I left my heart in Pure Michigan

10.26.11

I know my sister is now rolling her eyes at me…but I love Michigan. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to and I love visiting. I was so excited to have Alex and Paige come with me this time. Even though the weather was awful the days we were there, we still had so much fun.

Here is our trip in a nutshell from my iPhone using my all time favorite app instagram. If you have an iPhone you NEED this app!

So here is our whole trip…Enjoy!

I have even more pictures to come! I went a little camera happy this trip!

xoxo
Tonya

Posted in Personal

by tonyapeterson

Kristin Dye

Your work is AMAZING; as always. I want to be like you when I grow up! Love ya tons!

Shillawna Ruffner

Loved them!!! Did you use a tilt-shift in some or your lens baby? Loved the effect regardless!

tonyapeterson

They were all shot on my iphone using instagram. They have a tiltshift and lensbaby type effect. So fun!

A Beautiful Autumn Shoot in Michigan with Hey Gorgeous Events

10.25.11

In June I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Michigan for a beautiful shoot set up by Rhiannon of Hey Gorgeous Events. Not only did I fall in love with Michigan, but I kinda found my soul sister in Rhi. We had A LOT of time in the car on the way up to Traverse City and I felt like we were BFF’s after the 3 hours trip! The thing I love best about Rhiannon is her deep seeded passion for what she does. She loves her brides and grooms and puts her whole heart into her designs. I can relate because I feel the same passion about the art of photography and capturing beautiful images for my brides and grooms.

Since that shoot in June we have been scheming for the opportunity to work together again. We both loved the idea of doing a fall shoot with a unique color pallet. I cannot think of a better excuse to go to Michigan in the Fall than to visit my dear friend Rhiannon and to do another shoot with her. Another bonus was that we were heading back to Traverse City to work with the ever wonderful Michele from Wine Country Weddings and Events. She works for the company who has hosted both of our shoots and they have lovely properties. Michele and Rhiannon together are crazy fun. I love them both!

Our shoot will be featured in the ever wonderful Wedding Chicks next week, so for now I will give you a little sneak peek of what we were up to! This amazing bouquet was designed by Rhiannon. Hello. I was blown away. Well done friend.

Even though we battled gale force winds and freezing temperatures we still managed to have a wonderful time. And just to prove it here are a few pictures of my 2 favorite girls. Even though the picture on the right of Michele is a little blurry I couldn’t throw it out. I just loved it too much. Bible, I love them! (that bible was for Rhi and Michele.;)You know why!)

I have been so busy the past two months and I literally have 15 blog posts piled up, so get prepared! Up tomorrow is our personal pictures from Michigan. Alex and Paige were able to come with and we got some great shots!

Loves,
Tonya

Posted in Weddings

by tonyapeterson

Rhiannon {Hey Gorgeous}

Eeeek! This post makes my heart so happy. I can hardly believe we were able to do two shoots together this year. You are an amazing photographer and don’t you ever forget it. Love you! xo

Union High Class of 2012 | Aspen

10.24.11

One of the things I love about my job is having customers friends that keep coming back to me for pictures. Such is the case for one of my amazing seniors Aspen. A few years ago I took her sister Tasia’s senior pictures and I was so thrilled when her sweet mom emailed me to do Aspen’s senior pictures as well. We did half of the session at Union High School in Roosevelt and the other half at The Exchange Place in downtown SLC. I love when my seniors from Roosevelt come out to the city to do pictures! So fun.

To see all of Aspen’s senior pictures please click [HERE]

 

 

 

 

Posted in Seniors

by tonyapeterson

Now Booking 2012 Seniors

09.19.11

Summer is winding down in Utah and my favorite season will be upon us soon. Fall is such a magical time of year and I love shooting pictures when the air is crisp and the colors are golden. One of the best sessions to shoot in the late Summer and early Fall are Senior Pictures. I have had countless seniors tell me that they want to wait for Spring to shoot their pictures, but in Utah it doesn’t make much sense. The springs in Utah come so late that it is difficult to get green in your pictures and still have time to send announcements out.  So my suggestion…Take fall pictures!  I am now booking sessions in SLC and the Uintah Basin. I will be in the basin October 4th to the 7th and I only have 4 spots open for pictures.  If you are interested in booking a session please contact me by phone, text or email!

 

 

xoxo,

Tonya

Posted in Seniors

by tonyapeterson

To Whitni

09.11.11

I am not a wonderful writer, and I might never be. So today I am writing straight from the heart, not for my readers, but for me…and my sweet Whitni. About 8 months ago my best friend Whitni was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive ovarian cancer. Although her chances of survival were miniscule she fought with all her might and last Sunday she lost that fight.

Yesterday at the funeral her Dad came up to me and told me that I saved her down in Roswell, but the truth was she saved me. Her and Jared were our only family down there and I would have been so lost without them. I love them both so very much and I can’t wait to see Whitni again someday. Whitni I love you so much. Thank you for being the best friend anyone could have ever had. Thank you for loving Paige like she was your own and lastly thank you for eating all my oreos, bread and butter, cheese puff balls and any other deliciousness we could come up with. I miss you more than you would ever know.

Love,
Tonya

You can read Whitni’s obituary here.

 

Posted in Personal

by tonyapeterson

Emily

Oh Tonya my dear. I am so sad you lost such a good friend. From what I’ve seen and heard, you were a great friend to Whitni, and her to you. I know what it’s like to cling to a friend in a strange and new place. Sometimes life just seems so damn unfair! Loves to you and your family.

Shillawna Ruffner

Whitni was truly a wonderful person. I’m so sorry for your loss. Find comfort in knowing you will meet her again someday. I happy that you two were able to share such a sweet friendship, one that may only come once in a lifetime.

Style, She Wrote

So sorry for your loss. She will always be remembered in your beautiful pictures. xo style, she wrote