My son | Kirkland, WA photographer

This little guy is always on the go!  While he is very capable of down time, her prefers to be playing, pretending and imagining.  Gone are the days that he was content on the family room floor.  I miss his chubby cheeks that were even bigger than his sister’s, I miss his feet doing circles as he concentrated, I miss rocking him in the middle of the night, I miss his middle of the night visits when he was scared, I miss those tiny flip flops, and the list goes on.  Now I enjoy playing trains, making his favorite dish-macaroni and cheese, making play date arrangements, seeing his sweet face as my daily alarm, watching him imagine a world and using the most incredible sound effects! When I get out the camera, he runs or walks backwards to avoid being “caught”.  He is goofy and I was proud of this capture!

He has always been a mellow guy, eager to give compliments and make one feel loved.  He didn’t walk until he was 18 months and I was never worried-I enjoyed having him close to me for longer than normal.  It is interesting that first-borns (my daughter) get to be the experiment child.  We learn and grow as parents with them, learn when to be worried and when to let go.  After child number one, we think a dropped pacifier will be just fine, a wet diaper for more than 20 seconds will be just fine, a dirty outfit will not put us on the CPS list, and that kids will develop and grow regardless of what we want or don’t want for them.  Our passions as parents are reflected in the way we raise our children. 

I love being a mother and I am very grateful for the experience-one of complete sacrifice on one hand and selfishness on the other.  Motherhood is a sacrifice as you give up your time to serve those in your care (constantly and continually) and selfishness because rearing children can be so rewarding and an emotional gift.  My children challenge me and I often lose patience.  I have to remind myself to stay calm, talk with kindness and show respect.  But through our daily challenges, we grow closer and we love deeper, sassiness and disrespect and all!  : )

My daughter | Kirkland, WA Photographer

My daughter is growing up so fast.  I miss those chubby cheeks that wow’d the doctors upon her arrival, I miss those tiny little chubby feet that never fit in any shoes, I miss that crazy mullet hair that only grew in the back but was nearly absent in the front, I miss those tiny little 6 month clothes that I could pick out without any consideration as to how she would feel, I miss folding those clothes, I miss wrapping her in a fluffy terry cloth towel after a bath, I miss seeing her stand up in crib when it was morning, I miss her first words that only I could understand and interpret, I miss watching daily as she grew and changed and learned…  the list goes on. 

Now, I get to enjoy the conversations about friends and school, the mommy/daughter dates that seem to be ever important, the nightly reading about Junie B. Jones and her shenanigans in school, shopping and appreciating her opinion, waiting in anticipation to see what kind of an outfit she put together for the day (she’s getting pretty darn good), playing games that bring on her giggles, utilizing her help to clean and cook whenever possible, watching the light bulb go on when she learns something new or completes something with pride, teaching her and learning from her (mostly learning), watching her swim and swim and swim and loving her swimming lessons… the list goes on. 

There is a guarantee-time doesn’t stop.  No matter the situation, time goes on.  Isn’t that strange? Not really, but sort of?  : )  Some days I want to freeze in time and those are the days that seem to go by the fastest and other days can’t seem to be over quick enough.  I can’t stop her from growing up-even to enjoy a perfect day for another hour.  She will continue to grow and learn and someday think that I’m not awesome (WHAT?) and then hopefully come back around to thinking I am awesome.  : ) 

The Amazing Gager! |Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

This cute little boy (my nephew) is quite the entertainer.  He loves Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and doesn’t go anywhere without his weapon.  He often refers to himself as Donatello (or one of the other TMNT).  As you can see, he tucks the weapon in his pants when not in use.  He sleeps this way, eats this way, and even tries to go to the bathroom this way.  ; )  This is exactly who he is at age 4! 

Braces | Kirkland, WA Photographer

How many people love their braces?  What about all those who request to have them (the famous term) “photoshopped” out of the picture.  I love her full showing of the braces, I love her full smile.  I love the snapshot in time, the time when she has braces.   There is no holding back (mostly because she maybe was just letting me do my thing and she was focused on something else), no tight upper lip trying to cover the million dollar investment her parents have made.  : )  That’s right, those things are expensive!  Be proud, consider it your current form of bling.

Summertime | Kirkland, WA Photographer

What do feet have to do with summertime?  Well, thank you for asking!  To me, bare feet represent the essence of childhood and summertime.  I remember running around with no shoes, even to Circle K for treats after getting leaves out of my neighbors pool (Thanks for that by the way!).  The dirt, the grime, the constant wading into the pool, lake, beach, etc.  Who needs clean feet when shoes and shocks won’t be on them and chances are the water will clean them!  Who needs shoes in the summertime? It’s a sign- ready for fun, ready for the water, the heat…  The special thing about these feet is those cute little freckles on the bottom.  Have you ever looked at the bottoms of your feet?  I wonder if she even knows she has these?  :)

Swimming in the lake | Kirkland, WA Photographer

In a moment to get somewhat warm, he ran to the play center.  He looked right at me and gave me some typical goofy faces and smiles.  He knew what I wanted and in turn did what he usually does…  BUT, I missed those.  My camera had been switched to manual focus (thanks to my curious husband).  I was trying to get focused assuming it was on the auto focus and in the meantime, I could see the blur of smiles and goofiness.  I was bummed to miss it! I asked him to wait a second until I fixed up my camera and stole this shot as he was looking and waiting.  It was his usual look yet so unusual for the expected performance in front of the camera. 

I used my 70-200mm at 2.8.  You won’t believe this but guess what?  I love this lens.  It is heavier than my car but worth it when you get great bokeh.

New Surroundings | Kirkland, WA photographer

One of the first pictures I love here in WA.  (There is no boost in color, it is just VERY green here.)  Washington offers a great combination of color and light.  The sky always seems to be perfect for outdoor pictures.  I took these with my 50mm 1.4.  I had everything else packed away and the 50mm was light weight and easy to carry around.  I have fallen in love with this lens again.  I never stopped loving it (is this a song, or what?) just remembered it fondly.  : )

Let’s Dance | Queen Creek Photographer

THIS is why I love doing what I do…  Can you even look at these without smiling?  Sometimes goofy really is best.  Remember my thoughts about being REAL?  Can you argue or disagree with their cute little personalities?  They were getting ready for a recital and these little ladies needed to have pictures in their costumes. Sometime (soon) the costumes will be put away, their bodies will grow to the next costume and these days will be a faint memory that only a mother could describe.  It’s hard to imagine that these days will go by as some days feel long and full.  But, its true.  They grow up!  And, want to know the worst part?  Someday they will be “too cool” for this sort of goofiness.  Their portraits at that time will take on new meaning and it will be just as wonderful but definitely different.  In the meantime, let’s take advantage of the moments they share and give away!

Get your kicks | Queen Creek Photographer

Everybody needs a good pair of kicks… no matter your age!  And, add a great color to spice it up!

In The Moment | Queen Creek Photographer

I was having some thoughts today as I was struggling to listen to my kids tell me all sorts of things about their day.  I realized they were asking questions and I was giving answers but I never heard the question.  Have you ever done this?  Please say I am not the only one.  Anyhow, one of the questions asked was, “Mom, when does Karate Kid come out to the movie theatres?”  My answer (and the ah-hah moment that I was NOT in the moment) was, “Tomorrow.”  What was I talking about?  I had no idea!  I was just talking because I was hearing talking with a slight influx of the voice and a pause which typically means it is time to answer one of the million questions being asked.  (I was caught when the next question was, “really, tomorrow?”  Then I had to stop and realize what I had done and ask her to repeat the question. Embarrassing?)

I was sad.

I wanted to erase what was swimming in my mind.  I wanted to delete the other responsibilities in my life and really be MOM at that moment.  I wanted the kids to count on me being honest with a open ear.  I wanted to make a conscious effort to be In The Moment with each hat that I wear.  I want to be In The Moment when I photograph, I want to be In The Moment when I teach, I want to be In The Moment when I mother, etc.  Should I add that to my 2010 goals?  Oh, when is the cutoff date for new year’s resolutions and goals?  Did I miss that memo?  : )

I am always after the real stuff.  I want people to be In The Moment.  I want to capture their true interactions and real emotions.  Lately, I have been loving my 70-200 2.8 lens so I can get a little further away (hide I suppose) and get those real moments.  There is some pressure when being in front of the camera, a pressure to perform.  The closer I am, the more pressure.  I have tried to back up and I like that experience.  Ya know, I am always changing (learning and growing) and by challenging the way I do things, new worlds open up!

Here, a mother truly being In The Moment with her daughter.  This was in between some pictures I was doing-I turned to see this and tucked myself in a corner so I could capture its realness.  To me, it is a beautiful, real “In The Moment” type moment!