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

Some people just HAVE it.  You know, the elusive “IT” factor–that thing all stellar people possess.  Well, this darling young woman has “IT” by the buckets.  Shelby has such an inCREDible voice!  And lucky for me (and those in the Olympia area) Shelby will be playing at my studio –The Steam Plant (113 Thurston Ave NE, Oly) on Friday, April 26th during ArtsWalk.  Make sure you come by for a listen… time well spent, I promise : )  Look forward to seeing you soon!  Cheers to you Shelby!

Last week I had the amazing experience of immersing myself in the photographic industry on various levels.  I was an audience member of Sue Bryce’s creativeLive 28 Days, attended WPPI–great courses and tradeshow, and had the opportunity to photograph new swimsuits for Curlee Bikini: poolside, in a hotel suite and in the desert. I loved spending time with my darling brother Joshua, his talented love Mallory (Curlee Bikini owner/designer) and good friend Allison, being roomies for the week.  I’ve been home for a couple of days but still feel exhausted. What the heck?  Maybe it’s the mountain of emails and phone messages I returned to…  I’m slowly making my way through them : )  Here’s a fun little video slideshow I made of some fave Curlee Bikini images. http://animoto.com/play/d5Tj2QJ30OFzM1YkBN7F6g

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 LOVE this adorable family! I’ve had the opportunity to know them and photograph their sweetness since K was a newborn. They are such a solid, together couple and wonderfully doting parents.  It doesn’t hurt that they are GORGEOUS… K is blossoming into such a little spirited, spunky thang–I just love smiles full of baby teeth : )  Cheers to family love!! Thanks for allowing me to capture your darling, darling family.
xoxo

We all know the phrase “Don’t Mess With Texas” right?  Well, I don’t mind messin’ with Texas when a wedding party crew is as fun and Holly and Brent’s gang were. The weather was a perfect fall day in the Northwest, so much so that a few of those Texans are considering relocating…

Just as they were about to see one another, the clouds parted and sunlight came streaming down on the shoulders of one beaming bride, and the tears flowed as our tough Texan groom allowed the softer side out.  Thanks for allowing me to capture your day and cheers to years and years of happiness. xo

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 : )