And this is pretty much how I live my life. On the go, in the moment, and fully flexible. It makes me feel good to indulge in not having it all figured out. Following instincts and obeying intuition is an act that helps me get through most situations with confidence and creativity. It helps that I have partners and clients in my life that allow me to live and work this way. When I act boldly, without fear, I earn trust. And there’s a special magic that happens when my value’s match up with someone else’s. We reach a sweet spot where we all come alive and create something special. A bond. A connection. A smile. A beautiful memory. A series of photographs that tell an entire story about who we are right now. And it makes me really happy.

Kelsey, it was so lovely to see you and your growing family again. Thank you for wandering through the Bellevue Botanical Gardens with me despite the heat and swarms of mosquitoes. I hope you enjoyed every moment of togetherness as much as I did.

I could tell Rachel was nervous that Liam wasn’t performing well during their Gas Works Park family session a couple weeks ago. “Everyone always looks so happy in your pictures,” she said with concern. I reassured her over and over that things were going well and I was getting great shots but I know it’s hard to believe me when your toddler isn’t doing what you think they should be doing (i.e. looking at the camera, smiling, sitting still). How do you take someone seriously when they’re sprawled out on the concrete taking pictures with one hand? Did she really just toss a ball in the air, clap, make funny noises and stillll get a good picture? Yes. Yes, I did.  And I can confidently say, “Rachel, your family looks really happy too.” You don’t even need a magic wand to see that.

Rachel, Eric and Liam, thank you for a delightful, sunny morning at Gas Works Park. I had so much fun getting to know you, rolling around in the grass, and watching your family love on each other. Thank you for choosing me to be your family photographer. It’s truly an honor.

This session, like all my sessions, gives me the unique opportunity of being a spectator in a room full of wisdom. I watch as people love and relax; teach and share; laugh and scream. So many ways to communicate, savor and dream. The second baby requires just as much work as the first but the parents seem much less concerned about screwing up. They know which mistakes must be avoided and which disasters are easily resolved. No sleep, is a game they’ve perfected and where they were once tentative and awkward about the first tiny being they held in their arms, they’ve now learned to do it one handed while flipping laundry and being crashed into by a toddler all while singing the ABC’s and updating the social network. They’ve learned that this path is most easily followed when their heart leads the way and the lessons are slowly discovered in layers.

Julie and Sam, congratulations on your newest edition. Kaitlyn is a doll, just like her big sister. Thank you for so many opportunities to be your family photographer and watch your family grow. It’s truly an honor.

Has it really been a year since their engagement photos at the Arboretum? I remember sitting in Erica and Robert’s living room last summer looking through their wedding portraits and planning their album when Erica let it slip that she thought she might be pregnant. Sure enough, just a short time later is was Facebook official. No matter how many times I hear that news or meet a newborn babe, I’m still in absolute wonder at the whole amazing process of creating a human being and delivering it to the world.

Those first few days at home with a new family are extraordinarily special to witness and I like to get in and capture it all as early as possible. Watching them, watching him. Holding our collective breath in anticipation of every nose scrunch, eye flutter, toe curl and back arch. At just a few days old, Kameron was wide awake and bright eyed for his very first photo shoot. Tiny fingers. Cute little ears. Soft little nose. Every inch of his almost 20″ frame was inspected through my lens so they’d never forget the beautiful tininess of what one can only imagine will be a very big life.

Erica and Robert, thank you for sharing so many important milestones with me. It has been so inspiring to watch your love and family grow all of these years. I can’t wait to  see you for another round of family portraits soon.

Breakfast for lunch sizzled in the kitchen while Spencer filled his belly in the living room. An undressed Christmas Tree stood tall in the corner with boxes of decorations scattered about. Her nesting instinct said, “get everything ready before baby arrives,” but on second thought, Sadie had visions of Spencer being around for that tradition. So they waited. What a wonderful way to start baby’s first Christmas.

I don’t imagine they’ll be having any silent nights for awhile. So instead, may your days be filled with comfort and joy….Oh tidings of comfort and joy.

Stephenie, you make mamahood look easy. I had such a fun time seeing you and playing with your boys. Thanks for allowing my images to become a part of your family’s history. It’s truly an honor.

I love that they incorporated their personal Mariners and Seahawks jerseys! They’re definitely a sports lovin’ family. Dad was a little concerned that we were shooting on Football Sunday morning so we worked hard to finish up by game time – which coincidentally worked out to be Brady’s nap time too. Towards the end of our session I was attempting to get some solo shots of the little star of the show but he was not in the mood. It’s amazing how much screams and laughter look the same in pictures.

Thanks for making a rainy Sunday morning so much fun!

Coen got to ride his first pony, we bet on horses based on the cool name factor, ate snow cones and popcorn, and lazed around in the shade on a cool patch of grass. It didn’t matter that our horses never won or that Coen spilled blue snow-cone juice down the front of his shirt and pants or that there may or may not have been a missing child incident. We were there to capture real life moments and preserve the memories of their fabulous love-filled life.

It takes a different mindset and some extra coordination to shoot video and stills at the same time but I had so much fun with them and I love how it all turned out. Lucky for you, I’ll be offering this add-on service very soon so you can receive the paparazzi star treatment too! So, check out the cute photos but be sure to watch the video too for all the action packed behind the scenes and in between moments. And then, tell me what you think in the comments! Would you be interested in this kind of hybrid photo shoot? What activity would you want to have made into a professional home movie?

A couple of weekends ago I arrived at Stella’s home for her six month portraits. She was dressed cute as a button in a pink polka dot dress which was a big contrast to the white onesied newborn I met last December. It warmed my heart to see pictures from that session framed and proudly displayed on their walls. This time around Stella was giggling and playful…well…mostly. She also gave me some of the grumpiest looks I’ve ever seen on such a darling little girl! About halfway through the session I called a time out. Something was not right and Stella was just not into the session at all. Mom and Dad agreed that she was not her usual self and we planned a follow up session for the next weekend. Turns out, Stella broke out in a fever later that evening. No wonder she was so grumpy! I’m so glad we decided to try again another day because the next time around she was definitely feeling better and we captured some pretty sweet expressions.

Now, I don’t know if it’s the light in their home or them specifically, but this family looks awesome in black and white! Of course, I offer all the color versions to mom and dad too but here on the blog I’m showcasing my favorite look. What do you think Internet? Do you dig it?

Oh, yeah! The slide shows got a makeover. Check it out…