First birthday [Wenatchee photography + design]

Just flew to Austin, TX (and boy, are my arms tired! Ba-da-bing!) to visit my friends and clients, the Zavalas, for a whole mess 'o photo takin'. Asher turned ONE. Alex turned FOUR. We toured a bit of the city (they just moved there, so are learning it themselves.) We ate GOOD BBQ, GREAT Banh Mi (OMG my new favorite food) and visited one cool animal sanctuary. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Wish we'd had more time, but I know I'll be there again. Already looking forward to it.

Below, Asher tasting frosting and cake for the very first time.

Greer + Bryan = Bryce [Wenatchee family photography, newborn]

While not quite a newborn at 2 months old, the very gentlemanly Bryce was just a peach to photograph today. His parents, Greer and Bryan, were equally wonderful to work with and I am happy to report another successful session of capturing a little bit of family magic. I kid you not, tears came to my eyes while photographing them, noticeably so, leaving me to explain to my new friends that I am NOT a basket-case, really, I just get overcome with emotion sometimes, seeing families interact and sharing that little je ne sais quoi that makes them so THEM. Unique in that combination that only those people at that point in time can be. I'm sure Bryan thought I was a loon, wiping tears from my eyes as I shot them, but so be it. It's one of the reasons I love what I do, to capture a glimpse, however brief, of that bond that families have. The inside jokes and running commentary that makes them them. Glad I got to share just a little and make these images for them. Welcome to the world, Bryce!

Zavala family [Wenatchee family photography]

Our fourth (of what will be 8 total) sessions, this one we spent in a lovely Wenatchee park. Morning warmth and a perfect, light breeze made the session even more enjoyable. The boys got to play and I got to visit with my friends while we captured another slice of their life. They're moving soon (if you want a cute little house in Quincy, let me know) and I'll miss seeing them as easily as I can now. But we're hoping for yearly visits in their new hometown of Austin, TX and I look forward to seeing this little, vibrant family grow together.

Zavala peek, session 2 [Wenatchee family photography]

A sneak peek of the second shoot (of 8 total) that I'll get to do as I cover the amazing whole first year of baby Asher. (Here is his newborn session.) He is such a handsome little man and getting so big, it makes me realize how quickly you forget those rapid-fire changes. My own "babies" are long past being babies and quick changes (except their mercurial mood swings, since they ARE girls, after all.) Having a front row seat to see Asher and big brother, Alex, navigate the next year is such a cool thing for me. We found a wonderful, wild but private, outdoor location that let Alex be 3 in the best sort of way: by running and exploring and digging and rock-hunting. Throw in the beautiful, soft light and always relaxed mom and dad and how could we not have a good session? Thanks Sandy and Juan, I'll have the rest of your images soon!

Newborn photography [Quincy, Wenatchee newborn photography]

Sandy and Juan had "done the 3 year Walmart tour" for photos with their first son and had decided to "do it right" the next time around. When they contacted me, Sandy was 7 months pregnant and wanted to join my "Baby's First Year" program. The package allows for a whole year's worth of sessions which will be combined in a custom hard back album at the end of the year for a truly special book. Unfortunately, Sandy had complications with her pregnancy that put her on bedrest at the University of Washington so we were unable to complete the maternity session. (No problem though, she decided to dedicate that session later this year to her 3-year-old son.)

Well, last week I got the happy news that Sandy and Juan had delivered an amazingly beautiful and healthy baby boy, so I traveled to their home and had the honor of "doing it right" and taking his portraits. What I love most is meeting new parents in their home where everyone is at ease and baby is always comfortable. Just capturing images of real life in real settings. I'm not really one for the "hang the baby from a branch wrapped in muslin" photo. I want to give you authentic images that years later will bring a twinge to your heart and maybe even a happy tear to your eye. Photos are memories of a moment and some of the best are those that remind you of your new family back at the very beginning.

I also want to say thank you to Sandy and Juan for their wonderful personalities. I don't know how else to word it, but you two are just awesome. Super friendly in that honest, comfortable way. Outgoing and kind and I truly enjoyed every minute with you. I am looking forward to spending time over the next year with your growing family and know our friendship will continue.