My most very favorite moment as a photographer. Ever.

Did you know that November is National Adoption Month in the United States?  Now you do!

It's no coincidence of the timing of one of my most favorite moments as a photographer...and I just had to share.

A while back, I was asked if I could shoot some "updated photos" for a very special couple who were looking to adopt a baby.  Being an adopted child, I was thrilled to help.  And as a graphic designer, overjoyed to be able to help layout the 'preview album' for prospective birthmoms to look through...to help them get to know this amazing couple.  They selected photos of their life and I laid it out for them to help tell the story of who they are and why they would be great parents.

I'm thrilled to share that in less than two months, they will be welcoming a sweet little boy into their family!

When they met the birthmom of their son, they asked her what helped her make the decision that they were "THE" parents.  She handed  them the album, turned to the last page, and said, "This image.  I can see you walking along, hand in hand, with your child."

I give you the image above from the last page of their album, taken on our farm, by two of the world's best parents-to-be.  I can't begin to describe how happy my heart is to be able to be part of this journey and to be able to capture it as a photographer.  

And I cannot wait to welcome this little one as well...with tears, open arms, and of course, my lens.  ♥ ♥ ♥

Sweet Evelyn at One Year

How can Miss Evelyn be a year old already?  It seriously feels like it was just yesterday that we were shooting her mama's beautiful maternity images.  To celebrate her one year, we shot down at Pt. Defiance and the Rose Garden. 

To Evelyn's signature plan, her parents added the maternity shoot + an 18 month shoot, so her Signature album will be extended to add in the finest from each shoot.  I can't wait to pull it all together -- I just have to wait 6 more months!

A few of my favorites...be prepared to be captivated by her blue eyes!

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Looking back at how she's grown...

• In the womb
• As a newborn
• At three months
• At six months 
• At nine months

The Wee Ones: Gracie and Graham

The first shoot back following maternity leave.  Time was of the essence as he was scheduled to deploy to the middle east a few short days later...and we pulled it off!

We spent an hour on the farm with their two beautiful wee ones before he left.  One of the things I adore about where I live is that because we have the lower fields without trees, you'd never know we were shooting on a Christmas tree farm!  You can capture some fabulous northwest images with dozens of different backdrops and beautiful light.

I LOVE coming back to shooting with a family like this. I'm so grateful for the chance to be able to shoot them together before he left! 

A few of my favorites from the afternoon...

Loved shooting Gracie and Graham. How can you not adore these little smiles?!?

The 2010 Shoot to Fight Cancer Winner: The Callon Family

When the Callons once last year's Shoot to Fight Cancer, I knew it would be an adventure.  Becky and Dave have four grown boys, and it would be the chance to capture *everyone* together...even the next (third) generation of Callon.

We shot down at St. Martin's University, which holds a very special place in the Callon family's heart.   It was the perfect combination of images to capture family with the outtakes that make this family who they are.  :)

I loved the images that Becky selected to have enlarged to the 16x20 gallery wraps.  One of the whole gang, and one of the guys together.  There's a few images of how they turned out a the bottom.

A few of my favorites from the shoot...











Little Joey, hanging "on his own" with the guys.





One of the images selected for the gallery wrap.  You can see a bit of the texture in the wrap.  I love that the image extends all the way through the sides + top + bottom.  You can see in the photo beneath how it truly 'wraps' all the way around.  :)







And all the guys together.




So excited to see who wins this year...and what images they select for their own gallery wraps!

Want to have a chance at winning the 2011 Shoot to Fight Cancer?  The deadline is coming up quickly...this Saturday, April 30th!  All the details are here!  :)

2011 Pricing Updates + News

A few quick Finian Road updates as we enter a month-long maternity leave for Finian Road.

First and foremost, I'll be "on the down low" for the first two weeks after the Wee Ski 2.0 is born (estimated arrival is on May 1).  I have several ongoing design projects that will continue, but those clients are well aware of the changes to project delivery during that time.  :)

In preparing for the leave, we had a major shoot blitz in April to make sure all my Finian Road Signature babies were taken care of (11 shoots over 3 weeks time!), while giving me time to get everyone's shoots edited and delivered.  I have just a few shoots remaining to deliver.  So glad I planned for time both before and after he is born!

Please feel free to contact me during my leave, should you have any questions or are looking to book a shoot...but just be patient that time turnarounds for responses via email or phone may be delayed a bit.  :)

Finian Road's pricing hasn't changed in two years, but it is changing as my work/life balance changes a bit.  Beginning May 1st, pricing will be adjusted based on the distance from Finian Road's "local shooting area".  Essentially, further distances for shooting will have a higher price than shoots located more centrally to Thurston/Pierce County.   It mainly affects both the individual shoot price (currently a flat $450 per shoot) and the multi-shoot plan options (ranging from $800-$1250).

There are two brochures which illustrate the new pricing, effective May 1, 2011.  Clicking on either image will bring you to a printable PDF with all the details.





Current pricing remains in effect until May 1 -- so if you are a client who is a bit "further away" (in Grays Harbor, Mason, Kitsap, King, Snohomish or Island County), you can book and prepay a shoot (or a multi-shoot plan) at the current rates and avoid the price increases that will take effect on May 1. 

• Individual Shoot  |  $450 + tax
• Simplicity Plan  |  $800 + tax
• Signature Plan  |  $1250 + tax

Shoots can be scheduled at your convenience after I return from maternity leave, but the pre-May 1st pricing will be in effect for all booking/prepayments.

Questions?  Just shoot me an email!  :)

Finally, we have just 8 days to go until the 2011 Shoot to Fight Cancer drawing!  Details can be found here, and tickets are available until the 30th or until we sell out.  We've sold nearly $1000 of tickets so far, so don't miss your chance to win one of 3 fabulous prizes!

Ariana & Gibson

These little ones are growing up so quickly...it feels like just yesterday I was shooting Ariana as a five-day-old!  Ariana is turning 4 and Gibson is turning 2...time just flies by.

They are hilarious together, and this image of them sitting by the river just makes my heart happy.  How peaceful!

A few of my favorites from last weekend's shoot...

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To see how they've grown...

Ariana at five days • May 2007
...at three months • August 2007
...at six months • November 2007
...at nine months • January 2008
...at one year • April 2008
Ariana at two years, Gibson as a newborn • May 2009
Ariana at two and a quarter years, Gibson at three months • August 2009
Ariana at two and a half, Gibson at six months • October 2009
Ariana at two and three quarter years, Gibson at nine months • January 2010
Ariana at three, Gibson at one • May 2010