michellelehnardtphotography »

this is what I love

curls in eyes, ducking under branches, whispered secrets, kisses on Main Street, twirling for joy, dancing on tippy toes, gathering dandelions and fresh, true smiles. More than an event, I want to capture the moment; I want you to see what love looks like.

May 14, 2011

boys and chicks

Every morning, every evening, the chicks are just a little different. Their necks stretch a bit longer; a few more feathers sprout on their wings.

about a week ago

The favorite joke around here these days:

“Why are chicks so easy to buy?”

“Because they’re cheep, cheep, cheep!”

The kids adore them, and the little ones especially will disappear for an hour scrambling to catch the chicks, sing to them and play games that only fresh minds understand.

Yes, they are still living in my bathroom– a fact that makes everyone laugh when they visit– “You really have chickens in the bathtub?”

I do.

We wanted to get a photo of them drinking (because it’s so unbelievably cute) but they took a bird bath instead.

two weeks ago and today

BACK TO TOP CONTACT ME EMAIL POST TO FRIEND

no comments

add a comment

link to this post

May 14, 2011

you might accuse me

of raising chicks just for all the photographic possibilities.

And that would be completely fair. I think it was this photo last fall that got my gears spinning:

no worries neighbors– we’re not getting a rooster

and Gabe’s birthday photos sealed the deal.

But I don’t just love them for their looks. We’ve found ourselves in the midst of a growing trend of urban chickens. One friend after another has confessed their interest in hens’ cheery personalities, gardening prowess and delectable fresh eggs. Have you ever tasted the difference between a fresh egg and store-bought? It’s like the difference between grocery tomatoes and straight off the vine.

Ah, who am I kidding? Who cares about bug-free gardens and omelettes? It’s all about the cute factor.

BACK TO TOP CONTACT ME EMAIL POST TO FRIEND

no comments

add a comment

link to this post

May 14, 2011

winter maternity

I’ve promised myself that I won’t complain about images from my old camera; it was a sweet little rebel and took beautiful photos. But, I was ready to throw it in the snow on this shoot. It sputtered and stalled so much that Sarah– a fellow photog visiting from New Jersey– offered to get her camera out of the car.

Ah– but I was happy with the results….

Sarah says she’s not photogenic. I don’t want to call her a liar, but…….this is how she looks after a tear-filled, emotional day of visiting family and driving her kids all over Northern Utah. She came to my house, rifled through her suitcase, threw on a dress over her jeans, fluffed her hair with her fingers and she looks like this. Please don’t hate her.

Did I mention she’s expecting her 5th child in January? You don’t even want to see her gorgeous, skinny legs.

BACK TO TOP CONTACT ME EMAIL POST TO FRIEND

no comments

add a comment

link to this post

April 14, 2011

backbends

Always one to expand my creative limits, my friend Chelle asked me to take yoga photos of her for her husband’s birthday. After lurking on yoga-photography websites(which I never even knew existed before) I told Chelle, “It’s all about you– in the photos where the subject held back there’s no magic. You have to put it out there.” And she did. Oh my. I think Chris will like these.

One of my favorite qualities about Chelle (and I have a pretty long list) is the way she speaks about Chris– always loving, always respectful and quite often like a giddy-young-in-love teenager. We all know that years of marriage and children can stretch heavily on the fabric of marriage and I love the way Chelle keeps the romance fresh and vibrant. She inspires me to do the same.

BACK TO TOP CONTACT ME EMAIL POST TO FRIEND

no comments

add a comment

link to this post

April 14, 2011

Brett & Claudia

A fateful wrong turn led me to this jewel of an orchard tucked right in the heart of Salt Lake City. Within minutes, I’d staked out a photo shoot, struck a deal with the owner and talked my friend Claudia into modeling for me.

Brett told me he isn’t photogenic. I think he lied.

18 years of marriage. 6 kids. Pretty fabulous.