New couch, New ideas

I've come to the conclusion that I am terrible at blogging. I can't believe it's been 2 months since my last update! Rest assured I have been very busy.
Here's a quick recap:
In March I closed the Seattle studio and am now concentrating on building my business on Vashon Island where my home and family are. In no way am I leaving my Seattle clients in the dust. On the contrary, my Seattle clients are still a priority. The only difference is now my time is split between Seattle and Vashon. I chose this so that I may spend more time with my family, work on our little farm and be more involved with my community.

Part of my Vashon transition is to slowly turn our property into a small outdoor portrait park. I'm thinking about a field of daisys in the summer, an alder grove (after the goats clear it) for the beautiful lines and light, a hammock under the large Maples surrounded by the fall leaves, an outdoor portrait wall customized for each client, and a couple of metal sculptures for the high school seniors.
It will take a year or more, but the first thing on my to do list was to find a cool couch to use for family and children portraits. I had no idea when I was going to find the "right" couch. I had this vision in my head (as most visual artists get from time to time). It had to be just right.

So, yesterday I was wondering around Vashon and stopped in a little vintage shop to poke around. Before I left, I asked the owner if she ever gets Vistorian styled couches. "As a matter of fact," she says, "I have one in storage." She took me to see it that afternoon and it was exactly what I had envisioned in my head!
Needless to say I bought it on the spot. It's amazing what happens when you let the universe know what you need.
I have to give my wonderful husband coodos for not freaking out when I brought it home. I haven't figured out where it's going to go in the rainy season. But like I told him, "It will all work out. All that matters is that it's the perfect prop for creating amazing images! Nothing else matters, right?"

This morning my daughter wakes up and comes out of her room wearing a pink tutu. I just HAD to take her picture on the new couch. The sweater and pink high tops were my added touch.

So...Who wants to be the first to be photographed on the couch?!

Senior Time

This is the time of year when High School Juniors start thinking ahead to their Senior Year. As part of my new Vashon venture I created a series of ads for the Vashon H.S. newspaper. All the kids in the ads are Vashon teens.
Wanted to share.

Survey

I am starting a new business venture this spring. Still shooting and meeting with my clients in Seattle, I am shifting some of my business energies to Vashon Island, where I live.

My first step is publishing a survey to find out the community's needs, wants and opinions concerning a Vashon portrait and wedding photographer. If you would like to take part in the survey please click here. Everyone who participates will be entered in a drawing for a complimentary portrait session and gift print package.

Valentines Day Treats

Wednesdays are usually the day I watch my daughter, Nora and 3 of her friends. We have lunch together and spend the afternoon playing.
Today, since it's almost Valentines Day, I thought it would be fun to make my mom's traditional Valentine's treat. They don't have an official name, we just called them mom's Valentine treats. This was something we always looked forward to every year as kids. Now I make them for my daughter.
They are chocolaty, pepperminty and full of love. Here's the recipe. You just have to try it. Let me know how you like them!

Mom's Valentine Treat:
Chocolate Layers- You need 3 cups of chocolate chips, 4 TBS of butter.
Peppermint Fondant-5TBS of butter, 1/2c of corn syrup, about 2 c of powdered sugar, 1tsp of peppermint, red food coloring.
Step 1-melt chocolate and butter, spread 1/2 on alum. foil and cool.
Step2-The fondant-combine butter, corn syrup and 1c of powdered sugar. Bring to boil, stirring constantly, add the remaining sugar, peppermint and coloring. Stir 3 min, then remove from heat. spread on a greased cookie sheet and let cool slightly, then pour over cooled chocolate.
Step3-pour remaining chocolate on top of peppermint layer.
Step 4-When cooled completely, cut into to fun shapes.

Enjoy!

New Mama

I just photographed a beautiful lady who is about to have her first baby. I photographed Kelly and her husband Maneesh a few years ago for their wedding and I was thrilled that they called me to be a part of this next phase in their life.
Actually, Kelly called me and asked if I would do her maternity photos as a surprise for Maneesh. Of course, I said Yes! After a little secret planning and lots of hoping that the little bundle wouldn't show up before our session, we finally got it done.
Well, After Kelly saw the photos online, she loved them all and couldn't wait to give Maneesh the artist print she picked out for him and just had to show him the images online.
It was a great surprise for me to open my studio door to see Maneesh standing there with Kelly when they came by to pick up his special gift print. They were so appreciative and grateful for what I could do for them.
Truly...two of my favorite people!
Here's a small sampling.

Family day

I spent part of the day today with my good friends, Jed and Ellen, on Vashon. After many years of living in the great northwest, they are moving to Maine. I've photographed Jed and Ellen throughout the years as they marked the special events in their life...the two of them as a couple, Ellen's pregnancy, the birth of their son, their new family, new puppy and now at our last photo session together, Jed's mom and husband.
I wish them well as they embark on this new adventure. Thank you guys for letting me and my family be a part of yours. You will be missed!

Halloween on Vashon-the show

Tonight was my artist opening for my "Halloween on Vashon" show at Cafe Luna for the 4th year in a row.
This project started as something personal many years ago that has turned into an annual tradition on Vashon Island. Free Halloween portraits for anyone in costume, then an exhibit of the best 25 images the following February at Cafe Luna.