Viva Las Vegas [Wenatchee photography]

I've been to Las Vegas quite a few times. I was even  married there almost 14 years ago. My love affair with Vegas began when I was a kid. My parents used to take us along with them and let my little brother and I hang out at Circus Circus in the Midway. Of course, times "were different then", and there was no way we would leave our kids alone now. Our daughters are much older than we were (19, 17 and 12) but we still kept them in our sight and made the trip much more family-style than the typical Vegas vacation. Which meant shows (Cirque du Soleil and the Tournament of Kings), exhibits (the Titanic, Bodies, the Shark Reef, Spongebob Squarepants 4-D) and swimming (Lazy Rivers are an awesome invention, although it was a bit cool for too much of this) and touring around during the day more than the night. It was different, but still super fun and I can't wait to go back! My oldest daughter made us promise long ago that we take her to Las Vegas for her 21st birthday, so looks like we'll be back in a year. See you then, Las Vegas!

Kinda' sums it all up for me. [Wenatchee graphic design]

Newborn photography [Quincy, Wenatchee newborn photography]

Sandy and Juan had "done the 3 year Walmart tour" for photos with their first son and had decided to "do it right" the next time around. When they contacted me, Sandy was 7 months pregnant and wanted to join my "Baby's First Year" program. The package allows for a whole year's worth of sessions which will be combined in a custom hard back album at the end of the year for a truly special book. Unfortunately, Sandy had complications with her pregnancy that put her on bedrest at the University of Washington so we were unable to complete the maternity session. (No problem though, she decided to dedicate that session later this year to her 3-year-old son.)

Well, last week I got the happy news that Sandy and Juan had delivered an amazingly beautiful and healthy baby boy, so I traveled to their home and had the honor of "doing it right" and taking his portraits. What I love most is meeting new parents in their home where everyone is at ease and baby is always comfortable. Just capturing images of real life in real settings. I'm not really one for the "hang the baby from a branch wrapped in muslin" photo. I want to give you authentic images that years later will bring a twinge to your heart and maybe even a happy tear to your eye. Photos are memories of a moment and some of the best are those that remind you of your new family back at the very beginning.

I also want to say thank you to Sandy and Juan for their wonderful personalities. I don't know how else to word it, but you two are just awesome. Super friendly in that honest, comfortable way. Outgoing and kind and I truly enjoyed every minute with you. I am looking forward to spending time over the next year with your growing family and know our friendship will continue.

Newborn photography [Quincy, Washington newborn photography]

A quick sneak peek of a fantastic newborn session from this weekend. So many gorgeous images from this that I will have a ridiculously hard time narrowing it down when I post. Luckily you won't have to wait long as I was so in love with each image that I went straight through my processing and finished the entire session in one day. Look for it later this week!

Free Valentine cards [Wenatchee graphic design]

Thought I'd share. I needed a set of Valentines cards for my kids to give out that weren't, you know, stupid. Or didn't imply anything that they didn't want to imply (Indy: "MOM, gross, I can't say 'be my valentine' to everyone in class! There are boys too, ugh!") These are not-too-frilly, not-too-lovey so I think they'll work.

Sized 11"x8.5" they should print in most standard color printers. They're 4-up, so print on something a bit heavier than plain paper, cut in half horizontally and half again vertically and you have 4 less valentines to buy. Works as is or will fit perfectly in your standard No. 5-1/2 invitation envelope. The original can be downloaded from my Flickr site, HERE. I also have a some other designs from past years over there: here (girls) and here (boys).