Ward Family Photos

I would say this was one of my best family sessions yet! Being a family photographer is so entertaining because I love to see the different dynamics. It also tips it over when I have the most gorgeous families ever!

Aralie Rae Photography specializes in bold, colorful, and timeless newborn, family, and child photography in Pleasant Grove, Utah and surrounding areas including but not limited to Provo, Alpine, Orem, Lehi, Cedar Hills, Highland and American Fork. Let me help you capture pictures that will be passed on for generations! Utah County kid Photographer | Alpine Family Photography | Utah County Kid Photographer | Utah Newborn Photographer | Utah Family Photographer | Utah County Family Photographer | Pleasant Grove Family Photographer | Best Child Photographer Utah County | Best Family Photographer Utah County | Utah County Child Photographer | Utah County Photography Studio | Lehi Child Photographer 

10 Things a Professional Photographer (and Mother) Wants You to Know

My professional head shot!

1.  We ARE professional photographers

Being a photographer in Utah (the most over-saturated market in the US) telling people I am a photographer has them thinking I am just doing it to pay for groceries or to make a little side money. This is far from the truth. Yes, we have a lot of mom ‘togs, but to the surprise of many, some of us are professionals! We are licensed and insured and make a livable salary! 

2. We like working

I love my kids. They give me life, just like I gave theirs. Yet, sometimes, I like to be away from them. Working gives me time to be myself and work on me!

3. We pay taxes

Once a year, I do my taxes just like anyone else. Between sales tax, federal and state, I pay the government 30% of my earnings.

4.  We have two full-time jobs 

My first full-time job is being a mom. No matter if I am working full-time on my photography, the hours for motherhood still come out to well above 80 hours a week. Between night time-feedings and early morning bathroom rushes, I am always on the clock. Balancing motherhood and photography is hard, but they are both my callings in life. Why shouldn’t I do both? 

5.  Not all our pictures are professional pictures

I take phone pictures just like anyone else. No, my composition and my lighting aren’t great. I just like to capture the moment. The amount of phone pictures surpasses my professional pictures. Not to say I don’t take professional pictures of my kids, because I very much think it’s necessary, but more to say I love capturing those imperfect shots as well.

The two images above are some of my favorites of my boys and they were taken with my phone!

I really wanted a smiling, excited picture for his new big brother status. Did. not. happen.

6.  Our kids are difficult to take pictures of too! (We get it).

I’ll let you on a little secret. I totally bribe my kids. No, it doesn’t always work. Yes, there are lots of tears, but I still push through just as I would do for anyone’s child or family portraits. Being a child and family photographer I get the best of both worlds because I get to practice on my kids even when they are naughty!

 

My quaint home. I love it and no it’s not a mansion, but my salary from my photography helps pay for it!

7.  Even though our prices are high, we are not rich (but so what if we are)

My average investment is over $1,500, but you know what? I am worth it! My craft has taken over 10 years to build and I proud of my work. People get beautiful artwork along with a great experience and sometimes a new friend (I’m very outgoing)! And even though you may spend hundreds of dollars on your session, that does not mean I am rich or that you are getting cheated out of your money. My pricing reflects not only the time we spend together during our session, but pre and post session work, hours of editing, self-education, cost of running a profitable business, and time spent away from my kids.

8. We hone our craft

It might seem like we are know-it-alls when it comes to photography, but all of us (well, I hope) are always trying to learn more. We pay thousands a year on workshops and tutorials. We spend hours learning on YouTube university. Photography is like a muscle, either you use it or you lose it.

9.  It’s our passion, but still a job

I really dislike when I hear “well it’s my passion, that’s why I charge so little”. It might be your passion, just like it is mine, but that does not mean it’s not a job. And even though it’s my passion, somedays I have a hard time wanting to sit down and work instead of, for example, watching Gilmore Girls. Just like a job though, I don’t have a choice. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid.

10. It’s hard 

Most importantly, I want you to know: It’s hard! It’s hard to spend time away from my babies and it’s hard to be a small business owner in a very saturated industry. It’s hard to feel like, no one values your trade. It’s taken a lot of work and discipline to get here and it’s still hard to not give up. But at the end of the day the reward of giving families lasting memories is worth all the headache. 

Aralie Rae Photography specializes in bold, colorful, and timeless newborn, family, and child photography in Pleasant Grove, Utah and surrounding areas including but not limited to Provo, Alpine, Orem, Lehi, Cedar Hills, Highland and American Fork. Let me help you capture pictures that will be passed on for generations! Utah County kid Photographer | Alpine Family Photography | Utah County Kid Photographer | Utah Newborn Photographer | Utah Family Photographer | Utah County Family Photographer | Pleasant Grove Newborn Photographer | Best Child Photographer Utah County | Best Family Photographer Utah County | Utah County Child Photographer | Utah County Photography Studio | Lehi Child Photographer 

Baby Ferrell

Every baby is cute in their own way, but baby Ferrell has a special kind of cuteness. I mean, come on, look at his hair! Newborn photography can be hard because babies don’t sleep well, but with him, it was a breeze. He posed for every photograph seamlessly. If every baby was as good as him, I could die happy!

I Would Carry You 1,000 Miles

On August 13th, 2018 an Orca by the name of J35 finally dropped her dead calf after carrying her 1,000 miles through the span of 17 days. This story made national headlines because this mom mourned with such powerful grief that she literally pushed up her calf to the top of the water for her to breathe every minute.

A mother’s love is an amazing thing. Remembering all the times my mom carried me in my life - she didn’t physically carry me, but I felt the love just the same. Like sophomore year when I was going through a depression. My mom kept my face above water, pushing me every minute to the surface by creating movie nights, getting me out of the house, talking about my problems. She carried me metaphorically for more than what I would consider 1,000 miles.

Another example, not even three weeks ago, calling my mom crying because I have PPD and her just being on the phone with me for over an hour and subsequently calling me every hour that day and 5 times a day over the next day to check in. Keeping my head above water from more than 700 miles away.

Now don’t get me wrong, this is incredible story of persistence from the mother orca and shows what a mother’s love is, but now as a mother, I don’t find it out of the ordinary. Because for my kids, I would carry them 1,000 - 5,000 - any distance, until my legs give out and I can’t go anymore. I would carry them the finite amount of days I have on this earth until I am dead because of my mother’s example.

From now on when my boys ask me how much I love them, a recurring question I had for my mom and a staple between my husband and I, I will say, “I love you so much, I would carry you for more than 1,000 miles and for more than 27 days”.

Can you tell me what you as a mother or what your mother has done to keep your/her kids above water?

Places to Eat While Preggo

I am 3 months post-partum, so I thought I would write about my favorite places to eat while pregnant so my clients can enjoy their pregnancy before they come and see me for their newborn session!

1. In n Out - There are two in Utah Valley and three in Salt Lake Valley

Pretty much the only reason this is on here is because I am a California girl through and through. My babies basically come out addicted to In n Out burgers! 

Perk: When you hunch your back and act like you are in pain from having an extra 40 pounds they give you your shake right then and there! I swear it's some kind of rule they have to be nice to pregnant ladies.

This is my son, I wasn't joking when I said they came out addicted!

2. Cubby's - Literally all over Utah Valley and Salt Lake Valley

Okay, so when I was pregnant I had gall stones. This meant eating out anywhere pretty much impossible, unless I would go to a super-mega-healthy place and to me that's basically eating card board. CUBBY'S TO THE RESCUE! I seriously had the buffalo chicken salad like every other day (my wallet hated me). I just ordered it without the bacon and had minimal blue cheese. 

My friends even threw me my baby shower there! #bestfriends

I personally recommend the Provo or Lehi locations as they have the best service. 

3. Taco Bell

Obvious reasons I don't need to state. Taco Bell is bomb. Everyday at 11pm my husband LITERALLY (not figuratively) went and got me two beefy nacho loaded grillers with extra nacho cheese. 

4. Last but not least: Buffalo Wild Wings

This has nothing to do with the food, but everything to do with the manager at the Lehi (in Utah Valley) location.

Story: As usual on a Thursday, which is 60 cent boneless wing night, there was an hour and a half wait. It's packed and there is no where to sit. I have been standing for about 5 minutes and I'm probably looking uncomfortable. The manager comes out from the kitchen, sees me, and comes over to me and says "No, no, no. You shouldn't be on your feet this long, if no one is going to give up their seat, then we will just have to seat you to eat right now." And he then proceeded to give us the next available table.

Best. Service. EVER. 

I just go there now to support his establishment. 

Side note: when breastfeeding there after having my baby, a waitress came up to me and screams, "Heck ya, you go girl!" Again, LOVE THIS PLACE.

I'm sure you thought this post would be about the most healthy or local places, sorry it didn't turn out that way, but hoped you enjoyed!