Noelle Lara Photography

McCoy Family

2012-02-06T15:07:00.000-08:00

McCoy Family Portraits

2011

Kim, Sean, Austin, and Alexis

Audrey & Justin

Alexis told everyone she wanted the L for "Lexi."

Please click on this to see it larger. The kids made great "Eww, get a room!" faces for me.

I love how this shot turned out. It is dynamite.

Austin gave me such great facials. I loved so many of his portraits.

We came to this chess board and Audrey very smartly grabbed some rocks to be the playing pieces.

The kids were totally into it. They talked to each other about turns and how moving this or that piece made them win. It was awesome. No instruction, they just went for it.

They were content to hang out here for a while and I just kept shooting.

I just thought this white lettuce-like plant was very charming.

When we got close to this Austin kept asking when he could climb it. So Lexi joined in and they made a great shot.

Jensen Family 2011

2012-01-10T11:57:00.000-08:00

We met at Freestone Park for lots of family photos.

I love the look on Grandpa's face here. It's tender and affectionate.

The baby was so tired. She couldn't handle it anymore.

So if you look closely, you'll notice she fell asleep. How cute is that?

I love these! Turned out so great.

Cousins!

The Jensens

I just thought we'd throw that in there. For fun, you know.

Look at those eyes. Everything about this photo makes me happy.

Some side entertainment.

And a copycat.

Look at her smile. So cute. And little boy on the bottom left looks giddy. I love it.

Graduation 2011

2011-12-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

These awesome planes flew over us.

Sylvia graduated from University of Phoenix.

She had so many people come to support her. =)

When we tried jumping photos Sylvia's sister ran to join in the fun.

Three is her favorite number, so we toyed with the sign.

Congratulations, Sylvia!

Downs Christmas Photos

2011-11-26T11:18:00.001-08:00

We had fun toting goldfish crackers for incentive to smile for the camera for Wyatt.

I love repeat customers. Can you believe Wyatt is 2 now??

He was very free with the kisses. What a guy.

And of course he smiled GREAT when Mom and Dad were in front of him making him laugh. Thank you, Downs, for another great shoot.

Fine Art Photography: Violin

2011-11-20T13:57:00.001-08:00

I had an afternoon with my violin and I really like how the images turned out.

These images are for sale in 5X7 and 8X10 on Baryta Glossy Fine Art Paper here.

Boutique

2011-11-16T10:21:00.001-08:00

On Saturday I will be at a Holiday Boutique booking appointments and selling art prints. Come join me on Center between Main and University and get going on your holiday shopping! Hope to see you there.

Christmas Season

2011-11-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

Giveaway

2011-10-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

October is almost over and I know lots of Moms out there are beginning to stress about Christmas photos. Let me help you.

My good friend Ali is having a week of giveaways leading up to her birthday and today she is featuring my free mini photo shoot!

Go check it out and enter.

Show her some birthday love. You have until November 5 to enter.

You could win your Christmas card photos.

If you do not win I can certainly still book a session with you. Family portraits are $125 up to 10 people. Each person after that is an additional $15.

Chris and Kaylee

2011-10-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

Here is more of this bright, happy couple.

To see the rest of these photos click here.

Light Experiment

2011-09-16T10:59:00.000-07:00

You've heard that when you take a picture outside it should be in the shade, right?

I have examples of why that is:

These are straight-out-of-the-camera. No computer tweaking.

Full sun, front lit.

Full sun, side lit. See the harsh shadows?

Full sun, side lit.

Full sun, back lit. Red ears.

Full sun, back lit. Beginning to get very upset.

Ahh the shade. Notice how even the lighting is?

Shade, front lit.

Shade, side lit.

Can you tell that the right side of her face is lighted and the left is a little darker? But there is no hard line between. It has a feathered transition.

Shade, side lit.

Her tear is so sad but I am happy it caught it with the camera. It makes this image Is that mean?

Shade, side lit.

I included this one because it is so typical of Upset Valette, except it's usually both hands.

Shade, back lit.

Notice the glowing hair.

Shade, back lit.

This outfit is one that I wore as a baby, so this shoot also served the double purpose of documenting her in it.

And just for fun I thought I would show a simple retouch.

Before:

After:

Because of the great lighting I didn't need to change much. I warmed the colors (see how above photo is slightly blue), lightened the eyes, and fixed her skin blemishes.

Example Two.

Before:

After:

Again, all I did was warm the colors and brighten the eyes. Then I increased the exposure on just her skin. (Increased exposure = lightened for non-photo readers.)

What do you think? Are you fully converted to open shade photos?

Chris & Kaylee Preview

2011-09-10T16:50:00.000-07:00

Chris and Kaylee were sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple in August.

I am particularly pleased with this one. It is a great view.

50mm

2011-08-29T19:38:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to experiment with a Canon 50mm f1.4 lens.

I want to buy one very soon.

Smile.

I am very pleased with this black and white.

...aaand a successful sun flare.

At the Temple

2011-07-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

The Horners were sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Go here to learn more on this.

Perfection.

Mason

2011-07-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

Mason is a chunk. He was very easy going and I enjoyed his photoshoot.

He has the exact same hair his sister had when she was tiny.

I love his blue eyes.

And here she is! Avery is so big now. Two years old!

I love this perspective. So sweet.

At 5 Months Old

2011-07-14T14:57:00.000-07:00

6-22-11

This shot is perfection. Thank you.

My daughter, Valette. I love this face.

***

To enter my giveaway of a FREE portrait session click here.

A Giveaway By Me

2011-07-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

I am hosting a giveaway of a free portrait session on my family blog. Follow me here and then click over to enter. All you have to do is a leave a comment, and followers get a second entry. Check it out.

Girl Power

2011-07-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

Bobbie and her family came from Arkansas for a visit and she looked me up to do their portraits. How cool is that?!!

Since they were from out of town she requested we go where there are plenty of cactus. What a unique thing to look for specifically.

Both of these girls were more than ready to model. Like it came right out of a magazine.

Lucky me.

I had a great time. Thanks for looking me up, Bobbie.

Anna & Bismark

2011-06-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

Remember this lovely?

I realized that I forgot to post more of this wedding.

Anna and Bismark were married in March and they have such a cute family.

Just look at that face. So sweet.

and this beauty. She wanted those flowers SO BADLY.

Spring

2011-06-18T10:48:00.000-07:00

I took these when my new camera first came, and then promptly forgot about them.

I just LOVE the perspective on this image!

I had a few free minutes this morning so I went hunting my computer for some fun photos I could play with.

Isabella

2011-06-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

She was a delight to photograph. She was happy the whole time and smiled so much. There is something to be said for photographing children who aren't mobile yet. ;>

Look at those bright eyes.

So expressive.

I am REALLY PROUD of this image. It is awesome.

Hunter Family

2011-05-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

We had a great time shooting this. The weather was great and there were happy clouds. (Bob Ross the painter anyone? "Happy Trees")

We took these photos for Chloe's 2nd birthday. She had a grand ole time.

Currently...

2011-04-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

I am loving this photo from a wedding that I'm editing right now.

Summyr & David

2011-03-30T18:49:00.000-07:00

This is another photoshoot that I should have posted long ago.

These were their Christmas card photos.

Introducing:

2011-03-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

My daughter Valette, born January 2011

Downs Family

2011-02-21T17:31:00.000-08:00

I have been neglecting this blog. I promise I had photoshoots up til the end of the year.

These were their Christmas card pictures.

The hay and the sunlight were absolutely PHENOMENAL. I love these photos.

Look at his excited face. Happy.

Aiden

2010-11-10T19:30:00.000-08:00

He smiled really well when his dad would sing to him. So giddy.

We had a great sunset and I love the water with it.

This one makes me smile. The colors area fun and his expression makes me smile.

good times.

What a fun and unique family picture. I love it.

Sergio Turned One

2010-10-25T21:16:00.000-07:00

I have at least two pictures of this super happy rolled tongue face.

How cute is that?!?

This one is my favorite. I LOVE him looking out over the water.

And the texture and contrast, mwah.

See? Look at him. He's such a babe.

Even cute when he's upset. His eyes are so intense.

Look at those cheeks. Sergio smiled so well when he laughed.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

2010-09-03T21:11:00.000-07:00

This is Norma, Audrey, and Silvia, left to right:

These ladies gave me some great poses and facials. We had a good time even though it was hot out.

I love this one. The color and the expressions are fabulous. Bonus: it was totally candid. Perfect.

I love the silver/gray backdrop for this. It put great color in the photo and bounced a ton of light.

Ninja. Norma looks particularly viscous. Don't mess.

Look! Matching pedicures.

This is the Mesa Arts Center. I was so excited that we came when the fountain was running. It makes for such a great setting.

I honestly have to pat myself on the back for this one. The composition is absolutely perfect. Not a single thing is out of place and everything that I would want seen, is.

I truly love it.

And do you see what I mean about posing? Audrey has some serious hip action goin' on. Suh-weet.

Downs Family

2010-08-05T19:59:00.001-07:00

The last time I photographed these two, Baby Wyatt was still inside.

He is now 8 1/2 months old and super cute. He was asleep when we started the shoot, so we did some of just Rachael and Jeff.

I'm really quite pleased with this one. Love the water fall in the background.

and here's Wyatt. He smiled really well for Jeff...not so well for me. But still he looks cute in a picture.

Rachael and Jeff look so great in this one. So happy.

Love this.

I love this moment.

This was his best smile for me, sadly Jeff was behind me making this smile, rather than in the picture.

just hahaha. that is all.

So tender.

Architecture

2010-07-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

I took these at the end of June and really like how they turned out.

Please Enjoy.

An April Wedding

2010-05-26T17:36:00.000-07:00

Justin married Desiree on April 24, 2010 in the Columbia River Temple in Washington.

There were so many people with cameras that they are looking in hardly any of them. With this one I am glad they aren't looking at me though =)

I love this one. It is basically perfection. Mmmm. Black and White.

Happy Bride and Groom.

At the reception.

LOVE.

Mother's Day Portraits

2010-05-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

left to right: Maile, Hannah, Malu

These girls are so much fun. We laughed and laughed for the whole photo shoot.

I love that frame. It was fun to try and fit THREE faces in there.

Jon and Amanda

2010-05-07T22:16:00.000-07:00

Meet Jon and Amanda

This is their Mother's Day gift. So glad I was able to be a part of it.

Adria--Part Three

2010-04-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

This one is definitely my FAVORITE so far.

It is just a moment in time. They are tiny for such a short period and I feel like she looks itty bitty here, and so content, and curious of her surroundings.

I love this one too. It is very similar and just as sweet.

She has so many expressions.

...including enjoying sticking her tongue out...

She is beautiful. That is all there is to it.

Adria--Part Two

2010-03-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

Look! She laughs! It's beautiful.

I love those little toes. This image is just plain fun.

Even in black and white you can tell that her eyes are intense.

I think this is sweet. It's not idealistic, but hey, real babies cry. I like that Celeste's hand is in it.

This makes me happy. She is so sweet and tender.

And oh the texture.

Adria--Part One

2010-03-14T22:46:00.000-07:00

Adria was born in January, and I took these 2 weeks later. I still have tons more to edit. But here is a small preview. She is absolutely beautiful.

I had a little fun with this one. Cute cute touch of color.

Aren't those just the sweetest feet? I find it funny that all these babies put their feet together like this. Just natural for them somehow.

She has the most beautiful dark blue eyes.

I love her. You can too. ;>

Just a Few More

2010-02-20T17:01:00.001-08:00

His smile is so tight. Every time. He just could not stop squinting his eyes. CUTE.

I liked the chair, I need to start doing more with it.

Joycelyn--Part Three

2010-02-11T20:20:00.001-08:00

I'm loving the texture and magazine-esque-ness of this one.

The next two look like magazine ads too. I love it. =)

Her expression is totally far away. Like my camera doesn't even exist.

Just. Wow.

I loved this project. Thank you Joycelyn. I very much enjoyed it, and look forward to more.

Joycelyn--Part Two

2010-01-30T16:13:00.001-08:00

This might be my very favorite of the group. At least for now. Perfect facial expression and a very interesting back drop. Love. It.

This one is also wonderful. I like the angle. I love black and white. I love bricks. It is fabulous.

Joycelyn has a great smile.

This hay made the most surprising absolutely wonderful place to shoot. I loved it. A little messy, but a ton of fun. Yay for texture.

I love the ladder.

The car seemed like it would be such a fun place to be, but it was SO sunny right there. It was hard to get the shots. But I still enjoy them.

So much fun.

Joycelyn--Part One

2010-01-23T21:09:00.001-08:00

Joycelyn is a Senior of 2010. She is super talented and loves to help wherever she can.

She was also awesome enough to ask me to do her Senior Portraits. =) Thank you, Joycelyn!

We had a great time, and there are lots more to come.

Wyatt--Part Three

2009-12-31T14:52:00.000-08:00

Sweet sleeping baby.

I really like the lighting and the detail of the chair's texture in this image.

Wyatt--Part Two

2009-12-18T22:08:00.000-08:00

This one is AMAZING! If I do say so myself. I gasped when I saw it--not even kidding. He is darn cute and I love how this image is so simple and sweet.

I love the feet here too. Tender.

Oh tender moment here too. Sweet touch. Love. It.

(ps, his pacifier is yellow--i made it blue, just for fun)

I know I repeat myself, but these turned out so sweet.

He looks like he is laughing and smiling. Happy.

Love.

Wyatt--Part One

2009-12-10T19:10:00.000-08:00

His expression is so funny. I love how this one turned out. The compostition is fabulous.

I absolutely adore this shot! I think the black and white suited it so well. =)

The mirror was DEFINITELY one of my best ideas yet. It turned out so well. He is so sweet.

I love the fluffy blanket-ness. It is so sweet and you can just tell it's soft. I love texture in photographs. It makes them just THAT much more interesting.

This one makes me happy too. Tender focus shot.

Precious.

Thank you Rachael and Jeff for having a beautiful baby and sharing him with me.

Rachael and Jeff--Part Two

2009-12-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

This one was just for fun, but Jeff looks pretty good, doesn't he?

I swear this looks like a magazine add for maternity clothes, and I am not talking about my photography--I am talking about what a babe Rachael is.

Same here. Hello. Beautiful.

(she doesn't even look pregnant...I had to turn her sideways)

"When I Am Baptized"

2009-11-24T21:02:00.000-08:00

I like to look for rainbows,

whenever there is rain.

And ponder on the beauty

Of an Earth made clean again.

I want my life to be as clean

As earth right after rain.

I want to be the best I can,

And live with God again.

With this in mind, I was able to create these, and a bunch more. But these were the best of the group, I think.

This one is my absolute favorite of all of them. The colors turned out wonderful. Please click on it and blow it up. You will not be sorry. I am so proud of it. Learning the Photoshop and other programs this past year has been one of the best decisions for my career in photography. Thank you, Eric, for suggesting and supporting me throughout this learning experience.

This one is also fabulous. The water looks absolutely perfect. And even though it is flowing fast, it feels serene to me.

Since there was no rain, I had to create a rainbow. I think it turned out rather well...even if it is upside-down ;>

The composition of this one makes me quite happy. Great S-curve. It is happy.

Ponder on the beauty of an Earth made clean again.

What do you think?

Rachael and Jeff--Part One

2009-11-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

I took these on 11-7-09, Rachael was actually due on 11-12-09 but today she is still pregnant. Bummer. But we had fun doing this maternity shoot and I think they came out great.

This was my first time trying out a prop. I had fun making a few images with it, and when I brought it, this was the one I had in mind: so precious.

I think this one is a great spotlight on Jeff. Very sweet.

And I just love the dots. I know it's kind of a funny idea to just include Jeff's legs here. But artistically I thought this shot was absolutely fabulous. Cute and fun.

Thank you Rachael and Jeff for the fun afternoon of shooting and great shots. You look fabulous. As always.

Avery Part Three

2009-11-09T16:51:00.002-08:00

This is Kathy, Avery's mom. She was awesome enough to ASK me to take Avery's pictures. How fabulous is that? Thank you.

Also, doesn't Avery look SO peaceful and relaxed here? Seriously.

I love the distance and the bulge of the cushion in this one. It totally makes the image for me. Savvy.

Check out that hair!!! It has some serious personality. Love it.

I'm lovin the feet shots, I had to keep telling myself not to display quite so many. It is just so precious. Love them.

Avery Part Two

2009-10-28T20:50:00.001-07:00

Blogger is being slow so I only have time for three tonight, but they are still good. Love this baby.

Isn't this sweet? It really did calm her down to have a familiar hand touching her. This shot turned out beautiful.

This is one of my favorites of the whole bunch. She was looking right at me, and the setting/props turned out wonderful. I love it.

Avery Part One

2009-10-21T00:22:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of fun with this baby. She is such a good girl, and very happy as long as someone is holding her, this produced a challenge for getting happy pictures without the pacifier. But they are all cute and it went very well overall. Thank you, Kathy for letting me photograph your baby!

With my Free Time

2009-10-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how little free time there is. How precious it is. Today I finished something earlier than I had expected and thought, "wow, I could go edit some pictures just because. I think I will." So I just picked some favorites, and had fun with them.

Enjoy.

There was more I could have done to this one, but Eric's photoshop program is faulty, only some of the features work. Maybe I'll come back to this one again soon.

Eric and I are saving up to buy a desktop Mac and Adobe programs. We are very excited and very impatient. It will be a great investment. =) ...not to mention fun to play with.

The Mesa Arts Center

2009-10-13T19:47:00.000-07:00

Want to know what me and my friend Olympus have been up to lately? I'll show you. Photoshop was invited too, because when I took these, it was getting dark, so he helped me out considerably.

I hope you don't get dizzy easily, this one may be odd. But I find it entertaining.

This one is my favorite of the series. I really lowered the saturation, it's not quite black and white, but it looks very stone-y. I definitely love it.

2009-06-29T21:10:00.000-07:00

This tiny shot does not do it justice. I love this photo. All of the small details work to create an amazing whole: the tracks in the dirt, her face turned back, the dog following, the sun in the distance, the lens flare. It's one of my best yet--especially of a child. But this one is easy to work with--this is my niece Shelby, she is beautiful and never tells me no when I want to take her picture, what a fabulous subject! Enjoy. I certainly do.

First Try

2009-06-23T23:48:00.000-07:00

My background is in darkroom photography and film cameras. I want to be a portrait photographer so I know that digital is the way to go, so I am just barely learning the Photoshop program, and later I will expand to Adobe Lightroom and Aperture programs. This is my very first edit on Photoshop ever, I really like how it turned out.