Holiday Cards

I just finished up a great job with a new client. They have two adorable boys and their mom wanted some fun pictures for their 2008 Holiday cards. We figured, 2 rambunctious little boys need some room to run around, so we decided to shoot at Golden Gardens Park on the north west side of Seattle. It has everything a couple of kids would want...beach, sand dunes, tall grasses.
Mom loved the images and decided to get a couple of large art prints as well as the Holiday Cards. She was expecting to have to pick out one image, but when it became clear that she liked too many of them, I suggested we do a custom designed square card. It might cost more to mail it, but it will certainly Wow! the grandparents.
This is what we came up with.

Hurricane Ike

So, After the kiddo went to bed and the babysitter was sent home tonight, I've been glued to the internet watching the updates about Hurricane Ike. This is a bad one. It's as big as Texas! Whether you pray, chant or just think good thoughts, do lots of it tonight and tomorrow. 20,000 people decided to stay in Galvaston. Those people will need it all!

Favorite places (con't)

Here are more of my favorite places in Seattle and beyond to get married.

Snoqualmie Ridge
Sun Mountain Lodge
The Villa Acadamy
The Sorento Hotel
Cabo
The Space Needle
Argosy Cruises

Some of my favorites wedding places

With the 2008 summer wedding season coming to an end, I thought I would share a few of the fabulous places Seattle has to offer to get married.

The Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park.






The Fairmont Olympic Hotel
The Market
St. James Catherdral
The Waterfront
Vashon Island

Family Matters

In these months of political debates I can't help but listen to Barack Obama, John McCain and all their rhetoric about family.
We all have families and whether we like it or not, they help mold us into the people we become. I'm lucky...I have several families; The one I was born into, the one I married into and the one I found and continue finding as I get older...my friends.
It doesn't matter if your family is of the traditional sort or maybe a bit more eclectic, as long as you have the unconditional support and love from someone. That is family.

"Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter." -Brad Henry-

Here are a few families I've gotten to know over the years.

Elevator Speech

I am always asked about what I do for a living. And every time, I am challenged to come up with the perfect 30 second "Elevator Speech". To say I'm a photographer just doesn't give the right impression of what I really do.
Needles to say, I've been working of this quite a bit lately. Here's what I've come up with...

Stranger/Potential Client-"So, What do you do?"

Me-"I'm a wedding and portrait photographer based in the Seattle area."

Stranger-"Oh, interesting." (Blank Stare)

Me-"Actually it is kind of interesting. I made a promise to myself when I started this business 15 years ago that I would give my clients beautiful, fine art images of their loved ones. So, over the years, I've developed a style of imagery that has real heart & soul. I stay away from the cookie-cutter look you get from the box chain-store, ensuring that my clients get a piece of art work that is about them and only them.
It's been really successful so far!
Most of my work ends up being a timeless and cherished wall portrait or a gorgeous custom album. I've been really fortunate to have forged the type of relationship with my clients that lets me watch newborns grow into toddlers, teenagers and young adults. I couldn't ask for a better job!"

Stranger/New Client-"Wow, Do you have a card!?"

Card reads-"Through the simple art of Rebecca Douglas Photography you will fall in love with a child, feel the softness of a kiss and experience the joy of a special day.
Enjoy the Fine Art of Life.
Thank you for your interest."

These images are were done last week in the studio. I swear...he looks just like a young, blond Tom Cruise. The feet shot is my new favorite image! Enjoy!

Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts

I live on Vashon Isl, and we get lots of fun and eclectic people, groups and events on the island. Every year around this time the VME, or Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts, come to the island in swarms of 100s of vintage motorcycles to spend the day motering around. I've been out here for about 10 years and have never been able to find out when they will be here...until today.

The club keeps their Vashon Visit top secret (to keep other non-vintage riders from crashing the party), but I finally managed to find someone who knew the date they were coming which turned out to be today, so I decided to try and get some portraits. There was every bike you could think of, plenty of cool biker chicks, and lots of rough, bearded men who look like they have been on a bike their entire lives. Of course there was the occasional dreamy guy perfect for full-filling any girl's fantasy!
Enjoy the pics!