Tonya Peterson Photography | Utah and Destination Wedding Photographer | 801.824.7778 » love

Happy Mother’s Day to the Best Mom Ever

tonyapeterson — Sun, 09 May 2010 14:02:23 +0000

I know a lot of people think they have the best Mom in the world, but I really do. She is so sweet and stylish and just plain fun. I am so grateful to her and my Dad for all they have done for me and my family and I am so sad that I am not with my Mom today to give her a big hug and kiss.

As I am raising my almost 3 year old I have been reflecting on memories of me growing up and the relationship I had with my Mom. I was the youngest so I had my Mom all to myself as soon as my brother started going to school and those times are some of my sweetest memories. She would always take the time to just be with me, something I must admit I do not do enough for Paige. I get so caught up in all the things that I ‘need’ to do that sometimes I forget what I should be doing. The last month especially I have been thinking about my childhood and it has made me want to be a better Mom like mine was. I never remember my mom losing her patience and yelling at me the way I sometimes do with Paige and it makes me sad. I wish I had her sweet temperament. (Dang those Ballou genes!) I want Paige to have the same sweet memories of me that I have of my Mom. So I just want to thank my Mom for being the most kick butt Mom on the planet and for inspiring me to be a better Mom.

I love you and miss you Mom.

Isn’t she one of the cutest Mom’s ever! Yes!

shooting for the love of photography

tonyapeterson — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:53:06 +0000

If you have followed my blog for a while you may have seen a change in me in the past 3 months. Heaven knows I have seen one in myself. When I graduated from photography school I was ready to take the world by storm! My goal was to work my way up through different publications shooting editorial work until I landed at the dream job. Martha Stewart Living. This goal, of course would take years to fulfill but I knew it could be done, I just had to work hard. Well God has a funny way of showing you what you should be doing instead of what you want to be doing. My focus changed from Editorial to Weddings, something I knew I didn’t want to do!

It turns out I loved shooting weddings, but I got to the point where I was just going through the motions. Yes I can nail my exposures, but to me it just wasn’t good enough. My picture looked blah to me and I couldn’t figure out why. I know I have written this before on the blog, but it really did change my life. I did some serious soul searching and kind of rediscovered film. I forgot the joy that comes from shooting on the classic medium and it made me remember why I love photography so much. Photography is an art form that is really really hard to master (I am still working on it and always will be) and I feel like digital kind of lessened the value of it a little bit. Now don’t come at me with pitch forks just yet digital shooters!!! I still shoot digital at times and I know there are absolutely amazing digital photographers who are wonderful artists. What I am saying is that the phrase “I can just fix it in photoshop” makes me die a little inside. Ok, so maybe that is a bit dramatic, but it does truly bums me out.

So what is the point of this rant? I don’t believe you need to switch to film to be a great artist and love photography. You just need to love what you do and always strive to be better. Really work on understanding light and always be learning new things. Read and study books from the true masters of photography like Ansel Adams and Richard Avedon. Take a History of Photography class. You will be amazed by the humble beginnings of this amazing art form. The greatest thing about photography, digital or film, is that the principles of light never change. If you understand light and exposure you can shoot any medium.

I could go on forever but I won’t. The last thing I will say is that I really do LOVE photography. Here is a photograph that I took on Velvia 50 when I was in school. Keep shooting!

roswell new mexico photographer | Utah cupcakes + a Fall newsletter

tonyapeterson — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:10:06 +0000

I was hoping that these cupcakes would be victory cupcakes, but Utah decided to suck it up through the whole game. So now they are just super Yummy Go Utes red velvet and white cupcakes with sparkly red and white sugar. I though I would share!

Paige helped me make these. She freaked out when she turned on the mixer and the cake was bright red!

Lets hope Utah can pull their head out of their butts next week and win! Go Utes! I love you even when you lose!

On a side note. Our new fall newsletter is out and it can be viewed here If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter, please do so at www.tonyapeterson.com under the contact page!

Happy Birthday Alex!

tonyapeterson — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:16:53 +0000

I kind of feel like Alex gets jipped a little on his birthday since Paige was born. Her birthday is only about a week before his so we have kinda spent our money and energy on her! So this year Paige and I are making a fab dinner for Alex. She even helped make the dessert!

Yes. That is the same spoon she was just licking. Oh well. We are the only ones eating the cake!

I told her to smile and this is what I got. She is pulling the funniest faces lately.

Happy Birthday Alex. I hope you have a great day. Paige and I love you so much!

***Edited to add*** Happy Birthday also to my lame brother who never looks at my blog and will never read this. I love you bro! Even if you are tech-tarded

Salt Lake Children’s Photographer | Bridget is 2!

tonyapeterson — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:43:04 +0000

I cannot believe my sweet little niece Bridget is 2 years old! She is the sweetest most beautiful little girl ever (well next to Paige!) Paige and Bridget are major Best Friends and Paige misses her like crazy!

So cute right!?!?

Isn’t her hair awesome! I am jealous!

Her and Paige both have crazy long eyelashes! So pretty!

Paige is defiantly the comedian in that duo. Bridget thinks she is the funniest thing she has ever seen. Paige just likes being the center of everyone’s attention!

They love each other!

I love you my sweet girl! Happy Birthday!!!