I’ve been photographing pets for a couple of years now, but am ready to take it up a notch (or TEN!).  So here goes!  I’ve thrown myself into the selection pool for creativeLIVEs upcoming Pet Photography Workshop with Vicki Taufer.  I love Vicki’s work and am literally dancing at the idea of being in the LIVE audience!!!

http://youtu.be/fm0Y-uNqAXY

Not sure how this works, but would you all please send your happy thoughts my way? And help me be one of the 6 people selected for the live studio audience?  So AWESOME!!!!

I love photographing teens–they are so full of sass, fresh perspectives and enthusiasm–and that’s so very contagious! Thankfully the weather cooperated with my first round of Studio Rep photo shoots.  We are gearing up for the promo posters for a fashion show in Westfield Capital Mall this May.  I can’t wait!

A family photograph–such an important image to document. So why do we put it off? Thankfully, the Swindler family made time together : ) We spent a lovely little hike through the woods to emerge into a bright and busy Puget Sound beach. Now if I can only manage to do the same with my own family… Thanks again for making time with me! I love LOVE the images : )

When you’ve lived in the same town for close to 20 years, you get to know people.  A LOT of them…  It’s always sobering when I am asked to do senior photos of young people I’ve know since they were really young.  Like Emily–who was affectionately nicknamed “Pippi” by my husband who was her soccer coach when she was 12.  She used to wear her hair in the most adorable pigtails–and since there was more than one Emily on the team, a nickname was clearly  in order.  And now, close to 18, she is still… Pippi.  I love that.  I love  seeing these beautiful tomboys, flourish into accomplished young women.  I’ll have to rustle up some “real” Pippi photos… : )

I forget how wonderful Chehalis, Washington is…  with it’s bricked facades, memories of affluent times, quaint restaurants and antique shops–a little bit of heaven.  There are some really interesting little nuggets of gold in this town.  Take the cozy Hotel Washington Ballroom, with brick interior and rooftop views, located right in the middle of town.  It was a beautiful, chilled November day–perfect early winter weather.  The sun was out and the sky was so SO blue.  Dusty and Kristina didn’t mind wandering in and out of alleys with me, snuggling up to keep warm.  Kristina chose an intense shade of red to accent her wedding decor–her bridal bouquet of deep red roses, table tops with hurricane vases and holly, and the glowing white lights shimmering throughout the ballroom.  It was such a lovely setting.  The guests were happy and fed, and ready to hit the dance floor!  I only wished the antiques stores were still open late…Oh, well, guess I have a reason to head back to Chehalis soon!