Lauren Ristow Photography

Bye, Bye Blogger

2012-01-27T10:28:00.000-08:00

I have officially moved to a new photography blog! It was time! Blogger, you have been good to me:(

I have been needing to make this change for a while now, but with such a busy fall season, I just couldn't put the time or energy into a new project.

My new blog is www.laurenristowphotography.com

I hope you will come follow me as I am super excited for 2012!!!!!!!

Happy Friday!

2012-01-13T06:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! I hope you have fun plans for the weekend! I have been working on editing pictures from the Myer's wedding all week, so I thought I would post a sneak peek of beautiful Chelsea and her ladies.

Randy and Nicole- Engaged!

2012-01-10T19:37:00.000-08:00

Fall and early winter has been quite chilly here in Prescott! There have been many shoots over the last few months, that I have thought, "Okay, this is the coldest day for a session." I was wrong! This engagement session with such an adorable couple Randy and Nicole, was the coldest session yet. The high was 34 degrees and the wind chill was miserable!

Randy and Nicole live out of state. They were so excited about their recent engagement, that they wanted to have pictures taken, while they were here for the Holidays visiting family. They were so amazing, and kind to work with despite our FRIGID weather! Beautiful Nicole was even so gracious, even though I know she was so cold! I tried to keep things moving, so we took comfort in the warmth of our cars driving to different locations.

Happy New Year!!

2012-01-06T08:38:00.000-08:00

Hello lovely! I sincerely hope you had such a wonderful Christmas and New Year with those that you love! I am not the type to make a New Year's Resolution, because I don't believe in them, but this year I do have many aspirations, and fun things planned. Two things have really been on my heart; take more pictures, and read my Bible daily. Yes, that's right "take more pictures." Not posed pictures or paid shoots, but just ordinary everyday kind of life pictures. I have actually joined two different "52" groups to help keep myself accountable to this. My second thought is spending more time in God's word. Reading my Bible everyday. I just want to open it, and read without any plans, but to to truly allow God's word to inspire me. What are your plans for the new year?

Of course what would be a post without a picture to go with it? Here's a sneak peek from the engagement shoot of Randy and Nicole. I have been working on their pictures, and will be posting more soon!

The Long Family

2011-12-28T11:15:00.000-08:00

This was a really playful shoot with the Long family! Tara and Jarrod have three adorable little girls, Elle, Claire, and Addie. They were so full of personality and sweetness!

This was officially my last shoot of the Holiday Season, and what a fun way to end the season it was! Here are a few pictures from our time together.

The McCamish Family

2011-12-16T07:11:00.000-08:00

This fall has been so cold! I have lived in Prescott now for six years, and this is the first year that I have seen it snow so early. The McCamish family were willing to meet for photos despite our chilly chilly weather! What a sweet and loving family the McCamish family is! I am continually so blessed by the families and faces I am allowed to photograph! Here are a few photos from our time together.

Traditions Preserved

2011-12-07T19:40:00.000-08:00

Leanne and Jonathan Shearer had recently lost their Grandparents' and wanted this shoot to be in memory of them. They wanted to include a few things that reminded the Shearers' of them. I found our time to be just so sweet, and loved this family's ideas.

It's December 1st, Let the Count Down Begin!

2011-12-01T07:32:00.000-08:00

With 25 days left until Christmas, there is much to do! I am so so excited for Christmas!

Of course I just had to share this darling face of my dear friend's newest addition to her family "Rocket."

The Fukayama Family

2011-11-30T06:42:00.000-08:00

This was truly the most relaxing shoot I have had yet. The Fukayama family were so relaxed and easy going with our time together. Their love for on another was so evident and easy to capture, as well as their fun playfulness with each other. Taylor and Presley were just so adorable too!

The Burk Family

2011-11-25T05:58:00.000-08:00

I loved everything about this shoot with the Burk family! I loved that I was able to photograph this sweet family at their home. I loved their adorable four kids, Kate, Breck, Reef and Harley. I loved the interaction of this family. I loved that they have the cutest historic home and a tractor in their front yard. I could go on and on about all the things I loved.....Here's some pictures to share with you

Austin and Savannah

2011-11-22T10:40:00.000-08:00

I photographed these little cuties and their parents' a few weeks ago. Austin was such a happy baby boy and his big sister could make him giggle so much. I loved seeing their sweet relationship displayed. Mommy Autumn and Daddy Jay were so kind as well. I actually was stung by a yellow jacket during this shoot:( They were incredibly sympathetic to my hurt. The yellow jacket was so aggressive towards us, that it actually came after us twice more!

Rock N' Roll Carson.... and His Beautiful Mama!

2011-11-18T10:42:00.000-08:00

This is my second time photographing Carson and his beautiful mama Jamie. She had mentioned to me last year that he loves playing his drums. So this year she brought part of his set, and we had a little drum session! He is only three years old, and definitely has natural rhythm. The weather has been unbelievably cold already, and this day was so cold that his little cheeks were purple. He and his mama were such troopers despite the frigid weather!

A Deliciously Sweet Moment Shared!

2011-11-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

I just adore the Skurja family! Their kids Ethan, Faith and Zoey are so kind and adorable! I was privileged to photograph this sweet family again this year. I just wanted to share these deliciously sweet moments between siblings!

The Crotts Family

2011-11-16T13:10:00.000-08:00

I have been so behind in blogging recent shoots. I should be posting shoots that I have shot previous to this one, but this family has been on my heart today because of their little daughter Allie having an eye surgery this morning. I haven't completed editing the photos from this shoot, but as I was just starting to work on these last night, I was praying so much for her procedure this morning, and just wanted to share a few pictures from our time together.

I received good news earlier, and Allie's surgery went really well, and she is doing great! Praise Jesus!

Chelsea and Landon: Engaged!

2011-11-12T19:15:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to be photographing Chelsea and Landon's wedding this December. Chelsea and Landon remind me so much of how my hubby and I were, when we were engaged. Chelsea is even going to school to become a Registered Nurse. These two are so in love and so committed to each other and to the Lord, what a blessing it is for me to share in their celebration.

The Dandos Family

2011-11-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

What a great loving and fun family the Dandos' are! When Leza contacted me about photographing her family, she told me she wanted to do something different than they had done in the past. We headed downtown, and found so many great locations to capture this beautiful family!

A Sweet Moment

2011-10-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

I have been working on editing photos from this shoot with the Dandos family, and stumbled upon this photo, of big sister Dempsey hugging her younger sister Delaney, and both admiring their parents. I love moments like these!

The Amstutz Family

2011-10-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

There are some families that are more shy than others, and some children that I really have to chase around to take a picture of them. This was not the case with the Amstutz boys. Zachary, Jacob and Joshua stepped out of their car, excited to have their pictures taken. At times, they really wanted to show me their ninja moves too, and were actually saying "take a picture of me." The Amstutz family was definitely fun and super sweet. Below, are a few pictures from our time together.

The Unger Family in Laguna Beach

2011-10-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Our dear friends, the Unger family, were visiting California during the same time that we were, and had wanted to have pictures taken of their family at the beach, so we decided to meet in Laguna. This was such a warm warm day, with not a cloud in the sky, and intense sunshine.

Moments in Life

2011-10-22T16:08:00.000-07:00

Every day I am reminded that it is the moments that are far more important, than the mundane tasks that often occupy so many minutes of my life.

I am passionate for photography because of the faces, hearts and souls behind my lens. The Lord allows me to see these things so intimately, while I am photographing and editing my work. He has given me such an appreciation for the small things, the moments, and the character.

More pictures to come from this Laguna Beach California shoot with the Unger Family later this week

Hot Cocoa, Whipped Cream, and Lot's of Love....

2011-10-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

Hot cocoa, whipped cream, love, laughter, and lot's of silly expressions! My dear friend Jenny Bacon and her beautiful kids, Dylan and Jackson, were such a pleasure for me to photograph once again!

Snap Snap

2011-10-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

With the Holiday season just around the corner, my little fingers have been snapping away! Many posts to come of the most amazing families! More pictures to come tomorrow from this shoot!

The Costes Family: Tis So Sweet

2011-10-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

This is the second time that I have had the sweet privilege of photographing the Costes Family. They were looking for a morning photo session, so I thought, what could be more fun than yummy donuts for the boys?

We found an old barn, which I love, love, and it was even more perfect because the boys' names all start with the letter "B." Bryce-Brendan-and Brady!

Here are a few pictures from our early morning sweet shoot!

Tuesday Treasure

2011-10-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

More pictures from this sweet shoot with the Costes Family to come later this week!

Lucy Rae: Newborn Shoot

2011-10-16T11:29:00.000-07:00

Last month I was blessed to be able to capture the birth of Lucy Rae Golleher. Her parents' had asked me a few months earlier, to be on call, as we all eagerly awaited her birth. It was such an amazing experience for me, and I will be forever specially connected to this little girl.

Lucy was three weeks old when we shot these pictures. The weather had been very rainy all week and even a little chilly. She was perfectly content swaddled tight. I was able to capture her with beautiful rays of sunshine shining through, which I found to be so perfect for her name, Lucy Rae.

The Kuhn Family

2011-10-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I was privileged to photograph the Kuhn Family. God is so good and has blessed me, with truly the sweetest clients. Mathew and Leah were just so sweet, and were full of giving hugs to one another.

Lucy Rae:Sneak Peek

2011-10-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share a little sneak peek of beautiful Lucy Rae, whom I photographed this afternoon.

With the Holiday Season quickly coming, I have been blessed to be so busy with many families wanting Christmas pictures. I hope to be posting many more and other pictures from recent shoots as well

Sweet Baby Eden

2011-10-07T11:12:00.000-07:00

Little Miss. Eden's mom contacted me about photographing her sweet baby girl. Eden was seven weeks old and so bright eyed, and content being held by her mommy during this shoot. We captured these pictures, right out their back door. It was a beautiful warm afternoon, with sweet light coming through. Eden's siblings even got in on a few!

Be MERRY!

2011-10-06T14:05:00.001-07:00

Be MERRY!!!!! This was the craziest day of weather I have yet seen in Prescott. I almost called off this shoot so many times, but knew Audrey would be disappointed. It had been howling wind all day, and then it even rained and hailed. As I was just thinking all hope was gone, the sun came out, and we were back on. God gave us just the right amount of time. As I was shooting my last frame, I felt a rain drop, and by the time we walked to our cars it had begun pouring!

Austin and Ella remind me so much of my brother and I when we were little. Ella wanted to badly to love and hug on Austin, but he didn't want much to do with it. They were so full of energy and so so MERRY!

Sweet Sisterly Love

2011-10-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

I had the sweet pleasure of photographing these two adorable sisters last weekend! They were so sweet together, and we even had a fun time, getting some pictures with their dad, grandparents' and dog too!

Tuesday Treasure

2011-09-27T09:14:00.001-07:00

Titus 3:4-5

But when the kindness and love of God our savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

A Fashionable Cause: Fashion Show and Benefit

2011-09-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

Having a safe warm bed at night, is something that I have often overlooked as a blessing. I do know that life doesn't always turn out as planned, and something such as the death of a spouse, or loss of a job and numerous other circumstances, can leave one homeless and on the streets.

Prescott Area Women's Shelter provides a safe place to rest nightly for woman and children. PAWS currently accommodates 22 guests, seven days a week.

When Jenny Bacon, owner of Nyla'D Salon and Boutique contacted me about photographing a fashion show and silent auction benefit, to raise support for such a wonderful organization, I was eager to help. The benefit had an amazing turnout and raised much support for PAWS.

Other local businesses like Livy Lou's, Salon St. Martin, Buckle, Manzanita Outdoor, Jenny Longhorn and Heart and Soul, provided the models and hair and makeup.

Below are a few pictures from this wonderful evening!

The Bravest Family I know

2011-09-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

We will all face challenges over our lifetime. Whether we choose to face those challenges head on with a positive outlook, or allow them to negatively influence our perspectives, defines our character. This is why I think of Charlie and his parents' to be the bravest family I know. Charlie has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. DMD is not what defines his life. When I think of Charlie, I think of strength in integrity, love of laughter, and beauty in character. Charlie is only fifteen years old, yet I admire him so much.

Below are a few pictures from our family vacation this summer. Oh what a special time we had, and this in particular was an evening I will never forget.

Christmas in September

2011-09-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

I can almost hear the Christmas carols now, the sweet smells of fragrant spices, and the shopping malls packed with feverish shoppers. Christmas will be here sooner than we think, just in time to schedule family Christmas portraits!

As a sweet September special, I am offering 20% of all prints orders, if you book this month.

Hey, if you are really sweet, I may just through in a little something extra!

please contact me at: ristowgroup@yahoo.com

Tuesday Treasure: Thankful

2011-08-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

Psalm 100: 4

"Enter his gates with thankgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name."

Just wanted to share a little print I made. I am so incredibly thankful to my Lord, my God. His love

endures forever.

The Hartman Family

2011-08-20T16:12:00.000-07:00

Two years ago I photographed the Hartman family for the first time. They were my very first clients. In fact, they were the first people I ever asked to photograph, besides my son, hubby and my dog! LOL!

I remember it was raining that afternoon, and I was so nervous about photographing them that at one point I called Chris to try call it off. Well the sunshine came out, and we went for it!

I can not believe how much Montana has changed since that time. She was such a baby then, and now she seems so mature, and will soon be four. We had a wonderful afternoon, at the beautiful Granite Creek Vineyards, and then even had a dress up session at the end of our time, at a local church near by.

Tuesday Treasure

2011-08-16T22:12:00.000-07:00

Mathew 6:21

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be."

More pictures to come of this sweet face and her family soon!

Miss. Cambria: Newborn Photography

2011-08-10T21:33:00.000-07:00

When Cambria's mommy contacted me about taking newborn pictures, I was a little nervous. Cambria is over four months old, and most newborn's are photographed within the first two weeks. She surprised me and was amazingly easy to photograph, in her sweet dreamy state, thanks to her mother's nurturing ways. Cambria was just so precious, and such a beautiful blessing to work with!

The Butler Family

2011-08-07T20:35:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of photographing the Butler family. We met up at an old run down motor lodge, and went from there. The Butler family was so much fun to photograph! Autumn warned me ahead of time, that she and Dustin are not photogenic, but I think they were totally perfect and beautiful! Their son Luke, is my son's best buddy from school. Luke's little sister Lily was just a doll too! I loved the light we had at the end of our shoot!

Owen Turned Two!!!!!!!!!

2011-07-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

This little cutie just celebrated his second birthday! Owen and his family were photographed by me last fall, and his mommy contacted me to schedule a shoot for him in honor of his birthday. Owen is not only adorable, but he is so sweet too. He reminded me so much of my son, when he was that age; so busy and so full of energy! ALL BOY!!!!!!!!! Love it!

Heather and Jon: Married!

2011-07-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

I would love to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Jon Rocha!

Heather and Jon were the sweetest couple to photograph on their wedding day! Their love for one another was so beautiful to witness and to capture. We spent this magical evening at Granite Creek Vineyards in Chino Valley, Arizona, and it was the perfect place. The love, joy and fun was not dampened despite, the huge rain storm that came. Before they were united as one, here's a little recap of the day.

Happy Saturday!

2011-07-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

This week I have been editing photos from Heather and Jon's wedding last Saturday. I came across this picture yesterday, and I just had to laugh. I love everyone's different and unique expressions, and will have plenty more to share in a few days!

JoAnne and Matt's Maternity Session

2011-07-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

The Golleher family is just about the sweetest family I have met. They are expecting little Lucy this September, and I am so excited for them. We had the perfect afternoon, after a monsoon storm, to capture their beautiful family and JoAnne's adorable bump!

McNally Wedding

2011-06-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

You may remember this couple from their engagement shoot, and their awesome K-9 Officer, "Ike."

These two love-birds were married last month, and had their wedding reception at The Hassayampa Inn.

Veronica and Dave are such a playful couple, and what could be more fun than getting flirty with an old piano. I love Veronica's facial expressions in these shots!

The Wiggins Family

2011-06-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening I had the great privilege of photographing the Wiggins family. You may remember their beautiful faces from a shoot we did last summer. Last year we dealt with some extremely rough weather elements, extreme winds and overcast skies. This time, we had an amazing evening of beautiful skies!

Oh Happy Spring

2011-05-31T10:12:00.000-07:00

I was so excited for Spring that I just had to take the kids out for a little photo shoot. I was actually working on a secret Mother's Day gift, so I have been holding off posting these pictures, for quite a while. Here's just a few from our time!

For the Children..................

2011-05-22T16:22:00.000-07:00

Jen Harvey, Vice President of MOMS Club of Prescott asked me a few months ago if I would be interested in participating in a charity shoot, to raise money, for the Arizona Children's Association. This association helps to provide medical care to children, from families whom cannot afford to do so. With so many families struggling by financial burden and recent state budget cuts, many children are without medical care.

This shoot was on the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend. As a mother, it was a blessing to be able to give back, in some small way. I spent the afternoon with eight families, from MOMS Club, doing mini sessions.

We enjoyed a beautiful afternoon, with much laughter, joy and love! Here are just a few from that day!

It's a Wrap

2011-05-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

School is just about done for the semester, and I can hardly wait! We were asked to create a montage with images representing ourselves, and were not allowed to use a photo of ourself do create this.

It took me a while to figure out how I wanted to create this. Now that it is done, I actually love it. Not because I am some amazing designer, but because I think it defines who I am and my passions as a mother, wife, and daughter of Christ.

Heather and Jon: Engagement Shoot

2011-04-29T19:02:00.000-07:00

For Jon, it was not just another Sunday. This was the day he was going to ask Heather to be his wife. It was not the detailed plans he had in his mind, but instead it was the tugging on his heart, that he knew God was telling him "today."

Heather and Jon will be getting married this July at Granite Creek Vineyards, and I am honored to be photographing their vows to each other.

We had so much fun shooting their engagement at Goldwater Lake, and then in downtown Prescott! Here are a few from our time together!

Heather and Jon Engaged: Sneak Peek

2011-04-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

I have been a bad, bad, blogger, so I thought I would post this picture of Heather and Jon. We shot their engagement session last week, and I will be posting more pictures this week! Can't wait!

Nyla D' Salon and Boutique

2011-03-31T16:56:00.000-07:00

Jenny Bacon and the ladies of Nyla D' Salon and Boutique are always so much fun for me to photograph! Not only are they all beautiful, but they are incredibly talented too! Here's a few shots from our shoot last Sunday!

Eleven Years Ago

2011-03-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

Eleven years ago today, Randy and I went on our first date. It was a lunch date at Ruby's Diner in Yorba Linda. I can remember it like yesterday; he had chicken fingers and I had a grilled chicken salad. When we went to say "goodbye," I asked him for a hug. It's not those details that I remember so vividly, but rather the fact that I knew that I loved him and hoped to be his wife.

I was 19 years old then, and less than a year and a half later, I became his bride.

I never thought of myself as the type to be married so young. In fact, before I met him, I had no intentions of getting married, until I finished college and was well into my career. God transformed my heart completely. Randy was like no man I had ever met. He was the kindest, most humble, God loving man, and I could not help but fall so deeply in love with him. Not to mention he was so CUTE too!

This summer we will be celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary. Sometimes, it seems like just yesterday we became husband and wife. Other times, I can not remember my life without him. Over the last eleven years we have shared together much love, laughter, sorrow, joy, heartache, and God's amazing grace. I am so thankful that God has given me such a beautiful man to experience life with, and I look forward to what God has planned for us.

photos by Melissa of Gartner Photography. www.gartnerphotography.com

Color Crush : Yellow

2011-03-12T18:58:00.000-08:00

With spring still officially a few weeks away, I can't help but be really excited about these warm yummy colors. The weather has been brilliantly warm, and I know not to get too excited because, snow storms and cold weather, are both still yet to come! Thank you to Jennifer from Style Your Life blog, for posting these delightful finds!

http://www.styleyourlifeblog.com/2011/03/color-crush-yellow.html