Today on the blog, I am sharing Rebekah and Sam’s tender and heartfelt wedding in Lindon, Utah. What a special, unforgettable day it was!
A Tender & Heartfelt Day
Rebekah and Sam approached me after learning I was one of the preferred vendors on their venue’s list. I did not meet them in person until their wedding, which worked out great because of how easy-going they were! These two melted into one another so effortlessly. Their chemistry was seriously on fire and Rebekah made such a beautiful bride! Both of their families were also so friendly and warm, and I honestly felt like I was one of their guests.
Sadly, Rebekah lost her sister, Brooke, just a few months before the wedding. Rebekah and Sam’s wedding was the first family function to occur since their devastating loss, so it was a very emotional day for everyone involved. Lots of tears were shed in honor of missing such a special part of their family on such a special day. To keep her memory alive, Rebekah and Sam held on to a beautiful picture of Brooke all throughout the day. Brooke’s fiance was there and is the one holding her picture in the family photos.
Memories Made
The Andersen’s wedding experience was tender and heartfelt in every way, and it reaffirmed the love I have for my job. We are not promised tomorrow and pictures are really one of the only things that stand the test of time. If something happens to a loved one, the pictures we have of/with them are some of the only things we have left to help keep their memory alive and in our hearts. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to capture the memories made on Rebekah and Sam’s special day.
After their temple wedding, Rebekah and Sam had a ring ceremony for the family members who were not of the LDS faith. Wadley Farms, AKA the space they hosted the ring ceremony and reception in, is true a jaw-dropper. I cannot wait for you to see the pics I have shared below!!
Tender & Heartfelt Feels Continued
If you enjoyed reading and catching a glimpse into the memories made throughout Rebekah and Sam’s special day, be sure to check out Kennedy’s bridal session!
Snag Your Freebie
Download my “Here Comes the Guide: How to Plan Your Timeline” guide today- created with all the brides-to-be in mind!
Today on the blog, I am sharing Morgan and Skylar’s romantic engagement session in the beautiful winter wonderland of Jordan Pines in Salt Lake City, Utah!
Winter Wonderland Romance
I’ve got three words for you: THAT RED DRESS!! *cue all the fire flame emojis*
I absolutely love how Morgan’s red dress popped amidst the snowy backdrop we had to shoot with. Not only was it a drop-dead gorgeous color on her, but it really added to the romance of her and Skyler’s session.
I love when my clients do the work for me, and these two did just that. I literally just showed up with my camera and they took care of the rest. Morgan and Sklyer totally lost themselves to one another the whole dang time and I am so thrilled that I was the one who got to capture the chemistry.
Winter Wonderland Inspo
If you enjoy Morgan and Skyler’s session, be sure to check out Madison and Brayden’s bridal session at Tibble Fork.
Snag Your Freebie
Work on styling your winter wonderland engagement session today with a FREE copy of my Engagement Style + Prep Guide. This guide is a work of pure love, written and tweaked over many months. It’s meant to be a living, breathing document – constantly being improved upon to help make the weeks and days leading up to your engagement session as stress-free as possible. You’ve got enough going on and this is meant to be a joyous time of planning, anticipation, and dreams for your future! I’m here – and this guide is here – to ensure you are able to focus on the things that matter. Snag it here!
If you have any other questions regarding your engagement session, be sure to get in touch! I am happy to help you however I can!!
Enjoy! <3
Love,
Brooke
Today on the blog, I am sharing Allison and Kaedon’s dreamy bridal session in Provo City, Utah! If you are a bride-to-be, make sure you grab your wedding timeline freebie before you go!
Dreamy Bridal Session
Fun fact: Allison and I met through mutual friends/past brides of mine. Also fun fact: She and Kaedon got married in PANAMA because her parents were serving an LDS mission there at the time! Their dreamy bridal session took place at the home of Kaedon’s parents. Their property is truly beautiful and you will see exactly what I mean by that when you take a look below!
This weekend, they are throwing a huge reception and celebration with all their friends and I seriously cannot wait. To help hold me over until then, I decided to share their formals today on the blog. I was so honored to have been able to capture these moments for these two. Their friendship is so sweet, and their love even sweeter. Needless to say, I am looking very forward to capturing the momentous occasion of their reception this weekend!
More Dreamy Bridal Session Inspo
If you enjoy Kaedon and Allison’s session, be sure to check out this Maple Mountain Bridal session!
Grab Your Freebie
Are you a bride-to-be? If so, I created the perfect wedding timeline and would love for you to grab a copy! Download it here!
XO
Brooke
Happy Thanksgiving week, friends! To celebrate the occasion, I am sharing my ALL-TIME favorite Thanksgiving recipe and a gorgeous styled shoot I did with Over the Top Events as well!!
First off, I just have to say- I LOVE my job. Let me tell you why that is. One: I have met some of my absolute best friends because of this job! People I would have never met had I not stepped into the wedding industry. Two: As someone who has never exactly been one to follow rules, I love the freedom and flexibility that comes with my job. I am a blessed and very thankful gal!
I hope you’ll give the dressing a go! If you do, let me know what you think 😉
Enjoy, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe
I’m not going to lie- this stuffing is a TOTAL game-changer for any Thanksgiving feast! It is one of my absolute favorite parts of Thanksgiving Day and I’m drooling at the thought of cooking it in just a few days! Are you ready for this?!
INGREDIENTS:
-One box of Mrs. Cubbinson’s seasoned dressing
-1/2 cup celery, chopped
-1/2 cup onion, chopped
-2 sticks of butter
-1 cup of brown sugar
-1.5 cups of chicken broth
-1 tablespoon sage
-1 tablespoon rosemary
-1 pound of ground sausage (spicy, if you like!)
-1.5 cups of bacon pieces
-1.5 cups of crushed pecans or roasted chestnuts
DIRECTIONS:
Brown the ground sausage and set aside. Cook the bacon and set aside. Crumble the bacon when cool.
Prepare Ms. Cubbison’s dressing as directed (don’t forget to preheat the oven!). Saute celery and onions in butter as directed. Add the chicken broth. Add more broth if you want a less dry texture.
Combine with the dressing, brown sugar and pecans.
Add the sage, rosemary, and meat.
Note: For extra flavor and added cholesterol boost, add the sausage and bacon grease to the mixture.
Bake in a glass casserole pan for 15-20 minutes in a preheated 375-degree oven, or until brown.
About the Styled Shoot
I collaborated with Over the Top Events for this styled shoot. And let me tell you, it was a total DREAM. Not only did they style the shoot, but they did the florals, too! Alex and Heidi are amazing and so creative. I LOVED working with them!
The shoot took place at a private ranch in Mapleton, Utah and it was just so dang dreamy. Take a look at the pics below and you’ll see exactly what I mean!
Today on the blog, I am gushing ALL about Hailey and Jeff’s dreamy first look and formal session! I just love how these pictures turned out, and I bet you will too!
How We Met
I met Hailey through her mother, Jeanette, the owner of Utah Valley Bride Magazine. I have had the privilege of shooting magazine editorials and styled shoots with the UVBM team. However, I had no idea that Jeanette had a daughter! Needless to say, when she reached out to me to shoot her daughter’s wedding I was SO excited. Of all the photographers she has access to, her daughter literally could have chosen anyone she wanted. I feel SO honored to have had the opportunity to capture Hailey and Jeff’s photos.
Fun fact: I didn’t even meet Hailey until we shot her and Jeff’s engagements! And let me tell you, we had a ton of fun!
About the Shoot
Hailey and Jeff wanted to have their formal session at the Provo City Temple, which is where they are getting married. Between her schedule and mine, we decided to do a sunrise shoot. Everything photographed SO beautifully! And listen, I am NOT a morning person — especially in this season of life when I still have toddlers coming into my bed and I’m going to bed after midnight because of the wedding season — but YOU GUYS. When I got to the shooting spot, my jaw literally dropped at the sight of Hailey in her dress. Suddenly, I wasn’t tired anymore!
I will NEVER forget Jeff’s face when he saw his bride for the first time. His face lit up like fireworks when he laid eyes on her!!
After we shot at the temple, we used the beautiful fall backdrop of Utah to round out their session. This session was absolutely one for the books and I am so excited I get to share it with you today!! ENJOY!
A Dreamy First Look
Today on the blog, I am sharing Hailey and Jeff’s DREAMY first look session in Provo City, Utah.
A Dreamy Proposal
Jeff and I started dating on my sixteenth birthday. After high school, he served an LDS mission in France. We stayed connected during two years of writing, and we fell right back in love when he returned.
Within a couple of months, we went ring shopping at Forge Jewelry Works. Soon after, he took his parents back to France for a trip and I suspected the ring would be finished by the time he got back. The day he came home I got all dressed up, hoping it was THE DAY, but he showed up in shorts and a t-shirt. I knew then it wasn’t going to happen that night. He convinced me the ring wouldn’t be ready for a few more days.
The very next night around 10 p.m., he asked me to come over to “grab something real quick.” I didn’t come over-prepared for an engagement, but when I walked up the steps, there was a sign directing me to the backyard. As soon as I came around the side of the house, lights turned on in the gazebo (the location of our first kiss 3.5 years prior), and he was standing there all dressed up! I could see our families hidden in the dimly lit background, and that’s when my heart started POUNDING!
Jeff sang “Runnin’ Home to You” (written by Benj Pasek who wrote “Dear Evan Hansen”) and then got down on one knee next to a painting he had created of me in France. Through teary eyes, I said YES! Then he finished the song… “Can’t say what the future may hold, but I want you in it. Every hour, every minute.”
Dreamy Vendors
Temple: Provo City Temple
Ring: Forge Jewelry Works
Dress: Pritchett Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Pritchett Bridal Salon
Florals: The Potted Pansy
Photography: Brooke Bakken Photography
Today on the blog, I am sharing photos from the gorgeous studio I will be taking my 2019 winter mini sessions at this year!
Why You Should Book a Mini Session
2019 minis are just around the corner, friends! If you have never done one, rest assured- they are a TON of fun!!
If you have never booked one, the purpose of a mini session is to get quick family photos. Depending on the type of session you book, you are in and out within 15-30 minutes. In addition to being short and sweet, you are also hiring a professional photographer at a discounted rate and they are perfect for the littles! As a mom, I totally understand what it’s like to try and capture the attention of your little ones. I love minis for so many reasons, but especially because they are short and sweet compared to that of a 60 min+ family shoot. Mini sessions really are fun for the whole family!
2019 Mini Session Details
This year, my winter mini sessions will take place on December 7 from 1:00-4:00 PM at a gorgeous studio in Draper. Check out my available times below!
1:00-1:30
1:30-2:00
2:00-2:30
2:30-3:00
3:00-3:30
3:30-4:00
Sign Up For a Mini Today
Want to sign up for one of my mini session time slots? Contact me today and we’ll get you ready to go!
Snag Your Freebie
Family photos are a ton of fun, but they can be hard to coordinate- especially when you have lots of kiddos! This is why I created my Family Sessions: What to Wear Guide. It’s totally FREE and meant to help ease the stress of all the planning, so be sure to grab your copy and let me know what you think!
Today on the blog, I’m sharing 5 tips for LDS couples to keep in mind as they plan their wedding. I hope you find them helpful!
LDS Wedding Tips
Fact: Preparing for your wedding should be one of the most exciting seasons of your life! With that in mind…a wedding in an LDS temple looks a little different than a “traditional” wedding so to speak. That’s why I’m sharing all kinds of tips for you to keep in mind as you plan yours! I hope you find these helpful!
- Book your photographer first (or at least ask your “dream” photographer if they are available on a date you are considering before setting a temple date). I am ALWAYS so sad when brides reach out to book me for their wedding and I am not available. It’s the worst! So if you have your eye on a certain photographer, I would suggest just sending a quick email to see if they are available on the dates you are looking at! It can’t hurt! The photographer, temple and venue are what you will want to book simultaneously. You will rely on these most, so it’s important to take your time finding the right photographer and venue for you! Once you have done this, book the rest of your vendors (caterer, DJ, florist, bakery, etc.) Be sure to ask your photographer and coordinator for their recommendations! Chances are, hiring the photographer and coordinator you trust will lead to very trustworthy recommendations.
- Be flexible with your wedding date. All LDS temples have different schedules and available times for marriages. The Temple’s should have all the information you need, so be sure to reach out with any questions you may have! I would also recommend booking your reception space — if you are celebrating immediately after — as soon as you have booked your temple date. By booking these two times as close together as possible, you’re much more likely to time things accordingly.
- Your endowment. For many LDS couples, getting married also means it is time to receive the endowment ordinance. No marriage sealing can take place unless both the bride and the groom have been received all of the preparatory ordinances. To read more about the endowment ordinance process, visit LDS.org.
- Sealing time. Consider the events of your day. Will you have a luncheon following your temple sealing? Will you be having a dinner the night before? All of these will affect your wedding day timeline. Most photographers have their “ideal” wedding day timeline, so if you are wondering when the best time for your sealing would be, don’t be afraid to ask for guidance!
- Consider doing a formal session BEFORE your wedding day. Check out my post on five reasons why you should do a formal session before your Temple wedding. Read it here.
Hire Your Photographer Today
Are you on the hunt for a photographer? I would be THRILLED to capture the events of your special day and answer any questions about the planning process along the way! Contact me today and we will set up a consultation!
XO
Brooke
Today on the blog, I am sharing the beautiful Johnson family and sharing 5 tips for your family session so that it’s one for the books! I am also sharing my FREE guide, Family Sessions: What to Wear. Be sure to snag your copy after you’re done enjoying and being inspired by this gorgeous family shoot!
Worth the Effort
Family portrait sessions are made of a multitude of factors: screaming children, spotting stains on shirts after all the time you spent putting the outfits together before the shoot, torrential downpours midway through the shoot, you name it. The purpose of a family portrait session is to capture happy memorable, moments, but the shoot itself can feel like a complete disaster. Hence, when you get your pictures back and spot a beautiful image, it feels like a little miracle!
As a mom of three myself, I am here to tell you that family portrait sessions are WORTH THE EFFORT- I promise! If you want me to explain why that is, be sure to check out my post on 5 Reasons to Do a Family Session. In this specific post, however, we are going to focus on tips you can implement to help achieve the type of session you are going for! At the end of the day, the most important thing you can do for yourself is, embrace the “mess”. Chaotic or not, your family is just that- yours. This is a beautiful gift in and of itself! And believe me when I say photographers have seen it all. Nothing will surprise them, so just do your best to focus on savoring these moments with your family- even if a torrential downpour or two is involved!
5 Tips for Your Family Session
1. Prep the Kiddos. Spend time leading up to your family session getting the kids excited. Try and build it up to a fun event they will actually look forward to, followed by a treat (did someone say ice cream?) . The same goes for the day of- be excited! Talk about your family photo session and photographer! Make sure everyone has napped and eaten before the shoot, and has exactly what they need for it as well (perhaps a backup shirt or a jacket). Also be sure that your kiddos brush their teeth before they put their nice clothes on! Finally, if you have a child under the age of 3, I would recommend getting them dressed once you get to the location spot.
2. Be Intentional About Location & Time. One of my absolute favorite times to shoot is during the golden hour. This is because you are not directly in the sun and the natural lighting is just incredible! It really sets the tone for gorgeous pictures. I also recommend shooting somewhere that is familiar to the kids. In my opinion, familiarity is always a comfort- no matter how old you are!
3. Keep Things Active. Regardless of where you decide to shoot, make sure you are moving around to different spaces rather than standing still the whole time. Your photographer should already be aware and have plans for this, but definitely speak up if you need to.
4. Be Generous with Time. For example, pack a bag of everything you think you’ll need (diapers, snacks, lipstick, extra clothes, etc.) a day or two BEFORE the shoot. On the day of, shoot to leave so that you are 10-15 minutes late. If you are 10-15 minutes late to a golden hour shoot, you’ve already lost a lot of time, which is no bueno!
5. Trust Your Photographer. I know that telling you to relax and have fun is easier said than done, but I am going to challenge you to try your best! If you’re stressed during the shoot, you will be able to tell in the photos. Remember that you hired a pro and your photographer will get you those gorgeous family photos- no matter what. Trust me on this one!
More Family Photo Tips
Family photos are a ton of fun, but they can be hard to coordinate- especially when you have lots of kiddos! This is why I created my Family Sessions: What to Wear Guide. It’s totally FREE and meant to help ease the stress of all the planning, so be sure to grab your copy and let me know what you think!
If you have any other questions regarding family photos, be sure to get in touch! I am happy to help you however I can!
Schedule Your Family Session Today
I am happy to consult on clothing for all of my clients, so if you have been putting off family photos because it’s just too stressful to think about, stress no more!
Contact me here to get your family photos scheduled before you talk yourself out of it again!
XO
Brooke
Today on the blog, I am sharing Caitlyn & Chris’s romantic NYC fall engagement session. Read all about it below, and then make sure to download a FREE copy of my extensive 44-page engagement session guide!
NYC Fall Engagement Session
Caitlyn and Chris’s engagement session was at Central Park in New York City. I shot their session during the weekend of the NYC marathon, so it made getting around the city a little bit tricky. To add to the traffic complications, it was also raining off and on. With me being out of state, we decided to roll with the punches and shoot in the rain! We used umbrellas, the overheads of bridges and the beautiful fall foliage of New York City to capture the gorgeous shots I am sharing today. I just LOVE how they turned out! The rain made all the fall colors pop, which only added to the intimacy of their session!
Once we wrapped things up at the park, we went to their place on the river so they could change clothes. After getting all fancy, we shot around where they live and ended their session at Grand Central Station. I had never been to GCS before, so I was blown away by how many people go through that place on a second-to-second, minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour basis. I really felt like I was in the scene of Grand Central Station you see in movies. There was just nothing like it. People were EVERYWHERE. Honestly, if you were to take a step back and just watch, you would feel like a tiny little ant in an anthill just going from one place to the other. This whole experience was so new and different to me, and I had a TON of fun!!
Caitlyn and Chris, thank you for entrusting me to capture these tender moments! I hope these pictures are ones you will hold on to and cherish forever!
NYC Inspiration
If you enjoyed this session, be sure to check out Alyssa and Brennan’s NYC anniversary shoot!
Snag Your Freebie
Work on styling your engagement session today with a FREE copy of my Engagement Style and Prep Guide. This guide is a work of pure love that was written and tweaked over many months. You’ve got enough going on and this is meant to be a joyous time of planning, anticipation, and dreams for your future! I’m here – and this guide is here – to ensure you are able to focus on the things that matter. Snag it here!
If you have any other questions regarding your engagement session, be sure to get in touch! I am happy to help you however I can!
