I had the honor to meet & photograph David and Shannon McGeoy and their 3 kids on Tuesday. As I was driving to the location they had chosen the sun was peaking through the clouds. It really could not have been a more beautiful winter day. It was my first time visiting the park they had chosen and when I drove into it I just knew we were going to have a great time and that I would return soon w/ my own boys and other clients as it was a tucked away w/ so many great features for kids and the views of the city were just as good.
I am having a tough time formulating words to describe my time w/ the McGeoy family. They reminded me very much of my husband and I that I was immediately at ease w/ them. Shannon and David are an easy going, athletic, down to earth couple w/ polite, energetic & adorable children. It was so obvious how much love this family has for each other and how much they enjoy just being together. I appreciated their openess about David's battle with cancer and came away thinking if there is anyone who can beat the odds David can. David will be undergoing a major surgery on February 12th. Please keep this special family in your thoughts and prayers.
I hope these pictures will help uplift him during his recovery.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting & photographing the McGeoy family. It was really a highlight of the work I do. They are such a wonderful family and I feel so fortunate to have crossed paths with them. I hope to finish working through the images soon. In the meantime I thought I would share a few from Cooper's 4th birthday. The invitation said "soccer rain or shine". I would have never guessed it would be "or snow..." Cake/candle shots are always fun. The way the warm light plays off the surrounding faces is great. I thought I would add one of Oscar...don't want to leave #2 out. I had rented a lense that I REALLY want to buy (a 50mm 1.2 for the photographers out there) so I put it through a few paces that day. The one of Oscar is taken in the limited light of our bathroom w/o a flash. It is such a great lense...if only it wasn't $1,800. It was painful to return it to the camera shop. Maybe Santa will make a February visit! I again am playing w/ photoshop. I think I am more of a traditionalist when I comes to the final appearance. But the antique look of it is fun. What do you think?

Last week I got to see how much little Flora has changed in 3 months. She slept through most of our first meeting together so to have her awake was great. She has eyelashes and little perfect lips that most women would die for.
I was having fun w/ some new Photoshop actions and cannot decide which image I like best. Straight color, black and white, an oldish looking sepia or a artsy muted color. I would love to get your opinions if you are drawn to one more than another. You can add your thoughts in the comments area.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of meeting Susan & Peter just days before their first child is due to arrive. They were referred to my by a client of mine that I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know so I should have known that I would immediately love this couple. They were so easy to work with and the love they have for each other and their little baby was so apparent. We did shoots in their home and then decided to venture out to Greenlake in the snow. It was a magical morning to be outside in Seattle. To have the city covered in white is a rarity and I could barely contain myself getting to photograph these two in such a gorgeous setting.




They are big cooks so we did a little "what 'cha got cookin'?"

Another winner

When I received this following nomination I just knew there was absolutely no way that I would not photograph this individual and I learned tonight that he is "really really psyched" to have been chosen. Here is the nomination I received from Stacey Lara-Kerr:
"Until this August, I worked as a public defender in Seattle, working primarily with at risk youth. Josh Arsenaux was on my caseload for nearly a year, always for failing go to school. The first time I met Josh, I knew he was special, but because he was very guarded, it took many meetings for me to learn exactly how one-of-a-kind he was.

When he came to court, we had amazing conversations about politics, the arts, his dreams, and occassionally, his difficult past.

When I went on maternity leave last February, Josh was still attending school only sporadically. When I next heard from Josh, he was going to school, looking healthy, talking about being a lawyer. I have since become a mentor to Josh, and I cannot being to say how impressed I am with him. It's still up in the air whether he will graduate on time, but the fact that he is accumulating credits and attending class regularly is amazing. His entire outlook is changed. He recently applied and was accepted into a King County Bar Association scholarship program encouraging teenagers of color to pursue a career in the law. I have been told that he has done well in the program, and he has said that he is further inspired to pursue a career in the law.

I would love for Josh to have great pictures of himself. For so many teenagers, senior portraits are a given. I feel confident that Josh has never had the opportunity to see himself as the handsome, maturing young man that he is. I know that his grandmother would love to have pictures of the child she took over in raising. This is a young man that I think will go somewhere. I want him to have a picture from the time in his life when he turned it all around."

I just cannot wait to meet Josh and hopefully give him and his grandmother pictures that they can enjoy forever.

I have to say that I continue to be touched by this contest process. Yesterday when I was talking w/ the winning nominator I mentioned the free sitting she would be receiving and she was totally surprised. She had made the nomination of the McGeoy family completely for them & was unaware that she would receive anything. Then when I contacted the other nominators that I wanted to give their nominees a free sitting but could not extend a sitting to them. They too had a similar reaction as Angela. They didn't know there a free sitting possibility to the nominator. This means so much to me because the my purpose of the contest was to give and it became apparent that that was also the sole goal of the nominators. So great! Last night I had the pleasure of talking w/ Dave McGeoy. We had a wonderful conversation and I cannot wait to photograph his family next week!!

Here is a nomination that I received from Amanda Downing:
"I met the McNair family in September. I had just moved to Lake Forest Park and knew no one in the North End. After being here about a week or two I had a knock on my door and it was 2 women (Kara & Sarah) about my age with strollers. They said they had heard I had moved into the neighborhood and had a baby and would I like to go on a walk. ( I know I couldn't believe it either..... I didn't think people did that sort of thing) So I was thrilled and we all went for a walk. Half way through the walk they said I have to meet Jenny McNair who was just moving into the neighborhood that day. We ended up at her house and we all bonded! We chatted for hours and introduced all the babes. Between the four of us there are 2 boys and 2 girls. 2 were born in June '06 and 2 in July '06. What are the odds of meeting 3 great women all with kids the exact age as mine right. We started hanging out regularly. Within a week or so Jenny tells me that Lily (her daughter) has what is called floppy baby syndrome. I had never heard of this and not knowing them well didn't ask too many questions. What I got out of it was that she had trouble moving her legs mainly and they were going through some tests and what not at Childrens hospital. So a little more time goes by and one of the other girls (Sarah) calls and says that there is a rare genetic disease that they are going to test Lily for called SMA, Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Basically no movement of extremities. None of us had heard of this so we all immediately hit the internet to get as much info as possible. We were all still hopeful and trying to be positive since it was so rare.

They got the tests back a week or so later and to all of our shock she had it. Since she is so young she is categorized as Type 1. Type 1 kids do not usually live past the age of 2. We were all devastated. The first month+ was a huge adjustment for them, lots of family time. They are now partaking in a study at Stanford for SMA kids for a new drug that slows the progression. They don't know if Lily is getting the medicine or a placebo but she seems to be progressing. She has had minimal movement in her legs which has not happened before!

But here is the real shiny part of this family. Jenny & Tony (her husband) are so hopeful and encouraging about their situation. They haven't looked at this as a death sentence for her they are hopeful every day that she will get stronger and somehow beat this. If the drug helps her to the point where she may be able to sit up then she could get upgraded to Type II which would give them more time for research to find them a cure. Through all of this Jenny smiles every day! She has the greatest dreams for Lily and cherishes everyday with her. If I was in her position I don't know that I could handle it nearly as well as she has. I admire her strength and faith in what she has been dealt. I know she has her moments of breakdown when no one is around but she has taken the approach to be as positive as possible which will only benefit Lily. And Lily, she has a smile and giggle that is magneti c. She will babble at you and make funny noises that are priceless. She may not be as physically strong as other babies her age but she is one of the strongest people I know. She has been through so much in her first 6 months of life. She definitely gets it from her mom. I call her Anthony's girlfriend. And to round out there wonderful family is Tony. He is a gem! I can't imagine how tough this has been on him to watch his wife and daughter go through all of this and feel helpless but you wouldn't know it. He cooks for all of us when we come over, he hangs out with all the babies and likes his time with each of them. He is making sure he gets to know each of them. He is funny and thoughtful and takes great care of his girls.

I don't know what the future holds for Lily but I am hopeful and will continue to be. I do know that I will be friends with this family for the rest of my life. Lily will always be one of Anthony's first friends. I was so fortunate to meet these 3 other women. Jenny has taught me alot about life and enjoying each and everyday. Life really can be short as cliche as that sounds. I now want to slow down, enjoy everyday with my family and friends and be so thankful for what I have."
I believe the McNair family is also special and am excited to give them a free sitting. I am really looking forward to meeting them.

...and the winnner is...

I cannot begin to thank all of you who submitted a nomination for the free sitting. There were so many that were at the top of my list. It was an incredibly difficult and agonizing decision for me because all of the nominees are truly deserving.
I have chosen a family who was nominated by Angela Castañeda.
"A few details on the McGeoy family, a handsome, playful and loving Beacon Hill family of five, who's father was recently diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. Dave is just now finishing a month-long round-the-clock radiology treatment. During that time they searched for a surgeon to try and remove the tumor. The experience of searching was difficult (one doc basically said, no I won't treat you b/c you're on the way out). They did finally find a surgeon (this one said, I need you to take the leap with me here and commit yourself to this intense treatment) and just last week learned the tumor has reduced so they are hopeful and heading toward surgery mid-Feb."
Dave has 3 children (6, 4, & 1 1/2 yrs old). I feel it would be a wonderful gift to give Dave and his family photographs that they will cherish forever.

Because it was so difficult to choose I would like to extend an offer of a free sitting to a few other nominees. Unfortunately I cannot extend a free sitting to the nominator...I wish I could. But I just cannot imaging not offering a free sitting to these nominees.
Over the next 3 days I will share their stories with you.
Thank you again to everyone who sent a nomination. This process has made an impact on me and I promise to do this again in the future. So visit the blog in the next year and we will do it again.

Contest

I had the best intentions to announce the winner today. But I realized that before I announce the winner(s) & share their story I need to confirm if the winner's will be okay w/ me sharing their story. I promise by tomorrow I will have it up on the web.
Thank you for your patience.
Tara

Winner...

Today is the day I will be announcing the most deserving nominee. But it is also my son's 4th birthday so my day is a little tied up. I will be posting the winner and emailing them later tonight so check back soon.

Snow, snow, snow...

We have had a crazy winter here in Seattle. First the rain and flooding (terrible but not as surprising) and then we have had a few rounds of snow...much more surprising and enjoyable! Wednesday night I was working late and decided to take a walk and a few pictures before people woke up and the scene was not as prestine.
My street corner.



The pet shop sign.
The winery sign looking so wintery.



Then the next morning we went out and the boys enjoyed sledding w/ the neighbors


Oscar is starting early w/ his ski jumping training.
The highlight for him was hot chocolate and a cookie at the coffee shop. I don't know why but I really like this picture of him...


He just kicked back and asked for more...


You still have a few days to submit a nominee for the free sitting. I am looking forward to selecting the winner. There have been some wonderful, very deserving people nominated and it is going to be difficult to choose. I will announce the winner on the 15th.

Custom stamps

A fun new machine arrived on my doorstep last week and I finally got it set up last night. Now I can print custom stamps on the fly. It is pretty fun. Just email or call me if you want some made. Here are my first two...