Sharee Photographic Artist, LLC

Southern Utah Family Photographs: Adoptive Family, the Stucki's (with slideshow)

2011-12-16T19:06:00.000-08:00

I am particularly passionate about promoting families who adopt since I myself was adopted when I was 14 years old.

I will be frank. There is nothing easy about foster care, foster to adopt and even adoption on its own. Any Age. It is heart wrenching. Hard for everyone. But let me tell you, rewarding and beautiful in so many ways, that it makes the hard times seem like a required class, that can only make you a better person.

I recently photographed a very unique family. The Stucki Family. Lara and Sam by age traditionally would be parents who might be sending children off to college and perhaps even looking forward to their first grandchild. Instead, they have one fabulous older son (biologically) who is 18 years old and in college. Then, they made a decision to have a large family. Over the past seven years, they have foster to adopted three children and recently adopted three more children from Ethiopia. All six of these children are under the age of seven.

This was a very busy sitting! Working to keep attention and moving very quickly to capture each smile. Regardless of how busy the photoshoot was, I was amazed at the connection these children had with each-other, their big brother and their parents. They could not stop hugging each-other. It was wonderful. I always have many questions for families like this. Lara and Sam answered my questions and did not hesitate to be frank about the sacrifices and hardships they have had to endure in order to have this family. They are also equally strong about how grateful they are for these children and what a blessing they are to them. They are not shy about expressing the fact that they would not ever exchange tough times, it was necessary so they could have these children. One of their small daughters I had met that day, held my hand as we walked across the street to their car, after the sitting was over. She looked up at me in the most sincere way and said "I love you." I drove away from this sitting with tears in my eyes. Thank you Lara and Sam for hiring me. People like you, make this world a beautiful place to live in.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow:

Family Photos in Southern Utah: The Wells Family Slideshow

2011-12-03T02:45:00.000-08:00

I love this family. Kyle Wells was a good friend through highschool. I think it is always a blessing to get to reunite with people you knew in highschool and then see them years later; mature, happily married to someone lovely and with several, beautiful children. This was the case with Kyle.
These kids had me laughing to myself while I worked on these photos all week as I remembered the little things they said to me. While I was posing them for the first shot of the sitting, I told Kyle and JoEllen to get close so it "looks like you like eachother." The kids looked up at me and said dramatically. "OH! They LIKE each-other alright!"What a great and honest exclamation!
Another one of my ULTIMATE laughs of the night came when we were finished with the sitting and I turned to the kids after they were sitting in their car and said "I had such a fun time with you! Thank you!" Immediately after, Kyle walked up to me and paid me the photo fee, when from the background his daughter yells, "We don't have to pay her! She had FUN!" It was the icing on top of the cake. I laughed all the way home, I couldn't wait to tell my husband.
So yes, it was wonderful photographing and sharing time with the Wells. They are a genuine, beautiful family. Thank you Kyle and JoEllen for hiring me, I truly appreciate it.

I hope you enjoy this little slideshow. After the slideshow, the gallery of images will appear and you can click on the image to scroll through and view each photo.

-Sharee

Pine Valley Mountain - Cutting Wood

2011-10-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had the opportunity to use our newly purchased wood permit and venture on Pine Valley Mountain and cut wood for the winter. We love using our wood burning stove during the winter and the smell of firewood pine is fantastic. My husband cut and hauled the wood, our eight year old son and I hefted some of the cut wood into the trailer and truck. Being 6 months pregnant and with a two year old trailing around me, I soon retired my job and allowed my son & husband to pick up the rest. I went to work on tin foil potato dinners roasted over coals, hot chocolate and roasted hotdogs. It was tiring, hard work and rewarding. After everything was loaded, we ate our little feast next to our fire and watched the stars appear. It was magnificent and the breeze was fresh and crisp. We were so busy I didn't take too many photos but had the chance to snap a few along the way. I found a few naturally placed old wood and weeds that seemed to make fantastic compositions that reminded me of fireworks and Pinocchio, I know, random but fun. The other images seemed to capture the essence of the area we were in. The fall leaves were few and barely visible. In a few more weeks the area will be covered in yellow and orange hues. We will have to go back soon! :)

My Amazing Husband

Pine Valley Mountain

Pinocchio

Pine...smells good

My Daughter

My Son

Fireworks

Can you find the wood that looks like a hand reaching out?

Cactus

Walking and Driving on a Lazy Sunday

2011-09-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

My husband went up to the farm this week to harvest the corn and hay. Rather than focus on the harvest like I did last year, I focused on the kids walking together. It was Sunday and although I love lessons at church, sometimes your just tired and the meetings seem long. This was one of those days. The kids and I were thrilled to go for a walk that afternoon. Later in the evening we met up with "DAD" just getting done with chopping the corn to silage. I begged him to take us for a drive, so we hopped in the truck and took a mountain pass up past the farm over to Marysville, UT. It was beautiful. We met up with a rattlesnake, took some lovely images, the kids played in the dirt (like always). My eight year old son fretted over the cliffs on one side of the truck, my daughter fell asleep and my husband and I got to visit an old bridge where we had a very memorable date, just before we were engaged. It was a good day. Thanks again for looking at my photographs!

If you are viewing this on facebook. Here is the link back to my blog: http://shareephoto.blogspot.com/2011/09/walking-and-driving-on-lazy-sunday.html

Thanks again!

A Rainy Sunday Drive on September 11th 2011

2011-09-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

September 11th 2011. It was a SUPER rainy Sunday. The kids went outside the house to play, when my husband and I decided it would be a good idea to take a drive out on BLM land and enjoy the weather. So we pilled in the 4-wheel drive "SUPER Truck" as I like to call it, where you need a ladder to get in. I love this old Chevy! We drove for 3 hours, got out, stopped played. It thundered lightninged and rained constantly while we took photos and enjoyed the time together.

These are the moments I enjoy most with my family. Thank you for visiting my blog and taking a look at my images that I so enjoy creating. :) Sharee

http://shareephoto.blogspot.com/2011/09/rainy-sunday-drive-on-september-11th.html

Enjoying a 17th Century Painting

2011-09-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

I love to stop and enjoy Art, something that someone has created out of thin air.
When I was in college, we used to study historical, epic paintings and the ideas the artist may have had when making the particular painting. We would analyze it over and over. It was very much like analyzing a Shakespearian poem. What was Shakespeare feeling, thinking and doing when he wrote his poem?
It is a great way to exercise the right side of your brian.
I have been going though my art "stuff" and found this painting on a post card. I had randomly bought it while working at the local art museum about 6 years ago. On the back of the this post card, I wrote a thought that analyzed what this boy might be feeling while blowing the bubble. I wanted to share my thought with you.

The painting is by Jean Simeon Chardin (1699-1799) The painting is called Soap Bubbles. He painted it about 1733/1734. It is an oil on canvas. Here is the link to the information on it at the National Gallery of Art.

"Painted back in the 1700's! Wow! And the nagging, curious younger brother eager for his turn. What do you think the older brother was thinking as he watched the gliding and dodging swirls over the smooth circular pocket of air? Do you think for a moment he forgot where he was? Did he get lost into a translucent colorful day dream and what it might feel like floating along the surface? He knows the inevitable burst that must come, but, for a moment, he has forgotten all about that.

I love moments like this, that takes me into my mind and blocks out everything else, as if the world, for me has stopped. Everything around me is silent. There is only me and my breath that keeps time."

I thought this would be fun to post online. Has there been a piece of art that truly inspires you? What is it?

As a side note, I really did do well working for the museum, I wasn't in a zombie like daze while working. It must have been a little slow at the time. :) REALLY.

Thanks again for checking out my blog. Come again.

-Sharee

My Paradise - A slideshow of images at the Dairy Farm

2011-09-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

I know I have said this before. I love my husband's families dairy farm. It is my inspirational, photographic outlet.

There is always something creative and beautiful to photograph. When I go to visit, I don't case all the corn and hay fields. I generally stay on the main dirt road. Walking that mile and a half to two miles (between my in-laws home and the diary) with my children seems to inspire me EVERY time I go! It is beautiful, serene and peaceful a wonderland away from shopping malls, fast-food and crowded neighborhoods. Here is a slideshow of some of the images I have taken over the past couple of years. I hope you enjoy! :)

Here is the link to the slideshow it runs about 3 minutes.

http://shareephoto.myshowit.com/myparadise

http://shareephoto.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-paradise-slideshow-of-images-at.html

Knell's Barbershop & Famous Dicks Cafe - Slideshow of Images

2011-09-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

My father is Art Hale. He is a wonderful barber. He started at Knell's Barbershop, apprenticing for Ron Knell for many years and then taking over the business after Ron passed away. My father loved it there. Soon, the Barbershop, the Cafe, the ground was all sold. Down went the building and up went Sun First Bank. My father is still in town, he is now at Art's Barbershop on 100 West just off the Boulevard in St. George, Utah, where you can still get an amazing cut.

As long as I can remember, I remember Dick's Cafe, the pie, the old photographs of John Wayne, the good 'ol boys who would come to eat every morning and afternoon. To learn a little more about this famous Cafe and see more images visit Card Cow.

Just before they tore down the building I took a portfolio of images of the building, inside the cafe, barbershop and the people enjoying themselves inside. I photographed these images using my Bronica film camera. I shot with slide film and black and white film.

I made a quick video set to folk music by The Waillin' Jennys called "Beautiful Dawn." I hope you enjoy the images. If you would like to purchase the images please contact me through email and I will give you more information on the upcoming coffee table book, I am creating.

Here is the link the slideshow: http://shareephoto.myshowit.com/dickscafebarbershop

Enjoy!

Dallen and Laura's Wedding

2011-09-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

It has been a couple of months since I photographed Dallen and Laura's wedding day. One of my final and favorite weddings. They were a beautiful, generous couple and I am very grateful to have been part of their day. I thought I would share their slideshow with you. :) Enjoy.
Click on link for slideshow:
http://shareephoto.myshowit.com/dallinlauraweddingslideshow

I have neglected you dear blog...

2011-09-06T23:05:00.000-07:00

I have a legitimate excuse.
I am pregnant! We are having a BOY! I'm getting straight to it. I have just recovered from being knee deep in the four-month muck of "morning sickness" or I should say "day and night nausea?" If we think of pregnancy in the terms of Gestational Olympics, I think women who have to suffer nausea their entire pregnancy, should receive gold medals. These women suffer terribly. I am so grateful that it is over for me, I am even willing to skip the idea that I don't even qualify for a "Gestational Olympic" bronze medal. I would be thrilled with a really pretty ribbon and a free dinner for two at Golden Corral.

REALLY, I feel like a new person. I can eat. I can EVEN think of what I am making for dinner without wanting to DIE.

But when it gets right down to it, dyeing aside and everything, we are grateful we CAN have children, (especially since we started later in life to have a family). So, apart from desiring to be in a coma my first trimester, I am as excited and thrilled as I was when I found out I was pregnant with my first.

I'm due in January. :)

I am going to make some updates to the blog (It's about time).
Since my retirement, I have shut down my website, I am reworking my portfolio and TRULY re-learning how to enjoy shooting again. Shutting down the website also removed most of the wedding slideshows and all of my portfolio. I apologize for the inconvenience. If you would like a copy of your slideshow, I will happily sell you a DVD of your images set to music, you may enjoy in your own home.
As for my artwork, I will be looking for a new way to present and sell my images. Stay tuned!

Thanks again for remaining interested in what I do while I re-discover myself as a photographer. -Sharee

Mullins Family Photos - Making photoshoots fun, for Everyone.

2011-05-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

Getting a man to spend time posing for photographs, gives him a strange feeling of uneasiness. I tend to get this from woman who ask me to photograph the family. "I want to but, my husband hates to get his photos taken." This is true for most all men. Then comes the struggle; GETTING him to the sitting. He finds it completely frustrating as his wife or mother dresses him. Even the idea of spending money to have a photographer take photos, sends a man spinning into chaos.
For me, the great part of all this knowledge is, I don't really care anymore. My goal is to have the ladies to let go, and the men to come to the sitting in a, sort-of decent mood.

I was watching Bolt (The Disney/Pixar Movie) today and up came the scene, "The Dog Face" and I suddenly realized that the scene where Mittens gets Bolt to do the dog face, sounds allot like me when posing guys. I feel like I know what they are thinking.... "Your a degenerate creature of darkness" and I reply back with "Yeah, yeah, granted. With that said, all I'm asking you is to tilt your a head a little!"

Here is the scene:
http://youtu.be/iWNAwgiJ5tM

I photographed once again at the Brigham Young Home yesterday. This is a frequent spot for most photographers but new for me. See my post on that subject.

The family, the Mullins, are neighbors of mine. The father is my Bishop of the ward (my church) I go to (just a little pressure, to get this one right). Jordan, one son, is leaving tomorrow to serve a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (double pressure).
Five men and three ladies (and a friend) all showed up. With a little guidance, and laughing with them, they eased up. It was really fun. If one makes the comment most all photographers hear, "I hate getting my photo taken." I say "Yeah, most people do." Then I tell them to trust me and everything will be alright. It's a good conversation to have. It is always my rule to let the family play.
If I didn't let this family play, I think they would shrivel up and die or explode, truly. It is their personality to play and so I had to let go, and go with the flow! It all worked to my benefit.

We had a lot of fun yesterday and I don't think anyone thought I was a "degenerate creature of darkness." :) At least I hope.
Thank you to the Mullins, I had a great evening, hanging with you!

Wait for the slideshow to upload and then hit play or click on the link below.
http://shareephoto.myshowit.com/mullinstfamilyphotographs

Focusing on Capturing Emotion and Not my Insecurities

2011-04-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

I have photographed Connie, a dear friend and her family, for years. They have always been pleasant with me. Even better, they appreciate my style and approach. But Monday, was where the photo stars were in perfect alignment of what I value in technique, putting away my pride and focusing on the art of capturing emotion of a beautiful family.

Being from Southern Utah, I have only photographed at the Brigham Young Home in Downtown St. George, twice. Monday was the first time for Connie's family. My resistance to photograph here, was out of sheer pride. This is a popular location, and with our over-saturated market of portrait photographers, I am VERY eager to separate myself from feeling like another photographic drone. Since I have retired I feel less inclined to have the same worries I used to.
I had a BLAST photographing at this location!
Shame on my insecurities and pride.

Any location can become unique, based on the photographers skill to make it original. That is the freedom of personal style.

TECHNICAL Craft
I photographed Connie and her family at 7pm in the evening, it was beautiful evening light. I shot at 400 ISO and the images ranged from 5.6 to 3.5 Fstop at about 125 to 60th of a second. I used my Cannon Speedlite with the Gary Fong light diffuser. I shot about 140 images, deleted about 15. I narrowed the slideshow down to about 44 images. And YES, I always shoot in RAW with my EOS 50D. I processed the images in Lightroom and did one or two touchups in Photoshop. I strive to have sound images so I limit my time on the computer, yet I still spend at least a couple hours processing, editing the sitting, making slideshows, putting logos on the web images and getting this blog prepared.

My Approach to Capture Emotion and Play
The children ran about and played. I stay away from the traditional "porch group shots" simply because I think they look LAME. I focused more on creating natural, relaxed poses, with point of focus compositions. I shot whatever seemed to come natural and worked to mold the family so they all look their best together. The kids seemed to immediately, feel comfortable with me. I seized the moment and brought them in, talking softly and giggling with them. I relished, that they were ultra relaxed with me. We played for a while and then immediately focused on a few family poses. Connie and her husband have quite a bit of trust in me, so they backed off and became silent observers as I played and photographed the children. Afterward, I let them play as a famly and would occasionally gather them in together. It proved to be a good experience for everyone.

The most important thing here, was that the family felt secluded, relaxed and themselves, this way, I could focus on emotion. I love being able to ANTICIPATE a moment. To allow my personality be a tool to help the family loosen up, and truly be themselves. To create a portfolio of happy, intimate images.

I am glad I put away my insecurities for this one. The images are beautiful.

The portrait slideshow will take a minute to load. I hope you enjoy! It is beautiful, with a song by Ben Folds, called The Luckiest. http://shareephoto.myshowit.com/huntfamilyphotographs2

I photographed the area after the sitting was over about 8:30 pm For this I bumped up the ISO so I could have more depth of field, since I had no tripod on hand. Scroll down to see those images.

What does Easter Mean?

2011-04-24T01:08:00.000-07:00

EASTER is:

Spring Time, fresh and new.

Warmth,

flowers and life blossom all around.

Tasting the most delicious chocolates and jelly-belly flavors. The stores are splashed with new fresh pastels, I pull out my summer wardrobe and ready the sunblock. Baskets are full and eggs are decorated amazing designs and colors. Kids dash from tree, to grass, to tiny spaces, searching for that surprise! The Easter Bunny is sure to bring something delicious to eat. Water parks & splash pads are crowded as children squeal with delight. Art festival: face painting, chalk artists, festival fresh food in a historical place. I bought myself some original pottery today, filled it with fresh flowers and displayed it on my mantel. Yes, Easter-time is a wonderful American tradition that symbolizes the emerging fertility in the earth (I got that last phrase from Wikipedia).

BUT.

What else is Easter to me?

It is remembering the actual resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is remembering that He lived, sacrificed his life and atoned for our sins. It is knowing that I am a Child of God. It is knowing that I can be with my family forever, after this life. It is knowing, with the bruises, heartache and troubles of this world, there is a purpose to this life, for all of us. It is daring to have faith, applying sacrifice and then feeling the sweet reward of peace, joy and warmth of a

Heavenly love wrapped around me.

I know that Jesus Christ Lives and He loved us enough to sacrifice for us. I know that we are are loved, we are all children of God and there is a Plan of Happiness for all of us.

Love, Sharee

This is Easter.

Happy Easter!

http://shareephoto.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-is-spring-time-fresh-and-new.html

To watch this beautiful video on Youtube: Click Here.
If you have any other questions please visit: http://www.mormon.org

An Inspiring Film on Self Worth. THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS

2011-04-14T15:54:00.000-07:00

The Butterfly Circus - HD from The Butterfly Circus on Vimeo.

I love this short 20 minute film "The Butterfly Circus" directed and written by Joshua Weigel.

I had to stop it for 5 minutes to cry. It's not depressing or overly cheesy, it's beautiful and intended to help you feel good about, YOU.

I needed to watch this film. For myself.

I also loved the light and the way it was filmed. This is one of the best messages I have seen.

The man that has no arms or legs, REALLY has no arms and legs, no special effects there, which for me, makes this movie even MORE compelling. His name is Nick Vujicic, check out his website: http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/ to learn more about him.

Quotes from the movie that struck me hard.

"You are magnificent!"

"The Greater the Struggle the more Glorious the triumph."

http://thebutterflycircus.com/

If you struggle with your self worth, watch this. If you have a good message on self worth you want to share with your children, watch this. If you just want a positive lift, watch this movie.

It is worth it, I promise.

What kinds of things do you do to keep yourself positive?

Stop and Smell my Flowers

2011-04-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

Download these beautiful flower images for free!

I am feeling generous today.

It's spring, and these are my very first bulbs to bloom at my home! I am a passionate gardner with hardly the knowledge or talent. My cowboy/farmer husband laughed at me last year when I was "weeding" my flower garden and pulled up all the flowers.

This year I have a teeny-bit more of a clue.

I photographed these images in-front of my home yesterday.
These flowers make me happy, because there might be hope for me.

These images are free for ANYONE to use. I am uploading them at their highest resolution. Simply click here to download images off of Drop Box (no need to join and it is FREE). If you need to print this blog entry for your copyright, feel free.

If used for advertising or anything else, please be considerate and give me credit.
I still claim dual copyright on these images, as the original photographer.

I hope you enjoy!

So to continue, I went out and bought 10 different kinds of perennials and planted them in little tiny containers last night. SIGH. I love to get my hands dirty and ATTEMPT to make things grow.

Have a great day.

Sharee Jones

Here is the link to this blog post: http://shareephoto.blogspot.com/2011/04/free-flower-images-from-faulty-gardner.html

Beautiful Snow Canyon State Park, Utah

2011-04-01T12:04:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful time hanging out with Marlie and photographing in Snow Canyon State Park, yesterday.

It was a beautiful day. These images were taken about 7pm.

The light was magnificent.

It feels good to take a walk and just photograph something lovely.

Our conversation revolved around lighting.

Beautiful places can be deceiving.

Just because the location is beautiful does not make a beautiful photograph.

This is where lighting comes into play.

The light must be beautiful to truly make a location

a beautiful display of art.

http://shareephoto.blogspot.com/2011/04/beautiful-snow-canyon-state-park-utah.html

Where are your favorite places to photograph and what kind of light do you look for?

There is no wrong answer as long as the craft is done well.

-Sharee :)

Where do you find inspiration?

2011-03-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

I look to various artists to find my inspiration for different, conceptual photos.

I am not always seeking other photographers for ideas. I sometimes look to musicians, filmmakers, videographers and painters to expand my imagination.

Imagination is fantastic, especially when artists collide. Like this musician, Eftrat Gosh (an Israeli musician) along with filmmaker Aviv Kosloff. His lighting and imagery is a clean and beautifully simplistic approach to the storytelling of this song. He ALSO uses paintings from Rachel Kainy that he added to the background.

Amazingly beautiful song and video. Here is the link to the video: "To See the Light."

Efrat sings the song in Hebrew. To see the translation to the song click here.

These artists have inspired me to incorporate a few of the lighting and imagery techniques in my portraits. I would like to project some kinds of impressionistic art on the portraits, while using various dramatic studio light.

Projecting drawings and text in portraits was popular among my peers while I studied Fine Art photography at Utah State. I always wanted to attempt it, but lacked coming up with something unique and beautiful.

Until now.

The ideas are in my mind and I think it is time I try.

1st I need to bring out my sketch book and draw up a few ideas.

2nd I need to use my children as my models (of course).

3rd I need to break out my strobes and chocolate backdrop. This is going to be fun.

hmmm...the wheels are turning.

http://shareephoto.blogspot.com/2011/03/where-do-you-find-inspiration.html

What artists inspire you?

What do these three images have in common?

2011-03-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

SPRING TIME!

At my place.

BREATH IN! AHHHH! I love the smell of spring. I love being able to open my windows, air out the house. Plant the bulbs for beautiful cutting flowers. Pick out the seeds I want to plant in the back yard. Yes, we plant nearly 75% garden in our back yard, because we have no grass. YET. Why not turn it into something functional, till we can afford to landscape? Here are three images that I shot that seem to have nothing in common, yet they all speak, SPRING TIME to me.

Getting a "warm weather haircut" from Grandpa "The Barber."

Everyone seems to only go to beauty salons these days. If your a guy, go get your hair cut in the "MAN SHOP" from my dad.

Kids Playing in the mud while we plant the garden. I love it when they get dirty.

Every kind of play out there involves sanitizer and safety pads.

Let your kids play in mud and get dirty. It will be good for them.

Plum tree blossoming. Smells good!

Nothing social analytical about this shot.

I guess, I could say. "Learn to can jam from your fruit trees. It's fun and makes a good

Christmas gift."

What do you and your family do in the spring time?

What kind of spring shots do you capture, that best describe how you live in spring?

Do you love brown? I do.

2011-03-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

Without getting too personal, it's been a tough week for me emotionally and physically. My husband and children, have been wonderful through it all. They have made it easier.

We went up to the farm for 5 days to get away. The second day it snowed, SIX inches and then melted the next day. The dusty dirt became thick, slopping, brown mud. Not an easy thing to slop through while walking along the road, let alone working. But my in-laws kept going, like always, tending to the animals and the land, as if nothing could ever phase them.

I needed to keep my head up and look for the beauty in my own personal situation. So I picked up the camera and began to photograph and found beauty in the brown around me. Then, I came back home and decided to work on a few of the images, emphasizing the brown in the images with a little help from adobe. Brown really can be beautiful.

I am feeling better now. :)
To my Blog: http://shareephoto.blogspot.com/2011/03/do-you-love-brown-i-do.html

Fall at the farm...

2011-02-25T07:50:00.000-08:00

I love harvest time at the farm. These images were taken this last fall 2010 where we were able to spend time with my husbands family cutting the corn crops for Silage. There was a nearby wildfire that raged on for a month. The air was thick with smoke and ash floating down out of the sky as if a dry, eery, early snow had arrived. As for the farmers, they continued on their work cutting corn and I was able to tag along and take some amazing photos. The images have a beautiful golden hazy cast to them.

I thought these images were lovely enough to re-post. Thank you for visiting my blog: http://shareephoto.blogspot.com/

The ground is so uneven from the irrigation furrows, they need to plow a path so the dump truck can drive on it without being jostled around too badly.

My son riding with his grandfather.

Following the tractors so they will not run into the the fence lines.

Checking on the belts...

BELOW: I took this shot out the window of my car. It is beautiful. Its not often, I get "out of the car" shots that look this good. I am putting this one up in my house.

Okay, I am dying here. The smoke in the air created this beautiful, warm light. I used no fill flash, no adjustments on photoshop...just pure perfection. I love it when an impromptu photo sitting with my children presents itself. This one and the next few are for my wall.

Getting her toes dirty with daddy. I think it is a requisite while playing in the country.

Here are a few more images that created amazing shots from the smoke:

I went for a Sunday drive and came up with these three images. The smoke blankets the mountains and ALMOST made this area look as though we were on the great planes.

Have you ever taken images of your surroundings when your atmosphere was transformed by the weather or the air conditions?

I started shooting again...

2011-02-23T09:26:00.000-08:00

I have officially decided to be my own photographer. I have been photographing for nearly 17 years professionally and I am ready to hang up my hat and only photograph for myself. This has not been an easy decision for me and took me nearly 2 years to make the decision final.

As a mother of two young children I found that I am more interested in becoming a better mother. I am more interested in spending time taking parenting classes, learning to cook and renovating my old home rather than spending my days going to WPPI, joining yet another photography club and spending hours editing my images.

Over the past two years I realized that I was comparing myself negatively to the other photo-businesses that seemed to put their heart and soul into their work. Where I found that I was not able to spend the same amount of energy with the amount of time I would RATHER spend with my family. I started looking at my own work and not enjoying it. I didn't even want to pick up the camera for myself any more. This year a close friend (a wise, wise woman) and I were talking about our art and the balance between family and our professional lives. I had been expressing my concerns to her about my photography and the toll it was taking on me and my family. She told me that "Women can have it all, just not all at once." When she said that to me, it was as if a spear of truth went right through my heart. I knew that is what I needed to hear.

So then came the day I went to my "free" website that no longer was "free" and it was no longer available. I set this website up three years ago to post my prices and portrait portfolio. It was as though I had been released from shackles. I know, that is a dramatic statement, it is true, I felt as though someone had freed me from something I was hating.

Let me be clear, I love my clients. They are what made it a hard for me to decide to step away from photographing professionally. I enjoyed getting to know them and creating images for them. However, it was time for me to take a step back for myself.

The day I made the announcement on facebook to my 450 some odd friends and family, I had mixed reactions. Yet, it still felt good. I also turned down my first client that day. I received a gracious congratulations from that client, for making my family number one. It was rejuvenating! Soon after I sat up from the computer I looked at my husband square in the face and started jumping up and down, hollering, "WAHOOOOOOO!!!" He likes it when I act crazy (I tell myself that every day). :)

Do you know what I did that day? I picked up my camera again and started taking my own lovely pics of my scroungy, totally happy family in the beautiful desert behind our home. It was a breath of fresh, FRESH air. I felt free to be me. It felt good to shoot them, while they were shooting. Love photographing my baby eat mud and just enjoy the desert day.

It is high time I rediscover my style, re-appreciate me, stop the comparing and enjoy this lovely talent that I have so often spent hours and hours working to have. Who knows, maybe after my children have grown I will decide to do this full time, after I have re-discovered myself and learned a bit more business sense.

WAHHHOOOOOOO! I feel free baby. Now comes the time, I get to enjoy photographing all over again.

Have you ever felt that something you loved started becoming a vice? How did you work past those times of frustration?

Dirtier is Better - A Tree Cutting Tradition

2010-12-21T12:01:00.000-08:00

When it comes to kids playing, it is TRUE! The dirtier the better. We started a new tradition, cutting fire wood this year. Last week, we got a BLM permit and cut cedar wood up on Utah mountain. It was a blast. We piled the truck full of cut cedar wood, which I believe is the BEST smelling fire wood. The kids played and played in the dirt, ate dirt and threw dirt. We later built a fire, roasted hotdogs on long sticks over the fire, made hot-chocolate and sang Christmas Carols. It was a blast! We had fun and the kids totally exhausted themselves. It was great!
Later that evening while coming home we drove into town and found a neighborhood filled with Christmas lights. We drove around looking at all the amazing set-ups and light formations. It was the PERFECT & INEXPENSIVE tradition, I plan to carry out each year.
I can't NOT mention that it took a bit of work. First our truck broke down that day and Laramie had to repair it and we had a hassle with the BLM map as well as the load of laundry I had to do that evening. But, with all the "reality of what it takes to make a good tradition," I am pleased with it and my 7 year old son told me over and over, how much he enjoyed the day. Now, that statement, despite my own feelings, says it all to me.
Here are the photos from our day trip tradition.

Clean Face BEFORE the dirt!

Clean Face BEFORE the Dirt!

Another perfect moment between these two! It melts my heart.

YES! I love the DIRT MOUTH and PANT covered in DIRT! They look so happy.

The Tree that became our "Smell good" firewood and the kids looking for good, clean dirt!

Riley Slack - Living with Ataxia-telangiectasia

2010-12-03T08:17:00.000-08:00

I met Nancy last month, she is the grandmother to Riley Slack a 3 year old little girl I recently photographed. Riley has an extremely rare disease called Ataxia-telangiectasia. It is a disease that seems to surface at the age of two. Riley, who seems to be healthy and bright and energetic and full of all kind of toddler mischief. Will begin to loose her ability to walk and talk. She is also prone to respiratory illnesses. Children with A-T are prone to cancer such as leukemia, and A-T patients are sensitive to radiation and so therefore can not tolerate radiation therapy. If Riley is lucky enough not to develop Cancer, then she will most likely be confined to a wheelchair by age 10 years old. Most children with A-T die in their teens or early twenties from respiratory failure or cancer.
But this is not all.

Riley has an older brother. Dylan Slack who passed away from complications from A-T in March of 2010 at age 5. By the stories I have heard and photographs I have seen, this sweet little boy was greatly loved.

I have not yet met Dylan and Riley's parents. I have seen photos of them at Nancy's home. I have heard their story through "Grandma Nancy" and of course I have spent some time with Riley. I have been to their website and read through it a time or two. I have been captivated and amazed by this family and their story. They make me want to be a better person.

You see, Ryan and Stephanie Slack (Dylan and Riley's parents) are young and beautiful. They are intelligent and loving. They’re also both genetic carriers for the disease. A-T is an extremely rare recessive genetic disease wherein both parents must be carriers and most likely never exhibit any symptoms. In an instance where both parents are carriers, they still only have a 25 percent likelihood of having a child affected with A-T. Ryan and Stephanie had TWO children with A-T.

Although both parents are dedicated to be self-reliant and both work so they can pay for the medical costs, these medical expenses have become overwhelming and continue to increase as they care for Riley. Through it all, they have worked to maintain a positive outlook on life and continue to keep hope as they care for Riley's health. To help with costs, the Slack's have set up "The Slack Family Blog" explaining more about their story, with information about donations and regular fundraisers.

There will be a fundraiser this weekend. December 3rd and 4th, Friday and Saturday night @ 7:30 @ Desert Hills High School, "the Kalamity" dance team is hosting and performing a fundraiser for the Dylan and Riley Slack Fund, to donate to medical costs for the rare A-T disease. Only $5!

If you would like to donate to the Dylan and Riley Slack fund. Please visit their blog to find out more about how you can help and to learn more about Ataxia-telangiectasia.

For now, I hope you enjoy the photos of this darling, HAPPY, little girl, Riley. I had a blast following her around as she did some serious inspection of the downtown St. George area.

I wish her family the very best as they love and care for Riley. She is a joy.

Sharee

Much of the medical information regarding Ataxia-telangiectasia was taken from the Slack Family Blog and the A-T Cure Team Website.

Pretty Fall Photos by Sharee Jones

2010-11-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

Ahh I love fall. Here are a few choices of my latest images that were sent to print. I thought I would share a few of them with you. :) Happy Fall and Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

She likes those farm cats!

It was early morning rainy day and we were on a country dirt road and I took this shot as we pulled over for me to take another photo...

This was the shot I took...

The smiliest boy I have ever seen...

I love her eyes...

This shot is now a 16x20 on my wall...I love it!

They both posed so well...

Another 16x20 for my wall...

Mason & Hayli's Wedding Day

2010-11-04T10:57:00.000-07:00

I LOVE progression! I photographed a young family 5 years ago and then their young, teenage daughter, Hayli, GREW UP! This last month I photographed Hayli on her wedding day to Mason, a wonderful man. She was confident and beautiful and he was charming. It was a fun wedding and both love a good party. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I was glad to be part of such a wonderful event! Thank you!