Sunny Seattle

So how often does the sun shine in Seattle? Just when I come to town. Mostly. Well it sure did the day I went out to shoot Amanda & Q's engagement photos. You want to talk about a fun shoot!! I was in heaven. I'm pretty sure the beautiful couple had some fun too.  I was in a new city, downtown at Pike Place Market, and there was so much going on! So much variety to work with. That part of the city is just alive with color & texture & sound ... & even smell. I couldn't stay by the fish market too long. 
Besides the fish market smell, I mean, we walked one square block and got all of these amazing pictures! I really had a blast photographing these too. I'm so happy with how the pictures came out. I just keep getting better & better. OK, ok. I'll stop. 
I'll just show some of my favorites:

Q just knocks you away with that gaze! And Amanda, beautiful Amanda. So Pretty. I can't wait. Hopefully I get to photograph them down in Jamaica for their special day.  I'm getting into this destination thing. Can't stop me now!


Feel free to enjoy the slideshow:
http://video214.com/play/ENhMKeu96aRToT613ZwZzQ/s/dark

Dana & Rod

Wow. Time can fly. This wedding was almost a month ago now.
Here are some of my favorites from an absolutely wonderful couple I had the privilege to photograph last month. I was working for the incredible Jessica Vidmar on this one. It was a perfect day on Cinco de Mayo (hence the sombreros) at some gorgeous locations. This also was the first time I got to photograph at the Pine Ridge Country Club. That place is gorgeous! All that light pouring into that room. I was in heaven. 
The long and short of it is that it was a beautiful day, with beautiful people. I was happy to be a part of it all!

Brandon and Amber Engagement

So I know I haven’t blogged in a while. But I’m still here. And I just did one of my most favorite photo shoots of all time.

Two of the most beautiful people I know, in an absolutely gorgeous location. I mean, disclaimer here, these are two of my best friends. I love them. I have shared many, many special moments with these two wonderful people. And in just about a month, we will all fly across the country to witness their marriage in front of Mt. Reiner.

I couldn’t be happier sharing such a special day with these two amazing people.

I was doing my best to capture a piece of their intense love for one another with their engagement pictures at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The day was perfect. I was on my game. And my camera was on fire. And these two lit up the forest. 

enjoy. feel free to check out the slideshow below.  

Brandon and Amber Engagement

the Hagans

Down at the Old Mill in Geneva with my folks last Thursday, enjoying some live music with fine group of people.  It was a great environment, and everyone was having a good time. I was watching the band, and I saw the opportunity for a moment that should be captured. I saw some people taking pictures with their cellphones, and I thought to myself, "no. this memory deserves something better than a cell phone pic." (don't' get me wrong. i love my iPhone:) But I happened to have my gear in the car, so I went out and grabbed it. And I think I may have caught the mood.

 


Looking back on the pictures when I was editing, it made me realize something about this family. 
They are one, special, amazing group of people. And I'm so happy that they are part of my life. 
i should say thank you. I mean, you did introduce my parents. and today, april 29th. they are celebrating 34 years of marriage.  so, thank you.
please enjoy my slideshow: the Hagans
enjoy~

my love of weddings and my new slideshow

I was talking with a friend who just got engaged recently. She was asking if I would shoot her wedding, or if I just wanted to be a guest. And my response really sums it all up how I feel about wedding photography. It's not just a job. It's my passion. I love what I do. And it's an honor every time I get to share that experience with a family. I mean, what better gift could I possible give, than the gift of their story, captured beautifully. I really do feel like I picked a great niche in photography. I mean, I get to photograph people in love. Capturing emotions are easy when they are smiles, kisses and hugs. When you can look at too people staring at one another, and see them staring into the eyes of the person they are going to spend the rest of their lives with, it can't help but move you. I'm blessed that I can share in their happiness.

Here is a collection of my photos from the last five years. enjoy.

Wedding slideshow

Cinemagrams just blew my mind

So this past holiday, I am at a large gathering of friends and family. And someone mentions to me these awesome moving pictures. They send me a link, and I am instantly memorized at how cool they are. Beautiful even. It's like part of the picture is alive!
THEN, at the next family dinner, my one-day-brother-in-law-to-be shows me that I can download an app on my phone and MAKE THESE MYSELF! In like two minutes!! My mind is blown. 
It changes how you can look at composition, story telling, hidden meanings. So often you look at a photo, and you make up a story in your head. Well, BAM. The picture is showing you part of the story! You can reveal a breath, a wink, a nudge, the future, the past... the possablities are endless. and I am tingly all over. how exciting! 
Seriously. When I saw them last week on my screen, I was impressed, mildly amused. But I never thought a simple little iPhone could be capable of such magic. What I know about movies is limited, but I've been interesting in dabbling for a bit now. This is like my transistion. And I'm having so much fun!!!

So here it is world, my little moving pictures. They are alive and well. and some are kind of creepy. And I LOVE THEM. Thank you to Tim and Bill for showing me another creative outlet. You have no idea how much it means to me. ~