Out with a bang

Oh, the last day of August Break! I did it!



I took this for a mini project I'm working on and I like how it came out. I so rarely use a small enough aperture to make starbursts with my flare, and I think it fits just right. :O)

P.S. Everyone hates the tree behind Bella, but it's my favorite.

Almost there!

I've almost made it through August Break. Yippee!

Here's a few from a day in March, since I was catching up on my family editing. Every year I think I'm going to get an awesome, creative cherry blossom shot, but I never do. This was one of my favorites and it's just on my point and shoot.   ...and Bella?  She's diving into a pile of yarn.  It's a time honored tradition in this house.

Sweet evening

 Tonight I had a wonderful evening out on the town with several other photographers ... cupcakes and great company! What a winning combination! This was our view as the sun set lower and lower over the Olympics.

The sound

A visit to the sound. Such a beautiful day, and well worth the drive. The clouds lifted and the Olymics came out to enjoy the sunlight. I wish we could have stayed til sunset.

Flying High

Sommmmebody turned two last week!

Here's her sneak peek. She gets more and more beautiful every time I see her!

Can't wait to share the highlights of her birthday party! TWO cupcakes for one adorable two-year-old. :O)

Evidence

Evidence that the day was full and wonderful, and that yes, those bubbles were actually blue.

Ocean Fog

I can't get over the beauty of our foggy day at the ocean. There's so much peace in a colorless land.

Two images today, since I forgot yesterday (an ALMOST perfect August Break). Incidentally, we were at the beach and I didn't even get out my camera this time.

An oldie

An oldie but goodie. Lillia was three days old.

 

Today was a day full of disappointments and toe stubbing and missed naps and all sorts of rain clouds (even real ones that pour rain).  In the end it all worked out, but in the thick of it that's when I need an image like this on every wall of the house. Because they really are that wonderful, and Bella still dotes on Lia as she has from day one. Lia couldn't have picked a better big sister.

Oh my!

I completely forgot to put up a post tonight. Insomnia saved my posting streak for august break. Whew! Close one!  Of course, I cleared out my phone yesterday and this is the only picture left on it. Good thing it's a cute one!

A very good morning

Oh my goodness, there is so much I could say about what an amazing time I had with this family last week.  They invited me into their home on a very special day and fully embraced capturing the beautiful, everyday moments. I love this image so much!

 

Pancake mornings are a favorite tradition of ours, too, and this moment is exactly why.  More soon!

One more

I fell in love with this image the first moment I saw it.

I've finally finished this session, so no more swing portraits for a bit... unless you want to invite me over to your swing set!

In sync and care free

(Even the grown up - and really, when do grown ups ever relax?)

Apparently I have a slight fascination with swings. (What, this swinger and this dreamer didn't prove it already? You just wait, I have more.) If I could take swinging portraits all day long, I think I'd be in heaven. I mean, swings can be both magical and cathartic. Adventurous and relaxing. It's all there in the air.

Clown

We went to an outdoor concert long after Lia's bedtime. It took her a whole hour to warm up to the loud noise and crowd, but by the end she was dancing and goofing (and screaming) and had the entire row of grandparents behind us charmed.

And may I just add, there's something special about people casually dancing about in public. I think it doesn't happen nearly enough. :O)

Daydream

My cousin's beautiful daughter. Of this entire session, this was the only one I needed to have in black and white. Some stories are just stronger that way.

Swing!

Working on this charmer's session tonight! It's long overdue and bringing back the memories of this hot (hot!) July day at the park in Washington, D.C.

(Okay, so not as hot as the following week... But I sure could have used a swing to cool down.)

Even Princessess

 Even princesses have to take a moment to eat. And when they do, they feast on fresh picked blackberries, of course.

We're home. Back to our regularly scheduled days of library visits, parks, and editing late into the night. I wish Bella could spend every day like this - if only we could just squish Portland and Seattle a bit closer together. (Alas, I think they would just get on one another's nerves. Even sister cities need some space.)

Evening stroll

A quick walk during the last evening light. Blackberries in every direction, a little reminder of the sweetness that nature offers if we just pause for a moment.

An evening drive

Sun setting on the right, moon rising on the left. Mountains, water, skylines and pink clouds filling our view. We crossed into Portland during the grand finale of an outstanding sunset display. In the morning I have a session with an energetic family of five. I can't wait!

Peace like an ocean

There's something to be said for relaxing on a misty, colorless shore.

I can breathe in this image, close my eyes, and breathe out peace of mind.

for whatever we lose

(like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves

we find in the sea
- e.e. cummings

Memory Lane

Whoops! I remembered to post just in the nick of time. How bout one from two years ago? Bella is just about to turn one in this picture.

My mind has been swirling with thoughts, dreams, ideas, plans, worries, gratitude, and all those great things that bonk together in the brain and make it nearly impossible to complete a simple thought. Guess it's time to get my brain in order.

Family walk

Everyone's included when we go on a walk.

Boston sunset

A beautiful July evening in Boston:

And my best friend, Bella's godmother.

I'm feeling a tad homesick tonight.

Hurry up and relax!

If you didn't notice (Seattle residents may very well have not), Summer is here at last!


And in case you forgot,


Summer is the BEST time to get your family portraits done!

Why do it now?

1.) We get great weather all through September
2.) Everyone in the family still has that rosy look and it's not from a head cold!
3.) By the time the holidays are here, you'll already have your specially designed cards up and ready to go - which leaves more time to enjoy pumpkin pie!
4.) Who doesn't love a framed photo, and that's one less trip out into the holiday shopping crowds (see also: pie benefits, above).


There are a few spots left this summer and you won't want to miss out!

Sign up for any full session before August 21st and you will get two free mini albums (woot, two gifts off your holiday list!) and 25% off holiday cards! What's not to love about that?

All dressed up

Bella joined her older cousins for an afternoon of play - we had an evening of princesses.

We are so very lucky to have friends and family around every corner here.

Carry-on

If there's one thing she loves, it's being stuck in tiny places. I'm sure I'll never understand her. Perhaps she'll be a world famous spelunker one day.

A few minutes later Dave walked by and heard a box calling his name...

P.S. I am so ready to be done with Week in the Life! Thank goodness tomorrow is the last day of relentless picture taking.  I'm drowning in images. Luckily, I have posts like this to motivate me to turn it into a book. Maybe this year I can keep the momentum going!

Sisters

I was ambivalent about having another girl when I was pregnant with Lillia. I did, however, hope that Bella would someday have a sister - there's just something special about sisters.  When Lillia was born and I learned she was a girl, I had an unexpected relief and excitement - an anticipation of moments like this.

Today was a rough day with not enough sleep and too much stress and the three of us clashing hour after hour.  Looking back at the images from today's Week in the Life captures, there are so many beautiful moments and I am so glad to have them forever.

A quiet moment

 Just one little moment from today, thanks to my husband who came home for lunch. This is how Bella and I like to spend Lia's nap time.

Freedom

When you can dress yourself, life really is just that good.

After the mist

We could actually see the clouds blowing across our feet. In and out, mist and sun, and a relentless wind drawing ripples in the sand, breaking waves, and setting kites free.

Misty Beach

A trip to the beach.  Mist, wind, sand, and bright blue bubbles.

So many things to share, but I have a whole month of posting every day, so this will do for now.