The Awkward Photographer

2011: A Big Year

2012-02-24T20:35:00.001-08:00

A lot happened in 2011. I moved home. I met someone amazing. I got engaged. And in between, I photographed people in love, families and their adorable children and events that marked a change in life.

I've gone through ups and downs, artistically and personally. But I wouldn't trade a moment.

Here are the highlights:

You can use your keyboard arrow keys or cursor to navigate these photos.

Pure Brutal Honesty.... and Some Fear

2012-02-10T18:35:00.000-08:00

Note: I wrote the following in about 10 minutes and have intentionally not read through it again because I'm afraid I'll lose my confidence and it will be forever relegated to my 'drafts' folder. I'm publishing it. Now.

--

There are a lot of thoughts swirling around my head. They've been there for weeks... I've just been too afraid to think about them.

It could be because I haven't had an opportunity to vent my artistic energy in months. That's driving me a bit crazy. But, there's more on my mind.

Recently, a photographer that I really admire encouraged me to drop 'The Awkward Photographer' and go by a name that represents me; that I'm limiting myself with that. I was flattered. An idea flickered. I wanted to start over, define my style, build a brand. Reach my potential, aim high... blah blah blah.

In the months since that flicker of inspiration hit, I've started making all sorts of lists. 'Rebranding', 'Potential Names', 'How to Convey My Brand', etc. I've looked through my photo archives to try to define my style - not just who I think I am, but who I want to be as a photographer.

And I'm getting nowhere.

Just now, 10 minutes ago, it creeped back. A thought that I'd desperately been trying to ignore (pretty much since I was a teenager - it always pops out at the most inopportune times). It's this nagging fear that I'm not good enough. That I'm just faking it. That I'll never learn enough... or know enough... that I have no business even trying.

I know pretty much everyone has these feelings at some point. But somehow they work through them. Why can't I? Why am I so filled with doubt that I can't bring myself to even try? (And I'm not craving external feedback here - that's why I've disabled comments for this post. It's not about other people. It has something to do with me. I need to love me. I need to be happy with my photography. I need to be proud of myself. I need to get over this.)

I've had my high points and low points and some fairly hopeful moments. I've made decisions and then changed my mind. I've been brutally honest here on the blog.

And at the moment, I wish that I could just give up. I wish that I could wash my hands of this whole photography thing and move on to something else.

But, I can't.

I told myself, "What if you just stopped taking pictures? Just leave your camera at home. Stop scheduling sessions."

And I honestly can't imagine doing that. It just feels.... wrong.

But I do know this: I am tired of being The Awkward Photographer. I don't know who I want to be yet. I don't know how I'm going to get there. But, I will keep trying. Because this is part of me...

I can't stop.

--

Great. Now I'm having second thoughts. Why do I share things like this? It's just going to make me look foolish. But you know what? This is what is going through my mind. And maybe it doesn't do anyone else any good.... but documenting that this is where I am at this point in my life... it is good for me. I can look back later and think 'this is who I was' and I will remember that the road hasn't been easy and I will appreciate where I came from. Because of this.

Vermont

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

During my recent trip to New York, we drove to Vermont to enjoy the fall leaves.

Strangers in New York

2012-01-15T13:05:00.000-08:00

Last Oct/Nov, I went to the Big Apple with some good friends.

In addition to the standard tourist photos, I decided to capture strangers going about their everyday big city life.

I was pretty sneaky about it... sometimes holding my camera at hip-level and hoping my random snapping would yield some artistic results. And I think it did.

A Boy and His Cat

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

Geocaching

2012-01-12T23:17:00.001-08:00

I went geocaching with a family of redheads a week or so ago with my fiance. It was our first time... and it was a lot of fun!

I used just my 50mm 1.4 on these. It's responsible for the lovely bokeh that you'll notice in the nature shots. Ah, bokeh.

I look forward to our next geocaching adventure!

Simon and Sedona. My Cats.

2011-11-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Sheboygan, WI. Nov 2011. Hotel Room.

2011-11-18T23:14:00.001-08:00

Bubbles, Smiles and Siamese Cats - Judah, 6 Months

2011-10-26T23:49:00.000-07:00

“Babies are such a nice way to start people.” - Don Herold

I liked the E. family instantly - little Judah's big grins, their two rambunctious Siamese cats, an adorable home with history.

It's no surprise that these two ended up with such a cute baby. I mean, look at them!

Thanks K. and T. for welcoming me into your home and introducing me to your sweet little boy.

Some Blogger Tips for the Photograbloggers

2011-10-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

Photography fans, be prepared. I'm about to get all geeky on you with this post.

I'm a big fan of Blogger, which is the platform that I use to publish this blog. It's free, easy to use and they push out regular updates to improve the software. But, it does have its weaknesses.

If you spend just a bit of time adjusting the color scheme and layout using the new Template Designer, you can give your blog a bit more personality.

There are also some html and css hacks that can introduce new functionality. For those of you that aren't familiar with these computer languages, you might want to look around at online tutorials to learn the basics such as how to format text.

Getting Ready
If you're ready to do some experimenting, make sure that you backup your template first. You can also go into the HTML section of your template and copy/paste the code to a Google Doc or other word processing document for safekeeping.

Most of the customizations that I do start by making slight changes or adding code to the HTML section. Here's how to get there:

Log in to Blogger
Click on 'Template'
Click on 'Edit HTML'
Click on 'Proceed'

Before you panic, remember that HTML is a language... and just like any other language, you aren't going to start 'speaking' it right away. Start looking for key words that you recognize like Page Text or Header. See if you can identify that each component has characteristics - such as a link has a default color value (#2288bb) or that your Blog Title is set to size 60 font (60x Pacifico).

Most of the code that you'll see in some of the samples I will link to just involves copying some code, searching for the correct location to put it in (CTRL + F) and pasting.

Use a Safety Net
In addition to backing up your HTML, you should always click on the "Preview" button before you click on the "Save Template" button. If you make a mistake, you can easily choose "Clear Edits."

When you have the code looking how you want it to, click "Close."

And with that introduction, here are a few simple code hacks to help you customize your Blogger blog.

Making Modifications to Code
Let's start with something simple.

You can remove that pesky border around inserted images. Change whatever values are in your template to match the bolded text below.

Variable name="image.border.small.size" description="Image Border Small Size" type="length" default="2px" value="0px"

Variable name="image.border.large.size" description="Image Border Large Size" type="length" default="5px" value="0px"

background: $(image.background.color);border: 0px solid $(image.border.color);

Here's a few more hacks:

How to: Center justify your post titles
How To: Create an archive on a separate page.
How To: Create a custom search page.
How To: Apply different formatting to static pages (eg: remove widgets)
On this one it took me some time to figure out how to find the widget id to specify things to remove. Check out this link.

You can also read my post over on my Rather Geeky blog for more tips, '5 Ways to Make Your Blogger Blog Not Look Like, uh, a Blogger Blog'.

Questions? I'd be happy to help. Leave a comment below.

Blog Updates

2011-10-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

I spent a little time today working on some blog updates. If you have any suggestions for improvements or comments about the changes, please let me know!

Here are a few changes you might notice:

If you're looking for a specific post, click on 'Search' and type a keyword. Ignore the Google-sponsored posts that appear at the top.
If you want to see all posts by month, browse the 'Archive'.
Posts are organized by categories such as 'wedding' or 'kids', you can click on the 'Categories' page.

The Equestrian Getting Started

2011-10-24T07:22:00.001-07:00

I had the privilege of taking one of my favorite kids to her first riding lesson last week.

This was a special experience for me; I grew up riding horses until my pre-teen years and still miss them. Their smell. The sound of hoofbeats on pavement.

She was completely focused the entire time. It wasn't until the lesson was over and I asked her "So, what did you think?" that she started to smile.

Judah - 6 Months {Sneak Peek}

2011-10-24T00:03:00.001-07:00

I had fun photographing six month old Judah today. Look at those grins! He just happens to be Sullivan's cousin. Adorable!

Thankfully the weather cleared up today so that we could take some pictures outside of this couple's adorable brick home.

I can't wait to share the rest.

Back from NY: Sunset and Strangers (Sneak Peek)

2011-10-15T09:07:00.001-07:00

I returned from New York at way-too-early-in-the-morning after a full day of travel. Awesome trip.

I'm culling through hundreds of photos that I took, but wanted to share a sneak peek with you.

The Statue of Liberty shot is SOOC (straight out of camera) with the removal of a few spots from my lens. The sunset was just that awesome. (Viewed from the Staten Island Ferry.)

New York is an amazing place to take photos of strangers - people are just so interesting. I'll have more to share soon.

Sullivan - A Year Old

2011-09-29T17:50:00.000-07:00

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." - Stacia Tauscher

I've enjoyed photographing Sullivan since he was three months old. And he just keeps on getting cuter!

That dimpled chin! Those little questioning grunts. The determination to not smile for me no matter how silly I act.

This session was the first time I photographed the whole little family. You'll definitely see them again on the blog!

Check out his 3 month, 6 month and 9 month photos to see how Sullivan has grown.

Light Test Amazingness

2011-09-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

During her son's session, I asked Alexa to step in for a light test.

Isn't she gorgeous?

'I really like that picture'

2011-09-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon, when I stopped by for Sullivan's session, I walked into A & D's house and something caught my eye.

I saw a framed photo on their mantle and thought, 'wow, I really like that picture.' It took me a moment before I realized that I had taken that photo when he was 6 months old.

Seeing my work in a format like that was awesome. I'm still on an bit of a high.

Sullivan at 12 Months {Sneak Peek}

2011-09-25T23:58:00.001-07:00

You'll recognize this lil' cutie pie. Can you believe he's one year old already?!

I spent some time this afternoon with Sullivan's family as we cavorted on a beach in Burien, Washington.

Warning: This post may leave your screen a bit sandy.

And a behind-the-scenes shot for good measure. I got a little sand in my shoes.

Oh Happy Day {Jenn and Taylor}

2011-09-20T01:25:00.000-07:00

When I first met Jenn and Taylor in a park in Seattle, I knew that their wedding day was going to be memorable.

They are both quick to laugh, incredibly sweet and adorable together.

I had a wonderful time meeting their family and friends and capturing moments of their special day, held in Snohomish, Washington.

The weather was lovely. The venue was beautifully decorated. The food was delicious. The guests were happy. It was a perfect day to begin their journey as husband and wife.

I hope that as you view these pictures, you feel like you were there, celebrating with Jenn and Taylor.
This wedding was memorable for another reason. For the first time in my photographic journey, I worked with Elli of Nostalgia Photographics. In addition to being a good friend of mine, she has often served as a mentor of sorts, helping me with my artistic doubts and, uh, awkwardness. Her eye was an asset. Her help was invaluable. (I normally wouldn't post quite so many photos from a secondary photographer, but I find myself so impressed with her work that I can't help but share.)

[above] Photo by Nostalgia Photographics

New Mobile-Optimized Blog Format

2011-09-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered that Blogger (formerly known as Blogspot), which I use to publish this blog, has introduced an optional mobile-optimized format.

So, whether you are viewing this blog on your computer or on your mobile device (such as an iPhone or BlackBerry), you should see the appropriate version for that medium.

On my iPhone it looks like this:

I hope that this improves the viewing experience for all blog visitors!

Thanks again for following along on my awkward adventures. There will be more coming soon.

Heather, Lake Wilderness

2011-08-27T21:42:00.001-07:00

I spent an hour watching out for leeches and taking pictures of my friend Heather (who also happens to be a bride that I photographed last winter). Despite the cold weather and bugs, she brought her model face. :)

Special thanks to her hubby, Caleb, for holding purses and towels and waiting patiently as we waded.

I realized as we were shooting that I should have made this a musically themed session (like my 'Wake Me Up' session with Kristine) and so, while I was editing the photos, I tried to think of some music that matched the mood of the photos.

I decided on Smith by Pompeii, an instrumental piece. (You can try playing this in a new window while viewing the photos if you'd like.)

Location: Lake Wilderness, Maple Valley, Washington

Claire at 7 Months, The Full Post

2011-08-27T13:23:00.001-07:00

Okay, enough with the sneak peeks! How about a full post?

I love these people. If they had an apartment attached to their house... I'd move in. No joke.

I spent yesterday evening at the Silbaughs, eating homemade fried rice, holding a happy baby and chatting with my bff.

Neva: Thanks for being willing to clean up tiny confetti (which apparently stuck to the walls), for putting up with my crazy ideas and for letting me express my affection for your family through my camera. I love you guys.

How Can You Not Smile?

2011-08-10T21:15:00.001-07:00

I did a little self soothing this evening. I haven't been able to see my heart-friend for weeks and it's getting to me. So, I spent some time finalizing photos from her little munchkin's recent 7-month session.

I certainly feel better. And, I hope that if you were having a bad day, you feel better now too.

Goodnight.

Iva and Tony {Wed}

2011-08-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

Iva and Tony, my 'peanut butter and jelly' couple, were married in June. A highlight of the reception, held at the Mount Baker Community Club in Seattle, was the traditional Samoan dancing.

Special thanks to Gabby of Gabrielle Leah Photography for assisting and bringing her awesome eye to this wedding!

To the Couple:

Iva and Tony, it was a pleasure to photograph your special day and I wish you the best in your marriage!

2012 Company BBQ - Sneak Peek

2011-08-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

For those of you that don't know, photography is a side job. My day job involves customizing software and providing support and training for AeroMetric, a company that does aerial photography and photogrammetric mapping (as well as a host of other things).

We have an annual BBQ out at our hangar and invite our staff and clients to attend.

As usual, I find that I end up taking many more pictures of people (particularly the kids!) than the actual event. But, I did get a few pictures of the planes thanks to my new zoom lens (yay for pawn shops!).

This is the second year that I have brought along my camera. You can see pictures from last year here.

I'll be sharing the rest in the near future. Enjoy and have a lovely Sunday afternoon.

I Love the Words on This Building

2011-07-29T22:37:00.001-07:00

Location: downtown Fairbanks, Alaska

Did you know…? {Sneak Peeks on Facebook}

2011-07-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

If you use Facebook, do you follow The Awkward Photographer page? It’s where I share sneak peeks and behind the scenes information.

In fact, I’ve got some sneak peeks at Iva and Tony’s wedding (which will be blogged in the next few weeks) and Jenn and Taylor’s wedding from just a few weekends ago in the Sneak Peek album.

Enjoy!

Claire, 7 Months + the Fam {Sneak Peek}

2011-07-13T20:59:00.001-07:00

I spent a few hours this evening with some of my favorite people. If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you'll recognize them.

I can't believe how big these kids are getting. Oh my goodness!

More pictures coming soon of adorable Claire-bear and her family.

Taylor and Jenn, Wed {Sneak Peek}

2011-07-10T11:02:00.001-07:00

Yesterday afternoon, I had the pleasure of photographing Taylor and Jenn's wedding in Snohomish, WA. What a lovely day!

Here's a sneak peek of what will be coming in the next few weeks. In the meantime, you can see photos from their engagement session here.

Enjoy!

A Day in the Life of the Franklin Family {Overnight Session}

2011-07-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I did something entirely new… and a bit, uh, awkward.

I spent an evening and the following morning and afternoon with the loveable Franklin family. The goal of my visit was to document a day in their life, complete with bedtime routines, cooking breakfast and a family outing.

Soon after I arrived, Alanna told me that she had mentioned to Brad: “Do whatever Jenna tells you to do, even if it feels weird, because it will probably look great.” So, both of them were completely cooperative! They also came up with many wonderful ideas of their own.

(I should mention that I probably wouldn’t do a shoot like this with just anyone. In fact, when I was explaining it to my family, my mom thought it was a rather strange concept. But, I had met Alanna before at a baby shower and I knew that I would be safe at their house. And a sort of documentary of family life really appeals to me. I often wish that I had more ‘day in the life’ photos from when I was growing up.)

The Evening

When I showed up at their house, Alanna greeted me with a hug and invited me in to meet the rest of the family. The boys quickly warmed up to me after a bit of shyness. Soon, we were eating dinner and sipping on sparkling cider.

Then, it was time for the kids to get cleaned up (including some pretend shaving, which was a big hit).

After bath time, I sat in a corner and observed their nightly rituals – reading a story, singing some songs, praying and snuggling.

The Morning

In the morning, I tried to get up somewhat early. Uh, fail. But, I at least managed to get up earlier than little Esme.

Brad and the boys cooked a delicious breakfast of pancakes, eggs and bacon while Alanna ironed clothes for the family portraits.

Then it was time for teeth brushing (involving a toothbrush suction-cupped to the doorway) and hair spiking.

The boys and I headed outside to swing and play with their trucks.

A gardener snake made a guest appearance, which delighted the boys (but freaked me out a bit).

The Day

With the help of some helium and bright balloons, and after another change of clothes (plus a sliver removal), we did some outdoor family portraits. (and a little more playing)

During my one-on-one time with Brad and Alanna, I kept cracking up. They are just so cute together! Lots of laughter and silliness.

Above: Yeah, Alanna is a total gansta. Can’t you tell?

After this serious moment (above), the following happened… (I think she started to giggle when I said “Bring on the smolder!” ha ha) Too cute!

Above: I know they aren’t in focus, but I kind of like that… it makes this moment seem more personal.

I witnessed the boys first experience with Pop Rocks. I’d say it was a hit.

We soon set out for the local farmer’s market which, sadly, had already closed. So, we stopped for a bite to eat and then headed straight for the beach.

Above: Yes, that’s Esme sticking her foot up her nose. I totally can’t do that.

After Thoughts

I was impressed that despite having three children under 6, there were few moments of chaos during my visit with the Franklins. Their house was amazingly organized and perfect for photographing! Lots of windows, symmetrical decor in the master bedroom, neat and tidy.

As I reviewed my photos, I kept thinking: someday, these kids are going to look back on these photos and say things like ‘remember when we were little and we used to pretend to shave?’ or ‘I loved when Dad would let us help flip pancakes, even if it made a little extra mess.’ They probably won’t remember me, but they’ll remember these moments. And that’s what’s important.

To read more about what inspired me to do a shoot like this, click here.

Thanks again Franklin family for inviting me into your home to experience a day in your life.

Cupcakes + Bacon = Pure Awesome.

2011-07-04T20:21:00.001-07:00

Shortly after I arrived at their house for our overnight session, Alanna surprised me with a gift.

This. is. awesome.

Cupcakes…. with bacon. I think that she said they were french toast flavored with maple frosting. Delicious!

‘A Day’ {Sneak Peek}

2011-07-03T11:15:00.001-07:00

Here’s a sneak peek at ‘A Day in the Life of the Franklins’ – the results of my overnight photogradventure with a lovely family.

See the previous sneak peek for a bit more information about this interesting concept.

More coming soon.

Just Another Evening – With the Franklins {Sneak Peek}

2011-07-02T00:36:00.001-07:00

I stumbled across something awesome recently. I shared this awesome thing with an awesome family and they thought it was awesome too. All of this has resulted in what is looking to be an awesome project.

The awesome thing was this: an offering of sleepover sessions by Christine Pobke, a photographer in Australia who makes beautiful pictures. She spends the night and next morning with a family, capturing their normal routines. It’s a documentary in pictures; a ‘day in the life’-sort of project. When I saw her first post, I was intrigued.

And so, that brings me to the current moment: I am camped out on the most comfortable sofa I’ve ever sat on and reviewing photos from the past few hours featuring three adorable kids getting ready for bed.

Tomorrow, I will be their personal paparazzi. Our plans include: the beach, a local farmer’s market and a lot of life.

I have to tell you, I’m really, really excited about this. It’s kind of a special thing. I wouldn’t spend the night at just anyone’s house and follow them around with a camera. It is a bit awkward. But, I’m finding the idea of capturing the spirit of a family in photographs to be rather inspirational personally.

I hope you enjoy the ride.

Sullivan, 9 Months Old

2011-06-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

You might remember this adorable face from his previous 3-month and 6-month sessions. Once again, I enjoyed spending a little time photographing Sullivan (and sneaking in some pictures of his beautiful momma too).

Location: Coulon Park, Renton, WA

Eyelashes - from Sullivan's 9-month Session {Sneak Peek}

2011-06-20T22:31:00.000-07:00

This evening, I spent some time with adorable 9-month old Sullivan and his momma at Coulon Park in Renton, Washington.

Aren't his eyelashes lovely?

More photos coming soon.

Iva and Tony - Wed {Sneak Peek}

2011-06-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

A little over a week ago, I learned that no wedding is complete without some Samoan traditional dancing.

Here's a sneak peek of photos from Iva and Tony's special day.

Happy and in Love, Jenn & Taylor {Engaged}

2011-06-18T04:37:00.001-07:00

{Note} 10 or more comments on this blog post will earn Jenn and Taylor a special gift. So, please share the love!

Shortly after meeting Jenn and Taylor in person, I thought to myself “these are my kind of people – happy, so obviously in love.” Their affection for each other and cheerful dispositions made me smile. I found myself squealing quite a few times as I looked through my viewfinder at the natural way they posed together (with very little direction!) and interacted. So. Adorable.

Taylor’s mother came along on the shoot and was a great help in toting around my stuff. (Thanks again September!)

I can’t wait for this couple’s wedding coming up next month. I have a good feeling and it’s probably obvious why…

Location: botanical garden in Seattle, WA

Video: Behind the Scenes of the ‘Unrequited’ Photography Playdate

2011-06-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes peek at some of the fun from last weekend’s ‘Unrequited’ photography playdate.

You can see the session photos here and some more behind the scenes pictures here.

Enjoy!

Video highlights of behind the scenes at the Unrequited photography playdate

Taylor and Jenn, Engaged {Sneak Peek}

2011-06-06T00:16:00.001-07:00

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed quite as hard…. and quite so loud during an engagement session.

These two were amazing. I look forward to sharing more photos from their session!

Like Peanut Butter and Jelly: Iva and Tony, Downtown Seattle {Engaged}

2011-05-31T13:19:00.000-07:00

[Note} 10 comments or more on this blog post earn this couple a special gift!

I spent my Saturday morning having a delicious breakfast with this soon-to-be-married couple and then wandering around downtown Seattle. We spent some time at the Pier, enjoying the arcade and waterfront, before meandering into a neat antique store.

Despite a rocky start (one of my props – a glass bottle of soda – breaking and drenching the rest of my props), I had a great time working with Iva and Tony. They willingly did all sorts of silly things to bring my ideas to life – letting a stranger blow bubbles at them (when I realized I couldn’t blow and snap at the same time), chewing large quantities of gum, squeezing into a small photo booth, holding various food items and moving ‘an inch to your left’…. ‘no, back’ as I avoided the bright sun.

Iva has got personality to spare. She has such a great, open attitude and you can totally see that in these pictures. Despite being a bit more subdued, Tony didn’t balk at any of my odd ideas. Good man!

I look forward to seeing you two in a few weeks at your wedding.

Above: Check out her turtle bracelet!

10 comments or more on this post earns this couple a special gift. Share the love!

Behind the Scenes - Unrequited Themed Session

2011-05-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

If you haven’t seen the final photos for this theme, take a look here.

The focus of this post is a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what really went on. :)

Sure, I captured plenty of somber faces, but there was a whole lot of giggling between those frames.

Above, left: Jessee, the fantabulous makeup artist responsible for making these lovely girls look even more awesome.

Above, right: Neva, my friend who makes awesome humans and delicious bread.

Above: They were pretending to be creepy, but those smiles are just too infectious.

Below: Neva shows off her muscles as she helps move my prop chair from the field. Neeves, I love you.

Unrequited – Photography Playdate {Themed Session}

2011-05-30T23:56:00.000-07:00

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, I persuaded four beautiful young ladies to follow me into a field of buttercups.
The theme for this photography playdate was unrequited affection. I wanted to portray a combination of somber emotion and yet determination to move forward.

You’ll recognize Devan – she’s been a model at my previous two playdates. Rebekah is a friend that I reconnected with after we were penpals about a decade ago. Mariah is a new friend that I finally met in person for this shoot. And Chrissy is another friend of mine that I had not previously had the privilege to photograph. Most of the girls had driven quite a distance to attend. They were patient and obedient and so much fun to work with!

There were three people that really made this shoot successful (aside from the models). My friend Neva let us use her house to get ready in and the field is basically her backyard. She also helped prepare food in between caring for her 3 kids. Yeah, she’s super mom. Jessee, a local hair and makeup artist, did a wonderful job styling the models and accommodating my requests for ‘dramatic neutral’ looks. (I hope to get a chance to photograph her in the future too!) And finally, Sally – a friend of mine who also loves to take pictures. She not only suggested great ideas and helped with prop arrangement – she captured some photos that include me (which is a rarity). I’ll share these in a future post featuring pics that didn’t quite fit the mood of this post.

Mariah

A talented photographer herself, Mariah kept telling me she wasn’t good at posing and had to be told what to do. Liar. I mean, look at these photos. She’s gorgeous and obviously has a natural flair for posing.

Rebekah

How do you get over that red hair and blue eyes? And the freckles? Seriously. Rebekah made me laugh in a rather unflattering manner. She’s funny. Like really. She is a lot of fun to spend time with… and I hope we get to spend more time together in the future!

Chrissy

When we were talking about this session, Chrissy said that she had some experience with this theme. And boy did her solemn gaze fit what I was looking for! I’ve known her for a few years, although we haven’t gotten to spend as much time together as I would like. In that time though, I’ve discovered that she’s not just a pretty face. This girl has got some brains.

Devan

You remember Devan, right? From the session where she changed into 3 different outfits in the front seat of a car? Oh, and from her graduation session(s)? She’s also the one that did the ‘100 Strangers’ project with me. I love this girl. She can pull of so many different looks, has amazingly creative ideas and takes her own awesome pictures. Plus, she laughs at my jokes. (See if you can catch her reference to a great song by A Fine Frenzy in the pictures below. It shouldn’t be too hard.)

I must confess: I’m in love with these pictures. The girls did a great job modeling and suggesting ideas. I thoroughly enjoyed photographing old friends and getting to know new ones. You’ll see them again here, I’m sure!

Leave the girls and I a little love in the comments if you enjoyed these pictures too.

Iva and Tony – Engaged {Sneak Peek}

2011-05-28T23:08:00.001-07:00

I spent my morning with Iva and Tony in downtown Seattle – eating, playing and laughing. Look for more photos from their engagement session here soon!

‘Unrequited’ Photography Playdate {Sneak Peek}

2011-05-28T23:04:00.001-07:00

I had a lovely time today with 4 beautiful ladies in a field of buttercups. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming in the near future!

The Story of a Life

2011-05-17T15:59:00.001-07:00

Photographs, whether snapshots or professional images, are one of the most prized items we hold on to when someone dies. They trigger deep feelings that easily come to the surface during such an emotional time.

My nana, a courageous and beautiful woman, passed away last Saturday. I'm working on a slideshow to share with the family and have been busy reviewing photos spanning most of her life.

Many of these photos are new to me... and I have been moved to tears several times as I recall the sound of her laughter, the light in her eyes, the way she loyally supported all of her children and grandchildren. At the same time, I am reminded why photographs are so important.

They tell the story of a life.

Meet the McKnights {Wed} – Everett, Washington

2011-05-05T20:47:00.001-07:00

Love is the silent saying and saying of a single name. ~ Mignon McLaughlin

Last week, I made Sada and Ian write a condensed version of their love story on flash cards during their engagement session. On Sunday, I photographed a very important part of this story.

From the very beginning, this wedding was unique.

The location was an upscale media store. The owners, friends of Ian’s, had cleared out the store and decorated it beautifully. I loved the vintage books as centerpieces! Plus, the gorgeous art that they have on display was the perfect backdrop for informal photos of guests. I enjoyed seeing quite a few familiar faces.

Ian and Sada wanted to be there to greet their guests as they arrived. So, we took some time to take photos of them beforehand, after which they welcomed their friends and family.

Sada also acquired her dress in a rather unique way. She camped out, waited patiently in line and ‘dashed’ to find the perfect dress as part of Movin’ 92.5’s Dress Dash.

I appreciated that Sada and Ian were exceptionally accommodating. They didn’t balk at my sometimes-odd ideas and willingly followed my directions. Several other guests and family members helped cut paper hearts and handed me my lenses while I was standing on a stool. Since I was shooting the wedding on my own, these little gestures meant a lot.

Sada and Ian: Congratulations! I wish you happiness as you continue to write your love story.

And I saved the best for last. This is one of my favorite pictures ever.

Awkward Moments

I realized I hadn’t cleared my memory card after my last session when I ran out of room for the ceremony. I didn’t have time to delete each file individually and didn’t know how to exclude my new pictures from a mass delete. So, I asked a guest that I knew to help out. She removed about 300 pictures from the card manually (including some ridiculous self portraits).
Dropping my flash diffuser right after the bride walked ‘down the aisle’ and having to reach to grab it after it rolled a few feet from my chair.
Letting several young guests take photos of each other with my camera. (Note to self: Watch out for little fingers on lenses!)
I was reminded that light at an event like this can be your best friend or your worst enemy. I’m happy to say that it was my best friend during the entire day! I only used my flash 3 or so times; the light streaming in through the windows was perfect.

Pins.

2011-05-02T17:33:00.000-07:00

I’m contemplating getting something like this printed to give clients after our sessions.

tee hee hee

So, what do you think?

Hearts in Love. Ian and Sada. {Sneak Peek}

2011-05-02T00:10:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, Ian and Sada got married. I was there. It was awesome. More coming in the fairly near future.

Congrats you two!

Natasha and Aaron {Wedded Bliss, Cinnamon Rolls and Cookies the Size of Your Head}

2011-04-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

Come, let's be a comfortable couple and take care of each other! How glad we shall be, that we have somebody we are fond of always, to talk to and sit with. ~Charles Dickens

I’m not quite sure how to start off this blog post. I don’t think I’ve ever been part of an event full of such deep emotion.

I’ve known Natasha for several years. She’s an intelligent and capable woman, a good listener and a caring friend. I haven’t known Aaron as long, but I can tell that he is a considerate and genuine man that deeply loves her.

If you don’t know them personally, I will share this: Their courtship has not been easy. Life has not been easy. They have faced difficult situations, illness and heartbreak. But, they have relied on each other. And I am confident that they will continue to do so.

Above, right: This was the expression on Natasha’s face the moment they announced the ceremony would be starting soon. Adorable.

Above: Aaron, upon seeing Natasha in her wedding dress for the first time.

Above: Natasha’s dad sang several songs. It was rather touching to watch them dance as he sang.

I’ll long remember something that Aaron said when I was visiting for the weekend to take their engagement pictures. He said, “You can still come and visit us after we are married.” It was a simple statement, but it touched me. What soon-to-be-married man would say that to his fiancé's friend? I was, and am still, impressed.

Congratulations Natasha and Aaron. I’m so happy for both of you, and delighted that I was able to document your special day.

Awkward Moments

I discovered that RAW files take up quite a bit more space than JPEG (yeah, duh). I had to hurry to resolve the issue and was crouched over my camera in a corner for a little while.
While taking formal family portraits, I learned that it is not wise to stand on a fabric-covered folding chair.
This was the first wedding in recent history that I worked without a second shooter. I had to hustle!
I rushed to get into a closed-off balcony for Natasha and Aaron’s first dance (which required stepping through a curtained doorway into a completely dark stairwell). When I reached the top, I discovered that the door was locked… which meant that I couldn’t get *the shot*. Argh. I raced back down to keep shooting ground-level pictures.
I saw a few cute kids dancing and asked if I could take their picture. They looked at me nervously and said “Umm… we’re actually leaving.” Then, they kept dancing. I got the hint.
One of my favorite moments was when “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars started playing. Everyone on the dance floor sang along!
When the Cupid Shuffle came on, I was so tempted to dance, but I couldn’t remember the steps.
The reception was in a rather rural location, and I didn’t have any signal to use my GPS, so I had to ask the groom’s father how to get home. (Fortunately he gave me good directions!)

Boy Meets Girl. {Ian & Sada}

2011-04-24T21:56:00.001-07:00

Today, I had the opportunity to meet a sweet couple who didn’t mind that I started off the session asking them to do a bit of coloring.

Despite the chilly and wet weather, we wandered the docks at Coulon Park and toured downtown Renton, Washington looking for a wall that I had mentally noted (although I couldn’t remember exactly where).

In one more week, I’ll be taking more pictures of Ian and Sada at their wedding. Can’t wait!

{Announcing} 10 comments or more on this blog post will earn this couple a special gift. Please share the love!

Hotel Life

2011-04-22T00:02:00.001-07:00

I can’t sleep, so I figured I might as well process a few pictures from my recent trip to Sheboygan, WI.

This was a tasty dessert that I put together after visiting the local Pick’n Save.

Don’t Worry.

2011-04-21T23:40:00.001-07:00

I spent my time on an airplane this evening processing more pictures from Natasha and Aaron’s wedding. I look forward to sharing them in the near future, but in the meantime, here’s one that made me laugh.

The Plane

2011-04-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

I have a day job and fortunately, it’s one that I really enjoy. I’m a system administrator for AeroMetric, a company that provides a host of geospatial services.

On Monday, I visited our hangar in Sheboygan, WI and took a few pictures of one of our planes and crew preparing for a mission.

I’m sure glad I didn’t have to fly that day. The weather was incredibly gusty. I had to use one arm to hold my hair down so it wouldn’t fly in front of the lens.

This photo expedition provided me with a nice break to my normal workday structure.

“Wake Me Up” | Kristine {Themed Session}

2011-04-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

The second person to respond to my Sheboygan session offer was one of my coworkers, Kristine.

We decided to use a song to inspire the shoot and after some brainstorming, settled on “Wake Me Up” by Evanescence. It fit the dark, gritty mood that I was looking for. I’ve lately been inspired by Brooke Shaden. Her work is moving, but I lack her amazing post-production skills.

Beforehand, I knew that Kristine had a rather large tattoo on her back, but I didn’t want to ask her to bare her back because I thought it might be creepy (especially considering the fact that we work together). But, I was delighted when she mentioned it, along with her willingness to display it. (A carefully positioned tank top helped to ensure that we didn’t expose any more of her than necessary.)

Kristine did a great job working with my idea. In fact, during the shoot she said something about not wanting to smile too much to detract from the mood that I was going for. I told her: “Smile! I don’t want people to think I was torturing you.”

We wandered around downtown Sheboygan, returning to a building that I had photographed in the past. We checked the doors and gates to see if any had inadvertently been left unlocked. The inside of the empty building (at least what we could see while peeking through the broken windows) would have been perfect for a shoot of this nature.

How can you see into my eyes

Like open doors?

Leading you down into my core,

Where I've become so numb.

Unfortunately though, the building was secure. So, we traveled on.

Our final stop was one of my favorite beach spots along the shore of Lake Michigan. The rocky outcropping is rather desolate, the perfect location.

At one point, I asked Kristine to yell and get angry. She made ‘not-pretty’ faces – exactly what I was looking for. With this shoot, my focus wasn’t on flattering pictures. I wanted something real. Something that triggered a feeling of discomfort, of sorrow.

Again, Kristine did a phenomenal job making it appear that she is ‘baring it all.’ But, we kept things decent.

I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems.

I've got to open my eyes to everything.

I've been living a lie. There's nothing inside

Bring me to life.

I’ve got to hand it to Kristine… I don’t think I would have been as accommodating considering the chilly weather and the fact that in the end, she was laying scantily clad on a very large, cold rock. But, she was a trooper. We warmed up later with something hot from Starbucks.

Kristine – thanks for sharing your creative ideas, unique philosophy and gorgeous back with me. It was a pleasure to photograph you.