Olivia is an athlete and only had one weekend that worked for her, so we were going ahead with the photo session, rain or shine! Even though the forecast was for sun, when we met it was beginning to rain. Olivia and her mom were great sports. Her mom would hold the umbrella over her and then when we were ready to take the pictures, she’d quickly remove the umbrella and run out of the frame. After about 45 minutes, the sun came out, and her mom continued to be fabulous, playing assistant and holding my reflector. Thanks guys. You are terrific! Meryl

I had the best time with Lois, a local children’s book author, teacher and writer. Can’t wait for her book, Maddi’s Refrigerator, to be released!

After going back and forth on whether the studio or on-location would be best, we decided on her backyard for our photo session. The shade of the trees provided nice lighting. She felt much more relaxed in her own garden (environment) than she would have in my studio (not that my studio’s not relaxing!:)) I encourage you to consider having your portrait taken in an environment you love. Meryl

A beautiful home filled with natural light and a couple obviously in love with each other, life and their newborn twins added up to a wonderful photo session in West Seattle. While it was difficult to get the twins awake or asleep at the same time, we made it work. I got some wonderful breastfeeding photos as well, but for the privacy of my client, not posting here. However, if you are interested in breastfeeding photos, it is something I do, and people really cherish.

Dayna contacted me and said “I will be getting married in a courtroom in Lynnwood, WA 3/22/13 at 4:30pm to Tammy, my life partner. We fell in love 3/22/84 and will celebrate our 29th anniversary by finally being able to marry legally.”

They were awesome from the beginning and I couldn’t be more honored to be chosen to document the wedding of a couple, still very much in love, that waited 29 years to have their union recognized! They had reviewed my photojournalism and trusted me from the very beginning. What more could a photographer ask for?

Since we hadn’t met ahead of time, when I arrived at their home early on their wedding day we sat and talked for a while about their story. I said, “gee, that sounds really familiar.” Well, said Tammy, we were in this movie called “InLaws and Outlaws.” I couldn’t believe it. I had no idea that the couple before me were in one of my favorite independent films by Drew Emery. If you havent seen it, I strongly recommend you try to rent it or check it out of the library. It’ s truly fabulous. http://www.inlawsandoutlawsfilm.com/

Meanwhile, we totally hit it off, and I look forward to documenting their family for years to come. Nicer people can’t be found. Happy Anniversary you kids! Meryl

This is just a snippet of what we were able to capture during our 3-hour in-home session. I arrived just as beautiful Miya was awaking from her nap, so she’d be fresh for our session. With twins on the way we decided to do the session early in Olivia’s pregnancy. I couldn’t have asked for a better set of folks to team up with to create a document of love, family style! Thanks Van, Olivia and Miya!

Last Fall, I had the privilege to photograph another photographer’s family. This is a big honor (and alittle nerve wracking! -:)). They chose an extended family session which comprised in-home documentary and then some outdoor photojournalism and portraits at Seattle’s Discovery Park as the sun was setting.  Thanks for a great session Nicole, Mike and Leo!

I photographed Geneva as a newborn and had the privilege of photographing her again last week at 13 months in her home on Queen Anne in Seattle in one of my favorite types of family photography sessions, documentary. Sure, there was a portrait or two in there, but mainly I photograph as life with a toddler unfolds-waking up from a nap, testing out the potty, playing with dad, learning to walk and eating the healthy green stuff mom makes! The three-hour session produced over a hundred “keepers” that I hope the family with cherish forever.

When my client, Karen Koehler and SKWC, suggested doing a photo shoot that involved a more unique look, I was excited! No more lining people up! She used Annie Leibovitz’s work in Vanity Fair as an example of the look she was going for. Photographing large groups of people can be a challenge, but I couldn’t wait.  While the law firm is located in Seattle’s lower Queen Anne neighborhood, the shoot was at the Washington Athletic Club. The funny thing is that the photo was done as a general law firm portrait. But with Karen’s placement in the photo, it just happened to work great for an advertisement honoring Karen for inclusion on the 2012 Top 50 Women Washington Super Lawyers list. Congratulations Karen Koehler!

One of my favorites from a maternity photo shoot that I never had a chance to post. Isn’t she beautiful?!

Congratulations Pat Greenstreet, Gene Moen and Paul Chemick! Quite the feat!