Ally is the sweetest girl you will ever meet! She has such a sweet and genuine personality that is so fun. She loves photography, books, laughing, and has a love for life that is obvious. I admire her for the outlook she has on life. We had a blast at her session and laughed the whole time. Towards the end she really wanted some laughing photos so I pulled out the ol trusty like 3 bad jokes that I know to get some laughs haha! 

At the beginning we were talking about college and I gave her some advice on what I would do differently in my first years of school. The more we talked about college, we discovered that she is going to be studying marketing, just like me! & our minors are very similar too! I thought that was so cool! Congrats on graduation in a few weeks, Ally! Keep dreaming and always chase your dreams. I can tell she's going to go far.

Push Through the Lonely Times | Real, Vulnerable Thoughts

 When I feel lonely, I just figured something was wrong with me & that's why I didn't have any friends and felt that way. I feel as if I've lost the friends I used to have. I know that it is bound to happen with everyone going in different directions and doing different things in their lives. I didn't think it would be like this for me though. I thought I would be happier and actually have friends. Truthfully, I've always struggled with making and keeping friends. It always seems to happen that I'm never the first choice of what may be my so-called "friends". The reason I say that is because I'm learning more and more & realizing that more often than not, they aren't true friends. It's incredibly frustrating and difficult when I feel so alone & am struggling but have no one to talk to & get things off my chest to. It has resulted in many lonely days, sleepless nights, a million thoughts going through my head, and countless tears shed.

As a result of all this, I have wanted to give up & just forget it all at times. However, I know I can't give up for many reasons. It's just in the moment when I have 2,738 thoughts going through my head that I psyche myself into thinking giving up is the best option. That's so wrong though. In the grand scheme of things, this is all small when you look at the whole big picture. 

From now on, instead of longing to just give up, find a way to get rid of all my problems, and think that something is wrong with me because none of that is true or the way to react to it all. It will take determination to change my way of thinking and perseverance to push through it all. This process won't be easy, but it will be so worth it in the end. As I re-wire my thinking, I'm also evaluating my life and what my priorities are. I spend lots of time thinking and focusing on schoolwork. I should spend more time bettering myself and getting closer to Christ. This was brought to my attention in a new light thanks to a friend.

A few days ago, this dear friend texted me to check up on me and after some talking & her asking what was going on, me telling her some of my frustrations and all, she replied with some advice. There was one specific thing she said that struck a cord in me. She said, "usually lonely times are the just opportunities to get closer to Christ." I had never thought of it that way before. I always despised these "ruts" of me feeling so lonely. Never would I have thought it would be a blessing in disguise and that it would present the perfect opportunity to become closer to Christ. Although I still may not embrace the lonely times, I will look at it in a new light and take that time to better my relationship with my Savior. 

I know that everything will get better eventually. Just takes time. It may be these very experiences that are preparing me for something greater in my life or preparing me to be able to help someone in need down the road who went through the same experiences.

Here's to not giving up, becoming better, and getting closer to Christ.

Beginning of a New Chapter | Late Night Thoughts

The start of 2017 hasn't been easy. With the new year and new semester at school has come with it an insanely busy schedule, lots of homework, too much snow, new friends, meeting some Rockies players, lots of laughter, good times, but also some trials, and quite a few sleepless nights. I'm amazed at how fast time goes by.

This shouldn't be any surprise to me since time always seemingly goes by so fast. When in the moment, it stands still at times.

I've been in the same routine for a while. I go to college at Utah State. I come home often. I had friends in Logan, friends here at home, and friends from other places as well. I like being social and doing things with my friends. Spending time with friends is one of my fave things. Just something about being around people who accept you & feeling like I belong. I find comfort in that. I think that's why I've struggled so much recently after various things have occurred. Loneliness has become a regular feeling for me as of late.

This has led me to evaluate many things in my life & to see what I really want to do & who/what I want in my life. After much thought, life is too short to keep people or things in my life that aren't helping me or who bring me down. This has been incredibly difficult to let people & things go that aren't helping me progress & help me be a better person. Copious amounts of prayers have been said and many hours pondering about what I should do. I'll continue to pray about it and what path I should take; it's a never ending process.

While I've been going through all of this, my family has never left my side. As well as very few select friends. How eternally grateful I have been & still are grateful for all of those people. Throughout this process, I've had to make some hard decisions & let go of people who have already fulfilled their role in my life.

With that begins a new chapter in my life. I didn't think this would happen, but I'm learning to be okay with less people in my life. Quality over quantity. This new chapter is very different, but I'm adapting to it & learning to enjoy life more fully. Even if I have to enjoy it on my own.

The lesson behind all of this is to not fear change. I might be somewhat terrified of this new chapter, but at the same time I'm embracing it. I may not know what I'm doing exactly. But it's quite alright because my loving Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for it. He's in control & knows I need this in my life.

Keep Trying | Late Night Thoughts

I've had many thoughts circling through my mind as of late. It was a struggle to focus on studying for finals the past couple weeks, to complete the tasks at hand, to sleep, to be social, to read my scriptures and pray and to feel loved. After feeling like I'm lacking in these areas of my life, I am left upset and frustrated. I try so hard to not let any of this show and cover it up with laughter and smiles. Most of the time I do pretty well with masking it, but there are some days I just can't do it.

Today happened to be one of those days I just couldn't do it. I stayed in my pajamas all day and didn't get ready. I didn't get anything done today despite the list of things I need to do while I'm home for the holidays and presents I still need to buy. I watched movies, played games with my brothers, and did lots of thinking.

I longed to be productive and at least get a start on my "to-do list" and do something of importance ha. But the reality of life is that life isn't always great and happy as can be. 

As frustrated as I became today and was somewhat of a downer, by the end of the day I had an epiphany. As a country song goes, "The bad times make the good times better". To know happiness and joy, we also have to experience sadness and frustration. The good days we have quickly become that much better when we realize that we are happy, it isn't a bad day, and there is no frustration or sadness on that particular day.

However, don't just become complacent with life and let things happen left and right. You won't experience joy and happiness by letting life pass you by and not putting in any effort. It is crucial to keep trying and not give up. 

Yes, today may have been kind of an off day and more on the side of a bad day. But that's okay. I didn't give up and am still trying. We will be blessed as we continue to put in effort. Heavenly Father will notice our efforts, be there to help, and will bless us.

Never give up! It only matters that you keep trying.

Bryce & Kourtney | Idaho Couples Photographer

Where do I start? My oldest brother Bryce married Kourtney about three years ago. They will be celebrating their 3rd anniversary in a few weeks, so we got ahead of the game a little by taking some anniversary photos! They had me laughing nearly the whole time as I shot at the most perfect location  in Rexburg. I wish I could shoot there every time! I think I got more shots of them laughing than anything else, which makes for more candid shots!

Colby | Idaho Senior Photographer

Colby's seniors were hilarious. It took us a while to find a time where we could do them, but we finally did it! He's such a goofy and fun brother. He had me laughing the entire time. It was even better when he would be just looking around or doing funny poses because I just kept snapping away & caught all of those on camera. 

Still can't believe he's a senior this year! Seems like Colby is younger than that & hasn't grown up yet. I can remember like it was just yesterday some of the funny and weird things he would do as a little kid.