The photography blog of Carissa Uribe, an international wedding photographer based out of Park City, Utah and Conroe, Texas.

A New Chapter

Last night we had our weekly family dinner. In one sense, it was no different than any other family dinner we’ve had. My dad suggested we take a family nap, because apparently we all looked a bit like walking zombies. And although everyone thought the idea of family nap time was hilarious, it was also seriously considered. (If there’s one thing Fines love as much as food, it would be sleep.) Everyone talked about their day, we laughed with each other, and of course ate copious amounts of food. And when my mom mentioned dessert, my cousin Alyssa and I headed straight for the dark chocolate in the pantry.

Not much different than normal. Yet at the same time, it was completely different…

You see, last night was a celebration dinner of sorts. A marking of the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Last night we gave thanks because my mom had her last radiation treatment, and she is now cancer free.

I feel like I need to say that again. MY MOM IS CANCER FREE!! I feel so thankful I could burst! She had an amazing team of doctors who took incredible care of her. I won’t get into a lot of detail, but I will just say that by the grace of God her doctors were able to get all of the cancer out in one surgery. She then had to endure 4 straight weeks of radiation, yesterday being her last day. We are very grateful for how minimally invasive it was, and how she was spared some of what could have been so much worse. And while she will still be feeling the side affects for a bit, it is a wonderful feeling to say that this painful chapter in our lives is coming to a close, and we can begin the next one with that much more joy.

So I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you to any and all of you who supported my mom this summer. For those who prayed. For those who made meals. For those who gave their time, sent gifts of encouragement, or just lent a helping hand. And even for those of you who may not know my mom, but read my blog and took a moment to send up a little prayer or wish her good health and recovery. I truly believe everyone single one of you made a difference. So I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. And I wanted to share with you the good news… My mom is cancer free :)

We picked up Cafe Rio for the dinner celebration!

Lots of pretty flowers for my mom :)

Of course I had to take a picture of my salad. One word: YUM.

It’s not the best photo (it was actually pretty dark out), but I wanted one of my mom and I, to remember this special day. And I’m so happy to have it :)

Love you Mom!!!

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rooms - September 11, 2012 - 12:42 pm

I’m so glad to hear about your mom, Carissa. I love you guys! And I remember stuffing my face at Cafe Rio last time I was out there. Thanks for making me starving and miss Utah. :)

Brittany - September 11, 2012 - 6:30 pm

LOOOVE this post!! I am so glad your mom is doing well :) <3 it is such a blessing! Cancer free! wooh!

Kelsi Poole - September 12, 2012 - 8:08 am

Yeah! Hallelujah!!!!!!!! Praise God that is such a beautiful wonderful thing to hear! You both look fantastic!
Love you Carissa!

mom - September 12, 2012 - 9:58 am

Oh, Rissa, I love you, too!! And I also want to say thank you to all of you for your love and support through this chapter! God is so good, and I am so grateful!

Wheeler Farm Bridals: Jessica

Happy Monday folks! This morning I’m kicking off the week with a gorrrgeous bridal session of the beautiful Jessica!! She and Gavin got married on Saturday so I can finally share these lovelies :) I had such a great time on this session because not only is Jess an absolute gem and so fun to be around, but can we please discuss how breathtaking she looks?! Jess made this session everything I think bridals should be: soft, pretty, graceful… Enjoy some of my favorites!

Yep, you are just so gorgeous Jess!

I absolutely adored her dress… so soft and feminine.

This one. LOVE.

One stunning bride, if I do say so myself!

The bracelet is from her grandma, and the ring is from Gavin’s grandma. Talk about some amazing heirlooms!

She wanted a few with her rockin’ sunglasses, and I was more than happy to oblige!

Sunglasses, pockets, pretty Jess… I love this one :)

We snagged a few more in the beautiful fading light as we headed back to the car, and they are some of my favorites!

I’ll finish with this, because Jess looks SO exquisite…

Can’t wait to share their wedding!!

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Jessica Eckert - September 24, 2012 - 4:11 pm

AH!!!! I love these! I seriously can not wait for the wedding pictures!! You are amazing and i couldn’t have asked for anything more!

Friday Fun Facts

Happy Labor Day Weekend!! Anyone have fun plans? For me it’s appropriately named because I’ve got a triple wedding weekend… lots of labor! (Aaaand cue the horrible joke music. That was bad, I know.) Seriously though, I’m so excited for all my couples this weekend! It’s going to be a party. Plus that means lots of lovely wedding prettiness coming your way soon ;)

I don’t have a lot of time because, I’ll be honest, three weddings in a row takes a LOT of prep work, but I didn’t want to leave you without a little something for your weekend! This Fun Facts post is going to look a little different though… it’s all pictures. That made me laugh when I saw them. Yes, out loud. So hopefully they’ll make you laugh, too! And I do realize that half of them are Someecards, but what can I say? Those people have a pretty hilarious sense of humor… Enjoy!

Bunny ears.

Amen, brother. Amen.

If I believed in a zombie apocalypse, this is how I would prepare!

Grammar stickler.

Dream big.

It should really say chocolate cake.

Classic.

NO one ever! Haha.

Best calorie burner I’ve ever seen…

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!! :)

Provo Orchard Engagements: Ann + Justin

One of the first things Ann said as we talked about her wedding was how she had never wanted engagement pictures. Too cheesy and posed. So she didn’t want them. Until she saw Shelly and Ryan’s, that is. Ann and Shelly are really good friends, and I the honor of shooting Shelly’s wedding last year. So as we sat sipping iced chai’s and talking about her wedding, Ann told me that when she saw Shelly and Ryan’s engagement pictures, she changed her mind. Ummm, can you say FLATTERED?! Seriously one of the best compliments I’ve ever received :)

I’ll be completely honest, as we first started the shoot, I was a bit nervous. I felt like I had some big expectations to fill! Only a little bit of pressure. Haha. Fortunately, though, Ann and Justin are completely in love and adorably easy to photograph, as you’ll see below! Turns out I had nothing to worry about ;) Enjoy a few of my favorites from this gorgeous couple’s engagement sesh!!

Justin started off wearing the sweater he wore when Ann first saw him. SO cute.

Unfortunately though, it was hot. Like, REEEALLY hot. Even though it doesn’t look like it. (Let’s just say I was embarrassingly sweaty. Oh, TMI??) Needless to say, Justin took the sweater off after a few minutes. Haha.

Adorable much?

Justin, you’re going to make a dapper groom!

Ann, you are so gorgeous…

Love these next ones!

Aaaand more favorites below :)

Ann and Justin, thanks for driving to meet me, waiting patiently, and putting up with the heat. Haha. But more so, thank you for entrusting me to document your love!! I had such a great time with you both, I know your wedding is going to be just as fun :) XO

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Monica cook - March 28, 2015 - 10:53 pm

I’m just wondering where this I located! These are beautiful!

Carissa - March 29, 2015 - 12:34 pm

Thanks so much Monica! This is an apple orchard in Provo, Utah.

Bonneville Salt Flat Engagements: Christine + Ricky

When they met through work, Ricky noticed Christine right away. So he did the smartest thing he could think of… He befriended the best friend. (Which was really quite ingenious, if you ask me. I mean, the best friend has to approve of the boyfriend!) So he set to work. After several weeks of impressing Christine’s friend, and subsequently impressing Christine, he approached her. And told her they were going to dinner. Christine agreed, intrigued by the kind, handsome and well-dressed gentleman. They spent the night laughing and talking under the dim lights at a restaurant downtown. At that point Ricky was pretty much wrapped around her finger.

It took a little bit longer for Christine. But it happened quite suddenly one night in, of all places, a grocery store. After spending the entire day moving, Christine stood in the grocery store aisle, exhausted and stressed. On top of everything else going on, they had a party to go to in just a few short hours, but she didn’t know where any of her things were. Well, she did, just not which boxes among the many they had spent all day moving. And as she stood in the aisle lamenting, Ricky listened and then walked away. He came back a few moments later, his arms filled with shampoo and conditioner, a blow dryer, hair spray… “Is this the kind you use? Will these work ok?” Just like that, Christine realized that Ricky was taking care of her when she needed it desperately. He had just spent the day helping her move, and he was still taking care of her. But more importantly, she realized that he always would. And it was about that point that she was wrapped around his finger, too…

We started their shoot downtown Salt Lake, near the restaurant where they had their first date :)

Yes, they are THAT cute together!

Christine brought some adorable props along :)

Rad. You guys are just a rad couple!

Love this one!

Seriously, how sweet are they together?!

The hearts were another adorable idea of Christine’s :)

I had told them we were finished, but then I had to grab a few in this golden light as we walked back to the car!

Then we headed out to the Salt Flats. When we got there we had no idea that it would be SO windy!! Christine brought some colorful balloons along and although we almost lost them several times, we definitely had some fun :)