Thanks Gonzalez family…we always have a blast hanging out with you guys and are soooo lucky to have you as friends!


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So as I was editing through their family session I came across this hilarious shot.  At first I kinda skimmed by it but something caught my eye.  I didn’t even realize while taking the photograph that little Aiden was pulling on dad’s face.  And I’m sure he does this A LOT!  Am I right dad?.  Too cool that we were able to capture that one moment when it took place. Gosh I LOVE being a PHOTOGRAPHER!!!  I do I do I do.  And I’m proud to SHOUT it from the roof tops!!!  Ok ok I’m getting carried away.

Thank you Jessica + Shane + Sam + Aiden for a lovely me2 family portrait session.  And good thinking with the french fry break…totally worked!  I hope this teaser holds ya (specifically Jessica) over a lil bit longer…Stay tuned!

The location was also perfect.  Since the Puddy family lives smack dab in the middle of Phoenix we knew we would have a hand full of sites to choose from…the next question was…which was most their style and ours?  We have tons of favorite spots in Tucson where we shoot at constantly but when it comes to Phoenix it’s honestly overwhelming.  So we decided to ask our Phx photographer buddy Josh Snyder since he totally gets our simplistic MOD vibe.  All the places he recommended were fabulous…Thank you Josh!  After much comparison Eric and I decided to take the family to the Tempe Center for the Arts!  We only got to scout the location from internet land but immediately fell in love.  It was sooooooooo the right decision.  Then come to find out as we were photographing the family Don Puddy (Dad) told us how fitting the site choice was since his company managed the construction of the site.  CRAZY HUH?!!!  I guess we know how to select a fabulous location…don’t we?!  It was really cool to find out all the concepts about the building’s shape, sound barriers (airplanes fly over about every 5 minutes) and it’s massive curved concrete walls.  Which we couldn’t get enough of…shocker!

Ok so just to prepare yourselves this is a HUGE blog post but I promise you it’s soooooo worth the scrolling!  Hope you enjoy our last session that wrapped up our bitchin 2009! Yep…I just said it.

Speaking of stories…When Joan first emailed us we knew immediately that this family was going to be AWESOME. Here are her words exactly… ‘Our 2nd family portrait in 28 years … it’s been too long! Sons are 28 and 26 … we live next to the Heard Museum in a mid-century co-op. Saw the article in Desert Living … feel like you two are the photographers for us!.’ ~Joan Puddy

Woohoo what a great way to start an experience!!!  And we’re all about creating one.  So of course we started their’s one afternoon during lunch @ Postino’s…the most yummiest place for bruschetta, proscuitto and wine.  Some of you may already know this but for those of you that don’t getting to know our clients (*soon to be friends*) before a photo shoot is soooooo important to us.  It helps us get a sense of everyone’s personality, style and character.  We gain so much knowledge.  It’s truly incredible.  To hear that the whole family gets exactly what we’re all about just rocks our world.  Purple Nickel Studio strives on creating a fun laid back experience filled with silliness, rad details, and over all goodness.  Who wouldn’t want that?. Well the Puddy Family surely brought it and we can’t wait to show you the rest of their session. One word…’HILARIOUS!’. Oh just you wait!!!

So when Michelle asked us to photograph her family again we of course said YES! Their first session took place almost a year and a half ago and her boys sure have changed. It’s Ah-mazing how they have grown. Now they asked us quirky questions, set up their own poses, and eagierly wanting to hold our hands as we crossed the streets. Awwwwwwww. It’s was incredible.  Since Michelle knows first hand how important it is to give an artist creative freedom…she did just that.  I think her exact words were ‘we want our session purple nickel style!’.  Sounds kinda naughty doesn’t it?. MEOW*  Ha!!!  We LOVE you guys so much and are so honored to have you in our lives! Thanks for such an awesome session and so glad the weather gods had our backs…it stormed I mean STOOORMED just hours before our morning session.



















































“Casia and Eric…Thank you SO much for doing such an awesome job on our me2 session- we had so much fun getting all decked out 80’s-Purple Nickel style for our shoot! Being a professional photographer myself, I am SO grateful to be on the other side of the camera with my family each year- being able to enjoy the experience together is priceless and we look forward to enjoying these images and memories of our time together. So awesome that we were able to do it while Farmor (grandma) was here again too from Sweden! Thanks again- you guys rock! And roll! YaY!.”

-The R Fam

*Here’s some behind the scenes goodness…plus I believe my brown plaid ‘rocketdog’ shoes have retired. I’ve done every shoot in them since purple nickel was born. They have brought me AMAZING LUCK! Now I just need to find some funky new bold hip comfortable cute fashionable non-squeaky puddle-stompin sidewalkin urban chic jean-lovin SHOES! Help…

So as promised here is your sneak peek Samantha (Mom)!  I tried to get it up as fast as possible   This way she doesn’t have to be refreshing her internet browser or stalking us 24/7.  Don’t get me wrong…that’s totally AWESOME but you gotta get some sleep too.  Thank you again Montoyo family for a lovely afternoon and we can’t wait to show you the rest!

We are so HONORED that they asked us to photography their family again.  Mia is growing up so fast and is FULL of personality.  All you have to do is ask her to laugh and she does.  It’s fabulous and quite hilarious.  I hope this sneak peek holds you guys over for a little while…as I’m editing your session I am continuiously cracking up at all of her little quirky expressions.

As Mia would say…’BOOMSHACKALACKA’!