Friday 5 [Wenatchee photography + design]

Boy, I've been absent from here. No apologies though, life happens. STUFF happens. Just because you haven't seen any evidence of me though, doesn't mean I haven't been busy. Like. A. Bee. Or a beaver? Which is busier? Whichever it is, I think I have them topped this last couple o' months.

My first born, pride AND joy, baby girl (who's TWENTY, O-M-G!) moved to Seattle to go to culinary school at the Seattle Culinary Academy to study "Specialty Desserts and Breads." Hello, can you say "sign-me-up-as-a-taste-tester?"

I started a new personal project, because I don't have ENOUGH to do...Called "Friday 5ive: A collection of observances." It will be just that. A bit of photography mixed with design, maybe mixed with some random blathering on things I have OBSERVED or that have occurred to me. Words and pics and all the goodness that entails, summed up nicely (or not-so-nicely) on a Friday.

This week:

1. This is a BIG, awesome, graphic poster I made for that 20-year-old-pride-and-joy mentioned above (and in number 5, below.) She is the brand new renter of a cute little studio apartment on Capitol Hill (in Seattle) with big hopes of being modern and graphic and hip and cool and all that jazz that comes with having your own place for the first time. I wanted to create something to fit that bill for her, so she came up with some of her favorite song lyrics (from her self-proclaimed "hubby" and hot frontman, Adam Levine) and I turned them into this very cool, very BIG, piece for her wall. I LOVE the graphic feel of black and white and WORDS.
2. Can you believe someone who has been working as a graphic artist and photographer for OVER TWENTY YEARS has never had herself a business card? Crazy, I know, what?? Oh, I design them all the time, but I never have them printed. Never needed to, to be honest, business is just fine, thank you. But, I got tired of saying "I don't have a card" and so finally crossed this of the old "to do" list recently. The back is my favorite wacky duck photo that is frequently seen on my website and blog.
3. This family is moving and taking a little piece of my heart with them. But, they are going somewhere they really are excited about AND they are flying me out to continue shooting them this winter. Yay, so looking forward to warm Austin, TX in January when it's a thousand degrees below zero in Wenatchee. This little guy will be turning 1 when I'm there and it's the perfect conclusion to our year together of documenting his entire first year.
4. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is coming to Wenatchee. And, as I have had the honor of doing for many years, I got to design all their promotional material. Posters and banners and t-shirts, OH MY! Please don't miss this, if you're at all interested. The cast is HUGE this year (180+) and tickets will go super fast, with those adoring family members and fans snapping them up. The Wenatchee School District does an OUTSTANDING job with each and every production they do and this will be no exception.
5. I have been going to Seattle every single weekend for weeks and weeks, trying to help pride-and-joy girl, above, find that very special apartment. We have had a load of fun walking the streets of downtown together, her and I, and I will always treasure that time now that she is out on her own and I survived the minor mental breakdown I almost had when I realized that, "yes, your children do eventually move out and it is heartbreaking." I miss her like you can't imagine and am equally happy and excited for her. Such a salty/sweet combination. Love you baby girl.

Senior Ally sneak peek [Wenatchee senior portraits]

I've known Ally for probably 6 years. She is a close friend of my middle daughter, Carsey. Throughout the school years, she's been at our house so many times that we've given her an assortment of nicknames, just like we have our own kids. Her name is most definitely NOT Alexandria. But that's what we call her anyway. Her session went so well I ended up with the most ever portraits for a senior session. I usually like to give 20-30 for a mini session but after narrowing it down to just the best, I could easily go over 50. That's if I narrow it way down. Apparently, the girl can't help but take a good photo. Love ya, ALEXANDRIA.

Senior Ashley sneak peek [Wenatchee senior portraits]

Meet Ashley. I got to meet her yesterday afternoon and had a great time getting to know a little bit about this easy-going, friendly, genuinely nice, high school senior. We spent some time exploring the East Wenatchee Apple Capitol Loop Trail park area and found so many gorgeous, natural areas that perfectly suited her personality. Here's a little peek because I know she's eager to see how it went. See, Ashley, I told you you photographed well!

Challis, ID [travel photography]

A few random snaps from last week when we road-tripped it southeast to the center of Idaho, where my parents have a house, in Challis. Small town that gets busy one weekend a year when the Muzzie Braun family hosts a 3-day country-western music festival. And as they say: a good time was had by all.

Apple Blossom Parade [Wenatchee event photography]

I love a parade! The first Saturday in May is always Wenatchee's biggest event, the Apple Blossom Festival Grand Parade (the event lasts all week and culminates with the parade.) It's just the best time to be in the valley and the thing that 14 years ago led me to return to my job in Seattle on a Monday and give my two-weeks notice. No job lined up, just divorced and two little girls of 5 and 3 and yet I know this was the place I wanted them to grow up. It all worked out, as things usually do ("things always work out in the end, if they don't, it isn't the end.") I found the best job I've ever had, got remarried, we had another beautiful daughter and raised the three of them in this valley (and are still raising!)

Anyway, the Grand Parade is always an awesome way to reconnect with friends and the community. We call the royalty by name, shouting it as they drive by in the fancy cars or ride by on trick ponies. We cheer loudest for any friends we recognize on floats and also for the "clean-up crews", who follow the horses, and, well, clean up after them when necessary, by giving them the most attention for what has to be an unpleasant job at best. The color and pagentry and general goodwill renews my sense of small town pride and community and always lasts just long enough until the next year's festivities.