Glimpses

McKenna Five

2010-09-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

Mckenna Turned Five this year. I look at these pictures and I am amazed how much she has changed in one short year. She has grown from my sweet toddler into a beautiful, beautiful little girl. Everyone tells you how fast they grow, but until I became a mother I didn't completely understand.

She is no longer a preschooler, she has started kindergarten. I wasn't prepared for how brave she would be. I needed her to need me, but she is pulling away and becoming more independent every day. I am so proud of her. It was only the second day of school when she told me to "please stay in the car, I want to go by myself." That just about broke my heart. I want to keep her home where I can shelter and protect her. It is so hard to let go.

She has been such a little mother to Addy, running to give her a Binky or just laying beside her when I have to run get a bottle. Every morning she when she wakes up she bounces into our room to greet her sister. It is so sweet.
With school starting I feel like I am marching to the beat of someone Else's drum. School pick ups, drop offs, homework and such. Gone are the days of just hunkering down in our small home away from the world, just my littles and I.

The start of school seemed like such an everyday occurrence I was unprepared for how it would change the rhythm of our little family. When we left for a long weekend of camping last week, it didn't even occur to me that I was taking McKenna out of school. It is so foreign to me that my young daughter's schedule is some how dictated by someone other than me. I hate it so much, that some days it has me thinking crazy thoughts about homeschooling... I know crazy. Then everyday she bounces out of her class room glowing from the day, So excited to show me her accomplishments. Today it was a new purple ring she had earned. In those moments I know she needs this time away to grow. It is me that is still holding on. I guess at some point we will find a new rhythm and this will become a new normal. For now I feel scattered between, feeding, naps, afternoon pickups, dinner, and on and on.

Fall Sessions

2010-09-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

Fall is here at last. And Fall is family picture time. I have had a few people ask me about fall sessions, pricing and availability. So to be ultra efficient I will just post the details here.

Family Mini Session

Price: $50 (up to 6 family members $10 each additional member)

Includes: A one hour session, Focused on the family group. And a high resolution CD with at least 20 edited images.

Family Session

Price: $75 ( up to 6 family memebers 10$ each additional member)

Includes: Two Hour session, focused on the family group and each individual. And a High resolution CD with at Least 30 edited images.

Please contact me for to schedual a session. Keep in mind fall session usually fill up fast.
Email: jmjohnsonphoto@hotmail.com
Phone 801-597-7291

Our Addy

2010-08-24T16:33:00.000-07:00

we are home. healthy and so happy to have our sweet Addy. I love having a new born in our home. love the way they smell. love the way they melt into your shoulder. love that they can sleep almost anywhere, anytime, through all the ruckus of two other kiddos. love watching her big brother and sister, their bond is already so strong . All the love out weighs the long nights for sure. Oh, and there is that face, her sweet angel face. I don't know how I will ever stop kissing her cheeks. I may never get anything done. and can you blame me she is pretty darn cute!

Melissa + Charles

2010-06-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

This is my BFF Melissa. OH yeah, and her cute Fiance Charles.

Gorgeous, you look absolutely gorgeous!

I love the light in this one!

To sum up the shoot. Melissa you were beautiful. And Charles... well you were a good sport. Thanks for putting up with all the mocking. I had a blast with you guys. So much fun and love... I think it shows in the pictures.

Alec's Baptism Shoot

2010-06-07T14:00:00.001-07:00

As you can tell, this little guy is a character!

I love everything about this picture. His expression, the blue water. The way he is holding his pant leg. Everything!

Again such a character. love it!

You have to click on this one and check out his eyes. Wow, Handsome kid!

I always get a little nervous before a shoot, but for some reason I was more nervous than usual for this one. I worried about the light, I worried about the location. And I was a little nervous about posing a young boy. It can be hard to pose boys... a lot of poses just look girly. But seriously, with such a funny little guy it was not too tough at all. And mom really helped him to loosen up and smile. Oh yeah, and then there's the location. We took these at the Day Break Lake, and the Oquirrh Mountain temple, I think this is my new favorite place, Gorgeous!

small miracles

2010-06-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

This is Annalise. Annalise is my bishop's beautiful daughter. She is one of the sweetest young women I have met. She is graduating from Kearns High this week. And she will go on to do amazing things. It gives me hope for this world when I meet such spectacular young people.

I love this picture, such a natural smile/laugh gorgeous.

This is my favorite. Lovely eyes don't you think?

This is Hali. Hali is Annalise's cousin. We met up at the same time for pictures. She is also graduating from High School this week. Boy is my job easy with such fantastic young women. She is a beauty too. Not only is she graduating this week, this month she will also get a long a waited kidney transplant. It has been A life changing year for this girl.

Love the light in this one. The sun seems to be shineing down right on her

My oh my, such georgeous blue eyes!

This is Jenn. She Annalise's sister, and Hali's cousin. Jenn is also, beautiful...great genetics in this family. Jenn is donating her kidney to her cousin Hali. I got to meet quite a few members of this family during our session. What a loving, kind, beautiful people.

I feel blessed to have met you!

Christine's "pumpkin"

2010-04-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

i heart baby toes. i am in love with this picture

love that tongue

ohh that squishy face

nothing like the bond between a mom & daughter

I really shoud be working on other sessions, but I couldn't resist doing a few. Who could blame me she is so darn cute!

Twins + One

2010-04-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

You would never know this is two different girls.

What a doll... Not the easiest to photograph, but when they are this little they never are. But they are so stinking cute it is always worth the chase.

This is one of my favorites... just something about her expression.

Ahh Sister nothing sweeter!

I love this one too! I still can't tell them apart. I think I picked some of each of them, but I really don't know. Such sweet fun girlies. I hope you love them. The girls are so beautiful, I knew the pictures would be too. I can't get over how grown up they are.

Another sneak Peak

2009-11-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of my favorites so far.

Senior Pictures

2009-10-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

Here is my first try at senior pictures. I had forgotten how easy photographing teenagers is. No squeeky clown noses or goofy glasses needed. Mary is such cute girl, so natural and fun. I hope you like them.

Sneak Peak

2009-10-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

This is a sneak peak for Misty. Here are a few of my favorites so far. There are so many fun shots. We had a great time... I think it shows in the pictures. I Hope you love them.

My new Niece and the BIG sister

2009-10-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

Isn't she a doll.

The BIG sister wanted in on the action. She is pretty darn cute too! she is an energizer bunny.

Little girls, Ring around the Rosies, and a little sidewalk chalk

2009-10-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

I hope you and your sweet girls had as much fun as I did. I love the candidness of the pictures. I wish I could talk every family into taking pictures like this. Alot less posed... alot more real.

We've been here

2009-07-29T09:52:00.001-07:00

Enjoying this...

And a little of this...

Loving these...

and this...

With these guys...

And this is how we feel about it...

The end.

McKenna Four Years

2009-07-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

I love these shots, they are just so...so Mckenna. She is Loving, playful, and at times very contemplative and thoughtful. The last four years have come and gone, she had grown from my baby, into my little girl. She would say she is my big girl. I wish I could just freeze this stage forever in time.

I love watching her play with Ethan, she is loving and mothering one moment and the next she is the big mean sister who is "THE BOSS!"

I love watching her discover the world, she loves bugs of all kinds, when she finds an ant or fly in the house she always asks if she can keep it as a pet. Umm No!

I love that "just woke up face", the dopey eyes, and messy hair all of it.

I love her silly side that always comes out when she is tired.

Sometimes, I even love her ornery side, but it comes out more often than I'd like.

I love her shy, quiet personality.

I love four.

Most of all, I love that I'm her mother and that she is my daughter.

Darling Girls!

2009-07-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

There are so many I love, I had a hard time choosing just a few pictures for this post . E & J are such darling, sweet little girls what's not to love? Especially the last one... missing shoe, big toothy grin and that wide spread just learning to walk stance. Oh and who could forget, those blue, blue eyes! Hope you love them as much as I do.

Love is in the Air

2009-06-28T23:38:00.000-07:00

(this one is my favorite)

My little brother is getting married in August. It was so much fun taking their engagement pictures. I hope they love them as much as I do. Honestly one of the easiest photo shoots I have done. They were so much fun, relaxed and in LOVE. I Think it shows in the photos. It's going to be impossible for them to choose just one.

Happy Happy Birthday!

2009-06-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

Mckenna's Birthday was a success!

Our present (a rope swing) however, was not. She is terrified of it, can't get on it, and pretty much hates it! I guess we were lucky she didn't like it too much, because Annie chewed it to pieces last night. Hurray for dog ownership!

I love to see the Temple

2009-06-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

(Yes he is spitting the water... and yes he'll probably get jardia. I wonder where his mother is?)

They know I love the temple.

So they love it too!

What a blessing, my family... is mine forever!

Papa

2009-06-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

I remember when Brad & I found out we were expecting our first baby; she would be the first grandchild in my family. I couldn't picture my dad as a grandpa. Now as I watch I don't know why I ever wondered. He is so natural and amazing with my kids. He adores them and they adore him. I love these pictures, when I opened them up for the first time, I cried. They just express their relationship so perfectly. My kids are blessed to be surrounded by people who love them so much. I honestly believe the one thing every child needs is to be surrounded by family who love them this deeply.

T-W-O

2009-06-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

Two, that what he is and he lets us know daily.

All of this, because some girl took this...

Our Boy

2009-05-14T14:48:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe our little guy will be two soon. It feels like a life time ago that we brought home a new addition to our growing family. At that time I didn't understand how much he would hold my heart. I am completely in love with him. I am hopeless. Everyday brings a more handsome, smart and loving baby. Who is suddenly becoming all boy. Gone are the sweet baby smells they've been traded in for a sweaty boy scent. Gone are the chubby legs and cherubic cheeks. Replaced with skinned knees and messy bugger face. Gone is the familiar newborn cry. Instead the all too terrible tantrums and screams. And yet I am more enchanted everyday with my growing, changing, loving, BOY. And who could blame me, after all he is so dang cute!

We love birdies & wormies

2009-05-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

For McKenna's Preschool Field trip we went to the Aviary. I was such a nice day.

Notice Ethan trying to be like the big kids. He is growing up too fast.

These girls are the best of friends. From the first day of preschool they bonded, and are inseparable.

McKenna's favorite part was feeding the ducks. There were tons of little ducklings... so cute.

She has such a funny little personality. Nothing like a winter scarf and Dora hat to finish off your spring outfit. She wanted to wear her gloves too, until I told her she couldn't play in the dirt with them on.

Is it strange that my kids love worms? Seriously its a new obsession for them. First thing, every time we go outside, they go worm hunting. Ethan even cries if he can't find one. I hate worms...GROSS!

I love his expression in this picture (minus the buggers of course)! He is so curious, and interested in everything especially gross wiggling things.

easter

2009-04-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

We had a perfect weekend. Zoo on Friday. Easter eggs, Easter bunny, lots of candy and fun on Saturday. On Sunday, Church (Ethan finally went to nursery without tears...hurray!), Dinner with family, and learning about the resurrection with our little ones. I love watching McKenna trying to understand and remember what we are teaching her. I seems like such a simple thing from my perspective. But as a child it is much harder to understand, she can't make sense of it all and yet she accepts it all with such simple faith. I wish I was more like this, simple faith, and complete trust, not needing a full understanding before believing.

zoo crew

2009-04-11T07:59:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I'm not much of a zoo fan. We always go during the summer and it is way too hot, the animals don't move (boring), the kids end up crying. But you paid like forty bucks to get in so you can't leave till you see everything no matter how tired and miserable everyone is. I guess the secret is to go in the spring. We also found the secret back parking lot it even has a ticket entrance, I wish I known about this years ago.

On Friday we had the perfect zoo day. I even had a good time, the weather was gorgeous, the zoo wasn't too busy, and the kids were all happy and well. We had a great time prowling around checking out all the animals. While we were there we saw some interesting sights, a dumpster diving elephant (check out the pictures), and a bison charged the train while we were on it I just about had a heart attack. I love some of the pictures from the day, especially the two with the Giraffes. McKenna is absolutely in love with giraffes she would spend the whole day there if we let her.

Casting Call

2009-04-07T21:41:00.001-07:00

With spring finally showing up I am so anxious to get outside with my camera. Winter is such slow time, I have been dying to tryout some new fresh styles of photography. I have a few specific ideas of photo shoots I just need some willing participants. So here is the deal, if you are interested in doing any of the following portrait sessions send me a quick email and let me know. The sessions will be completely free.

1.) Candid family session
I am looking for a family that wants something different than the traditional posed family portrait. For this session I would like to photograph a family doing some sort of activity. It could be anything... cooking, gardening, finger painting, playing at the park, etc... I am hoping to portray an intimate real family interacting, loving, and just being together. No perfectly matched outfits... I want it to be real :0) Your family perfectly, imperfect! In your email let me know what activity you have in mind for the session.

2.) Mommy & Me
As a mom, I am always the one behind the camera, I literally have only a handful of pictures of me with my children. I want to be able to capture this unique relationship. This will also be a more candid photo session. Mom & Children interacting... possibly even simple daily activities.

These are just a few of my current ideas others are brimming, but I thought I would just start with two. So check back if these don't fit. I am planing on doing the same thing off and on all year.

boots to flip flops & back again

2009-03-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

Friday was gorgeous. So we busted out our flip-flops and a sack lunch and headed to the park for a picnic. I actually had to put a little sunscreen on the kids before we went out. As I rubbed the sticky stuff on my little toe heads the promise of warmth had even me jumping around with excitement. The kids had a great time out in the sunshine, and I loved sitting on the bench soaking in the first warming rays of sunlight.
Today I am feeling like mother nature pulled a fast one on me. I guess I should be use to Utah spring by now, after all I have lived here most of my life. Still every year with the first sign of spring I am ready to pack up the winter boots and bulky coats and trade them in for flip-flops and Capri's. It never lasts long enough for me, I am always waiting for spring to come and stay a while... in Utah it never seems to. I always feel like we run strait from a too cold winter into a too hot summer.
Kids are more flexible, they just roll with it. So on Monday as I went in to mourning, they looked out their window to see a winter wonderland. And as children do, they happily pulled on their boots for one last jaunt in the white stuff.

Friday

Monday

growing pains

2009-03-08T20:55:00.000-07:00

As I have been organizing my photos this week, I can't help but feel sad. I can't believe my sweet baby girl will be four this year. It won't be too long before she will be trading her dolls in for makeup. It feels like in a blink of an eye my baby has turned in to a sassy, smart, darling little girl. I never want to forget these times of tea parties, coloring, and snuggling in bed reading stories. These are also days filled with tantrums, timeouts, and messes to cleanup, and as a young mom I have learned that growing up often comes with growing pains. When I focus on the struggles I easily forget all of the joys that fill my day. All to often find myself wishing away these precious years. I want to learn to better enjoy my present. I know when the drama of teenagers fills our home, I will be wishing for the sweetness of toddlers.

How I blog

2009-02-22T13:31:00.001-08:00

I post whatever I am in the mood to write about and edit. I often don't post things in order. But I like to have it organized by the date photo session occurred (I know silly). This just means, sometime you will have to scroll down the page to see new posts. I know its confusing...but I can't help myself. Sometimes I am really excited about a new set of pictures so some older posts get pushed by the wayside and posted later. So just be sure to scroll down then you won't miss a thing :0)

Snow

2009-02-15T13:30:00.000-08:00

They love the snow...She would stay outside playing in the wet stuff all day. Even when her lips are blue, and her hands are bright red I still end up dragging her inside to warm up with a little Hot cocoa.

Guess Who's Two

2009-02-10T09:09:00.000-08:00

My darling niece is turning two soon so my sister asked me to take some current pictures of her. Isn't she cute...who could resist those pigtails.

Christmas Morning

2008-12-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love spending time with my family, decorating, eating way too much, and laughing until your stomach hurts or you pee your pants whichever comes first. Christmas is also one of the best times to have kids. Having little ones around helps to remind me of the magic of Christmas. It has reminded me of not too long ago when I was counting down the days, looking out the window of my car to see all the houses lit up with Christmas lights, building snowmen, and baking cookies with my mom to take to the neighbors.... I have so many wonderful childhood Christmas memories I only hope my children will look back on these times with the same love that I do.

Christmas Pictures

2008-12-20T16:32:00.000-08:00

Pals

2008-10-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

These girls are the best of friends they are just three months apart in age. And if you can't tell from the pictures they love being together. I love this age everything is fun and still new. They don't have a worry or care in the world... Just exploring, laughing, and loving.

Larson Family

2008-10-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

We did these pictures at Murray Park. It is usually at great place for a family photo session, but for some reason it was really busy today. It was almost impossible to take pictures without a stranger in the background. It was really frustrating waiting especially with a one year old who really just wanted to run and play. But we got through it... and it was definatly worth it they got some beautiful portraits.

Johnson Family

2008-10-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

i guess i am a little biased, but i think they are a georgous family.

2008-10-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

i still can't believe how blue her eyes are. she was not a fan of the camera at all. but she brightened up after a while and we got a few good pictures. her tongue is out in all of the pictures. so cute!

2008-10-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

she is a little spit fire...seriously this little girl has more personality in her little finger than most people have in their entire body. she is so much fun. she keeps us all laughing.

2008-10-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

she is such a tender hearted little girl, you can't help but love her. doesn't she have the most beautiful complexion?

Fall...Please stay!

2008-10-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures while we were visiting my grandma's house. I love how golden the sunlight looks. It was a gorgeous evening with lots of fun.

He is burying his doll in the leaves. Such a boy!

Grandpa's Swing

2008-10-12T13:27:00.000-07:00

The kids love this swing. Every time we were visiting during the summer we ended up outside on the swing. Only problem is there is only one swing and three grand kids...can you imagine the tantrums.

Rondevou

2008-09-03T16:15:00.000-07:00

So I am pretty sure i misspelled the title of this post.

Rondevou meaning, a mountain man pow-wow.

Our family goes to the fort Bridger Rondevou every fall.

We usually just go up for the day while the rest of our family camps for the week.

There is just something about almost naked, old men in loincloths...WEIRD!

One day is about all I can take, then it's home to my nice soft bed.

I have to say though even with all the crazies around, I love the time with our family.

I wouldn't miss that for anything.

Wearing the fun period dresses is one of the
fun parts of the day.

She can be such a serious little girl.

Alaska 2008

2008-08-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

This summer we went to Ketchikan, Alaska with my family on vacation. I was a great trip. Lots of family, fishing, food, and fun. It is such a beautiful place. I only wish Salt Lake was this green... I guess I would hate the rain if it was.

Park

2008-08-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

This park was in the middle of town. It was a great place to sit and have lunch. No playground... But still so much fun. As always we had to work to keep the kids out of the water.

More Beaches

2008-08-20T13:50:00.000-07:00

This day was such a nice day. Almost warm enough for a swim. The kids had a ball getting muddy... running the beach... finding shells... most of all just being together. We had to strip them all down before getting the the car. I love the reflection in the last photo.

Papa

2008-08-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. My dad is such a great "papa." The grandkids adore him. This photo really show their relationship. We were at a totem pole park, the kids were starting to get board so off they go with "papa" hand in hand.

Ward Creek

2008-08-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

We took these pictures at Ward Creek. This was one of my favorite places that we visited. There is a nature walk around the lake. The forrest is so dense and green I have never seen anything like it. (click on the picture of Brad his expression will make you laugh out loud:0)

Fisher Woman

2008-08-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

This was her first trip fishing, her papa put some of the bait on the line and let her reel it in. She was so excited we had to do it again and again. ( I love, love the middle picture she is looking up at her fish so pleased with herself and look at her sweet daddy its obvious he adores her.)

Ketchikan Beaches

2008-08-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

The beaches in Ketichkan are cold, not exactly swimming weather. But they are so beautiful. The kids and I spent most of our time just walking the beach looking for rocks and shells.

Fish...Fish...Fish

2008-08-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

While we were in Ketchikan the salmon runs were happening. It is amazing to see, there are literally thousands of fish trying to go up the same stream. During the low tides they get trapped... there isn't enough water in the streams for them to continue up. So we would go down during low tide and snag. You don't fish with bait, just a really big hook... Cast out and pull in as hard as you can snagging the fish where ever the hook lands. These fish are 15-40lbs so when you snag one they take you for a ride.

Afternoon with Grandma

2008-07-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

The grand kids love this car.

Many wrestling matches have come of this.

one car+six grand babies= WWE

I love this picture just chowing down.

He is happiest when he has a mouth full of food.

Grandma backyard is literally littered with food,

Fallen apples, pears and peaches make the best summer snacks.

And that is heaven for this little guy.

Cousins

2008-04-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

It took an hour to get this picture. Grandma loved it!

Look at that dirty little foot.

I love the light highlights on her hair. She is such curious little girl this captures her perfectly.

Look at those eyes.

He is such a happy little guy. The smiles come so easily.

This picture was not set up this way. I love it when the light is just right for the moment. She is also curious but in a more reflective way. Even at three she is very serious at times.

isn't she lovely

2007-08-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

I love her wrinkled nose and the sparkle in her eye!

Little Man

2007-06-04T13:14:00.000-07:00

Just two weeks old. I can't believe he will be two years old soon.

One!

2006-06-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

Jon & Jackie's Engagement

2006-03-26T15:32:00.000-08:00

I always thought this picture captured who they are as a couple. they are both such fun loving, relaxed people.

Ahh, to be in love!

Jackie's Bridals

2006-03-25T15:42:00.000-08:00

This was the first time I tried my hand at more serious photography. My sister trusted me to take her bridal and engagement pictures. That was almost three years ago now. I was so inexperienced I am surprised any of them turned out. I guess the subject was beautiful so the pictures turned out that way too. These pictures still make me smile.

Spring

2006-03-14T16:51:00.000-08:00

Her expression is darling in this one. She still purses her lips just like this.

This is a picture I have always loved. I think it just captures her calm, sweet personality.