New Beginnings

I think that newborn babies are just incredible! So tiny and soft and so innocent.

The other day I had the pleasure of photographing Brynn & Eric and their new addition to their family. They are such a fun family to photograph anyhow, but with a new addition, well it was truly an honor. 

They loved their photos from their last session so much that Eric built this AMAZING wall of their photographs mounted on wood in a grid pattern. I have a picture of it somewhere and will post it when I find it. Anyhow I got to photograph Brynn literally the day before she gave birth almost 2 weeks early. 

She was so radiant and gorgeous. She is an amazing esthetician and makeup artist with this incredible spa that she operates out of a wing of her home. 

I love slideshows so for this post I linked TWO of them. 

Click here to see the slideshow

Then of course after the birth, I got to come back and photograph their newborn son with his sister, mom, and dad.  He had the cutest little hands, and his expressions were so distinct. You can see his emerging personality, and his little wrinkled forehead, just priceless. 

His sister has a really strong bond with him, you can see he is totally enamored by her. 

You can see the slideshow here

So a few tips for those sweet newborn shoots... nurse, get a lot of rest both mom & baby, nurse (I meant to say it two or three times) and don't worry if the baby is fussy, I don't rush these kinds of sessions. 

Spring is here! Baby it's cold outside!

The cold winds of March...brrr baby it is cold outside and yet with the sunshine it is glorious. I love the crocus peeking out of the snow. The rainbows and sunshine in the midst of the rain, and that March is my birthday month. 

It is amazing that snow can fall in March...absolutely amazing! I haven't posted for a while and have so much to write about. The beautiful thing about spring is it is unpredictable. I got to photograph a couple of sweet girls at the waterfront the other day, it was sunny, but very cold. Good thing the girls had warm fuzzy coats to keep them warm. 

So many things are happening for the spring... and summer. So stay tuned! I still have a few openings for 2009 summer weddings, so if you are wanting photography call or email to see if I still have your date available.

Silent Snowfall

Snowed in! 

Wow the amount of snow that has fallen here has been crazy. I decided to enter a contest that had mommy kissing santa claus in his boxers. Needless to say my dad went along with it. I have to share though because it is silly and because I am going snow crazy being stuck inside. 

Such a trooper!

The Bride Wore Cowgirl Boots at Albees

Meet Megan & Bobby

                                          Married 9.7.08 at Albees Garden Party in Olympia

Megan & Bobby live in Wyoming and got married in Olympia at Albee's Garden Parties which is one of the best kept secret locations for unique outdoor weddings and events. They don't have a website, but you can call them at 360.266.4683. I love that there are a number of different kinds of locations there to photograph as well. One of my favs is the barn doors and the bathrooms. Cute and sweet. But the best part is that the bride wore white cowgirl boots!

Aren't they cute!!!!!!!!

Megan & Bobby are geologists and had candy rocks on the tables for the guests. I had to grab a few shots of their rings with them... so fun. 

I think one of my favorite moments though was seeing Megan and her dad dancing. It was so heartwarming, I shed a tear behind the camera after I saw this moment between them. 

To see the slideshow from their wedding go here  

Why I do what I do

I think of this sometimes, why document, why take a photo, what is it I do when I pick up my camera? I love photographing things, but there is more than the click of the button, composition, and lighting. There is soul! 

My mom died a couple weeks ago and I am moved to share the real reason I photograph and feel it is not only my passion but my calling. In July my mom insisted I photograph her and my dad, her last photo which ironically enough was glowing with the light of the sun. 

The immense shock and grief from the loss of a loved one is difficult. I had a mother-daughter photo session two days after this loss. I almost cancelled, but after talking with my client and thinking about it more I went ahead with it. Describing the immense healing that took place for me with this session will take some time, but I will try to describe it. We went to this magical place in Olympia called Woodard Bay where over a hundred seals have their babies, and make these incredible mammalian grunting noises while sitting on old log pilings. The daughter and the mother a beautiful testament of how our relationship with our mothers is a primal one with many layers. You can see the slideshow here

How many times have we had a moment where we made a memory, like the way our mom holds our hands when we are little or grown up, the struggle to get along, the deep well of love we have. I miss her! I miss her hands her eyes, her voice. The things she did that I found annoying. What is it about the relationship with our mother's that can be so complex and yet so simple? So this is why I do what I do, I preserve memories that are fleeting and the legacy for future generations as well as the treasure for the ones who miss and love those who have gone before us. 

Wedding at Port Ludlow and Tiffany Blue Ribbons

It is the beginning of August and summer is flying by. Last weekend was the Thurston County Fair and I submitted one of my favorite photos named "Sisters". It is the essence of how I experienced my sister when I was a little girl. I won a blue ribbon (not Tiffany blue though), this is the first time I have ever entered my photographs into a competition and I am honored to have been awarded a ribbon. 

Here is the image...

So, last weekend I photographed a wedding at the Inn at Port Ludlow  and the colors were Tiffany blue, yellow, and white. What an incredible location and color combination! I loved the choice of colors in the wedding and the attention to detail that the bride and the wedding planner Melissa Ryan from Lush Parties and Events in Seattle created. A wedding planner makes a huge difference in the flow of events and it relieves the stress of the day for the bride. I loved the group shots too, over 25 people- a family reunion portrait!!!!! And with a wedding planner there to round people up, it made photographing the must have important shots that much easier on everybody. 

The colors of the bridesmaid dresses were Tiffany blue, such a fantastic combination! 
These umbrellas were on the top of the outside tent, there were also these paper lanterns that were glowing as the day went on.
Inside each bag was a party favor containing Swedish cookies with whipped creme in the cookie and a fluffy cream inside in yellow and blue. The colors actually are Swedish colors, the colors of the flag. 
Check out the cake, it was so fresh, and the glass boats on top were a keepsake from the wedding and part of the theme. 

This weekend I am pretty busy, a Photography workshop in Portland, and a Eco chic and Fair Trade wedding in Olympia at Capitol Lake. The groom is actually kayaking to meet the bride. I will post this wedding for sure as it will be a lot of fun. 

Have a great weekend!

Vintage Pin up! The GJP!

Do you ever have a glimpse into how a vintage style is so cutting edge? With Greta Jane that is definitely the case. Greta is the lead vocalist of Romanteek and is part of the Great Jane Quartet playing on Mondays at the Royal in Olympia. I had the great privilege to photograph Greta, The GJP and her persona Ruby. What a great time we had. Here are a few of the pictures, and if you want to see the slideshow, click here 

She is singing in the song, definitely check out their music, it is fantastic and a great pick me up.

Also, feel free to leave comments, I love to hear from ya'll. Also, coming up, a contest!!!!!!! So stay tuned, and sign up for the upcoming newsletter. 

-Dinea