Winter in Seattle

We were having a mild winter...until this week! Tuesday, winter arrived with a vengeance.  Anyone who has ever experienced a snow storm in the Seattle knows that it is a love-hate sort of experience!  Love - because the kids always get a snow day (they cancel around here at the mere threat of snow).  Hate - because nobody knows how to drive in it.  Where else in the world do people simply abandon their cars on the side of the interstate and walk home!!!  To add to the fun, the snow was followed by the first ice storm in 15 years. We awoke to one of the most eerie sounds - it was deathly quiet because of all the snow and lack of power, then suddenly the silence was shattered by the sound of snapping of the branches, and load "thuds" as the branch hit the earth! (Or the roof a few times)  Thankfully, everyone in our house had the week off and when the power went out for two days, we had our generator.  I hate to say it but I am ready for some RAIN!

Good by 2011, Hello 2012

2011

What a year it has been!  Much of 2011 was spent on leave from my airline job. Initially, trying to decide whether or not it was a sound idea to pursue my dreams in photography, and ultimately deciding not only that it was, but managing to build a business along the way. It has been a very rewarding experience. I have been able to photograph some great people, fun families, sweet babies, awesome seniors, and beautiful weddings.  My time away from the airline also allowed me to spend some much needed time with my beautiful children. I am an active volunteer at their school, I've made it to nearly all their sporting events, and I've enjoyed more relaxed quality time with them.  I've even had the time to "kick back" on the couch to catch a movie without guilt!  I am looking forward to what 2012 has to bring.  Below are some of my favorite pictures from 2011.

The Burnett Family

A while back I was asked if I could donate my services for a charity auction. The proceeds from the highest bidder went to the Bethel High School and Cougar Mountain Junior High School Cheerleaders.  I donated a one hour portrait session.  The lucky bidders were the Burnett family.  They are a lovely family, and it was a pleasure to spend a foggy morning capturing them.  Congratulations Cody and Jason. I had a great time with you and wish you all the best with your future addition!

Tyler's Senior Pictures

Tyler is a 2012 Enumclaw senior whom I had the pleasure of photographing a couple of weeks ago. It was so much fun to spend an afternoon with him. We went to several different locations to try and capture all of his interestes and activites. He is a very busy senior involved in soccer, baseball, snowboarding, and wake-boarding (all while preparing to go to college next year). Good luck Tyler and Thank you for spending an afternoon with me.

If you want to see more of Tyler's pictures you can view the side show below.

                                              

Nisha and David

On September 24th, I had the pleasure of photographing Nisha and David's wedding at  Steilacoom Town Hall.  This is a beautiful location that overlooks the Puget Sound and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.  It was perfect for their beach-themed wedding.  All the guests enjoyed a variety of great food, and danced to a band whose members were family and friends. Congratulations Nisha and David, it was a pleasure sharing this special day with you, your friends, and your family.

John and Andrea

Another big thank you to Jenni Willson for asking me to second shoot another wonderful wedding.  It was a cloudy day in Portland, but John and Andrea lit up the space around them.  The ceremony was held at beautiful Catholic church.  After the ceremony the guests went to enjoy a cocktails and a fantastic meal at Garden Vineyard. It was a fun evening filled with great food and dancing.  

Whitney Rae Burke 2012 Senior

I had a great afternoon taking Whitney's senior portraits. Whitney is one the sweetest and smartest seniors I know.  I think she might have been a little nervous at the beginning of our session (I was after all a friend of her mom's), but it did not take long for her to get comfortable and show how beautiful she is.   We started at Whitney Bridge park and were able to get some beautiful pictures by the river, we then moved down the road to a great farm called Canter-Berry Farms.  At this farm you can purchase some of the best blueberry products ever! Plus they have the coolest barn.  The barn is one of the oldest buildings in the county, it was built in the late 1800's.  It made the perfect background for Whitney's Texas style. We then moved to a more urban setting and had some fun avoiding trains and cars! I hope you have a great senior year Whitney!

If you want to see more of Whitney's Pictures you can watch the slide show below.

The Linnane Family

When Amanda's husband asked what she wanted for her birthday she had one answer; "I want to have some family portraits taken."  As expected, Michael grimaced, but eventually agreed. Happy Birthday Amanda!   I am so happy that I was able to help make one of your birthday wishes come true.  We has such a great weather, and that just added to the pleasure of photographing your beautiful family.

Happy Birthday Sophie!

I love getting to photograph birthdays!!  This time it was for the cutest little girl ever.  Sophie is my neighbor and I was excited when her mom called and asked if I would want to do a cake smashing photo for her 1st birthday.  I had never done a cake smash so I was really looking forward to doing this for them. Sophie was a little hesitant at first (especially because her mom told her not to touch the cake right away) but after she was allowed to actually touch the cake she really got into it!!

Marissa and Alex

It was a beautiful sunny day. I had the great pleasure of working as the second photographer to shoot the wedding of Marissa and Alex.  They were married at the Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club.  Marissa and Alex opted not to see each other prior to the ceremony, so I had to be very careful about when and where I took pictures so as to respect their wishes.  On a lawn overlooking the 18th green, with a beautiful backdrop of the Cascade Mountians, Alex saw his beautiful bride for the first time, and he was all smiles.  After the ceremony, all of their guests enjoyed an evening of great food and dancing. 
Thank you Ami Martin of Ami's in LA photography. You were a pleasure to work with and I had a great time!  If anyone needs a wedding photographer in LA you should look her up!  Check out her photos at http://www.amisinla.com/

Kyle's Birthday

I want to give a belated birthday shout-out to Kyle Crocker.  Back in August, Kyle's mom asked me to take a couple of pictures of him for his birthday.  This is a tradition. For the last 14 years she has had a professional picture of Kyle taken, which she then puts into a keepsake album.  Kyle is a very handsome young man who has a great personality (watch out young ladies). It was a pleasure getting to know him.
P.S. His mom is a looker as well!

Lisa and Jason

I am so excited to share these pictures from Jason and Lisa's wedding.  Lisa and Jason were a great couple, very relaxed and full of fun.  The wedding took place on the bride's parent's property.  It is a beautiful place with lots of trees and great open space. A gentle sloped hill lead to a lovely little creek where the ceremony took place.  The bride and her bridesmaids all were escorted to the ceremony in a cool classic Ford truck.  After the ceremony the guests enjoyed great BBQ and dancing on a dance floor made especially the the Bride and Groom.

I also need to give a special shout out to Jenni Wilson for letting me tag along on this wedding.  If  anyone you know is looking for a great wedding photographer in the Portland area, give her a shout. She does fantastic work.  You can check out her work at: www.photographybyjenni.com