Photography.... The Gift That Never Stops Giving

It was a few days before Valentine's Day when I got a call from Tom, who was wanting to give a photo shoot to his wife Laurel as a gift for the special day. I was glad to hear Tom was finally wanting to schedule a shoot with me as he'd been Asher's Little League coach when my business was first getting started and he and Laurel had mentioned several times that they needed an updated family portrait. Apparently Tom was sporting a mustache and a full head of hair last time the family gathered for a photo shoot- a clear sign it's high time to make an appointment with your photographer ; )

A couple weeks after Valentine's Day, I met Tom and Laurel and their sons Ben and Sam at Larrabee State Park on a lovely pre-spring morning. The light was wonderful and the colors Laurel chose for the family to wear were perfect for this quintessential Northwest setting. Here are some of my favorite photos we created for Laurel's gift...

Such a happy, handsome couple!

This was actually the very first picture I took as we were just getting started. Tom reached out to help Laurel navigate the rocks and I got off one shot. I think it makes a very sweet picture : )

I love that even the sea worm Sam found on the beach matches the family's color scheme!

There was still a bit of snow on the ground on this February morning and, as little brothers often do, Sam went about taunting his big brother into a snow ball fight. With strict instructions that they avoid my camera, I took a chance at capturing the scene and am so glad I did... I love this action sequence- especially the way a very amused Sam runs right out of the frame just as Ben fires the retaliatory shot : )

I am always very excited when a client wants to give the gift of photography to a loved one. I personally believe a photo shoot is the best gift to give just about anyone as great photographs have a way of bringing unending joy that many gifts lack, and not only to the recipient of the gift! I also believe all gifts should be pretty, even if they are just a piece of paper representing a gift to be received in the future. With this in mind, I commissioned my graphic designer Lindsey Kiniry of Queen Bee Ink. to help me create a gift certificate that is a gift in itself. I must say, I love the final result and was so pleased to provide Tom with something so lovely to give his Valentine : )

Please contact me if you'd like to give the gift that never stops giving to someone you know!

Welcoming Everly: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

You'd never know it by her peaceful demeanor, but the baby girl pictured above caused much anxiety for her photographer before finally arriving Sunday morning! Two days before her due date, her mama Lindsey was already dilated to six centimeters. As I was scheduled to attend a family funeral five hours from home on Saturday, I spent most of last week deliberating over how to proceed if labor had not begun by Friday. Childbirth is my very favorite experience to document and I reeeeeally did not want to miss this baby's arrival into the world. At the last minute Friday evening, with Lindsey's encouragement, I decided to make the trip. As I drove out of Bellingham I threw out a wish to the universe that went like this: "Please, oh please, just once, let me have my cake and eat it too! Please!"

It worked! Asher and I returned home Saturday evening at 9:45. At 10:20 I received a text message from Lindsey... "Welcome home! So not in labor...you happy? I'm happy you are home" I went to bed soon after that, completely exhausted after so much driving in so little time but thankful I'd won that roll of the dice : ) The next thing I know it's 1:06 a.m. and the phone is ringing. It's Lindsey & Jeremy's doula, Jen, calling from the hospital to tell me Lindsey is pushing! Before I knew it I was at the hospital documenting the most incredible birth I've experienced yet!

With her first child, Lindsey pushed for several hours without success and eventually required a cesarean birth. This time she was determined to deliver naturally, which made for such a different vibe from every other birth I've attended. Not only were we all so excited about the birth of the baby, but everyone was so committed to Lindsey's goal that I felt I was an integral part of a team (albeit the team member with the easiest job!) After a little more than two hours of pushing, little Everly arrived to a room full of people grinning ear-to-ear : ) Here are some of my favorite photos that tell the story of Everly's birth...

I love this photo of Lindsey and Jeremy. I can say without hesitation that I've never seen a man work so hard to bring a baby into the world. These two are truly a dream team.

2:42 am... after a lot of pushing (and a little comedy!) Everly Gracen Kiniry is born with eyes wide open, weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 21 inches. It was me who suggested the spelling of her middle name and I am thrilled beyond belief that they decided to go with it!

Proud daddy Jeremy delivers the news to the grandparents!

She's got big eyes just like her big brother Parker. You can see for yourself as a photo of him at six months is featured in my blog banner above!

Everly got straight to work on the whole "wrapping Daddy around fingers" thing : )

Before the grandparents arrived, Jen and I took turns posing with Everly. I had no idea that this was Jen's first birth experience as a doula! She is a natural : )

I'm thanking Everly for patiently waiting for my return : )

I think we can all agree: there's nothing like a new grandbaby to make grandparents smile!

I finally left the hospital around 4:30a.m. with plans to return at 9:00 for the introduction of siblings! I arrived to greet a two year old who was very excited to meet his new baby sister...

Parker got right down to the business of checking out all the details...


Their first photo as a family of four... so beautiful!

Once the presents started rolling out, Parks was not so interested in Everly : ) His gift to his March born baby sister was a stuffed lamb, so naturally her gift to him was a stuffed lion... in like a lion...

out like a lamb : )

Eventually it was time for Everly to start expressing some personal style. (I've decided I need a hat just like that in big girl size!)

A diva in the making? I swear she's posing for me!

What a proud big brother he is : )

*You can see some of Lindsey's maternity photos on my Facebook page (by the way, you don't need a Facebook account to view pages!)

Dear Lindsey & Jeremy... what an honor it was to be present while you two brought your beautiful daughter into the world. I'm still in awe of your teamwork and I'm STILL grinning ear to ear : ) Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your team for this incredible event... I hope the photos I've created for you always remind you of the amazing feats you are capable of when you work together! Congratulations!