School dances, now and then | Kirkland Senior Photographer

WOW.. I found this way back from fall and forgot to post it-some pictures from Homecoming (then added MY dance pictures for a little shock factor).

I couldn’t help but remember my days of nails and hair-dos, dates and dresses, dinners and PICTURES, corsages and boutonnieres.  Some things have changed (including home decor in the background) and some things haven’t (like my love for my fun friend).  I especially like the newly painted red manicure and the perfect puffy sleeves from 1992, Christmas Formal.  Do you think it’s weird that we have a real wood burning fireplace in Mesa, AZ?  I do!  I remember it being used all of about three times in the 18 years that I lived there.  AND, those stockings-my mom made those for us and still hangs them to this day.  She made them and we love them!

Merry Christmas from our family | Kirkland Family Photographer

It is probably time to publicly apologize to my friend and photographer, Melissa Hancock!  She had no idea what she was in for and I can say, neither did I (I never know what is going to happen during MY OWN family photos).  Her family photo results were The Whirlwind Session and her kids are beautiful.  I’m sure my kids, MY KIDS (ahem) were lovely too, just not when she was ready to photograph them.  : )  After the two boys had to leave (who does that during a family session?) then Zoe and I had a chance to get some mother daughter photos.  Aren’t they endearing?  I honestly love these pictures because it truly is us-a little goofy, a little unprepared and definitely full of color (both literally and figuratively).  We stuck these in our holiday cards and we had phone calls right away exclaiming that Tim looks good with a mustache and Zane can do the crazy eye thing pretty darn well.   Melissa, thank you for capturing these moments in our lives.  Thank you for these pictures that I love!

So, from our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Cherries in winter

I have been preparing for 2012 and that means clearing out, backing up and deleting (the old of course). I came across a picture I took over the summer at Pike Market in Seattle and it sent me to a dreamy place.  I miss the fresh fruit, the hustle and bustle, the sun and the temperatures of the summer.  Can I get fresh cherries in winter?  Ummmm, no, I don’t think so?  Our summer lasted aproximately 2.3 weeks, which clearly isn’t long enough for a desert rat!  So, I will continue to glance at my market pictures and my dreamy place with anticipation of next summer, which by the way starts in about August here.  I have a long road ahead of me… but wait until you see what I bought to survive the winters!  It’s good!

Oh… today is my birthday and I’m flying to AZ.  Happy Birthday to me.  A girl’s got to do what a girl’s go to do!

An unusual occasion | Phoenix Band Photographer

I have an aunt who happens to be a talented trumpist (is that the formal word for one who plays the trumpet?  I should go look it up…  I’ll be back).

I have an aunt who happens to be a talented trumpeter and she connected me with her band, Arizona Winds Concert Band.  They were looking to update their website and Facebook page, among other materials, and hired me to take their pictures.  Now, this isn’t a typical shoot for me since the families I photograph usually leave their tuxedos at home.  It was truly a most perfect morning in Phoenix, AZ and we headed out to a mountain preserve where I met up with the group all dressed in their fancy concert attire.  The clouds scarcely covered the sun, providing some beautiful diffused light.  The band was facing the east and prior to the morning, I was worried that the 60+ members would be squinting at the sun.   You can imagine how pleased I was with an slightly overcast morning (something I am used to up here in the Pacific Northwest).  I loved their location it was so appropriate for an AZ band!   With a little hill to climb to get started, I enjoyed seeing them come one by one with their instruments in hand, ready to shoot!   Each group of instruments took some formal pictures and then had fun with some unusual and unexpected pictures (just my type). The morning went smoothly and I’m anxious to see what they do with their site!  Here are a few from our perfect Phoenix morning together…

Help with your point of view | Kirkland Family Photographer

Sometimes you just need a better view, a different point of view.  A little help never hurts.

Throw the salmon and let the pictures speak | Kirkland Family Photographer

Recently, a bunch of photographers (now friends) met in Seattle for a weekend of photography, learning, socializing and well… playing at Pike Market.  Here I am-my dream come true.  I have watched these guys many weekends, waiting for my big moment.  I suppose the answer is this; show up at 6:30am and show your ambition and you too may be a lucky winner.  : )  He asked if we would like to catch a fish and somehow the buck was passed to me.  BUT, I’ll admit, I’m glad it was.  Just as the crowds were appearing, trying to beat the weekend chaos, I was ushered around to the backside of where the orders were made and I, little ‘ol me, was going to catch the next thrown salmon.  Simple instructions were given, and then I was ready…  He seemed confident that I would catch the fish (until I saw this picture).

The impact…  the fish landed in my hands but didn’t stop.  At that split second I remembered his instructions, “Put your hands like this so you can grab the tail before it slips out of your hand.”  I followed the directions and stopped that salmon from getting road rash on the cement floor. (Do salmon’s get road rash/cement rash when they slide down a floor?)  It was a heavy salmon and I was determined to do it like the pros.  I thought I had that part covered, until I saw this picture.  Such grace.

The big surprise… It never slipped.  I caught it and showed my audience like a proud mama.  I did it.  I DID IT.  Note its size.  There was no prize given, no “free salmon” coupon or even a discount.  I think they expected it to be the other way around… a big purchase or tip after I was given such a lovely opportunity.  Something I learned… sometimes pictures tell the real story.  : )

Thanks to Wendy Schulz for taking my camera and using it on me.  This is one of my most treasured and recorded keepsakes.  It helps that you knew exactly what you were doing with a camera!

Time flies | Kirkland, WA Photographer

This happens to be one of my favorite statues in Kirkland, WA (and there are statues everywhere).  I saw this treasure on a walk one morning and loved the tender moment between two solid pieces of sculpture metal ish type stuff.  I stood above, below, to the side and in the back trying to get all the angles of this moment.  I think it may be one of those things that touch me personally but I couldn’t seem to capture how it made me feel.    I remembered the days when my own children loved to sit and cuddle with me, the days when I could read to them for long periods of time, the time when they fit on my lap.  Time flies.

Butchers, Pigs and American Thighs | Kirkland, WA Photographer

A local, organic meat shop, Bill The Butcher, was celebrating its birthday at the Redmond location.  Not only were they roasting a pig (at which my kids said, “Who would ever really eat a real pig?”) and feeding the visitors, they were doing raffle drawings and entertaining us with live music.  It was a celebration not to be missed.  American Thighs was performing (Seattle’s newest AC/DC tribute band), and we had front row seats.  It was some good rock n roll-prefect addition to the celebration. It was all quite the entertainment in Redmond!

Danger and waivers | Kirkland, WA Photographer

I signed my life away to get this shot.  Oh what I won’t do for a little color.  : )

I visited Agua Verde with some fellow camera lovers on Saturday and glanced out their window to see a very large stash of kayaks.  You see, they also rent kayaks.  (AND, I am a kayak lover.)  I suppose that could be why they are named Agua Verde Cafe & Paddle Club?  Anyhow, I knew I wanted some sort of shot-I could feel it in my bones.  I finished my lovely lunch (a VERY lovely lunch) and headed down to the kayaks.  I was gingerly walking toward the pier and was stopped by a big STOP sign.  I was redirected to the rental counter and was told that I couldn’t get down there unless I was renting a kayak, was wearing a life jacket and had signed a waiver.  Believe it or not, I was ok with their answer but they must have liked my blue camera bag because a manager of some type said it would be ok if I signed the waiver.  I signed the waiver… then wished I had more equipment to REALLY get the shot (the vision I had in my head).

In case you are worried, don’t fear-I am still sticking with my personal project, Photo A Day.  Come visit my Flickr page and see what you think, leave a note!

Loving the light | Kirkland, WA Photographer

There are few moments when I am able to go on an excursion with my camera for personal projects and fulfillment.  I’m not complaining (well, sort of) I am simply stating reality.  : )  I reserved a “day off” to visit Seattle and some of the spectacular sights on the University of Washington campus.  I was lucky enough to meet up with other photographers from the surrounding area so we could collaborate ideas and have fun.  We visited the Suzzallo Library, got about 30 steps in the door, and saw the grand staircase.  We were all in love with the light and stopped for what was probably close to an hour in this place. We walked around ooohing and ahhhing about the pretty light. We truly didn’t mind losing ourselves in here…  it was quiet and full of opportunities.  The unfortunate side of losing ourselves was losing track of time.  Why does time fly when you are having fun?

(love the shot above of all of us “in” the picture some way or another)

We wandered out to the common area where all the cherry blossoms canopied over us like fluffy umbrellas.  Amazing!  The color, the texture, the smell…   We used most of the remainder of our time together here with these trees.  Our visit together ended with refreshments at Starbucks and a walk around U Village (a shopping center that I didn’t know existed until this day).  We didn’t use our time wisely and get a shot of us together… I certainly hope we can clear our calendars once every 2-3 months to have these moments to explore and discover new things as friends and fellow photographers!

You can visit Jessica at Twist Photography.   You can see more of this day and other pictures from my Photo A Day personal Project on the Flickr Page.  Go, see, enjoy.  : )