I just love my work!  How much more fun can one have than playing with babies and bubbles? Pretty darn adorable : ) Maybe add a kitten and a couple of puppies…naaaaaw, that would be taking the cuteness level way, waaaaay over the top.  One baby and some bubbles was plenty for me!

I welcomed Stephanie into the studio, her arms full with sweet, little Miss L–her adorable little one, eyes saucers of melted chocolate. Such a gorgeous child!  She snacked, smiled, played musical instruments and experienced bubbles for the very first time.  It was a lovely, sweet morning that made me long for my baby days…  Thanks for coming in you two beautiful people!  

There is something about the springtime that is so exuberantly hopeful.  The bursts of soft color emerging after the winters darkness, allow us to breath and stretch and yearn for renewal.  I adore the color palette spring offers–the soft, baby greens, corals, pinks and butter yellows.  What utter perfection for portrait backgrounds! Thanks nature for helping create such loveliness on Eryn and Erin’s windswept wedding day.  It wouldn’t have been complete without a kiss of rain, April showers indeed.  Congratulations you two!  Here’s a little peek slideshow…

http://video214.com/play/vJrxnaUDVt0mvkUQM99glA/s/dark

There is nothing better than giving the perfect gift.  To see the smile that floods their face and mists their eyes, and the swelling of love at such a thoughtful gesture, so very rewarding.  So, how about kicking that up a notch or ten?  Well, for a couple of very lucky gentlemen, their wives truly gave them “the best present EVER” (direct quote from both) with the Little Black Book.  Thank you both for trusting me and for being such incredible subjects! It was a total treat to capture these gorgeous women, knowing the wonderful surprise that was in store for their lovies.  

I love winter weddings.  Actually we eloped nearly 22 years ago at the end of December, a night that was silenced with softly falling snow.  It doesn’t seem possible that it was 22 years ago…  Afterwards we walked through the quiet, padded streets, bundled up, arm in arm.  Such a lovely memory of a sweet night.  But back to my love of winter weddings… there is something so intimate about gatherings in the winter time.  People linger closer, longer –sharing food, wine and stories.  I was thrilled when Kami called and asked if I was available for a last minute wedding–of course I couldn’t say no!

She has had a vision of being married along a river, surrounded by family and friends.  And that is exactly what happened.  With both of their families gathered alongside them (Dominic’s family arrived from California–poor people were bundled from head to toe), Kami and Dominic could barely stop smiling the entire ceremony.  Lit only with tiki torches and candles, with the rain softly falling and the sound of the river moving unseen, two of the sweetest people I’ve met, made promises to each other.  Promises that danced in their eyes and melted the chill of the night away.  It was a challenge to capture, the night was so dark my camera could barely find a focal point.  After the ceremony guests caravanned to her parents amazing farmhouse for a reception dinner.  Out of the cold, rainy night, gathering in their warm home, the guests shared their first meal as a new family.  This is what life is about…  Thank you for sharing your lovely day with me : ) Much love!

I’m the oldest in a family of six kids.  Although it MUST have been chaotic, I don’t remember it being too rowdy.  There were kids in diapers for long stretches, and guess who was babysitter numero uno? Yep, me. I was 15 when the baby of our family arrived–Zachary.  My sister and I were away at camp and anxiously awaiting any news.  I remember someone breathlessly running through the woods to deliver the news to our cabin.  Another boy!  He was such a little stinker and so much fun. In fact, he still is a stinker, only a lot taller, and still so much fun to be with.  I know how lucky I am to have such a crazy family and LOVE my brothers and sisters so darn much! It’s truly a joy to watch them nurture their own darling little families.  Congrats to Zach and his sweet wife Desiree–little miss Payton is a blessed addition. xoxo

I love photographing newborns–but I love watching how the new parents interact and dote over the newest little one even more.  There is such tender protectiveness in their gaze, at both the baby and each other.  What a wonderful time to reconnect as a couple and to bathe in the happy glow of the love that a newborn brings.  Congratulations Ray and Andrea!  Emery is so so lovely.  And really, REALLY good at pooping… hahahaha   You poor things–I don’t think a single stitch of your clothing was poop free by the end of the shoot… thanks for being such good sports : )

For true Olympia natives, Lakefair is a week of carnival rides, fair food, parades and fireworks–and it marks the midpoint of summer.  For Haley and Rob, Lakefair will now hail their wedding anniversary! It was a perfect day, sunny and the right amount of wind.  Under the shade of ancient trees in the backyard of Rob’s family home, sweet promises were made. Once the formalities were completed, it was onto some serious celebrating! The fiesta lasted well into the night fueled by great music, delicious food, and maybe just a tiny bit of tequila…. ayyyyyyyiyiyyiii!!!  Love these two and the AWESOME friends and family!  Thanks for allowing me to capture the crazy fun of your wedding day : ) xo

Am I dating myself with the Donnie & Marie song reference?  Probably.

Following a dramatic lightening storm, the clouds parted, the rain abated, and the sun shone widely on the Smith Family farm as Heather and Michael said “I Do.”

Heather had the most meticulously planned details, I just LOVED the handmade signs and the burlap covered hay bale seated ceremony site, complete with birch trees lining the aisle and creating an entrance.  Perfection!

Everywhere you turned were more adorable touches.  It was such a perfect day…weather, food, locale and people–what more could you ask for? Congrats you two, thank you for allowing me to capture your day!!  

It was such a gorgeous day last Monday.  Thankfully the happy rays continued right into the early evening for my engagement session with Collete and Ryan.  These two are so darling!  They love Discovery Park, so we planned to meet and explore.  Collete has the most amazing copper hued honey hair and skin that is literally luminous.  I couldn’t wait to photograph her!  And Ryan has this easy surfer vibe, mellow and agreeable–though he only surfs the snow…  We wandered through the park, leisurely making our way down to the beach.  What a treat.  With windswept hair and relaxed smiles, we wandered along the shore, taking in the ridiculously beautiful view.  Oh, just another Monday in the Northwest… Dang I love living here!!

Another rainy spring afternoon in the Northwest…one of those days you’re grateful to be inside. Aaron and Lauren brought freshie, week old Noelle, in for her first portraits bundled in a sea of pink sweetness.  She had more hair than my boys had at age three!  Dark, lustrous hair that almost shone as brightly as her parents beaming faces.  Parents who, I marveled, looked remarkably well rested : )

I miss those days where you would lose yourselves for hours, just watching a yawn, a nose wriggle or listening to the funny newborn grunts.  The miracle that becomes the center of your world. As I watched and photographed Lauren and Aaron with Noelle, I saw a place of such love. And I knew that no matter how much rain fell in our verdant city, she would always have a place of shelter. A loving, cherished shelter.  Congratulations to you! xoxo