I just spent {five} lovely days surrounded by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and amazing pals.  I feel like a new gal because 2010 has been a little rough so far and this was JUST what I needed.  Here we are…

{Image courtesy of Jen Fox, who set the self timer and had her camera literally hanging from a H-U-G-E nail in a fence — love it!}

This time away to reflect, discuss, laugh, talk shop, and just RELAX was perfect and I came home ready to hug my family for days and even welcomed the dishes, which I absolutely can’t stand…EVER.

::Some highlights:::

• an evening massage AT the “Orange Door Cottage” where we were staying (seriously, a dream come true — the cottage AND massage!)

• a little flash talk by Jen of Jen Fox Photography — I really needed it!
• a maternity shoot of Jen in downtown Seattle (Pike Place Market, a yummy doughnut shop, AND the infamous gum wall.) 

• eating clam chowder (the real stuff!) while watching ferries leave trails behind them through the water
• taking portraits of my gorgeous, sassy pals (details and pics to come in another post, I promise!!!)
• waking up to rain, seagulls, and the sound of waves crashing for two days…
• shooting an engagement session with my 3 lovely pals and a couple willing to do fun, zany stuff!

{check out his HOPS!!!  da-hang!}

• shopping at H&M and other fun stores in downtown Seattle WHILE drinking Starbucks, of course!
• taking pictures of details and our lovely surroundings — focusing on the beauty around us, minus people!  <– I’m definitely not used to this…

• getting some portraits taken of ME!!!  yes, this is embarrassing…i don’t get behind the camera much, BUT it’s good practice and always good for a photographer to have a great portrait!  these ladies are pros and i got some good ones!  yay!

Have a lovely day!  I’m going to TRY and start posting more often, so get ready!  Couple times a week — it’ll be fun!  Thanks for stopping by.  Can’t wait till next year, ladies!!!

~mm

I have been SO fortunate to photograph this ultra fun family THREE years in a row. This year, the beautiful momma is pregnant with a little lady, so it was even more fun because we got to squeeze in some maternity shots, too.

Isn’t she beautiful???

Can’t wait until next year, you guys.
Have a super day,
~mm

Pregnancy hasn’t been easy for this gorgeous mom. I like to tell moms that have had a rough time to just feel gorgeous for THIS DAY and it usually works! They embrace their inner supermodel and in no time, we have images like this. She worked it!

I can’t really pinpoint why I love this image so much…it must be the combination of everything. Her cute shirt & pose, the light at the very end of her hair, the white trailers in the background, the rusty train car…and like always, in maternity images, a perfectly round belly conveys a feeling of hope and excitement.

My pregnancies weren’t easy either, but I always had the big picture in mind — that beautiful baby — so this is what I see here.

Best of luck to the G family in these next couple weeks until their little princess is born!

Have a super day. ~m

I remember when smooches looked and felt like this from my daughter.    
Aren’t they adorable? 

Aren’t these fun? It’s just so apparent that the love is just flowing and flowing in this fam — it was so much fun to photograph them. Even more from this session soon!

Off to a photography convention in Phoenix so I can be a sponge for two days — have a great day! ~m

Wooooo weeee.  What a break!  We’ve been busy!!!

We:

• had two very fun-filled holidays with family and friends (amazing food, thoughtful gifts, and lots of entertaining gift wrap fights!
• had to say goodbye to some very special friends who moved away to Oregon — so sad. 
• slept in & went to bed late
• had two sick kiddos plus one sick dog
• met a two-day-old handsome little lad in the hospital — i LOVED every second of the visit with my pal Tami and her hubs (some pics to come!)
• read tons of kid books, drank cocoa, spent 20+ hours at the park (on the slide specifically!), and went on lots of walks (lovin’ the fall-like weather since AZ seasons are all screwy!).

***I can just FEEL that 2009 is going to be different and I’m SO excited about it!***

And now, because I can’t wait ANY longer….presenting the wonderful B family.  They’re expecting a baby next month!    Dad and little A were having a ball with all the leaves!

This family was extra fun and special.  So many smiles, lots of tender interaction, and TONS of playing!

^ adorable BELLY!!!

^  One of the happy couple — he was being hilarious right here! 

And lastly, one of my favs. I think she just GLOWS.

Thanks you guys for such an incredible morning! Stay tuned for more peeks next week of this fam!

*****Have an awesome day & get ready for those daily posts again. I have lots and lots of images up my sleeve! ~m

Isn’t the sign just perfecto??? Love the mood, setting, perfect belly, gorgeous prego gal…it just all fits.

Okay, now you’ve got to change gears. No more workshop. Think calm, peaceful, slow-moving stream, the sound of water passing over rocks, leaves on the bank, rustling in the wind…

And lastly…

You are such a beauty, T, and just radiate with that gorgeous belly of yours! Thanks for trusting me and workin’ it for the camera…can’t wait to meet the little fella.

Have a lovely day. ~m

:::more of this gorgeous family below:::

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WHAT a weekend.

We had an absolute blast at a 23,000 acre ranch out near Prescott. It was, not only a stunning property, but we met (and stayed with) the nicest, most hospitable people, and the kids loved the freedom of ranch life.

Peach spent 99.9% of the time with a kitty in her arms and glued to a new little 4-year-old friend she made. She had perma-grin the whole time and it felt like I barely saw her.

Fella loved chasing the kitties, and, of course, rides on the 4-wheeler and rock throwing.

I cannot even explain how I felt. I loved the extra family time and peaceful beauty there. It was a much needed break from the fast-paced life in which we live!

While we were there, I had the pleasure of taking pictures of a dear friend of mine and her stunning family. She is also a photographer in the valley and is expecting baby number three in several weeks.

Taking pics of another photographer was HARD work!!! But definitely fun.   Check out this little beauty!

And her beautiful twin sis…

I just have to say that I *LOVE* how T stepped out of the box and dressed her fam in bright colors.  I think it really makes her family pop and look so fresh and stylish.

We had our family pics taken, too, so be on the lookout for some of those! Listen to this…seriously 7 minutes before our photo shoot, my hubby went to the car to get some shoes and BAM! walked right into a tree branch he couldn’t see because of the sun.  Mmmm hmmmm…that branch left a HUGE scratch all over his face!!! Go figure! At least we have a good story AND some Photoshop practice!

Stay tuned for:::more Sedona pics, AND a super fun, outdoorsy, chic maternity shoot done at the ranch this weekend.

Have a spectacular week and thank you SOOOO very much {P family} for such a fun trip AND to the amazing K family for having us.    I feel recharged.   Yipppeeee.   ~m

Although this isn’t a “typical” maternity image of mine, I truly enjoy stretching my creativity and experimenting with my clients.  For this example, L wanted a shot similar to this and we made it happen. I *love* her look here:  her expression, blowing hair, hand delicately touching her face, other hand (with a touch of attitude) on her hip, lines & shadows created by the fabric, and lastly her perfect belly.

Life as a photographer, for me, means constantly learning and stretching my abilities and creativity  — I always welcome client ideas (and I’m glad clients welcome mine)!  What’s really been eye-opening lately, is an online form I have clients fill out when they book a session.  Their answers truly help me plan for the session and know what type of photography they lean toward.  I REALLY take those seriously — I know it will help our connection even more!

Stay tuned for my latest and greatest in “stretching”!!!  I have some fun equipment coming any day now and look forward to sharing it with you!

Have one incredible day!  ~m