Herzlichen Glueckwunsch zum Geburtstag!

Go me, its my birthday!

I turn 27 today. Also came down with tonsilitis this week, horse piddle!

Fueled like a jet engine on grape juice, I somehow managed to wrap up 4 projects this week. Work a little, sleep a lot.



Feeling old, but not blue because Ray took me to breakfast at our favorite place and professed his love all over again. Such a romantic guy, he always has me on my toes. I never know what to expect out of his mouth, his mind sort of a mix between a big kid & an donut-fanatic. He makes life full of wonderful surprises.



Thanks for the great birthday wishes from everyone, here's to many more years of fun!Cheerio!

Here's a photo from last year, oh the days of 26.....

Boudoir Shoot

I'm excited to share a snippet of boudoir pictures. I started a new (secret) blog to exhibit photos and do it in a safe way for those of you who read this blog at work or have small kids. You have to be OH so careful these days...

To view the latest work click HERE.

Emily + Daniel's Album design

I'd like to share a few spreads from Emily & Daniel's album design~ Have a happy wednesday!

Prego Session with Crystal + Joey

I feel very fortunate to have photographed Crstyal & Joey's wedding last year, even more so now that they're having a baby girl! Its the best part of having good relationships with brides & grooms from previous years. Watch the bellies grow! I'm convinced 2007 is the year of the baby! Pratically everyone I know is either having a baby or has just given birth. Something in the water. All the more reason to drink tequila.

Did I mention, they're having a GIRL! Her name will be Cali Rayne Jordan.

I also noticed that they're still SO happy & SO very much in love. Joey constantly shows Crystal his affection, very cute after all this time (chuckle, chuckle).

There seems to an undercurrent of humor to whatever personal work I shoot. Not sure if the humor shines through because people make me happy when I take their picture, or if I make them happy by taking their picture. OR perhaps I can't run from my love for slapstick comedy. What can I say, I lived in Germany just a little too long....

Updated Availability

06.22-24.07 La Jolla, CA
06.29-30.07 Chelan, WA
07.01-06.07 Riviera Maya, Mexico
07.07.07 Seattle, WA
07.12-14.07 Laguna Beach, CA
07.14.07 Portland, OR
07.27-28.07 Portland, OR
08.04.07 Snohomish, WA
08.11.07 Olympia, WA
08.18.07 San Juan Island, WA
08.25.07 Bainbridge Island, WA
09.01.07 Seattle, WA
09.02.07 Bothell, WA
09.07.07 Newcastle, WA
09.22.07 Rochester, WA
10.06.07 Seattle, WA
10.13.07 Seattle, WA

03.08.08 Seattle, WA
03.16-20.08 Las Vegas, NV
04.05.08 Seattle, WA
08.02.08 Portland, OR

A NEW Look?

WOW! If I can dig up my camera in the suitcase, you'll have the chance to check out our 2 days' worth of R&R from San Diego. Highlights: Shamu show, fireworks, Ray's favorite cake place & the beach!

San Diego is OFF the hook!!! Lots to do & see! Ray is in the Coast Guard Reserves as some of you may know. At both Sea World AND the San Diego Zoo his entry cost nothing (normally $80+ in entry fee). I was so impressed with their acts of kindess towards the military. These deployments are incredibly tough on families, and in fact, my brother is headed to Iraq again next year. A close friend's tour of Iraq was recently extended several months. Just when he thought the ride was almost over! Poor guy. I hope things get alot better soon.

Overall, two thumbs up for San Diego! Very, very nice place. I would like to return very soon. For a very long time.

Today, I feel like I've caught a bug. I'm going down for the count. Seriously, I have swollen throat glands, itchy eyes and sunburn isn't helping! I REALLY don't have time to be sick right now. We're booked solid until mid-July. This is NOT cool. I'm headed to bed right after this.

Finally, the MAIN topic of the day: I've been hunting for a new look. Its SO obvious isn't it?

Clients deserve it and I'm ready for a big change! I was so jazzed to walk away from the Susan Stripling workshop in April, with several weddings & photo shoots lined up to excercise the learned techniques.

With all this excitement its time for a facelift. Now where do I start? My blog? Website? Logo? Do I just need a complete studio overhaul? I'm anxious to start. Where should we begin? Leave your comments below, I'd love to read your opinions!

Jenna + Raymond

06.22.07 @ La Valencia- La Jolla, CA

She had the most beautiful half-up half-down do to date. Star gazers in her hair with gazers intertwined in the bouquet, too.

Oh Happy Day!!! Beautiful wedding today with Jenna Kern and Raymond Domingo! They took 6 weeks of dancing lessons and blew me away with their version of a 'dip.' Raymond rocks!

This has to be one of my fave shots, its totally candid in an odd setting and it shows people in their natural state! These two truly can't take a bad picture. They're always smiling together...

The internet connection is like syrup tonight, I'll have to post more Monday... La Valencia was built in the late 1920's and receives constant repairs and facelifts. Its not at all noticeable, the venue was kept in tip-top shape...

LOVE these two!!

Ray took these two shots, he had his own little agenda at the wedding!

Not sure if Ray caught me chimping the flatscreen or if I was changing out a card...

Jenna's dad beamed like the sun during their father-daughter dance. Was tough to keep a dry eye...

Boudoir Shoot

I wish that this were not a PG-rated Blog because I'd LOVE to post the latest photo shoot! This is an awesome wedding present, ladies you know you've always wanted to do one! So what are you waiting for?

Boudoir shoots are available, if you'd like to come by for a viewing of the portfolio its a female only viewing. We don't "email" samples either, client discretion comes first! Also, lots of people read my blog at the office, heaven forbid the BIG boss should walk by to witness a non-work related image on someone's computer screen! I'm keeping it clean here for everyone but you know I'd love to share them if it were possible. The images are so beautiful and incredibly sensual. A woman's curves are meant to be appreciated.

Latest update is that we're headed to San Diego tomorrow for a wedding in La Jolla with Raymond + Jenna! I'm stoked to meet them and dig my heels in at their wedding. We've got a few new ideas up our sleeves for this wedding, very excited to share those, too! You can expect a sneak peek Saturday. Otherwise we're going to duck out for the next few days and have some 'us' time over the weekend! I haven't seen Ray in what feels like forever.

Adios!

06.18.07 A Monday Wedding!

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Z Hespelt! I'm SO excited to share images from two weddings in last 3 days! Its been almost a year since shooting a double or triple weekend. I am very excited to get busy. Let's get this wedding season on a roll...beginning with colorful group pictures.

Jessica must have been able to read my mind. She always looked over just as my finger snapped the shutter. She had uncanny timing.

I'm sure you're dying to hear the details of their wedding! Jessica & Z tied the knot downtown Ballard on this SPLENDID Seattle day! Venue: The Canal~

I love their 'how we met' story: Z came in to work on his day off, thinking he was scheduled for the day and met a sweet little lady named Jessica at the counter. Their introduction was completely unexpected and they began spending more and more afternoons together as time flew by. He proposed within a few months . After two years of being engaged, their wedding finally fell into place today!

I felt extremely priveledged to be a part of their wedding, mainly because they were selective in choosing photography as an important part of their day. They're a special couple and they deserve really special photography and made it easy to shoot. When couples trust me 100% it makes SUCH a difference! Both Natasha & Jessica had total faith in us this weekend. How cool is that?!

This bouquet of cala lillies may look attractive, but check out the left side of the picture. See that little crusty green thing? That's a 4-leafed clover! Jess wedged her good luck charm inside the bouquet.

I especially enjoyed their postcard stand at the reception! Each postcard listed the names for sitting arrangements as well as cute shots of their childhood memories. What an original idea!

A different approach to shooting the rings...

I'm so happy to have been a part of it all! Great details, beautiful colors, a fabulous unique dress! Two very special people in love. A fine way to start the week!

Lucien also assisted me today, he jammed out behind the scenes making sure all the cables, wires and lighting ran smoothly. Maybe its time for Ray to get the pink slip. hee-hee

Let me just say something about the cake, too. It was very unique & fancy cake. One of the grandma's wheeled by as I was shooting pictures of it. Apparently she thought it was fake, reached out to test it and her fingers sunk through the buttercream icing WHILE I WAS STANDING THERE. I stared in shock, completely frozen. I couldn't believe my eyes. Holy smokes! Grandma just poked a hole in the cake!!!! Is it the weekend of cake disasters?

Luckily, Neither Jess or Z were upset, it was a complete laughing matter and I snapped a picture of the damage. Seriously, whaddup wit da cake phenomena this weekend!?

She laughed all night long. Both of them looked VERY happy.

They went the extra distance with parasols. .

Last but not least, tearing up the dance floor!