Happy Birthday, Jayden!

Friday afternoon I met Stephanie, Jhon, and little Jayden at their home for some first birthday pics. We set up a backdrop, took some shots around the house, and played in the yard with their dog (who catches a tennis ball like nobody's business!). Then we packed up and headed off to Bothell Landing -- a park I hadn't been to since I was in the third grade. We took a little walk, stopping here and there for pictures and enjoying the late afternoon sun. Here are my favorites from the session:

There are smiling shots, too, but I loved Jayden's chin in this one.
Jayden's daddy is a firefighter. That's every little boy's dream, right?

Stephanie has such a warm smile.

In the backyard. Happy boy!
At Bothell Landing. The sun through the trees...ahhhh.

Ducks! We didn't have anything to feed them, but we set Jayden down near them -- until a big goose came a little too close. You never know with geese.




On the bridge. I love this one!

So serious, boys!



I adore this one. Jayden was reaching the end of his happy time.


Here's one for Steph.

Stephanie and Jhon, thanks so much for spending the afternoon with me. Happy 1st birthday, Jayden!

Sawyer!

Last Sunday I met Dawne, Tony, and 14 month-old Sawyer at City Park for some pictures. Sawyer is Abigail's twin -- they were both born on July 14th! Like Abigail, Sawyer is working on some molars, so he wasn't his usual cheerful self, though you can't tell from these photos. I had a great time following him through the park and watching how Dawne and Tony keep him in good spirits. I even learned a new song! The grand old Duke of York, he had 10,000 men...


I love the shots with parents blurry in the background. We're always there, aren't we?
So solemn, but look at those eyes!
Me playing around with cropping.




A fun family shot...
This is Mama's favorite outfit. I have to agree.

Are you flirting with me, Sawyer? It's working!

Another fun family one at the playground.

Dawne and Tony, thanks for a great afternoon. I know Sawyer wasn't quite as chipper as usual, but I hope you see a few here you like. Enjoy!

Becca and Jesse: 8 years and going strong

What a week! I'm learning that when the previous week entails 6 sessions in 5 days, the current week becomes a frenzy of editing and post-production, which is pretty hard to do with a 14 month-old. Thankfully, this week ended with a mini-getaway to the Salish Lodge for Trevor and I to celebrate our third anniversary. We've been counting the days until this weekend for over a month, and yes, it was worth it. The hot stone massages, the tranquility pools, the room-service and chocolate pot were all fabulous, but it all pales in comparison with the first full night of sleep we've had in 14 months. Yep, Abigail stayed with Grandma and Grandpa! And of course she slept 7 and a half straight hours for them. If only she would do that at home...

Speaking of anniversaries, Becca and Jesse recently celebrated their EIGHTH! Last Saturday we took the ferry over to Poulsbo (actually to Kingston and then we drove to Poulsbo) for some anniversary pictures. I'd say eight years merits some new pictures! I had been dying to do a session in this little Norwegian town for a while. The bright colors had been calling to me. We had lunch at Jay's Fish Cafe and then worked it off walking through town and taking pictures along the way.


Plenty of silly moments, as you can see...
Becca is the most avid reader. Need a book recommendation? Ask her. That's why I love this picture.


One of my favorites...

Awwww...
Such a fun little diner. We didn't eat here, but I couldn't pass up a retro shot like this...



Becca is one of the most photogenic people I know. I didn't realize that until this shoot. Every time I looked at my camera's display of a picture I had just taken, I was stunned all over again at how beautiful she is and how she just can't look bad. It's a little sickening, really.

Becca and Jesse, sorry it took me so long to get this sneak peak ready for you. I hope you see some you like. Happy anniversary!

Adventurous Amanda

This is the week for gorgeous pregnant women! Amanda is 32 weeks along and just GLOWS with joy. I'd like to see her when she isn't pregnant, because I'm suspecting that she glows all the time, not just when she's carrying a baby. I had such a wonderful time getting to know this confident, easy-going, beautiful woman. Not only was she just plain fun to be around, but I felt like our hearts are on two similar paths.

We divided Amanda's session into two different days. One in and around her home in Seattle, and the other out in the grassy fields of a Redmond park. We packed each day with A LOT of images, and I think we both felt pretty wiped out at the end of it all. I hope it was worth it! Here are some of my favorites:

Amanda's apartment has a huge west-facing window. I love that there are two bellies in this picture.

One of the more candid moments.
Amanda's husband, Michael joined us for a few pictures. They are one of those couples you can just sit back and photograph without saying anything. They're just with each other in the moment, and it's beautiful.

After our indoor photos we headed out onto the streets of Capitol Hill, a perfect backdrop for these urban mama shots. Amanda pulls these off so well.
OK, so the belly isn't prominent in this picture, but come ON! I just love it!
One of those random moments when the light is just right.
Two days later we drove out to Marymoor Park on Lake Sammamish for some earth mama shots.


I'm so in love with this dress.


So we went to Marymoor because I knew we'd have access to the water there and I had a couple of ideas I was dying to try out. Thankfully, Amanda is up for anything, and she proved it here:
And here...
and HERE!

Amanda, thank you for being such a willing model. You were a dream to work with and I'm loving the images we created. Enjoy!