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!

JCPenney and Seventeen Haul Nation [Wenatchee teen portraits]

OK, so if you have Facebook, and you want to help make someone's day, and you aren't opposed to contests decided by public voting (I hate them personally because they always resort to this type of asking for votes) then I would love if you took a minute out to vote for my daughter in a contest sponsored by JCPenney and Seventeen magazine. She made a video for their "Haul Nation" program (showing how versatile their clothes are and how affordable) and was picked by them to be in the top ten. First place is a trip to NYC to check out the behind-the-scenes of Seventeen magazine, among other things, but most important to her is a guest columnist spot at seventeen.com. She dreams of being a writer and that is her real desire to win the contest. Anyway...the link is http://apps.facebook.com/jcphaul/?video_id=97 and she is Carsey and you can vote once every day until Sept. 10. Here are a few pics we took yesterday in a little mini-shoot. Thanks! Oh, and have a great Labor Day. Always the bittersweet combination of time off and spent with family but it means summer is almost over. Boo.

WHS senior: Molly, session 2, sneak peek [Wenatchee senior photography]

Remember Molly? A delightful senior with a bright future, I got to meet and shoot Molly last Fall and again this Spring as she opted for a "split session." It's a great way to take advantage of different seasons and moods. A whole school year has gone by and Molly is eager to begin the RN program at WVC this fall. I'm always excited for "my seniors" after spending some time with them. I get to hear about their plans, their hopes and mostly that barely contained excitement of the great unknown, of growing up and OUT; out on their own with new adverntures and opportunities and all that possibility. It's contagious and probably my favorite part of shooting seniors: I always leave with a healthy dose of that optimism.

Class of 2011 [Wenatchee senior photography]

Carsey, I still remember the night you came into the world. You were 9 days late, not surprising to know now, because you can be late with the best of them. As soon as we parked, your Dad realized he'd forgotten the camera and insisted he could go home to get it and be back before much of anything happened. I wasn't so sure, knowing you couldn't get ANYWHERE fast in Tacoma. So I checked-in and he headed home. Despite taking your own sweet time to get the ball rolling, you had no problem deciding that when you say now, you mean NOW. I was getting desperate because your Dad hadn't shown up and it was time to push. Then he walked in and you came out like from a slingshot. The doctor almost dropped you! Not one minute before I had been thankful for her "little hands" (someday, you'll understand why) and then I was wishing for big, steady, sticky football-catching-while-running-on-the-ice-hands. But she managed to hang on, or you did, and after a cleanup you were handed to me. Flash forward 18 years and you are getting ready to graduate from high school. You have worked so hard this year, realizing past mistakes are not roadblocks but detours, and that you can always find a way through with a little hard work. I'm proud of you. Proud for you setting your mind to something and then going for it. In the end, that's really what matters. Love you Bug!