Family Gathered for a Special Blessing

This sweet beautiful boy has already come to play with me since he was born. On this special day, his family from out of town came to Vancouver for his blessing. They wanted me to grab a few shots of this memorable day for them, and I was honored.

His mother made this exquisite gray wool suit for him to wear and he looked so grown up and handsome. I got the group together for some wonderful photos and then grabbed the grandparents and his aunt and uncle for some couple shots. As you can see, I had way too much fun and took way too many photos, but I've just had to learn to embrace this about myself. I loved the romantic photos of Grandma and Grandpa. They were so sweet with each other, it was obvious that their romance was still alive and well after many years of marriage.

After we were finished, his mommy pulled out a few new knit snuggles she had just created. I was ecstatic! She had been talking about doing a dinosaur and when she pulled it out of the wrapping, my mouth dropped open! I like to call it a dragon because it sounds so adventurous and heroic, but it can also be a dinosaur! The vivid blues just scream color and that hat with the pointy spines is just to die for! She had also knit a mouse snuggle which is completely adorable. We placed his cute little body down on the floor with a clock in the background trying to mimic "Hickory Dickory Dock" I just love those shots. I especially love the shot of Mommy holding her little dragon!

I love working with this family!

Old Hollywood Glamour!

I am so excited to be able to post these photos! For the longest time, I've wanted to do an old Hollywood black & white photo experience and with this engaged couple, I got my wish! Here are Juanita and Ty, and they are getting married this August! Juanita is planning on using this style for her wedding. When we got together to discuss the wedding details, she told me that she already had a close friend doing their engagement photos, but when she mentioned her theme, I couldn't help myself and begged to do a photo experience in my studio. She graciously accepted! To top it off, she told me that she already had her dress, so I just had to have her bring it.

She brought along a dear friend and we took the bridal portraits before Ty showed up. She is absolutely breath-taking! These photos make my mouth drop open!

The old photos in the 30's and 40's were taken with very hot lights and had no diffusion (umbrellas or big softboxes) so the shadows are harsh and dramatic. I took off all of my "modern" lighting modifiers and shot them with bare bulbs, trying to emulate the same feeling. Even with my modern modeling lights, it got to be quite hot sitting in front of the lights. They were great sports, however!

Ty brought along a great black fedora with a white ribbon and Juanita changed into a classic black dress. Her hat had a peacock feather in it! I love the shots of them together. They are so dramatic - and for those of you who know me - one can never be too dramatic!

We had a fedora and overcoat and when Ty put them on, he looked incredible! I love the shots of him with that hat covering his eyes. He reminds me of Humphrey Bogart in his Maltese Falcon or Casablanca role!

The real fun and time consuming work came when I was finishing these photos. The old Hollywood photographers used to have 8x10 negatives they retouched with graphite pencils and then used a lot of customizing in the darkroom. I, luckily, have a digital darkroom, so the photos didn't take quite as long! I wasn't able to rely upon the photos just out of the camera, though. I had to do a lot of painting with light and dark to create the strong contrasts. I am really pleased with the way they turned out!

So, here is Juanita and Ty! Thank you both for such a delightful experience. (however, don't let Ty know these photos are up because he hasn't seen the dress yet!)

Rainy with a Chance of Sun Showers!

With the economy the way it is at the moment, I am really starting to value the bartering system. I had a car that didn't want to start and this wonderful guy, Graham has a special talent for making cars start. Graham has a girlfriend, Chelsea to whom he would like to give a gift of photos and I know how to do that! Now I have a car that starts and even goes places and here are the photos I took of the two of them!

It was raining on picture day, so we all planned to go inside my studio. The sun broke through just as they arrived, so I grabbed a coat and headed out to the barn by my house. They, however, didn't have any coats and were completely freezing! Then I had the nerve to ask them to take off their shoes. Sometimes my nerve surprises even me! When I get an idea in my head, I kind of forget about everyone's comfort level and sacrifice everything for the "shot". After a few moments of grumbling, Graham finally consented to play along! They were completely delightful and we all spent time poking fun at each other.

When we went inside, Chelsea changed into this gorgeous red blouse! The color makes her creamy complexion and dark hair just glow! Graham put on his red shirt and tie and was looking very handsome. As you will see, they don't take themselves too seriously and I had a completely wonderful time with both of them.

So here you go. I have a car that goes and Graham gave Chelsea the gift of some wonderful memories! All in all, a great trade!

An Evening with Symphony and Sax

I first met this couple when I took the senior photos of their twin sons last fall. For some reason, we really hit it off and have become good friends! They invited my husband and me out to the Oregon Symphony a few months ago and after a thoroughly delightful performance, I made them come back to my studio to take some photos. When I saw my friend in the drop-dead gorgeous red dress, I told her I simply could not let the night go by without capturing how beautiful she was.

Her husband, on the other hand, didn't know if he wanted to come. This seems to be the case with almost every husband I work with, so I plowed my way through, undaunted, and kind of "forced" him to come. I think he will like the photos of himself with those beautiful saxophones, though!

I was taking their photos in my dress, and let me tell you, crouching down on the floor is a lot easier with pants on! We had a wonderful time and were sad it had to end. (Well, at least the women were)

So here are "J" and "E". I hope you love these photos because you both look amazing!

A Traditional "Tol" Celebration

The 1st Birthday is a milestone in Korean culture. In the past, due to a lack of medical information, Korea's seasonal temperature differences, and many childhood related diseases, the death rate for children was extremely high. Many children died before their first birthday. After the age of one year, the survival rate steeply increased, making this milestone a very happy one for the child's parents.

The traditional celebration had four major components:

1) Praying and giving thanks
2) Making and wearing the birthday clothes
3) Preparing the table and performing the Toljabee
4) Sharing the food with guests and neighbors

Along with food, other items are needed for holding the Toljabee event. Items such as large bundles of thread, a brush, a Korean calligraphy set, pencil, book, money (10,000 won bills), bow and arrow (needle, scissors, and ruler for girls) are arranged on the table to predict the child's future.

I had the distinct pleasure of photographing one of these beautiful celebrations! This family had grandparents from Korea in town for this event. I was thrilled to see the colorful display on the table and the incredible traditional clothing. When they put the birthday boy down, he immediately grabbed the money and put it in his mouth (this signifies wealth). His brother, when he had his first birthday chose the pencil which stands for being a scholar.

Thank you, A and A for teaching me all about this wonderful celebration! I had such a delightful time!