Greg & Monica's Santa Barbara Wedding-Sneak Peek!

This week I'm KNEE DEEP in editing from my first two out-of-state weddings! First, I wanted to give you a little taste of Greg & Monica's Santa Barbara, CA beach wedding. There's nothing like a change of scenery and landscape to get my creative juices really flowing, so a beach wedding was AWESOME to shoot. Plus, I'm a sucker for palm trees and flying in airplanes, so I was a pretty happy camper! Stay tuned for more!

Tatiana's Belly Portraits!

When I think of Tatiana, I think of the classic theme of an artist and their muse; I think of fashion photographers and their favorite models that inspire them. Words like symbyosis, chemistry, vibrational plane, all seem to have to do with what happens what Tatiana walks in front of my camera. I admire her calm spirit, her effortlessness in front of my lens, and her friendship. So it was my TOTAL pleasure to get to photograph her growing belly!




I think pregnant women are absolutely divine creatures. I know, I've been there twice and it doesn't feel like that most of the time! But I guarantee having portraits done like these might offset the memories of swollen feet and queasy stomachs. . .Thank you so much Tot for allowing me to share your portraits!!

Erin & Brad's Botanical Wedding

It's been a while! I've been CRAZY busy and have lots of posts to get to! First off, let's talk about Erin & Brad. . .





Erin rocked her gorgeous "V" neckline gown, sans veil on August 2, 2008. . . .



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The bride, groom, & son all wore matching white Converse. . .

Brad went with the cream linen suit. . .

Together, they have style for days. . .


I hope Erin's spicy sass & charm rubs off on me a little. . . I could use it!
If you are looking for a tropical location within 30 minutes of Tacoma, look no further than Yangs Botanical Garden! It's absolutely BREATHTAKING that this gem is in Port Orchard, no less!


Seriously!

Priceless. . .Erin & Brad's 2-year-old son ran over to momma as grampa walked her down the aisle. Can you STAND it!? One of my favorite images ever. . .


And the weather was everything you could ask for.


Like I said. . .style for days!

This reminds me of a candid of some fabulous family on the red carpet, like Will Smith & Jada, tending to their child, or brangelina. . .lol

Awe, first dance!







Wonderful toasts and a touching, tropical wedding day that was an honor for me to capture. . . thank you so much!!!

Portrait Session-Beth!

Meet Beth

Beth came in for some long overdue portraits, after she saw the work I had done for her husband, Curtis, earlier this year....

When was the last time you had a portrait? A real portrait? A portrait to help you remember WHO you are, right now in your life? Why does it seem like portraits are important at graduation and weddings, but after that, life doesn't always get recorded beautifully...and I have to admit, women are vibrant creatures, I truly believe that, and maybe the days of a huge portrait of the woman of the house over the mantel are gone...but maybe they shouldn't be!

I adore this one above. I imagine she's quietly thinking, imagining. Could you imagine having a portrait of your mother like this? Or your sister?


Awwh, and we ended the shoot with a surprise visit from Beth's guardian angel, Curtis! lol

Nalini & Blue Lotus

It was a special treat last week when bollywood-style dance company Nalini & Blue Lotus drove down from West Seattle for a photoshoot!


Though I've photographed several single bellydancers, this was my first time photographing three at one time. I knew that this would bring different challenges but I was up for it! First off, 10 feet of backdrop wasn't quite enough for some of the wider arrangements, so I needed to go into Photoshop to extend the backdrop. Also, symmetry isn't an important factor when you are photographing a single dancer. Actually, it's asymmetry that's the focus, giving a visual trail for the eye to follow. But when you are capturing the spirit of a group who dances in unison with each other, it's important for each detail among the group to be considered. The mirrored wall behind me at the studio helped them see their reflections, but so did a lot of reviewing on the back of the camera to make sure I'm capturing what they imagine seeing.

I'm all about information. I love knowing about all kinds of things and how they work. So during photoshoots, I like to give my clients opportunities to see how things look and get excited or to point out something they don't like. Photography, especially of OURSELVES is so subjective! It gives me a good idea of how my client is thinking and what they like when I get this feedback DURING the shoot...

As you can see, there's power in threes! Each dancer on their own is exquisite, but when that is tripled, it turns into something more...I'll post again to let you know when their website is redesigned to include the images from our shoot!

Vienna-3 month portraits!

Ahhh, three months old...we will all have the pleasure of watching Vienna grow up during her first year on this blog! Each month, Vienna is coming in so I can capture her grow and change during this fast paced-sometimes chaotic-always surprising-time of her life!

Smiling is now a common occurance, but the delicate, sweet, infant features are still in full bloom...




There's that smile!

Mom was about to change her clothes, but the light shining in through the open door and Vienna's precious adorable baby-ness made me burst out with "Wait! Don't move!" Stay tuned for more images of little Vienna!

Tonya & Roy--Leavenworth Wedding!

I have so many images I want to show you from Tonya & Roy's wedding!! If you want to cut to the chase and check out the slideshow, it's here!


That's Roy, above. That location was a little treacherous to get to, but I knew it would look awesome and be comfortable for them; it was about 87 degrees with very little shade this time of the day. I always have empathy for the guys in three layers of dark clothing on hot days!


But just LOOK how gorgeous and vivid the colors are! Keeping your ISO low and F-stop high (I believe it was at F13 for this shot) maximizes the color saturation...


Thank goodness for the trees! This ideal "open shade" location was great for closeups of Tonya...

Yep...I even asked the ladies to walk CAREFULLY along the rocky, narrow, and sometimes steep dirt path. The pond/stream is hard to see, but it was there and everybody made it without a hitch! Oh, and can I say, that besides Tonya's BFF Ashley who is the first on the left, each of her other bridesmaids were all of her sisters!


Oh my gosh, this moment...after the toasts, Roy's gramma presented him with his late-grampa's WWII medal and flying wings. THAT was something else...what an emotional, beautiful moment in their lives...



The Beecher Hill House has had weddings there since I believe, the 1930s! The interior of the mansion was beautiful and the "Bridal Bath" was no exception. . .


The ceremony location was framed so beautifully with the lush greenery and awesome view.


When I saw the bookshelves at one end of the Groom's Quarters, I instantly envisioned this shot for Roy. I really really love this one...


Oh, I wasn't going to leave the rocky stream until Tonya got a gorgeous shot there!


I am not a staunch-photojournalist (a type of photography style in which you do NO posing, direction, or interaction with the subjects at all) by any means, but I am always looking for the beauty that is right under your nose. It doesn't get any better than walking in a room and seeing this!



Here's the view back at the mansion from the ceremony altar...


Oh and the DANCES! They were so memorable...Tonya and her dad were both completely overcome with emotion during their dance...another timeless moment in a bride's life that I love shooting as much as I love chocolate, and that's saying something!


If I stare at this shot too much it'll make me want to hold my breath and feel a sob coming on! lol


When Roy broke out in air guitar, you can guarantee I jumped in there to grab that shot!

The men you see here have served our country overseas and because of this, exposed themselves to the darkest of the dark realities, war. On the other end of the spectrum, is their ability and desire to celebrate to joy in life deeply, enthusiastically, and with passion.... we can all take a lesson from these brave soldiers.



I also want to make sure we acknowledge the Army Wives...maybe you know an Army Wife and

if you do, you know what strength it takes to endure the months of time away from your other half. I learned that Army wives can create a closeknit family of sisters that support each other and mirror the support their husbands have for each other. It's a difficult and amazing reality that makes me so proud to know them!



The Wives and I had spoke about wedding portrait sessions that would help complete their own wedding stories, many of whom started and ended at the courthouse. I am now excitedly offering a Bride & Groom portrait session which includes a gallery wrap canvas wall portrait. I can't think of anybody else who deserves a gorgeous reminder of the extraordinary committment they made more than them! You can contact me through my website or visit my sister blog, Petite Weddings, for more information!!