Remembering Kiddie Kandids

I remember walking in the mall as a little girl back in my hometown in Midland, TX and looking in at the "Kiddie Kandids" portrait studio there. I loved the props and baby pictures they displayed. In my mind, it was THE PLACE for photography.

My relationship with Kiddie Kandids began in Ogden, UT, just after Jace was born and I found a coupon in my hospital packet for a free 8 x 10 photo of my newborn up until he was 3 months old. FREE! I didn't waste time, and we got this beautiful picture of Jace. He was only just 3 months and didn't really know how to pose like this. Can you see the photographer's finger marks on his elbow?! She was quick and I was so impressed. Needless to say, this photo began a hobbie of numberless trips to Kiddie Kandids and many more priceless photos.

Angels Among Us 5 years later...I could go on and on with photos from them, but you get the idea. I began a trend with these black, white, and red photos - when they turn 5 (or 3, in Evan's case), they get an updated photo in a suit (or dress, in Cami's case) with those cute white pillars they have. When Evan was sick, the Layton Hills Kiddie Kandids became one of our best friends. When Evan began to sleep a lot more towards the end of his illness, I called them up and told him that he is only awake for short periods of time and asked if we could please be put in the front of the long line of people waiting for pictures. They completely understood and made sure we had a good, experienced photographer. The photo below was taken in June, one month before Evan became an angel:Jace and I needed some time together while Evan was sick, and I took him for his five year's old shot. The photographer told me to come into one of the photos, and I wasn't even planning on it! Nonetheless, she got this one of the two of us, and I loved it.They kept this one in their display photo album:

As well as this one:

Gotta get one of Lance quick, while he's five!

Mommy and LanceWait, I didn't get one of Kyle and me yet! Why'd they have to go and close on me?!

We have always been pleased with their photos. They would make sure of that, if we weren't, they let us come back and try again, same day. They have treated us so well. When Evan passed away, they framed an 11x14 of him and gave it to us. A couple of photographers even came to his funeral! We continued to drive out to the Layton Kiddie Kandids even after we moved here. I will SO miss Kiddie Kandids.