Summer... Weddings... Love...

Last summer I had the opportunity to shoot a wedding for a wonderful couple, Nicole and Josh. I had such a great time with them and their families! We had a beautiful day, sunny and warm. I can feel it now.... I am not sure about you, but I am ready for a little relief from the rain! It was so much fun to watch this young couple begin their lives together as husband and wife.Nicole's dress had beautiful details, and it was wonderful to watch her mother as she laced it up. She was so excited for her daughter! There was an amazing bathroom with tons of natural light. I love this shot of the bridesmaids preparing for the big day!One of my favorite things about this wedding was the way the couple kept their personality in every aspect of their big day. Nicole loves shoes, and especially this pair. This "something blue" was an awesome touch! There was overcast in the morning which did take away the beautiful view of Mt. Rainier, but made for some fun shots of the groom.
Nicole and Josh, I know that 2008 will be a year filled with excitement and new beginnings! Thank you again for letting me be a part of your big day!

Follow the Signs

Let me start this off by saying that this is not my typical post. It has nothing to do with photography.... hopefully it is not more than you want to hear.... but here it is anyways!


I walk down the hall... take a deep breath... and mumble to myself that everything is going to be all right. It is a long hall, windows line the left side... with a worn floor under my feet I walk on. Then I see the sign. "Inhale"... I do as it says and walk a few feet farther. Another sign, "exhale".... again I follow the direction from the sign and keep walking. "Inhale", "Exhale", Inhale", "Exhale", this continued the entire way until I reached the desk at the end of the hall. Somehow, when I got there I felt a little better, a little more confident, a little more comfortable. It is funny that something as simple as a couple deep breaths can calm your whole body and mind.

I checked myself in and sat down and waited... and waited. I have had a lot of doctor appointments this last year, and I have spent a lot of time in waiting rooms...waiting rooms allow for a lot of thinking time. Time to think about what keeps me from remembering to inhale and exhale. Think about my kids and how fast they are growing and what amazing people they are becoming. Think about the new year and what it will bring. A few hours later and I am headed down that same hall the other direction. No real new news, just a few more pills, but no bad news, therefore a good appointment. Saturday is here again, there are extra pills to take. They fill my hand and fill my mind. Are they helping, what about the side effects, how long will I have to do this?? Then I do it, just as I have every Saturday for the past six months.... I take the pills, when my kiddos are not looking... and move on with life looking forward to the next day, and the new year inhaling and exhaling with each step I take.

These pills are not going to slow me down, they are just my reminder of how lucky I am how lucky all of us are for our health and our bodies. I am not sure what is at the end of your "long hall" these days, but I hope that you remember to inhale and exhale along your way looking forward to the next day and the new year.

God Bless your new year!
Sara

Whidbey Island in the winter

Whidbey Island is beautiful even in the winter. Beautiful yes.... but not warm at all! I had the chance to spend some time with a huge family last weekend, and I was so thankful that they were all so willing to spend some time out in the cold for photos! It was a beautiful setting with an amazing old barn. We had almost twenty people, and did tons of group shots, family shots and shots of the kiddos of course! Here are some of my favorites from one of the families. I have known Jeremy and Jenny for years, and I was thrilled to get a chance to see them and meet their new little one Nate! He is adorable, and such a great sport. His sister Rylan... well you will see what a cutie she is!

Rylan is just one the cutest 3 and 1/2 year old out there. She is such a girl, I love it! We spent some time together taking photos and she would critique them and decide if they were good enough or if we needed to try it again. A future model for sure!

Nate is four months old... and he was such a trooper! This California baby did not seem fazed at all by our chilly weather. He is such an adorable baby... the only boy (so far) out of the seven cousins!

I was so grateful to be a part of this wonderful family reunion! Thanks especially to Jeremy and Jenny who invited me to share in this event. I hope to see you and your kiddos on your next trip up from California!