Wildlife challenge | Redmond Portrait Photographer

I was nominated by Stephanie Kuwasaki to do the Nature Photo Challenge for 7 days. Here is day 2.

This just happened last night! Momma bear and her two cubs, one of which climbed up a tree lightening fast when I went outside and the other not quite ready. The little one kept looking up and assessing the tall tree repeatedly (which was pretty cute) and decided to stay close to mom.

Momma kept one eye on the her cub that was already up the tree and she made eye contact with me, but when she went for a second helping (from my now broken latched bear resistant toter that she moved and got into with complete ease ) I wanted her to stop, so I didn't have garbage all over my yard--a little was fine, but seconds... no ;)

Please excuse the quality of these images, it was nearly dark and I was pushing my settings.

A wonderful afternoon | Bellevue Portrait Photographer

My nephew was recently home on break from his first year at college.  I have loved him from the day I heard he was in his mom's belly.  I waited at the hospital (through a 4.9 earthquake) for his arrival. I changed his diapers, showered him with enough kisses to last a lifetime and accompanied him while we waited for his sister to arrive into this world one snowy night and again when his brother was born.  I have watched and photographed so many of his basketball and LaCrosse games over the years...

So it comes as no surprise that when it was his time to head out of state to college, I was a mess. I teared up at the thought many nights leading up to his departure and again the last time I saw him before he left. On that last day my brother took a photograph of the two of us, a single image that tells an 18 year story, which you can see in my August Reflections post.

One of the benefits available to him as he headed off to college is technology, although it didn't feel like much of a consolation for me at the time, but I was wrong!  We connect more than when he was home. Before he left, our lives intersected on holidays and special events which doesn't allow for that special one on one time that I so appreciate.

So when I learned the date he would be home for the holiday break, I started counting down the days and texting him the new count every Thursday and we'd text a bit on Sunday's during Seahawk's games.  Once he was back, we  arranged  to meet for lunch and he agreed to let me take some photos of him afterwards.

He let me know during lunch that he had to leave by 3pm to avoid rush-hour traffic. We had a nice conversation and then headed out.  It was cold and windy day, but sunny and beautiful too.   On the way to the park we listened to music and we were singing, good times!

I was very mindful of his schedule, but he assured me he was doing fine on time.  When I realized it was getting close I started to worry he told me, "Don't worry Aunty, this is fun!" Hearing him say he was having fun made my heart melt, I wasn't alone, he was having fun.

It was one of the best days and one I will remember...  I took these photos which not only left me with memories of a wonderful afternoon, but of a time in his life where he's finding his independence, transitioning from a boy to a man and beginning to map out his future (although I was able to see the boy that day too, as you'll see in the images below.)

I look forward to his next break and creating more memories and doing something he enjoys, since he so graciously accommodated me with photos that day.

Reflections | July 2015

This was taken on my wildlife camera, which I can see from my office, but it seems to be a popular path for wildlife.  I have many pictures of coyotes from this camera, but the coyotes are the only ones that seem to be scared off by the very slight click.  This time I got a good shot and in color!  Which means this was taken about 6:30 in the morning, or the image would have been infrared.

Spiders just give me the chills--and not in a good way...  I was once bit by a brown recluse which I had to deal with for four months, so I'm always on the lookout when I'm doing anything in the yard.  On this day, I saw this web in the morning light and decided to photograph my first spider and web.  

Just played around with the crystal ball for a photography assignment this month.

During a quick stop at Starbucks while taking a break with a client between locations, I looked up and noticed the gorgeous light on some of the surrounding high-rise buildings, so I took a moment to take a few images.

Here's another one taken during a session.  Mount Rainier in the background surrounded by a soft pink sky.

 This image was taken within 30 minutes of the image above with the pink sky.  Remarkably, on this night, the sky was soft pink facing southwest, but orange/purple when looking northwest.  This was taken over the 520 bridge.  I hadn't been up there in a while and things sure have changed with all the bridge construction.

Tween Summer Session | Redmond Portrait Photographer

A fun summer session from a few weeks ago.  The breeze near the water sure played in our favor.  Liv was up for something new, no pony tails this time around!  These images were taken when the sun was like an orange ball in the sky as a result of the BC wildfires.  The hues of pink, pale blue, purple and orange were swirling around us and made for a lovely backdrop for this session. 

 

Beautiful evening, beautiful girl.

New products for 2015 | Bellevue Portrait and Boudoir Photographer

I'm so pleased to announce the new additions to my product line for 2015!  

This new album comes from Toronto and is handmade.  Fuji photo paper (not ink-jet), a layflat design with durable thick pages, available in colors chosen specifically to appeal to the boudoir client.

The image folio has two 8x10 mats to hold 5x7 images in the vertical or horizontal format.  Mats are archival, brilliant white, fine art finish and come in a variety of colors and fabric choices including this beautiful brocade.