind of a cute way of saying that this is the rainbow after the storm- these little souls get the good fortune to spend time with their sibling before making their way to Earth.

These pregnancies are a little different, a little more cautious, a little more hesitant. You worry about getting attached and perhaps suffering another loss. You have that extra ounce of worry with every little cramp, kick or lack thereof. You will get unsolicited advice on what you are doing wrong and you will also get some downright rude comments as well.

I've seen Cassie and James handle their loss with such dignity and grace. I'm sure there were more bad days than good, but they've never lashed out or been bitter about their experience. They didn't hide the mementos of their son Dustin from friends and family, they have celebrated him just like any parents do. They've been an beautiful example of love and I'm so happy that I was able to do something for them to celebrate the coming of their little girl, McKenzie.

Cassie wore her bracelet so that Dustin was in the pictures as well, complete with his birthstone, initial and angel wings. This little girl is coming into a world full of love and great parents to welcome her.

Easter Babes

People around here love themed shoots- Christmas, Valentine's, Easter...
While I'm much more into the less fussy side of portraits it sure is fun to throw some props at kids and see what they do! (Most kids try to eat them... just FYI)
This wonderful Easter season I had the wonderful oppurtunity to 'shoot' some beautiful little Easter babes- no live bunnies or chicks but these little ones sure had fun.

Of course my own little man had to get in on this action

Not the happiest little bunny, but she sure makes a sweet one!

 Just want to gobble up those chubby little toes :)

Perfecting his Blue Steel look

Facebook.com/solisfotografia

Baby Evelynn

What's more exciting than a new baby?!
The answer is, nothing. Babies are the best. Especially when they are as cute as little Evelynn is!
Evelynn's mom, Kaitlyn, and I got in touch with each other a few months ago on Facebook and discussed some different options for a newborn shoot.
Everyone has a different story and this one is a little unique. Kaitlyn is living here in Utah with her two boys while her husband is deployed. She has family around but someone was definitely missing on delivery day.
Her husband is a Marine (Thank you for your service!) and shortly after little E was 20 weeks or so, her daddy had to be on his way.
One way we thought to include him while he was gone was to do a mini-hospital shoot. Catch all the little details that he wouldn't be able to see first hand. It's funny how fast you forget all the little things right after a little one is born. What the room looked like, who came to visit, how small they were. A hospital shoot is a nice way to capture all of those details that get so quickly forgotten in the 'new baby' delirium that sets in once you get home
I know this is nothing like being there in person, but hopefully Dad will enjoy these until he can get his hands on her in real life.
Enjoy!

Sandoval Family

There are a lot of reasons that family pictures don't get taken. I get it, I really do!
Everyone has different schedules, people don't know where to take pictures, it's expensive, kids are grumpy in the morning, people don't have anything to wear, kids are grumpy in the evening... adults are grumpy in the morning....etc. etc.
The list can go on and on, if you let it.
The one reason that people should get pictures taken is this- We are not promised tomorrow.
I don't mean to be a downer, but that is a sad fact that people get so busy and don't realize.
It's almost been a year since my grandma Sandoval passed away- I think about her all the time. It hits me at odd times, like when I'm baking something or singing a song that reminds me of her. It still aches like a ton of bricks on my heart and I still cry.
The reason I mention this is because my aunt and I had mentioned taking family pictures last year, at the end of summer but for one reason or another it never happened. It's something that makes me regret all of the excuses.
I do not want to do that anymore so I called and bothered all of my aunts and uncles into coming and taking family pictures. I think they came out great, even the bloopers :)

I made them into a book for my Grandpa, who is legally blind and let's face it- old, because I don't know what he would even do with the USB drive they are on.
That's something special that you can do for your own family, or for your parents. Get your family portraits taken, or gift them a session with their grandkids- You never know how much that will mean to them, or to you when they are no longer around to wrap around the kids' fingers.

T&D- 2014

I went to high school with Taryn and we've been able to catch up through that fabulous land of FaceBook. This last year has been a whirlwind and I admire her greatly for the grace she has shown through it.
A short re-cap: She and Danny welcomed a baby girl, Harper into the world, got engaged, got news of Danny's deployment, planned a wedding, had a wedding (minus the honeymoon for now) and just a few days ago said goodbye to her new husband as she sent him off on his deployment. I've had the pleasure of catching a few of their happier moments this year and hopefully these will get them through the coming months.

Good luck Dan, you've got two gorgeous girls waitin' for you at home!

J&K Engagements

So every picture taker has something that they really enjoy photographing, for me it would have to be engagements. Your subjects are old enough to take orders pretty well, they have a great reason to be taking pictures and you really get to see the love transfer into their shots.
Jake and Kimi were no exception and they delivered on the love, fo' sho.
Jake was planning an elaborate proposal, which included the making of a video in which he would be doing one of their favorite pasttimes. Well, life doesn't always happen like you plan and during the shooting of this video there was an accident. Jake was alive, but only by some miracle, suffering broken bones and putting Kimi through some heartache. Needless to say, the proposal was moved up and she said "Yes!"

These two were up for anything and so we were able to get some really beautiful shots, These are just a few of my favorites. Hoping that the worst is behind them and they can enjoy a wonderful life together!

Fall Is Here!

I love living in Utah for several reasons- One of those reasons is that we get to experience all four seasons. Don't tell Mother Nature but I have a soft spot for Fall. It's nice enough to still do all your favorite outdoor hobbies with no sweltering summer heat, spring rainstorms or winter's snowfall. You get to chill in cute boots, hoodies and have bonfires.... I could go on and on. Another reason that I love living in Utah is that we have such a variety of landscapes to choose from for backdrops. We have rivers, lakes, mountains, valleys, fields and urban areas- it's just so exciting everywhere you look. 

People have been gearing up for Christmas cards and presents so family photo sessions have been in full gear the last few months, here are a few of my favorites from the last month