Friends since 9th grade....now our daughters are HS friends!

Today I had the opportunity to photograph my daughter and the daughter of one of my best friends. Both were seriously due for a photo session and they love hanging out together anyway! Going through the pictures I couldn't help but smile and laugh. Here was my 9th grade daughter goofing off with my friend's daugther and it reminded me that Carrie and I met in HS in 9th grade  - our lockers were next to each other.  We were part of an AMAZING group of friends....that are still dear to me today.  And as if it couldn't get any better, our daughters have been friends for years and  have so much fun together! It seriously warms my heart to see them laughing and having fun!  So...... I felt inspired to find a recent picture of Carrie and I together...and compared it to the one of our daughters today....like mother, like daughter.....literally!

Here are a few of my favorite images from the session....

I like this crop even better - Linda can't wait to use it for her FB profile!

I was inspired by the cover image of my recent issue of Professional Photographer magazine.....

Community Balloon Launch Memorial for KR Grad - Devin Topps

I heard from a 2010 KR Grad and senior client that a community balloon launch was going to take place in the KR parking lot at 5:00pm today.  Fifteen minutes later I was in my car heading over there.  It was very touching just to be there....as a mother of one KR graduate and two still attending Kentridge - I can hardly comprehend what has happened to one of our youth. His loss will be felt for years to come.  It really breaks my heart.

So I was in Paris, on a bus, in the rain.....

Almost exactly two years ago I found out that one of my good friends was going on a business trip to Paris.  I couldn't believe what a fabulous opportunity this was and immediately started daydreaming  (or scheming )about how I could go.  I called and asked if she would let me share her hotel room if I could figure out my airfare.  She agreed and I got to work.  I don't know if all the planets aligned or what - but I was able to fly to Paris using 25K air miles each way!  There was some kind of deal going on for the month of November, I couldn't believe it! I mean I can't even fly to LA for 25K miles each way - this was a miracle!  So with the strong encouragment of my husband and went.  While my friend worked and attended conference meetings, I wandered the city, toured buildings, cafes and museums and took pictures.  It was soooo much fun!

The story behind this image is that I was bound and determined to see as much of Paris as I could.  This could get tricky in the evenings because, for the most part I was on my own -so I jumped on a double-decker tour bus.  When I saw this building the bus was at a stop light - I held my camera as steadily as I could and clicked.  Paris on a November evening....

This image was awarded first place  (My first ever) at the Seattle Professional Photographer Association November meeting.

New Portrait Web Site Revealed!

I finally forced myself to finish my portrait website.  Seriously.....I have been putting this off for awhile and thanks to our family goal setting session - I can check this one off my list!  I should also thank Linda for getting a flu bug that forced me to clear my calendar for 2 days. Thanks for taking one for the team Linda!

{Ayling Family Session} Seattle WA Portrait Photographer

After spending some time with Lezlie & Chas at their wedding rehearsal dinner  I was able to fit in two family portrait sessions.  Martin and Karin and their family live right on the river in North Bend (we are so jealous!)

The light was a bit harsh - but were were able to find some open shade under a tree and the warm glow of the setting sun created perfect light for their images. I used my newly repaired Canon 70- 200 L IS Lens for the river images.

At first - we had entire family in this image  - but I could see that this would make a fabulous image of just the two of them.  The light was just perfect, warm and glowing, these images are straight out of my camera, again using my 70-200, I am so glad to have this lens back.

We had just about 20 minutes before I had to leave for my next appointment, so we rushed over to Martin's "secret spot".  What a gorgeous location!  It also just happened to be about 2 miles from my wedding location the next day - I knew instantly that I would be bringing the bride and groom here.  (I will blog those images soon!)

Mom wanted a few individuals of the kids - aren't they cute?! 

Nicole's DVD Slideshow

Great memories of a fun week with Ayden at BYU

A friend of mine just alerted me that BYU's Alumni Association posted a picture of me and Ayden on their website.  I was not expecting to find it on their front page and I love it!  This was taken after the BYU Alumni 5K run that was so much fun to do with Ayden! He ran in his Vans by the way - and still beat me! So frustrating! I run 5miles about 3x a week and he slaps on some Vans and runs a 5K without even thinking about it. Sheesh!  Oh to be 19 again!!

This post is also a bit of an explanation of my lack of blogging for the month.  Just a month ago, Ayden received his mission call to El Salvador and will be leaving us for 2 years on September 8th.  I am going to miss him terribly - so I am trying to fit in as much time as possible before he leaves.  Dear blog readers - please accept this excuse - I really think it is a good one!!  I promise to better and blog more - there are so many pictures to share!!  In the meantime - I really hope you are enjoying your summer with family and friends!  All the best!

Congratulations Class of 2010

{Candice Business Session} Seattle WA Business Portrait Photographer

Meet the fabulous and very fun Candice Caldwell of Brand Atelier, of Bellevue Washington. Candice specializes in building efficient brand strategies, relationship marketing plans, and new media strategies for start up and high growth companies.  I hired Candice to help me with my branding and in a few short hours she not only did that but also gave  me specific brand-centric strategies to grow my business.  She listens to your ideas and cheers you on, but she's not afraid to let you know if you are going in the wrong direction and she steers you back!    I was thrilled when she asked me to help her create amazing and fun images for her new company. Candice is also the Bellevue and Eastside Facilitator for Ladies Who Launch.   If you have a an exciting idea for a new business or just want to grow the business you are in now, I highly recommend the Incubator Workshop!  This program was a huge catalyst for change in my business and I still meet with the fabulous women from the incubator that I participated in over a year and a half ago!

{Chelsea Senior Portraits @ Kubota Garden} Seattle WA HS Senior Photographer

I remember Chelsea when she was just a little girl....about four.  Her Dad married Lisa, one of my best friends from High school. She is just as adorable and sweet as she was 14 years ago.   I've included a few of my favorite images from her senior photography session at Kubota Garden, Seattle.

{Ian Senior Session at Seattle Center} Seattle WA HS Senior Photographer

I photographed Ian and his friends at the very beginning of their senior year- they were so fun to work with!  My brother Ty, came along to film the photo session and put together the most amazing promotional video! I love Ty's style - he's classy and creative! Anyway - you can check out the video of their session here - or go right to my YouTube channel  "Aliensen". 

Here are Mom's favorite images from the day.....

{Lauren Senior Session} Seattle WA HS Senior Photographer

I met Lauren a few years ago - when my boys were on the Kentridge HS Golf Team.  She was (and is) an AMAZING golfer. We knew big things were ahead for her and sure enough, she is heading to Oregon State in the Fall with a golf scholarship! Way to go Lauren! 

Lauren chose to have her senior pictures taken at the beautiful grounds of Fairwood Golf & Country Club. 

This one is my favorite of the day - her eyes are gorgeous!

{Aaron Senior Session} Seattle WA HS Senior Photographer

My daughter Linda shared with one of her teachers that her Mom was a photographer. This teacher just happened to have a Senior in need of some new portraits, they wanted something different and gave me a call.  I was glad they did -we had a lot of fun.

This first one is for you Aaron - the captain of your ship....

We made a fabulous and fun custom grad/open house card too!

This one is for you Mom!