White Thunder

One of my most incredible experiences of my life was viewing Marjorie Glacier in Alaska -- and seeing it "calve."  This is when pieces of the glacier break off and drop into the water.  It's surprisingly powerful and almost haunting.  It makes this sound they call "white thunder" and there's just no describing it.

My mother was in awe as we stood in the deck of the cruise ship and watched this incredible natural event.  "Just think," she said, "so few people ever get to see this.  We are so privileged."  And she was right.

We're always dancing

This week is the BYU Adult Ballroom Dance Camp.  I didn't get to go this year, alas, though I have been several years in the past.  It's truly remarkable how many people show up to this event -- many for decades in a row now! -- just to get the experience of killing their feet for a week.  :-)

So, you get more DanceSport photos this week.  Many of these dancers will be attending and helping out for this camp, getting the experience of learning from some of the top professioanls in the world and adding to their dance experience.

Making Faces

For the third year in a row, I entered Nature's Best Photography Magazine's prestigious Windland Smith Rice competition.  This year, one of my photos made it to the semi-final.  Out of more than 21,000 entries, they narrowed the pool down to just under 500 -- and mine was one of them!

The photo they chose was a shot I took at Salt Lake City's Hogle Zoo a couple of years ago.  This baby giraffe was so playful and kept making faces at me.  Most unfortunately, he died shortly after the shot was taken.  But his cute personality was captured forever on camera.

Pioneer Day

In Utah, we celebrate an extra holiday here in July -- Pioneer Day.  It's a part of the Latter Day Saint Culture, a reminder of the pioneers who journeyed across the land in search of a place where they could freely practice their religion.  There have been fireworks all weekend, so I thought in honor of that, I'd include some of my favorite fireworks shots over the years.  It's hardly my forte, but it's fun.

Summer in Alaska

Everyone expects the snowy peaks and the icy waterways in Alaska.  But there was some beautiful green to be seen as well.  I saw countless waterfalls (which I would have LOVED to have captured up-close!) and there were bleeding hearts everywhere (which happen to be among my very favorite flowers).

"Dance as though no one was watching"

As a dancer, I have always loved that quote.  As a photographer, I get to be the one who's watching, and appreciating from more than one perspective the beauty I am witness to with these amazing dancers.

Amazing Alaska

Earlier this year, my husband and I took my parents on a cruise to Alaska.  It was absolutely amazing.  Our favorite day was the day we spent in Glacier Bay National Park.  The glaciers there were absolutely amazing.  The scenery was out of this world!

Wedding in DC

I just have to laugh that this was my third wedding in Washington, DC -- and I'm a photographer from Utah!  But hey, no complaints here, I enjoy travel and I loved working with this adorable couple.

Nebula Ball Close-Ups

Here a few more from my recent nebula ball experiment.

Dancing Days

More from my ever-increasing files of ballroom dance photos. It's one of my favorite things to do.  These young dancers are an inspiration.

The devil's in the details

Part of being a photographer is noticing the details.  It's actually one of my favorite aspects of photography, truth be told.  It's fun to find the little things, fun to see what not everyone sees.

And it's essential in the job of a wedding photographer.  Everyone expects the capture of those little details of the wedding day they spent so much time and effort creating.