I love having a pre-session “date” with clients at my favorite coffee shop, Sherwood’s Symposium Coffee. We get to chat, get to know each other, make eye contact (without a camera in my face), pick a location, have excellent coffee, and get creative. Meeting Kelly, I knew I had a kindred spirt. She loves capturing her little girl and it was clear that the annual photo session was going to be fun. I mean, seriously, we decided to bring bubbles!
I have some special locations that I love to take families. Places where kids can be kids. Parks with walking trails and fun things like ponds and rivers and tall grasses to play in. If kids are busy and having a good time, they really don’t worry all that much about me and the camera. The park we used for this photo session is wonderful. I find something new every time I visit. And, it really says something that we could get such interesting backgrounds and scenery in early December. There is eye candy all year round.
Do you know of any great parks or recreation areas near Sherwood, Newberg or Tualatin that offer up interesting textures and nature in the winter? Leave a comment because I LOVE scouting out new locations.
It’s pretty humbling to be approached for an article like this. We truly enjoyed our interview and conversation with Ray Pitz (he’s very music savvy and a totally nice guy) and are thrilled with this article that ran in a special section of the Tigard/Tualatin and Beaverton Valley Times. We were still basking in the glow of the fantastic article covering The Macks debut EP in the Sherwood Gazette when this one hit. Reactions of our friends and neighbors have been priceless. We’re certainly getting our 15 minutes of fame from the two articles. True story: I asked for a friend to save her copy of the section for me and she said, “No, I’ll get you another copy. You’re going to need to sign mine.” Love her.
My family photo sessions are often quite literally “a walk in the park.”
When you have fun-size people in your family, it’s always a good idea to have lots of patience (no brainer) AND space to move and jump and wiggle your way through a photo session. Littles need breaks and distractions and fun!
With three BIG boys of my own, I loved stepping back in time for an hour with the Traff family. Those adorable boys made me a bit nostalgic for the days when I could pick up my kiddos and carry them around upside down. They also reminded me to take a moment and enjoy the beauty of falling cotton from the cottonwood trees.
Talk about a dream photo shoot.
First, I love the family. Second, the girls are GORGEOUS. Third, Mom absolutely nailed the wardrobe. The colors were great and the styles fit each personality. Fourth, I stumbled upon this pretty location a few weeks ago and it was even better than my first impression.
There are a couple of handsome guys in this family too – who are totally outnumbered! I love their photos, but today is feeling like a sunny, twirly girlie day. I’m sure the guys are used to waiting for their turn 🙂
A dear friend came to visit after I brought my first son home from the hospital. She thanked me for letting her come and said, “It’s not every day that you get to meet a brand new person.”
That moment pops into my head any time I get the privilege to photograph a newborn. It is special. It is an honor. These photos will be forever in a new family’s history. Parents will someday look at the pictures and whisper to their grandchildren, “Can you believe your dad was ever that tiny?”
Meeting this little guy was extra special. He’s the first in his family. He is loved, loved, loved. And, his mommy is special, too. She is a kind and brilliant teacher that made my son’s 5th grade year one of his best. And she’s an Oregon Duck fan. “Birds of a feather flock together” couldn’t be more true.
2013 was just awesome. I am extremely proud of my growth as a photographer. And, I feel so lucky to have met and worked with so many great people this past year. Just look at all of those beautiful faces!
I will be jumping into 2014 with both feet and a smile on face. Oh, and a new camera!
January’s quiet time will be a great opportunity to plan and set my goals for 2014. I’ll be filling out my idea journals, researching new techniques and snapping, snapping, snapping photos.
This quote is a favorite and great inspiration for the New Year…
“Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.” – Imogen Cunningham
The instant I saw the “The Old Oak Tree,” I was thrilled, overjoyed and in LOVE with it.
What a perfect, poetic setting for family portraits.
A huge old oak tree, in the middle of a grassy field was the perfect EVERYTHING for the images I wanted to create for some good friends.
During the session I kept thinking, “I need to look up the song lyrics to By The Old Oak Tree.” Such a cute, romantic song. And, I bet there’s a good chance that this Old Oak Tree has been right there since 1930 when Percy Wenrich wrote the song.
Thanks, Becki and Mike for trusting me to find the location for your lovely family. I think you’ll enjoy the happy lyrics, too…
There’s no spot I cherish like the old oak tree I used to know some years ago
With my sweetheart by my side we’d spend the happy hours
They linger yet, I can’t forget.
By the old oak tree, by the old oak tree,
By the old oak tree we sat together
There we learned to care, all our troubles share
Whether it was fair or stormy weather.
Down in the shady lane, In gingham gowns so plain
We sang love’s sweet refrain
So tenderly
Life was full of joy,
Happy girl and boy
When we met together
By the old oak tree.
(Instrumental interlude)
Down in the shady lane,
In gingham gowns so plain
You sang love’s sweet refrain
So tenderly Life was full of joy,
Happy girl and happy boy
When we sat together
By the old oak tree.