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?

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Happy Birthday, Lillia!

My little Lia turned one today!

I spent yesterday reminiscing about my blissful day of labor last year. (The later part captured by Jennifer Finch Photography, which you can peek at here.)

Lillia has been under the weather, and our little party wore her completely out.

And on a side note. You may notice that it will be exceptionally quiet around here soon. We are headed to the East Coast until the middle of July! I will update when I can - and it's not too late call to see if there is room for a last minute East Coast session!

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Like a vacation

What's the best way to turn some cloudy weather into a perfect weekend?

Add a few ingredients to sweeten it up...

A baby about to turn one and getting ready to walk:

Some friends from out of town to share in the wonder:

A quick trip to Seattle on an insanely busy day (yes, that's the line to just get IN to Starbucks):

(Which, of course requires a visit to our favorite donut stand!)

A beautiful evening view:

Marshing mallows:

And making smores with the best donuts in the world - we dubbed them Shmonuts!

But best of all, ending the day with exhausted little kids.

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Cranes for peace

Hard to believe, but until this week I had never made a paper crane in my life!

They have always fascinated me, though they were a bit fiddly to attempt with my girls within reach. I'm more of a origami star person, really.

In order to raise funds for Japan and maintain awareness of the country's recovery efforts, Urbia Fresh Cafe will be hosting a local peace crane event from 9am to 3pm. There will be participants on hand to teach newcomers (like myself!) how to fold cranes. Our goal is to make a crane for every life lost. We will be sending photos taken at the event along with the cranes.

To top off the goodwill, Urbia Fresh Cafe will be donating 10% of proceeds for the day!

If you cannot attend, please visit the main event page on Facebook to find other times, or consider donating your own cranes.

Feel free to register on here on Facebook - I hope you will join us at Urbia Fresh Cafe next weekend!

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Quick update!

Just popping in for a moment (hence no picture!) to say Hi! Yep, I'm still here. We had an impromptu little visit from family at the same time as we all caught another cold.

Rest assured, we ae now all on the mend and getting back to busy life as we know it. I have some more great sessions to share, oodles of shots for the Joy of Love project, and perhaps a little news on an East Coast tour this summer. (Yay!!!) Stay tuned!

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A Most Welcome Snow Day

Well, I had to postpone my class last week (it will now run until Tuesday, Dec. 6, so come join us!) but it was for a worthy cause:

That's right, we got a freak November snowstorm right before Thanksgiving! Have I mentioned just how much I love snow? Last year we had maybe one flurry, so this year we had better make up for it. Bella was a wee little babe last time she experienced snow, and she quickly realized that no matter how badly you want to run outside (naked), the snow is cold and stings. Oh, that treacherous snow.

Just before dark, we ran outside to make a snowman (Bella is slightly obsessed and it dawned on my she had never made a REAL snowman before.) and then immediately ran back in when the sky started chucking icy sleet pellets at us.

We thoroughly enjoyed the snow, inside and out.

Much to our surprise, the next day dawned bright and beautiful. Out here, snow is usually followed by clouds and rain. To have a clear day the following morning was magical!

The entire neighborhood took to sledding down our main road. They were sledders from dawn until well into the night. You never realize how many neighbors you have until something brings everyone out of their homes!

Sure, it was less than half a foot, but it shut down the town, brought out the sleds, and became a snowfest to remember. Here's hoping there are many more to come this winter.

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New Classes

I'm excited to announce a three part class to be held at the Artist & Craftsman Supply studio in the University District! They offer some pretty awesome art classes of all types for adults and kids, and I'm looking forward to taking part in them.

My three classes will set you up with a new perspective on taking photos, and the concepts you learn can be applied to any camera. With a 2 hour class you can come after work and not be overloaded with too much info at once. And if you sign up for the whole series, you get a discount. Sweet!

Check out the details below and contact me at
sweetriverphotography @ gmail . com
to sign up today!

Oh, and if you want to get the latest information on classes at A&C, be sure to let me know and we'll sign you up!

Better Photos
with any camera

Tuesday Evenings
November 16th-30th
5:30-7:30pm

$50 for all three or $20 drop-in.

Please bring your digital camera.

Class 1: Finding the story.
Class 2: Creative composition.
Class 3: Using perspective.

Artist & Craftsman Supply

4350 8th Avenue NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 545-0091

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Announcing Mini Sessions!

What's that you hear? Mini Sessions? Whoopieeeeeee!

So here's the scoop:

To make sure everyone has the chance to get that family shot they've been craving (or maybe that headshot you've been procrastinating) and feel what it's like to actually enjoy having your photos done, I'll be holding a string of 20 minute sessions here in Kent at Earthworks Park.

All the awesomeness of a casual, candid, fun filled family session, but in a matter of minutes!

Holiday Mini Sessions:

$75

Saturday, Nov 6th, 10am-3pm
(yes, it's soon so you can have it done with!)


Earthworks Park, Kent
20 minutes of celebrity status
5-10 digital files of your amazing family (or just you!)


Booking is confirmed with a $25 non-refundable deposit. The remainder is due on the session day. Call or email to reserve your half hour time slot today - they won't last long!


PS. I offer custom holiday card design for an additional $20. I use your session photos and you can have the cards printed anywhere!

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Big news!

All this week I have been in correspondence with Me Ra Koh, an amazing photographer, mother, businesswoman, and mentor. She is the queen of inspiration!

It has been a hard year (or two) for a number of people, and certainly not an easy climate to run your own new business. There are so many people who have helped me stay afloat in hard times while my husband is among those still searching for a full time job, helped this business rises to the front of our dreams. My parents and my friends and family, near and far, and Me Ra as well. She asks the hard questions of people and gets them to put all they have into life. Best of all, she leads by example and is not afraid of bearing her dreams with all their ups and downs.

So today, I am over on her blog, sharing one of my hardest moments this year, in hopes that everyone else struggling in this climate will feel just a little less alone.

Stay tuned for a Q&A segment tomorrow!

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Epiphanie Bags Turn ONE!

Epiphanie Bags held an awesome giveaway this month for their first birthday. Happy birthday, Epiphanie! This is me living life the way I picture it:




Step one: mix baby, mama, and yummy cupcake
Step two: add cupcake thief
Step three: concede that eating the cupcake is a much better idea
Step four: decide that an eaten cupcake is really how i picture living life
Step five: giggle at baby and mostly-devoured cupcake, wish they really made baby sized Ginger Bags
Step six (not pictured): chase sugar high child around, munch on baby's adorable cheeks

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It's never too soon!

Do you feel that chill yet? That little snap in the air after the sun sets? Oh yes, autumn is among us with all the wonders it brings.

Put on a cozy sweater and break out the smiles because it's time to start planning your family session for your holiday cards!

(or just because. who doesn't love just because?)

Why do it now?

1.) We still 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).

And if those weren't good enough reasons, I've got a treat for you:

Book a family portrait session for the month of September and receive an early bird discount - only $100 for the session fee and 25% off prints! Woo hoo!!

(See, all sorts of reasons to love fall!)

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Photography Classes

How daughter number one felt after a recent photography class:



How daughter number two felt:



Either way, you definitely don't want to miss out!

There are a few spots left for totally laid back, awesome, and affordable photography classes.

Meet Your DSLR: August 15th from 10am til 2pm ($30 per person)

Camera on the Go: August 8th from 2pm til 6pm ($30 per person)

The Meet Your DSLR class will help you get to know your camera so you don't miss the shots you want, and even better, can start planning the ones you see in your mind.

The Camera on the Go class will orient you with all the options on your Point and Shoot camera and discuss composition of great photos. Point and shoot cameras can go with you anywhere and with a little extra knowledge, you can start making every photo better instantly!


Drop me a line at sweetriverphotography@gmail.com for questions or registration!

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Sweet River Photography: Seattle Area Photography

Welcome to the new Sweet River Photography blog!


Here you will find all sorts of goodies: updates and promotions, recent client shoots, and links to wonderful inspiration. I hope that you enjoy your visit and feel free to contact me for anything!

Photography is an ever-growing passion of mine, particularly babies, births, bellies and families. I shoot on location - a favorite spot of your choice, or simply at home, where the memories are made.

Beauty flows through our everyday lives in little moments sprinkled here and there. The smallest glance, one hand in another, little kisses, new teeth, chubby toes and snuggles - these are the fleeting details we will want to remember the most. They are the ones I treasure in my own life, and it would be a privilege for me to witness and capture your everyday beauty as well.

shawna

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