It’s got that E-town flava {Ephrata Family Photographer}

Matt and Tyona wanted family photos but they didn’t exactly want to be IN them.  They knew they had to in order to appease family members.  Raise your hand if you can identify!  I am certainly one of those people who would rather be behind the camera rather than in front of it.  I promised Tyona that everything would be fine and I would come up with something that would please everyone.

In the end it’s always worth it to take a risk and get those family photos made.  You just never know what tomorrow brings.  You just.never.know.  And I’m so proud of Matt and Tyona for making this happen!  You did it guys!  I think everyone had fun for the most part.  Tom, the 4 yr old, said that it was boring and stupid about 10 minutes into the session.  Kids say the darnest things!  That kid was jumping off things, being silly and he got to stand right next to a train as it whizzed past him so I don’t think it was all THAT bad for him.    What a riot!

Tyona told me that she wanted their session to have a definite Ephrata feel to it because they know they won’t be here for TOO much longer.  What a great way to remember their time in E-town?!

Katie is reading her favorite book.

I don’t think I knew this sign existed until Tyona requested this shot.  I’m so glad she did!

I told them what to do in case a train came, but I didn’t think it would actually happen.  Score!

Thanks, A-Team!  It was a pleasure

Back for more {Ephrata WA Family Photographer}

I am always thrilled and honored when a family asks me to make their family portraits.  When that same family comes back AGAIN for more portraits then I almost get a little choked up. It means so much to me that these people have faith in me and chose me out of the sea of photographers to photograph their family not once but TWICE!  I never take that for granted.  Last Fall I photographed this amazing family.

I loved how their session turned out last time, so I was super nervous to try and top it.   It was fun to see how the kids have grown in a year as well as the family farm.  Matt and Amanda, it was a privilege!

Amanda said that Addyson had been looking forward to pictures for a week.  She loves getting her photo taken!

…with her favorite cat

Fall Mini-Sessions in Coulee Dam,Oct. 29th

This a FABULOUS deal!  All sessions must be pre-registered and pre-paid.  In case of inclement weather a full refund will be issued.

Jose turns 1 {Ephrata Baby Photographer}

Well folks, another baby has graduated from the Baby Plan….little Jose.  Oh, Jose….he is a little doll baby!  It has been a pleasure getting to know his parents…some of the nicest people you will ever meet.  I have the best clients ever and some of them are like GOLD to me.  I really have yet to meet a client that I didn’t like, but there are some that are just so positive and encouraging and just AWESOME. Alma, Jose’s mama, is one of them. I truly hope I get to keep photographing this family.

What a joy to watch Jose grow up to be a happy, healthy one year old.  I seriously have one of the neatest jobs in the world!

First, a look back.

And now…

Jose thought releasing the balloons was the funniest thing ever.

Nicollette & Brad {Grand Coulee Wedding Photographer}

Crazy story.  Josh and the kids and I went to Grand Coulee for a wedding last weekend.  Sat. morning I had a family photo session there, a hair appointment after that and then we were just going to hang out until the wedding started.  On Saturday, after my morning photo session,  I’m sitting in the massage chair  waiting for my color to set and gabbing with the other ladies at the salon.  In walks the mother of the bride (We used to live in Coulee and know Karrie from way back) to get her make up done.  We’re just chit chatting and asking her how the day was going for her. Karrie begins to tell us that a few of the vendors have backed out.  Not one, but a few.  As it turns out, the photographer was one of them.  They were calling and emailing people last minute to find a replacement,but no one was coming through for them.  Of course I was going to do it for them!  Any one with a heart would do the same.

Dude, it’s someone’s wedding day!  You don’t back out on someone on their wedding day.  It doesn’t matter what your skill level is.  If you say you’re going to do something, you do it.  People are counting on you.  With that being said always, always, ALWAYS get a signed contract when dealing with wedding vendors even if it’s a friend.  A contract protects the client AND the vendor.  I’ve heard too many horror stories about this very sort of thing.

I’m so glad that I was at the right place, at the right time.  I thank God that I already had a photo session scheduled that weekend or else I wouldn’t have even brought my camera. In that case I would have used someone else’s and THAT would have been super frustrating.  Time was against  me all the way, but we made it work.  I had 1 lovely assistant and a makeup artist that stepped up to the plate in a big way.  Thank you Elizabeth and Anjye…and Nate and Raehanne for helping us get our kids ready, fed and out the door!

And without further adieu…

Sadly, the bridesmaids were not ready in time for their pre-wedding shots.  I was able to take my time and get good shots of the guys so that’s why there are so many of them.  This is why it’s important to be on time…for all involved with the photos.

The girls in their cute, sparkly Toms….love ‘em!

Emmaline, 1 year {Central Washington Family Photographer}

Oh my goodness, I’ve been waiting very patiently for Emmaline’s parents to ask me to photograph her.  Seriously, every time I saw a photo of her sweet little face on FaceBook I just knew that she needed to be in front of MY camera.  Her eyes are killer!  My oldest daughter is always talking about Emmaline and her big, brown eyes.

And I need to let you know that baby E  is related to me…by marriage, but still.  I know it’s not fair,  but there is not one ugly kid in our family!  Not one!  They are all so stinkin’ cute.

When my oldest daughter, who is now 11, was a baby Jeff used to tease her all the time.  There was a time where I had JUST gotten her to sleep and then Jeff woke her up…on purpose!  He just has that reputation with all the little kids…”the teaser”.  I always swore when he had kids I was going to give them heck!  I just can’t bring myself to do it though.  Emmaline is too sweet.  I guess I’m just not a punk like that. Now on to the good stuff…

Thank you Jeff and Elizabeth for asking me to take Emmaline’s pictures.  She is so adorable!

(P.S.  To be fair to Jeff, he also used to come by and take Katelyn to the park…just for fun.  That was very nice.)

A Spot of Tea? {Ephrata Photographer}

I couldn’t stop smiling when Katie told me the idea she had for this photo session.  She wanted to do a Mad Hatter inspired tea party….”weird and awesome” she said.  Here you go, Katie!  I hope I did your “weird and awesome” justice. 

(Click on the images to make them larger.)

And the fabulous Brittany Stiles of Classy Cuts did hair and makeup.