Monday, January 28, 2008

Preston's Senior Pictures Part I

This weekend I had the priviledge of taking Preston's senior pictures. I've known Preston all of his life and it was such an honor to photograph his senior pictures. The location he chose was perfect--a perfect backdrop of the pacific northwest. However, snow forced us to cancel the first session date and nearly made us shoot indoors the second time! As I was driving to the park, it was snowing! By the time I got there it was cloudy and soon the skies opened up to a gorgeous, sunny afternoon!

Here are just a few of the many awesome shots we got, it is way past my bedtime but I promise another post this week with more of the great images. You can also check out the entire session here.


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Thanks so much Preston for being so wonderful and being up for anything! I hope the rest of your senior year goes great!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Sanding Solo

Here is a little peak at our remodel project! This week I had worked on sanding our pine tongue and groove wood for our living room walls. Brandon was out with friends one night, so I went sanding solo. The good thing about working by myself is that I could take a photography break and do a little documenting along the way! It was 30 degrees the night I was working on this--so I also took some puppy-playing breaks to defrost my fingers!

Caution: dramatic lighting ahead--may make sanding look more fun than it actually is!!

Here is the view from outside the shop--those giant puddles in the driveway are actually mini skating rinks!


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Here are some images of the wood set-up--piles and piles of boards...almost 200 to sand and stain.


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Here are some detail shots of the mess I made (ok, Brandon actually made that mess when we were cutting the boards!). Can you guess who was helping me sand?


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You guessed it!

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And here are my weapons of choice--a tribute to the sander and dust mask!

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Thursday, January 24, 2008

Beautiful Homes

This week I was blessed to be invited to photograph two stunning homes in the Lynden area. I am working on a portfolio project for Creative Stoneworks, a granite and marble shop in Bellingham, WA. I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people and photograph their kitchens. The craftsmanship in the stone work coupled with the each family's design tastes made for some absolutely gorgeous kitchens! Take a peak at some of the images below.

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A huge thank you to both families for allowing me to come to your beautiful homes. You were both so great to work with and I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know you. Thank you!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Happy Birthday Diesel!

I can not believe that our little Diesel turns one today! I seems like just yesterday we went to look at the little puppies when they are only a week old. The litter was black with the exception of two brown puppies. However, those two were already spoken for. We let the owners know that we were really interested in a brown puppy if one became available but that we'd be back in a few weeks to pick one out either way.

A couple weeks later when we returned to visit the puppies, we found out that one of the brown puppies was available and that we could pick which of the two we wanted. When we took a peek at the puppies we found that they had really changed color and were no longer brown but black and brown--they melted our hearts! At first we couldn't decide which puppy to pick, but the smaller of the two kept sitting by Brandon's feet and the other kept hiding in the dog house. Diesel chose us! So even though we liked the size of the larger one, we couldn't resist the loyalty of the little one.

On the day we brought Diesel home, it was cold and snowy. He was playing outside in the snow with his siblings and was having a great time when we arrived. But when we scooped him up in some towels and started the trek home he caught on that maybe things were going to change in a big way. His little whimpers and cries for his sisters and brothers nearly broke my heart. But by the time we made it home, swaddled him in towels and laid him in front of the fire, he was out like a light.

When Diesel woke up from his fire-side nap, he never looked back. From then on he has continued to be a loyal, adorable, well-behaved little puppy. Take a peak at the slideshow below for his progression!

Here is little Diesel on the day we brought him home!



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And here he is as a big one year old dog!



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And the slideshow glimpse of his first year! FYI: Some of these are just quick snapshots with our point and shoot camera...enjoy!

Diesel's Birthday Slideshow!

Monday, January 21, 2008

They are back!

Look what I found peaking up in the flowerbeds!! My spring bulbs! I'm so excited that spring is just around the corner! Every year when I think it can't possibily get any colder or darker, these precious little jewels show up to keep me on track until spring! I can't wait until they bloom! I also found some new little leaf buds on my barberries and my roses!

Happy almost Spring!

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Daffodils of plenty...I probably have close to 500 of these cheerful, first-to-bloom yellow beauties!
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My little barberry--this a small variety with lime green leaves (despite the red leaf buds).
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Roses! I love my grandfather's roses...I have nine of his prized plants and I can't wait to smell their wonderful fragrance.
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More daffodils...and a weed.
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Tulips!! A little later to bloom than my daffodils--but I love their swirly starts.
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Thursday, January 17, 2008

So sorry!

Please excuse my lack posting! We've been so busy this week starting our house remodel! We've been sawing and sanding and soon to come is staining! Then the demolition starts (my favorite part!)!

Be sure to stay tuned this weekend and next week for some images from a senior session, some real estate work I've been doing, a very special birthday and maybe even some remodel shots!

Have a great Thursday evening!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Just One More

I love how the black and white version of this image unifies the family. You can check out the updated gallery here, which includes this version of the complete family photograph.

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Hope you are all are having a great week!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Family Photos

Last Saturday I had the priviledge of photographing a great family. Such a beautiful family too! Here are some of my favorite images plus a slideshow of them all. If you would like to take a look them for online proofing, check this out.

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View Slideshow

Thanks for the great time! I really enjoyed working with you!

Monday, January 7, 2008

Strawberry Cutie

My grandmother knit this adorable strawberry hat for my neice as a Christmas present. Isn't this the cutest thing you have ever seen?


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More images to come this week from our late Christmas (now that my sister and her family are back in the country) and from a family photo session I did on Saturday.



Have a great week!