THE PETRIFIED FOREST AND NEW FRIENDS

After Nathalia's photo shoot, we took a detour through the Petrified Forest National Park on the way back home. It was a pleasant late-afternoon drive and we made a couple of unexpected friends along the way. Our new buddies were a couple of raven's, each with hand ... or would that be foot ... out for any morsels of food that might come their way. One was definitely less shy than the other and I think you can figure out from the photos which was which. Alas, we had to say goodbye to our new friends and make our way back home. We made one last stop along the way to photograph a very funny roadside attraction that we have passed by many times and always wanted to get a shot of - we finally did :-).

NATHALIA - FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Tuesday we headed over to St. Johns in the White Mountains to photograph Nathalia for her upcoming First Holy Communion. Her mother, Franchesca, was so welcoming and sweet and everyone at the church was very kind to let us have free reign. Nathalia was absolutely beautiful in her dress and we had a lot of fun with the wind and her veil!

Nathalia, you were very patient with us and you did a fabulous job! We had a great time with you and your mother and we hope you like your photographs!

ALEXIS AND STEPHEN - ENGAGEMENT SHOOT

Monday we met with Alexis and Stephen to photograph their engagement shoot. Alexis and Stephen are getting married in Las Vegas, so we were commissioned for the engagement photos only. We headed down to beautiful Sedona for the shoot, beginning in Oak Creek Canyon. From there we went to Red Rock Crossing where we finished up.

Alexis and Stephen, we had a great time getting to know the two of you. You did a great job!! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and we wish you both the best!

THE GRANDEUR OF GRAND FALLS

Over the holiday weekend I spent both days visiting Grand Falls, the first day with a friend and the second day with Kevin and our dog, Yoshi. Grand Falls is located on the Navajo Nation about 45 minutes outside of Flagstaff. It is an amazing and very unexpected sight. In the middle of a flat, barren, dusty, treeless, tumbleweed infested desert suddenly appears a great chasm in the earth and in that chasm roars a mighty river with spectacular waterfalls ... but only at certain times. Dry most of the year, this place comes to life in times of good rain and snowfall. It is also surrounded by the softest, finest, black sand dunes I have ever seen. It was definitely worth enduring the ten miles of purely evil dirt road washboards to witness a little of nature's grandeur!