towards the end of the session, a friend came along and we got some shots of the girls together

and a few of the gorgeous friend!

The day of our sessions it was POURING outside!  I mean totally coming down!  But we still kept the session and did it in her aunts home.  I hope that people can see out there, that no matter where you decide to do a session you can get great images!  Some of my favorite places to shoot are in peoples homes!  This is where they are they most comfortable and them, and it gives us some shots that are just……well, THEM!

Thanks Sarah for thinking of me when you came back up to visit!  Your two girls are just the best!  And that little Carly has the most gorgeous eyes!  Keep in touch and I hope I’ll see you down in California later this summer!

-What if their style isn’t the same as mine?

-What if I don’t get the shots they want?

-What if they totally take over the session?

-What if? What if? What if?

Well when Kellie called me from Oregon, I thought all of the same things!  They were taking a weekend away together and wanted some fun shots in Seattle, to remember when they first met.  Her only directions were fun, colorful, and she wanted them either in Pike Place Market or Pioneer Square.

Even though I’ve lived here for almost 6 years, I haven’t done a session in either of those places yet!  So I was super excited to be able to shoot there.  Kellie found the famed “bubble gum wall”.  I had heard about it, but never knew where it was.  To my surprise it was right around the corner of Pike Street Market, which I’ve been to dozens of times!  I think it’s my new favorite place to shoot (that alley way)…….HINT HINT- anyone wanting portraits, contact me and we’ll take a trip to Seattle!  I also think I need to do some more exploring in Seattle.  I was in photography heaven there!

Anyway, I had such a great time with Kellie and her husband Brian.  I kept calling him Michael the whole time (EMBARASSING!)…..I probably just spelled his name wrong here!  EEEEK!  So let’s just get to the good part- the photos!  Here’s  a Sneak Peek Kellie!  I had the most wonderful time with you guys and I hope to see you later this summer!

And yes friends!  In the photo below, that is ALL chewed up buble gum stuck to the wall……craziness!

Post Alley is so cool and I have many more awesome pictures in their gallery (coming soon!)…..a Storm Trooper Wall, etc.  LOVE this place!

I coined this the poster wall.  I don’t really know what it is called, but I liked the back drop.  So urban!

Everyone should ignore your inhibitions, stand on a street corner like you’re a model and get some fierce photos!  These are some of my favorites, as well as some on the corner accross the street!

Then we found this other wall down ANOTHER alley way.  I saw this bricked in window and snapped away!  Such a fun shoot!

And I’ll probably regret doing this, but Kellie wanted a pic of her and I, so Brian took this pic of us.  I rarely post pics of myself because like any other photographer, I’m MUCH  more comfy behind the camera directing and being in control!  Notice my weird kind of half smile?  OH GEEZ….I think I’ll stop now before I take the pic down!

So my sleep went something like this:

-First I was lost in a high school and thoroughly confused.  I was SUPPOSED to be shooting with Becker but in my dream I was there with my mentor, Simon, and he was telling me to hurry up and get the right shots of the horse drawn carriage.

SERIOUSLY FRIENDS?  WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY BRAIN!????

-Next while I was trying to figure out exactly WHO I was shooting with I was suddenly running through the halls of a high school I didn’t recognize and I couldn’t figure out how to get OUT to get to the wedding.

-Next my camera stopped working.  YES, my new camera.  It just wouldn’t take the picture.  You know, like when you try and release the shutter when there’s no memory card in it?  CRAZY

-Next I found a way out of the school but then I needed a driver to get me to the Ritz ASAP so I wouldn’t be late to shoot.  I got in the car and the driver told me that would be $600 each way!!!  For a 30 minute drive….I started crying, and then I woke up

Yeah, not such a good nights sleep!  I’m excited, sick and nervous all rolled up together internet!  In a few hours I’ll be on a flight to sunny California- only it’s sunny here in Washington too!  I love the ocean, I love meeting people new and old, and I can’t wait for the next few days!  I’ll be 2nd shooting a wedding with Becker on Saturday.  WHAT AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY FOR ME!  It’s a dream for me to be shooting alongside someone I’ve looked up to and admired from the very beginning of this photography journey I’ve been on.

Next I’ll be at Escalate Live!  Remember it’s going to be broadcast live for FREE!  If you can, tune in and listen to some very inspiring people like Jerry Ghionis, Jasmine Star, Becker and MORE.  I’ll also be meeting in person friends that I’ve had online.  Anyway stay tuned right here for updates and photos!

Lastly I’ll leave you with a senior sneak peek!  Leon is like the all American boy next door.  Wait- is there such thing as a “BOY” next door?  HAHA.  He’s a star football player, track star, good student, and just all around respectful, nice kid.  Oh no! Am I getting old now that an 18 year old guy is a kid?  Anyway, he’ll be going to college this fall on a football scholarship.  And as I was taking these photos of him and his girlfriend and then editing them, I was a little sad.  I personally think that Leon looks EXACTLY like his dad who is a friend of mine- only with dark hair.  I used to work with him when I had my career in retail.  I think Leon was 13 at the time, now he’s 18 and leaving home for the first tim. I was sad because I wondered if all too soon I’d be looking at photos of my boys and realize that they were suddenly men!  But I digress  Look at those amazing eyes!  Watch out college! And we had the best time shooting this!  Lots more photos to come- fountains, trees, the beach and a rope swing…….

Dad:

My dad  is doing ok considering.  He finished his first 2 surgeries.  The 2nd surgery was very long (18 hours) and during that surgery an artery was cut a little bit and he lost a lot of blood.  They did a transfusion and everything else went ok.  Since the surgery was so long and he had the transfusion, they decided to finish up the last little bit of a bone graft in a separate surgery, and that will happen in the next few weeks as his body recovers from the other surgeries and transfusion.  The most critical part of the surgery is over, so we are thankful everything went as well as it did.  Thank you all so much again for your concern and thoughts, it really does mean a lot.

Camera Gear:

Ok this is a big one that has got me a little frantic.  As I wrote before, I sold all of my Canon gear faster than I ever thought possible.  I ordered my new Nikon gear, but none of it has gotten here yet!  EEEK!  I’ve been borrowing and renting until it all gets here, but man!  Talk about stress!  I think I’m going to be very happy with Nikon though.  My first shoot with the Nikon equipment is on Sunday, a senior shoot.  And of course I’ll be using the new stuff at the workhsop tomorrow.

Schedule:

My busy season is definitely starting.  I’ve already started scheduling both last minute 2010 seniors and 2011 seniors for over the summer.  I have weddings galore coming up this summer and I just can’t wait to start those again!  I’m looking for more engaged couples.  So if you’re an engaged couple looking to get married later this year or in the future, be sure to contact me for some SUPER deals!  YES, I’m talking SUPER deals  Here’s what’s coming up for me:

May 16-19   Newport Beach, CA for the Escalate Live Conference (I’m SO exicted about this!!) There’s still tickets left if you want to make it too!

May 25        If you go to my church in Poulsbo, I’ll be giving my monthly photo class at 10:30am, it’s free and we’re working on photography basics

May 28       This is my ANNIVERSARY with Nate, 12 YEARS  I’ll also be hosting an Arbonne Party at my home.  GREAT skincare, if you want to come let me                      know!  I’ll get you an invite!

MAY           Baseball season will finally be DONE!  YIPEEEE!

June           The kids will be out of school, what will I do with myself

June 19      My wedding season starts with a super wedding down in Oregon.  I can’t wait!

I’ve also rescheduled the Hawaii Out of the Box Wokrshop for Saturday August 14, so if you want to get in on this one, in an amazing location, email me and I’ll give you the details!  Plus you can start making your travel plans now

I’m going to be posting a Feature Friday blog later today about an amazing client that I’ve had in the past so stay tuned for that post also  As I leave here’s a few of the senior I did this week.  Another Allyson, her full post will come early next week!

This year I decided to switch it up a little bit and give away a senior session.  Well, Allyson was nominated and she won!  She got a day of pampering and fun.  She got her hair done- TWICE, we did a studio session, had some lunch at one of my favorite restraunts on the water, and then went down to my very favorite beach in the area to finished up the day.  I have to admit, I was a little jealous of all of Allyson’s luscious hair- YES, I did just say luscious.  It made me want to grow all my hair out again.

Allyson has the best personality!  She’s funny and smart, and I just had a blast of a day hanging out with her.  She’s going to go places in this world, I just know it!

Thanks Allyson for letting me hang out with you all day long and be my geeky self.  I can truly tell that I’m getting on up there in years, when I try to bust out to Lady Gaga in front of the younger crowd just to make them laugh.  YOU KNOW IT WAS FUNNY THOUGH!  Stay in touch and I wish you nothing but success as you start your journey into adulthood!  ~Katie

PS….I still secretly love Lady Gaga and the Disco Stick song………

Here’s my favorites from Allyson’s Senior Session!

Ahem, so we’re going to skip on over that and go right to the images!

YAY!  This past Saturday I had the opportunity to go visit a photographer that I’ve been around on a forum since I started my business.  I always like to go and support other photographers and meet other photographers and business people in their endeavors.  Ernst lives in Port Angeles, WA and is said to be the best senior photographer on that peninsula.  In fact, it’s not just SAID anymore, he’s HAS been voted the best senior photographer on that peninsula.  SoI took the beautiful drive up to check out his workshop and what he’s been doing.  Not only does Ernst take great senior photos, he also has a stunning collection of fine art black and white photos in his collection.  He likes to refer to the images as his “artsy fartsy” days.  I always giggle a little inside when he says that- but honestly friends I think they’re fantastic!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE fine art black and white photos.  He also had some great insight to the senior business and I was so grateful that he shared with us all!  It was a fantastic day and I even found a little shop that I MUST go back and visit for decorations for my studio!  SHHHH don’t tell Nathan!

OH!  and I got a great shot for my windows project I’m doing!  I’ll post that another time though…..

It seems like the weather has just been against me every week!  This week was no different, in fact it was the worst of any so far.  Anyway Urban was the topic and I drove the back alley’s of Bremerton to find these places.  Some I’d been past before and some I’ll definitely be revisiting for future shoots

I tried a little bit different processing this week also…..not sure how I feel about it yet, but let me just say a LITTLE goes a long way.  I toned this down to 25% and it’s still…..different.  It definitely gave some depth and punch to the image though and made it look how I really saw it.  I used “Super Heroine” from TRA which I’ve never even tested out before.

Now, next week I’ll be doing “SMALL TOWN”  that’s the topic and I’m excited about it because I know exactly what I’m going to do.  I promise my 2009 Lifestyle post will be up this week.  The workshop is kicking my booty it’s coming up so fast!  I’ll leave with a Sneak Peek of the shoot I did on Saturday.  I love 6 month olds!

I started with 20 spots and now have 8 left.  It’s going to be a really fun and informative day, where we’ll all learn SOMETHING from each other  I’m big on sharing with others and helping others out.  I think it’s a great way to meet some fabulous people and I think it helps to build up the photography community specifically!  I have my models lined up for the live shoot and they are going to be fantastic!  We’ll be doing seniors one hour and couples the next hour, and I’m working hard on styling and arranging it all!

I’ll be looking to get a final head count by January 15 so I can let the caterer’s know what’s needed and get everything pulled together, so if you’ve been thinking about registering, NOW’S THE TIME TO DO IT

Remember this is a full day workshop that will help you jumpstart your business.  If you’ve been in business for a while but are feeling a bit stagnant, you will go away with a renewed energy for 2010!  And if you’re on the fence about starting your own business or where to go with your new business, you’ll come out focused and with a plan!  E-mail me if you have any questions!

I’m leaving you today with a peek at one of my recent sessions, such a cute family!

December

• 8-12           All outstanding orders will be processed and completed, as well as the last few sessions I’ve done this past week
• 14-17         I will be tying up all loose ends with any other business needs
• 18-20        Salt Lake City (last wedding of the season!)  I will have limited communications during these dates
• 21-Jan 4   I will be on vacation.  Again, I will be available on a limited basis through e-mail and phone

Of course I will be blogging during this time and planning out my schedule, goals and business plans for next year.  I will also still be accepting bookings during this time, however I’m booked out until after February 6.  If you’d like to reserve your session give me a call!

I’ll leave you with this sneak peek from one of my sessions that I’m working on.  I just loved it!  And then I’m going to get my Christmas shopping done!….I’m so far behind on Christmas preparations!