Capturing the heart of kids

Maternity Session - Take 1

When Kate asked me to shoot her maternity photos, I was so excited!  With the beautiful summer nights we've been having, I instantly had this vision of a gorgeous momma-to-be glowing in the incredible sunset.  So, we looked at the forecast and picked a day.  Two hours before our shoot, we heard a clap of thunder and the clouds started moving in.  She called to cancel, but I convinced her to forge ahead and meet me to see what we could get.  (I'm a glass half-full kinda gal)

When we got to the beach, it started sprinkling.  A few minutes later, we had to run for cover and found ourselves hanging out in this tunnel until the storm passed.  So, I snapped a few photos:

Little did Kate know, the light was really incredible in the tunnel.  I could have done her entire maternity session there!

It wasn't just raining, it was POURING!

When the rain stopped, we ventured out and got a few more photos.  The light after the storm was actually really pretty!

...before it started pouring again! Kate's laughing at me because I'm getting drenched while getting this shot.

We met up again three days later to finish the shoot.. so To Be Continued...

Summer Evening Light

I rarely get a chance to do photo sessions in the evenings, since most of my clients prefer morning sessions for their young children.  So I jumped at the opportunity to photograph this family in the beautiful summer evening light on the beach - because if you know anything about Seattle, these sunny summer nights don't last very long!  This is the second time I've photographed this family and they are just as adorable and charming as I remember.

 

It's summer...

...but when it comes to babies, knit hats are never out of season!  Here are some more photos I've been shooting for Beanie Designs. 

  

Oh, the rolls!

Don't you just love a roly-poly baby?

 

I love this sweet moment with mom and baby.

This was Charlie as a newborn... look how much he has grown in 6 months!

More Etsy Goodness

A few more adorable hats from Beanie Designs on Etsy. I just can't get enough of babies in hats!  More to come soon...

The Belamar

A couple weeks ago, Sophia and I traveled to LA...alone. (Yes, I braved a flight and vacation alone with a 10-month old baby and lived to tell about it!) Fortunately, Sophia was great on the flight down and really seemed to enjoy the warm weather while she was there.  It has been so cloudy and rainy in Seattle, I think she was actually shocked to see that bright glowing thing in the sky!

We stayed at The Belamar and I fell in love with the lobby. So, I had to snap a few pics. The decor was very cool (in another life, I'd like to decorate my home like this) but the lighting threw off the color in my photos, so I cross-processed a couple of them. I don't process like this very often, so I have no idea if they look good or not -- but thought I'd share anyway...

 

How quickly time flies...

 I can't believe a year has gone by since I first photographed Riley.  Here he is just a week old...

I also did a 6-month session with him...and I blink and he's a year old already! How did that happen?!?

A very special chair

This little rocking chair is about 30 years old (give or take a few years)... it was given to Ava's mom when she was a year old.. and now Ava is being photographed in it. I love incorporating things at the photo session that mean a lot to the family.  Makes me want to run out and buy a rocking chair for my daughter's first birthday, so that someday, she can pass it down to her daughter.

Speaking of Ava's mom.. look how cute they are together!

More on the Etsy purchase

Thanks everyone for your kind words!  I should have posted where I got that hat -- since I thought some people might be wondering.  I got it from Beanie Designs. She was wonderful to work with.  I had her custom make that hat because I didn't find what I was looking for.

Also, several people have asked what kind of lenses I use.  So I thought I'd post what's in my camera bag.  (I'm always curious what other people use too!)

I shoot with a Canon 5D.  And I use the 24-70mm f/2.8L, 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.8.  (in no particular order, of course)  I tend to use the 50mm indoors, the 85mm outdoors and the zoom if I'm in a really tight space. 

I am currently coveting the 100mm f/2.8 Macro:

My first Etsy purchase

I know it's Spring.. (it's practically almost Summer!) but I had to take some shots of this adorable hat I bought on Etsy.  I could spend hours shopping looking at all the cool things on that site!