Seattle beach days

For the last time this summer, I am offering abbreviated portrait sessions at Lincoln Park in W.Seattle.
The where and when"
Sat. Aug 8th
Lincoln Park on the beach in W. Seattle
Session openings-9am-11.30am
20 min sessions
$75

Bring the kids, the dog, roll up your jeans and come celebrate the last days of summer!

Hello Fall, Goodbye Summer

So, I missed the last 2 days, but I have a good excuse! My family and I decided to take advantage of a free weekend, low tides on the coast and the last few days of summer.
We went backpacking on the coast out by La Push, Wa. It's a trip we try to do every year. This was our daughter, Nora's first backpacking trip, so we didn't make her carry anything (she's only 3).

It was a great way to say goodbye to Summer and Hello! to Fall.

Thinking of Fall...Don't forget to schedule your family portrait before the Holidays sneak up on us. The fall colors and gray days on the beach make a beautiful backdrop for a stunning family portrait.

News Media and Trash TV

All this bad news about Merrill Lynch, Leaman Bros., AIG, and Washington Mutual has been bringing me down. It is so depressing to watch our economy take such a drastic downhill turn, and with little certainty for the future.

I don't know about you, but there are some days (or even weeks) where I just need to step away from the news and tune into some good trash T.V. My favorite trashy show has just started it's 11th season, America's Next Top Model. Wanna-be models who bitch at each other, whine about being a size 2 and generally have no idea what the real world is all about. It's my once a week guilty pleasure. (I watch it for the photo shoots) Tomorrow is make-over night!

This summer, I've been doing a lot of sessions for models who have needed new or first time head shots and updated portfolios. My friend and hair/makeup artist, Eli did the hair and make for these girls. She works out of Helio Hair Salon in the Fremont area of Seattle.

Bollywood

My husband and I had a date night tonight and decided to try out the new All Indian Cafe on Vashon Isl. They were showing a Bollywood movie with dinner. Bollywood movies are made in India and have lots of costumes, music, cultural dancing, sometimes some cheesy dialogue (but that might be just the translations) and don't alway have the best production, but man they are fun! The music is fantastic, the people are beautiful, the dancing is to die for.

Anyway, this reminded me of a terrific couple who's wedding I photographed last summer. Kelly and Maneesh...they and their families are the nicest folks you would ever want to meet. They had a small Indian wedding at a private home on Mercer Island last Labor Day.
Kelly's dress was a gorgeous blue, Maneesh wore traditional garb, the food was mouth watering, the setting beautiful, everyone was so gracious, and the music and dancing got into your soul. I loved these guys! Here are a few pages from their wedding album.

All the newborn babies!

As promised, I wanted to share some of the cuties that have come through the studio this summer. Talk about a baby boom! I've never seen so many newborns in one season. Here's a sample of a few.

I'm a big shopper of all things used, pre-owned, funky, and eclectic. Every year I seem to gravitate towards one item in particular. A couple of years ago it was hats, last year I couldn't get enough cute little jackets, and this year I'm loving bags. Tote bags, purces, messenger and computer bags. I've found some great ones at my favorite consignment shops, Funky Janes and Lables, but for well designed, eclectic, throw-everything-in-and-go bags, I have to give a shout out to my good friend Ellen and her incredible talents. She has been been making great bags for years and is a true artist when is comes to mixing colors, patterns and fabrics.

I commissioned her to make me a computer bag this summer and what she came up with was pure art. Dark pink, faux alligator skin with a large, black and white polka dot print on the inside. Her attention to the littlest details made it all come together. The comments and inquires I keep getting on it are incredible! I love having a new cute "something" that no one has yet. It's so posh!

Ellen is sure to have some new creations that will make you drool and make your friends a little jealous.
Her new web site is coming soon. I'll post it as soon as it's ready.

My Self-Imposed Challenge

Starting on Sept 1st (today), I am challenging myself to post a blog everyday for the entire month. Why you ask? Because I have too much time on my hands? Not!
I thought it would be interesting to see what I would come up with. So here it goes!

First of all...Happy Labor Day! As we say "Adios" to summer and let's honor all those who work for a living, including ourselves.

In an effort to be a part of the great world of technology,
social networking, and some shameless self-promotion,
I am now a part of http://www.facebook.com/,
http://www.linkedin.com/, http://www.merchantcircle.com.
Please join me on one or all of these sites for your own networking and shameless self-promotion. The more the merrier!
I'll keep you posted on that venture.
Until, tomorrow...

Love, Kids, and Summer

I just returned to Seattle after a couple of weeks in St. Louis and wanted to share a couple of pictures of my daughter enjoying her summer vacation. Someone told me the other day that she resembles Suri Cruise. All I care about is that she is one of the happiest, content little kids I know (and she is finally starting to look like me!)

summer time!

With all the crazy headlines in the news today (Obama and McCain at each other, high gas prices, bad Mexican Jalapenos) it's enough to make anyone a little nutty. Did anyone see the headline today "Angry man shoots lawn mower for not starting"?
I've spent the last week and a half with 4 amazing little girls, my daughter and her 3 cousins. Sure they get a bit rambunctious and rowdy when together, but if I've learned anything these last few days it is to enjoy every moment, even the crazy headlines.
I hope all of you are relaxing and enjoying your summer!

Pool side!

I love being my own boss. It was so nice and sunny the other day and I was working from home with my daughter Nora. We decided to invite her little friend Olya over to swim. This was the life... giggly little girls, my feet in the pool, laptop open and cranking away, some warm sunshine (finally!). Now this was no Hollywood, our pool is one you blow up, and the lawn needs to be mowed, but as I was sitting there (trying to keep my pretty little MacBook dry)I just kept thinking... What more could a working mom want?!

Mother's Day

I missed Mother's Day.
I was "camping" in our backyard with my husband and daughter. We are trying to get her ready for some real camping later this summer.
Anyhoo...Hope all you mother's out there had a fantastic day and were worshiped greatly!
This picture is my current Mother/Daughter self portrait.

Senior Portraits

It's that time of year again when high school seniors start getting that far away, dreamy look in their eyes. Summer is coming, collage applications are done, and just a few more finals to go!

Seniors start handing out wallets of their senior portrait to friends, or maybe they are passing around these new, way cool mini storybooks of their senior sessions. A portrait session for most Seniors now-a-days is so much more than a stiff, formal, studio session.
Sorry Mom and Dad!
They want to move around, show off their personalities, go to their favorite "hang out" spots. I don't blame them...this is a big moment in their lives. They are standing on the edge of the rest of their lives. It's scary, exciting, and liberating. A story book or collection of images that illustrate who they are right now is the perfect thing for them (and Mom) to carry with them as they embark on the future.

All you Juniors out there....Don't waste any time! Summer is the perfect time to get your Senior portraits done. It'll be fun. I promise!