Backyard wildlife | Bellevue Portrait Photographer

I had a little visitor about 30 minutes ago.  It made my day!  

Seeing and photographing the wildlife on the property brings me such joy.  It's very different from photographing client portraits, it's so much more challenging if I'm shooting through glass and even outdoors as these beautiful creatures do not remain idle for long after they've smelled, seen me or heard the click of my shutter.  Of course, mama is never far behind, which is something to be mindful of at all times.  I'm just as passionate about photographing wildlife as I am my portrait clients. Wildlife is like a spark and a wonderful compliment to my day job as a portrait photographer.

BUT THIS made my weekend!  Enjoy!

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.

Reflections | December 2015

I apologize for the delay in getting my December Reflections posted  I had been without a computer since December 23, 2015.  My old workhorse has been retired and since it was holiday season, delivery was delayed.   The new computer finally arrived on January 5th and it's taken me time to get it setup and configured properly  There is never a good time to be without a computer when you're running a portrait business, but it could have been far worse if this happened during the busy season-- so for that, I'm grateful.

On one of the frosty mornings in December where it was 23 degrees at my house I was looking toward the back of my property where I saw something white that looked like one of those styrofoam egg cartons.  My first thought was a bear got into my neighbors garbage toter and dragged his garbage onto my property (it's happened before.).

I ran for my binoculars and went to the window for a second look.  I could see it wasn't an egg carton, but what was it?  And then it hit me, could it be?  I wondered if what I was seeing could possibly be the rare elusive ice flowers?  I ran for my camera and out the door in my jammies and sure enough, there they were.  For me it felt like Christmas all over again!

I found the the one that I was seeing from the house, I hurried to take pictures (they melt quickly--as soon as the sun hits them.) I took a moment to look around and it felt magical. There were several and many were hard to access for a picture, but I did my best,  After a few minutes I realized that I didn't feel the cold. I was filled with excitement!

Reflections | August 2015

The hot and dry summer made for a few sleepless nights, but on a positive note there's been virtually no mowing this summer.  Our community and water association asked us to let our lawns go dormant to conserve water. I'm hoping it will come back to it's usual lush green once the fall rains return. 

I hope you've all had a wonderful summer xo.

This is one of the triplets, he and his sister came to the sliding glass door and waited for me.  When I opened the slider to say "hello" they got scared and the wildlife cam caught this guy prancing off.  His sister is in the background high-tailing it into the bushes where they sometimes bed down at night, although they did come right back a few minutes after this image was captured.

Here are two of the triplets coming back.  I took this shot from my office.

One of the biggest thrills this summer when I downloaded the images from the wildlife cam was when I saw this mama with her fawn in tow.  I haven't actually seen them walk by when I've been working and it's times like this that make having the wildlife cam such a gift.

I spent part of the afternoon out photographing with my nephew and we stumbled across this yellow jacket on a flower while we were trying to focus stack a scene.  (This is a single image and is not focus stacked.)

I am fascinated by cloud formations.  For years now, I'm always looking at the clouds--mesmerized by their beauty and at times fierce nature.  When I am swimming laps, I'll often look up and see these interesting clouds and decided on this day to CAREFULLY take my camera (client camera) out into the middle of the pool and shoot looking straight up and here are the results.

My nephew David is heading off to college in just a few weeks.  I don't see him nearly as often as I'd like due our schedules and I am going to miss him so much!  I was a puddle when these images were taken and I hope when I see him for lunch next week one last time before he leaves that I don't completely embarrass myself and start the waterworks all over again.  It's just hard...  I'm excited for this next journey and milestone in his life, but from a selfish standpoint I'm sad to see him go too.  I love him so much xo.

My brother captured this authentic moment that speaks volumes as to how I feel about this kid.

At a get together at my mom's this past week before David leaves for Denver, my timing was right on the money when I captured David doing a cannonball just before he hit the water..  Fun times!

Reflections | June 2015 Roundup

Taken on Monday 6/22/15 just East of Snoqualmie Pass.  I was lucky enough to be looking north where I could see the Northern Lights and then turning about 90 degrees to see the milky way.

My sister has a gorgeous garden, full of beautiful flower, fruits and herbs. I was lucky enough to get this Allium just before the heat rolled in.  

Allium close up.

Hummingbird on feeder and my first image with the beak (or bill) parted.

This hummingbird was sitting on a tree branch.  These tiny creatures are so hard to focus on (and I was in my office behind glass) so doubly challenging.

Juvenile hummingbird, tiny, fluffy and even harder to photograph.

My nephew graduated from University Prep this month.  I am so proud of him!  David is off to Denver University in the Fall.  

Jamie Brown Borzy

The fact that you're no longer here will always cause me pain, but you are forever in my heart

until we meet again.  I love you always...

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.

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!

Triplet update | Bellevue Portrait Photographer

This makes me incredibly happy to see that the triplets are doing so well! They came by this morning. I haven't seen their mom, which is a bit concerning, since I know that they are still nursing at this age, but they are able to pull and tug at the bushes when foraging and they look healthy.

Photo of the Month - November 2014

I woke up to this beautiful blanket of white this morning. I am reminded of my childhood and the holiday season, such wonderful memories... My favorite time of year.

Backyard Wildlife + Bulking up for the rut

He's been coming around for a couple weeks, eating berries as high as he can reach.  I've seen him out in the early mornings and very late at night roaming the property or passing though.  Such a majestic creature, however not long ago I was editing late at night, about 1 a.m. and looked up and saw something quite unexpected looking back at me and that did startle me until I realized it was him.

Triplet update | Bellevue Portrait Photographer

Sadly, the triplets are now twins.  I knew that it would be a rare event if she could manage all three.  They came by yesterday morning and I was only able to see them through a small window with the screen.  So last night I decided to go clean my office windows on the chance I'd see them again, since I saw them at dawn and sure enough, not 45-minutes after cleaning all the windows I saw an ear flapping out of the corner of my eye where they have been known to bed down on my property, suddenly mom gets up and the twins followed and I was able to capture some images of the twins nursing.  Such a joy to see that they are all healthy and doing so well.

You can view previous updates here:

The doe on the first day I noticed she was pregnant: Click here.

After the birth: Click here.

June 2014 - Photo of the Month

I had a visitor yesterday afternoon.  A black bear who seems to be coming around about every 8 days since mid Spring.  I haven't seen him on his recent visits, but I've seen his paw prints on my window.  He was here for just a couple minutes yesterday, unlike back in September when he was here for about 20 minutes and then came back again at dusk.  I was feeding birds back in the fall, but haven't since he broke my last feeder. 

They've arrived... and it's triplets!

Several people have been asking me about the pregnant deer I posted back in late April.  Click here to see that post.  I told everyone then that I should see one or possibly twins by late May or early June, but never did I think I would see triplets!  She was pretty big, but I didn't expect three!

I was thrilled to see three healthy strong fawns this morning.  They were on the move (they don't stop and pose for me.)  They are so cute and I hope to see more of them over the coming months as they pass through the property.

April 2014 | Photo of the Month

I am looking forward to a fawn (or two) at the end of May, beginning of June!

Personal Project | Crystal Ball

I shot these images through a crystal ball, something I've been wanting to try this for some time...  It is a bit tricky to do, but always fun trying something new.

Backyard wildlife | Bellevue Portrait Photogrpaher

Well, good afternoon!  Look who stopped by to say hi today?  It is a wonderful feeling to watch these beautiful animals from the time they are fawns, yearlings and then a majestic buck.  He still came to the window looking for Finn.  After all this time, he still remembers...

Backyard Wildlife | Yearlings

I woke up this morning to see these two nursing right where they're standing in these images.  I crept into my office from my bedroom and grabbed my camera, but as I raised it the Doe ran off.  The little ones hung out for a bit, then one ran off and the other stayed a while longer.  I don't know that I'll ever have the opportunity to shoot them nursing again, but at least I was able to see it, which was wonderful.

I have documented this family since the fawns were born.  You may recall the one of the little ones had a crooked leg, but look at her, she's managed so well and can run as fast as her sibling.

I started as a nature and wildlife photographer for 20+ years and in 2007 started my portraiture and boudoir business in the Bellevue, Redmond and the surrounding Eastside areas.  The passion for nature and wildlife photography has never left me and I am so blessed to see such a variety of wildlife right outside my window every week.  I am equally lucky to have wonderful clients to photograph throughout the year.