Faster Than I Can BLOG

Hi Everybody....

Faster than I can blog, life is changing and opening my eyes to new opportunities. Do I jump? Do I dare? How many times can you change your vision and your focus in a single year without looking flaky? Do you listen to your gut even if the rest of the world doesn't understand what you're doing? What if you are frustrated because you can't articulate it well to the people that matter?

These are the questions I've been answering lately. Maybe you can relate. We are all making changes. Change is afoot. Don't worry, I'm always going to wanna make friends and make portraits and wedding images of my friends. It's hard to call you clients. It puts up a wall that the best photographers tear down because it gets in the way.

I JUST posted that I was going to pursue coaching formally. I LOVE discovering how much we're all alike...how much we're different. I get so inspired from talking to you about your goals and dreams and desires, your fears, your thought processes.

SO, I had a dream, I took a risk, I ended up at the PartnerCon convention in New Orleans, and now I have the hugest (huggest?) risk/opportunity at my fingertips. My gut is telling me that this is a no-brainer (haha that's ironic). But the logical world I live in wants me to be terrified at taking this NEXT HUGE risk. And I mean a "thousands of dollars" kind of risk. I kind of enjoy being in this tense position...on the verge of the unknown...am I ready for this? (yes) Is this where I dreamed of being someday? (yes) But the most important answer I've gotten from my gut is "You were made to do this. Go do the thing that isn't right for 99% of other people. I've done enough personal development work in the past three years with Karen & Fay and Cam & Linda and Allan to KNOW what my purpose is. And holy crap. I have the chance to do it in a national-type of way you guys. And I can feel you cheering me on, no matter how abrupt this opportunity arose. I have to do it, and while I do, I want very badly to be able to share with you what's running through my head. Cause I think you'll be inspired, and I want to inspire you.

I'll be keeping a lid on it for the next few months during planning. But when the official launch occurs, you'll be the first to know. Friend me on Facebook if haven't already! xoxoxoxo

Julie

Photographer Preview Success!

Hi Everybody!

I am about to leave to go drop off a wedding album(-oooh-which reminds me--I need to grab some quick shots of it before it goes to it's home)and off to a wedding rehearsal, the last wedding of the year...I LOVE winter weddings!

But first I wanted to post a few pics from the first ever Photographer's Preview night at Julie Watts Photo Studio. Check it out!

Okay so this was me before anybody showed up...I've got a sweet mirrored wall that is fun to play with when you are all set up and still have a few minutes to spare before people start showing up...it's safe to say we all had a great time...lots of talking and taking turns shooting Lindsay & Julian! It was a great way to start off my TWO events at the studio held back to back, Photographer's Preview and Client Appreciation Open House! And I could NOT have done it without the help of my secret weapon (and the secret weapon of many brides), Atiya Canley, owner, You Are The Star Wedding & Events!! http://www.youarethestarweddings.com/

You will be hearing more about her soon, as I have been kicking around the idea of having interviews here on the blog. I think that would be fun. I get to meet so many interesting people...it's one of the best parts about being a professional photographer...

Okay gotta run!!

Mode Organic Salon's Fall Hair Fashion Collection

Yay! The official flyer for tomorrow night's big event!! I'll see you there!!

Mode Organic Salon's Art Opening!!

Hi Everybody!

It was been a brisk October with zillions of shoots and one more GLAMOROUS wedding to show you! But today's post is "time sensitive" so I'm going to get right to it!

I was fortunate enough to be asked by Mode Organic Salon in Seattle to shoot their Fall Hair Fashion Collection!! I'm not going to lie; this was a big shoot for me. . .I got to go location scouting (my intuition must be honed in pretty good because my first stop ended up being my favorite from the whole day). On top of that, I shot a test shoot, filed for my first Use Permit, and coordinated/gathered props and talked concept with the graceful and amazing Selina from Mode.

One huge part of being a photographer for me is being THANKFUL. And OH BOY was I when I saw that, on SHOOT DAY, the weather was absolutely divine for playing with for just this kind of shoot. THANK YOU MOTHER NATURE!!

The shoot was a total success thanks to all of the hairstylists, make-up artists, and models who totally BROUGHT IT! And if that wasn't exhilerating enough, Mode is having an Art Opening!!

Our "Where the Wild Things Are" inspired art opening is on Thursday, November 5 from 6-8pm. The Mode Artistic Team has created our first collection of looks for hair for Fall/Winter/Holiday '09. We styled some models and held a photo shoot to capture the looks in the Washington Arboretum and will be showing the photographs (shot by Julie Watts) at our Downtown location. We will also be showing some beautifully dreamy landscapes painted by Irene Wood. Last, but not least, our models will be at the salon with hair done up Avant-Garde...

Allissa & Cory's Laurel Creek Manor Wedding

Hi Everybody!!

Alissa & Cory had an awesome wedding. It was WAY BACK WHEN in September on the 6th. Gosh aren't the seasons moving quick? Feels like EONS ago!! I'm so excited to get to "reminisce" already!

Ahhh. One of the few minutes Alissa & Cory spent together alone on their wedding day at the beautiful Laurel Creek Manor in Sumner, WA.

Ask me how much I love an birdcage veil. ASK ME! Oh my gosh...TONS. Tons. They are so instant-vintage glam I can't stand it.

We dodged a few rain showers and Mother Nature looked happily upon us. It dried out just when we needed it...I always love shooting after the rain because the colors are so vivid, even the concrete and stone shimmers...

The ceremony was undercover and backlit....one of my absolutely favorite ways to photograph a ceremony...everbody let's look at how adorable Alissa is listening to Cory! :)

Below is the menfolk....


I am totally for a minimalist approach to photographing ceremonies. Strip it bare down to the raw emotion, I say!

This is one of my favorite groom shots...Cory said something about the wedding photography part of his wedding day was way more fun than he thought it was gonna be. I was like " I know!" haha! If a groom has been a groomsman in a prior wedding I've done, then he already knows that I'm pretty fun to work with! Heck, I grew up racing BMX bikes for 7 years, being one of the only girls around. I have one older brother and our dad who built cars and married my high school sweetheart who builds cars. My son even builds cars with legos. So I appreciate guys for who they are (which is definitely different than how women are!!) and let them know they can go ahead and be guys and be themselves in front of my camera. I can capture the fun stuff but also show their ultra cool side...definitely a feel most men want on their wedding day...

I absolutely love the above and below pictures.

And this one below? Of the walking kiss? This was right after they left the ceremony as man and wife. I'm the ONLY one on earth who witnessed this and so glad I was there to catch it. It's freakin' perfect..OH you guys are too cute. Congratulations!!

Some divine dancing....

Some bustling and reception prep beforehand....

Some after-ceremony celebratin' !

If you wanna see Alissa and Cory's ENTIRE wedding slideshow, just click HERE.

Wedding: Amber & Mike

Hi Everybody! Meet Amber. Is she kinda staring you down in this picture? I think it's hot! Plus, she's all rainbows and unicorns underneath. Just kidding...actually, her favorite car is a Volkswagen Thing. Yellow. White ragtop. So that pretty much just makes her cool inside and out. Here are a few highlights from her beautiful Laurel Creek Manor Wedding on August 29, 2009. . .

This is Mike. Mike is who Amber loves.


Amber and her mom have LIVED & BREATHED the planning of this day for months.

Whoosh. In a moment, the beginning of a whole new phase of life........wife.

Since the first time I set foot in the Bridal Suite at Laurel Creek Manor, I was in love...and Amber looks simply amazing here, doesn't she?

The sneak, the peek....Amber & Mike's first sight moment! I can't get enough of that sly grin she's got waitin' for her new Husband. . .

A quick quiet moment...gone in the twinkle of an eye...

The lovely side of the bridal party. . . .

The manly side. . . .

A meaningful side moment with mom. . . .

Seriously--how much more picturesque can you get?!

August at Laurel Creek. Amber & Mike promise their love to each other.

This is it. This is for Real.

It's a done deal! Congratulations and cheering ensue!


Now, I didn't hear what Amber said to Mike first since becoming his wife. . .

But it looks like is was pretty funny! I have no doubt this is a sign of all the great times ahead for them in their marriage. . .

"Introducing, for the first time, Mr. & Mrs. . . . . ."

First dance.... fresh night air.

You know. Just hangin' out on the steps.

I'm loving how the vintage feel arose out of this moment!

The exit! This cracks me up because there is so much action...we've got peeks into the limo, last tosses of rose petals, and the new marrieds getting to watch everyone bid them Bon Voyage via some unstoppable limo sunroof action. And this reminds me of what it was like to be a kid and not be able to see the top of a limo. :)

< Festivities carried on throughout the night. . .

Amber & Mike, I am so thankful to have gotten to meet you both, your family and friends and get to capture your wedding day. You guys are all awesome! Stacy and Amber, you guys had a couple of fantastic pictures....

To view the slideshow of Amber & Mike's wedding, click here!