Seattle [Washington travel photography]

Spent the best week in Seattle for vacation with the whole fam-damily, as my Dad used to say. I've lived there before, and it's less than 3 hours from here, but to go there with the intention of vacationing, of being a tourist, changes everything. Part of vacation for us is no hurrying. We have two teens and a 'tween and sleeping in is high-priority. It was nice to have 11:00 am as the kick-off time each day, followed by a "full-day" of fun and then winding down around dark (which as you know isn't until after 9 in the summer in the great Pacific Northwest.) Temps were the perfect 70's of Seattle summer (I know it can get hotter but really, yuck! Gimme' 70-75 year round and I would think it paradise.) We have a couple short weekend trips still planned and then before we know it, we will back into the school year. <sigh>

I have several spots open for senior portraits still, and the photo deadline in our area is the beginning of October, so don't wait too long to schedule. These long summer nights make for the most gorgeous light = your most gorgeous photos!

TtV photos and circus-style photography [Wenatchee photography + design]

Kittv, originally uploaded by Tonya Doughty.

I bought an old Kodak Duaflex camera from an antique dealer recently. (OK, I bought 3 old cameras, but I couldn't resist, really!) There is a way to shoot images using my normal camera but focusing on the viewfinder of the old camera, called TtV (through the viewfinder) and it's pretty addicting. This one could have benefitted from a "contraption" (a tall black tube looking device that goes from the main camera lens over the viewfinder) to block the unwanted light reflection off the viewfinder, so I will work on that, but for now, LOVE!

Speaking of imperfect images, photography is so much more than taking technically correct photos. I was at a wedding recently (as a guest) and the photographer for the event was ring-leading like she worked in a circus. Yelling out directions, staging shots, stopping natural motions, asking for re-enactment...it wasn't pretty. I realize there is a "standard" set of images that most wedding photographers want to capture (perhaps at the client's request) but in my opinion, faking these moments is a disservice to the bride and groom. Ten years from now, when looking at the photos, I promise the bride or groom will see that image and say "remember when the photographer made us re-do the toast so more bubbles could be blown?" Across from the couple, the bestman, who had just given the toast, was wiping tears from his eyes. That was the moment, not the bubbles that she promised "you will love on film." I think the best photographs come from being observers, not instigators.

Please chime in, other viewpoints always welcome...

I [heart] faces: Celebrating Teens

This is an entry I can really sink my teeth into. Love shooting teens, having two (almost 3!) of my own. The mecurial moods and going-100-directions-at-once can make it a challenge, but when you get that one image that shows a fleeting moment of what it feels like to be a teenager, it seems to stop time. Shows you a glimpse into that world while simultaneously transporting you back to your own time spent in those short, magical years. I know many parents complain that their teens never want to be in photos (mine included) and it can be frustrating, but keep mentioning it every once in awhile. I recently was thrilled when my oldest asked if I would take a few shots.

Below is my entry for I [heart] faces: Celebrating Teen. Just a capture of that interaction that I really loved.

Oh baby! [Wenatchee children's photography]

I probably could have titled this "World's most beautiful baby" but you might think me a little biased. Yael, 7 mos., is my husband's cousin's baby girl and, truly, SO beautiful. That hair, those eyes, those cheeks! We had a little family BBQ action this weekend and I got to snap a few candids of this gorgeous girl. Lucky me!

 

I heart faces: PLAY

Who doesn't love a good play photo? For I heart photos: Play entry this week, I had lots to choose from, an enviable position, I know, but ultimately went with this one. A favorite, it's of my two oldest daughters playing around, sitting practically on top of each other in one chair. Doing what sisters do best: being silly.