Is it worth $1 a day?

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family photographers in salt lake cityToday I’m gonna get right to the point.

Is it worth $1 a day to have photos of your family this year?

Lots of people spend more than $1 a day on coffee, or those ridiculously hugenormous Big Gulp gas station drink things. Even if you’re not a coffee drinker or a Big Gulper, think of all the little things you spent $350 on last year. Eating out? (A lowball estimate for you, just to prove a point). Pedicures, accessories you may or may not have worn, a new piece of furniture? I’m not saying you shouldn’t ever spend money on those things. Just that when you leave family photos to the “do we have any leftover money” category, you’re making your priorities manifest, even if your logical mind says you’d never pick a handful of nice restaurant meals over photos that you’d treasure forever. If you gotta make a choice between Big Gulps and family photos and Big Gulps win out, it’s no skin off my nose. It’s just that we all get snatched up in day-to-day stuff, urgent but not important stuff, and if at-home family photos speak to your soul I want to give you a chance to say YES. An opportunity to say yes to the things we claim are most important, yet often find our real life not reflecting those priorities. This $1 a day thing doesn’t even paint the full picture. It assumes that the photos we make this year are completely worthless next year (snort!), and doesn’t get a hold on how much delight you’ll feel looking at these photos alll year, whether in a beautiful album or a giant print or two. It can’t tell you how relieved grandma will be that she can finally order prints of your beautiful babes with a few quick clicks, and how your heart will feel all warm and fuzzy because you have tangible proof of the love and effort and sacrifice that goes into your incredible family every minute of those 365 days. Just a few sessions are left before Christmas, so if that little voice in you is quietly nudging, see the details for at home family sessions here. Hugs and happy weekend, mfriends.

The Rollins Family: At-home Lifestyle Session

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Heidi is the mom of the Rollins family, a crafty decorating extraordinaire. Walking from room to room I was floored–no detail is left unattended, and every element is meaningful and beautiful. Saying she’s creative just doesn’t cut it–you have to see the photographs. She and Paul adopted Quincy from Africa, and seeing their tenderness in caring for him is inspiring. They do the things he loves, from playing with flags to petting the dogs to spinning, spinning, spinning. The relationship between Madison and Quincy is a witness to the strength of family–it’s obvious Q is meant for this family, regardless of the circumstances.

I struggle to describe the experiences I have with families in their homes, because it’s so big and so beautiful, but I don’t want to be priggish and grandiose. I just always feel honored that people want to see themselves through these authentic photographs, in the middle of the lovingly crafted Harry Potter rooms and the self-awareness that it’s not finished, not perfect. But it’s worthy.

Thank you, Paul, Heidi, Madison and Quincy for letting me into your incredible space full of so much heart and joy.

Interested in a family session of your very own? Just a few (very few) sessions remain before Christmas, so snatch yours up. See the details and pricing for family sessions, or contact me to book.

 

Behind the scenes at Flower Afternoon

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It’s amazing to watch other artists work. Val has this way with flowers, and it’s really a gift. One she’s spent countless hours cultivating, no doubt, but I can’t talk about her without talking about her crazy talent.

I spent a summer afternoon with her, among the bouquets and bouts and ribbons and clippings. I’m so inspired by this craft–taking beautiful things and making something even more beautiful than the individual pieces. It’s a true pleasure to work with such skilled people on the biggest day of two lives.

So, brides and grooms, ladies and gents, if you need a florist in Salt Lake City, Val with Flower Afternoon is your lady.

utah wedding photographers slcBrooke Schultz is a wild-hearted free-spirited closet hippie who loves making photographs of people in love. She’s a mom to the world’s darlingest baby girl, an avid shower singer, and a lover of all things authentic and soulful.

You can find her on facebook here, and instagram here.

Or you can meet her in real life to talk about your wedding, photography, or the inner workings of the universe by contacting her.

 

Devin + Kyle: Sundance Engagements

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Devin and Kyle met on a blind date and are one of those couples who just knew. Devin wrote in her journal that very night that Kyle was the one, and now they’re set to be wed. They had their first kiss at Sundance, so it only made sense that we make some photos together there, in the brisk fall air and dewy morning light.

Devin and Kyle, thanks for sharing your love with me. I think you’re just swell.

In love, engaged, and in need of some beautiful photos to capture the freshness of your love? Brooke Schultz is a Salt Lake City based wedding photographer who goes mad for photographing authentic, unique love stories. See the pricing for these lovely photos here, and get in touch about your wedding here.

 

The Packards: At-home family session

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The Packards and I go way back–I used to work with Anna in college while she was getting her PhD. She has an incredible spirit–so kind, and open. It was actually through a conversation with her that I first started seeing working moms differently, and began to see it as a viable option for me. She invited me to photograph her family in the earliest days of my business, and I was absolutely honored to go back to their home and document their family again.

They recently welcomed a darling baby girl to their family, and I loved being in on her sweetness and little Hailee’s spunk. Anna and Chad lost their baby Charlie to SIDS, and Anna told me the most strengthening thing–that baby Cami looks at the photos of Charlie on the wall and smiles, because she knows him. It felt so right to be there photographing them with those pictures hanging on the wall, remembering that little boy through our session.

Thank you, Anna, Chad, Hailee and Cami, for letting me photograph the hugeness of the love in your home.

Anna and Chad have a glorious park right by their house, so we finished out the session there–where they already have so many great memories and good times.

See all of the Packard family’s photos and order prints here.

Interested in an at-home family session of your own? See the details here. 

Erica + Joe: Wheeler Farm Engagements

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Erica and Joe are so natural together. I love seeing how couples work–Erica and Joe are so present in the moment with each other, with a contagious fun that’s not showy but is so real. Their relationship is easy, effortlessly great. Of course not that it doesn’t take hard work sometimes–they dated long distance, for goodness sake–but that it just makes sense that they should be together, the simplest and most logical thing in the world. I see so many facets to their love and my, oh my. How excited am I for their wedding! Eeeeeeeeee!

Erica and Joe, a huge thank you to you for making photos of your beautiful love with me.

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In love and in need of beautiful documentation of it? Let’s chat about your engagement photos.

Mallary + Landon: Engagements on 9th and 9th

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Mallary stole my heart when she first wrote me. “I love the candid and beautiful moments you capture.  Not only that but everyone looks stunning in a soft and lovely way!” She said. Holy whoa, what more could I ask for. We are meant to be. Oh, and I guess Landon is invited too. 🙂 You need to know how fierce these two are. I put my camera down no less than seventy five times and was like, I have nothing to say. Everything I was gonna make you do you already did. (And to top it off Landon was recovering from a concussion on the day of our session. yes. that’s right. a concussion.)

It’s just my dream that all couples in the history of ever will feel so comfortable and just love each other for real in the time we share together.

I cannot waiiiit for your big day, Mal and Landon!

engagements in slc photos

See all the photos from Mallary and Landon’s engagement session and order professional prints here.

In love and in need of some stellar gorgeous photos to celebrate? Brooke Schultz is a Salt Lake City based wedding photographer who goes crazy for telling authentic love stories, peanut butter m&ms, and splashing in the ocean. She’s available on a limited basis because her baby girl Vienna is the cutest thing alive, so contact her to chat about makin’ magical photographs of your big day.

Emily + Max: Canyon Engagements

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Guys, the other day I made a crisp.

But it got burned, sort of to a crisp. It’s sitting pathetically on the counter, like, ‘I was supposed to be the most delicious and perfect way to usher in fall!” But I modified the recipe too much, of course (read: didn’t follow the recipe) and it came out a whopping hot mess.

Soo, let’s celebrate October’s arrival with some chilly and gorgeous engagements instead. Everyone’s like, “I love fall and pumpkins and cider and crunchy leaves!” And I hatehate being like, “me toooo!” but it’s pretty irresistible and I kind of can’t help myself.

Enter Emily and Max.

Emily and Max are wonderful together. We talked about living real life instead of burying our heads in the social media sand, feeling worthless if we aren’t on vacation all the time, obsessing over ourselves and curating a perfect online life. They are a breath of fresh air, and whoa, the air was a lil’ tooo fresh on the night of our session. Snow-covered cars passed us and the rain howled and the wind, my gosh! Our hands were purple after, oh, five minutes. But amid the frigid mountains Max and Emily held each other close, and I just think that’s what cold weather is for. Ridiculous amounts of snuggling, mmm.

Emily made Max a quilt when they had been dating just a little while, so she brought it along. High fives for meaningful details!

Oh, you two. Thank you for braving the chill to make photos with me. You are a fabulous (not to mention gorgeous!) pair.

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See all of Emily + Max’s engagement photos and order professional-kick-Costco-in-the-teeth prints here.

Engaged and in need of pretty pictures to celebrate your beautiful love? Brooke Schultz is a Utah-based wedding photographer who makes gorgeous photos of gorgeous love stories and she’d really like to photograph you if you love traveling, tender moments, and unique weddings.

Let’s chat about it.

Jessica + Cameron: Mountain Engagements

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Jessica is the beautiful sister of the lovely Janine, and I’m basically thrilled to be part of her wedding. She and Cameron met on a blind date (they work! i guess…elbow elbow) and are simply wonderful together. They love the outdoors and got engaged right after trail running (we won’t talk about how I was all, “what’s that?”…ahem) so Big Cottonwood Canyon was the perfect setting for their engagement session. Mountains, fields, fall, wind, romance–sigh. 

I have legitimately considered bringing a fan to my sessions to recreate the beauty and bliss of Jessica’s windswept hair. Who’s in?! I am so not joking, folks. Wind + hair=lifelong obsession.

Jessica and Cameron, thank you for letting me be part of telling your love story. I can’t wait for the big day!

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Brooke Schultz is a Salt Lake City based wedding photographer who documents fabulous love stories oozing with romance. She’s really into books you can touch, her baby girl Vienna, and unique weddings with soul.

See pricing for these timeless photographs, or chat about your wedding here.

 

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