Music portraits, Portland Child Photographer

Last week I was fortunate enough to fulfill one of my creative visions with this session. I've had this idea in my head for a while now: a golden haired girl, playing cello in a field of grass during the Magic Hour, that beautiful moment just before sunset. Well, how lucky am I to have found Miss "E," a lovely young cellist who allowed me to bring this vision to life! The light was oh, so perfect. And Miss "E" has a lovely Mama as well, with whom I felt an instant connection. It's so wonderful to meet like-minded people with strong values and admirable parenting skills. I am beyond thrilled at how this session turned out. I will let the photos just speak for themselves, as I have said too much already!

Tigard Senior Portrait photographer

Senior portrait season is in full swing. Last week I had the pleasure of photographing this young man, "K." I had a really great time doing this session because he was up for anything, and was also extremely photogenic, obvious in the photos. He could model! Seriously. The light was perfection in every way. And the photo with the trees is a total album cover should he ever pursue his digital music as a career. "K" thanks for being a great sport, and for choosing me to document this special time in your life. Enjoy your sneak preview of a few from the session.

Family Session in California

I was recently in California for a little visit and I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph this awesome family. I have known Alisa since the second grade and Erik since the fourth grade. We were members of a very small class until we graduated from high school together in 1992. Erik and Alisa went on to get married and have two stunningly beautiful girls. The love in their family is really strong and I was super honored for the opportunity to (try to) capture it. We did the session in one of my favorite places, Pt. Mugu state park, in the shadow of Mt. Boney, which we always called "Old Boney." A perfect spring day, a beautiful family, so much love...it was one of my favorite sessions ever. This is just a sneak peek for them to see. The last photo is so perfect because it reflects exactly what kids this age do when their parents kiss..."Ewwwww, GROSS! Mommy and Daddy are kissing!"

(I hope you guys enjoy your sneak peek. I have to save my favorite images for the gallery, coming soon. Thank you for "letting me in" to your awesome family dynamic.

I'm back with a sneak peek

Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year...Ok, I think I'm caught up now. Yikes. It has been a busy last few months. Something about having little kids, the holidays, etc. At any rate, last week I had the opportunity to shoot a senior portrait session for an awesome girl, Miss "A". The session had been postponed several times due to weather (we had 20 inches of snow hanging around for a couple of weeks...) and then rain, totally expected this time of year. Still, we held out for a sunny day and last week we finally got one. "A" was a total rock star braving the 39 degrees in a strapless gown. We found a perfect location with some nice rusted out farm equipment and a faded barn (which also doubled as a changing room). I had the greatest time shooting her. In addition to being super cute she had a killer personality and a sweet style. She is also an aspiring photographer so I had to bust out some mad skillz. There were so, so many good ones that it took me forever to choose what to blog. Hope you enjoy your sneak peek "A." 

Lily at 3 months!

I did a few portraits of my little cutie around her 3 month birthday. Of course, that was already nearly a month ago. It's so hard to stay current. I'm just now downloading photos from my point and shoot that were taken over the summer. It's interesting how these two photos, taken just days apart, are so different. She almost looks like a totally different baby. That's what angle and position will do to a face. 

I have a couple of sessions lined up at the pumpkin patch in the next week or so. I always love shooting at the farm. There are tractors, big old tires, farm junk, great barns, and of course the pumpkins. I don't love the rain, but Fall sure is nice. Hopefully I will get some of those shoots blogged in the next couple of weeks. 

Now it's time for me to get ready for our beach getaway this weekend. I can't wait! We haven't been to the coast since last March when it snowed on the beach. Remember those pictures?

Have a good weekend, friends.

VOTE FOR ME! Photo contest

There is a photographer named Jay Reilly that I greatly admire. He is running a contest on his blog that I entered. They have official judges but also a popular vote. If you would take the time to go and vote for my entry, I would be ever grateful. 

I entered the photo of Kian in the sunflowers from the last post. The contest title was "Capture the Summer Feeling" and I felt that photo did exactly that. My entry number is 153. I think you can click on the picture and there should be a place that says "vote for this entry". Unfortunately, some browsers don't support the application so it's better if you are on Explorer of something like that. 

Here is the link to the contest page. 

Thank you, thank you!

Oh and because no post is good without a photo... I call this one: "Kian, DO NOT put your feet into that sand!" See how well he listens? :)

The feeling of summer

I'm just not ready to give it up. It has been a crazy, busy summer...gone by in a blur. But one of the best summers. There have been so many quintessential summer moments...zoo trips, popsicles, vacation, visits from friends, trampoline fun. One of my favorite summer moments happened while my dad was up visiting. He and Kian and I drove to a nearby field after dinner one day to pick sunflowers. The light was a dream. Those of you who check my blog know that I am in love with backlight. I took many, many photos that perfect evening. I love that I have these photos that capture the spirit of Kian as well as his relationship with my dad whom he calls "Papa." I hope that these photos inspire you to hang on to summer for just a little bit longer.

Check back again at the end of the week for some pictures of Lily. I've got them all proofed and ready to go so that I have something to post. I have resolved to start posting regularly again. I have a plan. Now that Lily is going to sleep so much earlier, I suddenly have a spare half hour every night!