Seattle High School Senior: Anna

Meet the gorgeous Anna - both inside and out! I  really loved spending time with Anna at Gas Works Park.  We chatted and scouted around for photo locations - and I was so impressed by all that she had going on!  And as if she couldn't get any cooler in my eyes - I find out that she is a very dedicated member of her crew team! How cool is that?!! 

 I wish you all the best at Santa Clara in the Fall Anna!!



Modern Twist on Pet Photography

My daughter, Linda, and I had a little project to work on this afternoon. I stepped away for a minute and she took some pictures or our dog, Zuma.  When I came back and popped my memory card into my computer I found a great image of Zuma's adorable face.  The lighting was a little off so we played with it a bit and ended with this image.  I love the brown of Zuma's eyes and Linda loves that it has a bit of a watercolor meets modern feel to it.  I promptly hired her on the spot as my new pet photography associate! Pet Photography by Linda available all summer long!

Raagé & Nicole's Wedding Album traveled across the Ocean!

I love receiving special packages from FedEx!  Raagé & Nicole's books traveled across the ocean and arrived just in time for their first anniversary!  I am incredibly impressed with GraphiStudio's new gallery wrapped books - they really are very high quality albums and books all made in Italy.  All of my bride's have loved their albums and books from GraphiStudio!

I Found my Signature Washed Up on the Beach!

We were just taking a leisurely walk on Beach #3 near Kalaloch and there it was laying in the surf. I could hardly believe my eyes.  Almost my exact signature designed by nature. Up until just last year my signature was my logo.  See below.....

Quite a resemblence isn't it?!! So Paul took a picture of me all "dolled up" NOT! Then he had the fantastic idea to bring it home for me. How did I get so lucky to have this man in my life??

Hilarious Photo Session Spoof from Portlandia Series! A must view!

New Year's Day Polar Bear Dip!

Polar Bears:  Alison, Linda, Paul, Stephanie, Jason

Location:  Coulon Beach Park, Renton WA

Air Temperature: 34 degrees

Water Temperature: 47 degrees

Craziness Factor:  Extremely High!!

I am defining 2011 as the year for new adventures!  To start the year off right - we decided to participate in the  Gene Coulon Park Polar Bear Dip.  What a blast!  (Jason in red shorts w/ white flowers, Steph with blue rashguard, Linda with white rashguard, me with long-sleeved rash gurad and Paul directly in front of me.)

The lifeguards will allow you to run to the rope and there you can submerse yourself. It is pure craziness!

This is probably my favorite picture!  The little girl in yellow totally expresses how we all are feeling!!

You can see that this is moments after we all made the "big dip" it was COLD!!

Is it me or do we seem to be in a hurry to get back to our towels and blankets?

Okay -just a few tips for next year.  We wore our tennis shoes in - GREAT IDEA - beach is a bit rocky. We saw some people wearing bathrobes - also great idea - next year.  Hot tub  - if you have one or have a friend that has one.....this is a MUST!  We sure enjoyed soaking in ours afterward!

A HUGE thank you goes to our photo-girl, Carrie, for documenting this event!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I can't wait for more fun adventures!

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