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!

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!

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.

Rainboots in the sun | Kirkland Senior Photographer

It was an expectedly sunshine-y day and very busy at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens.  I suppose it offered some audience for this senior and her afternoon of modeling?  : )  She brought these rainboots-RED.  Red goes with everything and she sported them better than anybody I have seen.  We had fun dodging people and waiting for others to pass.  The day was wonderful (and I was even sweating… yes, here in the pacific northwest) and she was adorable.  Her mother was every bit as adorable and I can’t wait to do her “senior” photos someday.  :)

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!

Orange and minimal | Kirkland Family Photographer

Do I even know how to sign in to this thing anymore? HA! Well, hello. I have missed this blog but I haven’t missed the responsibility. I like the idea of reducing responsibility. How about you? I’m trying out the minimalist approach.  Have you seen the new shoes that are for minimalist?  You don’t doubt that I own some… These are the New Balance version.  I love them.  No socks… well, I’m still getting used to that part.  I was mostly drawn to them because of the color.  Surprised?  Me either.  My dear friend, Jenna, was shopping with me and already owned a pair-she already shared her love for those little things so I needed my own so I too could indulge in the minimal-ist way.  So, here is to walking, working and blogging on the minimal edge.  Try it.

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.  : )    

Pleated jeans and Aquanet? It’s time for mini sessions! | Kirkland Family Photographer

It sort of scares me that I have flipped my calendar to September through November in planning for these upcoming mini sessions.  We just barely had four days in a row of sunshine and I’m thinking winter?  Something is wrong here…

Have you thought about your family sessions-getting ready for holiday cards?  Or how about simply updating what you have hanging on your walls… I mean, c’mon you don’t use Aquanet to spray your bangs in place (while using a hairdryer to flare out the sides) and you certainly aren’t wearing pleated jeans… are you?  Update!  Celebrate! Create some family memories… it’s time!  And please don’t tell me that pleated jeans are on your “perfect picture” outfit list.

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.