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!

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?  : )

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!

Deadlines and rain | Kirkland Senior Photographer

Even though it seems as though school JUST started, the seniors are already meeting deadlines, ordering caps and gowns, graduation announcements and modeling for their senior portraits.  The instructions come to the photographer and say things like, “the head size will be approximately 5/8 inch from chin to eyebrow…,”  or how about this one, “neutral background color-traditional mottled gray, blue or brown,” WHAT?  Seriously.  Well, we followed the directions, set up a session and with a gray (ish) background but had no other choice since it was raining.  : )  We shot as creatively as we good given our restrictions and parameters.  She is beautiful with such a sweet personality.  She rallies those around her and brightens the mood wherever she goes.

Discovery Park senior session | Kirkland Senior Photographer

We were the lucky winners of a special pass to DRIVE down to the water at Discovery Park in Seattle.  There were rules… like you need to be a senior citizen or have young children-none of which fit our circumstance.  Then, she asked about driving because of her knee.  YES!  A special circumstance that may get us down to the water to avoid the 1 mile+ walk.  She had just had surgery on her knee and wasn’t able to walk long distances and short distances weren’t easy.  We asked and we received.  We proudly displayed our disability pass in our window, drove down to the “special parking lot” near the lighthouse and water’s edge and did our session, or much of it, there.  It was another gorgeous day in Seattle as the clouds gently diffused the sun providing some beautiful light.  I was doing quite the acrobatic tricks holding my reflector while the sun was strong without an assistant.  A kind man walked by and asked if he could help but he was about ten minutes too late.  The air was crisp and chilly, the sun was warm and the beach was beautiful.  It made a perfect day for a senior session At Discovery Park!

Senior portraits and her rain boots | Kirkland Senior Photographer

Mustaches and family fun | Kirkland Family Photographer

I just love when families don’t take things too seriously.  This family was too much fun and its rare for parents to say, “No, I don’t care if they get dirty (or wet, or wrinkled, etc),” and this family was out for the adventure… can you tell?

The Winnebago and family ties | Kirkland Family Photographer

What a fun morning I had with this family and their 35+ year old Winnebago.  These two have been married about 40 years (if I am remembering correctly) and they were the highlight of my morning.  I just love when everybody shows up (even if it is 8:30am) ready to have fun!  The Winnebago?  It has been with them for almost as many years as they have been married.  You can imagine the family vacations and memories that were created with this loyal addition.  What a way to celebrate family!  Thank you for giving me a glimpse into your lives and sharing the early morning with me.  You entertained the others, fed them and set such a fabulous mood.  It was such a pleasure to be the guest and enjoy your connections, silliness, and love for one another!

Self Portraits and vacation | Kirkland Family Photographer

Self portraits have never been something that intimated me in the past.  As a matter of fact, when I scroll back through old photos, I realize that I turned the camera on myself maybe one too many times. When you carry around a camera that weighs almost as much as your second born, turning the camera happens a little less often (just a little).   BUT, I have been vacationing and stacationing and some of those outings didn’t include bringing along my third child, Canon 5D Mark II (kind of a funny name for a child, huh?).  I felt a bit more free to walk around and ride things such as Atlantis at Sea World (more than once).  I miss all those crazy copped selfies.  I miss those silly faces.  And, I think most of all I miss those candid and spontaneous/breaking every rule photos.

We were geocaching at Sea World and found a virtual cache by taking a picture of ourselves in front of the sky tower.  I gave it a whirl two times and figured between the two, we got what we needed.  There is only one thing missing here… the sky tower we were trying to get.  : )