{Armina} Winter Portrait Session

Armina was the winner of the Raft Media Christmas Giveaway this year! Who knew that you could take pictures like this in almost January?! Her pink and grey outfit went absolutely perfect with the fallen leaves and the river. Even though it was slightly wet from the rain...and she almost flatbacked it into the mud...it was perfect out. What a gorgeous girl, it was so fun doing some portraits for her. Happy New Year everyone! 

The soft lighting was amazing. She was rocking the natural beauty look.

I couldn't resist taking a shot of her in the leaves looking into the sunset. It was a little muddy out but my jacket made a good blanket :)

 

 Such a sweet smile.

                             

 Fallen logs, sweaters, scarves, this is just the heart of winter right here.

Perfect.

We lucked out and got one of the warmest days of winter, so naturally it's okay to wear a dress :)

We saw this shot on Pinterest and had to try it. She apparently is half-model. 

We are on flickr!

Raft Media is on flickr.  Now you can easily browse and share some of our favorite photos!

The link to our flickr stream is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/raftmedia/

{Morlocks} Family Photography Boise, Idaho

My freshman year of college I met one of my best friends Audrey [yup there were two of us running around!]. Between classes we had to run up to her dorm room and there she was, Amy, cuddled up asleep on Audrey's bed. I guess she had an early lab and would go up there to catch a nap afterwards. I found it hilarious. So that's how I met one of my closest friends throughout all of college. Since waking her up that one morning, we've shared so many memories and I just love this girl.

She is back in town for the Holidays and wanted to do a family shoot as a gift for her mom and sister. We headed to one of my favorite places and had an absolute blast. All of these girls just love each other to pieces and were just laughing and cracking jokes the whole time. Happy to share with you some Morlock love :)

So beautiful. Her eyes are amazing!

 The sarcastic humor going on was amazing, these girls speak my language!

 "Follow me up this tree! In those heels I don't trust you leading me anywhere!"

 Love the backlighting in this photo.

 Sister love. This is right after they were making fish faces at each other!

 It's easy to see where these girls get their good looks from :) Their mama.

She didn't want any individual pictures but I made her because I knew they'd turn out like this :)

{B Family Mini-Session}

Another beautiful crisp winter day for a mini session! This location absolutely glows during the fall time, and in the winter it is gorgeous in a totally different way. The simplicity of the bare trees all lined is the perfect setting for family photos. I had the pleasure of doing a mini session for The B family. The boys were so cute together running around together. There's something about the outdoors that makes little boys (and big boys for that matter!) turn into mountain men and they want to climb the trees, throw the rocks, find sticks...everything man! During this session the youngest turned to me and so sweetly asked if they could have a play break. Of course! I happen to have a guy at home, so I totally understand :)

 classic

 what a beautiful couple

 This one's my favorite. The boys loved the idea of piggyback rides!

{Sayra +Cameron}

Sayra and Cameron, what a cute couple together. It was around 40 degrees and windy in Boise and I find Sayra in a beautiful black dress and wearing slippers. I knew I liked them already! I love how this shoot turned out, so this goes to show that even in the winter you can have beautiful portraits taken outside!

 Between locations I saw this simple little bench with the sun setting behind it. So romantically perfect.

There's something about capturing the love between people just by the way they sit next to each other.

 They couldn't have chosen better outfits to go with this graffiti covered doorway. So fun.

 So this is the 2nd story of the parking garage where I had parked. An "Overlooking the city" shot was absolutely necessary after I spotted this lookout.

 The bench...once again.. I couldn't help it, look how cute they are together!

LOVE. There is nothing else to say.

Christmas Photo Inspiration

For anyone who likes to take their sweet old time doing Christmas cards and is just getting around to them a week before Christmas...here's some last minute inspiration for you!

1. USE LIGHTS

Plug in some Christmas lights inside or outside, dress up in something Christmas colors and voila, perfection. This works well with kids too.

photo via http://pinterest.com/a_choate

2. INCORPORATE GIFTS

A token item for Christmas time is gifts! So putting your kids in a box [boxes] below is a really cute idea. Or for a more adult take on it you can be holding them, have them in the photo etc.

photo via http://pinterest.com/a_choate

3. USE COMPUTER EDITING/PHOTOSHOP

You can add a little Christmas pizazz to a photo that you already have by using Photoshop/Publisher/Pages. I love the design choice for this photo

 photo via http://pinterest.com/a_choate

4. WEAR YOU PJS

This photo just cracks me up. So great. Bust out that pajamas, a couch, and the forest in this case and there you have it.

 photo via http://pinterest.com/a_choate

4. USE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE

This photo below took some planning for sure. I'm not even mad...I'm impressed. If anyone can recreate this I'd LOVE to see it. But standing in front of your tree, or taking a candid of the kids pretending to open presents would rock too.

 photo via http://pinterest.com/a_choate

4. SPELL IT OUT

When it doubt just spell it out for people. "MERRY CHRISTMAS". This photo can be done anywhere. Bingo Bango.

 photo via http://pinterest.com/a_choate

4. HAVE SOMEONE ELSE DO IT!

Getting your photos taken by a photographer is always an option. Some may even help you design your Christmas Card for an extra fee [I will!] Here's some inspiration below.

 photo via http://pinterest.com/a_choate

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!! I'd love to see your family photos, email them to theraftmedia@gmail.com and I will post them.

Raft Media Video Montage- Boise Photography

Some of my favorites from Seniors, Couples, Families and Engagement Sessions!
If you want to make it better click "Watch on YouTube" then "Full Screen" if you still want it larger. Go big or go home right? :)

Boise Wedding Photographer- let Raft Media tell your story

Capturing people's wedding day has become a passion of mine. There is this story that is just begging to be told on everyone's big day. From the groom's eyes misting up when he first sees his breathtaking bride, to the mother helping lace up the elegant dress on her sweet daughter, weddings are just teeming with these moments.
Maybe it's because I'm a new bride myself or because I love people and creatively capturing beautiful moments, but weddings are one of my favorite things to photograph.

[For more information on having Audrey photograph your wedding email her ]

Here's a little glimpse into the stories that I see at weddings...

It normally starts with the bride getting ready where she is carefully stashed away from seeing her husband to be!

 Seeing the bride just glowing with excitement and love makes me giddy. Love this part.

 Peeking out the window seeing if her groom is outside.

Gotta love the girls.There is always laughter, hugs, & sharing hairspray.

And then there are the guys, this kind of thing definitely has to be captured. Brotherhood.

Seeing her groom for the first time...

Then there's the Ceremony. From saying the vows... 

To lighting off a paper lantern...

To exchanging rings and "the kiss"

 It never fails there is always electricity when the new Mr. & Mrs walk the aisle

Seeing the parents walk back down the aisle, smiles and tears

Even the portrait session tells a story, that look in her eyes speaks volumes.

 Gazing into the eyes of the one you will be with forever.

 Even the details tell you about the bride and groom

 All the hours of planning captured for you to enjoy in the future

 Family. Whether it's a niece or your mother, there are love and kisses to go around.

 Although the bride and groom are my first priority, capturing special moments between family is high on my priority list. This moment between the mother and daughter always brings tears to my eyes.

 The Reception. This couple's reception was a party with lots of dancing and laughter...

 Even the cake cutting was lighthearted and fun!

What a beautiful way to end the day. This is only the beginning of their story.

Raft Media Weddings
tell your story