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!

Excitement | Queen Creek Family Photographer

I honestly find myself smiling and laughing as if I am here all over again.  I’m not sure who was more excited about this shoot, the girls or me.  : )  I think they have reached the age when they actually look forward to having an updated picture?!  Don’t they look happy and giggly?  I should have paid them to be with me.   Her poor husband is definitely outnumbered and he said a smile that shows teeth was too much work.  : )  When I was reviewing the results I saw teeth!  Does that mean his family actually had him laughing?  : )

Get what you can | Queen Creek Family Photographer

Meet my sister and her two kids.  (I sure miss them.)  Since I am quite familiar to them it wasn’t exactly a “professional” situation.  : ) ( As a matter of fact, she is my first client who has requested a reshoot!)  I know, can you believe it?  But let’s be honest… how “professional” am I really?  I always try to create a casual and comfortable situations to avoid being the next laugh on Awkward Family Photos.  Please tell me you know exactly what I am talking about?  That site is ALWAYS a good laugh.  Anyhow, my time with them is always fun whether I am chasing and begging them to come at least 15 feet in my proximity, and each other, or hugging and kissing on them so they know how much I love them!  You can check back after the holidays for the reshoot!  : (

Half a dozen or so | Queen Creek Family Photographer

If you are a photographer and looking to get ideas for ANY type of portraits, go park yourself at the Downtown Mesa Arts Center!  You are sure to get some tips, ideas and maybe see a friend or two.  I should never be surprised when I run into somebody I know in Mesa (even if it is just a familiar face and I realize I don’t know their name so I save myself from embarrassment and look the other way).  I even went to the grocery store with my mom and found somebody I know.  It rarely, RARELY, happens here in Washington but now I know why my parents always told me, “You never know who you’ll see,” in their efforts to not let me get out the door in my lounge wear (aka pajamas).  So, back to Mesa Arts Center…  have you ever been to Downtown Mesa Arts Center in November?  There, you will find just about every photographer from the area.  At any given time (I hung out there quite a bit over the weekend) you could count a half a dozen photographers or so.  There was an old brick building that seemed to be popular that I noticed later but I was really liking this old concrete wall.  : )  Actually its not old at all.  I liked its simplicity, the diagonal lines AND that anything goes with the color “concrete.”  I’m so grateful for this fun, energetic family who also had half a dozen or so (kiddos).

Oh to skip a nap | Queen Creek Family Photographer

I can say that this is one of my favorite families to photograph… it is my dear brother, his beautiful (runner) wife and their two adorable kids.   Both of these darlings are at the age where frankly, they could care less about family photos.  Their parents pulled out crackers, promised treats and even offered the ability to skip a nap if only they could care about this moment.  BUT … not caring is the photos I love to capture.  It always makes me laugh (and sweat) while I try and capture the family in the same frame.  : )   I always walk away from a session learning something new and today I learned that quiet time without a nap must really be a magical treat.  Oh, if only somebody would send me to quiet time and require a nap…!!

As a side note, this little gem location was pointed out to me by another family who I photographed right after my brother.  I couldn’t believe that Queen Creek had green trees in November!  What a surprise!

Sugar and spice | Queen Creek Family Photographer

Need I explain this title?  Can’t you just look at that little adorable girl and know?  She kept us laughing and chasing and waiting and smiling!  Brooke and her family are not strangers to me!  Do you remember my post about Design Stash?  That little girl has grown up and so have her brothers.  The parents… its amazing how only the kids get older!  : )  What a pleasure it was to photograph this family and their spunk, smiles, laughter and love.

Green, yellow, and purple | Kirkland Family Photographer

It’s almost as if they studied the color wheel and learned that purple goes great with yellow…  The sun was shining through the fields and trees providing a golden warm day in Kirkland.  I am starting to think that all the talk about raining in Washington may not be true after all (but ask me again in February).  Jenna was the first girl I knew here in Kirkland. She introduced me to doctors and swimming lessons, friends and delicious places to eat!  I love this family!  I did family portraits for them last year at Kerry Park in Seattle and captured the Seattle skyline in the background.  This time, we are doing the class green/yellow scene of the pacific northwest!

The whirlwind session | Kirkland Family Photographer

I have had session in the past that goes fairly quickly (like for my kids who give me all of ten seconds) but I must say that this family was organized and ready and had their act together.  The only challenge was trying to convince their handsome little boy that he should stay in the family pictures.  Melissa is also a photographer and so maybe I can blame her professionalism on experience BUT don’t ask her what happened when she turned to take pictures of us!   Ok, I will tell you…  : )  1/2 of my family left-there are only four of us so that left two.  Perfect family photo, right.  The two that left claimed to need a restroom immediately and the two that stayed did not behave one bit!  Let’s just say we gave her a true test and she may change how she feels (actually, I’m sure she already did) about taking pictures of our family-or should I say half of our family.  It’s not funny.  I’m not laughing.  : )  This is probably the most pictures I have put on one post for a while.  It was a sunny say here in Kirkland and the skies cleared as I was driving up to meet them.  That was lovely!

Here she is, Melissa and her family-cute and organized and ready for pictures!

Bubbles are always a winner | Kirkland Family Photographer

I have often thought about bringing bubbles to a photo session but have yet to follow through on my idea.  I was pleasantly surprised to see bubbles emerge from their bags on this day!  …it was such a treat for the little kids but I was mostly surprised at how intrigued their dog seemed to be.  Have you ever tried to get a dog to be involved in a family portrait?  I’m thinking bubbles just may be the trick!

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.