We returned last night from an phenomenal trip to Laos. I have many who have said they are excited to see some pictures. W/ the boys, jet lag, getting back to real life and work spending time to sort through my pictures is unfortunately at the bottom of the priority list and may stay there for some time. I just feel so lucky to have gotten the opportunity to get the time away that I can wait to work on the images. I will share the highlight of the trip for me. We had the experience of a lifetime trekking to a REMOTE, REMOTE, REEEEEMOTEEEE Hmoung village of 28 families. They have only seen a handful of foreigners enter their. They were so welcoming and beautiful people. There was a huge language barrier but it was exactly where I hoped to find myself on this trip and spending the night in the chief's house was such an honor.
I couldn't post w/o a picture so I did pull of the first of my many favorites. Of course we saw amazing scenery but I definitely am a portrait photographer through and through because 95% of the pictures have people with them. So I must share a few favorite smiles I came across. And I wish I could add my smiling face to thank those close to us that made this trip possible. You know who you are and we love you so much! THANK YOU!

Quiet, quiet, quiet...

So this has been the most quiet I have been on this blog since it inception 3 yrs ago. Some of you may be wondering if I ever work. I promise I have been working every day, some more crazy than others but I think I just needed to take a little break to prepare for the year ahead. This has been the first time in 10 yrs that I have been able to really catch my breath and I have to say I am LOVING it. I have been able to get my business in order and prepare for the craziness to come and it definitely feels good.

And I am excited (and a bit sad) to say that this blog is going to remain SUPER silent for the next 2 wks (I am embarassed to have been recognized as a great blog before the new year and now not living up to the accolades...I promise those of you who found my blog through blogsofphotogs.com that this is SO far from normal for me so stick w/ me until the end of the month & I will be posting non-stop until 2010) because is less than 12 hours my husband and I are boarding a plane to take us back to our backpacking days that I LIVE for. It has been 6 yrs since I have been to a 3rd world country and I cannot express how excited I am. I have no idea what the next two weeks will bring but I do know that I cannot wait to photograph some amazing places and faces!
If you need to reach me I am sorry. We will be out of phone/computer range for most of the time. But I will get back to you as soon as we return.

Facebook

Facebook...such a crazy phenomenon. Like most people I dragged my feet before checking it out. At first I didn't get it but over the past 4 or 5 months I have figured it out and really think it is an amazing "thing" (I have no idea what you call it...software???). This week I thought I would try out their Page feature where you can have information, images, dialogue and events posted about your business. I am not sure how much time I have to put to it (my family may soon be screaming, "NONE!!!") but this week it has been fun to create and I just posted my second album. It is a way for me to feature/group images that may not have a place on my website but that I really love. If you are on Facebook stop by for a look if you have time. If you are not on Facebook I recommend giving it a try. And if you like my work you can let me know by becoming a "fan".

Just now I came across an online resource that really hit a cord with me and I immediately rushed to share it here.
I cannot count how many times I hear that my pricing is expensive. I am one that 100% appreciates honesty so I am fine with hearing peoples thoughts but I immediately want to share/justify the way I have structured my business and my rates. But then I know I cannot because who really has the time to listen to the long list of reasons and ultimately I know it isn't necessary because I know I am not the right photographer for everyone and that is okay.

I cannot explain in words how much of my heart and soul I put into my work but today I found a few articles that I feel like put to words so much of what my work is about. I thank Marianne Drenthe for writing these articles. (Click the highlighted link or visit http://www.professionalchildphotographer.com/information)
I hope you can take a few minutes to read this and share with others who may question the value of custom photography. Finally I would love to read comments you may have after reading so leave on if you have any thoughts on the subject.

I thought this picture appropriate to finish w/...the look of "Oh my gosh, how much??!!" and the quiet questioning in the back.

This next little girl is a part of my Baby's First Year plan and this is her second shoot w/ me. And did she ever bring her best for the shoot. Her smiles were on fire! And her brother shared a few w/ me too and he even squeezed in a hug but wasn't up for much more cuddling w/ his sister than a split second.
You can't help but smile when you see this little girl beaming!
Have a great weekend!

The gift of family photos

I am ending today so excited for someone who is beside themselves with excitement about pictures I took for a surprise gift. I can't wait to share them here but since it is a surprise I have to tie my hands behind my back to I don't slip and ruin it all.
Photos of loved ones is something that every single person I know cherishes so when I get a call from someone hoping to give my services as a gift I am so thrilled to be a part of a gift that I know will be a HUGE hit with the receipient.
Here is a post from another sitting that was given as a birthday gift.

So if you are thinking of the perfect gift for your wife or husband (or want to give a hint to the giver) for Valentine's or an upcoming birthday, I promise you cannot go wrong w/ calling me or another favorite photographer and setting up a sitting.

EL PASO ANNOUNCEMENT

I excited to be heading out of the country in 2 wks (Laos here we come...) but it has forced me to do something I am not a pro at...planning ahead. So I'm sure to my clients' surprise and relief, I have a date on the calendar for my next El Paso trip.

If you are in El Paso and hoping to book me for a sitting I will be in town Friday March 6th & 7th. Spots are already filling up so contact me ASAP if you want information on dates/times still available.
I am excited to get back to the SW and hopefully take pictures at my new favorite spot. Here is a glimpse of it from my last trip.

1.20.09...a date to remember!

So I try my best to stay non-partisan here but today after watching the inauguration with my boys, I have had tv on in my office all day. Regardless of which party you supported hopefully you have felt the energy of hope and change that is here.
It is getting late and I need to stop working and concentrate on dinner but I just saw one of the best advertisements I have ever seen and I wanted to share it with you just in case you haven't seen it today. I really had no idea what I was watching I just think the message is so spot on. At the end I learned that it was a Starbucks ad. My hometown company hit it out of the ballpark with this one.
Ignore all the excess on this page and just watch the message.
A message for change...

Happy Inauguration Day!!

This may have been my longest stretch w/o posting while I am working. I definitely need to get back into the swing of things! I wish my absence translated to more time off but I have been working hard. This time of year always finds me catching up on all the work that has been back burnered for too long. And getting my business in order for Uncle Sam. Does anyone enjoy bookkeeping and accounting??? I enjoy it as soon as it is done!!
We also had another day of celebration in our house. Cooper turned 6 yesterday. And going against my party beliefs I actually pulled a party together this year. As soon as I saw the Reptile Man in person last month I knew he was the man for me! So we had a house full of kids completely entranced for an hour (can I hire this man 24/7!!) watching all the cool animals he brought with him. He is the best!! Have you ever seen a alligator go to sleep? Or a handle a python? Or ride a huge turtle? This guy is for you too! So I have to share some pics of of the party. And my one shining creative moment...had to go w/ the reptile them and it is hard to find a reptile cake so a Skittle cake creation did the job.

Happy New Year!!

I am finally back! It has been almost 3 wks since I have sat down to do work and I have to admit it I LOVED every minute of my break! It was much needed and now I am ready to tackle another great year. We enjoyed a trip to sunny Mexico and were lucky enough to miss the bulk Seattle deep freeze week. We returned to enjoy a few more days of snow and a white Christmas which was beautiful! The day before the new year I received a very nice email notifying me that this blog was going to be spotlighted on a blog of photographers. I went to read the post (http://blogsofphotogs.com/archives/169) and it really put the cherry on the top of 2008 for me. The author wrote some very nice words which is the best way to end the year and get me excited about my work ahead.
So I am back and just announced the date for another workshop for budding hobbiest photographers. If you received a fancy new SLR camera during the holiday this workshop is for you! It will be on January the 31st. Contact me if you are interested. If you want more info on the workshop type "workshop" into the search box above and you will find out more about it.
I will leave you with two more pictures of my boys in the sun and sand.

CLOSED FOR 2008!!

I am having a hard time actually believing that I made it through this season. It has been a crazy few months and I am so thankful to close on a high. I am so thankful to have worked with so many amazing clients this year. I feel like the luckiest person in the world to do what I do and am thankful that my family puts up with my chaotic work overload. So now it is time to enjoy them and give them my full attention. We are leaving in in less than 8 hours for Mexico. The timing couldn't be better as we got to enjoy the first snow this morning in Seattle which is the best. Sunshine here we come!!
My office will be closed until January 1st. Happy Holidays!
And I couldn't post w/o a few pictures so the first is of Oscar in the snow...yes, I was the lazy mom who couldn't bring herself to track down the ski clothes...pajamas are almost as waterproof, right??
And the last image of the year is from the front image of our holiday card. Looking forward to sharing many more images with you in 2009!
photographically perfect it is just a few doors down from where I live...so great!

Holiday cards, holiday cards, holiday cards....I am one of the suckers who LOVES going to my mailbox this time of year. I love getting holiday cards. But right now I have to say I have had my fill of cards...I am about to design my 30th holiday card. (I will share a few w/ you soon) But I need a vacation and am so excited that I am leaving on one in less than a week!!! BIG sigh of relief!
But before I go I am excited to share with you one last family. Their oldest is a pro by now w/ me as he and his brother have both been a part of my Baby's First Year plan. I am starting w/ an image that makes me laugh...like he is saying, "her again, do I really have to smile???!!!"
The boys did great and the shoot went off so easily, which their mom deserved after having to reschedule for rain. You may see some similarity in the last few family shoots. I have found my new favorite spot to shoot and beyond being photographically perfect it is just a few doors down from where I live...so great!

Shockingly it was another dry day at the end of November and I got to play in the leaves one more time. It is very late so I am at a loss of words but I know there is a mom out there anxiously waiting to get a sneak peak. So enjoy my brevity!!