Quickie!

This was a last minute throw-together shoot.  They had little notice that big brother was coming to town and I had exactly 30 free minutes to spend with them. 

Mom chose all black and white (easier to throw together outfits) and we quickly decided on a setting I was already familiar with. 

We did a 'mini shoot' where I did not take individual photos or smaller groupings, I spent the time with the family as a complete unit.

Mother Nature cooperated by sending us some lovely snow a few hours before the shoot.

All in all, it turned out quite well.

Lifestyle Newborn

When I grow up...

When I grow up, I wanna be a Grandma.

I want to be in love with my sweet heart.  Still.

I want to love my children as dynamic adults,

and watch them love their own children.

I also wouldn't mind owning property with a view where the grand kids can play and explore. 

Just sayin'.

Thanks, you guys!  It was a riot!

Lifestyle Newborn

Real life.  Real Moments.  Real Connections.

A Lifestyle Newborn shoot is different from what is seen in much of newborn photography today.  It is much more baby and much less props.  Much more new innocence and much less new outfit.  No baskets, few cute hats, not many bowls to pose the baby in. 

I admire photographers who can make that sort of photography work well. There are geniuses who have made baby posing and propping a beautiful art form.

In my experience, however, my camera and I love the pure interaction between a Mother and her newborn baby (Dad can come too, of course), and I love the baby just as she is. 

A Lifestyle Newborn session is not without planning, of course.  It is not without favorite things, or even cute things.  It is just very simple.  There is usually a bed involved, the baby's crib, a rocking chair. The stuff from real life.

Typically a Lifestyle Newborn session takes place in your home. However, I do have some warm and cozy places available if shooting elsewhere works better (some homes have insufficient light or space for such a thing).  I will typically come to your home before the baby is born to talk about location preferences.

If you are interested in a Lifestyle Newborn photo session, don't hesitate to contact me. Even with the limited number of sessions I am able to do, I can always find room for a fresh new person.

(PS - Lifestyle Newborn sessions get a generous discount, ask me about it!)

Small Town Charm

I love all the little towns in our area.  Little towns with little nooks and crannies, places that time forgot.  But great places for photographers and their subjects.  I sort of wish that more people were game for exploring the small communities during a photo shoot.  I think, perhaps, I will have to take my own children on more small town explorations, camera in hand. 

Adoption Love (Colfax Family Photographer)

Do you have a hero?

I have a few...

And these guys are right near the top of the list. 

I would love to post the portraits I took of each one of the children, but really, this blog is only so big (wink wink)... but if they are any question about who the Princess of the family is, here's a little hint...

Thanks for this opportunity to peek into your life.  It was a privilege. 

All Grown Up (Colfax WA Senior Photographer)

Country Evening

 Summer's arrival was late this year. 

I would like to think that because it came late, it will last a bit longer. 



But the crisp morning air and the earlier sunsets tell me that we have precious few of these warm summer evenings left. 

Thank you for letting me share this country evening with you guys.  It was, truly, beautiful.

The Best Laid Plans.... (Whitman County Family Photographer)

 Being the planning sort of person that I am, I usually have a pretty clear idea in my head about how a photo shoot is going to go.  I always scout out the location before hand, plan the basic flow of the session, talk with the people involved about their expectations, wardrobe, props and the like.

And sometimes things go as planned, and sometimes... well....

Isn't it funny how real life is so much prettier than the contrived plans we all make for ourselves?

This sweet little baby wanted nothing to do with anyone except for her Momma.  We had hoped to get more of her alone, and more her with her big sister.  But she is so little still and just needs her Mom, and, frankly, she would have nothing to do with me and my plans.  So we chose to go with the real thing.   Baby and Mom, being loved by each other, and being loved by the others.

Real Life is beautiful. 

Real Life.  Real Moments.  Real Connections.

Thanks guys, for this nice reminder that the true stuff of life is so much nicer than what we think we want. 

Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dogs Tails....

I've been photographing these dudes since before Little Brother was born.  Of course, I go back and look at my work from then and I have to cringe a little.  But, what fun to see them grow up, and encouraging to see how my photography has progressed.

Life is about change, I guess.  And what better way to experience the changes of life than side by side with your Best Friend and Brother.

And let's not forget Grandpa's fabulous John Deere.  Life with a John Deere is always better.