Humble Takes Photography

Ryan and Brynn!!

2012-02-18T00:04:00.013-07:00

This is Ryan and Brynn. They are amazing. That is all. Please enjoy.

Oh How I Love the Bodily Family

2011-12-26T19:59:00.013-07:00

So you may remember the beautiful Bodily clan from last year's shoot...my how they've grown (and become even more beautiful - if that's even possible)! This shoot was a little bit last minute, but the Bodily's are amazing even without prep time. We were in this awesome field in Draper (where I may or may not have fallen into MORE that one gopher hole).....but we had a great time despite my uncoordinated-ness. I dig this session because of the contrast of the family being all dressed up but being in such a desolate location....I like that they look a little out of place. I will stop yammering now....please enjoy!

Little Squishy Sydney

2011-12-18T20:06:00.007-07:00

I was in Colorado Springs this last week to meet my new niece little miss Sydney Jordan. While I was there my sister had the brilliant idea that I should photograph this little nugget! Of course I was delighted to photograph her because of all her little cuteness, but I was a bit nervous because it has been a while since my last newborn session!! Luckily, my sister is like the most patient person in the world and I had an entire crew (my other sister, brother, and grandmother) there to assist with lights, set-ups, and make-sure-Syd-is-warm duties. I felt so blessed to be part of capturing this adorable phase of Syndey's life. I can't wait to be on the front-lines of documenting all the new and fun phases to come :0) I present to you (and the world) Miss Sydney Jordan....

Oh, How I Love the Blankensteins

2011-12-05T23:18:00.009-07:00

The wonderful Blankenstein family afforded me the privilege of shooting their family pictures again this year....if ya wanna get nostalgic, here are last years pics of this stellar bunch! I'll quit yammerin' on....I present one of my favorite families in the whole wide world, the Blankensteins.

COMBO PACK!!!!

2011-11-29T18:10:00.021-07:00

WOW. That is all I can say!!! This post is gargantuan and, in my humble opinion, absolutely BRILLIANT!! So let me do a small introduction...the two beautiful models that you will soon become acquainted with are the Letter 4 girls, Jamie and Janae Godfrey!! These girls are beautiful, talented, creative, hilarious, and so many other amazing things I can not possibly list them all! These girls are practically my littler sisters (in fact, their family pseudo-adopted me). Their older sister, Jade, is one of my best friends in the entire world - so as you can imagine, I spent countless hours at their house growing up! As it turns out, the Godfrey girls are making a splash in the blogging world and have graciously let me shoot some pictures for their blog and be part of their exciting adventure (PS they were on Martha "friggin" Stewart!! Just an FYI). You can find a link to the TV clip on their site and if you watch really closely, you will see a picture I TOOK on the Martha "FRIGGIN" Stewart show!!!!!!! I mean, no one really knows that I took the picture...but it was still pretty cool to see it on TV! Whoa, total tangent....sorry. As you may recall, we did a small Letter 4 shoot a few months back (all the sisters were there, so it was a real party)! After I saw the great things they did with the pics on the Letter 4, I was absolutely dying to shoot these beauties again.....so I convinced them to come to SLC and have a humbletakes shoot AND a beautiful madness shoot!!!! YAY! So, this was pretty much like my dream weekend!!

The first series of pictures are for humbletakes (which pretty much means that the amazing miss Brynn did not do they styling) - so it was just me and the girls. I have a feeling you'll be able to figure when Brynn joined in and the shoot became a beautiful madness dream!!! I hope you enjoy the pics and take some time to snoop around the Letter 4 because it has a little something for everyone! Let me know what you think :D

Here. Here is when the amazing Miss Brynn joined the party......uhm, a tad bit obvious, but I wanted to make sure we're all on the same page.

UNFORTUNATELY, Jamie wasn't available to do a beautiful madness shoot this same weekend :( but she can't get out of doing one......I'm coming for you Jamie. Count on it.

WEDDING MADNESS!!

2011-10-27T00:53:00.016-06:00

I know, I know - the last few weeks have been full of WEDDING MADNESS!!! I've been crazy busy and it has been wonderful! I promise that after this post I will lay off the wedding-ness for a while....and what a perfect post to end the trend with. I present the beautiful Megan and Nate Peterson!! They had an absolutely perfect wedding day - great weather, beautiful location and tons of great family and friends. I was honored that Megan and Nate chose me to document their special day. I adore these two and I can't wait until they call me for family pictures (honeymoon baby, maybe)! Anyway, I will quit with the chatter and let you feast your eyes upon this amazing couple...let me know what you think!!

Speaking of Pre-Wedding Wedding Day...

2011-10-10T22:41:00.009-06:00

I've been crazy busy for the past few weeks (hence the time between posts)....Do you wanna see what I've been up to? Okay, okay I'll show you! These are my beautiful (and talented) friends Brett and Heather! They did an amazing job and were totally brill! Anyway, take a gander and let me know what you think!!

Meg & Nate Pre-Wedding Wedding Session

2011-09-22T00:01:00.010-06:00

I'm a few posts behind...but I WILL catch up (eventually)! To begin the "catching-up" I present the wonderful and amazing Megan and Nate! We shot these about two weeks before the actual wedding day...and we had a killer time. The brilliantly talented Brynn Hutchinson was there to provide her hair and makeup skills and Megan and Nate were there to, well, be good lookin' (which they did oh so well). We shot mostly downtown SLC and it was a beautiful day. A little explanation...the very first picture is Nate's expression when he saw Megan in her wedding dress for the first time. It was so sweet. I simply adore these two and I can't wait to show ya'll their wedding day pics (which will hopefully be finished soon)! Enjoy!!!

Jewels From The Past...

2011-09-10T01:29:00.005-06:00

Remember that AMAZING trip to Washington I went on a few weeks ago? Well on the drive home, my mom and I stopped at Shoshone Falls which are these beautiful waterfalls in Twin Falls, Idaho (wow....I typed "falls" too many times in that sentence). Anyway, these are them - hope you enjoy!!

1984. Classic.

2011-08-29T23:58:00.004-06:00

I know it's been a while since a "Year of Books" post, but I'm just a few book posts behind and will be filling you in shortly (yes, I'm still forcing myself to read). This book is a classic. It is an interesting retro-futuristic tale of a dystopian society. I'll admit...I got a bit bored in the beginning - but, wow...the end was TOTALLY worth it!! I decided to shoot the book at this location because this is pretty much exactly how I pictured the entire 1984 world...ya know, busted, broken, dreary, bleak, abandoned...you get the idea. I thought this book was fascinating, and a little terrifying. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who needed a bit deeper and darker read. I hope you like the pics....let me know!!

As Requested.... THE SUPER HUG!!!

2011-08-22T01:02:00.002-06:00

Sooo...this is Nate and Megan's "super hug" that I referred to a post or two back - and it's pretty much amazing....ESPECIALLY in person! These two are such a treat, I mean - you'd have to be to come up with something as amazing as a SUPER HUG!!!!!

Remember That Thing I Told You About...

2011-08-17T22:55:00.005-06:00

So do you remember that thing about we talked about a few posts ago (well, less so "we talked about" and more so "I told you about") with the motel sign thing? Well the crazy obsession struck again...let me show you - and I hope you'll say, "Oh ya, Melissa, those motel signs are so cool and have so much character and it's not weird at all that you are totally obsessed with them" (good luck picking up that heavy sarcasm!!). I genuinely hope you enjoy the pics and please take the time to imagine what went on in these wonderful business establishments. :7)

Nate and Megan Bein' Amazing

2011-08-07T23:32:00.016-06:00

I know my posts seem to be getting longer and longer...but I just can't help it!! I LOVE my clients so much - I just want the world to see how wonderful and beautiful and perfect and glorious and amazing they all are!! So here I present the awesome-ness of Nate and Megan. I can't say enough good things about these two - they are pretty much models by now!! We had such a great time......oh and they have this "special" thing they do called a "super-hug" - and if someone asks nicely in the comments, I will post the pictures I snatched while they showed of the this amazing wonder called the "super-hug"! I hope you enjoy the pics, let me know what you think :O)

The Beautiful Blushing Bride

2011-08-01T20:10:00.010-06:00

I had so much fun shooting this gorgeous bride (and my best friend) in our hometown of Soda Springs....isn't she AMAZING?! She looked absolutely stunning and a joy to shoot! Thanks Heather for making my job so easy :O) I hope you enjoy these eye jewels!! Soak it up people, soak it up....this kinda beauty doesn't come 'round to often!

Sooo...I have this thing...

2011-07-26T21:36:00.005-06:00

I have no idea why, but I have this thing for old motel/hotel/inn signs....don't ask me where is came from because I haven't the slightest idea. I think it's because of all the things these old run-down motels have see (and probably wished they hadn't)...but that's a whole different kind of blog :) *crickets* anywaaay, I hope you like the pics....let me know what you think! (P.S. I hope ya'll don't mind....but, you will probably be seeing more of these pics pop up here and there - seeing as how I can't pass an old motel sign without taking a picture). Enjoy!!

The Gorgeous Godfreys and The Letter 4

2011-07-19T23:41:00.011-06:00

So this will be a long ole' post because I had a long (and amazing) ole' shoot with the wonderful Godfrey family. So here is the deal...the pictures are a little co-mingled.....we did an awesome family shoot with these dear friends of mine and then we had to do some amazing "artsy" work for the Godfrey girl's new blog The Letter 4 - which is full of splendidness and amazing ideas about pretty much...everything :) and should be seen by all! Anyway, the point is - I love the Godfrey family, The Letter 4 is brill, and this is a mash-up of the two projects :) ENJOY!! Share your thoughts about the pics and The Letter 4 in the comments!!

Heather and Brett A.K.A The Happiest Couple On Earth

2011-07-06T02:39:00.011-06:00

So there's not much that I can say about these two love-birds except that they are the most amazing, adorable, lovely, giddy, blissfully happy two people in the universe (was that too much? I don't think so...) I had such a fun (and easy) time shooting these soon-to-be newlyweds. It may have been so easy because Heather is a dear friend of mine who I have known, literally, my entire life....or possible because Brett IS ON THE NEWS (imagine a cheesy anchorman man voice for that last part!) But seriously, Brett is on the news. :) These two are so great...I can't wait to take their family pictures cuz you know they kids is gonna have thems beautiful tooths :) WOW....I will stop before this gets too crazy. Please marvel at this gorgeous pair...

We All Wear Masks

2011-06-30T00:25:00.001-06:00

The wonderfully talented Miss Brynn did an amazing job with beautiful Taralyn - these girls know how to show that we all wear masks...

The Done Fairies

2011-06-09T23:27:00.011-06:00

I was SO LUCKY to shoot these little girlie-girls! Their mother had them all "fairy-ed" up and they were ADORABLE!! Can you believe these little cutie-pies? I mean, really.....

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

2011-06-08T00:44:00.007-06:00

Before I read this little jewel I was told it was weird....which got me really excited! I absolutely loved this book. I cried, but then laughed, and then cried some more....huge recommendation from me!!

Tuesdays....With Morrie

2011-05-31T00:24:00.006-06:00

So on my adventure to Zillah I took advantage of the vintage-y quaintness of my surroundings! This is one of my most recent reads...Tuesdays With Morrie. This is a feel-good read and I'm not gonna lie - I may have cried a litte :') I hope you enjoy the pics and maybe you can grab this gem when you need some heart-warming, genuine, life-experience advice. Enjoy...

ZILLAH!!

2011-05-27T00:59:00.013-06:00

This post is gonna be long, but hopefully AMAZING!! So, here's the story: I went on an incredible road trip with my mom to Zillah, Washington where her family is from. We stayed with my adorable grandmother (who I unfortunately didn't get a shot of...she's a sly lil' buggar) in my great-grandfather's house. I was so excited to not only document, but really soak up the history. I know that there are a ZILLAH-ion pictures (haha, you see what I did there?) but I hope you enjoy the small details and amazing views of my family history :D While I was on this trip I also had one of the BEST surprises of my life.....dramatic pause.......my great-grandfather was an avid photographer!!!! I had no idea that photography was a hobby of his - I loved looking through all of his pictures and feeling connected to him through our mutual hobby! Anyway, on to the good stuff...I hope you like the goods --->

It Can't Get Any Cuter...IT JUST CAN'T!

2011-05-15T04:41:00.009-06:00

I begin this post with a challenge.....I challenge you to take your eyeballs off of the adorableness that is flooding your screen - I'll wait why you attempt this impossible challenge....I knew you couldn't do it. Okay, okay, so I may have overstated a tad....but LOOK at these kidlets! Lil' Jack and Tommy could not have been more fun to work with, they are just a pair of studs (I think they get the coolness factor from their awesome mom and the endless charm from grandma). We had a great time chillin' in the park! These two are gonna be heartbreakers someday....and by someday, I mean now :) It's impossible NOT to enjoy these pics....just try!!

SUGA-HOUSE

2011-04-26T23:19:00.011-06:00

I was bored...so I went exploring. This is what I saw. Welcome to sugarhouse :D

Beauty in ALL: Brandon & Tommy

2011-03-18T01:59:00.009-06:00

Soooo, this is what I decided - there are MANY male photographers who are surrounded by beautiful women EVERY day...so I think it is only fair that I be a female photographer surrounded by beautiful MEN everyday. It makes perfect sense to me :D what better way to embrace my logic than with these two studs? Tommy (first) and Brandon (second....obviously) are AMAZING!! They are pretty much the reasons I want to photograph only men for the rest of my life ;D The wonderfully talented Brynn Hutchinson did a great job stylin' up these dashing lads. We (me more than anyone else, probably) had a blast during this sexy photoshoot!! I do hope you (and of course I mean the ladies...or anyone else that appreciates gorgeous men) enjoy the pics :) As always, thanks for stoppin' by the blog and leave a comment about all your wishes and dreams!

(O.o) THE WATCHMEN

2011-03-15T00:01:00.008-06:00

I don't think I can say enough great things about this graphic novel! I know it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it certainly hit the spot for me :D I had never in my life read a comic book, so diving into this visual experience was actually really hard at first. I felt like I had to concentrate on the pictures so much that I had to read, reread, and re-reread the little text bubbles....now, it is probably not this difficult for everyone, but I struggle somewhat ;) I had so much fun getting "into" the comic book experience. I will not say that I could limit my reading pool to that of cartoon, story-board type literature, but I am SO happy that I didn't turn down this amazing read - believe me, I was close! I also had so much fun shooting the book because I felt like I needed to do the "hero" aspect of the book justice, which is why of course the book is keeping an eye on society from windows and rooftops :D I hope you enjoy the pics and as always...leave your thoughts, comments, critiques, criticisms, and dreams in the comments below! Please enjoy =>

Uhm, I Gotta Explain...

2011-02-28T19:16:00.011-07:00

So, I'm sure you're sick of hearing about all of the things I need to explain...but I promise there are only a few more (famous last words, right?)

Ever since my interest in photography began, I have had this crazy notion that I want to cure the world of its infatuation with sickly thinness, youth, and the ever illusive goal of perfection. Well, I may not be able to cure THE WORLD, but I figure I can make a difference in the lives of the beautiful and amazing girls and women around me. To do this I enlisted the help of the incredibly talented hairstylist and makeup artist Brynn Hutchinson. So...today was our first "Beauty In ALL" fashion shoot. And may I just say...it went PERFECTLY!! I had the pleasure of photographing the beautiful and amazing Michelle Compton (a coworker of mine/amazing model). She could give Tyra a run for her money...which the photos are proof of :D

In case you are wondering...Brynn and I are up for hire for ANYONE interested in proving to the world (or themselves) that beauty is in all of us....and there are NO height, weight, age, waist or bust specifications. Please just email me at humbletakes@gmail.com if you are interested in showing your feisty-sassy-fierce self (also makes a great gift for a friend, sister, wife, daughter, third cousin twice removed.....well, you get the point)!!!! Together we can show that "perfect beauty" lies within our unique flaws.

I present to you the first (of hopefully many) "Beauty in All" fashion shoot with the amazing and beautiful MICHELLE COMPTON...

The Four Agreements

2011-02-28T16:57:00.009-07:00

Amazing. Book. Well, at least I thought so (and we all know what a literary genius I am). Even though this book is a little "out there", it had some amazing insights. And as far as the pictures are concerned...I had the help of a beautiful and talented model (my adorable niece). She even helped me set up a few shots - huge shout out to you Bay!! Anywho, I hope you enjoy the shots, and if you need a little pick-me-up, grab this little nugget of joy to brighten your spirits.

If you are new to the blog...you can read all about the reason behind taking pictures of books a few posts back. As always, PLEASE leave comments, insights, book suggestions, life suggestions (any suggestions really), and your deepest secrets....actually, leave out that last one :D Please enjoy!!

Let Me Explain...

2011-02-22T18:43:00.005-07:00

I was struck by lighting three days ago (metaphorically more-so than literally). Shall I give a little background? About three months ago, I decided that the year of 2011 would be dedicated to reading, traveling, photography, art, and fun...pretty much all of the things that I have always found reasons to "put on the backburner". I affectionately refer to this year as "My Lazy Year" a.k.a "My Most Awesomest Year Ever".

To begin this journey, of sorts, I began reading Eat, Pray, Love on January 1st. Needless to say, it has a taken me a while to get through it...partly because I hated the book, and partly because I felt that I was without purpose. I know, I know...I shouldn't make goals (or have a purpose) about my leisure time - I understand the contradiction, but for whatever reason I need them, goals, that is. So this is when the lightning struck...

To further explore my creativity and personal passion of photography I decided to incorporate my artistic expression in this new quest for an amazing year! To do this I decided that when I finish a book, I will take pictures of it. For me, this is to visually document this year...which seems appropriate, me loving photography and all. So...first up, I present Eat, Pray, Love...

Also, I look forward to any and all insights, opinions, recommendations and other relevant comments....or irrelevant...whatever.

The Brophy Fam-Damily

2011-02-20T02:40:00.027-07:00

This is one fun bunch!! We had SUCH a great time shooting in old town Ogden. We had a bunch of laughs and a load of giggles...I'm so cheesy, but I'm not gonna apologize for it :) Please enjoy these eye-watering (in a good way) shots!! Thanks for stoppin' by :D

Sassy Shepards

2011-01-17T22:24:00.007-07:00

Lookie Lookie and these cuties!! We had so much fun playing around on a freezing November morning. These are some SASSY chicks and I LOVE them...I mean, how could you not?!

The Perfect Petersons!!

2011-01-08T23:59:00.011-07:00

These are my amazing and wonderful friends Kelissa and Russ Peterson. I was so honored to shoot their special day!! I had great time spending the whole day with them and witnessing how much they love each other. Kelissa was just beaming...I guess she really loves him or something ;D They were an amazing couple to shoot-so in love! I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures as much as I enjoyed shooting them!! Thank you Russ and Kelissa for including me on your day full of love and rainbows (figurative rainbows that is)

Overwhelmingly Adorable Olivers

2011-01-06T00:04:00.004-07:00

This was a super short session I had with this adorable trio. It was so freezing we had to reschedule.....so hopefully you'll see some more of these cuties soon!!

The Magical Macleods

2011-01-02T16:19:00.006-07:00

I just have to say - this is one awesome family. It must have been like 3 degrees, but these guys toughed it out. These munchkins were such troopers...way braver than me!! I absolutely loved shooting this little family-it helps that mom and dad are so cool. Thanks Macleod family for letting me shoot your FIRST family pictures ever!!! :D

Princess AVA

2010-12-17T00:06:00.005-07:00

I know, I know...I've been such a slacka lately!! I've just been crazy busy takin' pics and savin' the world..ha! Well hopefully I will get caught up soon and have a bazillion (okay. I exaggerated.), a million more pics for you :D my 7 devoted followers!! Hopefully you will enjoy feasting your eyeballs on this little princess. Little Ava is an absolute doll - she was such a great little model and man did she work the camera..it was amazing :>) We had a BLAST!!

Good Lookin' Lotts

2010-11-15T22:35:00.006-07:00

You can't even tell that we were shooting in the snow/rain/hail/wind/38 degrees....that is how good of actors these two are :) They were such troopers - hopefully I get to shoot them again soon (in the sun)!!