Archives for 2023

If there is one thing I’ve learned from talking to dozens of photographers over the years, it’s that movement makes magic in family photos. It is the key to getting beautiful photos. Moving is also a great way to capture the things that make life special – like secret handshakes, dancing, running, and playing.

In our most recent family photos, we made movement our main focus. It was a rainy afternoon in the mountains of Utah, but that didn’t stop us from having fun! My 4-inch heels may have been a mistake to hike in, but I love the way the photos turned out. So, here are three magical moments created by movement:

Secret Handshake

My husband and daughter have a secret handshake. It was her idea after she saw The Parent Trap for the first time. She created every step and I love it. It’s so cute and brings a huge smile to my face every time they do it. So, we insisted our photographer capture this sweet moment in time.

We will treasure these photos forever. Hopefully, they will keep doing their secret handshake forever too!

Play with Your Kids

We really made an effort to play with our kids like we would if we were on a nature walk. We were singing songs, spinning around, trying to make them laugh. All of this made for the cutest and most genuine smiles. I also love the way movement in a photo makes you feel. It makes everything come alive for me.

Twirl in the Dress

If you wear a dress, you’ve got to twirl in it. I don’t care if you’re 5 or 65! It makes for the prettiest photos. There’s something so magic about movement. Even if your photographer doesn’t suggest it, I would tell them you would like to do a couple of twirling photos. For a 6-year-old, there is also nothing more fun than spinning around in your new dress and sparkly princess shoes.

Family Hug Photo

In our family, we do a family hug before bed every night. It was so sweet when my daughter yelled “family hug” during the photo session. Now, we get to remember this special moment in time. I suggest every family do one “family hug” photo because they are just so full of love.

Just Move

It feels odd when you start making movement a priority in photos simply because so many of us are used to the sit perfectly still and smile type of photoshoot. I promise the results of movement will be worth the tiny bit of awkwardness you may feel. Movement in family photos creates magic. Copy some of my ideas here if you need ideas and let us know how it goes! Happy family photo season!

We just got back from the most relaxing anniversary trip. Punta Mita, Mexico was our location of choice. We booked a stay at the St. Regis Punta Mita and it really is the best resort in Mexico. It had been years since either Sam or I had been to Mexico, but we heard great things about this place. It completely exceeded our expectations and I’ll tell you why. (By the way, we paid for everything on our trip, none of this is sponsored. It is my honest review).

It’s so Peaceful

The resort itself is situated 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. You get completely out of this busy tourist area. The resort is in a private and gated peninsula featuring gorgeous landscaping and fun walking paths and trails. I felt very safe.

The Food Was Off the Charts Amazing

Having lived in this area for two years in his 20s, my husband was very picky about the food. He was just hoping it would live up to the amazing Mexican cuisine he experienced while living there. Fantastic news – it did! From the chilaquiles for breakfast, to the al pastor tacos and churros, everything was excellent. It was very obviously freshly made and super high quality. We ventured into town one night for dinner and decided the food was so good at the resort we never needed to leave again haha. The freshly caught seafood was my personal favorite, as you can watch the fishing boat bring in all of the daily fish early in the morning on the beach. I could talk for days about all of the delicious meals we had – just do not miss the al pastor or the fresh guacamole! The food was off-the-charts amazing! It just solidified that it really is the best resort in Mexico.

Every Guest Has a Butler

It’s fancy! But in the best way. We had a butler available to us 24 hours a day. It was so nice. They made restaurant reservations, brought us towels at the hot tub, and just generally answered all of our questions. Each night our room was decorated (tastefully) to celebrate our anniversary. It made the trip feel really special. Plus, the butlers were all so kind! Sam speaks Spanish, so he loved learning about their personal lives and getting to know each one.

It’s Immaculate

I took so many photos because every inch is just beautiful. We stayed in a villa and it was gorgeous! A giant main bedroom with a huge porch overlooking the ocean. Then a giant bathroom with a stunning outdoor shower. The resort and beach were so clean.

The Service is Unmatched

I’ve never stayed anywhere with such a high level of service. It seemed like someone was always bringing me something or asking to help. My favorite was the snacks they would pass out on the beach every day – including the best pineapple and coconut popsices! The employees were so kind and we loved getting to know them better. They work so hard and made the experience so memorable. The best service at the best resort in Mexico.

It’s Private

It was such a great choice for an anniversary trip because it’s so private and quiet. We never ran into other people at the pools or hot tubs. There were only a handful of other people on the entire beach. It felt very private because of the peninsula the resort is on. No one is selling you things at the beach or bothering you, like they typically are at other Mexican resorts. If you are in need of rest and relaxation, it’s the perfect place!

We can’t wait to go back. The St. Regis Punta Mita is the best resort in Mexico. You can get more information on the resort here.