If you’re happy and you know it, just scream! | Kirkland, WA Photographer

I didn’t tell them to scream (I don’t think-but who knows).  When I look at this I love their happy faces.  Our goal was to capture their family with a Seattle landmark.  Well, there is that Space Needle!  They were enjoying their time together dancing, jumping, and singing YMCA, while watching some other camera hog lady jump and show off on her trampoline moves in front of this monument.  To be honest, we were all sort of captivated by this lady.  Who was she?  Why was she so important?  I was having equipment envy-her photographer came with all sorts of odds and ins that made his photo session smooth and seamless.   So, if anything-I know she had a photographer that knew what he was doing. 

So, back to my subjects…  they were much more interesting because they have two adorable girls, one “pretend to be no so into the pictures husband,” and a spirited mama who can spark up a conversation with anybody, even if it is just about how she styles her bangs!  What a lovely time at Kerry Park in Seattle!

A leaf fight | Kirkland, WA Photographer

The first “half” was a rainy day but gorgeous.  The following day was full of color and crispy fall leaves.  We found some red and yellow tree lined streets near Microsoft campus and it was perfect.  Have I already mentioned the beauty here in Washington?  : )  The rainy day was an adventure but nothing new around here.  I loved how the color popped against the grey sky.  I loved the yellow and green in the trees.  We started at the Washington Arboretum in Seattle where the views are unbelievable.  I was grateful for this opportunity to venture out and see some new parts of Seattle. 

Seattle Sunset | Kirkland, WA Photographer

So, it isn’t true… AZ is not the only place with gorgeous sunsets.   You may think I am crazy for thinking that could have been true.  Hey, I lived in AZ for too many years to not believe it.  AZ has beautiful sunsets with vibrant colors.  I have to say that Seattle can definitely enter the sunset contest.  Do you remember my previous post about Seattle’s Space Needle? The night I caught this, it was turning the sky pink and orange and I just wanted to sit and watch.  Sunsets happen quickly and you miss them if you are distracted.  My family was waiting in the car for me.  : )  This was after a photoshoot and I just HAD to stay around for it.  I am quite bugged about the trees that are in my way.  Any suggestions on how to get around them?  I suppose I could get up higher but at this location, that was not an option.  The good news is that I live here…  I can practice and find all sorts of goodie spots for this lovely scene.

Tim | Kirkland, WA Photographer

To the man who takes care of me,

Thank you for you love and support.  Thank you for turning to look at me, even when you had interests in other things besides ANOTHER dang picture.  Thank you for taking this day long journey.  Thank you for introducing me to a life in Seattle.  Thank you for laughing at me, thank you for complementing my motherhood skills (or lack thereof) at times when I need it, thank you for never questioning my purchases-even when it is another pair of shoes, thank you for always knowing when I need a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, thank you for a life full of growth, adventure, love, patience, understanding and laughter.  Thank you for being my moment’s notice model and always encouraging me to get the shot!

How is business? | Seattle, WA Photography

What do you think?  Busy?  I have to be in awe of the dedication and determination of businesses and business owners nowadays.  It is a tough market, a tough time to be in business.  I have a business mind and sometimes can’t turn it off.  I walk into places and when it is empty or mostly empty, my first thought goes something like this, “How can he/she/it afford to be in business?”  When you calculate rent, fees, taxes, and the plethora (love that word) of overhead expenses, it seems like it far outweighs the income being generated.  But, maybe that’s too simple.  Maybe I haven’t studied the passion behind the business?  Maybe I haven’t studied the time they have been in business and the revenues generated (and saved).  It’s just sad to drive by something like Mervyn’s (had to pick that because I remember the store fronts as a kid) and see that it couldn’t survive after how many years?  Businesses are closing all over the place and it’s sad to me!  Businesses are having to make those wretched decisions to let people go-the ones that have dedicated their lives to working.  Businesses are having to cut back, to cut the slack… and well…, make changes.  Change is good-for all of us.  But, first I suppose the storm will be weathered.

Macro at Volunteer Park (or lack thereof) | Seattle, WA Photography

I can name a million reasons why I want a macro lens.  But here is the deal-my want list is too long.  I wanted to get close but my 50 mm was restricting my access.  I wanted to get details but again my 50 mm said, “NO.”  ARGH!  Why do my lens have to be so limited?  I took these photos as part of a class, more study and awareness of light.  (Have I mentioned that I love to learn?  It may be a disease?!)  This is Volunteer Park in Seattle.  Go visit if you can.  It is just sitting there, sitting for everyone to enjoy.  Washington is very proud of the space it has for parks and so it is my responsibility to appreciate it.  : )  Do you have a macro lens?  Do I need one as much as I want one?  ‘Cause you know, there is a difference between wants and needs…

Patience | Seattle, WA Photography

I have been challenged-challenged to sit and wait for the shot.  It is easy to overshoot, right?  I want that perfect moment, the emotion behind the shot, the candid, the real, the MOMENT…  But in the meantime, I snap snap snap to get the in between.  I remember watching a little girl wiggle her tooth-I was looking through the viewfinder and I knew it was going to pop out any moment.  I wanted the moment badly-to get the “pop,” it came out moment.  I remember watching through what seemed like my little peep hole.  Then it happened. 

I am trying to be patient, to wait for the moment.  When you see someone or something you just know that moment you are waiting for-the real moment.  It is the moment the camera sees reality-not the push.  Here, on the side of a dock was a spout.  I noticed the slow, oh so very slow, drip.  I loved the contrast when standing above, getting the darkness below and the one small drip of water.  BUT, I had to wait.  DANG water.  I had to learn the rhythm and see what that moment would look like before I knew what I was going after.  There is nothing special about this picture and technically it probably is low on my pole.  BUT I caught the water.  I caught that motion-the moment-I was waiting for.  I was patient and it was so hard to be patient.  I just wanted to continually snap snap snap and hope I get lucky.  ; )  It was like being a proud mamma…, “Everyone look, I got a picture of the dripping water.”   Boring to everyone else but not to me…   Ok, so I am easily entertained, what can I say?

Views | Kirkland, WA Photographer

Here is a privileged view from downtown Seattle.  A friend of mine (since junior high) has lived here for the last 10 years or so.  We reconnected when I moved here and she invited me to her office to see this!  I was ooohing and ahhhing over such a site.  She gets to look at this every day (ok, when it isn’t foggy and rainy, which accounts for about 6 months, right?).  It was supposed to be a rainy day but look how clear the sky turned out to be.  We were on the 60th floor, I believe,  in one of the tallest building in Seattle.  Such a glorious view, such a glorious day!

The Space Needle | Kirkland, WA Photographer

One of my goals here in Seattle is to get a photograph of this thing…  I don’t want to be rushed, I don’t want to be driving by (like I was with this one) and I don’t want to be in the rain.  Let’s see… put all those wants and wishes together and I’m not sure if it will ever happen.  This will NOT be the only picture I have of this.  I am determined…

More Beauty | Kirkland, WA Photographer

In an effort to take a better look at my surroundings, I took my camera with the 50mm 1.4 attached and wandered.  I saw many things that made me wish I had a macro but I also saw many things that made me happy regardless of what lens I had.  I noticed color and detail, textures and lighting.  I felt so free (and like some landscape photographer) as I just had the intent of finding-just finding what was around me.  Sometimes, this is the best way to make friends with your camera or to love photography (or love it all over again).  There is beauty all around (not just when there’s love at home like the primary song sings) if we just look for it.  And, we never have to look far.  (notice my play with the watermark-or don’t.  I haven’t settled of course.  I am non-committal and fine with that for now.)