This Thanksgiving, we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect on what we’re thankful for, and say thank you.

We’ve had an incredible year photographing your milestones and telling your stories through our lenses. None of it happens without the trust you place in us.

This year will be my first Thanksgiving without my mom, which brings a different kind of reflection. My parents were just a couple months shy of celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary and that reminds me how valuable it is to slow down and hold onto the moments that matter most, both in life and through the images we create together.

One memory that stands out: my parents always welcomed the “strays” at Thanksgiving, people who didn’t have family or anywhere to go. Some years we’d have nearly 50 people at their house. Friends would joke it was like a high-quality Vegas buffet with all the food options. I’m carrying that spirit of gratitude and generosity forward in the New Year.

A Few Thanksgiving Reflections from My Studio Manager, Danielle:

What are you thankful for this year?

Grateful for the people who make life brighter, especially family and friends.

What’s your favorite part of Thanksgiving?

Our big family reunion—it’s chaotic, loud, and always full of laughter.

Favorite food?

Mashed potatoes with gravy. Simple, classic, and unbeatable.

Anything else you want to add about Thanksgiving or this weekend?

Iowa is cold and makes me thankful I live in Arizona. 🥶

A Few Thanksgiving Reflections from Me:

What are you thankful for this year?

Family. With my mom’s passing, it’s helped us all reconnect while caring for my dad. This season, I’m especially thankful for my wife Nicole, our Mr & Mrs Golf adventures (follow along here), and our pups Sedona and Zwei, who keep life interesting. I have a job that I love, amazing clients and this year also brought a significant personal milestone: I stepped back into full ownership of Photo Fusion Studio (more here). I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead this next chapter and continue building something rooted in creativity and care for our clients.

Favorite part of Thanksgiving?

The food, of course. We’ll miss a lot of my mom’s cooking, especially her stuffing, but food is what always brought our family together. I have a sweet tooth, so desserts are my real answer.

A memory that stands out from past Thanksgivings?

My parents always welcomed the “strays”, our friends and co-workers who didn’t have family or anywhere to go. As a kid, it was sometimes annoying (to share my desserts, see above 😛), some years we’d have nearly 50 or more people at the house. People always commented on the abundance of good food. It wasn’t just traditional either, plenty of great Mexican food like pozole, tamales, tortillas, my mom’s beans, fresh seafood or game, and so much more. Friends would joke it was like a high-quality Vegas buffet.

What are you most looking forward to before the year ends?

Refocusing on what matters. Not being “busy” or wearing that as a badge of honor. Getting the studio back to putting out some higher quality photographic work, not just work that’s “good enough.” Getting back to good health and enjoying time with my wife, pups, family, and friends. Life’s too short to just work and not live it.

Looking Ahead

As we close out 2025, we’re already planning what’s next. We’re investing in new equipment, refining our processes, and most importantly, getting back to what we do best: creating images that matter, not just checking boxes.

If you’ve been thinking about booking a session, updating family portraits, or finally tackling that project you’ve been putting off, now’s the time. We have limited availability in December and are already booking into early 2026.

We’re also exploring some exciting new offerings for the new year. More on that soon. If there’s something you’ve wished we offered or a way we could serve you better, we’d love to hear it. Just contact us.

Thank you for trusting us with your stories. We don’t take that lightly. Here’s to a season of gratitude, good food, and moments worth remembering.

Everardo Keeme
Owner & Lead Photographer