Seattle Family Portraits_Richmond Beach

Autumn at Richmond Beach Autumn at Richmond Beach Autumn at Richmond Beach Autumn at Richmond Beach Autumn at Richmond Beach Autumn at Richmond Beach Autumn at Richmond Beach Autumn at Richmond Beach Autumn at Richmond BeachAutumn at Richmond BeachI really dont know what to say about Autumn and her parents. The Edmonds couple and their 2 year old are as sweet as sugar! They did their thing, and I documented. Even though it was a summer day, the fog helped to get the harsh rays of the sun off their faces for our session. Cant wait for our next photo session!

Documentary Family Photography_West Seattle

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What will you remember about your life? Will it be the house with the big backyard where you had tea with mom or picked a poppy for dad? Family photography comes in all types, but I encourage you to consider documenting your real life. It can be at your home, but I can also tag along with you for a day at the beach, a trip to the tulip fields or a pumpkin patch.

Black and White Family Portraits-Studio

Kaleb and Charlyn Kaleb and Charlyn Kaleb and Charlyn Kaleb and CharlynKaleb and Charlyn Kaleb and Charlyn

Charlyn and Kaleb were really great to work with. They were both very nice people and Charlyn knew exactly what she wanted to achieve from our photo session- a strong black and white studio image of their relationship. Looking forward to their second session documenting Kaleb’s amazing basketball skills on the court (he currently plays for Mercer Island and is being recruited by many colleges) and more candid photographs in a park near their Seattle home.

Senior Portraits in West Seattle

Olivia Olivia Olivia Olivia Olivia Olivia Olivia

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

Author Portrait_Seattle Photographer

Lois Brandt, Writer, Seattle Lois Brandt, Writer, Seattle

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

 

 

Documentary Family Photography-Twins

Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks Graysen and Kaia, 9 weeks

 

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.

Seattle Wedding Photographers

Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together. Dayna and Tammy get married after 29 years together.

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

Seattle Family Portraits

Van, Olivia and Miya Van, Olivia and Miya Van, Olivia and Miya Van, Olivia and Miya Van, Olivia and Miya Van, Olivia and Miya Van, Olivia and Miya Van, Olivia and Miya Van, Olivia and Miya

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!

Seattle Family Photography

Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole Mike, Leo and Nicole

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!

Seattle Documentary Family Photography

Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle Tracy, Luke and Geneva, 13 months, Seattle schenker_geneva_111-2

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.