I’m keeping my day job | Kirkland Photographer

Rattlesnake Ledge | Kirkland Photographer

I recently hiked up a mountain with a backpack that was most certainly not meant for actual hiking/backpacking (more like carrying a laptop from one office to another) and I learned a few things:

• I need to think about what I need at the top instead of bringing choices that I don’t need from the bottom
• I need a backpack that will not slowly try to cut off my head
• I need to get out and explore the beauty of WA more often
• I am very blessed to call this place home
• Glad I left the children back home where they could not complain about every drop of sweat and all elements of exertion
• Composing a shot when you have about two square inches before falling 1200 feet may be a challenge

On the fence | Kirkland Family Photographer

Is it ironic that his shirt says “I’m off the hook” yet he can’t decide on which side of the fence he should be?  This little guy and his many faces is my son.  His eyes are one of my favorite things to photograph.  His smile is genuine and frequent.  He loves play time, PlayMobil and his airplane.  He is so cautious in all things-never wanting to risk his security and comfort.  As he grows, I see him slowly branch out and venture to the other side of the fence.  He is getting more secure (and will now jump on a trampoline) and will often at least ask questions, even if it is from the sidelines.  I love my little guy.

Tulip buds and working | Kirkland, WA Family Photographer

I was contemplating a blog post…  I’m trying to feel like I am on vacation but I view pictures and want to put them to work.  I found this and remembered the real work!  The bus unloads and many many workers move up and down the isles clipping the perfect buds to later sell.  There is a rhythm and a method.  They have a routine and it works.  Within moments, they move to the next isle repeating the process, creating bundles for loved ones and displays everywhere.  Thousands of Tulip Buds make it around the world for sale due to these  hard workers.

I see that pile and think of my messy desk, piled so high I don’t know where to start so I figured this was a good start-right here, updating my blog.  : )

Kauai

I wish I could say that I produced this.  My friend, Cara, showed me this and sent me the link.  Devin Graham has inspired me on a whole new level!   I watched it while we were there and recognized many of the beautiful shots.  I was inspired-I want to study cinematography and get a GlideCam.  : )  I have now watched this probably five more times and wanted to share it with you.  It is just absolutely beautiful. Read about it after you watch it… follow his blog for more amazing stuff!

The sunshine | Kirkland, WA Family Photographer

Today was a glorious day and a perfect day for pictures.  You see, Kirkland residents (as well as many others around the world) have been patiently waiting for sunshine… consistent sunshine.  When it comes out to play, we can’t help ourselves.  Sunshine warms the soul, lifts the spirit and brightens the day.  I feel so capable when the sun is out.  I want to try new things, make new friendships, be a better photographer-mother-wife-neighbor-friend, and bake something delicious.  Wow, all because of the sunshine.  Please note… I probably won’t be posting something about rainy days and what I am capable after 30+ days of rain.  : )  I would like to know how to bottle up days like this (maybe I can?  Is it called Vitamin D?).  The hazy warmth and green grass is good for me.

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.

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.  : )

I’ve been dying to go see these tulips | Kirkland, WA photographer

We moved to Kirkland, WA in June  of 2010.  One of my first purchases was a book of things to do from Costco.  Actually, I’ll be honest… I bought several books and brought them home, took the time to review them and see which ones met my needs and returned the rest.  (I am a returner.)  It is too difficult to decide right there in the isles of Costco with my kids begging me to buy them the Elmo read along books and the princess craft kits.  Bringing it home was the only option.  ANYHOW, I still ended up keeping two or three and I love them all.  I noticed something about a Tulip Festival in one of them and figured it would be an excellent outing.  Too bad for me, it ended in April.  But, I didn’t forget about the Tulip Festival.  In fact, I have been looking forward to April since last June.  : )

We took a drive up to Mt. Vernon on Sunday after church.  A family outing.  The kids were thrilled to be in the car for over an hour.  ha.  They were hungry and had wished we stayed home so they could play bookstore all afternoon.  Sometimes you just have to win.  So, against their will, we packed them up along with some peanut butter sandwiches and headed up north to see the famous tulips.  We drove and drove and only missed one turn off.  : )  We found the information center in town, was given a map and details about where to drive and where to go.  We went.

We pulled up to the Tulip Town and could barely open our doors since the wind was so strong.  We weren’t dressed for this (I thought).  We only had two layers on, not the four that was needed.  We unpacked cameras and children and headed out to the gardens.  (We learned that all the fields growing along side the road are for viewing purposes only.  Stopping along the road is prohibited and touching them would practically put your in jail.)  Tulip Town had a gorgeous display of tulips-most had not shown color yet.  What we did see was amazing and somehow it struck incredible energy in the complaining children… they wanted to run between the rows of tulips.  They did.  It was against the rules but the wind was too loud to try and do anything about it but stand on the sidelines and hope they looked our way to wave them back in…

What a glorious day filled with color, clear skies and flowers (I’ll take the wind given the rest).  I’m heading back in a couple weeks to see its progress.  Hopefully more rows will be showing color (and the wind will be gone and the children will not complain).