In the spring of 2023 I was with a client taking photos of her little boy for his upcoming baptism. I was telling him how my little boy was being baptized a member of our church later that summer too. I was telling them how I was going to have to take my own sons photos that summer for his baptism and it hit me like lightening.
I was about to leave for the sacred grove- and we could do his photos there. I was almost shaking it made me so excited. How weird am I? But I loved the idea so much.
As soon as I got home I asked Easton what he thought about that. Of course he loved it! So I started making quick plans. I bought him a little suit and my mother in law got his scriptures bought. We arranged our schedule to make it work that we would be there in the evening for photos. It was all set.
I spent a lot of time online trying to find any photos taken like this around here and I couldn’t find any. Honestly I would feel weird doing a paid job in the Sacred Grove but since it was my own son I felt like it would be ok. I honestly was thinking of being at the temple that is literally just up the hill from the sacred grove. I didn’t know if they would allow is to just walk around. But they do. In fact its open to anyone during the day.
We did the whole tour of the area that morning but by the evening my older boys went to the temple and my husband, 11 year old and I went into the sacred grove with Easton.
I was the beginning of June and pretty hot. Also the mosquitos were really, really bad. So that with a 8 year old who has a fake camera smile made it hard. But we were the only people in there. I mean how often do you have the sacred grove to yourself?
It felt like a ton of pressure for me. I had to get this right- it was too amazing. And a good memory for my son. As a photographer it was hard because everything in there is darker and green from the trees. And we are suppose to stay on the trail which I totally get. You don't want people stepping on all of the plants in there.
I was looking for a spot with some more light and Bryan saw a spot with the light coming through the trees. It was off the path and the rule follower that I am didn't want him to leave the path! But it was just dirt to the spot so off Easton went. But the light coming through the trees was so beautiful. And I know how to get the light to look like a star coming through the trees in my camera. After I took that photo I knew it was going to be my favorite. As soon as I got back to our rental home I pulled out my computer to edit it.
