TAYNEE MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Utah Wedding and Family Photographer

utah family photographer

Orvin Family | Utah Family Session

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The Orvin Family wanted a clean white open look for her shoot so we chose Saltair. This is a great easy to get to location and beautiful most times of the year.

This family was so fun and the kids were so attentive and well behaved. In her questionnaire I asked her something about her kids, and she told me that the boys love soccer. At the end of the session, I surprised them and pulled out a soccer ball, and we had them play soccer for some images.
This family is also a great example of what to wear for your family shoot. They had such a great choice in colors, styles for the kids and mom and dad. I would absolutely recommend using them as inspiration for your own photos.

I left this session truly loving my job even more. Not only were they beautiful but the the boys were so sweet and I love how sassy the girls were!

Brinnlie and Jason Maternity | Utah Photographer

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Brinnlie and Jason were such a wonderful couple to work with for their maternity shoot. I love these photoshoots because we are capturing such a beautiful time of their life and I think pregnant women are so beautiful.

When I was helping her plan out what she would wear for her shoot, She incorporated her wedding belt with the dress I loaned to her and it was absolutely beautiful. I love that she had something personal and special to her as a part of her shoot.

With that said, I have a few maternity dresses I can always let you borrow for your shoot, just ask me as you are booking so that I can let you know what I have.

This session was a destination shoot and it was so fun. It is a full day event but I am happy to do it for other clients if you are interested as well. The package includes photos in the canyon and a ride in the side by side ranger and gas for travel. I love getting to go to special spots that a lot of people don’t go to for their sessions.

Family Christmas Photos

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Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year! It’s encompassed by family, friends, and lots of traditions. In my line of work I get to capture the magic of the season, and for photos, there is no other season like Christmas. I can’t wait to tell you why Christmastime is an important occasion to photograph as well as give you theme ideas and outfit ideas for your holiday photoshoot. 

Why is Christmas time an important occasion to photograph? Why not just do regular family photos?

Traditions

Christmastime is an amazing time of year for families because of all the traditions. Some families decorate the Christmas tree together, play in the snow, or make cookies from their family recipes. Other families go and chop down a Christmas tree in the woods together (or for my city folk, you go to a tree lot together and pick out the perfect tree). In my family I take all of the kids to visit Santa. All of these amazing traditions are memories that deserve to be photographed for your family to remember! All of these moments are unique to Christmastime and the joy that it brings.

Perfect for Christmas Cards

Why not send out a unique holiday card this year of you and your family making cookies together in the kitchen? Or possibly you and your family having a flour fight while making cookies in the kitchen? It’s guaranteed to be the best family Christmas card around!

Invest in a great photographer for family Christmas pictures

As you start planning your holiday family photos, think about who you would like to capture those moments. I believe in choosing someone you trust and believe in to capture these memories. This is a great time to hire that photographer you’ve always wanted to work with. I don’t trust my photos to just anyone with a fancy camera. When regular family pictures can be captured anytime, traditions usually only happen at certain times of the year.

Theme ideas

First, Choose a Theme

First I suggest choosing a theme for your Christmas family photos. When you are thinking of a theme, it doesn’t always have to be an activity. Sometimes, the theme for holiday family photos is the feel or look you want. It can also be a place or an outfit choice. Here are a few ideas that are classy, timeless, and beautiful:

  • Pictures with Santa
  • Casual comfy
  • Decorating the Christmas tree
  • Making or drinking hot cocoa
  • Making cookies
  • Surrounded by Christmas decorations
  • Indoor white space studio
  • In the mountains 
  • Playing in the snow
  • Favorite winter activity
  • Matching pajamas
  • Make a truck the centerpiece
  • Get dressed up
  • Build a snowman

Indoor or Outdoor

You might have a special place or tradition you want to include in your Christmas photo shoot. Something that is unique to you and your family. For me, I love white space studios with classy holiday decorations. Indoor and lifestyle studios are great places for Christmastime photo shoots during the Utah winters, because you can look festive without the bulky coats. It’s also a great idea to be indoors when you have babies or other little ones in the photos. If you choose to do your photos indoors, the best time to take photos inside is around noon when the sun is highest in the sky and the room is the brightest. The best time to do outdoor photos is 1-2 hours before sunset.

Utah studios I love for indoor Christmas photo shoots:

Outfits 

There are limitless options based on the feel you want for your holiday pictures. Do you want it to be casual/comfy, dressed up, or playful/bright? Pick a theme first, then focus on the outfits. 

Best stores to buy family Christmas outfits 

Best colors and textures for Christmas family photos

For holiday family photos all of my usual rules for outfits can be thrown out the window. Christmas photo shoots can be matchy-matchy, have plaid, Christmas pajamas, or be casual. I do stand by the fact that neutrals like white, heather grey, and tan look great in photos. Flowy dresses on women also look amazing on every body type. But if you are going for that fun or cozy look for your photos, don’t hesitate to add bold Christmas colors like deep red and pine green. If you are looking for outfit ideas for the rest of the year I have a great article on that here.


To book your Utah family Christmas photos and hear about my Christmas mini sessions click here.

Extended Family Session | Utah Photographer | Taynee Miller

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One of my favorite parts of being a photographer is capturing families and this family an extra boost than a normal shoot I typically do!

Kelsey and Kyle had both of their families come together for this photo shoot. Kelsey‘s mom lives in California and contacted me from there, and invited along Kyle’s studded of the family also so that they could get everyone captured.

Kelsey & Kyle met at work 8.5 years ago, in San Jose, CA. They shared a passion for mountains/the outdoors and quickly hit it off. Family is important to each, so meeting the families quickly followed.

Kyle’s sister, Erin and family, live close by to Kelsey’s parents on the Peninsula, so both families met each other soon after. Kelsey was able to watch Lydia & Colson grow from the time they were both infants. Some of their favorite memories with everyone includes Christmas time, where the Phillips/Gisler families were able to rent a cabin a few years in a row, in the same Donner Summit (CA) neighborhood as the Rogind Cabin. The families were able to enjoy several holidays together, walk/ice skate on the frozen lake, sled, ski, etc.! I love how beautiful their relationship is and how they have been able to join both of their families and make such beautiful memories.

For the photo shoot we did half of it in a studio because we wanted to make sure we got photos of the baby in an environment where she was warm and could be happy. Then we headed to the base of the canyon to get photos with the Utah mountains. It was absolutely beautiful and such a great change of pace for them from their California home!

The studio is Photopia Studio in Cottonwood Heights, which is a beautiful natural light studio, I would highly recommend.

Elise Newborn Lifestyle Session Utah Photographer | Taynee Miller

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It’s always an honor when another photographer asks you to do their photos. In this case Kelsey is great friend of mine, and a photographer with a great eye for detail! Her baby Elise was born during Covid and she wanted to wait a few months to do newborns to let things settle down, and have a more interactive and alert baby! We did her photos at 3 months when she was awake, smiling, and still in that sweet cuddly stage!

For baby Elise we did her photos at their home in California. It was so fun to capture her with her siblings and getting those special moments with their family. We focused on more of a journalistic approach, which was so special and you still saw the ups and downs of motherhood and bringing a new baby into your home! 

Throughout my time there I was able to get intimate moments with their new baby as well as mom consoling her other children and a lot of genuine connections. During the shoot, one of the older kids got hurt, and I was able to capture mom spending some one on one time with them also, which I know as a mother I would love to have that imagery as well. With both parents there I also got to see some of dad with the babies. I loved watch Dad dancing with Emaline, it was such a special moment to watch them interact together! 

I love all newborn shoots but this one really felt special to me! I hope you love getting to see a glimpse into their session! 🙂 

Dujovne Family | Taynee Miller Photography

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Moving to Utah has been such a great change for my family and my photography business but I am so happy I get to head back even once in a while to still photograph old clients!

I don’t particularly have a favorite location but I do love family photography in general. From getting a beautiful shot for a Christmas card to getting a beautiful portrait for your home, it really is worth it every single time.

I hope you know that when you book with me, you can feel confident knowing I will give you an amazing session and images that will last a lifetime.