No more little girls [Wenatchee children's photography]

We see our kids everyday. The changes are so subtle that they seem to sneak up on us. A tilt of the head, a roll of the eyes and suddenly the baby is gone and standing in her place is someone acting a whole lot like a teenager. My 12 isn't a teen yet, just barely turned 12, but has appeared to turn that corner. While we were on vacation last week, 17 asked 12 if she could straighten her hair. 12's big, unruly hair has always been our battleground, with her unwilling to keep it brushed and equally resistant to letting me do it. But all it took was big sister's interest in making it pretty and suddenly it seemed she grew up in an instant. Last night, as DJ and I were laying in bed rehashing our days, he made the comment that he has "no more little girls" and it sounded as much sad as it did wistful. Nope, no more little girls. :(

Happy Valentines Day [Wenatchee graphic design]

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.