Scheduling 2017 Seniors now | Bellevue High School Senior Photographer

Scheduling 2017 seniors now.  I would love to talk to you about your session!  Please feel free  to contact me here.

Before and After | Bellevue, WA portrait photographer

I thought it would be fun to post some before and after from some of my photo sessions.  Enjoy!

If you are interested in scheduling your senior pictures or sibling portraits feel free to contact me here.  I would love to talk with you!

Scheduling 2017 senior portraits now | Eastside Portrait Photographer

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.

Jackson | Sammamish High School Senior

I recently had the pleasure of taking Jackson's senior portraits.  I could go on and on about him!  He is such a gentleman, fun to talk to and a genuinely nice person (and helpful.)  He was very open to trying any pose I suggested.  He has beautiful eyes and a smile that lights up the room.

He is taking a course to become a fire fighter and I told him how interesting this is to me, as he is the second senior I've photographed this year wanting to be a fire fighter.  He shared how rigorous the training is and how few are actually chosen in the end.  I really enjoyed Jackson and the good conversation we had during his session.

Emma | Sammamish High School 2016 Senior | Urban Session

Emma chose to book two sessions for her senior portraits, a rural session, which you may view here. I think both sessions very much reflect her personality. Maybe she gets it from her parents, her dad coming from a rural town in Western Washington and her mom has a blend of city girl loving the hustle and bustle of the city and the country girl who had a few horses in her lifetime. I think adding the second urban session is very much a part of who Emma is and where she wants to go in the future.

It was an overcast day, beautiful for portraits, but just 10 minutes after we finished the skies opened up and it was raining so hard!  We were not in an area where we could pull over and wait it out. There was so much water standing on the road that the cars ahead of us kicked up so much water it completely covered my windshield--very, very scary!  

Emma did not panic, I know both of us were saying something and repeating ourselves the whole time we couldn't see a thing -- maybe "Oh my God!" over and over, but I know she helped me remain calm so we could get through it.

Full Bloom | Bellevue Portrait Photographer

The property is almost in full bloom and ready to serve as a backdrop for senior pictures and family portraits.  If you are interested in scheduling a session, please contact me HERE.

Bellevue Senior Photographer + Session Favorites

Some of my favorites from a recent session with Emma.

Senior Season kicks off this weekend!

Looking forward to a fun session this weekend!

A few from last year's sessions...

If you are interested in booking a session, please feel free to contact me by clicking HERE

Reflections | January 2015 Roundup

January is a good time to refresh, so I thought I would share some of what goes on around here in a given month.  The images aren't meant to be pretty or showcase my work.  They're just for documenting a monthly recap.

He turned around because he heard my shutter clicks through the glass.

This is one of the triplets looking for Finn (below.)  The other two just just off to the right pulling and tearing the St. John's Wort as they make their way past my office window.

This is what Finn was doing (napping) when one of the triplets was looking for him.

This little guy was adorable sitting on this tiny birdhouse having a mid morning snack. 

I happened to be on the phone one morning when out of the corner of my eye I saw this shenanigans going on, so I grabbed the camera and took a few images, while giggling watching his antics (to myself, of course!)

I made myself a beauty dish to use for boudoir sessions.  I felt borderline "genius," ha! ha!  It works fabulously!

Here's a new visitor to the property.  I do not know if this is a male or female, but he/she very much loves marking on my property and then coming to see Finn.  I don't mind this visitor (and I do think it's a little lady) because it's very docile, unlike some others that have shredded my screens and tried to fight with Finn through the glass.  Polite visitors are welcome anytime!

University Prep Senior + Session Favorites

Riley is a 2015 graduating senior attending University Prep and was a lot of fun to photograph.  He will be heading to Denison University in the fall.

Riley and David are best friends and on the same lacrosse team and will be graduating together, so we incorporated a few images of each of the boys in the others session.

University Prep Senior + Session Favorites

David is a 2015 graduating senior and will be heading off to college in the Fall, not sure where yet, but whatever college he attends, he will do just fine, he's smart, funny and an all around personable guy.   He is member the SAAS Lacrosse team that won the D2 championship played at Memorial Stadium this past spring.

David and Riley are best friends, attend the same school and are on the same lacrosse team, so we incorporated a few of each of the boys in their senior portraits.

2015 High School Senior + Bellevue Portrait Photographer

David is in his senior year and here is a peek from his session this weekend.  He smart, articulate and kept me smiling throughout his session.

2015 High School Senior + Bellevue Portrait Photographer

Riley is in his senior year and here is a peek from his session this past weekend.  He was wonderful to work with, so kind and polite and a lot of fun to photograph.  More to come soon...

Photo of the Month - February 2013

This rainbow hidden by the clouds was taken at Fisherman's Terminal in Seattle.  February was the month of home maintenance and repairs, I was lucky to get out with friends and shoot some images once this month.  Beauty portraiture and senior sessions are on the way with Spring right around the corner and I can't wait!

Bellevue Portrait Photographer | Miss M. Session Favorites

Four locations and a pretty young lady up for anything!  We wanted to take in some of the gorgeous fall colors, a water backdrop and even a little retail and vintage fun.  She likes Justin Bieber (Shhhh...so do I!) We talk about our favorite colors, YouTube videos, clothes, school and sports. I really enjoyed our afternoon together talking and laughing.  I shared a hair trick from my old hairdressing days (eons ago,) which we practiced no less than thirty times and by the end of our session, she became a hair trick pro too!

Click on any image below to open a slideshow.