Amy Komar ART

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Amy has long been one of my favorite local artists (Amy Komar Art) - I love how original and fueled by passion her work is.  In addition to her invaluable contribution to the Fairbanks art scene, she's a pretty rad woman and an amazing mama to boot.  

This shoot was actually several years in the making - we first talked about it aaaages ago, before our now-two-year-olds were even a thing.  :)  It took us a while to actually make it happen, but perhaps it was fated - because I just love the blend of lifestyle family and editorial/commercial photography that we got from this shoot.  We needed to stock her website, and they were also long overdue for family photos... two birds, one stone.  As Amy noted, she does her work at home, surrounded by her family, and her husband and daughter are both participants in the process - from Lola's help selecting the perfect Katchemak Bay stones, to the frames Matt builds to house each of Amy's wall art pieces.  It was important to her that we capture something that LOOKED like her actual process - her actual life, workspace, surroundings, and inspirations.  

This is some of what we came up with.  Love.  

Serenity Grows: Pregnancy & Postpartum Retreats

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Serenity Grows is a remarkable business run by a remarkable woman, Maranda Bowers.  Though based in the Palmer area, it sits poised to serve the entire state (and beyond) through pregnancy, postpartum, and women's retreats; an active blog; the published volume Birthing in Alaska and another volume in the works; and an online store full of herbal and self-care goodness.  Large-scale, Serenity Grows exists to empower women in pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.  There's so much more to say about the scope of her business, but instead of butchering it myself, I strongly encourage you to check out her blog or join her online communities on Facebook or Instagram for a dose of community and long-overdue reminders of affirmation and self-care.  

Almost two years ago (!), I was invited to photograph her very first retreat, for pregnancy and birth workers, in Anchorage, and it was a really touching experience I was grateful to be a part of.  Over the past few years, we've been fortunate enough to have Maranda bring several Serenity Grows retreats all the way up to Fairbanks, and I've been able to attend and photograph them as well.  This post contains a sampling of images from all three retreats I've attended, and you can see more on the Serenity Grows site as well.  

Talk about commercial work right up my alley!  Being a part of Serenity Grows' growth has been an amazing experience that I'm excited to continue.  If you need a photographic relationship for your business, please don't hesitate to contact me - I'd love to work with you.  

Alaskan Earth Mama: Aromatherapy and Herbal Products

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Most people associate Alaskan Earth Mama, a local business with a cult following here in Fairbanks run by my friend Monica, with herbal products - in particular, a healing salve (Soothe & Heal Balm) and an all-natural mosquito repellant (and herbal baths...and soy candles...and teas...and beard conditioning products...and a lip balm colored from Alaska cranberries...the list goes on!).  But few know about a growing arm of her business: essential oil education and aromatherapy sessions.  

To be honest, I really didn't understand what an aromatherapy session entailed until we arranged a model so we could photograph one.  I guess I pictured...smelling things?  I feel like the word "aromatherapy" has been coopted ever since the introduction of "aromatherapy dishsoaps" and the like within the last decade (so you can have indulgent self-care while washing dishes?  Um....).  I see it everywhere from shampoos to candles to dish soaps and everywhere in between.  A personalized aromatherapy session, however, goes far beyond a pleasant aroma.  Instead, it's a customized bodywork session that incorporates essential oils chosen for their unique therapeutic attributes, based on the information Monica gathers pre-session - are stiff muscles an issue?  A sore neck?  Insomnia?  You get the idea.  

But I will admit that it smelled really good.  

Postpartum Freezer Meals Recipe Round-up {Gluten-Free, Allergy-Friendly}

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As I started making my list for freezer meals (and baked goods, let's be honest) that I wanted to begin preparing before my third baby arrives, I thought I might as well share here as well in case anyone else in on the hunt for nutritious yet delicious food to nourish yourself and your family during the 4th trimester.  

My family has food allergies and intolerances, and the recipes included here reflect that.  We first began eating this way after my first child starting displaying symptoms of food allergies as a breastfed infant (he's now 6).  We went through an elimination diet with the help of the wonderful lactation consultants at public health and were able to determine that he reacted to cow's milk, wheat, and eggs.  MAJOR DIET CHANGE.  But years later, I can tell you without a doubt that it was worth it.  Our breastfeeding relationship survived and thrived, and we all adapted to our new "limitations."  I for one was surprised to discover that I actually felt a lot better - apparently I had low-lying intolerances to wheat/gluten and dairy as well.  While this won't be the case for everyone who goes through an elimination diet or changes their diet to benefit their nursling (cow's milk, eggs, and wheat are fairly common irritants for newborns, as are caffeine, chocolate, and soy), I am here to attest that with the right support, you won't feel deprived in the slightest.  

BROWNIES | gluten-free, dairy-free

Not normally a nutritious food, right?  Enter Elana's Pantry.  Though these are chocolate, they boast an amazing balance of protein, healthy fat, and carbs that make them (an incredibly satisfying) power food, especially for those middle-of-the-night nursing-induced ravenous hunger attacks.   Made with high-protein almond butter rather than flour, these are my absolute favorite, especially when made with dark cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips.  They also turn out great with flax "eggs," if those are out of your diet.  

PALEO PORRIDGE | gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free

There are a number of "n'oatmeal" (faux oatmeal hot cereals that are grain-free) and paleo porridge recipes out there, and they are surprisingly filling, nutritious, and delicious.  My favorites can be found on The Spunky Coconut blog as well as Elana's Pantry - the recipes are a mix of unsweetened coconut, dates, raisins, seeds, nuts, etc.  Kelly of the Spunky Coconut's new book, Easy Paleo Meals, also has several recipes and tips for preparing your porridge in advance.  Before baby, I like to prep the dry mix and divide it into individual portion sizes in small mason jars that I stick in the freezer until I'm ready to throw them in the blender with boiling water to transform into creamy hot cereal.  

KALE TART | gluten-free, dairy-free

This is a recipe included in Elana Amsterdam's book, The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook.  I highly recommend purchasing this slim volume - I love Elana's recipes because they're simple and easy to prepare, don't require any weird ingredients (no xanthan gums or a million strange flours required), and always turn out.  I really wish we'd discovered it when we first had to go gluten-free!  At any rate, this kale tart is one of my favorite recipes in the book.  It's got both your veggies and protein in one dish, works great as a side or as a vegetarian entree, and have I mentioned that it's delicious?  

BONE BROTH & SOUP

I have to admit, I'm new to an appreciation of bone broth.  I just didn't know what it was until recently!  But since learning about it and experiencing its benefits (and deliciousness) firsthand, it's something I want to always have on hand.  There's nothing better by the mugful when you feel you might have a cold coming on, when you're worn down (...and who would feel that way postpartum?...), or when you feel like you just need a little extra umph in the day's nutritional intake - and, of course, it's the best base for soup there is.  We absolutely love our Instant Pot pressure cooker for quick bone broth - two hours and it's done! - and I love the tutorial on Nom Nom Paleo that details her foolproof method for delicious broth in the Instant Pot.  I believe it's in that same post that she talks about her favored method for storing her broth - she freezes it into "pucks" in silicone muffin molds and then puts them in ziplocks, so she can grab 1/2 cup portions and reheat whenever needed.  

ALMOND BUTTER FREEZER FUDGE | gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free

These are amazing little fat bombs, quick to grab for blood sugar boosts, super refreshing on hot days in particular, and surprisingly delicious in light of their limited ingredients.  Check it out on the Detoxinsta's site.  

SWEET POTATO STUFFING | gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free

This is a dynamite dish for dinner, but in all honesty, it's pretty much my favorite breakfast ever, especially if you throw a few sunny-side up eggs on top...the best.  It's hard to find unsweetened cranberries year-round, so if it's too late to stock up your freezer stash during Thanksgiving season, it is possible to order frozen cranberries from Azure Standard and other online grocers.  We often make it with white sweet potatoes and turkey italian sausage or my husband's homemade caribou sausage.  The recipe is written to make a huge batch, which is fantastic because we make it as written but bake it in two dishes - one for the fridge, and one for the freezer.  Each is a solid week's worth of breakfasts packed full of veggies, protein, and complex carbohydrates.  You can find the recipe on the wonderful food blog Fed & Fit.  

POWER BARS | gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free

Another of my favorites to have on hand, especially for those times when you realize your blood sugar is plummeting but only have one hand free because the other is full of baby.  High in protein, healthy fat, and topped with dark chocolate...they're easy to make, keep well in the freezer as well as the fridge, aaaaand they're amazing.  Check them out on Elana's Pantry.  

That's what I have on my list so far...what are your go-to freezer meals for after baby?  

Alaska Family Health and Birth Center | Fairbanks Commercial Photographer

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The Alaska Family Health and Birth Center is one of my favorite places to work, so naturally I jumped at the chance to help them update the imagery they use on their website and in their printed materials, etc.  We tackled a whole range of topics, from simply documenting their beautiful 'new' facility (it's been around for a few years now, but still seems new to me!), to staff headshots, to photographing the variety of services they offer, whether that was childbirth education, prenatal care, early dating ultrasounds, non-stress tests, at-home postpartum care, well-woman care...you get the idea!  

Sarah & Garrett: Lifestyle Couples Session

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Sarah and Garrett asked me to shoot this session during their last few weeks in Fairbanks, at their home in family housing on the UAF campus.  It was their first home as a married couple, and they had really cherished their first few happy years there.  This session was a way to document and memorialize this time of their lives, and also part of the process of saying goodbye to their first home together.  I absolutely loved being invited to capture the story their home and their lives together told.  Sarah and Garrett have since moved on to the Anchorage area for some post-graduate work and just recently welcomed their first child.  I can only imagine the cuteness that must be happening in their current home.  :)