Little Landon | 9 Days New {Maple Valley, WA Newborn Photographer}December 30th, 2011Little 8 pound, 9 day new baby Landon came to my home-studio today for his session. He surprised his parents (and me) by arriving early on December 21st. But I think it was his way of joining in on all the festive holiday fun! He was such a sweet, sweet baby to cuddle with and photograph. I just [...] |
Little 8 pound, 9 day new baby Landon came to my home-studio today for his session. He surprised his parents (and me) by arriving early on December 21st. But I think it was his way of joining in on all the festive holiday fun!
He was such a sweet, sweet baby to cuddle with and photograph. I just love my job.
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My Own {Snohomish County Photographer}December 30th, 2011Only 4 months to go and my sweet little baby will be a 3 years old. Where did all the time go? It feels like lately life has been moving at a rapid pace that is almost impossible to slow down. I am SO thankful that my career allows me to be at home with [...] |
Only 4 months to go and my sweet little baby will be a 3 years old.
Where did all the time go? It feels like lately life has been moving at a rapid pace that is almost impossible to slow down. I am SO thankful that my career allows me to be at home with this little munchkin. It is unreal how fast time has flown by. Every year seems to speed up.
Lately, my little love has been helping me prep our home-studio for newborn sessions and will also venture down during the session to peak in at what’s happening. I love looking over and seeing her mimic my “shhhh-shhh’s” and bounces and I rock sweet little newbies to sleep. She has even gotten into the habit of talking about “her clients” and asking for our point-n-shoot camera so she can do her “photo shoots.” I love it… Every minute of it.
Today, while prepping for my last newborn session of2011 my little munchkin said, “Mommy, will you take a photo of me?” At first, I hesitated because I was in the middle of getting the studio ready. But changed my mind in a matter of seconds knowing that I would completely REGRET the moment if I let it pass. So I stopped what I was doing, grabbed my camera, and clicked away. I just LOVE her unaltered smile and messy hair. Her smile is real and not created with the word “cheese.” (A little side note from your photographer, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease don’t teach your kids how to say “cheese.” 
Smiling or not smiling, capture who they are.) After a few clicks of my camera she would jump up and say, “Can I SEE?!” I love it and cherish every moment she asks me to take her photo.
I can’t wait to meet today’s little fella! 2011 has been beyond an amazing year and I have met SO many incredible people along the way.
I have so enjoyed meeting all of the new mommies-to-be during their maternity sessions and talking about what lies ahead.
I have absolutely loved chatting with new parents and hearing about their journeys to parenthood. Watching sleep-deprived daddy’s stammer in and new mommy’s glowing as they gaze at their new bundle.
Not to mention the incredible feverishly in-love clients I have had the amazing opportunity documenting the day they pledged to be man and wife.
I love my “job,” which doesn’t really feel like a job expect for when I’m doing my taxes, paperwork, invoicing… etc. But it comes with the territory.
My wish for all of you as we enter a New Year is that you cherish every moment that you have with your family. Life is so precious, at every stage. Hug your children, kiss your spouse, love your family, cherish your friendships… Let 2012 be a year of incredible memories…
Happy New Year!
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My Top Editing Mistakes {Seattle, WA Photographer}December 19th, 2011Wow! It’s been a LONG time since I last looked at these images and did NOT realize how poor my editing was. It makes me cringe, yet at the same time, proud of myself for pushing past these Photoshop faux-pas and recognizing early on that there was a HUGE disconnect from how I was editing [...] |
Wow! It’s been a LONG time since I last looked at these images and did NOT realize how poor my editing was. It makes me cringe, yet at the same time, proud of myself for pushing past these Photoshop faux-pas and recognizing early on that there was a HUGE disconnect from how I was editing to how I WANTED to edit.
So here are my Top Editing Mistakes I made as a new photographer 5 years ago:
Photoshop Overload: When I first got Photoshop CS2 I was not only overwhelmed with how to navigate around the massive program, but completely and utterly “abused” my powers. =) Yes, I was a selective color editor… I know, I know, head hanging in shame. Ha! But don’t worry – it only lasted for a few months until I QUICKLY learned from having my images critiqued by incredible PRO’s on DWF (www.digitalweddingforum.com) that this was not only “NOT COOL” but so a product of the 80′s.
Blur Me Baby!: What?! You mean you DON’T want your images to look blurry on PURPOSE??
Vignettes & Radial Blur: Ahhhhhhhh – vignetting. How I DO love a GOOD edited or natural vignette… But this is often a tool in editing softwares that is typically the first to be abused. I also discovered the radial blur and thought I was being so cool … Oh how wrong I was.
Actions: While actions can be a GREAT tool and speed up editing, they can also be a distraction… And for me, that is exactly what they were. 5 years ago a brand new set of actions had just hit the market and were flooding DWF. I of course felt that I “needed” them to make my images look good and got completely side tracked from the direction I wanted to go and began producing images that looked like everyone else that purchased the same actions… Not really the direction I wanted to go. I lost who I wanted to be…
{And please note} I love these images and am forever grateful to everyone of these clients who hired me while I was still figuring out my editing style. And what I am writing does not depict how I feel about these images. I am proud of these images and the learning process it has given me.
Consistency: One of the biggest things I noticed while going through all of these images is that there was no consistency with how I edited the sessions. I tried too much. One image would be highly contrasted, then overly saturated, to SOOC, or looking grungy from some action I had purchased…
Now when I edit my goal is that EVERY image, from session to session, is consistent with the SAME look that I love, which is the feeling of being SOOC. The actual final edit shouldn’t be the main focus. In my opinion, it should highlight the subject and not be distracting in any way. But it took me a while to get there. I had to try all of these things in order to get to where I am now.
Image Critique: I think the #1 thing that helped me get out of the editing abuse I was in was by having some of the leading PRO’s in the industry critique my images on DWF. I learned FAST that the direction I was heading was not a good one.
To this day I still have PRO photogs critique and give me corrective criticism. I feel that it is absolutely necessary to grow as a photographer and make it in this industry. I also knew that if I wasn’t willing to TAKE the CC and actually apply it and grow some thick skin, I might as well just sell my equipment.
So learn some lessons from me… Find your style and STICK TO IT. It may take a while, but once you get there… stay there.
Baby Alyson | 9-days new {Monroe, WA Newborn Photographer}December 15th, 2011I first met this sweet couple earlier this fall for their newborn consult and then later for their {gorgeous} fall maternity session. I had WAY too much fun during their maternity session! The weather, light, and fall leaves could not have been more perfect! And yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting their precious [...] |
I first met this sweet couple earlier this fall for their newborn consult and then later for their {gorgeous} fall maternity session. I had WAY too much fun during their maternity session! The weather, light, and fall leaves could not have been more perfect!
And yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting their precious 9-day new little girl, Alyson. We had a LOT of laughs during her session! None of us left unscathed from the poo-poo explosions that happend, oh, I think about 6 times… I think we were all pee’d on at least once as well. =) {Take note aspiring newborn photographers… it’s a “dirty job.” ha!}
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Baby Safe | Newborn Posing Guide **NOW RELEASED!!!**December 13th, 2011*** IT’s FINALLY AVAILABLE!!!! *** I am SO EXCITED and PLEASED to announce that the Baby Safe | Newborn Posing Guides are NOW AVAILABLE to PURCHASE!!!! It has been a long anticipated journey and I truly hope that these guides will help aspiring newborn photographers to grow in their skills as newborn photographers {safely}. Now, [...] |
*** IT’s FINALLY AVAILABLE!!!! ***
I am SO EXCITED and PLEASED to announce that the Baby Safe | Newborn Posing Guides are NOW AVAILABLE to PURCHASE!!!! It has been a long anticipated journey and I truly hope that these guides will help aspiring newborn photographers to grow in their skills as newborn photographers {safely}.
Now, for a LIMITED TIME ONLY we have dropped the price and will be offering the Newborn Guides at 20% OFF the current value. To purchase YOUR copy, please CLICK HERE to be directed to our store!!
To view details & content information on the guide, please click here.
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FEATURED on EVOKING YOU {Seattle, WA Newborn Photographer}December 13th, 2011It has been a very FUN and FULL year and just got even better!! Today I was featured on a site created for evoking creativity for professional photographers called Evoking You. I feel very honored and truly blessed to be featured on such a fantastic site! Click here to view the full post. A special [...] |
It has been a very FUN and FULL year and just got even better!! Today I was featured on a site created for evoking creativity for professional photographers called Evoking You. I feel very honored and truly blessed to be featured on such a fantastic site!
Click here to view the full post.
A special thank you to creator and founder of Evoking You, Kelsey, for featuring my work!!!
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Baby Safe | Newborn Posing Guide {Available 12.14.11}December 10th, 2011The first of TWO booklets arrived for the Baby Safe | Newborn Posing Guide and will be up for purchase in just a few days on 12.14.11!!! The Baby Safe | Newborn Posing Guide Booklets teach aspiring newborn photographers the importance of safe posing techniques through tips, tricks, and photographic illusions as well as gives detailed information on [...] |
The first of TWO booklets arrived for the Baby Safe | Newborn Posing Guide and will be up for purchase in just a few days on 12.14.11!!!
The Baby Safe | Newborn Posing Guide Booklets teach aspiring newborn photographers the importance of safe posing techniques through tips, tricks, and photographic illusions as well as gives detailed information on how to run a smooth newborn session. Both booklets are light weight and compact to fit easily in your camera bag for sessions.
Available to purchase at 20% OFF REGULAR PRICE {for a limited time} will be your choice of either a downloadable PDF for $130 or two Booklets for $150!! Stay tuned for the BIG reveal!!!
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FEATURED on LE MAGNIFIQUE {Washington Photographer}December 7th, 2011A few months ago I received an email from the owner and creator of a new and hot wedding website called Le Magnifique to share images from Ryan & Christina’s Wedding. And today I received the VERY exciting news that their images and story are now being FEATURED!!! With every wedding, I spend a lot of time and energy in [...] |
A few months ago I received an email from the owner and creator of a new and hot wedding website called Le Magnifique to share images from Ryan & Christina’s Wedding. And today I received the VERY exciting news that their images and story are now being FEATURED!!!
With every wedding, I spend a lot of time and energy in preparing for each couple’s unique day. For this particular wedding I knew I had a fun challenge ahead of me… and that was to capture a bridal party of 34. It is the LARGEST bridal party to date that I have ever photographed… and to be honest, I was a weeeeeeee bit nervous… However, I love a good challenge and knew I would need the right team.
I called on my very good friend and fellow photographer, Toni Gundlach of Toni Lynn Photography out of Bellingham, WA to second shoot with me and my husband, who is my Associate Photographer. And I must say, we made one killer team! I can’t wait to shoot with Toni again in 2012.
Below are a few fun and never before seen images from Ryan & Christina’s day!
A HUGE and special THANK YOU to Ryan & Christina for giving me the honor and privilege of documenting such an incredible day; as well as Le Magnifique for featuring their wedding!! Click HERE to view their featured story.
{image above taken by Toni – staged & edited by me}
My work was also featured on Alicia’s Bridal Shoppe back in May of 2010. Click HERE to view the full post!
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Sweet Baby S | Maple Valley, WA Newborn PhotographerDecember 6th, 2011I had the privilege of photographing this precious 9-day new sweet pea this past weekend here at my home-studio. She was WIDE awake when she first arrived (I think because she was so excited to see me ) then conked out shortly after. She is one beautiful baby girl and I had an absolute blast [...] |
I had the privilege of photographing this precious 9-day new sweet pea this past weekend here at my home-studio. She was WIDE awake when she first arrived (I think because she was so excited to see me 
) then conked out shortly after. She is one beautiful baby girl and I had an absolute blast capturing her adorable cuteness! Enjoy this sneak peek!
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Mr. M Turns 5!!! | Monroe, WA PhotographerDecember 3rd, 2011I have such a blast photographing this lil’ dude and his siblings! Each year, around their birthdays, we head out for their special photo shoot just for them! They are SO excited when it is their turn, which I just absolutely love! Last year, around Mr. M’s birthday, we headed out on a cooooooold and [...] |
I have such a blast photographing this lil’ dude and his siblings! Each year, around their birthdays, we head out for their special photo shoot just for them! They are SO excited when it is their turn, which I just absolutely love!
Last year, around Mr. M’s birthday, we headed out on a cooooooold and snowy day. This year was another coooooold day, but thankfully the rain and snow stayed at bay. Here’s a fun sneak peek from his session. Enjoy!
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